Ode to the Circle Punch (& In Colors)

May 4, 2026Leave a comment

A couplet in honor of the circle punch:

“O steadfast circle punch, quiet hero of the craft,

You press into the spotlight with a single, perfect draft.”

Of all the paper punches I own, the CIRCLE is the one that I reach for the most often. It’s simply a tool that every paper crafter must have on hand, and the only thing better than one circle punch is TWO!

Today I shared a three card ideas using a circle punch, along with a few paper crafting tips that will help you become a better creator in my LIVE CRAFTING VIDEO:

This is the card guests stamped at my Catalog Carnival Open house over the weekend, and it’s so simple to make by using the 1-3/4″ Circle Punch for the sentiment. The butterflies are stamped and cut out with the All Aflutter punch that drops tomorrow in my Stampin’ Store:

Hydrangea Hue All Aflutter Notecard, Fluttering By to Say Hi

Hydrangea Hue (the color of the butterfly card) is a NEW 2026-2028 In Color, and I showed the new ink pad case in the video, which I KNOW you are going to obsess over both the pads & colors, so I made this notecard in every color (clockwise from top left: Barely Blush, Golden Glow, Hydrangea Hue, Crisp Cantaloupe and Peaceful Pine):

2026-2028 In Color All Aflutter Notecards with circle

SIDE NOTE: Join my team in May 2026 and you’ll get all 5 of these In Color Stamp Pads in your Starter Kit FREE!

May 2026 Stampin’ Up!®️ Starter Kit Offer

Don’t need ink? You can choose an additional $35 worth of products for your Starter Kit instead. That’s $160 worth of products for only $99!

Circling back to our circle punch projects, the next card I demonstrated was the “Old Friends are the Best Friends” card featuring the Silly Old Bear Designer Series Paper and more of the new In Colors. This one layered the 2″ circle (Pooh & Piglet) over the 2-3/4″ circle punch:

Silly Old Bear Designer Series Paper Old Friends Card with Circle Punches

And the last card was a “Golden Glow”up of the Moonlit Flora suite as a peek-through card – you’ll want to watch to see how this one is done in the easiest way:

Peek-through card with circle punches and Moonlit Flora Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up!®️

This is NOT a comprehensive list of ways to use the Stampin’ Up!®️ circle punches, only the very beginning! Check back often this month for MORE sensational stamping with circles as we launch our May products starting May 5th.

Both Silly Old Bear and Moonlit Flora Designer Series Paper is included in the Creative Juice Paper Share and tomorrow (May 5th) is the deadline to reserve your share.

Creative Juice Designer Series Paper Share

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Waterside Retreat Shadowbox Card

Shadowbox Cards (& Paper Pumpkin Peek)

April 7, 2026Leave a comment

I’m revisiting an oldie, but a goodie: This classic shadowbox card is easy to make with any scenery-inspired Designer Series Paper and when it’s removed from the envelope, pops out to stand up!

Shadowbox card with Stampin' Up! Boardwalk Fun

What could be better than spun sugar (a.k.a. cotton candy) to celebrate any special occasion? This Strawberry Slush shadowbox is created from the same Beach Boardwalk Suite I spotlighted last week and it’s now on the LAST CHANCE list, so don’t hesitate!

To help you learn how to make a shadowbox card, I’ve made a tutorial video you can watch (you’ll find it as you scroll down) and features a sneak peek at the Waterside Retreat Suite coming in May, which coordinates with the April Paper Pumpkin Kit. As the PP kit will have it’s own unique stamp set, consider it an extension of the Waterside Retreat suite, with additional sentiments & images that will complement the suite. You REALLY DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS and must subscribe by April 10th:

This is the card I demonstrated in the how-to video:

There is room to write a message on the back of the card, and a fun anchor & rope detail on the front:

Naturally, I had to make a few more versions:

For the landscape shadowbox cards, you’ll score two pieces of 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ card stock at 1/2″ and 1″ from both short sides, but if you want to make a portrait card (as shown below), score at 3/8″ and 3/4″ on the long sides:

Watch this video and you’ll be stamping shadowbox cards in no time:

As I mentioned in the video, I also have a Designer Series Paper Share in May where you can get a 6″ x 6″ piece of EVERY pattern dropping next month! Sign up early, as there may be backorders delaying orders (crossing my fingers we don’t have a problem)

Reserve a Paper Share

While the Waterside Retreat suite is also a preview, you can order other supplies from my Stampin’ Store to create shadowbox cards, such as the previously mentioned Beach Boardwalk Suite, Cute as a Bug Suite and much more!

Shop Now

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Christ-Centered Easter Card, Empty Tomb Card, Stampin' Up! Reason to Celebrate and Seasonal Celebrations

Empty-Tomb Easter Card

March 2, 2026March 2, 2026Leave a comment

As we come to the end of our Reasons & Season week, I have one ultimate #celebrationcombination card for you, and it’s the VERY BEST REASON to celebrate: The Life, Atonement and Resurrection of the Savior of the World!

In my first-Monday-of-the-Month LIVE crafting video, I demonstrated this “Empty-Tomb” card which testifies of the greatest gift we have ever received:

I am grateful to combine more than just two stamp sets, but also my love of paper crafting with my testimony of Jesus Christ. Because of His life, sacrifice and resurrection, we can have HOPE for better things to come! We can repent of our sins and strive to become the person He wants each of us to be. Without Easter, there would be NO joy at Christmas!

For this card, you can use any picture that shows your gratitude for Christ’s atonement. This is the picture I printed depicting a risen Christ speaking to Mary which I used in the first card, but perhaps you have another illustration that strikes your heart-strings. Obviously, there were no cameras to mark this event most central to the history of all creation, but I appreciate those who attempt to capture the awe and reverence of the moment.

In this video, I share tips and tricks to make this card simple to prepare, stamp and assemble:

Thank you for visiting, for saving your favorite project of the past week (scroll through to see them all), and for supporting my Stampin’ Up!®️ business in many ways.

Product List

Wishing you PEACE in CHRIST and joy in stamping ~ Loni Spendlove

New at SU: Reverse Stamping for Anniversary Card

February 18, 2026February 18, 20262 Comments

What’s the latest at Stampin’ Up!®️?? Our international New at SU! design team is here to show you how versatile and essential a stamp positioning tool is, AND how you can get the NEW Stampin’ Positioner FREE during February 2026!

Let’s use the Stampin’ Positioner to make a REVERSE IMAGE using the Valentine Kisses bundle to make an adorable greeting card for a Wedding Anniversary ~ make sure to WATCH THE TUTORIAL below.

The bear stamp originally faces right, so how can you flip it? By using your SILICONE CRAFT SHEET on your Stampin’ Positioner! It makes it so easy, you can use the die to cut it out and it’s in the perfect place every time. Watch this:

I used the same technique for the vellum wings, and embossed them with clear powder over the Fresh Freesia ink, so they would dry quickly. And the Lasting Linen stamp set gives the background a faux-texture that is beautiful.

On the inside, I added sentiments from both Valentine Kisses and Reason to Celebrate:

The only way to get the Stampin’ Positioner this month is in the Stampin’ Up!®️ Starter Kit, and it will be automatically added to your order. Smart stampers know this is the best value anytime, but it has ADDED value this month!

Eventually, this tool will be available for purchase, but we don’t have a date yet, so if you just can’t wait, join my team (click link or image) or ask your demonstrator how to join.

What ELSE can you do with the positioner? I’m GLAD YOU ASKED! These demonstrators are all showing techniques and tips that you’ll love to learn. Visit each blog and SAVE your favorite ideas:

February 2026 New at SU! Hop: Stampin’ Positioner

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Furry Cat Design (UK) – Cute as a Bug and stamping on die cut shapes

2.iHeartCards2 (US) New At SU! February 2026 Blog Hop – Stampin’ Positi

3.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)- Stampin’ Positioner Filled wit

4.Stamping Flair (AU) – Stampin’ Positioner – Selective Stamping

5.Creative Juice by Loni (US) – Reverse Stamping for Anniversary Card w

6.247 Inkspiration (US) – Woolly Friends

7.De Kijkkast (NL) – Making a Wreath with Fragrant Layers

Not ready to join, but want to shop? Starting today (for 3 DAYS ONLY-February 18-20, 2026) enjoy FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75 PLUS qualify to purchase the Product of the Month for just $5!

Product List

Valentine Kisses Bundle (English)

Reason To Celebrate Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

Lasting Linen Photopolymer Stamp Set

Silicone Craft Sheet

Branching Out Dies

Lovely & Beautiful 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

Fresh Freesia 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Peach Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Fresh Freesia Classic Stampin' Pad

Peach Pie Classic Stampin Pad

Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

Baker's Twine Essentials Pack

Basics Wow! Embossing Powder

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

Mini Glue Dots

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin' Seal

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Positioner Tool (and How to Get One!)

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026Leave a comment

From building to baking, from sewing to paper crafting, the correct tool makes any project easier, and the new Stampin’ Up!® Stampin’ Positioner does exactly that. Once you use it, you wonder how you ever crafted without it! Today I shared three simple ways to put it to work, and each one shines in the trio of projects you see here, with a video tutorial included.

3 ways to use the Stampin' Up! Stampin' Positioner

3 Clever Ways to Use the NEW Stampin’ Up!® Stampin’ Positioner

1. Perfect Placement: Line up your stamps to be exactly where you want them to be, and if you need to re-stamp, or have two-step stamps (like the jar of hearts), this tool is your best friend.

2. Can You Repeat That, Please?
When you want sentiments or images to be duplicated, use the smaller plate and move it down the pegs to stamp it again! For the masculine birthday card, “Happy Birthday” was easy to impress multiple times in a clean, evenly spaced design. Because the stamp stays in place, you can re-ink the saying and re-stamp with confidence.

3. You’ve Been Framed
The daisy chain “frame” around this anniversary card is a single line of flower images, but this tool made it easy to stamp around the block! Flirty Flamingo card stock: 4.5″ square (finished card is 5.25″ square, because I had envelopes that size).

Ready to get your hands on this cool tool?

Current demonstrators had the opportunity to pre-order it, but starting tomorrow – February 3 through March 2, 2026 –

it’s a FREE GIFT included in the Stampin’ Up! Starter Kit!!

Yes, it will be available in the future for customers to purchase, but we don’t have a date yet when it will be released, so accept the opportunity to choose $125 in Stampin’ Up! products AND A FREE STAMPIN’ POSITIONER for just $99! Shipping on starter kits is FREE (another perk) and you’ll get a 20-25% discount on your future purchases, as you “try on” the demonstrator apron with NO STRINGS ATTACHED (pun intended)

Choose your Starter Kit

This is my introductory demonstration of the Stampin’ Positioner and the three ways I used it ~ supplies listed below.

Product List

Sweet Jar Bundle (English)

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Stylish Shapes Dies

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Made With Love 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

Real Red 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Shiny Ribbon

Reason To Celebrate Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

Seasonal Celebrations Photopolymer Stamp Set

Crumb Cake 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Cardstock

Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad

Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

Earthy Matte Dots

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Lovely Doilies

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

Stampin' Dimensionals

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Made With Love & Letters

January 27, 2026Leave a comment

Whenever I can craft smarter (not harder), it’s a win!

This Valentine card duo only requires ONE pass through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine, and you’ll have letters and the negative space to create two LOVE LETTERS:

Cutting Guide (supplies listed at bottom for easy adding to cart!):

Two Basic White Thick card bases, 8.5″ x 5.5″ scored at 4.25″
Two Real Red card stock layers: One cut to 5.25″ x 4″ and one 5″ x 3.75″
Two pieces of Made with Love Designer Series Paper: One cut to 5.25″ x 4″ and one 5″ x 3.75″
Scraps of Real Red and Flirty Flamingo for heart embellishments.

It’s so simple to do, and you can follow along with a short video. ** Remember to die cut the letters from the smaller Real Red card stock (5″ x 3.75″)

Important note: There are just a few days left to earn BONUS DAYS coupons with each $50 ordered from my Stampin’ Store by February 2nd!

Collect all the coupon codes emailed to you after your order(s) and set a reminder to redeem them in February!

Product List

Made With Love 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

Party Alphabet Dies

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Valentine Kisses Dies

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin' Seal

New at SU! Woven Heart Baskets

January 21, 2026January 21, 202610 Comments

Our worldwide New at SU! design team is back to inspire you with new stamping ideas for 2026 and we’re starting off with the theme of “Handcrafted Hearts” 💕 I’ve been wanting to make these adorable “danish woven heart baskets” with the Everyday Arches dies, so this is the moment:

My mom taught me to make these when I was a young girl, and truthfully, I never really got the hang of them until NOW. To help YOU, I’ve created a short How-To video:

The woven pattern is so lovely with the two-tone card stock that I didn’t want anything covering it, so opted for a small heart punched from the new Pastels Shimmer paper and a mini-banner with the message that matches.

You’ll have all the heart eyes 😍 when you see more works of heart made by the other folks, and remember to PIN or SAVE your favorites:

January 2026 New at SU! Hop: Handcrafted Hearts

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Did You Stamp Today? (USA)- Beautiful Wedding

2.Astrids Papiereuphorie (AT) – Von Herzen

3.Stamping Flair (AU) – Handcrafted Hearts

4.iHeartCards2 (US) – New At SU! Blog Hop – Handcrafted Hearts

5.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)- Hearts Gusseted Treat Bags

6.Creative Juice by Loni (US) – Woven Heart Baskets

7.247 Inkspiration (US) – Valentine Kisses

8.Furry Cat Design (UK) – Love Notes

9.De Kijkkast (NL) – Woolly Friends/Swirled Designs

Have you ever made these woven baskets before? Let me know (comments at top, near post date)

Would you like to give it a try? NOW is the time to order your Valentine products and thanks for shopping in my store:

Product List

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Wow Bow Fun Fold Card

January 5, 2026January 5, 2026Leave a comment

We card creators are constantly faced with a dilemma: Which side of this pretty paper should I use when both front and back designs are beautiful? The Wow Bow Fun Fold lets you use BOTH sides and is easily crafted from ONE PIECE of 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper:

This idea was adapted slightly from my friend Frances Martin of Frenchiestamps.com and you can see her versions HERE.

As I explain in the tutorial video, I like to pair bold designs with small patterns, and most of the time, Stampin’ Up! does the work for us by creating Designer Series Paper (DSP) that coordinates on front and back with contrasting colors and patterns. You can take your cue for the colors of your card from the DSP itself, as well. For my demonstration card (above) I chose a Fresh Freesia card base and Old Olive layer on the front, which matches the Lovely & Beautiful Designer Series Paper I used.

Two more versions: One showcasing the Made with Love DSP and the other featuring Cute as a Bug paper — tomorrow can’t come soon enough for you to collect all these patterns!

All of these papers will be included in the Paper & Ribbon Share, where you’ll receive a 6″ x 6″ piece of each paper arriving TOMORROW (Jan. 6, 2026) to play with! Don’t hesitate, the deadline for reserving your share is TODAY (Jan. 5, 2026). If there are any shares left over, they will be offered first-come-first-served at the Card Cafe Class in Hurricane, UT on January 15th.

The video will walk you through making this easy fancy fold card, and the measurements are below.

Card Measurements:

Card base 5.5″ x 8.5″ card stock
First layer 4″ x 5.25″ card stock
Designer Series Paper 6″ x 6″ – cut 3/4″ off bottom and score remaining piece at 1.5″ and 4.5″
Use 3/4″ strip INSIDE the card!

This final sample uses the Hobby Haven Designer Series Paper available now in my Stampin’ Store. It is NOT included in the Paper Share, but sure makes beautiful cards for folks with hobbies such as crafting, baking, houseplants (shown), sewing, self-care, etc. :

COMING TOMORROW, January 6th:

Customers may begin to order from January-April Mini Catalog and January Online Exclusives!
NEW Product of the Month drops!
NEW KITS available!
BONUS DAYS earning period begins: Earn $5 coupon for each $50 spent (in addition to collecting 10% back in Stampin’ Rewards!) to redeem between February 3-28, 2026!

Waterfall Gift Card Folio Tutorial

December 1, 2025Leave a comment

When my cousin Valarie asked if I could make a Gift Card Folio like one she had seen on a social media, I watched the video she shared and said ABSOLUTELY!

Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas Gift Card Folio

This is a larger version of a classic interactive card design called a “Waterfall Card”, and this one presents FIVE GIFT CARDS (or would be an excellent base for a mini photo album). After a few tries and tweaks, I was satisfied with the result – give this a try! You can follow along with the video instructions below 🖥️

Inside the gift card folio featuring Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas Designer Series Paper

I’ve used the Modern Christmas Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!® to embellish this folio, though I show a few other versions made with the retired “Season of Green & Gold” DSP in the video. The black, white & gold is just so elegant, and of course, you can choose any colors/patterns/paper that fit your occasion.

TIP: Add gift cards to each of the five panels with mini glue dots, or use the panels and both sides of the folder for photos of a event to remember!

When you pull the tab, the “waterfall” begins to cascade, and a “secret message” appears:

Maximizing the use of materials was important to me, so this version uses a full sheet of 12″ x 12″ card stock (and a full sheet of 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper, if you cut it wisely), plus a few extra pieces. WATCH the tutorial to see HOW TO CUT the card stock!

Measurements:

11-7/8″ x 9″ Basic Black card stock, scored at 4″ and 8″
12″ x 3″ Basic Black card stock, scored at 1″, 2″, 3″, 4″ and 5″
6″ x 1-1/2″ Basic Black card stock, scored at 1″ and 4-7/8″
5 pieces of card stock 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″
Designer Series Paper: TWO 8-3/4″ x 3-3/4″ and TWO 8-3/4″ x 3-5/8″
Gold Foil sheet: 1-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ for the belly band
Scraps of card stock for label, scraps of Designer Series Paper for embellishments inside.

Making paper crafting easy for you is my goal. What did you think about this tutorial? Please leave a comment and tell me what you’ll use this idea for (comments are found at the top of the post, next to the posting date).

Product List

DON’T MISS THIS!

If you’ve been waiting for a good time to subscribe to the BEST MONTHLY CRAFT KIT, OR you need a unique and creative gift for a friend, this is your sign! From December 1-9, pre-paid Paper Pumpkin subscriptions are discounted as follows:

3-month prepaid: $61.00 (regular price $81.00)

6-month prepaid: $122.00 (regular price $162.00)

12-month prepaid: $244.00 (regular price $324.00)

This price includes shipping! Now, here’s the fine print:

* Subscriptions purchased during this promotion start immediately with the December Watercolor in Bloom Kit. This kit cannot be skipped.

* Do not purchase multiple subscriptions for the same recipient. The subscriptions will all start with the Watercolor in Bloom Kit, so the recipient will end up receiving duplicates of the same kit each month.

* If you are already a Paper Pumpkin monthly subscriber, this is a great opportunity to save on your upcoming kits!

* If you ALREADY HAVE a pre-paid subscription and wish to take advantage of the sale, go into your account and PAUSE your currrent December kit, unless you wish to have 2 of the same boxes shipped to you (the other would be a lovely gift to give!).

Sign me up for Paper Pumpkin!

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Christmas Ornament in a Flip-Flap Card

November 5, 2025November 5, 20251 Comment

There have been a lot of MAILABLE GIFT IDEAS shared on my website this year, thus, it’s fitting that we add an ornament featuring the large Gold Hoops (also from my store) that could be hung on a Christmas tree. Awesomely, Stampin’ Up!’s new 4″ x 4″ FLIP-FLAPS allow the ornament to double as the decoration for the front of the card, and I have a video tutorial to help you learn how to make one!

By folding the Flip Flap pocket over the front of the card, you can slide the ornament inside and lift the flap to open and get it out. NOTE: In my tutorial, I adhered the flip flap to the inside layer, but you’ll want to adhere it to the back panel inside the card instead, so the ornament doesn’t fall out until you open the flap!

Using the Modern Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper and “A Child is Born” stamp set was an elegant combination, don’t you agree?

This next version was inspired by an ornament my teammate Angaleen taught us in our November team virtual Stamp & Chat meeting, and uses the North Pole Delivery Specialty Designer Series Paper, which includes printed die cuts:

Here’s how it looks when you open it up, and the back side of the ornament:

I didn’t use the Gold Hoop on this version, but will on the last one. Use any punch or die for your leaves. The recently retired “Bough Punch” was on my desk, so that’s what I grabbed for both the North Pole card and the next one, featuring my favorite Designer Series Paper from last year (and still available online), Nests of Winter.

The birds were fussy cut from the patterned paper and the sentiments came from the Traditional Labels bundle. I added some Cherry Cobbler delicate details from the Branching Out dies along the top and bottom of the Flip-Flap for this card (TIP: Add a piece of adhesive sheet to the card stock BEFORE you die cut them out, to make the berry branch stick without mess!)

Here is the card opened:

Ready to craft along with me? Watch the video (and rest assured, I usually don’t have such a beastly time with Stampin’ Seal + !!!). THANKS IN ADVANCE for choosing to shop with me! It allows me to have the time and resources to share more ideas with you without charging for the tutorials.

If you find these instructions useful, please shop by clicking any of the links to the products listed above! Another way to show your support: Scroll back to the comment section at the top of the post near the date and leave a COMMENT!

FINAL TIP for this card idea: Score your 4″ x 4″ Flip Flap at 4-1/4″ (the score will be close to the side with adhesive) before you attach it to the inside back panel of your card, so it folds over the front and lays flat.