Nutz about Stamping

What image would you use for this challenge?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map is a doozie for me! I would love to know what you would use for the 'bunny' on this card map challenge. Leave a comment under this post and let me know what pops into your mind. 

I had to look through all my stamp sets until I realized that I would used a stamp set at all! I decided instead to use my Butterfly Beauty thinlits dies. 

First, let's look at the sketch:

And now my design considerations:

• I didn't want a plain color for my background so chose a piece of Painted Seasons designer paper - a new free choice for Sale-a-bration 2019! Click here to see these newly added choices and two more cards using this gorgeous paper.
• I used two more strips of the same paper for the thin banners
• I used my Layering Circles framelits for the embellishment layers
• I used my All Things Thanks stamp set for the phrase - to help me catch up on my mailing my thank you cards for orders placed at my online store!
• The final touch which is super hard to see are the five Petal Pink Basic Adhesive-Backed Sequins. Can you spot them in the photo below?

And then back to that dang bunny. I thought and thought and finally decided on the butterfly die-cut using Whisper White and Poppy Parade layers. True confession: after I had my card put together I then discovered that my butterfly wouldn't fit on the left side like in the map above: oops! So I put it on the right side instead. Not a deal breaker but just a funny moment. 

Here's my card: what do you think? I love to hear from you so how about a comment under this post? 

If you want to see what the other design team members created for the same map challenge, click here. 

Do you know the best ink to use for your projects?

When I first started stamping I didn't know which ink to use for the kind of stamping I wanted to do which resulted in smears, runs and at times, disappointment. If you are new to stamping I have created the perfect ink guide for you to use, along with a downloadable chart for future reference. 

First, let's start with the different kinds of ink that Stampin' Up! sells and how each is to be used:

A. Classic Stampin' Pads: used for general stamping; you can also pick up ink with Aqua Painters or Blender Pens for watercoloring.

• Water-based dye ink
• Acid free
• Dries quickly
• Comes in stackable, flip-top cases

This type of ink comes in all Stampin’ Up! colors except Basic Black, Whisper White and Very Vanilla! You can buy each color of ink pad separately or in a color collection bundle to save money. For your convenience, refill bottles are also available (sold separately) for each of the Classic ink pads.  

B. StāzOn Ink Pad: stamp images for watercoloring with Aqua Painters, Blender Pens, Stampin’ Blends, Watercolor Pencils and Brusho.

• Archival and permanent ink
• Dries quickly
• Waterproof
• Can be used with rubber and photopolymer stamps but will stain photopolymer stamps
• Clean using StāzOn cleaner

This type of ink comes in Jet Black and there is a refill bottle sold separately. It smells a bit like licorice!

C. Memento Ink Pad: used for general stamping - stamp images for watercoloring with Aqua Painters, Blender pens, Stampin’ Blends, Watercolor Pencils and Brusho. (this ink is my personal favorite) 

• Water-based dye ink
• Acid free
• Fade resistant
• Dries quickly
• Cleans easily from Photopolymer stamps

This type of ink comes in Tuxedo Black and a refill bottle is sold separately. 

D. Versamark Ink Pad: this ink is perfect for three purposes: a. embossing: stamp, sprinkle embossing powder on top, tap off excess, set with Heat Tool, and b. stamp images to result in slightly transparent images for a tone-on-tone look (watermark), c. resist techniques.

• Watermark pigment ink
• Acid free
• Dries slowly

This ink pad comes in clear. 

E. Crafting Stampin' Pad: this ink is perfect for: a. embossing: stamp, sprinkle embossing powder on top, tap off excess, set with Heat Tool; b. stamping on dark card stock for an opaque look. 

• Rich, permanent pigment ink
• Acid free
• Dries slowly, can speed process using Heat Tool
• Pad comes un-inked, in with included refill

This ink comes in Whisper White and a refill bottle is included with the purchase of the un-inked pad. 

If you want a handy reference guide to our variety of available ink pads, click the image below to download my Ink Chart PDF to your device:

Happiness blooms on a beautiful, sunny day

After weeks of gloomy weather and not seeing the sun for days on end, things have taken a beautiful turn this weekend. The sun is out, everyone is walking their dogs, cycling or playing with their children and life seems good again. 

Let's celebrate another beautiful sunny day with a Sunny Days card and let Happiness Bloom with a bright happy design. 

Sunny Days Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

Happiness Blooms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

 

You can click on the small photos above to link over to my online store if you want to order these, or other Stampin' Up! products. 

Let's take the Sunny Days stamp set and Happiness Blooms paper and make a cheerful and bright card that is perfect for birthdays, friendship, congratulations or encouragement - depending on what you will stamp or write inside.

Under the card I have a full set of instructions and dimensions for cutting the layers. Isn't that single embellishment the last but perfect touch? 

 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Sunny Days (146735)
• Card Stock – Pineapple Punch  (146971); 
• Stamp Pads – Lovely Lipstick (147140); 
• Misc. – Happiness Blooms Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (148795); 2” Circle Punch (133782); Starburst Punch (143717); Dimensionals (104430); Happiness Blooms Enamel dots (148805); Snail Adhesive (104322); Organdy Ribbon Pack (Use Grapefruit Grove; SAB item) (149623)

 

Measurements:  

• Pineapple Punch Card Stock : 11” x 4 ¼”  plus 2 ¼” x 2 ¼” scrap for punching
• Whisper White Card Stock: Min 2 ¼” x 2 ¼” scrap for punching
• Happiness Blooms DSP:  4” x 5 ¼” 

 

Instructions:

1. Cut and score Pineapple Punch CS 11” x 4 ¼”, scoring at 5 ½”
2. Cut Happiness Blooms DSP to 4” x 5 ¼”; adhere to cardbase in upper left corner, leaving ¼” border around bottom and left sides. 
3. Tie Grapefruit Grove Organdy ribbon in a bow around bottom ⅔ area of card. 
4. Punch scrap of Pineapple Punch with Starburst Punch
5. Stamp “Wishing you Sunny Days ahead” sentiment on WW scrap and punch with 2” circle punch. 
6. Layer sentiment circle onto PP starburst piece and adhere with snail. Use dimensionals to add whole layer onto card over organdy ribbon. 
7. Add 3 enamel dots to card.

See this fun way to encourage a friend

Today I have a really fun card idea and video using the So Hoppy Together Sale-a-bration stamp set along with a really fun idea for using one of your embossing folders - sort of like a mini technique.

I love the So Hoppy Together stamp set - it has super cute images and encouraging phrases. And I think you can use bold and happy colors when crafting with this set too, as I did in the card below. 

The So Happy Together stamp set is offered as a free choice for any order $50 or more at my online store:

So Hoppy Together Cling Stamp Set
$0.00

The images are fun to color using your Watercolor pencils, ink pads and blender pens or you Stampin' Blends. Remember to use your Memento Jet Black ink or your StazOn ink when stamping the images to prevent smearing when coloring. 

Under the card photo I have a complete list of supplies can cutting dimensions - feel free to copy my idea and make this card at home! (change the phrase to match your needs)

So Hoppy Together friendship card

 

Stamp set: So Hoppy Together (149725 = free with a $50 order)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Highland Heather

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 2 3/4" square, scrap for small circle
          Gingham Gala (Lemon Lime Twist) (148554): 5" x 3"
          Lemon Lime Twist: 5 1/2" x 4"

Other: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Stampin' Dimensionals, Layering Circles framelits (141705), Garden Trellis embossing folder (143741), Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack (149623 = free with a $50 order), Blender Pens (102845), Watercolor Pencils or Stampin' Blends, SNAIL adhesive, 1" circle punch (119868), Tear & Tape adhesive (138995)

And here's my video - thanks for watching!

Announcing a second set of free products!

I am excited to announce that today Stampin' Up! has released a second set of Sale-a-bration products to add to the first set from January! 

Four exciting new items*** to add to your crafting collection and you can earn all of them for FREE! 

Here's the brochure to introduce you to:

• All Adorned stamp set
• Country Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions embossing folder
• Painted Seasons bundle = stamp set + designer series paper

Want your own copy of this brochure? Click on the cover below to download it to your device: 

And then click HERE to place your qualifying order! 

*** Items are only available as supplies last. Don't wait and be disappointed. 

Here are two samples I created using the new Painted Seasons designer series paper. Leave me a comment under this post to let me know which sample you like best:

Happy shopping!

How to wish your valentine a happy day

Happy Valentine's Day to you! I hope you have something special planned for today - something that honors your love for self and/or others. 

I don't know if you know this but I live thousands of miles away from my loved ones and so special days like today can be difficult. A colleague at work is going through the same feelings so she has organized a really fun lunch today for all of us expats. There will be about 20 of us having lunch together, to celebrate our friendship for each other over some delicious food! 

Which brings me to today's card. I wanted to share a rather unusual Valentine with you to give you an idea that is a bit different: no fancy frills, no hearts; a card without many layers but one that is still pretty and offers a nice sentiment. This would be the perfect card idea for someone who you want to honor today but not necessarily that you are in a love relationship with. 

I love the enamel dots which add a touch of sparkle without being bling-y! Don't miss a full set of instructions below.

Bloom by Bloom Valentine

Supply:

• Stamp Sets: Bloom by Bloom (148820), Itty Bitty Birthdays (148618), Florentine Filigree (148822)
• Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), 
• Stamp Pads: Lovely Lipstick (147140), Call Me Clover (147139), Memento Black (132708)
• Misc: Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Banner Triple Punch (138292), Sale-a-Bration FREE: Botanical Butterfly DSP (149622), Big Shot: (143263), Layering Circles Framelits (141705), Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots (148805)

Measurement: 

• Whisper White: 4 1/4” x 11”, 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” for the Florentine Filigree circle, flower and leaves
• DSP:  1” x 3 1/2”

Instructions: 

1. Score and fold the Whisper White card base at 5 1/2”.
2. On the 5 1/2” piece of Whisper White, stamp the Florentine Filigree large circle and cut it with the largest Layering Circle and then cut again with a smaller one to create the outline image.
3. Stamp the large flower and three leaves on the remaining portion and fussy cut.
4. With the Banner Triple punch, add a banner to one edge of the DSP as shown.
5. Position the DSP as shown and adhere the circle to the card base. Stamp 
6. “Happy Day” above the DSP in Memento Black ink.
7. Add Dimensionals to the flower and leaves and position on the card.
8. Add the Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots in Lovely Lipstick.

How simple card layers make an outstanding design

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is a delight! I love the layers and embellishments and knew exactly what products I wanted to use to make it. 

Someone asked me recently how to make a simple card that looks complicated or sophisticated. Here's one way: use a variety of layers to add depth and interest:

First, I chose the Happiness Blooms designer paper for the strip across the front and that choice determined which colors I would use on my card: Pineapple Punch (I have used it a lot this week!), Night of Navy and Call Me Clover. 

Next I chose my stamp sets: Itty Bitty Greetings and Bloom by Bloom. Stampin' Up! coordinates sets, paper and embellishments to help with our card designs so I often purchase everything in a product suite for easy card making.

The one 'twist' I did make to the above card map was to turn my smallest square in its side to become a diamond and I didn't use the smallest strip at the bottom of the phrase layer. But consider a strip of coordinating designer paper or washi tape if you want to follow the map exactly. 

Here's my card! I complete the remaining bits by using the Itty Bitty Blooms punch pack and the Best Route Enamel Shapes for the three little dots.

Bloom by Bloom friendship card

If I wanted to add some ribbon, I would have two choices for 1/4" Grosgrain: Pineapple Punch and Call Me Clover. For now, I am happy with how my card turned out!

If you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew design team members made for the above map, click here. And if you want to see other projects using the Happiness Blooms product suite, click here, here and here. 

Why you should join my creative team this month

Here's why:

• Until March 31st, you can get $175 in products for just $99!
• OR: Until March 31t you can get $175 in products AND our Craft and Carry Tote bag ($50 value) for just $129!

But it is not just about free products - there's so much more to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! 

 Just as Stampin' Up! demonstrators provide their customers with one-stop shopping and individualized service, Stampin' Up! will provide YOU with the opportunity to pursue your individual goals whether those goals are to enjoy a hobby, build a thriving business, or contribute to family income while spending more time at home.

Whether you'd like to earn money to pay for your stamping supplies, create a full or part-time career, or simply get a discount on your stamping supplies, Stampin' Up! (and me!) will help you do it. And if that isn't enough, we've listed 10 reasons for you to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

1. Get ideas for handmade cards, scrapbook pages, and home decor projects.
2. Learn new, artistic stamping techniques on a monthly basis.
3. Gain first access to popular popular lines and exclusive, award-winning designs.
4. Get a 20 percent discount on ALL Stampin' Up! products.
5. Be your own boss, and establish a flexible business that meets your goals.
6. Spend more time with family when you work from home with a schedule that fits you and your family.
7. Be eligible to attend Stampin' Up!'s fabulous conferences and events.
8. Earn free exotic trips and other recognition (like free rubber stamps, cash awards, and other valuable prizes).
9. Meet new friends and enrich lives while sharing what you love.
10. Receive support and training from Stampin' Up!

What's the catch? 

• For $99 you choose up to $175 in the Stampin’ Up! product of your choice!
• Free shipping – the kit ships to you FREE, for another 10% savings.
• There is no obligation to ever host a party, workshop or sell product and absolutely no pressure from me! It's your business!
• No Risk – You can enjoy all the benefits & discounts of being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator with no risk. No Catch. I Promise. 

If you’ve got questions, I am happy to provide the answers.  Email me today and let’s chat! (terri@nutzaboutstamping.com)

How to be ready for an amazing tropical adventure

A funny thing happened to me two weeks ago and I am still thinking about it. I joined a new Facebook group of scrapbookers and one day shared one of my Happiness Blooms pages. 

Somebody commented: oh how interesting, you make your pages before your trips! Um, yes I do. At times. Do you? Or do you wait until you are home, then print your photos and then design your pages?

I don't think there is a right or wrong way to preserve your memories. I prefer to make my pages before I leave so that when I get home all I do is add my photos and journaling. Hmm. Maybe my life is a bit too busy!

Regardless, I have a fun Tropical Chic page to share with you today - perfect for summer days or a fun tropical vacation. The page uses these products - click on any of them to link over to my online store:

 

Tropical Chic Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$22.00

Tropical Escape 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Tropical Thinlits Dies
$27.00

Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies
$33.00

Large Letters Framelits Dies
$99.00

 

Tropical Chic scrapbook page

Here is a list of what was used to make this page - thank goodness for my Big Shot - it is such a time saver!

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Tropical Chic (w-146750, c-146753)
• Card Stock – Shaded Spruce (146981); Pineapple Punch (146953); Granny Apple Green (146990); Whisper White (100730); Brights 12x12 (147001)
• Stamp Pads – Granny Apple Green (147095)
• Misc. – Tropical Escape Designer Series Paper (146916); Linen Thread (104199); Granny Apple Green ½” Textured Weave Ribbon (146920); Glitter Enamel Dots (146934); Tropical Elements (146919); Tropical Thinlits Dies (146831); Seasonal Layers Thinlits (143751); Large Letter Framelits (141712); Big Shot (143263); Mini Glue Dots (103683)

 

Measurements:  

• Granny Apple Green: 12” x 12” (2); 4¼” x 5½” scrap 
• Shaded Spruce: 3¼” x 3¼”; 4½” x 6½” (2); 4¼” x 6¼”; 4¼” x 4¼”; 3” x 11” scrap 
• Pineapple Punch: 4½” x 6½” (2); 4¼” x 6¼” (2); 3” x 11” scrap
• Whisper White: 2¼” x 2¾” scrap
• DSP: 6” x 6” (2); 3” x 3”
• Granny Apple Green Ribbon:  6”; 16”
• Linen Thread: 12”

 

Instructions:

1. Stamp leaves on the edge of the 12” x 12” pages with Granny Apple Green.
2. Cut two leaves from Granny Apple Green and Shaded Spruce scraps.
3. Cut letters from Pineapple Punch and Shaded Spruce scrap; cut lemonade cup from Pineapple Punch.
4. Cut Adirondack chair from Whisper White.
5. Adhere two 6x6 DSP pieces to base.
6. Layer mats of Pineapple Punch & Shaded Spruce together as shown in photo.
7. Add Granny Apple Green Ribbon on the mat with the square Shade Spruce.  Tip: wrap a piece around the mat.  Then, tie a bow and adhere with glue dots.
8. Adhere mats to the base.
9. Adhere small square DSP to the small square Shaded Spruce.
1. Adhere chair and lemonade cup.
2. Add 3 Granny Apple Green Glitter Enamel Dots.
3. Adhere to the base.
10. Adhere cardstock leaves between mats with glue dots.
11. Adhere the Tropical Elements to the cardstock leaves with glue dots.
12. Tie bows with Linen Thread and adhere to Tropical Elements.
13. Adhere Shaded Spruce letters offset behind the Pineapple Punch letters; adhere to base.

How to find color inspiration for your next card

Recently a customer emailed me to ask where I find color inspiration for my cards. I am going to share one of my design tips today! 

In today's video (see the bottom of this blog post), I want to show you how to make a lovely thank you card, but you can change the phrase to make it a birthday card, thinking of you card, friendship card or any other occasion that you need. My card features the Bloom by Bloom stamp set found on page 25 of the Occasions Catalog:

Bloom By Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

This super cute set has no phrases so combine the images here with phrases from other sets that you love. 

I was inspired for the colors on my card from the Happiness Blooms designer paper:

Happiness Blooms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

This paper has bold and bright florals and patterns, using the following Stampin' Up! colors: Call Me Clover, Calypso Coral, Lovely Lipstick, Night of Navy, and Pineapple Punch. So I chose two of these colors for my card. 

During my video I mention a stamping term: fussy cutting. Basically this means stamping and cutting out images using your paper snips, which is how I created the flower images for my card. A pair of high-quality scissors is a crafters must-have so don't cut costs for this item!

For my card I chose Lovely Lipstick and Pineapple Punch for my focus colors. Here's my card:

Bloom by Bloom greeting card

Supplies

Stamp sets: Bloom by Bloom #148820; Love What You Do #148042

Ink: Pineapple Punch, Lovely Lipstick

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3 3/4" x 5"; three pieces 1 3/4" square (large flowers);
          three pieces 1 1/2" square (small   flowers)

Accessories: SNAIL adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips

And as promised, here's how I decorated the inside of my card - using one of the small stamps in the Bloom by Bloom set. 

Would you like to see how I created my card? Here's a video to show you how:

Announcing new, time sensitive Sale-a-bration products

I am so excited to announce that Stampin' Up! will be release a second set of Sale-a-bration products this week and you can earn them for free with a qualifying order beginning February 15th!

Click on the photo of the Sale-a-bration brochure below for a sneak peek of these additional items;

As demonstrators, we get the opportunity to acquire these items a couple of weeks before you so that we can create some sample ideas to share. So that's what I did.

The sample below uses the Painted Seasons bundle - and I chose a strip of the designer series paper to feature on my masculine birthday card. When I saw the patterns on this particular design I immediately thought of Lovely as a Tree so chose that for my set.

My one issue was that the Painted Seasons paper has Whisper White as its neutral color and when I first laid out my card design it seemed too white. So I grabbed one of my Stampin' Sponges and brushed Early Espresso and Call Me Clover around the layers to give them a more vintage and less stark look. 

I also used my Early Espresso and Call Me Clover Stampin' Write Markers to color and stamp the pine cone image from Lovely as a Tree. Each time I inked this image I stamped off onto a scrap piece of paper before stamping onto my card layer to achieve a more muted and vintage look there as well. 

Here's my Lovely as a Tree card: 

 

Some of you have emailed me to ask me to show you what I would do for my card insides as well. I usually keep the insides pretty basic because I love to write a note as well. Plus I am aware that a lot of extra bits add weight which will affect my costs for mailing.

Here's what I did for the inside of my card:

 To place a qualifying order and earn the Painted Seasons bundle for free, click the image below to link over to my online store! Let's have fun crafting together! 

How to create a Valentine for your manly man

Are you looking for a more masculine Valentine idea for your 'manly' man? I have a fun idea to share with you today - it is really easy to create and you man will love it especially if he loves hot-rods, choppers or loves to build things. 

What makes this Valentine masculine? First, the colors chosen: Crushed Curry and Tranquil Tide. The neutral is Very Vanilla which adds an antique neutral feel. 

The Geared Up Garage bundle and Classic Garage designer paper continue that masculine tone; don't you love the patterns in the designer paper? 

Geared Up Garage Cling Bundle
$48.50

Classic Garage 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

And because this is a Valentine's Day card for your manly man, a new hearts are in order too, using the Be Mine Stitched framelits. If you want to order these products click on any of the product photos to link over to my online store. 

Be Mine Stitched Framelits Dies
$35.00

And here's the masculine Valentine - what do you think? I think the phrase is super fun and your man will love it! Under the card photo is a list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Have fun! 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Geared Up Garage (148590); 
• Card Stock – Crushed Curry (131199); Tranquil Tide (144246); Very Vanilla (101650); Silver Foil (132178)
• Stamp Pads – Basic Gray(149165) 
• Misc. – Classic Garage Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (148482); Garage Gears Thinlits Dies (148521); Be Mine Stitched Framelits Dies (148527); Dimensionals (104430);  Fine Tip Glue Pen (138309); Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (144106)

Measurements:  

• Crushed Curry:8 1/2” x 5 1/2”, scored at 4 ¼”
• Tranquil Tide: 5 ¼” x 4”; scraps for hearts 
• Very Vanilla : Scraps for hearts 
• Silver Foil:  Scraps for die cut
• DSP:                       5” x 3 ¾”

  Instructions:

1. Start with die cutting your hearts.  If you want to make them easy to adhere, I recommend using the adhesive sheets –put your cardstock on it and then cut.  (I keep a container with cardstock that I’ve add the sheets to just for this purpose!)  Cut out the ones in both Very Vanilla and Tranquil Tide.  Choose the sizes you prefer (I used the 2 medium sized ones with the scallops –cut them out  together with the smaller one inside the larger one to get the heart frame.  For the green ones I used the 3 largest ones without the scallops).  
2. Die cut out the foil piece. (I also used the adhesive sheets on the back )
3. Stamp the sentiment on the Very Vanilla solid stitched heart using Basic Gray ink.
4. Attach the background hearts in whatever direction you choose by either removing the adhesive sheet backing or fine tip glue pen.
5. Attach the heart with the sentiment using dimensionals.
6. Attach the silver foil die cut on the top of the sentiment heart.
7. Stamp the inside with either an anniversary or valentines sentiment.  (If you prefer to add a sheet of very vanilla to the inside, cut a piece 5 ¼ x 4” and then stamp your sentiment)  

Want to know how to fit crafting into your busy life?

I have the perfect solution!

Introducing Paper Pumpkin . . . a Stampin' Up! Monthly Kit Program. Each month a surprise kit arrives on your doorstep in a sweet box! 

Each kit contains all you need to create pinable projects, including stamps, ink, paper, and accessories. Create projects like cards, journals, décor, and more! See below for Stampin' Up!s sneak peek video on what's coming this month! 

It’s so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program by visiting here to create an account, then simply click SUBSCRIBE.

***Sign up by February 10 to get our unique February kit.

Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family – every month!

Of course, you’ll want to know more. So here are the fine details:

• Each month Stampin’ Up will send you a unique, surprise kit with a project – cards, journals, décor, and more! (They’ve even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you! How great is that!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories – everything but scissors.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape – who doesn’t need that?
• Stampin’ Up will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month’s kit. If you sign up after the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the following month. 
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95** per month (and shipping is included!)
• There’s no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want by logging onto the website and putting that kit on hold.

Ready to join? Go here to subscribe and get your Paper Pumpkin Welcome kit!

As promised, here is a sneak peek of the February kit - introducing the designers for this kit:

Six ways to make a beautiful card

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge has six layers to it - and the combination of all of the layers will help you make a beautiful card!

I was excited about this challenge and decided right away that I wanted to use my Beauty Abounds stamp set for the card:

Beauty Abounds Cling Stamp Set
$23.00

Next I chose to use some left over All My Love designer paper and that colors in this paper then determined what colors I would use for my card layers:

All My Love 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

To color the butterfly and to stamp the phrase I chose Soft Sea Foam, Lovely Lipstick and Flirty Flamingo. This card could easily have been a Valentine if I had chosen a different phrase but I needed a thank you card. Did you know I make and mail a thank you card to everyone who places an online order through me? It's the least I can do to thank everyone who supports my online business! 

Here's my Beauty Abounds card. You can click here to see what the other design crew members created using today's challenge!

How to create a fun (and easy) thank you card

The card I want to share today was so fun and easy to create, thanks to my Big Shot. I love this tool and use it almost every week to show you a card idea on my YouTube channel.

If you have been following my blog for a few weeks you will also know that I am so in love with the Happiness Blooms card pack. Yes these cards were designed for memory pages but Stampin' Up! titles these projects as Memories & More. One possibility for more is for card making. 

I wanted to create a thank you card for an online order I received last week and so that was my goal. First I found a super cute card in the Happiness Blooms pack which I layered onto Night of Navy:

Happiness Blooms Memories & More Card Pack
$10.00

 

Then I die-cut a Night of Navy 'thanks' using the Well Written dies:

Well Written Framelits Dies
$40.00

I also decided to emboss the Whisper White card base using the Scattered Sequins folder because the pattern reminded me a bit of the flowers on the Happiness Blooms card:

Scattered Sequins Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
$10.00

 

I added a Lovely Lipstick bow and two punched flowers using the Bitty Blooms punch pack (LOVE THESE!):

Bitty Blooms Punch Pack
$23.00

and my thank you card was done! 

If you want to order the products I used to make this fun (and easy!) thank you card, click the link to my online store below: