Category Archives: Cards

Love, Santa Tag Kit Christmas Card

The other day I had so much fun making all the tags in the Love, Santa Kit to be ready for holiday gift-wrapping! But if you didn’t need all the tags, you could use some (or all!) to make Christmas cards to send like this Love, Santa Tag Kit Christmas Card.

To make this card, I use clipped off the hole at the top of the tree that would hold the string to tie on a tag. You could also leave the hole and string attached and adhere it rather loosely to the card so that maybe the recipient would remove the tag and use it themselves or hang it on their Christmas tree. When I was growing up we used to get a Christmas card from someone who was quite wealthy and the fancy card could be used as an ornament on the tree! I’ll always remember that!

To make this card, I relied on the coordinating colors listed in the Love, Santa Tag Kit so I chose Just Jade for the card base and a layer of Poppy Parade. That layer I embossed using the Tasteful Texture 3D Embossing Folder. You wouldn’t have to do it but it adds a little “something”. Just because I wanted to, I added a tree trunk from Cinnamon Cider Cardstock to the base of the tree. Then I adhered the tree to the front of the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals®. If you thought, or you wanted, the recipient to remove the tree from the card and use it as a tag or ornament, I would just adhere it with maybe two Dimensionals, maybe even the Mini Dimensionals or cut the Dimensionals down to a smaller size, top and bottom, and tell them how to carefully remove the tag.

The tree tag already had some jewels adhered to it that came with the kit, but I also added some to the Poppy Parade layer of the card. I couldn’t resist! It’s for Christmas anyway and that calls for sparkle and glimmer wherever possible!

On the inside, adhere a layer of Basic White with a stamped message and maybe some other stamped image or strip of designer paper to decorate and sign your name or write your own personal message.

This Love, Santa Tag Kit is a fun one to work with because the tags are such “happy” and colorful images. Even though it is for making tags for gifts, as you can see, you can use some or all of them for card fronts and make some quick cards to send! Or use them on the extra Love, Santa Treat Bags! Even if you don’t want or can’t get the kit, you might be interested in these cute treat bags with images printed in white that coordinate with the tags and are food safe. If you are someone who makes special treats for the holidays to give to neighbors and friends, these bags would be perfect! Even if you have a regular gift, wrap tissue paper around it and put it in the cello bag and tie on a tag! I know a gift shop that gift wraps items like this.

It’s time to be shopping for supplies you need for Christmas cards, projects, and gifts! We should all be trying to get an early start on all our holiday tasks to keep ourselves from getting rushed at the last minute! If you already have the Love, Santa Tag Kit be sure to put it together and enjoy yourself!

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP!

Expressions In Ink Wedding Anniversary Card

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If you want to make a truly beautiful card, just start with the Expressions In Ink Specialty Designer Series Paper, as I did with this Expressions In Ink Wedding Anniversary Card. I use the word “beautiful” not to brag about my card and not to just toss the term out there as an adjective describing a card. I think this designer paper is some of the most beautiful we have ever had.

The floral patterns and colors in this Expressions In Ink Paper are pretty enough themselves, then add the kind of alcohol ink look or watercolor look to the patterns, plus the gold foiling, and it is over the top! If you want to make a really simple card, just adhere a layer of this designer paper to the front of the card base, add a greeting, maybe a bit of ribbon if you like, and you are done!

This anniversary card was specially made for my daughter and son-in-law for their wedding anniversary. The card base is Mint Macaron (I think!). You can test which color you would like to use with this paper! Now this paper has a lot of white space throughout the 12″ x 12″ paper. I particularly wanted a lot of the blues and greens on this card and not so much the white, so I had to cut into the paper at the right portion to get the look I wanted.

The greeting is stamped in Just Jade Ink and is in the Forever Fern Stamp Set. I thought it was a good sentiment for an anniversary card and especially for this couple! Then the greeting was diecut with one of the Stitched Rectangle Dies.

Just for a little interest, there is a strip of a gold striped pattern in this designer paper at the bottom of the card. It just adds a little “something” to catch your eye.

I also added some gold foil leaves and foliage in the Expressions In Ink Ephemera Pack. Some I cut apart to get everything where I wanted it! I just tucked those in above and below the greeting. I didn’t want anything to interfere with the colors of the paper in the top area of the card. And of course, I added a little bling to the sides of the greeting. You can use whatever gems or jewels you like! Or place some around on the card. Whatever makes you happy!

Even in the midst of the beginning of the holiday season, don’t forget this beautiful Expressions in Ink Designer Paper! You still will need some “regular” cards like this Expressions In Ink Wedding Anniversary Card so make some cards using this pretty paper for birthdays, anniversaries, sympathy, thinking of you, any occasion you want.

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! ONLINE HERE!

Easy To Make Love, Santa Tag Kit

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I got my new Love, Santa Tag Kit the other day and got busy making all the tags yesterday afternoon! It only took about an hour to make them all and that was while simultaneously watching the Astros – Red Sox playoff game! (The Astros won 9 – 1 !!!!!) You can see the contents in the photo above….. an exclusive stamp set, a stamping block, ink spot, tags and pieces to stamp, adhesives, and even some gems! Plus the string to tie on to packages! It’s really a cute kit!

Each tag has a stamped greeting layered with other pieces for interest. There are even extra blank pieces to stamp in case you mess up! Just adhere the stamped greeting to each tag. The directions show you which kind of adhesive to put on the back of each piece.

And when you get all twelve tags finished, three each of four designs, just tie on the string to be ready to go on packages! Or purchase the coordinating treat bags and use the tags on special treats or gifts you are giving.

The Love, Santa Treat Bags are beautiful, food-safe cellophane bags that are perfect to fill with scrumptious treats and goodies. The white-printed designs are festive like frosted windowpanes and directly coordinate with the Love, Santa Tags! You get 12 treat bags, 3 each of 4 designs.

4″ x 9-1/2″ (10.2 x 24.1 cm)
*Food safe

Available while supplies last

And when the tags were all put together, I got out the gems in the kit. At first, I thought they only went on the “Joy” tag, but then I saw they actually went on all the tags! And I just used up ALL the gems, putting them on all the tags! But you could use only the 2-3 on each tag and save the extras for other projects, but I just wanted to use them all! Why not?!

You can even watch a video of putting the kit together with Sara Douglass!

If you are interested in this Love, Santa Tag Kit, or any of the other kits in the Stampin’ Up! Kit Collection just click HERE for the selection. These kits are great for beginners or even experienced stampers and crafters! Feel a sense of satisfaction, getting a dozen cute tags finished and ready for holiday gifts!

Rainbow Glimmer Halloween Card

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I can easily promise you I had no idea this Rainbow Glimmer Halloween Card would be what I would create. I don’t even remember what I thought I was going to make! I even had a Christmas stamp set out too! But I had seen a card made with strips of this beautiful Rainbow Glimmer Paper that was a birthday card and that’s where the original idea came from to use these strips. I thought they might be perfect for a Halloween card! Other than that, I had no ideas for exactly what to do with the card! Sometimes you just have to work with colors, die cuts, maybe walk away and come back, and eventually, something will come together for you.

The card has a Basic Black card base. The strips of Rainbow Glimmer Paper are cut 1″ x 4″ with just a tiny space in between each strip. You could also have them all touching with no space. I actually cut them not just in consecutive strips or the colors might be nearly the same, which is okay if that is what you want. So I had to cut into the areas of the paper that had the colors of strips that I wanted. It might kill you to cut into a lot of different parts of the paper rather than conserve it, but hey, it’s just paper and we can buy more! Use it!!

I wanted to use the Black Glitter Paper as the center with the Halloween characters adhered to it, but I played around with the background layer and different colors. I settled on the Pumpkin Pie cardstock die cut with the circle die in the Painted Labels Dies. This looked fine, but as I worked with it, I thought it needed another layer or “something”….a little more pizzazz. I cut out another circle from Highland Heather cardstock and that looked good but of course was mostly covered up by the Pumpkin Pie circle! I tried staggering it underneath and that was good but I felt it needed another one to balance it out. So I tried Crushed Curry and once I got the three circles placed just right I was satisfied!

I cut out the ghosts, skeleton, black cat, and pumpkin from the Cute Halloween 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper. I love those little characters! I could have stamped them as well with the Cutest Halloween Stamp Set and used the coordinating punch, the Halloween Punch (which is currently unavailable as I write this).

The greeting is from the Cutest Halloween Stamp Set. I stamped it in Memento Ink and trimmed the ends with the Lovely Labels Pick a Punch. I was considering putting it down lower on the card, but then thought it might work better going across those circles. I liked that and then adhered the Halloween characters around where I liked them. And for a little more bling, I had to add some Cute Stars Adhesive Backed Sequins.

The card may be a little crazy, but it’s for Halloween so that’s good! If you don’t have the Rainbow Glimmer Paper, you can just use different colors of cardstock strips. Just play and you will come up with some great ideas. Use this Rainbow Glimmer Halloween Card for inspiration!

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! ONLINE HERE!

Whimsy & Wonder Ornament Christmas Card

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This is another card that completely changed from the idea I had in my head and it all came about because I turned the “pretty” side over! I realized I hadn’t used the very pretty ornament print paper in the Whimsy & Wonder Specialty Designer Series Paper so I was going to make a card using that paper. But when I turned the paper over to cut out just a section that I needed for the card, this dark blue print side just jumped out at me and this Whimsy & Wonder Ornament Christmas Card was born! I pictured using a snowflake and one blue ornament plus a greeting somehow, but I couldn’t resist all the other ornaments either!

Just because I’m a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, don’t think that card ideas come to me magically. The placement of everything on this card just was not working out, so I finally had to give up, step back, and walk away for a few minutes. I googled this paper and although I wasn’t copying anything, I saw something that sparked the idea to put the snowflake and greeting in the lower right corner instead of the upper left. That seemed to make all the difference and I was able to complete the card design!

The card base is Basic White although you could use Misty Moonlight as the base with a thin margin of Basic White under the Misty Moonlight Designer Paper to help it stand out. I cut out several ornaments from the other side of the paper with my Paper Snips while I watched TV. If you wanted to make it easier, you could just cut out the outline of the ornament and not the ornament hanger portion because if you add a bow later, you can cover up that you cut that part off!

The snowflake is in the Wonderful Snowflakes package. These are quite pretty, plain white on one side and iridescent foil on the other side. I adhered the snowflake with the tinest drops of glue, but you do have some space in the center of the snowflake. Then if you are pasting anything over the snowflake, maybe that will help hold it down also.

The greeting is in the Whimsical Trees Stamp Set. I thought maybe the simple word would go well with the snowflake. I stamped it in Moonlight Mist Ink and die cut it with the small circle in the Tasteful Labels Dies. I played with different dies and cardstock colors on which to layer it and finally settled on this Blushing Bride pink. I used a small die in the Encircled in Beauty Dies. The snowflake is adhered flat to the card and the greeting is popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The ornaments are all cut out from the opposite side of this paper. I just adhered them with Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered a little bow on each one with a Mini Glue Dot. The ribbon is the White 1/4″ Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon. I think a silver trim would also work well. Then for some bling I added some Silver Epoxy Essentials. I think they match well with the paper and look!

After a slow start on this card, I’m really happy with how it turned out. Be sure you check the “other side” of our beautiful designer papers because you just might find something special. And remember, a lot of the “other sides” can be used throughout the year, not just during the season the paper was designed for. This Whimsy & Wonder Ornament Christmas Card even uses both sides of the same paper by cutting out the pretty ornaments! Try it!

Sneak Peek! Eden’s Garden Coming in November!

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The tale of the Garden of Eden transcends the boundaries of a single belief system. Numerous accounts and adaptations of Eden’s events have appeared in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, legends and lore, ancient mythology, and more! No matter how the story is shared, the essence of Eden remains the same: it’s a place of paradise. Filled with fruitful and flourishing foliage, stillness and serenity, and an air of mystery, Eden is an ethereal utopia!

Enter and explore Eden with the Eden’s Garden Collection! This delightful and desirable collection includes early-release products from the January–June 2022 Mini Catalog—a bundle of stamps and dies that’s blooming with beauty and bounty. Plus, exclusive products you can’t uncover anywhere else—a pack of paper patterned with green and gold, a set of specialty sheets for gift-giving and textured touches, and a sparkling set of gleaming gems!

Just as the timeless tale can be told in a variety of versions, these paradisical products can be used to create projects for any occasion—and they make the perfect papercrafting companion.

PRODUCT DETAILS

EDEN’S GARDEN CLING STAMP SET 157823
Early-release product from the January–June 2022 Mini Catalog. $23.00

EDEN DIES 157831
Early-release product from the January–June 2022 Mini Catalog. $35.00

5 dies
Largest die: 5-1/4″ x 3-7/8″ (13.3 x 9.8 cm)
Coordinates with Eden’s Garden Cling Stamp Set

EDEN’S GARDEN BUNDLE 157832
Includes the Eden’s Garden Cling Stamp Set and Eden Dies; an early-release product from the January–June 2022 Mini Catalog. $52.00

EVER EDEN 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER 159996
Exclusive specialty Designer Series Paper; available only during the Eden’s Garden promotion. $15.00 12 sheets: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs Evening Evergreen, gold foil, Soft Succulent. Only available while supplies last.

EVER EDEN 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) COTTON PAPER 159997
Exclusive cotton paper; available only during the Eden’s Garden promotion $8.00

10 sheets: 5 each of 2 colors
Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent
Only available while supplies last.

GARDEN GEMS 159277
Exclusive embellishments; available only during the Eden’s Garden promotion. $7.00

140 adhesive-backed gems.
Round: 3 mm, 4 mm. Marquise: 8 x 4 mm.
Cherry Cobbler, Soft Succulent
Only available while supplies last.

EDEN’S GARDEN COLLECTION 160849
The entire exclusive, early-release collection!

Stems, sprigs, berries, and twigs abound in the beautiful and bountiful Eden’s Garden Collection! Explore the elegance of Eden with this exclusive, early-release collection. Only available while supplies last. You get all these things:

Eden’s Garden Bundle (10% off)
Ever Eden 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper
Ever Eden 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Cotton Paper
Garden Gems

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 2, 2021!

Don’t Miss Out! The October Paper Pumpkin Kit!

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Some of my favorite Paper Pumpkin Kits are the holiday ones! I already love this box and can’t wait to see what the card designs are!

When you picture a peaceful Christmas, what comes to mind? Do you see snow outside your window, softly swirling through the sky? A tree trimmed with tinsel, a fire crackling nearby? Maybe you’re dreaming of decorating a holly jolly gingerbread house. Can you catch a whiff of Christmas cookies wafting through the air?

Whatever it is you think about when Christmas comes to town, picture a peaceful Christmas with the Peaceful Christmas Paper Pumpkin Kit! This glimmering and gleaming kit is your creative kickstart to Christmas cardmaking. With sprinkles of snow, shimmering silver skies, and heartwarming holiday wishes, you’ll have enough elements and embellishments to create 10 Christmas cards and coordinating envelopes.

Speaking of coordination, make even more Christmas magic with Peaceful Place products! Our stunning Peaceful Place Suite Collection (item 156277) pairs perfectly with the kit’s components. Brew a cup of cocoa, snuggle up with a soft blanket, and prepare for a cozy craft night in!

Details

The kit contains enough elements to create 10 Christmas cards—5 each of 2 designs—and coordinating envelopes. This all-inclusive kit includes printed card bases, die-cut paper pieces, embellishments, adhesive, and more!

October’s kit arrives in a cute collectible box covered with enchanting evergreen trees. Use this special, limited-edition box to store your holiday handicrafts, or transform it into a well-wrapped package for a present!

The kit’s contents pair perfectly with the Peaceful Place Suite Collection (item 156277). To continue your Christmas crafting, combine the kit’s components with the suite’s patterned paper, shimmery sequins, and more!
Card size: 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ (10.8 x 14 cm)
Envelope size: 4-1/2″ x 5-3/4″ (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
Coordinating colors: Basic Gray, Real Red, Shaded Spruce, silver foil

Sign up by Sunday, October 10th!

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN TODAY!

Beauty of Friendship Fall Trees Card

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Last night we were out for a walk and the sky inspired me to make this Beauty of Friendship Fall Trees Card. We can’t really see the pretty sunsets very well because we aren’t up high enough and our neighborhood now has lots of big trees in the way. But last night as we were walking back to the house the silhouettes of the trees against the bits of the orange-ish sky we could see in between the trees was really pretty.

I knew that kind of a “sunset” card would likely turn into a Halloween card, but actually I think being a fall card is just perfect! The greeting is in the Banner Year Stamp Set. The full saying is, “Happy Fall, y’all!” but because of space I just cut off the last word and lined it up with the edge of the front layer of the card. I think it also covered up an ink smudge! And I added a bow with Linen Thread.

The card base is Garden Green. The card layer is Basic White. I used my Blending Brushes to add ink to the Basic White. I would say just pull out a bunch of ink pads you think you might want to use! I started with the sky with a light Balmy Blue but added a bit of Smoky Slate gray. Next I added some yellow below the sky. I used some Crushed Curry as well as Mango Melody. For the grass I used Pear Pizzazz, but then stamped with the little “mound” stamp in the Beauty of Friendship Stamp Set. It could be used for grass or dirt or just a little something when you need some texture or something extra. Some I stamped directly, using Mossy Meadow Ink and some I stamped off. I got a little carried away with the stamping and didn’t notice my block had ink on it and I was getting some smudges everywhere!! But there’s always a way to doctor things up a little bit with more stamping or more color or covering up or something! I decided the orangish sky needed to be a deeper color because when we were out walking it was getting darker outside quickly so I added some Pumpkin Pie ink. There are no right colors and layers, etc. just play and experiment. Just keep going and you’ll get to where you want to be.

I was almost afraid to stamp on my beautiful sunset background and indeed, I did mess up the first tree I stamped! Luckily, I was able to stamp the second tree to covered up some of the branches that didn’t come out! I stamped some green leaves from the stamp set over those two small trees. I used Early Espresso Ink.

However, the large tree is die cut with the Beautiful Trees Dies out of Early Espresso Cardstock. I thought about using Basic Black but used the brown color. I didn’t try to add any leaves to this tree because I wanted the sky to show through (even though leaves are not falling here yet in Houston!).

Of course this fallish looking card just screamed for some pumpkins here in October! I stamped just the smallest pumpkin from Pretty Pumpkins with Memento Ink, cut them out, and colored with Stampin’ Blends. I glued two down directly on the card and one is popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionls®.

To cover up a smudge or two and just because who doesn’t love adding some gems to a card, I added three of the smallest Elegant Faceted Gems in pearlescent white. The other colors in the package are Clear and Petal Pink. I thought about just using one of the largest ones to look a little like the moon coming up, but you know, you can’t resist adding gems once you start so it had to be three!

Here’s a tip: Before cutting out something intricate like the die-cut tree, add Adhesive Sheets to the back of the cardstock so you already have adhesive on the back and don’t have to add tiny dots of Multipurpose Liquid Glue to the back! It never occurs to me until right before I go to adhere it!

You can use a card like this all this month and through November for fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving! I hope you will get out your Blending Brushes or Stamping Sponge piece and make your own sunset, like on this Beauty of Friendship Fall Trees Card.

New Kit Today! Love, Santa Tag Kit!

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Today there is a new kit in the Kits Collection at Stampin’ Up!, the “Love, Santa” Tag Kit! ( I just love making Stampin’ Up! Christmas tag kits and have even purchased extras on the Clearance Rack! (Be sure to check the Clearance Rack TODAY for new items added!!) You probably saw this kit in the Holiday Mini Catalog but it was not available until today!

LOVE, SANTA TAG KIT (158375)
$19.00 USD | $26.00 CAD

Stampin’ Up! says:

“Santa’s back in a fun and easy tag kit to spruce up your Christmas gifting! The Love, Santa Tag Kit has everything you need to create 12 whimsically designed tags. That means you’ll find printed die-cut tags and labels, sequin embellishments, pink and white baker’s twine, an exclusive stamp set, a Night of Navy Classic Stampin’ Spot, and more in this all-inclusive kit! You can sleigh ride right in without the prep work.

And to make Christmas gifting even easier, the Love, Santa Treat Bags (158381) (available for purchase separately) are food-safe cellophane bags that coordinate with the Love, Santa tags! The treat bags come in a pack of 12—3 each of 4 festive designs. That’s right—figuring out how to dress up your gifts this year is no longer a “Claus” for concern! But don’t relax too soon as these products are based on availability!”

Here is the stamp set that comes in the kit!

DETAILS
Kit contains enough supplies to create 12 tags—3 each of 4 designs.
Includes printed die-cut tags, decorative die cuts, adhesive, embellishments, and pink baker’s twine.
Features an exclusive stamp set and a Night of Navy Classic Stampin’ Spot.
Finished tag size: approximately 2-1/2″ x 4-3/4″ (6.4 x 12.1 cm)
Coordinating colors: Bumblebee, Just Jade, Night of Navy, Polished Pink, Poppy Parade

Add these printed cello bags to your order with the kit and you will be set for packaging treats or gifts and decorating with your cute new tags!

LOVE, SANTA TREAT BAGS (158381)
$7.00 USD | $9.50 CAD

12 treat bags
3 each of 4 designs
4″ x 9-1/2″ (10.2 x 24.1 cm)
Food safe

Watch Sara’s video about assembling this fun tag kit! Anyone can do it whether beginners or experienced crafters!

Order your kit today and get a head start on holiday tags! You know there is always going to be that last-minute moment when you realize you have run out of tags for gifts or when you need a quick gift right away! Just add one of these already made tags! Get some friends together who each order a kit and assemble them together for a Girls’ Night Out!

SHOP the STAMPIN’ UP! KITS COLLECTION!

Halloween Ghosts Boo Card

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It’s time to make some fun Halloween cards like this Halloween Ghosts Boo Card! While I can’t believe it is October already, the time is here to enjoy the preparations for all the upcoming holidays, including fall and Halloween! Several houses have their Halloween decorations up already which I enjoy going for our walks around the neighborhood every day. I love the fun part of Halloween and hope to get more Halloween cards and treats made soon! Remember, if you are mailing Halloween cards to anyone, better send them extra early since the mail has been “slowed”.

This card has a Basic Black base with a layer of Basic White with just a thin margin. The front of the card is Basic Black so that my colorful words and ghosts would stand out. I’m not sure where I got the inspiration for this card, maybe from myself when I made THIS CARD. I loved how the “BOO” turned out on that card and maybe that’s what made me think of the idea for this card!

The words are spelled out with the cute letters die cut with the Playful Alphabet Dies. This is a die set I haven’t used very much but I should! It’s really very useful and different to use on cards and projects. The font of the letters is just fun, I think. I used some bright colors to stand out against the black, like Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody, and Magenta Madness. There are other colors you can use that work just as well. Just experiment and see which colors you like the best! There is an exclamation point in that die set as well and I think it goes well with these words.

The ghosts have a little story, which you may have heard before and will likely hear again! Just before I signed up to be a Demonstrator, I was visiting my friend in St. Louis and went with her to her team meeting. There were lots of displays of cards, of course, and one had ghosts like on this card. Do you know how I made them? They are hearts cut in half! I used the plain heart punch in the Heart Punch Pack but you could use any punches or heart dies that you have. Then just cut the heart in half from the bottom point up! When I saw that at this meeting, I was completely taken by that creative idea! Then you can adhere them to the sides of the card as if they are peeking in! I just drew on the black eyes with a black marker. You could punch tiny circles or use googlie eyes! So fun!

As a finishing touch, I added some Cute Stars Adhesive-Backed Sequins. I wish they were in more colors, but these worked okay. I love it when these embellishments come with adhesive on the back rather than using a tiny drop of glue!

Since the card base is Basic Black, unless you are going to use white embossing for a message inside or a white gel pen, you need to add a layer of a light color, usually Basic White, to the inside of the card. This time I thought I would use a different color since it’s a Halloween card after all. I used the same Mango Melody I used for one of the words. The greeting is stamped from the Cutest Halloween Stamp Set. And since I had an extra half of a heart, I made a ghost peeking around the corner on the inside of the card as well!

This is one of those cards I REALLY enjoyed making and REALLY like how it turned out if I do say so myself! LOL! Actually, you could make this as just a card front and maybe put it in a little frame and use it for a home decoration! Those tiered trays are all the rage on Instagram with people putting an abundance of small decorations on them for each holiday! You could make your own decoration with a card like this! I might try that myself now that I thought of it!

This is the best time of year with fall weather, fall decorations, and anticipation of all the upcoming holidays! Get your supplies out and start stamping! If you need some supplies, just go shopping at my Stampin’ Up! Online Store HERE! And TOMORROW, October 6, new items will be added to the Stampin’ Up! Clearance Rack!! The early bird gets the worm!

Expressions In Ink Floral Hello Card

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As I was cleaning up my stamping supplies from making another card, I spied this paper that just looked beautiful (because it IS beautiful!!) and I got everything out again and made this Expressions In Ink Floral Hello Card! I knew I could just make a very simple card because the paper is so pretty and you really don’t need too much else.

I have loved this Expressions in Ink Specialty Designer Series Paper since it came out in the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. The artistic designs on the paper plus the gold foiling make it exceptionally beautiful. I started with a card base of Polished Pink, one of the new In Colors this year. You could choose from several other colors for this same card since there are so many colors in the designer paper, like Pale Papaya or one of the many greens we have. Before adhering the designer paper to the card base, I wrapped a piece of Polished Pink 3/8″ Open Weave Ribbon around. I love this ribbon in all the In Colors.

The greeting is in the Artistically Inked Stamp Set. It is stamped in Polished Pink on Basic White and die-cut with a small die in the Ornate Frames Dies. I adhered it to a die-cut Gold Foil piece with the fancy ends, also a die in the Ornate Frames Dies. And to help all that to stand out, I die cut a fancy circle in the Tasteful Labels Dies in Polished Pink. The pink die-cut circle is adhered right to the card and then the greeting is popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals. You could add a jewel or two to the greeting if you wanted to.

This is an easy card with a simple card design, maybe only the greeting is a little fancier. It’s all about the fancy paper! Here is a similar card I made back in July with some added die-cut leaves and the Expressions in Ink Ephemera Pack. Get out your Expressions Ink Designer Paper and make a card like my Expressions In Ink Floral Hello Card.

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! ONLINE HERE!

Cutest Halloween Ghosts Card

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This Cutest Halloween Ghosts Card is one that I like to make with some basic stamping, a bit of designer paper, and some ribbon for embellishment. Sometimes we make such fancy cards that we miss out on just stamping randomly to design a card. To celebrate October 1st, I thought a Halloween card was in order! I can’t believe it is October! What happened to August and September? I feel like September just started.

The card base is, of course, Pumpkin Pie Cardstock with a layer of Basic Black. I knew I would use Basic White Cardstock for the card front on which to stamp ghosts, but I also added a striped piece of the Cute Halloween 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper, which has the cutest Halloween papers in it!

Before I assembled the card, I stamped some ghosts on the Basic White Cardstock. The ghosts are in the Cutest Halloween Stamp Set. They are stamped with Memento Ink. There is the ghost outline stamp and then a little face and arms. To make some of the ghosts look different, I stamped two eyes with one little round stamp in the set on three of the ghosts! You could just draw in some dots for eyes or draw another kind of face if you wanted.

Luckily, there was just the right space and the right place to stamp the “Hey, Boo!” greeting, also in the Cutest Halloween Stamp Set. Otherwise, I would have made a little label to stamp it on and place possibly covering up part of a ghost or making it more like a tag up by the bow. I wrapped some Black 3/8″ Glittered Organdy Ribbon around the strip of designer paper and then tied a separate bow, which I then adhered with two Mini Glue Dots.

Here’s another Halloween card with randomly stamped ghosts on the front that I made four years ago!

You could even modify this idea to make an invitation to a Halloween party! Or decorate a little bag for a gift or party favor with these cute stamped ghosts!

It’s time to start making some Halloween cards to send for fun! Tomorrow the post office is supposed to slow down the mail (what??!) so make your cards soon and mail them extra early! With a little bit of luck, maybe they will arrive by Halloween! You’ll have fun making a Cutest Halloween Ghosts Card like this one!

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP!

My 12 Weeks of Christmas Begins Today!

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Today is the day my special 12 Weeks of Christmas 2021 holiday emails begin at 1:00 PM CT. I always look forward to sending these to my Stamping With Karen Mailing List subscribers every year as a thank you for being one of my subscribers! I hope they help with your holiday planning and project ideas!

Every week for 12 weeks you will be getting an email from me with a fantastic holiday project for you to make! It is completely FREE, but it is exclusive to people on my mailing list. You can use these ideas to make your holiday preparations easier! Just like in my regular weekly email, I will send a photo of a project, a list of supplies needed, and all the directions to make it.

In the first few weeks, I will send card ideas since it’s likely that is the first thing most of us will work on at this point. Next, come a few weeks of gift ideas, and finally, as we are doing Christmas shopping, some ideas for gift wrap, bags, and gift tags.

These are exclusive projects that I won’t be posting on my blog or anywhere else. I just want my subscribers to know that you are appreciated! If you are already on my mailing list, no need to do anything!

The only way you can get these special 12 Week of Christmas emails is to be on my Stamping With Karen Mailing List! If you are not on my Mailing List, you better get on it before 1:00 PM TODAY, otherwise, you are going to miss out! All you have to do is sign up in the red box in the upper right of my blog. If you are on your mobile phone, the red box may show up at the bottom of your phone.

You can click HERE to get to my Mailing List Sign up Box!

Sale-A-Bration ENDS Thursday, 9/30!

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Time flies when you’re having fun earning FREE Stampin’ Up! products during Sale-A-Bration, right?!! How did these two months – August & September – go by so fast?

In case you are brand new or just coming across my page here, Sale-A-Bration is Stampin’ Up!’s biggest promotion….and this year we had TWO of them! Historical! During Sale-A-Bration, for every $50 you spend (no limits!) you qualify for a FREE product in the Sale-A-Bration Brochure! If you spend $100, there are a couple of special $100 level products to choose from (the Delicate Dahlias Stamp Set and the Summer Shadows Dies). (The Summer Shadows Dies coordinate with the Shaded Summer Stamp Set in the Annual Catalog!) OR you can just choose two $50 Level products. If your order reaches $150, you also earn Stampin’ Rewards of 10%!

You’ve probably seen this video already, but please watch if you would like a “review” of Sale-A-Bration! The sparkly Be Dazzling 6″ x 6″ Paper is sold out, unfortunately, and other products’ status could change over these last couple of days.

I hope you have enjoyed these past two months “Sale-A-Brating” with Stampin’ Up! It’s a promotion that goes WAY back to the early days of Stampin’ Up! And I remember when Sale-A-Bration choices back in my early days of stamping were just a few stamp sets! It has certainly evolved into being even more fun with more choices!

If you don’t “need” anything right now, you can always stock up on basics like adhesives, Basic White Cardstock, Envelopes, ink refills, embellishments, one of the kits in the Kit Collection, or even a Prepaid Paper Pumpkin subscription. Order a 3-month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin subscription at $63.00 or a larger one to earn FREE Sale-A-Bration product. You can purchase a Prepaid subscription even if you have a month-to-month subscription. Just follow the instructions Stampin’ Up! will send you in an email to add a code to your account and the prepaid subscription will be used first and then revert back to your regular subscription. I just did that last night myself! Make that purchase and get that code entered by Oct. 10th and you’ll be getting the beautiful October holiday Paper Pumpkin Kit!

Maybe you’ve been thinking about becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator! This is a good time to join and choose a FREE Bundle to go with your Starter Kit! Check out the information HERE. I’m happy to answer any of your questions!

Enjoy your last days of Sale-A-Bration 2021! Thursday will be the last day to order and qualify for Sale-A-Bration rewards. I suggest not waiting until the very last minute, if possible. Sometimes there is a glitch or problem and maybe no opportunity to fix it. Have fun shopping!

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! HERE!

Make an Easy Gift Bag and Card With Blackberry Beauty Designer Paper

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Blackberry Beauty Gift Bag and Gift Card

The season for gifts will soon be upon us, actually, it is always the season for gifts, so here is how to Make an Easy Gift Bag and Card With Blackberry Beauty Designer Paper. These gift bags, no matter the size, are really so easy to make either out of designer paper or cardstock. You can stamp the cardstock or add a layer of pretty designer paper to dress it up. You can learn to make these small gift bags and it will be faster for you to do it yourself than to drive to the store for wrapping paper or gift bags!

I made this gift bag out of the Blackberry Beauty Specialty Designer Series Paper. As I mentioned above, I thought about making the bag out of Blackberry Bliss Cardstock and then adding a layer of designer paper. It would make the bag sturdier to use cardstock. But using designer paper also makes the inside very pretty!

The paper, whether cardstock or designer paper, is 8″ x 11″. Look at the pattern of the paper before cutting and scoring and make sure your pattern will go in the correct direction. On the side that will be bottom, where the flaps will be, score the paper lengthwise at 2″. Then turn the paper so the long side is at the top, using your Paper Trimmer or Simply Scored Scoring Tool. If using the Paper Trimmer, just make sure you don’t use the cutting blade by accident! You might even want to remove it temporarily! Score at 2″, 5 1/4″, 7 1/4″, and 10 1/2″. This will make the score lines where you will fold to form the bag.

Above you see the image of the inside of the paper scored and the flaps at the bottom cut. On the left side of the photo, you can see the 1/2″ flap that I folded inward a bit. Just below that, I cut off that 1/2″ x 2″ section. That 1/2″ flap is where the adhesive will go to form the bag with the opposite side. I like to angle my cuts just a bit as you can see by the spaces between the flaps, which will form the bottom of the bag. If you cut straight on the scored lines, sometimes they don’t overlap perfectly so cutting on an angle takes away that tiny bit of extra paper and makes it all look a little more professional when you assemble the bag. Try it! Plus you don’t have to worry about cutting EXACTLY on the score lines because sometimes they are difficult to see on printed paper!

Apply adhesive to that 1/2″ flap and then just fold over the opposite edge, making sure it is lined up evenly with the flap. I used Stampin’ Seal +. You could use Multipurpose Liquid Glue or Tear & Tape as well.

After connecting the two sides, fold in those bottom flaps, applying adhesive, and then reaching inside the bag on a table with a Bone Folder or something to rub down the flaps to make sure they are adhered well. Decorate the outside of the bag.

You can do the top however you like. For now, I left mine open like a gift bag. Or you can squish in the sides a bit to bring the top edges together and either tie a ribbon around, add a clip to the top, or punch holes and tie ribbon through to close. Make sure you put the gift inside first!

For the front, I used pieces from the Blackberry Beauty Ephemera Pack. As I write this, it is back ordered but should be back in stock in another week. Its been very popular! But you don’t have to have it. Use some gold pieces, tags, ribbon, whatever you have in your stash to decorate the bag. And as long as I had everything out, I made a little gift card to go along with it, folding a 3″ x 6″ piece of cardstock in half and then decorating. You can order 3″ x 3″ envelopes.

This bag is really easy. If you want it shorter, then cut it at maybe 6″ instead of 8″ or make it taller. This Blackberry Beauty Specialty Designer Series Paper is really pretty too with its gold accents and deep colors. This will be so pretty for fall and Thanksgiving cards and projects. Try making something like this Blackberry Beauty Gift Bag today!

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! ONLINE HERE! LAST WEEK OF SALE-A-BRATION!