Yupo Paper Background

Hey Everybody,

Anita's challenge was to make a textured background using Yupo paper. Check out her challenge here. Near the bottom of Anita's post is a PDF file with her directions and photos of how to do the technique.

I mixed water with my acrylic paint and added it to the Yupo paper leaving small bubbles on the page.

 Next I put a K-cup on the paper and twisted it to make the feathered circles.

 Next I pushed a ribbed candle into the paint on the paper. Those are the lines you see.

 Lastly, I stamped with a round tea bag. It made things more white than anything so I only stamped it once in the middle.

I stamped and colored my image then trimmed around her so you could see more of the background. This is a Unity Stamps image called, Old Bird.

I added gold balls for buttons and gold rhinestones for her earrings.

 The image was added with dimensionals. The image panel was added to a melon mambo card base.

 

Keywords: TLC1112

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Old Bird

Paper: Yupo paper, melon mambo, white

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black

Accessories: sponge brush, Copic Markers, striped birthday candle, K-cup, round tea bag, purple acrylic paint

Techniques: Textured Background on Yupo paper

Here are some of the things I used on my background. I tried to find unusual things or things with texture. Next time I do this, I'm going to look in my husband's work room! 

This is what I used. It's Tim Holtz Yupo paper.

Yupo is a synthetic paper made from 100% polypropylene. Completely non-absorbent and waterproof, it does not buckle and allows paints and inks to sit on the surface for vibrant, flowing effects. If you make a mistake, you can easily wipe the surface clean and start over. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key Characteristics:

• Media Compatibility: Ideal for alcohol inks, watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media.
• Durability: It is tear-resistant, durable, and remains perfectly flat.
• Types: Available in opaque bright white and translucent varieties, and in different weights.
• Technique: Because it is non-porous, colors take longer to dry and can be reactivated with water even after they are dry. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

It is widely available at art supply stores. You can explore standard white and translucent pads on Blick Art Materials or find deals on Hobby Lobby. To learn more about its manufacturing and archival properties, visit the Legion Paper product page. [1, 2]

This background takes a while to dry since the paper doesn't absorb the water so I put it in front of a little fan on my desk. I was afraid to use my heat tool. I wasn't sure if it would curl the paper.

Take a look around your house. What types of things do you have that you could use?

Some of the ideas from the challenge were.

bubble wrap

dry wall mesh tape

The top of a glue bottle

paper doily

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

To Stich or Not to Stitch

 Hey Everybody,

Nancy's challenge for us today was to use stitching on our card. You can find her challenge here.

I started by stamping and coloring my image with Copic Markers. This is a very old Stampin' Up! stamp called, Kindness Koala. I used dies that looked like stitching around the image. The dies are called, Textured Notes. I punched out squares from The Stampin' Up!-square snippets designer series paper and used them as a border around my image.

 I made four sets of holes with my paper piercer and an old SU tool called a paper piercing tool that helped you line up holes or embellishments.   I used an orange gel pen to make the faux stitches.
The image panel is popped up on dimensionals. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: WT1109

Stamps: Stampin' UP!-Kind Koala

Paper: white, Stampin' Up!-Square Snippets designer series paper

Ink: memento tuxedo black

Accessories: Copic Markers, orange gel pen, paper piercer, paper piercing template, paper piercing pad, Stampin' Up!-Textured Notes Dies, 1 1/4" square punch

Techniques: faux stitching, coloring

I found a picture of the tool I used. This was part of a 4 pack of small templates that we used to make decorations on our cardstock years ago before we had all of the embellishments and dies and things that we have today. LOL

Some people did real stitching. Here are a few samples from the gallery.

Well, what would you use for this challenge? Would you do faux stitching or real stitching?

What stamp set would you use? Maybe you have dies that would make your card look stitched.

The fun of it is looking through your supplies to see what you have and what you can put together.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

NEW!! Stampin’ Hot Foil System

 Hey Everybody,

Hot news for sure. A new product line and a discount on Paper Pumpkin if you are a new subscriber.

Blessings,

Sue

NEW!! Stampin’ Hot Foil System From Stampin’ Up! Available July 10!!

Introducing one of the hottest items in crafting—the new Stampin’ Hot Foil System!!

The metallic magic starts with Stampin’ Hot Foil Rolls, specially-made Hot Foil dies, and the Stampin’ Hot Foil System that works with the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (sold separately). The heat of the platform transfers the foil using hot foil dies designed specifically for this system, allowing you to add dazzling details to paper and more.

WHAT IS INCLUDED WHEN YOU PURCHASE THE STAMPIN’ HOT FOIL SYSTEM?

This everything included in the Stampin’ Hot Foil System & Craft Class:

• Metallic Magic Craft Class ($30 value—limited time only!)
• Stampin’ Hot Foil platform
• Stampin’ Hot Foil Shim & Spacer
• Stampin’ Hot Foil Magnetic Pick-Up Tool
• Silicone platform station
• Silicone cooling pad
• Power cord
• Instructions on how to use the system

The Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine, Stampin’ Hot Foil Rolls (the foil itself), and Hot Foil dies and bundles are sold separately.

CRAFT CLASS

As an added bonus, everyone who purchases this system before January 4, 2027, will automatically be able to access the upcoming Metallic Magic Craft Class, a technique-centric virtual class. Attendees will make unique projects and learn crafting tips intended to elevate their hot foil crafting experience. This class is a special limited-time offer exclusive to this system and is an amazing tool when it comes to increasing skills, learning techniques, and making the most of this new product line.

You can see more details about the system, find the bundles and foil that will be available to order beginning on Friday, July 10 in this brochure:

A few notes about the new system:

• Hot Foil results are best with either White Willow or Two-Tone Cardstock.  Smoother card stocks like the Two-Tone Cardstock and White Willow will achieve the best results when using the system, but you can use the regular card stocks too.
• The Hot Foil System, foil rolls and new hot foil dies and bundles will be available Friday, July 10, 2026 in the online Stampin’ Up! store.
• A FREE Hot Foil Online Class from Stampin’ Up! is included with your hot foil system purchase (a $30 value!), do not add the class separately to your cart (you’ll be charged for it if you do!).  You’ll automatically get a link to it after you purchase the Stampin’ Hot Foil System.
• The Stampin’ Hot Foil system is $160. Dies & foil are sold separately.
• Stampin’ Up! has let us know that if the Stampin’ Hot Foil system goes on backorder, it may take longer than normal to restock.  So if you would like to order the system, order sooner rather than later!
• IMPORTANT NOTE:  Cutting dies are not designed to be used with hot foiling.  You cannot die cut using foiling dies.  Doing so risks damaging the dies and the system.

I’m so excited for you all to be able to order this new system!  I have recently started playing with mine and it’s so much fun!  Head over to the Stampin’ Up! online store beginning July 10 to see and order the new system!

---

25% Off Your First Paper Pumpkin Kit For New Subscribers!

Have you been thinking of trying Paper Pumpkin?  Now’s a perfect time to get started with our all-inclusive crafting kit subscription!  Purchase a pay-as-you-go subscription from July 11–August 10 and get 25% off the first kit!

Not only will new subscribers receive the wonderful August Kindred Greetings Kit at a discount, but they’ll also gain access to exclusive add-ons, past kits, and refills as soon as they subscribe!  It’s a great way to carve out a little creative “me time” each month while joining a global community of passionate crafters!

Promotion Details:

• Promotion Begins: July 11, 2026
• Promotion Ends: August 10, 2026
• Offer applies to new subscribers only (those who haven’t had an active Paper Pumpkin subscription in the past 18 months).
• Offer is valid for pay-as-you-go subscriptions only.  Discount does not apply to prepaid subscriptions.
• The discounted first kit is the August Kindred Greetings Kit.
• This kit cannot be skipped.

It's a Bit Sketchy Today

 Hey Everybody,

Today we have a sketch challenge. You can find the challenge here. Here is what the sketch looks like.

Here is my card 

I stamped the image  which is from the Unity Stamps set called, Flock Talk. I colored the bird with Copic Markers. I wanted to make the image stand out a bit without adding another layer so I lined the border with a black sharpie using a ruler. 

I used a retired Stampin' Up! 3D embossing folder called Lace. I dry embossed the designer series paper which is from Stampin' Up! called, Delicate Dreams, then added retired Stampin' Up! lace to the bottom strip of designer paper. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: SC1118

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Flock Talk

Paper: white, hydrangea hue, Stampin' Up!-Delicate Dreams designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, hydrangea hue

Accessories: Stampin' Up!-Lace 3D embossing folder, Stampin' Up very vanilla lace, copic markers

Techniques: dry embossing, coloring

I wanted to show you some of the other ideas ladies had for this sketch.

 

  

There are some pretty creative ladies for sure. Did you notice on the pink cake, that she used shaving cream and swirled it like finger paint?

How about the chicken on the card where the sketch was flipped? I love that Unity Stamps chicken.

Ladies had all sorts of ideas of how to use this challenge. Think about the stamps, ink and paper you have. What would you make with this sketch?

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Using Silver and/or Subtle Colors

Hey Everybody,

Our alphabet challenge was to use silver and/or subtle colors.

Keywords: ABC24S19

Stamps: n/a

Paper: white, night of navy, holographic, vellum

Paper Size: A2

Ink: silver, night of navy

Accessories: Diamonds embossing folder, Wow silver glitter, rhinestones

Techniques: heat embossing, dry embossing, direct to paper

 I paired my silver with navy. I dry embossed white cardstock. I dry embossed it and rubbed silver ink over the debossed side. I heated it to dry the ink then pulled night of navy ink over the paper. I sprinkled silver embossing powder on the card and heat embossed. I layered my sentiment over holographic paper and added it to the card. I added rhinestones to the main panel as well as the sentiment. There is holographic paper behind the dry embossed panel. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Have you ever used embossing powder  on an embossed piece of paper? I just picked up the embossing powder in my fingers and sprinkled it on the card in different places. That was new for me to do. Have you used embossing powder like this?

  I really like the effect I got when I added the navy ink, and the silver ink. I don't use silver or gold ink very often but it was fun for this card. The rhinestones really made this card pop.

This is why I like to try new techniques and challenges. I learn new things or relearn things I used to know which keeps my brain stimulated.

Thanks for stopping by today. What will you make with the color silver?

Blessings,

Sue

Shaving Cream Sparkle Technique

 Hey Everybody,

Jean's challenge was to make a card using the technique called Shaving Cream Sparkle. You can find her challenge here.

I used lost lagoon with the shaving cream on the watercolor paper. I added the dots in lost lagoon then versamark. The dots are from a retired Stampin' Up! set called, Gorgeous Grunge.  I used Zing gold embossing powder which has glitter in it. I used a retired die set from Stampin' Up! called, Inspiring Imperfections. I die cut the vase and added gold cracks to it. I stamped the sentiment on designer series paper then added gold behind it. The sentiment is from a Unity Stamps set called, Ava Girl. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: TLC1111

Stamps: Stampin' Up!-Inspiring Imperfections, Unity Stamps-Ava Girl, Stampin' Up!-Gorgeous Grunge

Paper: watercolor, gold, Stampin' Up!-Inked botanicals designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: lost lagoon, versafine black, versamark

Accessories: Zing-Gold embossing powder, Inspiring Imperfections dies,

Techniques: Shaving Cream Sparkle

I don't usually order stamp/die sets with an oriental look to them like this set has. However, this set was given to me and I wanted to see what I could make from it. It turned out that I really do like how this card turned out and I made a few others using some oriental designer series paper someone gave me.

I've added the video that I followed to make my card. You can use any colors and any dies for this.  

Well, I hope you give this challenge a try.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue