The U.S. is celebrating its historic 250th anniversary, the monumental semiquincentennial since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your time however you spend today and stay safe.
Lisa's challenge is to use wild animals on our card. You can find the challenge here.
I stamped the image with versafine black ink and colored with Zig real brush markers. This is a retired Stampin' UP! set called, Wild & Sweet. I dry embossed a white piece of cardstock with the Stampin' Up! embossing folder called, Elegant Eucalyptus. I used a blending brush behind the koala and around the edges of the arch. I colored the eucalyptus on the debossed side of the paper with a blending brush and peacock ink, then pulled basic gray ink over the cardstock for the black-out technique. I added the burlap ribbon then added the image and sentiment with dimensionals. I stamped the sentiment in pretty peacock and used the small oval punch. I added pebbled path gems to the card. The image panel was added to a pretty peacock base. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.
What do you have in your stash that you could use for this challenge? What kind of wild animals have you collected?
One thing I realized by looking at this card was, I don't use much gray on my cards. How about you? Do you use gray a lot? Are there any other colors you don't use much? I know if I look in my cardstock drawers, I'd find some folders filled with scraps and others filled with many full pieces.
I can see lots of scraps in the blackberry bliss and old olive folders. I have lots of full pieces in real red and Basic Gray or Pumpkin Pie.
Some colors are used seasonally like red and green for Christmas or pumpkin pie with reds and yellows for fall and Thanksgiving cards.
I think I need to start looking at the drawers with more of the fuller sheets of cardstock and begin to use them more often.
I think I get caught up in getting my designer series paper first, then choosing colors from that paper. Now that I see that I favor some colors I'm going to look at my designer series papers and see if I can begin to use my less-used cardstock. No sense buying it if it's going to sit in the drawer.
I stamped and cut down my image. The image is from Unity Stamps called Gretchen Girl. I colored it with Copic Markers. I added misty moonlight behind the image and added it to the designer series paper with dimensionals. I stamped the sentiment and used the key tag punch on it. The sentiment was added with dimensionals. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.
Our Alphabet Challenge letter this week is R-Red. You can find the challenge here.
I love using red with black because of the wonderful contrast. So when I stamped this image I thought of leaving most of it black. This image is from Unity Stamps called, One of the Good Ones. I thought I'd color some of the parts red. Then I thought it looked too plain with the card base background, so I cut 1/2" strips of red and black paper and did a herringbone pattern. You can find the tutorial here.
I wanted to add some texture to the background so I dry embossed it with the old world paper 3D embossing folder. The image was added with dimensionals. I stamped this specific sentiment so it could go on a dinner tray for a guy at a local hospital.
If you were to do this challenge, what would you use for this Red challenge?
Take a look at the wide variety of interpretations of this challenge. I copied just some of the ideas ladies had.
I thought there would be Christmas cards and flowers, but I didn't expect animals. I also thought there might be foods like strawberries or apples in the gallery. All of the cards but one were stamped. The first one which is the snow scene, was drawn and watercolored I believe.
Now that you've seen some samples, maybe that gives you ideas on what you could do for a a card. I hope you give this challenge a try.
I'm off to find some strawberries or cherries or red candy stamps to make another red card.
July brings lots of new things from Stampin' Up! We have a new product of the month, new kits, new online exclusives, new paper pumpkin and a new join box! So check out this post to see all that is new and exciting at Stampin' Up! As always, if you have questions let me know.
Blessings,
Sue
July's Product of the Month
The brand-new Product of the Month for July is now available. Add it to your order for just $5 when you spend $75! You'll earn 10% in Stampin' Rewards too.
This month's exclusive product is the Begonia Belle Photopolymer Stamp Set. This Two-Step Stampin' Set allows you to combine the pairs of bloom or leaf images to create depth and texture, or use each image alone for a different effect. Additional sweet sentiments and decorative elements make this an amazing all-in-one set you simply must add to your collection!
The Daisy Days Kit includes everything you need to make a whole
album themed with vibrant daisies, bright colors, and fun summer motifs.
You'll get all the supplies needed to create 28
6.5" x 6" (16.5 x 15.2 cm) pages to fit in the included album
(measuring 7¾" x 7" x 1⅞", or 19.7 x 17.8 x 4.8 cm) that's
printed with bright daisy and gingham patterns. With printed pages, precut
printed pieces, journalling blocks, pockets and acetate elements, recording
summer memories is easy. Coordinating Stampin' Up! colors are Blueberry Bushel,
Crisp Cantaloupe, Crushed Curry, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Strawberry
Slush, and Timid Tiger.
Paper Pumpkin July-August-September
July: Hooray for Birthdays Subscribe by July 10
Say Happy Birthday with stand-up easel cards perfect for
showing off
Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs with 9
coordinating envelopes
Send cards with heartfelt messages of comfort and
appreciation.
Makes 9 cards 3 of each 3 designs with 9 coordinating
envelopes
Precut paper pieces and intricate precut card fronts
Gray and white
Coordinating colors: Basic Gray Calypso Coral, Gray
Granite,(stampin’ spot) Lost Lagoon, Petal Pink, Pool Party
September: Aspens of Gratitude
Subscribe August 11-September 10
Share your gratitude with cards featuring beautifully
hand-painted woodland designs.
Makes 10 cards: 5 each of 2 designs with 10
coordinating envelopes
Precut paper pieces
Self-adhesive gem embellishments
Coordinating Colors: Basic Black, Cajun Craze,
Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, (Stampin’ Spot), Golden Glow, Gray Granite,
Mossy Meadow, Pumpkin Pie
Detailed Flora Dies Add-On-available while supplies last!
Available only to Paper Pumpkin Subscribers!
The add-on-die-set coordinates with the Paper Pumpkin Kits
shown above! Use requires a die cutting machine (not included)
Introducing the Welcome Box
As part of the new join process, we’re introducing an elevated onboarding experience. All first-time demonstrators (beginning July 1, 2026) will receive a surprise Welcome Box—a gesture of appreciation and a warm welcome into the global Stampin’ Up! creative community.
What’s Inside the Welcome Box
A handwritten welcome letter from Sara
Stampin’ Up!-branded swag:
Pen
Pop-up pencil case
Pop-up waste basket
An exclusive card kit including:
Kit-sized stamp set
Full-size clear block
Classic Stampin’ Spot
Supplies to create eight “hello” cards
New demonstrators are encouraged to make and share these cards—especially with the eight complimentary catalogs they receive—to help spread the word about their new demonstratorship.
WELCOME BOX UNBOXING
Watch as we unbox the Welcome Box! Get a look at everything inside and see what makes this box the perfect welcome gift for new demonstrators.
Important Notes
The Welcome Box is exclusive to first-time demonstrators. Beginning July 1, 2026, anyone joining for the first time will receive a Welcome Box.
Current demonstrators have a one-time opportunity to order a Welcome Box after it launches. See below for details.
Rejoining demonstrators will receive all other joining perks (including the coupon code) but not a Welcome Box.
Stampin’ Up! will not market the Welcome Box as a perk of joining—in fact, we won’t mention it outside demonstrator communications. It’s intended as a surprise-and-delight gift that encourages organic excitement, curiosity, and a little FOMO—leading potential new demonstrators back to you to learn more!
Step One: Join
When you sign up as a new demonstrator, you will:
Choose a team leader
Read and accept the required legal agreements
Fill out some personal details
Pay the $100 fee to submit your application
Step Two: Shop!
Once your application has been reviewed and approved (you shouldn't have long to wait!), you will receive an email with your NEW demonstrator ID and your coupon code.
Your coupon code, valued at $125, can be redeemed on any order you place as a demonstrator!
Your order total can be more than your coupon code; you'll just pay the difference.
Any amount that you spend above the value of your coupon code will be treated just like all other orders you place as a demonstrator. That means it will receive demonstrator discount (20% at first), counts towards your first quarterly minimum, will earn Stampin' Rewards, and can also allow you to purchase the Product of the Month ($75+).
You will also be able to add eight free catalogues to any order (this option does expire after 9 months).
You will also receive a one-time special welcome gift from Stampin' Up! which will included branded merchandise and an exclusive card kit to help you spread the word of your new demonstratorship.
Don't worry if you don't meet the quarterly sales requirement to stay active as a demonstrator. There is still no penalty with nothing to return or repay! If you leave Stampin' Up! for any reason, you can rejoin after 45 days. At that point, you'll be able to choose whether to rejoin with your previous team leader or join a different team. This change applies to current demonstrators too. The only thing to note is that the welcome gift only sent when you join for the first time, so isn't sent if you rejoin later.
Paper Pumpkin™ Perk
New demonstrators will also receive a 50% off coupon code for their first Paper Pumpkin kit!
Two months after joining, you will be sent a coupon code by email. That code gives 50% off the first kit in any new subscription. That code will have an expiry date so make sure you plan to redeem it in time! It's a great way to try out Paper Pumpkin yourself as you get started as a demonstrator, making it easier to share it with others.
Linda's challenge colors this week are balmy blue, granny apple green and darling duckling. You can find her challenge here.
I cut the arch from a piece of white cardstock. I used pecan pie ink and pulled the ink pad over the outside of the arch. Then I dry embossed it with the Stampin' Up!-Timber 3D embossing folder to give it a wood look.
I stamped the image from Unity Stamps called Just Beak-Cause, in memento tuxedo black ink and colored it with Copic Markers. I put a circle on my paper for the sun. This is a mask so the blue ink doesn't touch the circled area. I used blending brushes and a cloud cut out to make clouds and grass. I removed the mask and colored the sun with Copic Marker. I stamped the sentiment in granny apple green. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.
Ink: memento tuxedo black, balmy blue, granny apple green, pecan pie
Accessories: blending brushes, Stampin' Up!-Timber 3D embossing folder, Copic Markers, mask for sun, arch die
Techniques: dry embossing, direct to paper, coloring, ink blending, masking
When I saw the colors for this challenge, I immediately thought of this chicken stamp. I knew I could make the sky with balmy blue and grass with granny apple green.
I could have made a yellow flower with stem and a blue sky. It truly depends what stamps you have in your collection.
Sometimes I look through my stamps to see what hasn't been used in a while. Then I try to find a challenge to use it.
What do you picture when you think of these colors? Take a look through your stamps, what will work? I hope you give this challenge a try.
Sabrina's challenge is to use a baby wipe technique. You can find her challenge here.
I stamped large and small daisies from the retired Stampin' Up!-set called, Daisy Lane and punched them out. I folded a baby wipe several times then added fresh freesia, pretty in pink, and melon mambo reinkers to the baby wipe.
I stamped a smaller flower for a background using the same baby wipe. I curled the flowers and added a dimensional beneath all of them. I added a yellow center which is retired Stampin' Up! product, but had a few left. I stamped the sentiment with the baby wipe ink and punched it out with the key tag punch. I added greenery for the flowers to sit on so they'd stand out. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.
Accessories: fresh freesia, pretty in pink, melon mambo reinkers, Medium and large daisy punches
Techniques: Baby Wipe Stamping
If you've never done the baby wipe technique, here is a tutorial video from Splitcoast.
Here are a few other samples of this technique that I've made in the past.
There you have it, the baby wipe technique. I hope you give it a try.
When I've done this technique I've put my baby wipes into a plastic case like the ones we used to get stamp sets in. That way I can close it when I'm finished and use it again later without worrying about it drying out. I use it later in the day or with other stamps then dispose of it. Toss the baby wipes and rinse the case.
