An Inspiration Challenge You Can Do At Home

Hey Everybody,

Nancy's challenge today is to use squares and rectangles. You can find her challenge here. 
I cut two different sized squares from designer paper then added a cardstock layer behind it. I did the same with the rectangles. Once the card was together, I added the fussy cut images and the epoxy shapes.

How did I decide where to put the designer series papers?  The rectangle looked like a table cloth we used to use for picnics. So I placed it on my card on top of the cute bugs in the background.  Next I looked for something for the little bee to water. I added that square piece like a diamond. Next I wanted paper that was a bit plain so I could add a sentiment. I chose the plants then fussy cut the lady bug and added her to the card. Lastly, I added the epoxy pieces like the ladybug and the clear epoxy drops that look like dew drops on the leaves.

 

Stamps: Rolling Waves

Paper: white, poppy parade, SU-Cute as a Bug designer series paper

Ink: Blackberry Bliss

Accessories: scissors, SU Ladybug and Epoxy shapes

Techniques: fussy cutting

Our next challenge can be found here. This is an inspiration challenge so the idea is to pick something from the site and make a card with it as a reference.  Here is the inspiration for my card. 

Here is my card.  I kept my buildings in browns and grays and used a blending brush to color clouds in the sky. I wanted this to look more like a masculine card since it will be used at the hospital. I stamped the sentiment below the buildings. This will be on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Stamps: Sunny Studio-Charming City, Unity Stamps-Windowsill Woodlands

Paper: smoky slate, basic beige

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black

Accessories: Copic Markers, blending brush, cloud cut out

Techniques: coloring, ink blending

This is a new stamp for me. I realized that with all of the stamps I had, I didn't have any type of buildings. This is from Sunny Studios and the sentiment is from Unity Stamps in the set called Windowsill Woodlands.  I may do another card and make it more colorful like my inspiration piece.

You know the reason I love doing these daily challenges is because it helps me use my stamps and it challenges me to think of specific things for cards. Often times I'm using older stamps which might lead me to dies or sentiments I haven't used in a while.  These keep me going through my stamps looking for stamps to use for challenges which enables me to see what I have and it helps me remember what things might go together for a card.

It also enabled me to see that I could use a cityscape for masculine cards. This is a quick and easy card to make.

So try this for a challenge. Find something in your house and use it for your inspiration for a card. It could be a photo, wall art, clothing, dishes, a plant, anything at all.  

Then look through your stamps and see what you have that is similar to your item in some way. It could be the color inspires you, or the shape or the writing or pictures on the item.

It's a fun way to get ideas for cards that might be more out of the box for you.  It's fun to see where you start with your inspiration and where you end up with how your card looks.

I hope you give it a try.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Challenges of Aesop and Alphabet

 Hey Everybody,

The two challenge cards I have for you today are The Alphabet Challenge. This week we are making cards for the letter I. The second card is for The Ways To Use It Challenge. We were to use one of the animals from Aesop's Fables on our card.

The alphabet challenge is for indigo and iridescent. I stamped with starry sky then masked the flowers and added the shaded spruce stems. I stamped the sentiment and added starry sky paper behind it. I added the iridescent gems and stamped the butterflies. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Stamps: SU-Bright Wishes, SU Painted Lavender

Paper: white, starry sky, blue designer paper give to me

Paper Size: A2

Ink: starry sky, shaded spruce

Accessories: post-it note, scissors, iridescent gems

Techniques: masking

Sabrina's challenge for the Ways To Use It Challenge can be found here.  
I chose to make one of Aesop's animals, the mouse. I also stamped individual letters for Happy. I stamped the image and colored it with copic markers. I highlighted the bubbles with white gel pen and paper glaze. I added the image panel to a piece of designer paper that I was given. That was added to a starry sky card base.

I wanted to learn how to color bubbles so I looked at a few You-Tube videos. It is the first time I've explored how to color bubbles. Usually I just color them lightly or add a clear get over the top of them.  This time I used Copic Markers of pink and blue then covered the bubbles.

Do you ever do that when you're stamping? Look at images or videos on line to see how something is colored, shaded or drawn?  I love doing this to learn new things as I create cards or scrapbook pages.

Stamps: Stampin' Up-Alphabet & Bubbles, House Mouse-Blowing Bubbles, SU-Rolling Waves

Paper: white, starry sky, designer paper given to me

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, gorgeous grape

Accessories: copic markers, Aleene's paper glaze, white gel pen

Techniques: Coloring

Is there a stamp you have that you want to know more about? Maybe an animal or building that you could learn how to shade? Maybe you could use a new coloring tool? You could also look up different ways to use the coloring things you have.

To give you an idea. I took distress inks and smudged them onto my glass mat and spritzed water on them. Then I used my paint brush to watercolor my image.  I haven't used my distress inks like that before. Now I know it's not a new technique. People do this all of the time. I however, had never done it before and I had lots of fun shading an animal on my card.

Well, I'll see you again soon.

Blessings,

Sue

Stampin' Up! What's New For April

 

Hey Everybody,

Stampin’ UP! NEW Product of The Month is Here, Two New Kits and An Updated Last Chance List!

I wanted to let you know about some NEW things available. 

First off – being April – we’ve got a NEW Product of the Month available for you to pick (for just $5) when you place an order of $75 or greater!  Check out the Eyelet Blooms Die!

Give your card fronts and crafts a dainty touch with the Eyelet Blooms Die. Create delicate backgrounds with a hand-stitched look or layer pieces for a classic finish that works for any occasion. It’s eyelet magic for every card.

The Eyelet Blooms Die is the exclusive Product of the Month for April 2026! Only available until stock runs out—don’t wait to get yours!

Here are the details:
– April 2026 Product of the Month
– 1 die
– Largest die: 4-3/8″ x 6″ (11.1 x 15.2 cm)
– Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (sold separately)

So – get your order of  $75+ order in in APRIL and you’ll be eligible to purchase this cool new DIE set for just $5!

As a way to tempt you – check out our TWO new Kits – they’ll help you get to that $75 order level – easy peasy!

Our first new kit for April is the gorgeous Painted Skies Kit!

If beautiful sunsets are your thing, the Painted Skies Kit is calling your name. Create vibrant, hand-painted–style skies with scenes featuring lighthouses, palm trees, and rolling ocean waves as your artistic focal points. Friendly greetings, gratitude themes, and celebratory sentiments add just the right finishing touch.

What’s in the box:
– 9 cards (3 each of 3 designs) and 9 printed envelopes. Finished cards are 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
– Sentiments printed in Dutch, English, French, and German
– Precut paper pieces
– Sequins
– Step-by-step instructions
– Adhesive

Featured colors: Balmy Blue, Blueberry Bushel, Crushed Curry, Flirty Flamingo, Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Hydrangea Hue, Melon Mambo, Night of Navy, Petal Pink, Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Strawberry Slush, white

Our second kit for April is the Sunniest Stories Scrapbooking Kit!

Think of the Sunniest Stories Scrapbooking Kit as a little treasure box for your memories. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to create six meaningful spreads, including pockets, photo frames, printed sentiments, lined pages for your stories, and plenty of fun accents. This kit is full of creative possibilities and the perfect place to honor the moments that make your heart feel full!

What’s in the box:

– Makes six two-page scrapbook spreads – page size: 12″ x 12″
– Sentiments printed in English, French, and German
– 12 sheets of single-sided Designer Series Paper
– 4 sheets of precut images and phrases
– 4 sheets of cut-apart designs
– 20 colored and patterned 4″ x 6″ cards
– 1 sheet of printed stickers
– 8 yards (7.3 m) of Tear & Tape Adhesive
– 100 Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals
– 50 Mini Glue Dots

Featured colors: Azure Afternoon, Basic Beige, Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Darling Duckling, Night of Navy, Petal Pink, Shaded Spruce

I think you need to head over to the Kits Collection to check out ALL the kits that are currently available – that’s the best way to see EVERYTHING!

Or – if you want to just go get the new kits – here they are!

Painted Skies Kit – 167822

Price: $18.00

Add to Cart

 

Sunniest Stories Scrapbooking Kit – 167824

Price: $38.00

Add to Cart

Supply List

Finally – we’ve got NEW Items in the Last Chance Products category in the Online Store.

You can find all the Last Chance Products in the online store here: Last Chance Products.

Just note that products remain on the list until they’re gone – and when they ARE gone – they are FOR SURE GONE.  Going on the list means Stampin’ Up! will NOT re-stock them! 

That's it for today. See you again soon.

Blessings,

Sue 

Debossed Backgrounds

 Hey Everybody,

Our challenge is a color challenge. We were to use balmy blue, granny apple green and fresh freesia. You can find Karen's challenge here. 

I started with a piece of white paper that was embossed and given to me from a friend. I used my blending brushes to add the challenge colors to the background on the debossed side. I pulled a night of navy ink pad across the background over the blended colors. I stamped and die cut the flowers and leaves. I added them to the card with dimensionals. Lastly I added two-tone sparkle gems to the flower centers.
This will go to a local nursing home for the resident's use.

The sketch challenge for today can be found here.  This is what the sketch looks like. Remember, a sketch can be turned and moved.

I started with a piece of white paper that my 4 year old granddaughter painted. I stamped the shark and fish on it and colored them. I colored an embossed panel with a copic marker and a gold metallic pen. Then I pulled gorgeous grape ink over top of the star-like images. I die cut two circles from gold paper to make a port hole. I colored dimensionals with my gold metallic marker to add to the port hole. I stamped the greeting and added it to the bottom of the card. This will go on a patient dinner tray at a local hospital.

Today's two cards use the same 3D embossing folder. It is one that a friend had. I ran a few pieces of white paper so I could color the debossed side.  You can see how in the first card I used the whole sheet for a whole background.  The second card used a small part of the embossing folder.

What a difference it makes to use different colors. The first card has bright colors and the second card has gold and duller colors. The bright colors in the first card are to bring your eye to the flowers. The second card has a smaller piece and supports the image doesn't make it stand out.  

There you have it, two cards using different sized embossed areas It's fun to build a scene with stamps and add a smaller piece for a background. 

What do you think you can do with embossing folders in your stash? Can you use a smaller piece and build a scene next to it?

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you back again soon.

Blessings,

Sue

 Hey Everybody,

The Last Chance List refresh drops tomorrow night — April 1st at midnight MT! I promise this is NOT an April Fools joke. The sale is real, the up to 60% off is real, and the retiring colors going fast? Also very real. 

Stampin' Up! is refreshing the Last Chance List at midnight MT tonight, and this one is going to be  Products are up to 60% off, but they're available while supplies last — and the good stuff? It goes fast. Now's your chance to stock up on everything featuring the Retiring In Colors before they're gone for good:  Shy Shamrock  Summer Splash  Peach Pie  Petunia Pop  Pretty in Pink These colors are retiring, which means once they're out, they're out. Don't wait on this one — grab your favorites before someone else does!

Peach Pie   Petunia Pop   Pretty in Pink   Shy Shamrock   Summer Splash Retiring Soon! 2024–2026 Stampin’ Up! In Colors — While Supplies Last  One of my favorite (and bittersweet!) times in the Stampin’ Up! world is when we say goodbye to a set of In Colors. It always brings excitement for what’s coming next — but also that little feeling of “oh no… I loved those!” The 2024–2026 Outgoing In Colors will officially be retiring in April 2026, and they are available only while supplies last: Peach Pie • Petunia Pop • Pretty in Pink • Shy Shamrock • Summer Splash And with upcoming price increases on the horizon, grabbing your cardstock, ink pads, refills, and coordinating accessories now is truly the smartest move. SHOP RETIRING IN COLORS What Are Stampin’ Up! In Colors? If you’re newer to Stampin’ Up!, here’s a quick overview. In Colors are a special collection of five trendy, on-point colors that rotate every two years. They’re designed to keep projects fresh and current while coordinating beautifully with Stampin’ Up!’s core color families. Once an In Color set retires, those shades do not return — which is why they often sell out quickly as retirement approaches. That’s also why I always recommend stocking up on: Cardstock Ink pads & ink refills Coordinating ribbons, papers, and embellishments When they’re gone, they’re gone! Check out the April Product of the Month The product of the month for April is the Eyelet Blooms Die. It's yours for $5 with a $75 purchase. Our New catalog will go live in May. I will have new catalogs at the April class so you will have an opportunity to look through the catalog for a few weeks to prepare your Wish List.  Here is some news about catalog changes for Stampin' Up! Stampin' Up! Future Changes You Will Love! Starting in May, 2026 A Simpler Catalog Experience—Now Three Times a Year! Beginning in May, 2026 Stampin’ Up! will introduce a brand-new catalog format designed to make browsing and shopping more enjoyable than ever. Instead of one large annual catalog and several mini catalogs, there will now be three beautifully designed catalogs each year, each one complete and current on its own. New catalog schedule: January – April May – August September – December Each catalog will include brand-new products plus customer favorites like stamps, inks, papers, tools, and adhesives. No more flipping between the Annual Catalog and the Mini Catalogs to find what you need. Lots of fun new products coming soon!! Basic Black HYBRID Ink-This ink will work with alcohol markers and watercolor techniques as well. We won't need memento and Stazon inks. We can use one black ink for all of our stamping projects. Stampin’ Up! has officially announced a brand-new ink pad style, and it’s debuting with the upcoming 2026–2028 In Colors. Today I’m sharing what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and giving you a peek at the gorgeous new colors: Barely Blush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Golden Glow, Peaceful Pine, and Hydrangea Hue. VIDEO I’ll also be diving deeper into everything in this video. Introducing the NEW Ink Pad Style Beginning May 2026, the new ink pad design will roll out — starting with the new In Colors only. Here’s what you need to know:  Felt Ink Pad Surface We’re returning to a felt-style pad, which many stampers love for: Rich, even ink coverage Beautiful image transfer Excellent performance with detailed stamps  Magnetic, Stackable Case Design Yes… magnetic.  The new style is thoughtfully engineered, beautifully functional, and completely top of the line. With an easy, mess-free open and a snap-tight closure, we think you’ll agree it’s one of the coolest ink pad cases available. The new cases: Feature a magnetic closure Easy to open Are designed to be stackable Will still work with our current Stampin’ Up! storage systems  Gradual Transition Plan This isn’t an overnight change. The new pads will debut with the 2026–2028 In Colors In 2027, all ink colors will transition as part of a planned color revamp The current pad style will be gradually phased out And most importantly… There is NO need to replace your current ink pads. They will continue to work beautifully throughout this transition. Use what you have. Love what you have. Replace as needed over time.                      craft kits for creative cardmaking & paper crafting! Unleash your creativity with a Stampin’ Up Paper Pumpkin subscription – These monthly, all-in-one craft kits are delivered straight to your door and are perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters. Each kit includes everything you need to make stunning handmade cards, home décor, and one-of-a-kind gifts with ease! subscribe to paper pumpkin! APRIL: Lakeside Retreat ​SNEAK PEEK OF THE NEW WATERSIDE RETREAT SUITE! Subscribe by April 10 Show your appreciation for the men in your life with cards inspired by tranquil waterside scenes. • Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs with 9 coordinating envelopes • Precut paper pieces and enamel pebble embellishments • Stamp set tailored to male recipients • Coordinating colors: Balmy Blue, Misty Moonlight, Old Olive, Peaceful Pine (Classic Stampin’ Spot - NEW In Color), Pecan Pie, Pool Party​ Coordinates with the Waterside Retreat Suite Collection (item 167932)!