A Challenge and A Technique

 Hey Everybody,

I have another challenge card today. This one is for the Featured Stamper.  I went to her gallery and chose this card as my inspiration. I loved the coffee theme and the yellow and red colors.

Here's my card.

This week's Featured Stamper is justus aka Robyn. You can find Nancy's challenge here.
I loved the coffee theme and it looked like she paper pieced the coffee pot. I stamped the image on white paper and designer paper then fussy cut it for the mug. I liked the red and yellow so I kept that and did a few layers of paper behind the image. The image was colored with Copic Markers I glue the designer paper onto the mug and didn't like the white inside the handle, so I kept the designer paper there.
The sentiment was popped up. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FS995 coffee pooh

Stamps: Impression Obsession-Pooh Coffee

Paper: white, daffodil delight, Impression Obsession-Vintage Coffee paper pack

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black

Accessories: Copic Markers, dimensionals, scissors

Techniques: fussy cutting, paper piecing, coloring

So what do you think? The idea here is to make something similar.

In case you've never done paper piecing before or don't know what it is, I have a video tutorial from the Splitcoast stampers website. This video is older, but you get the idea of what she is doing. Now we use designer series paper as well as cardstock.

I hope you like this challenge and technique. Check your stash. What do you have that is coffee related? Do you have any embossing folders, dies, or designer paper that would go with your card? How would you make the inspiration I used, your own?

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Stampin' Up March Newsletter and Class Schedule

 Hey Everybody,

Lots of Stampin' Up News-March Newsletter

NEW Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Style + 2026–2028 In Color Sneak Peek

New Ink Pad Style Details and In Color Sneak Peek

Big changes are coming… and they are GOOD ones! 

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.

Even Bigger News — A Simpler Catalog Experience

Starting in May 2026, Stampin’ Up! is completely refreshing how catalogs work.

Instead of one large annual catalog, we’ll now have three hybrid catalogs each year, combining the best of both a mini catalog and an annual catalog into one easy-to-shop experience.

New Catalog Cycles:

January – April
May – August
September – December

Each catalog will include:

• Brand new products
• Customer-favorite staples
• Shopping by product category (yes — it’s back!)

This is going to make finding what you need faster and easier than ever.

March Class Schedule

Monday March 9th @ 10  4 spots available

Tuesday March 10th @ 1   3 spots available

Thursday March 12th @ 10  1 spot available

Friday March 13th @ 7    1 spot available

Text or email me if you'd like to sign up for a class. This month I will be using Product that will be in the Online Exclusives which will be release March 3rd.

Well, I hope you are not on overload with all the information today.

Enjoy your weekend and get some scrapbooking or card making done.

Blessings,

Sue

Two Challenges and a Plethora of Cards

 Hey Everybody,

Today we have two challenge cards. Nancy is our featured stamper this week.

Here is the card that inspired my card.

Here's my Card

I loved the layout so I kept that the same but added different papers and stamps. I layered the image and added my sentiments on separate papers instead of on the image panel. This was stamped and colored with Copic Markers. I fussy cut the bird and added it to the balmy blue cardstock. I layered that on peach pie and finally layered it on pretty in pink. I used multiple layers to compliment the designer paper.  The designer series paper is from Stampin' Up called, Easter Joy. I liked the bright spring colors and thought it might lift someone's spirits. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FS993

Stamps: Unity-A Little Ruffled

Paper: balmy blue, peach pie, pretty in pink, Stampin' Up-Easter Joy designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black

Accessories: Copic Markers, dimensionals

Techniques: fussy cutting, coloring

My  next card is for the Clean and Simple challenge. You were supposed to make a humorous card.  When I look for stamps, I often look for images or sentiments that will make someone smile. One of my Card Ministries is a local hospital. They put a greeting card on each dinner tray.  Some will get better and some won't. So some people get a Get Well card and the others get an encouragement or card to put a smile on their face.

When I saw this stamp at Whipper Snapper, I had to have it. It paired beautifully with these funny parrots.

I stamped the birds and colored them with Copic Markers. I stamped the sentiment in Memento tuxedo black ink. I added added balmy blue ink with a blending brush and a stencil for a background. I edged the image panel and designer series layer with black card stock. I added the image panel to a piece of  Stampin' Up-Full of Life designer series paper. This panel was embossed with the Stampin' Up Leaves embossing folder.  I wanted to add some texture to the squares. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: CAS886

Stamps: Your Next Stamp-Parrot-Ise, Whipper Snapper Designs-If We Get Caught

Paper: white, black, SU-Full of Life designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, balmy blue

Accessories: SU Artistic Mix Decorative Masks, Copic Markers, blending brush, SU-Leaves embossing folder

Techniques: stenciling, coloring

I have to tell you that I absolutely love doing challenges. I could never think of these ideas on my own. I can run with an idea, but just need a suggestion a topic, color combination or picture. I am amazed at how varied my cards are when I finish a week of challenges. Take a look.

                

Completing challenges really enables me to use so many of my stamps and supplies. It also stretches my skills and creativity. If you are interested in doing challenges, check out this link. It will take you to Splitcoaststampers home page where the challenges are listed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Sue

Ripped Paper and Blending Brushes Backgrounds

 Hey Everybody,

Our challenge from Nancy is to make a card with mountains. I tore a piece of computer paper to get a mountain shape. I started at the top with balmy blue ink on the farthest mountains away. Next I used boho blue and finally in the front I used misty moonlight ink. I wanted a bird for the sky and the eagle was the perfect size for my card. I like the sentiments from this set as well. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

If you notice, the lightest color is farthest away, then the medium color is in the middle and the darkest color is closest to you. This type of inking helps you get more of a distinction between the mountains and makes them look a little more realistic.

Keywords: WT1092

Stamps: Stampin' Up-Reflected In Nature

Paper: white, night of navy

Paper Size: A2

Ink: balmy blue, boho blue, misty moonlight, night of navy

Accessories: ink blending brush, computer paper

Techniques: ink blending with a brush

Our challenge was to make a card with a beach. I drew a horizon line with my balmy blue ink then used torn cardstock and balmy blue and boho blue inks blended together for the water. I stamped the sand with Sahara Sand ink. I added the grains of sand with a stamp from a new Stampin' Up set available in March called, Rolling Waves. I added a circle to the sky to mask while I added the clouds. I used a stencil cut out to make the clouds. I uncovered the sun and colored it with my Zig lemon yellow paint brush. I stamped the sentiment and added balmy blue paper behind it. I stamped speckles of sand around the sentiment to fill it in a bit. This will go on a patient dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: F4A834

Stamps: Unity Stamps- Angie Girl, Stampin' Up-Rolling Waves

Paper: white, balmy blue

Paper Size: A2

Ink: balmy blue, boho blue, sahara sand

Accessories: cloud stencil, torn cardstock, blending brushes, Zig clean color yellow paint brush

Techniques: ink blending, masking, layering ink, stenciling

Here's a video to show you how to use torn paper and blending brushes to make backgrounds.

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's information. This is really a fun way to make backgrounds. Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

New Things Coming and Watercolor Technique

Hey Everyone,

Just a reminder that these In Colors will be retiring soon.  If you love any of them make sure you order them early. If you have ink and no refill, check out getting a refill if you love the color.  The same goes for cardstock. If there are colors you love, get them now. They are available while supplies last.

Today we were told that our new In Colors ink pads will be a two-piece style pad with felt instead of foam pads. The ink pads are larger than our current stamp pads and have magnets in them so the top adheres to the bottom and also allows stamp pads to stack for use or storage.

For this year these are the only ink pads that will be in the new style. If you've seen the Close To My Heart ink pads, it is based on their design.  I have one if you'd like to see it.  They are very easy to open.

Also, we were shown what the Product of the month for March will be.  Here it is.

 

Our challenge was to use a technique found on Ardyth's video.  You can find the challenge here

I found several smaller pieces of watercolor paper in my stash. I placed them on my sticky mat and began to paint stripes with my watercolors. I dried it with a heat tool then added white ink with a stencil of lines. Then I dried that. I used gorgeous grape and a fancier stencil next. Lastly I used astro paste on a stencil and let that dry. When it was dry I dragged the gold ink pad around the edges of each shape. I flattened the paper in my stamp, cut and emboss machine. I added it to a white card base so it would look like a layered birthday cake. Lastly I stamped the sentiment and added it with dimensionals.

This was such a fun technique. It really took me out of my comfort zone but I found it was fun to experiment with stencils, colors and astro paste.

I hope you watch Ardyth's video and give this technique a try.

Blessings,

Sie

Improve Your Card

 Hey Everybody,

Check out what I have today. 

Our challenge was to improve a card from our gallery. Here is the card I'm improving.

I colored the bunny with Copic markers then fussy cut her and added a heart behind her. I dry embossed the background instead of using designer series paper. I added two hearts for the sentiment. I used different colors for the bunny and her clothing.

What do you think? Do you like the improvement?

Have you ever done this with one of your cards?  That's something you can do if you are stuck and don't know what to do or what layout you want to use for your card.

Sometimes like with this card, I took out things with hearts to see what I might want to use and what I could combine for a card.  Sometimes that's all you need, is to see what things you have.

Anyway, I hope you give this a try. It expands your stamping creativity and helps you acquire more skills putting cards or scrapbook pages together.

Here is the March Paper Pumpkin.

March Paper Pumpkin

I hope you keep safe and warm as the cold and snowy weather returns.

Blessings,

Sue

Two Very Different Cards

 Hey Everybody,

I have two cards for you today. One is a beautiful encouragement card and one is a silly Easter Card.

Take a look.

Our challenge was the site, Essential Stencil, found here.   The inspiration for my card can be found here. I stamped with memento tuxedo black ink then colored with a the blender marker and a water brush. I used Karin brushmarker pro markers. These markers can be used like watercolors. I scribbled ink onto my glass mat then used the blender pen and water brush to add colors to the flowers. It was a nice way to soften the colors that I used.  I cut the image panel and designer paper panel with the arched dies. Then I added them to the peach pie card base. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: IC1055

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Where Butterflies Wait

Paper: white, peach pie, lawn fawn plaid

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedod black

Accessories: water pen, clear wink of stella, Karin brushmarker pro markers, Jillian Vance-Stitch Dot Arched backdrop dies

Techniques: coloring and watercoloring

My second card is so stinkin' cute! When I saw this on the Unity Stamps website, I knew I had to have it. I love images that will make people smile. I like making cards that are out of the ordinary so they really have an impact on the recipient.

Michelle was chosen as this week's featured stamper. Here is my inspiration from her gallery. 

What stopped me at this card was the background she made with this cute bunny. I made an Easter Card with a different character. I kept my card vertical and added two sentiments instead of one. I did multiple layers but didn't add a button or ribbon.
This little guy was masked then I stenciled the eggs around him. I colored him with Copic Markers and blending brushes. I outlined each egg with a fine line sharpie marker. I stamped and added the two sentiments. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FS994

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Little Weirdo, Jillian Vance-Spring Hootie

Paper: white, peach pie, black glimmer

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, pecan pie, strawberry slush, highland heather, pretty in pink, crushed curry, balmy blue, lemon lime twist

Accessories: Copic Markers, Lawn Fawn Easter Egg background stencil, fine line sharpie black pen, dimensionals, blending brushes, computer paper for a mask

Techniques: Masking, stenciling, coloring

It's been a busy day. We visited the Grand Blessings for a few hours then I went to a hockey game with my kids. It was a great time with great food!

Time for sleep soon.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue