I have a lovely Spring card for you on Day 28 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days.  This card was another swap I received.  It was created by Lisa Arruda.  Lisa used two different stamp sets on this card.  The sentiment and the flowers are from the Spotlight on Nature stamp set.  The background behind the flowers and the little design under/behind the sentiment is from the Elements of Text stamp set.

The Elements of Text stamp set is an Online Exclusive that I completely overlooked!  I may need to add it to my stash.  These subtle images are the perfect little something to take your projects to the next level.  I can see randomly stamping the crosshatch design randomly on your card front for an interesting background.  Hmmm….I do think this will stamp set will be on my next order. 

Lisa used the Stylish Shapes Dies (one of my favorite die sets) to die-cut the circle on her card front.  The stitched outline around the circle really sets off the stamped image.  The jewels are from the Tinsel Gems Three-Pack. 

I really like this card.  I’m already envisioning ways to copy it, yet make it my own.  Have a great day.  Take care and Happy Stamping!

It’s Day 27 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge and I’m excited to share today’s card with you.  I used the Layers of Beauty Bundle on this card.  The bundle comes with the Layers of Beauty stamp set, the Layers of Beauty Dies and the Layers of Beauty Masks.  The masks are so fun to use!  (Do I have to admit that this card is my first attempt at using them? )

The first thing I did to create this card was to stamp the image (yes, this is one large image) on a piece of 5 ½” x 4 ¼” Basic White cardstock.  I then placed the stamped piece of cardstock on a large piece of scrap paper (or you can use grid paper).

There are five masks in this bundle.  They are all numbered, and they all have the same indentation in the same place on them.  This will help you line them up.  (see photo)  You can’t really see the number in the photo but it’s just below the point of the indentation on the mask.  When using the masks, you want to use them in numerical order.

In this third photo, you can see that I adhered the stamped image to the scrap paper (I used pink cardstock so you could the paper and the mask better).  I used my favorite removable tapewhichI also use to hold my dies on the paper when die-cutting.   I then lined up Mask #1 over the stamped image and used the removable tape to hold it in place.  You could also use washi tape, painter’s tape or any type of removable adhesive.  If you look closely, you can see that I used a pencil to outline the notched spot on the mask.  This will help me line up the other masks.

To add color to my stamped images I used Blending Brushes and Sponge Daubers.  To use the Blending Brushes, just lightly rub the brush over the ink pad and then rub the color over the open areas of the mask.  Start light.  You can always add more color.  For smaller areas, like the yellow flowers, I used the Sponge Daubers.  The Sponge Daubers pick up a little more ink, so I rubbed them on my scrap paper a little before rubbing and dabbing them over the areas I wanted covered.  It’s so fun watching the image get more and more dimension with each mask.

After the image was completely colored, I die cut it and adhered it to an embossed piece of cardstock before adhering it to the card.  I used the new, upcoming Strawberry Slush ink, Old Olive ink, Daffodil Delight ink and Pecan Pie ink to color the image.  The embellishements are the Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems which will be a new Online Exclusive coming in May.  They’re pink and so pretty! 

If you have tried using any of Stampin’ Up!’s bundles that have masks, you really should.  They’re fun to work with and the results are amazing.  Speaking of amazing….I think I did a pretty god job adding the jeweled embellishments to my card.  Ha!  I’m usually rather inept at it. 

Have a great day!  I hope you enjoyed my mini tutorial on using masks.  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

A fun birthday card for Day 26 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge.  I used the One More Year stamp set to make this birthday card for my son.  This stamp set has fun images and snarky sentiments.  I colored the dog on the front of the card and the cake on the inside of the card (see photo below) with Stampin’ Blend markers. 

The circle that I used to die cut the dog is from the Spotlight on Nature dies.  Have you checked out this die set yet?  You get 12 different circle dies of various sizes with fun borders.  The larger circle die on the card front is from the Stitched Shapes dies.  In my opinion, this is a must-have die set for any craft room.  Circles, squares and labels in various sizes.  You can’t go wrong. 

The designer paper is from the Timeless Plaid Designer Series Paper pack.  This pack is becoming my new favorite, especially for cards with a more masculine feel.  I’m a little sad because I know this paper will be going away since three of the colors in it are retiring In-Colors (Boho Blue, Pebbled Path and Wild Wheat). 

This was a fun card to make and yes, I may have gotten a little carried away with my layers on this card.  Ha!  It did turn out pretty cute though. 

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

It’s Day 25 of my 40 Card in 40 Days! Today’s card is from my group’s Stamp Camp in early March.  It was designed by Laura Colburn.  Laura used the Linked Together Bundle on her card.  This bundle comes with the Linked Together Stamp Set, the Linked Together Dies and the Linked Together Decorative Masks.  So many great products in one bundle!  Laura didn’t use the masks on her card but I know she had them available at Stamp Camp for people to use on the sentiment label if the wanted.

The background of the card is made using the Leaf Collection background stamp.  Perfect for when you want a leafy background and don’t want to stamp a bunch of individual leaves.  The trellis die and the greenery die are from the Linked Together Die set.  Such a fun and easy card set off perfectly with the Tiny Bee Trinket.   Using the bee as the dot on the “j” really shows you how tiny they are.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Happy April!  It’s Day 24 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge and this card is not an April Fool’s joke.  Today’s card is a lovely and simple card made with the Birthday Celebration Bundle and the Wildflower Birthday Specialty Designer Series Paper.  Both items are part of the Wildflower Birthday Suite of products by Stampin’ Up!  Fellow demonstrator Michelle Theriault created it.

This suite of products is definitely geared towards birthdays but as you can see, this card could be for any type of celebration.  The designer paper has gold foil on some of the patterns.  It also includes two sheets of die cut images to really make your cardmaking easy.

Michelle stamped a small floral image on the front of the card for a background then added a strip of designer paper across the front.  She die-cut another piece of the designer paper and then added her sentiment with a few die-cut flowers.  So cute.  So easy!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

I’ve chosen this beautiful card created by Debbie Dutchess for Card 23 in my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge.  I love how Debbie combined so many beautiful products in her project.  The focal point of her card is the gorgeous Thoughtful Journey Designer Series Paper.  I am happy to say that this paper will be in Stampin’ Up!’s 2025-2026 Annual Catalog!  Woo Hoo!

The background is embossed with the Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder.  This is a nice, fairly subtle design and I recently noticed that I don’t have it!  No worries, it’s now in my cart to go on my next order.

The butterflies and the sentiment are from the Sketched Butterflies Bundle.  I love the fancy font on the sentiment.  Debbie used a portion of the Labeled With Love Punch or dies to stamp the sentiment on. 

This is one of those cards that I will have to recreate at some point.   How about you?  Have a great day.  Take care and Happy Stamping!

It’s Day 20 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge and that means we’re halfway through.  Today’s adorable card is another swap I received at Stampin’ Up!’s OnStage gathering earlier this month.  Tami Licari designed this adorable card with the Meant to Bee Bundle.  Those bees are so dang cute!  The focal point of this card is the bright and happy Cute as Can Bee Designer Series Paper.  It has such fun designs and colors.  PINK! 

Check out the Meant to Bee Dies.  Look at all those hexagons you can die cut!  You can die cut both a solid hexagon and an outline.  I’m ready to buy this bundle just for the hexagon dies!  Ha!  The little bee is too cute.  He was fussy cut from one of the sheets of designer paper.

If you are a scrapbooker and love this bundle, you’ll be excited to know that Stampin’ Up! offers a Meant to Bee Scrapbooking Workshop Kit.  A Scrapbooking Workshop Kit includes the supplies you need to make 3 – two-page spreads with room for your photos and journaling.  Check out the details about this scrapbooking kit in the link above.  Of course, you could always use the kit supplies to make cards or other projects. 

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Christmas is only 9 months away so it’s not too early to start getting ideas.  It’s Day 19 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge and I’m sharing a Christmas card with you created by my friend Sallie Burns.  Sallie created this card a few years ago, but it’s still one of her favorite creations.  You can’t go wrong by using designer paper, an embossing folder, a die set and of course a fun little bow.  Does anyone remember any of the products that Sallie used on her card?  They’re all retired now but you can redesign this card with products you have on hand in your stash.

Your best friend when using intricate dies like these will be Adhesive Sheets!  That way you won’t be getting liquid glue everywhere!  And yes, I am speaking from experience.  Ha!  I can get the glue on the back of the intricate without too much trouble, but then I pick the die up and try to place it on my card and I have glue everywhere!

Check out your crafting stash and see what you can create with your favorite designer paper, embossing folder and die set!  I’d love to see your creations!  Also, if you have a favorite card you’d like me to share during my challenge please share it with me.  There are still a lot of days to go in the challenge!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Check out this beautiful card I have for you on Day 18 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days!  I received it as a swap at OnStage in Raleigh, NC from Lori Longwell.  She put a lot of work into this wedding card but it’s absolutely gorgeous!  It makes me wish I had a wedding coming up so I could make it. 

Lori used the Classic Wedding Bundle which is one of the newer Online Exclusives in Stampin’ Up!’s store.  The Classic Wedding Dies come with flowers, hearts and even a banner that you can use to decorate the back of the car.  So fun!  The Classic Wedding stamp set has four different sayings which can work on the back of the car or on the inside of the card. 

If you have any weddings coming up on your calendar, I’d definitely recommend this bundle.  There may be lots of little pieces, but the final product turns out SO cute!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Sending hugs on Day 17 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge.  I’m a hugger so I had to purchase the Hugs For Love Bundle which includes the Hugs for Love stamp set and the To The Point Label Punch.  This bundle is perfect for Valentines Day, but it’s also perfect for other occasions or if you just want to send someone a virtual hug.

I made this card for my January Card Buffet.  Simple, yet cute.  The designer paper is from the Timeless Plaid package of designer series paper.  If you don’t have any of this paper, you should consider ordering some.  It can be used for so many different occasions, especially masculine cards.  I just ordered a few packages.  I want to use them for decorations for my dad’s 90^th birthday party in June.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

It’s Day 16 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge and I need to wish my son Kyle a Happy Birthday!  That is why I chose this fun birthday card made with the Cake Celebrations Bundle.  This bundle is perfect for many occasions including birthdays and weddings.  The cake can be decorated with flowers, candles and the fun die-cut banners that you see on my card.  The cake can have stamped layers or die-cut layers and you can make the cake as tall as you’d like.

The bright layers on my cake were die-cut from the Full of Life Designer Series Paper.  This package of paper has so many fun and bright designs! 

I hope you love this fun cake as much as I do!  Happy Birthday Kyle! 

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

For Day 15 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days Challenge I am sharing the Memorable Blooms Bundle with you.  This bundle not only has lovely floral images to stamp but one of the dies is an octagon that you can die cut a few different ways.  You can die cut the octagon from a piece of paper with a decorative border like was done on this card.  You can die cut a floral image inside of the octagon or you can combine the two dies.  So fun!  Check out the Memorable Blooms Dies and you can get a better visual of what I’m talking about.

Fellow demonstrator Laura N. die cut the octagon with the decorative border and then layered it over her stamped and colored image.  So pretty.  She fussy-cut the stamped sentiment before adhering it to her card.  I wouldn’t have thought to combine Very Vanilla and Basic White on the same card, but it works.  I may have to try it sometime.

Have a great day.  Take care and Happy Stamping!

It’s Day 14 of my 40 Cards in 40 Days.  Since Easter is in one month I want to share a beautiful Easter card with you.  I received this card from fellow demonstrator Vicki Vescio while I was in Raleigh, NC at Stampin’ Up!’s OnStage event.  I was excited to receive this card because I had just purchased the Faith Collection bundle as well as the Everyday Arches Dies so I could make an Easter card using them both.  Ha!  Now I don’t have to think about it too much, maybe just tweak Vicki’s design a little to make it my own.

The Everyday Arches Dies are part of a bundle with the Everyday Arches Stamp Set but they also coordinate with the Arched Wishes stamp set which is all about birthdays!  These arches are so versatile.  I’ve seen them used in a lot of different ways on projects and I can’t wait to try them for myself. 

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!