A BOUQUET OF GALLERY BLOOMS

Do you ever finish a card and sit back and sigh with delight? That’s what happened when I finished this one. It’s not quite the picture I had in mind when I started, but guess what: IT’S BETTER. That doesn’t happen every time!

  • Stamps: Gallery Blooms, Beautiful Motifs
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Highland Heather, Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Gallery Blooms dies, Dauber, Blender Pens, paint brush, Bakers Twine 3 color pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Gallery Blooms are perfect for coloring, and I chose to use Blender Pens. It’s been a while since I pulled them out. but I wanted more control over the shading. I was quite happy with the results, and to be honest, it was faster and easier than using Stampin’ Blends in this case!

I Inked and colored the largest flower with Highland Heather ink, but the spray was inked in Melon Mambo and then colored with Strawberry Slush. With those small, repeated blossoms, I found I liked the deeper outline.

The final touch was ink splatters with a paint brush. Smash the closed lid of your ink pad to transfer ink to the lid. Open it and add a few drops of water. Pick up that dilute solution with a paint brush and splish splash!

It’s easier than it looks. Give it a try! All products are available in the Online Store.

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BEAUTIFUL GALLERY #2

I tell you, I can’t get enough of the Beautiful Gallery DSP! It has a little bit of everything and today’s card showcases that variety. I chose one of the “B” sides of the paper – a brushed gradient of grays. I had lots of inspiration for focal points, but ultimately decided to use the largest floral image from the stamp set.

  • Stamps: Gallery Blooms
  • Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Basic Grey, Gray Granite, Petal Pink
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Gallery Blooms dies, Petal Pink 3/8″ Scalloped ribbon, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Blends , Stampin’ Dimensionals

I colored the blossom in Petal Pink and the leaves in Gray Granite. Then I took the Gray Granite Blend and went all the way around the edges of the die cut, covering any white paper. The card base is Very Vanilla, but I chose to use Basic White for the die cut to keep the colors true.

The ribbon is tied through a small opening in the die cut and looped once. I used Glue Dots to hold the edges of the ribbon in place.

I considered adding a sentiment to the front, but decided I would wait until I decided who would get this card. I love having a stash of blank cards!

Shop the Online Store for this beautiful new suite.

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BEAUTIFUL GALLERY DSP; LET THE PAPER DO THE WORK

The Beautiful Gallery DSP is absolutely stunning. These 6×6 images are Old World masters quality, and they shine on the front of a card. I have two floral designs to share with you today, and the pair of cards took me less than 10 minutes to create.

  • Stamps: Layers of Beauty
  • Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Beautiful Gallery DSP, Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I cut the rectangle with the Textured Notes dies and added the sentiment. I scored one side of the rectangle and tucked it in between the layers. I added Linen Thread before securing the panel to the card front.

The sentiment on this card is from the Textured Notes stamps set, and the Basic Black mat is replaced by a Pecan Pie layer. That’s it!

Shop the Online Store for this beautiful suite.

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ALONG THESE LINES: A SINGLE ROSE

I have one more image to share from Along These Lines. I love the elegant vertical lines of this rose, and decided to pair it with the stunning Woven Textures DSP. To me, these linear images seem to work well with softer tones, so I chose Petal Pink for my rose.

  • Stamps: Along These Lines, Happy Hibiscus
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Soft Sea Foam, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Note cards and envelopes, Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Stampin’ Blends, Woven Textures DSP, Paper Snips, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This is our smaller format Note Card. I used my snips to trim out just the word THANKS from the sentiment from Happy Hibiscus. I chose the soft linen-look design from the DSP pack so it wouldn’t overpower the rose. It has the feeling of matted artwork, don’t you think?

Shop the Online store for all your paper crafting needs!

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ALONG THESE LINES: CAKE

How about a Layer Cake on a layered card? I don’t often make square cards, but I was inspired to create a stack with this one. I made it monochromatic, but I was tempted to do it in rainbow colors. Stay tuned for future updates.

  • Stamps: Along These Lines
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Bubble Bath, Petunia Pop, Berry Burst
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Stylish Shapes dies, Textured Notes dies, In Color DSP, Bordered Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I kept the coloring to a minimum, as these images are pretty intricate. A light color and a simple highlight was all I wanted. I layered a Basic White panel with a color panel and put Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back, then repeated twice more.

The Textured Notes dies are rectangles, but by running the die cut through a second time I was able to create a square. I love the designs on the edges of those dies.

TRUTH: I forgot to add the sentiment before I began stacking the paper with the dimensionals, and I was not brave enough to attempt to add it on the top of the stack! It says Happy Birthday inside.

Find Along These Lines and lots of other glorious new products in the Online Store.

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THE WAIT IS OVER! MEET THE 25-26 ANNUAL CATALOG

The 25-26 Annual Catalog is available online!

You can see a digital copy HERE or get straight to shopping HERE. The catalog isn’t all that’s new today. To see ALL the new catalog and Online Exclusive products, look HERE – but before you do, check out the best deal of all!

Joining Stampin’ Up! between May 6 and 31 is an even more special than usual. Choose $165 in product for $99 – and get free shipping too! This is a great opportunity to experience being a demonstrator with no risk or obligation. Learn more HERE.

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ALONG THESE LINES: BIKES

I received Along These Lines as a Prize Patrol at #OnStage2025Brisbane. I’ll confess that initially, I was not especially excited about the images. But of course, it was a gift, and I was happy to have it – and when I started to think about how I might use it, I felt inspired.

  • Stamps: Along These Lines, Everyday You and Me
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Gray Granite, Basic Black
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

I began by cutting a few masks of the bike. Next I stamped a couple of images, masked them, and stamped a couple more. I wanted the feeling of a race, but without racers – just the bikes.

I added just a little emphasis with the Gray Granite Stampin’ Blend around the wheels and handlebars. My pop of color was the seat to help each bike stand out.

I want to try this again with multiple colors for the seat, and perhaps with another monochromatic color. I’m thinking I’ll try Azure Afternoon or Crushed Curry – what do you think?

You’ll find Along These Lines – along with a lot of other new products – in the Online Store.

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COUNTRY FLOWERS SUITCASE TREAT BOX

Have you seen the Suitcase Treat Box? it first appeared in the Jan-April 2025 mini catalog, but it’s survived Last Chance and moved to the Online Exclusive category. Confused? Don’t be. It doesn’t matter, just know it’s available!

  • Stamps: Country Flowers (Last Chance)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Old Olive, Basic Grey, Lemon Lolly, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Suitcase Treat Box, Woven Texture DSP, Mediterranean Blooms DSP, Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Country Flowers dies, Daffodil Delight 1/8″ ribbon, Stampin’ Write marker, Tear n Tape, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Woven Texture DSP is an absolute essential if you love texture! It fits right into a Hawaii design sensibility, so I’ve stocked up. And Mediterranean Blooms DSP did not get the Last Chance Ax! I love citrus and the designs on this paper are gorgeous. As a bonus, the reverse sides are gorgeous blue tile style prints, so this DSP does double duty.

I put the DSP on the top panel of the box and then trimmed to the opening. It has a hole for the suitcase handle to slip through. It’s easy to do with the Take Your Pick tool and the accessory Crafter Tips set. Just use the knife to outline the opening from the underneath, then take an emery board to smooth out the edges.

This box is just the right size for a few sweet treats, a gift card, or Black Pearl Earrings. (Just in case you were wondering.) See it in the Online Store.

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: PRETTY FLORALS FOR MAY 2025

HAPPY MAY DAY! Welcome back to DIY Calendars! We’re so glad you’ve joined us today for a little May Day inspiration. I’m featuring a new bundle from the soon-to-be-released 2025-2026 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. I think you’ll love Pretty Florals!

  • Stamps: Pretty Florals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Bubble Bath, Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stamp Cut + Emboss Machine, Pretty Florals dies, Blending Brushes, Stampin’ Write markers

I struggled a bit, thinking this was too plain, but ultimately decided I could let go and be happy with simple. The background is lightly brushed with Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia, Bubble Bath, Pool Party and Lost Lagoon to create an ombrè style gradation, and I added a few Stampin’ Write marker flicks.

There aren’t any other embellishments – you could easily add some bling or even another set or two of flowers, but I held back. I’d love to hear what you think.

Click the button to travel through the Blog Hop and see what Sharon, Cheryl and Malia have created in May. We’re so glad you’ve joined us!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.

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LAST CHANCE FOR SENDING LOVE

Welcome to my LAST April Last Dance/Last Chance project. It’s been a lot of fun to give one more opportunity to shine to these retiring stamps and other products. I’d love to know which has been your favorite. But not before you see what I have done with Sending Love!

  • Stamps: Sending Love
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Wild Wheat, Poppy Parade, Night of Navy
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Fern 3D 3Embossing Folder, Timber 3D Embossing Folder, Circle Punches in 2 3/8 and 2″ (and a couple of retired circle punches), Calming Creek Cards & Envelopes, 23-25 In Color DSP, Brights DSP, Stampin’ Write Marker, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I pulled out all my punches – past and present – because it was a quick way to play with all the circle sizes. You could use our current punches, our circle dies (for example, Spotlight on Nature or Stylish Shapes), or you could do as I did and dig through your stash. Have fun with this!

Both the Timber 3D and Fern 3D Embossing Folders are Last Chance items, but Timber is nicely discounted. I’ve used them both quite often.

I’ve loved Sending Love, both the stamps and dies. It’s another set that will make it into my ever-growing permanent collection. And they’re both on sale – don’t miss them.

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