Category Archives: Birthdays

LONG TIME NO LLAMA!

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The only reason there isn’t a llama on my September DIY Calendar is that even without a neck it’s too tall. But there’s plenty of room on a card, especially a portrait-oriented card: check out my llamas from Long Time No See!

  • Stamps: Long Time No See, With You In Mind
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Crumb Cake, Petal Pink, Poppy Parade, Pool Party
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, White Bakers Twine, Party Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Take Your Pick tool, Paper Snips (no longer available)

I took my time with this one, and it was really fun. I shaded each of the llamas a little differently, but kept their llama-neck-sweaters the same colors. (Please tell me you get the joke.)

I used the Pool Party Stampin’ Blend to color some White Bakers Twine, then poked holes to wrap it around the tallest neck. For some reason, I’ve been obsessed with deconstructing the twine lately – no idea why, I just do it.

I also indulged a whim and fussy cut the word BIRTHDAY from With You In Mind. I tried a number of sentiments on labels and banners, but this is what the card told me it needed. (Yes, I talk to the cards. And they answer me.)

Long Time No See is an Online Exclusive from earlier this year, so who knows how long it will be around. I’m happy to have it as I love these dorky faces with their dorky noses! Add a little whimsy to your crafting. It’s good for your soul.

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CHARMING DAY MEETS ELEMENTS OF TEXT

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I’m still working on using my DSP, but I’ve moved into current releases. Floral Charm has beautiful saturated florals, with gorgeous tone-on-tone coordinating patterns on the reverse. It’s an effortless paper that makes card design such a joy.

  • Stamps: Charming Day, Elements of Text, retired sentiment
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Timid Tiger, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut + Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Charming Day dies, 2 3/8” circle punch, Floral Charm DSP, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write Marker, Petal Pink Braided Trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was very sad to see Elements of Text on the Last Chance list, so I’m pulling it out every chance I get. I’ve stamped off the Petal Pink ink here to get a softer background. You could also use Versamark ink if you wanted it even more subtle.

CONFESSION: I could have used the sentiment from Charming Day, but you have to ink the words separately and align them on the circle, and this perfectly-good-but-retired stamp was sitting on my craft desk saying “choose me!!”

So I did.

I added a few speckles to the Basic White circle with a Stampin’ Write Marker – just flick the brush against the cap for a light spatter. And that Petal Pink trim unravels quite easily, keeping some wave in the strands for a soft accent.

Elements of Text is on the Last Chance List so don’t wait too long to order! Charming Day is part of the Floral Charm Suite, an Online Exclusive from the July 2025 release. Happy shopping!

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THE DSP STASH: FLORALS IN BLOOM

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I’m still working on that DSP stash! This week it’s Florals in Bloom, paired with some Last Chance stamps and a fun fold from a few weeks back. I pulled out all the papers I’ve been hoarding from that package and went to work. Chop, Chop!!

  • Stamps: Charming Day, Corners in Bloom
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petunia Pop, Fresh Freesia, Old Olive
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Deckle Circle dies (retired), Florals in Bloom DSP, bone folder, paintbrush, dauber, Stampin’ Write Markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This is the same fun fold I did with the Painterly Pears a month ago, except I used a round focal point instead of a rectangular one. I have a stack of Deckle Circles left over in Basic White, and I decided they were going to speed things along for me with this project. Do you cut multiples of your favorite shapes? It’s such a time-saver.

Here’s another version – almost the same, but a different DSP so a different color scheme. The Corner in Bloom stamps (from 2025 – Last Chance!) work perfectly with the Florals in Bloom DSP! And Florals in Bloom is on sale this month since it includes 25-27 In Colors. Win Win!

I pulled out the Perennial Lavender DSP and switched up the pattern layout. Not sure how I like the front with the deep Shaded Spruce panel, but I love the inside!

Last one – back to Florals in Bloom. You can see the little splatters on the Deckle Circle – I learned that tapping your inky paint brush with the bone folder instead of your finger gives a finer, broader distribution of splatters. I brushed the edges of the circles with a bit of ink, too, since I was too lazy to go find the dies and cut colored card stock mats.

Ready to cut up some DSP and set up your assembly line? If you need anything, you’ll surely find it in the Online Store. Chop Chop!!

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ONE MORE PATTERNS OF FRIENDSHIP CARD: BIRTHDAY!

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Yup, I’m still rockin’ that Patterns of Friendship die! Today I’ve paired it with the Memories and More Celebration Expressions card pack and the Along These Lines stamp set for a colorful birthday card. I used the Patterns of Friendship die on the card front and love the result!

  • Stamps: Along These Lines, Spring Corners
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Balmy Blue, Pretty in Pink, Berry Burst, Granny Apple Green, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Patterns of Friendship die, Stylish Shapes die, Stampin’ Blends, Memories and More Celebration Expressions card pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I confess, there’s a bit of work to fussy cutting the balloons, but straight lines and simple curves are actually pretty easy. The cake is quick to color, and everything else is just layers. I love complex cards, but simple ones surely have their place!

The best part is that all the elements for this card are currently available. Shop the Online Store and see!

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CHARMING (BIRTH) DAY

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Have you seen Charming Day? It’s a new Online Exclusive, and yes, it’s another flower set. Telling myself “NO more flowers!” doesn’t seem to be working very well. In this case, it was the sentiments and the fonts that pushed me to Add To Cart. 😆

  • Stamps: Charming Day, Spotlight on Nature
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Strawberry Slush, Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Charming Day dies, Impressions Abloom dies, Floral Impressions DSP, Stampin’ Blends, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I used a couple of tricks to make this easy. I used a Blending Brush with Pretty in Pink ink to create a light wash of color on my Basic White card base, then added a few textural elements from Spotlight in Nature. I inked the words on the sentiment separately so that I could offset them on the card front.

I cut the DSP and the mat to size and used just a little adhesive to hold them in place, then ran them through the Big Boss together. DSP is lighter weight than card stock, so the two pieces cut through cleanly. I pulled out the center ovals, then finished adhering the card stock and DSP and added them to the card front. The stitched frame on the inside fits inside the opening, so it needs to be carefully glued into place.

The Floral Impressions DSP is all about gorgeous florals, but the “B” sides of the papers are gorgeous tone-on-tone designs. So many options! Time to get crafting, friends.

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FLORALS IN BLOOM DESIGNER SERIES PAPER TAKES THE STAGE

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Cutting into beautiful Designer Series Papers (DSP) can be really hard to do. I have a stash of paper that I just can’t bear use precisely because it’s too beautiful to cut, and that’s a shame! I took my trimmer to the Florals in Bloom DSP and I’m so glad I did.

  • Stamps: Pretty Florals, Charming Day, Spring Corners
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petunia Pop, Garden Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Pretty Florals dies, Spotlight on Nature dies, 2 3/8″ Circle punch, Stylish Shapes dies, 2, Florals in Bloom DSP, 24-26 In Color Shimmer gems (retired), Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was inspired by Lyssa Zwolanek at Embellish and CASED her project completely, although I chose a different set of designs from the DSP pack. This card is much easier than it looks, and it really highlights the beautiful designs and coordination of Stampin’ Up! DSP.

The card opens to reveal a narrow panel for your message. Personally, I love this kind of space. I often send birthday cards to friends I see regularly, because who doesn’t love a little happy mail with all the junk in their mailbox? But I don’t have news to share, just good wishes – so a small writing space suits me perfectly.

Once I started I needed to make more. I replicated Lyssa’s gorgeous card, then created a few more of my own. Color makes a big difference in a project! I can’t decide which of these two I prefer – what do you think?

If you’re looking for the Florals in Bloom DSP, it’s currently available. The Pretty Florals bundle is currently out of stock, but it’s expected the week of July 28th. Did you know you can request an email to notify you when a product comes back in stock? Just click “VIEW” when you find the item in the Online Store and add your email to be notified. Easy peasy!

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WOVEN TEXTURES DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BIRTHDAY

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The Woven Textures DSP makes my heart sing! I love textural papers, especially ones based on natural materials. This is a great fit for Hawaii themed crafting.

  • Stamps: With You in Mind
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Granny Apple Green, Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Woven Textures DSP, Sunny Springs Cards & Envelopes, Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Gallery Blooms dies, Country Flowers dies (flowers and leaves – Last Chance) Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Gallery Blooms dies are amazing – in addition to all the floral images they cut out, there’s a single large die that cuts two frames and a center panel that all nest into each other. I’ve used the smaller frame and the center panel, and I cut 3 extra frames out of Crumb Cake card stock to stack together. I love the 3D effect it gives the frame.

Our Sunny Springs Cards & Envelopes have beautiful designs on the card bases as well as the envelopes. They make stunning cards effortless! Shop the Online Store.

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ALONG THESE LINES: CAKE

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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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LAST CHANCE/LAST DANCE FOR BIRD’S EYE VIEW

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Welcome back to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! Bird’s Eye View was an early choice for me back in 2023, and I was delighted to have it in the catalog for a second year. But it’s time to make room for new birdies.

  • Stamps: Bird’s Eye View, Ice Cream Swirl, Attention Shoppers (all Last Chance)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Timid Tiger (25-27 IC), Darling Duckling (25-27 IC), Strawberry Slush (25-27 IC), Balmy Blue, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Circle dies (I used the retired Layered Circles), Window Sheets, Blending Brushes, Masking Paper, Stampin’ Write Markers, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I started by stamping each of the birds on Masking Paper and cut each one out with my snips. After stamping each bird on the card front panel I covered it with its masked image. I created a mask by using a circle die and a window sheet (I tried to punch it, but it was too thick and I was unhappy with the results). I used washi tape to secure the mask over each bird, then created a “color halo” with a Blending Brush. The Balmy Blue Stampin’ Blends added a touch color to the wing on each bird.

I also stamped the “Make A Wish” sentiment from Ice Cream Swirl three times and cut out each word. I could probably have done it with one image, but I’m lazy and didn’t want to pay that much attention to my fussy cutting. There’s a few flicks from the Stampin’ Write marker around behind the sentiments.

I used the birthday cake image and sentiment from Attention Shoppers on the inside. And sharp eyes will notice that the front panel is on Stampin’ Dimensionals. I don’t remember the last time I made a card without them!

Timid Tiger, Darling Duckling and Strawberry Slush are 25-27 In Colors and will be available on May 7th. In the meantime, skit-skat-skoodle-doot* off to the store to pick up Bird’s Eye View, Attention Shoppers, and Ice Cream Swirl before they disappear for good!

*Any Chicka Chicka Boom Boom fans out there??

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Last Chance for Painted Lavender & Something Fancy Stamps

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! Today’s a double-dipper: both Painted Lavender and Something Fancy are retiring. There are deep discounts on the Painted Lavender dies and stamps!

  • Stamps: Painted Lavender, Something Fancy
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petunia Pop, Bubble Bath, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Mini Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder, Hexagon Punch, Petunia Pop Bordered Ribbon, Blender Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’ve CASEd this from a card I swapped with the AH-MAZING Fiona Carson at OnStage 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. If you need an energy boost, check her out. She is a dynamo!

The images from Painted Lavender are stamped first, then embossed with the Mini Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder for texture on texture 💕 I used Petunia Pop on the larger flowers, but I stamped them off before adding them to the card panel. And I added a touch of Daffodil Delight to the center of those flowers with the Blender Pen. Blender Pens are indispensable -you can add a little or a lot of color by controlling how much ink you add to the brush.

This Something Fancy sentiment is my favorite of the set and I’ll keep it just to have this one on hand. I get things done, but not always on time!

Don’t take your time shopping, as these stamps are gone for good when they sell out. Shop LAST CHANCE before it’s too late.

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