Category Archives: cards

OCTOBER 2023 DIY: PICK OF THE PATCH

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I am absolutely smitten with Pick of the Patch. I don’t usually get too excited about Halloween (sorry, Robbie!) but there’s something about the images in this set that has me reaching for it again and again. I’m going to enjoy it all month.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.
  • Stamps: Pick of the Patch
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Garden Green
  • Accessories: Pick of the Patch Builder Punch, Adhesive backed solid gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Did you see my non-traditional pumpkins in September? I had such fun with those colors, but for October I decided to stick with colors you might see in the pumpkin patch.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.

For the card, I fussy cut those swirls. Didn’t really feel like doing that again 😆 so I stamped them right onto the calendar. I’m equally happy with the results, and I’m thrilled that I didn’t have to fussy cut those buggers again.

A small square calendar for October 2023 with 4 pumpkins and a small bird.

Take a look to see what Cheryl and Crystal are sharing for October DIY!

I’ve had quite a few requests for the 2024 calendar template. Many people know I actually do live on Maui, and the past month or so has been emotionally hard. I’m the first to say that I am very fortunate to have not been directly impacted by the fire, but everyone who lives here is impacted in one way or another. I appreciate your patience – I’ll be making the template available later this month.

Now: if you need your own Pick of the Patch, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

SEASIDE BAY THANKS

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I made this card some time ago and it has languished at the bottom of…well, you don’t really need me to finish that sentence, do you? Fortunately, I’ve unearthed it and can share it with you today:

A white card with a bird and seashells and the phrase "Thank you for everything"
  • Stamps: Seaside Bay, Charming Sentiments
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Gray Granite, Petal Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Seaside Bay Dies, Sentiment Silhouettes dies, Basics 3D Embossing Folders, Silver Metallic Mesh, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Truth? I just started cutting a bunch of the Seaside Bay dies in different colors to play with. These elements are easy to layer, and it was fun to play with different colored shells. But my favorite part is the grid texture – I can imagine so many ways to use it.

The Silver Mesh was on the Clearance Rack recently – did you stock up? It’s a really versatile element because you can tie it like ribbon or tease it apart and use it as a texture.

A white card with a bird and seashells and the phrase "Thank you for everything"

I’ve had Seaside Bay for a while, but it’s taken me a while to ink it up. Does that happen to you? So many stamps…

If you’re ready to give it a run, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

SUNFLOWER BIRTHDAY

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Have you used the Abundant Beauty Decorative masks? They are such a delight to work with! This card is quick and fun and will leave you wanting to make more:

A handmade card with floral designs and the sentiment “wishing you the happiest of birthdays”
  • Stamps: Charming Sentiments
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Poppy Parade, Lemon Lolly, Pecan Pie, Garden Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Sentiment Silhouettes dies, Abundant Beauty Decorative Masks, Blending Brushes, 23-25 In Color Dots, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The masks have notches to help you get perfect placement every time. And the Charming Sentiments stamps and their coordinating dies give you the fussy cut look without the fuss! 💕

A handmade card with floral designs and the sentiment “wishing you the happiest of birthdays”

You would be surprised at how much fun it is to play with color combinations with these masks! This is therapy at it’s finest – and cheapest too!

I think I like playing with the masks even more than making the end result into cards. This could become a problem. Ah well, I’ll worry about that another day!

A handmade card with floral designs and the sentiment “wishing you the happiest of birthdays”

If you need your own set of Abundant Beauty Masks, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

MAUI STRONG

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One of my Maui Stamper teammates made this beautiful card. I told her I couldn’t send it, that I would keep it on top of my desk.

An outline of a black tree with a banner and the text "Maui Strong"

Sherri used the retired tree dies from Inspiring Canopy. If you’re not familiar with the Lahaina Banyan, it’s a historic tree in the center of Lahaina town. It was badly burned during the August 8 fire, and the world has been watching as an army of specialists has worked to save it. There are new leaves sprouting on the banyan, which gives us all such hope.

An outline of a black tree with a banner and the text "Maui Strong"

Thank you, Sherri, for sharing this reminder to be hopeful. 💕

An outline of a black tree with a banner and the text "Maui Strong"

If you’d like to support the ongoing recovery on Maui, please consider a gift to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. They are a very reputable organization that has already distributed over $19 million dollars to the community. Visit their site to learn more.

You might also like to support the Maui Humane Society. They have worked tirelessly to locate animals in the fire zone, treat them, and reunite them with their families. The stories are heart breaking as well as heart warming.

Mahalo.

PICK OF THE PATCH

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Stampin’ Through the Catalog featured Pick of the Patch this week for their challenge (try it, you’ll like it) and I loved the inspiration project so much I made my own version:

A white card with 3 pumpkins in grey and teal and the words "you're the pick of the patch"
  • Stamps: Pick of the Patch
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Smoky Slate, Lost Lagoon, Pebble Path, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut and Emboss Machine, Exposed Brick Embossing Folder, Pick of the Patch Builder Punch, Earthen Elegance DSP, Classic Matte Dots, Pebble Path Jute Trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

See the inspiration HERE. How do you like my version?

A white card with 3 pumpkins in grey and teal and the words "you're the pick of the patch"

I fussy cut that funny gourd-like pumpkin and the swirls (ugh, not sure I would do that 25 times! But once was ok.) The Earthen Elegance DSP provides lots of interesting texture for layers, including the sentiment panel.

MauiStamper, a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator A handmade card using the Pick of the Patch bundle. Products are available in the 23-24 Annual Catalog and the Sept-Dec Mini Catalog.

Have you played along with a challenge lately? I’d love it if you shared your favorites with me.

And if you need your own Pick of the Patch, shop the Online Store.

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

A red banner with the words “Paper Pumpkin”, images of card making supplies, and the phrase “Home for the Holidays"

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

INKED BOTANICALS FUN FOLD

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Production is not my jam, but I made 20 of these cards for a Fun-Fold swap at Stampin’ Up! leadership last month in Las Vegas. My absolute FAVE Inked Botanicals DSP was the star of this Square Double Z-Fold card.

A handmade card with floral designs and the sentiment “Hello Friend”
  • Stamps: Inked & Tiled
  • Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Lost Lagoon, Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo, Crushed Curry
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Scalloped Contour dies, Inked Botanicals DSP, Daubers, Linen Thread, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin’ Blends

There’s a bit of cutting involved to get all the pieces, but after that it’s pretty much glue, glue, glue! The paper does all the heavy lifting for this card. Because I made so many, I did some mixing and matching of color and pattern:

The pattern across the bottom is the same, but I used 3 different Lost Lagoon papers for the front. There were also variations for the Crushed Curry panel on the inside.

The card base is 8 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ scored at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″. The narrow band across the bottom is 8 1/2″ x 1 1/4″ with the same scoring. All DSP is 1/8″ narrower on both sides to create a narrow margin for the mat. I chose a rectangular panel from Scalloped Contour dies for my focal point, but many other shapes would work well.

Have you made a Z-fold? A Double Z? I’d love to know how you coordinated the panels. And if you need some of that yummy Inked Botanicals Designer Series paper, shop the Online Store. Tell them I sent you 😁

An invitation to the World Card Making Day showing balloons and markers

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS COMING! You’re invited to craft along – register for this FREE event on October 7. Download the project sheets HERE and HERE.

Patterned paper hexagons and the text "Designer Series Paper Special Release" and "shop AnneMatasci.stampinup.net"

Beautiful new papers are available while supplies last! Find them under Online Exclusives.

2 cards featuring evergreen images and the text "September-December 2023 Mini Catalog"

Our September – December Mini Catalog is available to everyone! Let me know if you need a copy!

Create dazzling traditional Christmas cards with the Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This kit includes eight beautiful cards—four each of two designs. But wait, there’s more! For all the sparkly crafters, this kit includes glitter glue to give your cards extra shine. Even better, it will coordinate with the November kit. Are you ready? Subscribe HERE by October 10th.

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

AUGUST 2023: BIRD’S EYE VIEW

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Oh these chunky little birds have stolen my heart! There’s something about the Bird’s Eye View crew that enchants me. These three are colored with Stampin’ Blends, and there’s a little color riddle in this calendar – do you see it?

A Handmade calendar page for August with 3 birds colored blue, yellow and green.
  • Stamps: Bird’s Eye View, Easter Bunny
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Azure Afternoon
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper

I’m always torn when new birdies show up in the catalog, because I might already have a *few* bird stamps. But I’m certain I don’t have any birds wearing glasses, so that gave me the justification I needed to add The View to my Stampin’ Collection.

After I stamped this little family, I decided they needed something upon which to stand. Fortunately, the Easter Bunny was more than willing to share a little grass, and masking paper made sure the grass remained in the background.

A Handmade calendar page for August with 3 birds colored blue, yellow and green.

I know I say this every month, but this month I will REALLY enjoy my desktop calendar!! Be sure and see what Cheryl and Crystal have done this month. And if you don’t have your own Bird’s Eye View Crew, I think it’s time you shop the Online Store.

A red, blue, white and pink graphic with the text "Ready Set Redeem" and "it's time to use those coupons you earned! You can redeem your $5 coupons between 1-31 August.

Beginning today, August 1st, you can redeem your Bonus Days coupons! Your unique codes, delivered by email in July with your $50 order, can be spent through August 31st.

Online Exclusives are HERE. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Be sure to subscribe by August 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! This kit includes 8 cards, 4 each of 2 designs, and 8 coordinating envelopes. The kit is special because of the way it uses the meaning of flowers. On each card, you’ll find a small inscription of what the flowers represent.

"Paper Pumpkin" on red banner, "Meaningful Flowers" in blue on a pale blue background with images of stamped flowers

And don’t wait, because anyone who subscribes to this month’s kit will get a FREE stamp set! This Distinktive stamp set is perfect for a variety of occasions! 

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

SEASON OF CHIC: WATERCOLOR

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I’m a late arrival to Season of Chic, but I’m now a true believer. It’s a versatile two-step stamping collection, and that makes it perfect for this simple watercolor technique:

Two white handmade cards with the sentiment "Happy Birthday", one with yellow flowers and one with purple flowers
  • Stamps: Season of Chic, Go To Greetings/Something Fancy
  • Color Palette: Basic White with Orchid Oasis, Highland Heather, Granny Apple Green and Parakeet Party/Basic White with Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Winter Wheat, and Old Olive
  • Accessories: Watercolor Paper, Stampin’ Spritzer, Dauber, Big Boss, Chic dies, Deckle Rectangle dies/Stitched Rectangle dies (retired), Metallic Ribbon/In Color Jute, Tinsel Gems/In Color dots

Do you have a favorite demonstrator (or two) whose work you never grow tired of? For me, Tami Hewlett is one of those people. She recently shared a stunning card showcasing a simple watercolor technique, and I really wanted to give it a try. Ink is applied to the stamp and the stamp is misted with water. Once it’s been stamped on watercolor paper, details are added using the two-step stamping technique.

Detail of a white handmade card with the sentiment "Happy Birthday” and yellow flowers

I don’t have the Tropical Leaf Bundle that she used, but these flowers made me happy. I tried a number of color combinations, and the range of yellows and purples were very satisfying. For this technique, it makes a big difference to have that two-step outline. It adds shape and definition to the soft, flowing watercolor.

Detail of a white handmade card with the sentiment "Happy Birthday” and purple flowers

I originally intended to use Orchid Oasis with Starry Sky, but the combination was too dark and didn’t have enough contrast. Highland Heather provided the balance I needed.

Each flower is unique, depending on where I placed the ink and how much water it got from the Spritzer. Tami applied the darker ink direct to the stamp, but I found it gave me more control to use a dauber.

A white handmade card with the sentiment "Happy Birthday” and yellow flowers

The watercolor paper makes a big difference. It absorbs the water, distributing the color evenly without distortion of the paper.

What color combination would you choose? I’m looking for more ideas! If you’d like to try this technique, shop for Season of Chic stamps and dies, or Tami’s choice, the Tropical Leaf bundle. Either way, I’m confident you’ll have a lot of fun!

Just a few more days to earn Bonus Days coupons! Through July 31st, with every $50 merchandise order you’ll earn a $5 coupon to spend in August. NO LIMITS!!

Online Exclusives are HERE. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Be sure to subscribe by August 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! This kit includes 8 cards, 4 each of 2 designs, and 8 coordinating envelopes. The kit is special because of the way it uses the meaning of flowers. On each card, you’ll find a small inscription of what the flowers represent.

"Paper Pumpkin" on red banner, "Meaningful Flowers" in blue on a pale blue background with images of stamped flowers

And don’t wait, because anyone who subscribes to this month’s kit will get a FREE stamp set! This Distinktive stamp set is perfect for a variety of occasions! 

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

SHARE A MILKSHAKE – 3 WAYS!

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The Hello Irresistible Designer Series paper makes another appearance today with Share a Milkshake. The combination of Lost Lagoon and Lemon Lolly is truly irresistible!

A Handmade card with a patterned paper background, ice cream cone, and the sentiment “Life is Sweeter with You”
  • Stamps: Share a Milkshake
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Lost Lagoon
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Share a Milkshake and Stylish Shapes dies, Hello Irresistible Designer Series Paper, Basic Gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The little cone was my starting point. When it popped out of the die, I confess: I squealed! You need to understand that ice cream is one of my family’s Love Languages. Growing up, there were always at least 4 different flavors in the freezer. We are serious about this stuff!

A Handmade card with a patterned paper background, ice cream cone, and the sentiment “Life is Sweeter with You”

I’m not sure what flavor a Lost Lagoon scoop would be, but it looks pretty good with Lemon Lolly so I’ll let you use your imagination.

Which of these 3 versions of Hello Irresistible do you like best??

That grid pops out of the die just perfectly, and it creates a bunch of gorgeous little rectangular shapes. I let them sit in a little heap for a long time before I swept them into the round file. I’m sure I’ll think of a use for them later.

In the meantime, shop the Online Store for Share a Milkshake and Irresistible You! You’ll find Hello, Irresistible only in the Online Store and only in the Online Exclusives!

Bonus Days are here in time for your Online Exclusives order! Through July 31st, with every $50 merchandise order you’ll earn a $5 coupon to spend in August. NO LIMITS!!

Online Exclusives are HERE. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Be sure to subscribe by August 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! This kit includes 8 cards, 4 each of 2 designs, and 8 coordinating envelopes. The kit is special because of the way it uses the meaning of flowers. On each card, you’ll find a small inscription of what the flowers represent.

"Paper Pumpkin" on red banner, "Meaningful Flowers" in blue on a pale blue background with images of stamped flowers

And don’t wait, because anyone who subscribes to this month’s kit will get a FREE stamp set! This Distinktive stamp set is perfect for a variety of occasions! 

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.

STAMPS ON SALE and the BIGGEST WISH

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I love the Biggest Wish stamp set. And it’s on sale today, along with all Annual Catalog stamp sets (does not include host, bundle or online exclusive.) I put “HELLO friend” together with a punched textural background for a quick card with a Big Wish:

White card with circle offset center and words "HELLO friend"
  • Stamps: Biggest Wish, Country Bouquet
  • Color Palette: Basic White, BubbleBath, Lost Lagoon
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Stylish Shapes dies, 2 3/8″ Circle punch, Inked & Tiled “X” punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I have some very old Lost Lagoon ribbon, but I chose to keep this card current. I cut some Lost Lagoon paper into narrow strips and adhered them behind the circle focal point for a simple embellishment.

A white card with a circle containing the words "HELLO friend"

These punched elements are really easy to align for this technique! Punch a dozen and you’re ready to go – these were easy to do by eye. Biggest Wish has all the words you need in fonts that work together.

A Handmade card with a white textured background, and a circular element with the phrase “Hello Friend”

Biggest Wish is on sale TODAY July 19th for 15% off – along with all the Annual Catalog stamp sets (this sale excludes Host, Bundle and Online Exclusive stamps). Spend $50 and you’ll qualify for a Bonus Days coupon and save twice! Shop the Online Store now.

orange banner with text "24 hour stamp sale 19 July"

Bonus Days are here in time for your Online Exclusives order! Through July 31st, with every $50 merchandise order you’ll earn a $5 coupon to spend in August. NO LIMITS!!

Online Exclusives are HERE. These Limited Edition products are fresh, seasonal, and sure to sell quickly – don’t wait to SHOP!

Be sure to subscribe by August 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! This kit includes 8 cards, 4 each of 2 designs, and 8 coordinating envelopes. The kit is special because of the way it uses the meaning of flowers. On each card, you’ll find a small inscription of what the flowers represent.

And don’t wait, because anyone who subscribes to this month’s kit will get a FREE stamp set! This Distinktive stamp set is perfect for a variety of occasions! 

"Paper Pumpkin" on red banner, "Meaningful Flowers" in blue on a pale blue background with images of stamped flowers

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.