Category Archives: Congratulations

DIY CARD-MAKING TIPS FOR SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS

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One of the best reasons I know for making a handmade card is to honor someone special. I was invited to a bridal shower last month that I couldn’t attend (something about 2,363 miles over the ocean). I really wanted to be there, so I sent my heart in a handmade card:

  • Stamps: Delightful Wishes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Timid Tiger
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Gallery Blooms dies, Textured Notes dies, Delightful Wishes dies, Patterns of Friendship die, Perfectly Pears die, Linen Thread, Dauber, vellum, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I used a LOT of different dies for this card. If it seems larger than usual, you have a good eye: I made this card a 5 inch x 7 inch format. I layered paper and texture, but since I had to mail it, I left off any embellishment other than my beloved Linen Thread.

My technique for this card was relatively simple: I set out a stack of papers of papers for layering and played with them, then die cut multiples of all my favorite floral bits and pieces and moved them in and out over the top panel until I was satisfied. It wasn’t exactly scientific, but it worked for me!

To add texture to the layers, I started with the Patterns of Friendship die. It’s one of my all-time favorites for texture, and I’m very sad to see it on the Last Chance list – but if you hurry, you can get a great deal on it. The Textured Notes dies are another product I consider indispensable for simple elegance – if they’re not in your crafty stash, maybe they should be!

Our niece – and Goddaughter – will be married in November, and that flight has been on the books for months! I won’t miss the wedding for the world. But since I couldn’t be at the shower, I sent her my love with a paper hug.

The 2026 DIY CALENDAR TEMPLATE is available! Buy it HERE.

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Mass Produce Cards Using Everyday You + Me Bundle

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I had the gorgeous Everyday Happiness DSP on my desk after making my Brisbane swap, and I decided to switch up the paper a bit. I’m not sure which version of this card I like better, but this one might have an advantage with a little Wink of Stella. 😉

  • Stamps: Everyday You + Me, Translucent Florals (sentiment, Last Chance)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Lost Lagoon, Wild Wheat, Pretty Peacock
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Everyday You + Me dies, Wink of Stella, Jute Twine (Last Chance), Stampin’ Dimensionals

The narrow strips are varying widths but they’re all cut at the same angle. You can see the layout is quite similar to the swap from #OnStage2025Brisbane. This card is pretty easy to mass produce once you’ve done the die cutting!

I really love the Everyday You + Me bundle, both for the images and the large format sentiments. The Designer Series Paper is a little heavier weight, and it’s packaged as 12 sheets with 3 design sets (2 designs front and back) and 4 pages of each set. It’s great for making multiples!

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LAST CHANCE for STIPPLED ROSES

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! I’ll confess that I haven’t used Stippled Roses a lot. It’s a lush, romantic set of images, and I don’t usually go that direction. I challenged myself to give it a good Last Chance, and I’d love to know what you think!

  • Stamps: Stippled Roses
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Calming Creek Cards & Envelopes

With this style of image, I chose to use an extremely simple design. Basic White card base, Basic Black and Pretty in Pink mats, and a single layer stamped card front. That’s it – not my usual style, but I think it works.

I also did an even MORE pared down version without any color. Unfortunately, this one has a crooked sentiment, but that just proves it’s a handmade card. I’t’s a little extreme ‘m not sure I’ll leave this one as is. What would you do?

This black and white version uses one of the printed card bases and coordinating envelopes from the Calming Creek cards and envelopes. That product is not a Last Chance product.

The Stippled Rose stamps and dies are both discounted, and the discount on the dies is deep. That makes this classic set a really good value! You can create much more elaborate cards, of course, but sometimes a simple card with a bit of color is just what you need. The lovely thing is that it’s completely up to you.

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Last Chance Craft Bundle: Attention Shoppers Review

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! Today’s Last Chance bundle is Attention Shoppers, and I’m playing with that shopping cart. I used the same basic layout, but ended up with two rather different cards. See what you think.

  • Stamps: Attention Shoppers, Elements of Text, Translucent Florals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Smokey Slate, Flirty Flamingo, Peach Pie
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Attention Shoppers dies, Deckle Circle dies (retired), Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write markers, Petal Pink Scalloped Ribbon, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I die cut the bottles and shopping bag, then colored them to coordinate with my card. I’m still having a lot of fun using Stampin’ Write markers to splatter, but the only other embellishment is a tiny bow that’s held in place with a Glue Dot. The shopping cart is almost an embellishment all by itself!

Compare the first version with this second one. I’ve got plants in pots, an embossing folder as texture for the card base instead of stamped images, and some Designer Series Paper strips for additional texture. The bow is made from the 25-27 In Color Bordered Ribbon, which I cut into 3 strips and tied into a satisfyingly messy bow.

What do you think?

Either way, you’ll be happy to add Attention Shoppers stamps and dies to your crafty stash. Here’s a money saving tip: Instead of ordering the bundle, order the parts as individual items and save! Individually they’re on sale, but the bundle hasn’t been further discounted. You heard it here first!!

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CORNER IN BLOOM IN WILD WHEAT

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This image is one of the single, not-a-corner images from Corner in Bloom, and the more I looked at it, the more I saw something wheat-like. I’m not a farmer, and I’m pretty sure I’m close but not quite on the mark with this, but it was close enough in my book. It had to be done in Wild Wheat.

  • Stamps: Corner in Bloom (SAB 2025), Translucent Florals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Wild Wheat, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Natural Tones Linen Thread, 23-25 In Color Opaque Sparkle Dots, 23-25 In Color DSP Pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals

We’re getting close to the end of the story for Wild Wheat and the other 23-25 In Colors. I confess I did not love Wild Wheat when I first saw it, and in fact compared it to something kind of yucky having to do with new babies. (Use your imagination if necessary.) But it’s worked its magic on me, and I’ll be sad to see it go.

The new Textured Notes dies will be available March 5th and they are AWESOME!! Put them on your list.

In the meantime, this is your final boarding announcement for Corner in Bloom. Doors will be closing SOON. Shop now.

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CIRCLE SAYINGS in GOLD

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Heat embossing gives any project a pop, and when you emboss with metallics, you get shimmer and shine too! I’ve paired the shells in Circle Sayings with a just-retired Designer Series paper – I hope you like it as well as I do.

white card with gold school of fish and congratulations message
  • Stamps: Circle Sayings
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Night of Navy, Gold
  • Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder/Metallics Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Embossing additions Kit, Gold foil, Big Boss, Stylish Shapes dies, 2 3/8″ circle punch, Stampin’ Dimensional, By the Bay DSP (retired)

The largest circle from the Stylish Shapes dies is just big enough to layer behind the circle punch in the Circle Sayings bundle. When I saw how well those shells embossed in gold, I had to pull out the retired DSP for that gorgeous shine! There are a number of gold papers in the Online Store if you don’t have that fishy paper in your stash.

card detail shells and congratulations message

My craft room was a little decimated by all the papers and stamps that retired from the 22-23 Annual Catalog, and I’m still building up my stash. It takes time, and I’m ok with that, but it means I might pull out a retired bit or two.

white card with gold school of fish and congratulations message

This card is really versatile and could carry a variety of sentiments. It’s pretty gender neutral, and relatively ageless as well. You could switch out the Night of Navy for another color to tailor it to your purpose, but I know some blue-and-gold graduates this year! Shop Circle Sayings today!

Our beautiful new 23-24 Annual Catalog is available to EVERYONE!

text 2023-2024 Annual Catalog with craft images

Be sure to subscribe by May 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The May kit features outdoor landscapes and the new 23-25 In Colors. This is a card kit with an option to purchase additional patterned card bases and coordinating envelopes.

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. Here’s an example:

3 cheery cards and words confetti birthday kit

If you prefer choosing your kits without a subscription, we’ve just released a new one: the Confetti Birthday Card kit. This kit has all the supplies for shaker cards – no measuring or fussing! See all our kits in the Online Store.

A Natural Prints Dies Wreath

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When I saw the Natural Prints dies I was immediately taken by the wreath shape, but I wasn’t sure how to use it. Ultimately, I gave in to the fact that it had to be a square card.

  • Stamps: Love & Happiness
  • Color palette: Basic White, Pear Pizazz, Pale Papaya, Calypso Coral
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Natural Prints dies, Seasonal Labels dies, Brick Embossing Folder, White Crinkled ribbon, Polished Dots, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I kept fiddling with the layout and colors and finally settled on Pear Pizazz and pale Papaya. I colored both the flower die cuts and the crinkle ribbon with the Pale Papaya Blends to get exactly what I envisioned.

Side note: when you color the Crinkled Ribbon with Blends it develops a little more body – not so much that it’s hard to work with, just the right little extra bit.

A small calendar page decorated with floral stamps and the message Love Changes Everything

I mashed the ribbon onto some glue dots and did the same with the die cut flowers. I put a tiny piece of Calypso Coral card stock behind the opening in the flowers. It’s not enough to see without squinting , but I know it’s there.

A small calendar page decorated with floral stamps and the message Love Changes Everything

There will be a custom envelope, but it’s been a busy week and I’m not ready to send this card. Besides, I want to leave it here for you and if I wait until the envelope is done, we’ll, that might be a while. So enjoy – and then go shopping HERE.

The June Paper Pumpkin features fresh summer designs and sentiments to make 9 cards with matching envelopes. Your kit includes a customizable canvas bag – and you can order more mini bags to deliver your cards with style!

Stampin Up Paper Pumpkin Box with stamped bag and berries and title Pick of the Crop

Be sure to subscribe by June 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! 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.

Last Chance Products January-June 2022 Mini Catalog

It’s LAST CHANCE time for the 2022 January – June Mini catalog, and these incredible deals won’t last! Many dies are 50% off, so do the math: the best deal may not be the bundle, but buying stamps and dies separately. Whatever you do, don’t wait! These deals won’t last.

Hand-Penned Petals and Stampin’ Blends

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I need to practice my coloring skills with Stampin’ Blends, so I produced a handful of images from Hand-Penned Petals and got to work. To my delight, this image is a PERFECT image for the purpose! Not too big, not too small, not too complex – it’s just right. Here’s what I did with the results:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Hand Penned Petals handmade card
  • Stamps: Hand-Penned Petals
  • Color Palette: Pale Papaya, Pumpkin Pie, Granny Apple Green, Basic White, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Big Boss, Penned Flowers dies, Stitched Rectangle dies, 21-23 In Color DSP 6×6 pack, White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, Champagne Rhinestones

Today’s serendipity: The Champagne Rhinestones are a FABULOUS match with Pale Papaya! (Forgive me shouting, please.)

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Hand Penned Petals handmade card

The White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon is my favorite. When tied, it’s still soft enough to slip through the USPS without extra postage. You can add color with Stampin’ Blends. And it’s just so pretty! It’s part of my Must Have Stash.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Hand Penned Petals handmade card

My technique with Stampin’ Blends is pretty simple. I start with an overall light blend wash, then add the deeper tones and go back with the light tone to do the blending. I use the shading marks in the stamp to guide me, but I don’t have a sophisticated system for dark/light placement. Learning that is on my to-do list <wink>

The Hand Penned stamps and dies are available in a bundle, saving you precious crafting dollars! Stop by the Online Store to get yours today.

While you’re shopping, don’t forget to check out Last Chance shopping for the January – June 2021 Mini Catalog! June 30 is the retiring date for products in that catalog that don’t carry forward in the new 21-22 Annual catalog. Don’t miss out – check the Mini Catalog page HERE.

Maui Stamper Last Chance 2021 January-June

Rooted in Nature with the Acrylic Block Technique

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I’m at it again with the Acrylic Block Technique, and I’m very pleased with this version. This is a single layer card with very limited embellishment, but the background technique catches your eye:

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted in Nature Acrylic Block Technique
  • Stamps: Rooted in Nature, Beautiful Friendship, Forever Fern
  • Color Palette: Whisper White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party
  • Accessories: Rhinestone jewel, Water brush, Acrylic Block H, Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Write Markers, Stampin’ Spritzer

The technique is simple. Scribble on an acrylic block with Stampin’ Write markers. If you place the block on a piece of white paper, you can see your color distribution and coverage. Mist the inky block with as little or as much water as you’d like – the amount you choose will impact the look you get – and press the block firmly into a Whisper White card stock panel. Lift and admire!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted in Nature Acrylic Block Technique

You need very sharp eyes to see the sparkle, but I painted the little splooshes stamp from Forever Fern with Wink of Stella and stamped it directly onto the card. It’s quite lovely in person, but challenging to photograph.

I also used our Water Painter and a bit of Pool Party ink to make very soft shadows underneath the trees.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted in Nature Acrylic Block Technique

This could just as easily have been a Christmas card, or a birthday card, or any other type of card. I originally intended to post it without the sentiment, as I often leave that step for the moment I need a card. Having a variety of cards without sentiments allows me more flexibility when I need something at the very last minute. But this one looked forlorn, and I’m very glad I added the linear element of this wish.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Rooted in Nature Acrylic Block Technique

Don’t you agree? It’s more versatile to keep it this way but it’s much better with the sentiment (and my sentiment hides that little black bit that doesn’t belong!)

These is my favorite set of tonal colors: Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, and Pool Party. Add them to your stash and see how happy they can make you! Shop HERE.

Available Today: Forever Greenery Suite

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Welcome to the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog! I gasped when I first saw this suite, and it’s been on top of my craft desk since the moment it arrived in my studio. The colors and images are restful and versatile, just the thing for a respite from the summer heat.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Forever Greenery Suite

This suite has it all: stamps, dies, designer series paper, a trim collection, embossing folders (which I didn’t use here) and those gold hoops. WHO KNEW??? Every single sheet of that DSP is hoard-worthy, and I have challenged myself to use it all up!!

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Forever Greenery Suite

The natural trim is so soft – it’s like the kind of gauze they made bandages from back in the day, soft and easy to shape. The gold trim has more heft than previous trims and ties beautifully as well.

I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (aka Tombo) to adhere that hoop. It’s actually flat on the side that faces the paper, making it easier to get a secure attachment. I love those little details.

Maui Stamper Stampin Up Forever Greenery Suite

Trust me, my crafty friends, this is going to sell and sell quickly! The 20-21 Annual Catalog will be available for orders some time around 8am HST today.

This Suite has everything you could wish for, but if your budget doesn’t have the space to do that, order what you can and be happy! Hurry to the Online Store to get yours today.