Category Archives: Designer Series Paper (DSP)

MAKING MANLY CARDS: USE YOUR DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!

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Manly Cards shouldn’t be hard to design, but I always struggle a bit. I came across this great card layout using Designer Series Paper and realized it had a lot of Manly Potential. Best of all, it’s quick and easy!

  • Stamps: Elements of Text (Last Chance), Something Fancy (Retired)
  • Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Secret Sea/Mossy Meadow, Smoky Slate/Crumb Cake, Cloud Cover/Basic Beige
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I tried this layout with two different designs from the Beautiful Gallery DSP pack. The DSP comes in 6×6 sheets, and I trimmed an inch and an eighth from top and bottom to get a 3 3/4″ height. I trimmed the sides to 4 3/4″ based on the image, centering the part I wanted to feature. The last step was to cut the resulting rectangle into quarters.

Elements of Text is such a great textural set of stamps! I wish it would be around much longer, but you can still snap it up from the Last Chance list. The sentiment, I’m sorry to say, is retired, but there are a number of current sets with similar fonts and sizing. Just search “happy birthday” in the Online Store. And the Textured Notes dies are truly indispensable- have I said that before??? 😆

This layout using Designer Series Paper is a great way to use up that DSP stash, and the end result is a stack of Manly Cards in a flash! Guys have birthdays too, you know.

Pull out your stash and start chopping.

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COLOUR INKSPIRATION #193: SPOOKY HALLOWEEN

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Colour challenges are a lot of fun, but I often end up scratching my head as I begin.My starting point is generally a stamp set, not a colour set, so it throws me off a bit. CI #193 isn’t a traditional set of Halloween colours, but after a few false starts, I got them to work.

  • Stamps: Spooky Halloween
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Cloud Cover, Balmy Blue, Highland Heather, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Spooky Halloween dies, Stylish Shapes dies, Perennial Lavender DSP, Kintsugi Inspirations DSP, Cloud Cover Faux Linen Ribbon, Purple Fine Shimmer Gems, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Blends, dauber, Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Dimensionals

There are a few adaptations on this card – I stamped on the Perennial Lavender DSP with Memento Black and Highland Heather for the background, and I stamped the sentiment on the Kintsugi Inspirations DSP. I also cut up the Cloud Cover Faux Linen Ribbon because I like the way it gets skinny and stringy.

It’s a small detail, but I cut off the cat’s paw and arranged it on top of the broom because the original looked unnatural. And there’s Stella on all of the Memento Black elements, because every Halloween card needs a little sparkle!

Here’s the INKpiration photo – how do you think I did? I had fun, and in my book, that’s the most important thing.

Have you tried a Colour Challenge? You can find all the details at the Colour INKspiration Facebook page.

(Note: Yes, I know in the USA we spell it color, but this is a South Pacific group and they spell it colour. For this post, so do I.)

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WOVEN TEXTURES FOR A MANLY CARD

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The Woven Textures DSP is absolutely perfect for a Manly Card. This card is a CASE of a stunning card by my dear friend Cheryl Hamilton, and I didn’t make a lot of changes. I did choose to add some Gold Foil for a little shine, and of course every card needs Linen Thread!

  • Stamps: Patterns of Friendship
  • Color Palette:Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie, Early Espresso, Gold
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Gallery Blooms dies, Woven Textures DSP, Gold Foil, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Be sure you adhere your diagonal strips to the DSP panel BEFORE you attach the panel to the card stock mat. Ask me how I know. 😳

There are multiple variations within the Woven Textures pack, and there are certainly other die cuts that would work to embellish the sentiment panel. This is a design that can be adapted almost indefinitely – use what you have.

What DSP has been neglected in your stash? Isn’t it time you pulled it out? I’ve done my best to give you some ideas – let me know how it goes.

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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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SNAPPING UP LAST CHANCE DEALS

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The LAST CHANCE list updated this week and holy smokes! For the first time, past Sale-a-bration products are available. One of my favorites is the Toadstool Gardens DSP, and I made a quick card to highlight some of the great designs in the pack.

  • Stamps: Terrific Toadstools
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Timid Tiger, Gray Granite, Melon Mambo, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Toadstool Gardens DSP, Toadstool Builder Punch, Simply Scoring Tool, Blender Pen, Stampin’ Write Markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals

One of the things I love about this pack is that it has bold, bright designs paired with softer, tone-on-tone patterns. I’ve used 4 different papers for this simple card, and there are plenty of other options to choose from.

I inked the toadstool cap with Timid Tiger and removed the ink from the frilly underside bits (no idea what they’re called, too lazy to search.) I used a Stampin’ Write Marker to replace that color with Gray Granite, which mirrors the coloring in the DSP. Super easy, but one of those little touches that make a card special.

Have a little fun with this paper even if you don’t have the Terrific Toadstools bundle – it would be almost as easy to fussy cut a toadstool from the paper to replicate this card. But don’t wait too long to do your Last Chance shopping: it’s called Last Chance for a reason!

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USE UP THAT DESIGNER SERIES PAPER STASH!

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If you’ve been crafting for a minute or two, you probably have a stash of Designer Series Paper (DSP). Maybe you bought the pack for one design that you loved and the rest has been untouched. Maybe you’ve used most of the pack but there are just a *few* sheets left. Or maybe you just bought too much and need to use it before you buy more. (Ugh, the truth can hurt.)

  • Stamps: Perfect Pears
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Note dies, Painterly Pears DSP, Daubers, Blender Pen, Low Profile Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I am obsessed with coloring the pears with Daubers, and love that every time it’s just a bit different. I pulled the color palette from the DSP and added a bit of Mossy Meadow to the edge for a little drama. The sweet row of blossoms under the writing panel is stamped in Daffodil Delight and has a little center added with a Blender Pen.

If I may be so bold as to say it, if you don’t have the Textured Notes dies, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200, just click on ADD TO CART. (There. I feel better.)

My dear crafty buddy Sharon showed me this great fun fold. Score a standard 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ in the center (4 1/4″) and also 1 1/4″ from either end (that’s 1 1/4″ and 7 1/4″ if you need the exact numbers). It creates a perfect canvas for DSP.

Everything else is just cut-and-mat DSP! This is another quick and easy card to assemble, and it features my favorite “just enough room for I-Love-You” writing panel. Those Low Profile Dots are a great product for cards you intend to mail, too. I usually put a piece of card stock over the front of a card when I mail it, but it’s almost not necessary with these Dots.

The Perfectly Pears bundle is a great option to add color and variety to your crafty stash. There are flowers, sure, but they’re quite understated. It’s all about the pears – and of course, that gorgeous Painterly Pears DSP. Try it, you’ll like it.

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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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COLOUR CHALLENGES: COLOUR INKSPIRATION #189

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My friends at Colour INKspirations know how to set up a proper challenge! This combination was a tough one, as Melon Mambo generally doesn’t get much my attention. But by toning it down using daubers, I came up with a project that met the challenge!

  • Stamps: Impressions Abloom, Elements of Text, Perfectly Pears, Inspiring Imperfections
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Darling Duckling, Melon Mambo, Cloud Cover, Secret Sea
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Impressions Abloom dies, Perennial Postage dies, Gallery Blooms dies, Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder, Kintsugi Inspirations DSP, Dauber, White Bakers Twine, Wink of Stella, Fine Tip Glue pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Here’s the inspiration photo. I knew right away I was going to have to be “INKspired” to work in that Melon Mambo! And while I adore Secret Sea, it’s a very bold color, so I used it sparingly as an accent.

Looking for elements for this card, I pulled out some treasures that are still available but have been sidelined in favor of newer releases. That 3D Exposed Brick EF is one of my absolute GO-TO elements. White Bakers twine is too, although it will never replace my beloved Linen Twine.

I used our Fine Tip Glue pen to add shine to the centers of those flowers. They have a little Cloud Cover daubed in the center to soften the white-white-white and tie in with the background DSP. My FTGP has lost its Fine Tip, so I unscrew the cap and use my trusty bamboo skewer to paint the glue over the circle. The skewer lets me control the amount I apply but doesn’t leave brush strokes or messy cleanup.

Cloud Cover ink has been a bit of a heartbreak, as it turns out the formula reacts with the foam in our ink pads, causing instability. The solution is to use one of our un-inked spots and Cloud Cover Ink Refill. It takes a bit longer to ink larger stamps, but I think it’s worth the effort!

There’s still a little time to join the challenge. It closes at 7pm Monday AEST (remember, for the US they are a day ahead). I’d love to see what you do with Melon Mambo!

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