Tag Archives: Stampin’ Blends

WILD BUNCH NOTE CARDS AND ENVELOPES

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I hope you’re one of the lucky ones who was able to purchase Wild Bunch, the June Product of the Month, before it sold out. These whimsical animals have a certain sophistication to them, and I thought they would make a charming set of thank you notes for new parents.

The snail was stamped directly on the focal panel and colored with blends. After I finished coloring, I masked the image and added a brushed background and the textural stamp from the set.

I had to fussy cut the Koala. Fussy cutting isn’t my favorite thing, but I don’t detest it either. This little marsupial is popped up on dimensional on a layered Everyday Arches matted panel. The background stamp is retired.

The cow was a coloring work in progress. I blended the light and dark Pecan Pie and Golden Glow to achieve this look, with bits of Barely Blush in the ears and nose. The cow is fussy cut and lifted on dimensional on top of a retired fence. The cloudy blue sky is from Silly Old Bear DSP and the soft green branches are from Moonlit Flora DSP.

The penguins are a CASE from Lisa Stenz, who did a brilliant job. She used a gray Stampin’ Blend and the Color Lifter to get those soft shadows.

Check out the current Product of the Month, and order early to avoid being disappointed!

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SWEET OLD FRIENDS: SILLY OLD BEAR DOUBLE FLIP CARD

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I can’t get enough of the Silly Old Bear Designer Series paper. The images are true to the originals, and they’re presented in shapes and designs that are easy to use. I chose one of the framed images to die cut for my focal point in this double flip card.

The card base is 4 ¼” x 9 ½” scored at 5 ½”, smaller flip is 8 ½” x 3 ¼” scored at 4 ¼”, and DSP is 1/4″ narrower than each panel. Add the layers to all the card panels, then adhere the smaller card to the inside of the larger one but facing the opposite direction.

Now all that’s left is to put a sentiment inside – or leave it blank for lots of writing space! Last I looked, Silly Old Bear DSP was available in the Online Store. Don’t wait for it!

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EXCITING TIMES BACKGROUNDS

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Graphic design has always fascinated me. I’m definitely nowhere near an expert, but I like to play with shape and color. I was inspired by an entry to Colour INKspirations #208 and created a very close CASE (Copy And Share with Everyone) using a different color palette.

If you’d like to replicate this concept, I have a few tips for you:

  • Choose 3 colors with similar color value (all light/medium/dark)
  • Create continuity by using the same color for the card base, sentiment, and accents
  • Use a Stampin’ Blend around the edge of the Bordered Rectangle punched sentiment to create a faux layer
  • Take a look at the 3 photos below for help in placing each color!

Does that help? I hope so!!

The Exciting Times bundle is currently showing as low inventory, so now is a good time to add it to your cart. Don’t forget the Stampin’ Blend to coordinate with your color palette – we’ve got all the colors!

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: JULY 2026 CUTEST CREW

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Welcome to DIY Calendars! Thanks for joining us this month – and every month – as we share our creative ideas. I’m back with one of my very most favorite current stamp sets: Cutest Crew!

I love these birdies 💕 The Cutest Crew dies include individual dies for each bird, so I cut out a little flock. In the process I discovered that the dies cut out their wings!! The bodies are colored in the light tone of Stampin’ Blends, and the wings are in the dark tones.

As much as I love our new Glimmer Pens, I am still a huge Wink of Stella fan. I used it on the Rolling Wave sea foam die cut and used a Blending Brush to add a little color underneath. I also spattered a little Cloud Cover tinted water for texture. There’s a little bit of Lemon Lolly brushed across the top as well. I find the secret to good Blending Brushing is patience. Take your time and don’t rush it.

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

Don’t miss the July Product of the Month! Begonia Belle is available with a qualifying order while supplies last. Shop early!!

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $6. Visit my secure page to make your purchase. (You can also find the page on the banner across the top of my home page.) You’ll receive links to download the templates in an email after you’ve paid. You’ll need to cut and paste those links into your browser. (You may need to check your spam folder to find that email.)

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

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FLOWERS FAIR WITH A GINGHAM DSP

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There’s a new release of Online Exclusives arriving in the store on July 1, and I’m really excited about the new Gingham Gallery DSP! It features all of the 2026-2028 In Colors, and I’ve think you’ll love it.

  • Stamps: Flowers Fair, Lovely Arrangements (sentiment, retired)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Peaceful Pine, Hydrangea Hue, Golden Glow, Barely Blush, Hybrid Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Everyday Arches dies, 26-28 In Color Dots, Gingham Gallery DSP (coming July 1), 26-28 In Color Ribbon, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I am absolutely smitten with Flowers Fair and love experimenting with new color combinations. I have a stamped stack of images sitting on my craft desk for whenever I’m inspired!

Take a look at the Online Exclusives available July 1st – and don’t forget the new Product of the Month! It’s another stamp set, and the June set sold out quickly. Don’t miss this one.

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FLOWER FAIR: GET TWO CARDS FROM ONE IMAGE

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Don’t you love getting double the results from one image? A large image like Flowers Fair is a great candidate for double dipping. Take a look at what I did:

After I’d colored the original image, I cut out middle with the Everyday Arches dies and used it for the second card. It was easy to cover the opening on the first card with a matted second image, and I stamped the same full image for the second card in Lemon Lime Twist to keep it softly in the background.

I kept the focal panel for the first card simple with plenty of white since the background was so colorful. The little butterflies from Cutest Crew fit perfectly on the edges.

Keeping the background softer allowed the focal panel to, well, be the focus. I stamped the sentiment in black to mute what was otherwise a very colorful card.

Flowers Fair was released during the March 2026 Online Exclusives. It’s a keeper – have some fun with it!

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: JUNE 2026 – FERN & FLORA

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Welcome back to DIY Calendars! Thanks for joining us this month – and every month – as we share our creative ideas. This month, I’m using a bundle from the May-August 2026 catalog called Fern & Flora. It has tender sentiments and beautiful line drawn botanical images, making it a very versatile bundle.

  • Stamps: Fern & Flora
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Hybrid Black, Daffodil Delight, Mossy Meadow, Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Fern & Flora dies, Stampin’ Blends, Blender pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I don’t often add 3-D elements to my calendars, but I wanted this sentiment to stand out. The original wording is “you make the world a better place” but I used a Blender Pen to hand-color the stamp and leave out the word “you”.

I wanted to see if the Blender Pen would work. We used to use Stampin’ Write markers for this technique, but since they’re no longer available I was looking for an alternative. It worked!

The panel of lines in the back has been stamped off to create a softer look. The calendar is mounted on a Highland Heather panel. It’s a color I don’t use very often, but I’m very happy with the way it combines with Mossy Meadow and Daffodil Delight. I’m debating on working my way through the entire Stampin’ Up! color collection – what do you think? There are a few colors that will definitely provide a challenge for me!

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

Would you like to make your own 2026 DIY Calendars? The template is just $6. Visit my secure page to make your purchase. (You can also find the page on the banner across the top of my home page.) You’ll receive links to download the templates in an email after you’ve paid. You’ll need to cut and paste those links into your browser. (You may need to check your spam folder to find that email.)

The 2027 Calendar will be available in September. I know some of you are already counting the days! For now, it’s only 2026 that’s available.

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

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COLOUR INKSPIRATION #210: GUEST DESIGNER!

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Today I’m quite pleased to be a Guest Designer for Colour* INKspiration Challenge #210. This one is really fun, as it’s all about the 2026-2028 In Color Palette from Stampin’ Up!

It took me a while to decide where to start as I love all five 26-28 In Colours. I ultimately chose to begin with Crisp Cantaloupe, as it’s a returning colour from the 2013-2015 Palette. Anyone else who has been around that long??

The background paper isn’t DSP. It’s our new(ish) Water and Dotted Lines Decorative Masks, colored with a Blending Brush. They’re quite large – 12″ x 12″ – so you could cover an entire page for a scrapbook layout or a 3D project. I’m quite smitten 💕

Flowers Fair can be used so many ways. Here I’ve coloured it, then cut it with one of the arch dies. Stampin’ Blends are my favorite way to colour these images, but you could use Watercolour Pencils, Blending Brushes, Watercolour, or even daubers to fill in the colour.

I decided to emboss the greeting with White Embossing Powder on a Peaceful Pine panel. I’m happy with the way the embossing makes the greeting “pop” on the card front.

Take a look at what the Design Team has created for this great colour challenge. If you’ve never played along, I hope you’ll give it a try! You can’t go wrong with such a gorgeous set of colours.

*Although I’m in the US and the standard spelling is “COLOR”, I’ve chosen to use the alternative spelling of “COLOUR” in recognition of the group identity. I’m sure you can make the translation. 😆

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COLOUR INKSPIRATION #208: LOVELY ARRANGEMENTS

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The Colour INKspiration crew has a fun challenge this time around. It’s time to say farewell to the Stampin’ Up! 2024-2026 In Color Collection: Shy Shamrock, Pretty in Pink, Peach Pie, Petunia Pop and Summer Splash. The challenge is to use at least one, or as many as all five retiring colors in a project. I chose Shy Shamrock and Petunia Pop.

I stamped off the Lovely Arrangements leaves to keep them from competing with the other elements. I actually like the uneven result as it increases the textural feeling. The flowers are colored with Stampin’ Blends. I’m going to miss the 24-26 In Color Collection!

The Nested Essentials dies are new to my craft arsenal, and the biggest hexagon said “try me!” It was too wide for the card, but when I cut it in half it worked perfectly. And the stripes in the DSP played so well with the stripes in the (most sadly retired) Pattern of Friendship die – I hope you’re lucky enough to have that die in your arsenal!

Take a minute to check out the Colour INKspiration page on Facebook. The challenge is open until Monday, May 11th at 5pm (AEST). You’d best check your favorite time zone calculator on that, and don’t forget that Australia is on the other side of the International Date Line from the USA. 😉

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: MAY 2026 – SILLY OLD BEAR

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Welcome to DIY Calendars for May! Thanks for joining us this month – and every month – as we share our creative ideas. My choice for May is a new suite debuting with the 2026 May Online Exclusives that brings back very fond childhood memories: Silly Old Bear.

  • Stamps: Sweet Old Friends, Sweet Words and Labels (coming May 5th)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Azure Afternoon, Granny Apple Green, Golden Glow, Barely Blush, Bubble Bath, Strawberry Slush, Hybrid Black
  • Accessories: DIY Calendar Template, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I grew up with the Silly Old Bear, and these images and phrases are very sweet and dear to my heart. I’m from the pre-Disney era, and my memories are of the line drawings from the original book. Fortunately, those are the images in Sweet Old Friend.

One caveat: due to licensing restrictions, this suite is only available in the USA.

I’ve colored Piglet and Pooh with Stampin’ Blends and added a wash of color to the calendar page with the Blending Brushes. I’m looking forward to seeing this on my desktop through the month of May!

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

Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $6. Visit my secure page to make your purchase. (You can also find the page on the banner across the top of my home page.) You’ll receive links to download the templates in an email after you’ve paid. You’ll need to cut and paste those links into your browser. (You may need to check your spam folder to find that email.)

You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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