Stampin' Up!

IM420 – Nature’s Symphony

January 19, 2026 By Connie | 4 Comments

Welcome to our Create with Stamping Friends Inspiration Monday challenges. This week’s inspiration is a colorful abstract print!

NATURE’S SYMPHONY

I looked through my current sets to find a diagonal type image that I could stamp in a background pattern and ran across the one in Nature’s Symphony! Perfect!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Pretty in Pink cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Basic White cardstock was randomly stamped with the textured image in Fresh Freesia, Pretty in Pink, Lemon Lolly, Pumpkin Pie, Balmy Blue and Lemon Lime Twist Inks. It was cut with the Everyday Arches Die and added to the front of the base card.
The leaf cluster image was cut with the Die from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock and added to the arch with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The greeting was stamped with Memento Black Ink on Lemon Lolly cardstock and cut with the smallest Everyday Arches Die.
Some Linen Thread was wrapped in a circle and adhered to the arch next to the leaf cluster, then the greeting added over top with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A trio of Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems were added to the background.

This reminded me “back in the day” when we had to create our own “designer paper”! OK, check out Debbie’s Inspiration Monday card over on Create with Stamping Friends!

SUPPLIES:
Stamps: Nature’s Symphony
Inks: Memento Black, Pretty in Pink, Lemon Lolly, Lemon Lime Twist, Balmy Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Fresh Freesia
C/S: Basic White, Pretty in Pink, Lemon Lime Twist, Lemon Lolly
Accessories: Everyday Arches Dies, Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems, Linen Thread, Adhesives

Inspired by the delicate charm of lilies of the valley flowers, this VALLEY IN BLOOM SUITE of projects will bring timeless beauty to your crafting! These products have versatile florals, textures and shimmer that will have you grabbing them to use all year long. We've combined the LILY OF THE VALLEY BUNDLE and the VALLEY IN BLOOM 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with patterns that add whimsy and personality. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for EIGHT cards in this Collection! See more details HERE!

Take a trip to the shore for peace and tranquility when using Stampin' Up!'s new WATERSIDE RETREAT SUITE of products! The RELAXING WATERSIDE BUNDLE showcases a getaway at the lake with lounge chairs, coffee and books, birds and special greetings! We've combined the RELAXING WATERSIDE BUNDLE and the WATERSIDE RETREAT 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with its sun-drenched faded colors and unique cut-out images or background scenes. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...four cards and two fun favors for a special little gift this summer! See more details HERE!

Build your own custom paper floral arrangements using Stampin' Up!'s new FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE* of products! This FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE has a variety of flowers, stems, leaves and accents to mix and match and take the guesswork out of creating! We've combined the FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE and the gorgeous VELVET MEADOW 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with its bold colors and soft flocking elements to enhance your cards and projects. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...four cards and two special-fold cards that will make your friends and customers feel extra special. See more details HERE!

Saturday Blog Hop – All About Love

January 17, 2026 By Connie | 2 Comments

It’s Saturday and time for our Create with Stamping Friends Blog Hop! This week’s challenge is “All About Love”.

NATURE’S SYMPHONY

I used Nature’s Symphony stamps with the Endless Love Dies for today’s card! Gives a different look for a Valentine’s Day card, doesn’t it?

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Real Red cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Garden Green cardstock was added on top.
The 3-3/4 x 5 Basic White cardstock was stamped with the greenery image in Garden Green Ink in the center and the greeting with Memento Black Ink in the lower right corner.
The center heart was cut with the die from Made with Love DSP and added to the branch with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The arrow was cut from Basic Black cardstock with the Die and adhered over the heart.
The small cluster of hearts were cut from Real Red cardstock with the dies and adhered around the center heart on the branches and one over the middle of the arrow.
Some Real Red & White Baker’s Twine was tied in a bow and added to the stem.
The pink Pearlized Faceted Circles were added to the branches and the arrow end for a little bling!

I like the bright green with the red for a non-Christmas card! OK, next up on our blog hop is our Create with Stamping Friends website, then on to creative Debbie Henderson, or head backwards to see Melissa Davies’ fabulous project and see what everyone did with this challenge!

SUPPLIES:
Stamps: Nature’s Symphony
Inks: Memento Black, Garden Green
C/S: Real Red, Garden Green, Basic White, Basic Black
Designer Paper: Made with Love 12×12
Accessories: Endless Love Dies, Pearlized Faceted Circles, Real Red & White Baker’s Twine, Adhesives

CSF903 – Cute As a Bug

January 15, 2026 By Connie | Leave a Comment

It’s Thursday and time for our Create with Stamping Friends challenge! We have a fun sketch for you to try this week!

CUTE AS A BUG

I love the Cute as a Bug Designer Paper and I used several of the images on today’s card, along with the Banner Sayings greeting that was a perfect fit!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Old Olive cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Cute as a Bug DSP was added on top.
The 1-1/2 x 4 piece of Petal Pink cardstock was added across the center.
The second from largest Stylish Shape circle was cut from Very Vanilla cardstock and brushed with Cloud Cover and Petal Pink Inks using a Blending Brush. The caterpillar and daisy cluster images were hand-cut from the DSP and added to the circle with Stampin’ Dimensionals. The circle was added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The fourth from largest circle was cut from Very Vanilla cardstock. The ants with a berry were hand-cut from the DSP and added with Stampin’ Dimensionals to the circle, and then to the front with more Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The next from smallest circle was cut from Flirty Flamingo cardstock and stamped with the Banner Sayings greeting in Memento Back Ink. It was also added next to the larger circle with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A trio of Moody Palette Glossy Dots were added to the circles to finish.

Just so sweet! OK, check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did with this challenge over on Create with Stamping Friends.

Supplies:
Stamps: Banner Sayings
Ink: Memento Black
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Flirty Flamingo, Petal Pink, Old Olive
Designer Paper: Cute as a Bug 12×12
Accessories: Stylish Shapes Dies, Moody Palette Glossy Dots, Blending Brushes, Adhesives

CS228 – Fragrant Layers

January 13, 2026 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Our Creatively Simple theme this month is “Patterns”! Stampin’ Up! has fabulous designer paper with patterns. This week I did a little a “Ribbon Pinwheel” technique that I saw Wendy Lee do using DSP! SO cute!

FRAGRANT LAYERS

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 Peach Pie cardstock.
A card fold using 5 x 7-1/2 of Thick Basic White is scored at 3-3/4. Use a pencil and mark 1-1/2″ from the bottom across, and 1-1/2 from the left side down to form an intersecting point.
Pieces of Lovely & Beautiful DSP are cut (purposely longer than needed) to:
- 1 x 4
- 1 x 2-3/4
- 1 x 2 (cut TWO)
- NOTE: A non-directional print works best.
Cut TWO 1 x 1 Peach Pie cardstock squares and then cut each diagonally in half. Adhere them with the point to the upper right corner on each DSP piece.
- Adhere the long DSP along the pencil line from the intersecting point to the right side.
- Adhere the next size from intersecting point to top.
- Adhere one of the shorter to the left under the line and the last next to it below the longer one.
- Trim off the excess DSP along the edges.
Stamp the greeting with Old Olive Ink under the long piece.
Adhere fold card to the base piece.
Cut the small flower from Fresh Freesia cardstock and the center from Peach Pie cardstock. Adhere at the intersection with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Cut the leaf duo from Old Olive cardstock and tuck under the flower.
Add 1 large and 2 small green Moody Palette Glossy Dots to the background.
INSIDE: Stamp flower with Fresh Freesia Ink, center with Peach Pie Ink, leaves with Old Olive Ink.

Isn’t that a fun use of DSP pattern scraps? OK check out Debbie’s new Creatively Simple card over on Create with Stamping Friends!

Supplies:

Stamps: Fragrant Layers
Inks: Old Olive
Cardstock: Thick Basic White, Peach Pie, Old Olive, Fresh Freesia
Designer Paper: Lovely & Beautiful 12×12
Accessories: Fragrant Layers Dies, Moody Palette Glossy Dots, Adhesives

IM419 – Aspen Grove

January 12, 2026 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Welcome to our Create with Stamping Friends Inspiration Monday challenges. This week’s inspiration is a grove of Aspen trees!

ASPEN GROVE

Of course, I had to use my new Aspen Grove stamp set. Each of the trees are separate images so it makes it easy just to use a couple trees together!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Crumb Cake cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 3-7/8 x 5-1/8 layer of Early Espresso was added on top.
The 3-3/4 x 5 layer of Basic White was stamped with three trees and a couple limbs in Early Espresso Ink. They were colored with Light Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends.
The three sizes of leaves/flower clusters were stamped and stamped off with Crushed Curry Ink randomly around the top of the trees, and in the open area at the bottom right.
Some Pool Party Ink was brushed in the background with a Blending Brush. The layer was added to the Early Espresso layer.
Some Linen Thread was tied in a loopy bow and added to the front with a Mini Glue Dot.
The Prayers & Promises Greeting was stamped with Early Espresso Ink on Crumb Cake and cut with the Nested Essentials Die and added over the bow with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

This stamp set is SO much fun! OK, check out Debbie’s Inspiration Monday card over on Create with Stamping Friends!

SUPPLIES:
Stamps: Aspen Grove
Inks: Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Pool Party
Blends: Light Crumb Cake
C/S: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Accessories: Nested Essentials Dies, Linen Thread, Adhesives

Saturday Blog Hop – Favorite DSP

January 10, 2026 By Connie | Leave a Comment

It’s Saturday and another Create with Stamping Friends Blog Hop! This week’s challenge is “Favorite New DSP 2026”. SOOOO many pretty ones, I had a hard time choosing just one!

BEAUTIFULLY CELEBRATED

I hadn’t used this bundle yet, so I combined the GORGEOUS Lovely & Beautiful DSP with it! LOVE the large watercolored flowers in this DSP! I kept my stamping simple to show it off!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Petal Pink cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 3-3/4 x 4 piece of Lovely & Beautiful DSP was added to the top of a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Calypso Coral cardstock.
Some Old Olive Specialty Rickrack was added across the front and adhered in the back to hide the seam. It was added to the base card.
The corners were cut from Calypso Coral with the Dies and adhered.
The greeting was stamped with Calypso Coral Ink in the lower left corner.
The small medallion was cut from Petal Pink cardstock using the smallest die, then stamped with the branch using Calypso Coral Ink.
A trio of Pearlized Faceted Circles were added to the medallion and the background.

Easy card, but I LOVE the details and this floral DSP! OK, next up on our blog hop is our Create with Stamping Friends website, then on to creative Debbie Henderson, or head backwards to see Melissa Davies’ fabulous project and see what everyone did with this challenge!

SUPPLIES:
Stamps: Beautifully Celebrated
Inks: Calypso Coral
C/S: Petal Pink, Calypso Coral
Specialty Paper: Lovely & Beautiful 12×12
Accessories: Beautifully Celebrated Dies, Pearlized Faceted Circles, Old Olive Rickrack Ribbon, Adhesives

CSF902 – Fragrant Flowers

January 8, 2026 By Connie | 2 Comments

It’s Thursday and time for our Create with Stamping Friends challenge! We have a pretty color challenge this week!

FRAGRANT FLOWERS

Even though these seem to be Valentine/Heart colors, I wanted to be a little different and use flowers instead of hearts! I wonder what the rest of the design team will use?

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Poppy Parade cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
A 4 x 5-1/4 layer of pink floral Made with Love DSP was added on top.
The floral frame from Fragrant Flowers Dies was cut from Flirty Flamingo cardstock.
The coordinating florals were cut with the Die from Basic White cardstock and adhered behind the frame.
Just the center of the flowers were cut with the frame die from Poppy Parade cardstock, then inserted in the white flower centers with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Hello was stamped with Memento Black Ink on Basic White cardstock and cut with the banner die.
A single flower was stamped with the outline in Flirty Flamingo Ink and the insides with Poppy Parade Ink. It was hand-cut.
A double leaf was cut with the Die from Basic White cardstock.
Some 1/8″ Bubble Bath Faux Linen Ribbon was tied in a loopy bow and added to the right corner of the frame with a Stampin’ Dimensional. The greeting banner was added with a Stampin’ Dimensional over the ribbon and the flower and leaves were added next to it.
A trio of Pearlized Faceted Circles were added to the flower center and the background.

I like how this flower card tied all together with these colors! OK, check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did with this challenge over on Create with Stamping Friends.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fragrant Flowers
Ink: Memento Black, Poppy Parade, Flirty Flamingo
Cardstock: Basic White, Flirty Flamingo, Poppy Parade, Bubble Bath
Designer Paper: Made with Love 12×12
Accessories: Fragrant Flower Dies, Pearlized Faceted Circles, 1/8″ Bubble Bath Faux Linen Ribbon, Adhesives

CS227 – Endless Love

January 6, 2026 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Our Creatively Simple theme this month is “Patterns”! Stampin’ Up! has fabulous designer paper with patterns. I used a Valentine one for this week!

ENDLESS LOVE

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Thick Basic White cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Made with Love DSP is added to the front.
The 2-3/4 x 4-1/4 piece of Flirty Flamingo cardstock was cut with the tag heart from Endless Love Dies towards the top. It was added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The XO and arrow were cut from Basic Gray cardstock and added around the heart.
The greeting from Endless Love stamp set was stamped with Real Red Ink on Basic White cardstock and cut with the tag from the Endless Love Dies. It was added under the heart with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A small heart was cut with the Die from Real Red cardstock and added next to the greeting.
Two hearts from the Loose Valentine’s Assortment were added next to the greeting.

I love how the cut out heart shows off the DSP pattern behind it! OK check out Debbie’s new Creatively Simple card over on Create with Stamping Friends!

Supplies:

Stamps: Endless Love
Inks: Reak Red
Cardstock: Basic White, Flirty Flamingo, Real Red, Basic Gray, Thick Basic White
Designer Paper: Made with Love 12×12
Accessories: Endless Love Dies, Loose Valentine’s Assortment, Adhesives