Sweetest Star

CS219 – Jolly Holly

November 11, 2025 By Connie | 1 Comment

Our Creatively Simple theme this month is “Christmas Magic”! Time is certainly flying by, and we will be full-on Christmas mode soon!

JOLLY HOLLY

Not sure why Stampin’ Up! kept this cute Sweetest Star punch and not the corresponding stamp set, but I thought it worked perfectly for a greeting!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is -1/4 x 11 Shaded Spruce cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
The 4 x 5-1/4 Basic White cardstock was embossed with the Jolly Holly Embossing Folder and added to the front.
A 1/2 x 3-1/4 strip of Traditions of Christmas DSP was added towards the bottom.
The Sweetest Star was punched from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock and stamped with the Jolly Holly greeting in Shaded Spruce Ink.
The star was spatterd with White Craft Ink using a speckle stamp (Coneflower Celebrations) and then added over the DSP with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Two holly leaves were stamped with Shaded Spruce Ink on Basic White cardstock and colored with Shaded Spruce and Poppy Parade Stampin’ Blends. They were cut with the Jolly Holly Dies and added next to the star with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Two gold Traditional Sparkling Sequins were added to the background next to the star.

So simple, but I love these colors together! OK check out Debbie’s new Creatively Simple card over on Create with Stamping Friends!

Supplies:

Stamps: Jolly Holly, Coneflower Celebrations (speckle image)
Inks: Shaded Spruce, White Craft
Blends: Shaded Spruce, Real Red
Cardstock: Shaded Spruce, Basic White
Accessories: Jolly Holly Dies, Jolly Holly Embossing Folder, Traditional Sparkling Sequins, Adhesives

Enjoy using the festive shapes in Stampin' Up!'s HOMEMADE TREATS BUNDLE to create our fun, baking-theme cards and favors in this Collection! The oven mitt, rolling pin, candy canes, cookie dough and cutouts create some extra special touches on your projects just for the Christmas holidays! We've combined the HOMEMADE TREATS BUNDLE with the holiday inspired CHRISTMAS TAGS & MORE 6x6 DESIGNER PAPER! You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...TWO regular cards, TWO special-fold cards, and TWO small favor ideas to hold a special treat for friends and neighbors! See more details HERE!

Embrace the earthy beauty of nature with Stampin' Up!'s BRANCHING OUT BUNDLE. The life-like pine branches, berries, and pinecones images will bring a little of the outside to your indoors! Plus, the nested frames in the BRANCHING OUT DIES have accents of stitched trim to make them even more special. Add one of the special everyday greetings to finish off your special card or project. We've combined the BRANCHING OUT BUNDLE with the elegant hand-painted backgrounds in the SEASON OF ELEGANCE 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with beautiful foil touches in neutral and Christmas colors. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...FOUR cards and TWO small gift/decor ideas perfect to showcase the beauty of the season. See more details HERE!

Be a little bold this Christmas stamping and accessorizing with the contemporary designs in the MODERN CHRISTMAS SUITE of products! You are sure to be on trend with the ORNAMENTAL CHRISTMAS BUNDLE and the classic trees, stars and ornament images! We've combined the ORNAMENTAL CHRISTMAS BUNDLE with the gold foil accents in the MODERN CHRISTMAS 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER for eye-catching designs! You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...FOUR cards and TWO gift card holder ideas perfect to showcase the beauty of the season. See more details HERE!

Sweetest Star Ornament

November 22, 2024 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Friday! I know! An extra post for you this week from me! Currently, Debbie and I have the Sweetest Star Collection of projects for sale…you can buy the Kits or a PDF tutorial. For something different in this Collection, we made ornaments using the Sweetest Star Bundle! I had so much fun, that I made a second type of ornament for my own tree using Mrs. Claus. It turned out so cute that I thought I’d share it here.

Here’s more information about our latest collection…

The star-shaped Santa, Mrs. Claus, and gingerbread man images from Stampin’ Up!’s SWEETEST STAR PUNCH BUNDLE are adorable to use on your holiday cards, tags and paper projects. They are a wonderful take on some classic Christmas icons. Show your creativity with your favorite coloring technique, punch out the plump star, and add a holly jolly sentiment! We’ve paired the SWEETEST STAR BUNDLE with the TAKE A BOW 6×6 DESIGNER PAPER for a fun holiday look. Our SWEETEST STAR COLLECTION includes step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects…FOUR cards and TWO paper ornaments…perfect for teaching a class, giving as a gift, or for selling at craft shows! See more details HERE!

SWEETEST STAR

Stampin’ Details:

The base is a 3″ mini grapevine wreath I ordered from Amazon. You can find them HERE!
I wrapped the 1/8″ Gold Trim from the Gold/Silver Combo Pack around the grapevine starting at the top and ending there, securing with a Mini Glue Dot.
A added a loop of Gold Trim at the top for the hanger and tied a knot.
The Red & White Baker’s Twine was tripled and then tied in a bow around the base of the trim loop to hold it secure.
I cut a 3-1/8″ Deckle Circle from Thick Basic White cardstock and another from the Take a Bow 6×6 Designer Paper and adhered them together, then glued to the back of the grapevine ornament.
Mrs. Claus from Sweetest Star stamp set was stamped with Memento Black Ink on Real Red cardstock and on Basic White cardstock and punched both with the Sweetest Star Punch. The head and apron were cut away from the Basic White and adhered to the Real Red one. I used Ivory, Light Flirty Flamingo, and Light Gray Granite Stampin’ Blends to color her face, hair and shadows on the apron.
One of the holly leaves was cut from the Take A Bow DSP and added to her apron.
White Pearlized Effects was applied to her cuffs.
Mrs. Claus was added to the side of the grapevine wreath with Stampin’ Dimensionals (or use a glue gun for extra security).
A trio of white Adhesive Backed Snowflake Assortment snowflakes were added to the wreath.
Some Red & White Peppermints were added to the centers of the snowflakes.

Isn’t she so CUTE? I can’t wait to add her to my Christmas tree!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweetest Star
Ink: Memento Black
Blends: Ivory, Light Flirty Flamingo, Light Gray Granite
Cardstock: Basic White, Real Red, Take a Bow 6×6 Designer Paper
Accessories: Sweetest Star Punch, Deckled Circle (or other 3″ size circle), Adhesive Backed Snowflake Assortment (Online Exclusive), Gold/Silver 1/8″ Trim Combo Pack, Red & White Adhesive Backed Peppermints, Real Red & White Baker’s Twine, Adhesives

CS167 – Sweetest Star

November 12, 2024 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Welcome to Create with Stamping Friends Creatively Simple Challenge! Each month Debbie and I will pick a theme for our simple cards. Our theme for November is Christmas! Time to be thinking about what you will be making for Christmas cards and gifts!

SWEETEST STAR

Here’s a fun, quick card using the Sweetest Star stamp set and punch!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Garden Green cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Basic White cardstock was stamped with the Sweetest Star greeting in Garden Green Ink in the upper left corner.
A 3 x 4 piece of holly Snowy Scenes Designer Paper was added at the bottom, with a 1/2 x 4 strip of coordinating stripe DSP across the top.
A 2-3/8″ Circle was punched from Real Red cardstock and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The gingerbread man was stamped with White Craft Ink and embossed with White Embossing Powder, then punched with the Sweetest Star punch. It was added to the circle with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Two Red & White Peppermints were added for buttons.

SO easy, yet it is really cute! Check out Debbie’s new Creatively Simple card over on Create with Stamping Friends!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweetest Star
Ink: White Craft Ink, Garden Green
Cardstock: Basic White, Real Red, Snowy Scenes 12×12 Designer Paper
Accessories: Sweetest Star Punch, 2-3/8″ Circle Punch, Real Red & White Peppermints, Adhesives

IM357 – Sweetest Star

November 4, 2024 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Welcome to our Create with Stamping Friends Inspiration Monday challenges. This is a cute hanging Santa trio, and I used Sweetest Star stamp set on my card, of course!

SWEETEST STAR

I just love all the small Christmas prints in the Take a Bow 6×6 Designer Paper Pack! I used several of them in 1″ strips for my background.

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Thick Basic White cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
Five Take a Bow patterns were cut into 1 x 4 strips and adhered in the background with a small spacing between them.
The Spotlight on Nature circle was cut from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock and the first part of the Sweetest Star greeting inked with a Black Stampin’ Write Marker. The dots were added to show the greeting continued on the inside.
Some Iridescent Ribbon was looped a couple times and attached to the front with a Stampin’ Dimensional, then the circle added on top with more Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Santa star was stamped with Memento Black Ink on Basic White cardstock and colored with Real Red, Light Basic Black, Dark Daffodil Delight, Light Gray Granite, and Ivory Stampin’ Blends. He was punched out with the Sweetest Star Punch and added to the circle with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A trio of white Drusy Embellishments were added to the background (they REALLY sparkle!)

SO much fun! Love it! OK, check out Debbie’s Inspiration Monday card over on Create with Stamping Friends!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweetest Star
Inks: Memento Black
Blends: Real Red, Light Basic Black, Dark Daffodil Delight, Light Gray Granite, Ivory
Marker: Basic Black
Cardstock: Thick Basic White, Basic White, Lemon Lime Twist, Basic White, Take a Bow 6×6 Designer Paper
Accessories: Sweetest Star Punch, Iridescent Ribbo, Drusy Embellishments, Adhesives

CSF841 – Sweetest Star

October 24, 2024 By Connie | Leave a Comment

It’s Thursday and you know that means it is time for a Create with Stamping Friends Thursday Challenge. It’s a fun sketch this week!

SWEETEST STAR

I know my choice of this punch was kind of obvious, but I have been wanting to use Mrs. Claus! She turned out cute!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Garden Green cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
The 3-3/4 x 5 piece of Basic Beige cardstock was embossed with the Forever Plaid Embossing Folder and added to the front.
Two stars were punched from the Reindeer Days DSP with the Sweetest Star Punch and added to each side on the front.
Mrs. Claus was stamped with Memento Black Ink and colored with Real Red Combo, Light Smoky Slate, Ivory, Light Flirty Flamingo, and Light Basic Black Stampin’ Blends. The trim was colored with Garden Green Stampin’ Write Marker. She was punched out with the Sweetest Star Punch and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
One of the holly leaves was hand-cut from the DSP and added to her apron with a Mini Glue Dot.
The greeting from Sweetest Star was stamped with Memento Black Ink on a 1 x 1-1/2 piece of Real Red and the end cut as a banner.
Some Red & White Baker’s Twine was wrapped in a circle a few times then added to the front with a Stampin’ Dimensional. The greeting was added on top with more Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A trio of Red & White Peppermints were added to the background.

Ahhh, love Mrs. Claus! OK, go check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did with this challenge over on Create with Stamping Friends.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweetest Star
Ink: Memento Black
Cardstock: Basic White, Basic Beige, Garden Green, Reindeer Days 12×12 Designer Paper
Accessories: Sweetest Star Punch, Real Red & White Adhesive Backed Peppermints, Red & White Baker’s Twine, Adhesives

CSF Saturday Blog Hop – Punched Backgrounds

September 21, 2024 By Connie | Leave a Comment

It’s Saturday and time for our Create with Stamping Friends Blog Hop. During the month of September, we are focusing on some techniques! Next up is Punched Backgrounds…use a punch to create a unique background on our cards.

SWEETEST STAR

For this card, I’ve used the Modern Oval Punch. It has been a VERY popular punch and consistently goes out of stock! It is great for greetings and gives this background an interesting look! I also LOVE the small red and green Take a Bow prints! Perfect to use for Christmas!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Real Red cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded to form the base card.
Each pattern from Take A Bow 6×6 DSP was punched with the Modern Oval Punch. I laid them out in a pattern I liked to balance the colors, then adhered them on a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Basic White cardstock. The excess was trimmed off the sides.
The greeting from Sweetest Star was stamped with Memento Black Ink on a 1/2 x 5 piece of Real Red cardstock and the ends cut in a flag. It was added diagonally across the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
I had a few of these pine branches cut from Garden Green and Granny Apple Green cardstock with the Winterly Tree Tops Die.
A few Basic Rhinestone Jewels were added to the pine branches for “berries” and makes the card sparkle!

SUPER easy card once the patterns were laid out! You could easily add a focal stamped image if you wanted! 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: Sweetest Star
Inks: Memento Black
Cardstock: Basic White, Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Take a Bow 6×6 Designer Paper
Accessories: Winterly Tree Tops Dies, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Adhesives