Happy First Sunday of 2026!

Happy New Year!

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

How to Create a Mini Album for Someone Special

Memory keeping is more than traditional scrapbooking. This accordion mini album is an approachable project for any experience level crafter who wants a quick, meaningful way to highlight a loved one or a single event. With just a few photos and a bit of journaling, you can create a standalone keepsake in a single crafting session—for yourself or as a thoughtful, heartfelt gift.

Do you have a special someone that you would like to share a memory with?  This cute little memory album is just the way to do it!

Directions for Creating the Album

This accordion mini album has six pockets, but you can easily adjust the design to include fewer or more. Each finished pocket measures 3-1/8" x 5" (7.9 x 12.7 cm) and holds a 3" x 5" (7.6 x 12.7 cm) tag. To create the album:

For each pocket, start with a 3-5/8" x 10" (9.2 x 25.4 cm) piece of Designer Series Paper and score it at 1/4" (6.4 mm) and 3-3/8" (8.6 cm) on the short side, and at 5" (12.7 cm) on the long side.

Assemble each pocket with Tear & Tape Adhesive, then join them by placing a strip of Tear & Tape Adhesive down the center between pockets to form the accordion.

Create six 3" x 5" (7.6 x 12.7 cm) tags and put them in the pockets.

Wrap a piece of 7-1/2" x 2-3/8" (19 x 6 cm) Designer Series Paper around the album and adhere the ends together to create a belly band.

Adding a Tropical Vibe or the December Paper Pumpkin Kit

Honestly, I have struggled with this kit...until today!  I kept thinking winter vibes but the leaves looked tropical to me.  So I decided to give the stamps a bright burst of color and try an island theme.  I'm very happy with how it turned out!

I began with a piece of DSP from the True Blue December Product of the Month gift.  I added leaves in colors of Blueberry Bushel, Parakeet Party (retired) and Timid Tiger inks.  

I adhered this sheet to a panel of Blueberry Bushel card stock then to a card base of Timid Tiger card stock. 

I stamped my sentiment from the kit in Timid Tiger ink and added some die cut leaves from Parakeet Party card stock (retired).  I adhered the sentiment with dimensionals to finish off the card.

Watercolor in Bloom Paper Pumpkin Kit Alternative

I decided to use the new Beautiful Bloom die set to create an alternative card using the December Watercolor in Bloom Paper Pumpkin kit. 

I cut one of the card bases from the kit to 4 x 5.25 and added some white splattering.  After allowing it to dry, I adhered it to a Bubble Bath card base.  I also cut the images from the die set in Basic White card stock.  I ink blended Pool Party ink around the postage image and stamped my sentiment in Night of Navy ink.  The sentiment is from the December kit.  I ink blended the tulip in Bubble Bath ink and the stem in Shy Shamrock ink.  Then adhered both to the die cut stamp.

The embellishments are from the cute Loose Valentine's Assortment which will be available Jan. 5th. The faux linen Bubble Bath ribbon will also be available Jan. 5th.

December Paper Pumpkin Watercolor in Bloom Alternative Cards

Although Christmas has passed, I still enjoy making winter cards for friends and family who have birthdays, seasonal thank you cards and thinking of you cards. I decided to take some of the cards from the Watercolor in Bloom Paper Pumpkin kit and created wintry cards. The watercolor backgrounds worked very well for my theme.

I began by cutting two card bases from the kit in half, then giving each panel a good splattering with white acrylic paint.  I allowed the panels to dry before trimming them to fit my A2 card bases using Balmy Blue card stock.

I used the retired Snowman Season stamp set  by Stampin' Up! to stamp, color and fussy cut images for my cards.  I also used Night of Navy ink from the kit to stamp some snowflakes on the background of my card panels. 

The postage stamp die is from the new Beautiful Blooms Paper Pumpkin Add on die set. The snowflakes are Sizzix dies.

The Joy sentiment is from a retired Paper Pumpkin add on set, the "Sending" is from a past Paper Pumpkin set, and the "Winter Wishes" sentiment is from the retired Yeti to Party stamp set. To create the look of snow on the ground, I cut a 4.25 strip of white card stock and tore the top edge, then glued it to the base of the card panels.

The upcoming January Paper Pumpkin is a postal themed kit.  It is available to subscribe to until January 10th.  I'd love to help you get started.  You can subscribe at Stampin' Up! and choose me, Tonya Byrd as your demonstrator. 

Check back tomorrow to see another alternative using the Watercolor in Bloom Paper Pumpkin kit.

Get Ready for the January Paper Pumpkin Kit

I'm so excited about this upcoming kit!  It has everything I love...Valentines, a postal theme, and decorative envelopes!

To subscribe, visit Stampin' Up! then click Paper Pumpkin Subscriptions to subscribe.  Don't forget to choose me, Tonya Byrd, as your demonstrator.  I'd love to help you get started with this fun, monthly subscription!

Here are more details...

JANUARY: Special Delivery

Subscribe December 11–January 10

Send heartfelt valentines featuring sweet postage stamp designs and sentiments for love

and friendship.

• Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs

• 3 different coordinating envelope designs

• Precut paper pieces with gold foil accents

• Coordinating colors: Blueberry Bushel, Bubble Bath, Darling Duckling, Garden Green,

Mossy Meadow, Poppy Parade (Classic Stampin’ Spot)

Kit arrives in a lovely coordinating box!

Product of the Month Still Available!

 Have you heard?  Exclusive products coming every month!  Each POM is only $5 with a $75 purchase!

This month it is this beautiful pack of Stampin' Up! True Blue DSP! 

These products are limited to stock on hand, once they are sold out, they are gone for good!