Happy First Sunday of Advent 2025

 

"Emmanuel"

God with Us

How to Change Your Paper Pumpkin Treat Boxes into Festive Cards!

I have created three cards using the Wrapped in Cheer Paper Pumpkin cards. I love pairing Cherry Cobbler with the Subtles colors so I decided to create a card with the three Subtle colors I like most: Petal Pink, Pool Party and Soft Sea Foam.

I used retired DSP for the Petal Pink card and tone-on-ton stamping for the other two.  I also used some stamps from the October kit because I felt they worked well with the stamps from this month's kit. I also added some elements using the Abundant Joy add on dies.

I'd love to know what you think of my cards!  Have you tried adding a bold color the the Subtles family? If not, give it a try...you might just find you like the combination!

Black Friday Sale Starts Today!

 Stampin' Up!'s Black Friday Sale starts today! Be sure to visit the online store at Stampin' Up! to view the products on sale.  Details are listed below. Shop early for best deals!

Wrapped in Cheer Paper Pumpkin Alternatives Using the Abundant Joy Add On Dies

Do you have the coordinating Abundant Joy Add on Dies?  They are great for creating alternative cards, tags and scrapbook pages using the October - December Paper Pumpkin kits.

For the first tag, I ran the red tag through the Beautiful Patterns embossing folder, then sanded the top of it to reveal the white core.  I cut the word "JOY" from the top of one of the boxes and made a flagged banner for my sentiment.  I also ran the greenery through the leaf dies using the inside of the box, it gives the effect of embossed leaves. I cut two flowers from Petal Pink card stock and used Cherry Cobbler ink to stamp the sentiments on the tag and banner.  I also used some Basic Beige ribbon and tied it with olive twine.

For the second tag, I used one of the tags trimmed in green.  I used the add on dies to cut the word "JOY", greenery and flowers.  The gingham flagged banners are cut from the thin strips on the page the tags were on.  I also stamped the gift image in Cherry Cobbler ink and fussy cut it out.  I used olive twine finish off the tag.

The third tag is two layers.  The first layer has the two two wreaths from the kit and the Joy image from the add on dies.  I stamped the star images from the October kit in Cherry Cobbler  ink on the stripped background and the "to the world" on a strip of white card stock in the same color. The second layer is stamped with images from the November kit in Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler inks.

Redesign Your Wrapped in Cheer Paper Pumpkin Kit to Create Autumn Cards!

I needed a few more Fall cards so I decided to use my Stampin' Blends and some Autumn DSP to redesign some of the elements to create fall cards.

Some of the things I did were:

-color the holly leaves on the wreath in fall colors.

-stamped and die cut on one of the boxes

-colored one of the large bows Mossy Meadow

-trimmed one of the mistletoe sprigs into several pieces

What do you think? Any ideas for redesigning your kit?

New Alternatives for the November Paper Pumpkin Kit

Need a few alternative ideas to create cards from the November Wrapped in Cheer kit?  Check out these two below and the recipes for creating them!

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll have more samples for you tomorrow!

 

How to Create Alternative Tags for Your November Paper Pumpkin Kit Part 1

 I have created three alternative tags from the November Paper Pumpkin kit, Wrapped in Cheer.  I used only supplies from the kit, so you can easily recreate them if you would like to!

For the first tag, I stamped "Merry Christmas" over one of the green tags, randomly on and off the tag.  I also stamped "with love" at the bottom of the tag and "to/from" on the bow ribbons.  I trimmed a few of the greenery pieces and placed them on the with the kraft side up.   I finished the first tag by placing it on one of the flagged red banners from the kit.

The second tag is two parts.  The top layer has some greenery pieces layered behind the image and sentiment "a gift for you" which was stamped on the plaid box and fussy cut out. The "Happy Holidays" is also stamped on a plaid piece.  I cut the small strips from the paper the tags were on to get the gingham strip under this sentiment and on the one under the sentiment on the second layer.  I finished it off by adding a few adhesive dots around the sentiment. 

The third tag is simply a matter of stamping and layering the pieces from the kit to achieve this look.  I did place the wreath on the tag, stamped, then glued it down.  That allows some wiggle room to assure the sentiment is completely visible.  

Thanks for stopping by!  I will post a few more alternative tags tomorrow that incorporate the Abundant Joy coordinating dies.

Stampin' Up!'s First Ever Black Friday Sale!!!

 Stampin' Up! is having their first EVER Black Friday Sale!  Mark your calendars and shop early.  See below for specific items that will be on sale!

Stampin' Up!'s Creative Challenge for November

Here are my two cards for the November Creative Challenge by Stampin' Up.  The challenge is to create two cards, one with traditional colors, the other with non traditional colors.  

I used the Keeping Traditions stamp set and North Pole Delivery DSP for both cards.  The traditional one is on Very Vanilla card stock and the other on Basic White card stock. Instructions on creating both cards are posted on my Monday and Tuesday blogs. 

Which card do you prefer?  

This challenge is open to demonstrators as well as customers.  There are still a few days left to meet the challenge!  Why not give it a try!

Non Traditional Colors Christmas Card

Here's another Christmas card using the Keeping Traditions stamp set but using non traditional colors in stead of the red and green from yesterday. This is the second card I've made for the Stampin' Up! Creative Challenge for November.  I posted one using traditional colors yesterday!

 I began by cutting an A2 Basic White card base and a smaller panel in the same color.  I ran the panel through a retired Christmas embossing folder to add texture to the background. I cut an oval from the North Pole Delivery DSP and a stitched frame using the Impressions Abloom die set.  I adhered these to the front of the card.

I stamped a postage stamp and some holly and berries from the Keeping Traditions  stamp set using Pool Party and Petal Pink inks.  Then I used some ephemera images from the same DSP pack.  I added a few Shimmer Star Foam Adhesive stars to finish off the card. 

Traditional Red and Green Christmas Card with Postal Theme

Here's a Christmas card with traditional red and green colors.  I created this card on a Very Vanilla card base and embossed a quarter inch smaller panel in the same color with the new Beautiful Pattern embossing folder.  Then I cut an oval with the green postal images sheet in the North Pole Delivery DSP package. The oval is from the Impressions Abloom die set.  The stitched frame around the oval is also from this set.

I stamped the holly, berries and postage stamps from the Keeping Traditions stamp set and used the Three Banner Punch bundle for my greetings.  The inks I used on my card are Real Red and Garden Green.

I had some Real Red twine that I unraveled to tie a bow that I added to finish of the card.

I have also created a Christmas card using the stamp sets again but with non traditional colors. I'll share that one tomorrow. Be sure to stop by again tomorrow! :)

Warmth and Love Winter Card With Emboss Resist Snowflakes

I love snow, do you?  Today's Global Design Challenge is BRRRR! It's Cold. I decided to pull out some old Paper Pumpkin snowflake stamps and create an emboss resist card with them.  

I began by stamping and embossing snowflakes on a 3 3/4 x 5 white card panel. Then I used Secret Sea and Cloud Cover inks to blend over the panel, making the white snowflakes appear to pop!

I cut a tag from the Patterned Secret Sea dies and stamped "love and warmth"retired sentiment and images from the Stay Warm stamp set in Secret Sea ink.  I colored the images with my Cloud Cover Stampin' Blends and fussy cut them out. I layered my snowflake panel to a Secret Sea card stock panel and adhered it to my A2 Basic White card base. 

I added a Secret Sea Faux Linen ribbon to the tag, some flat pearls and some twine on the tag to finish off the card. 

Holy Family Christmas Card Using the Embossed Resist Technique

I love the look of the emboss resist technique.  The technique is to emboss an image on white paper using white embossing paper.  Then use inks (or watercolor paints) to paint over the image. You can also ink blend over the image. Once the medium is dry, simply wipe the image with a soft cloth to remove the color from the embossed parts.

I used the A Child is Born stamp set and the retired Jingle All the Way stamp set.  My background is a sheet from the Elegant Pine Snowflake DSP.  I used a few Shimmer Foam Adhesive Stars to finish off the card. 

Craft Roulette Card Challenge Card

Here is my Craft Roulette Challenge this week.  The parameters are:

• Book binding card
• Sandwich Shoppe Colors
• Music
• Wrap 

I began with an A2 Very Vanilla card base and cut some music note DSP I bought from Hobby Lobby to fit the two parts of the book binding card front.  I wrapped some Old Olive twine around the "spine" to meet the "wrap" parameter.

I stamped and fussy cut out the manger from A Child is Born stamp set.  The song sentiments also came from this set.

I stamped and fussy cut "Christmas" from the Keeping Traditions stamp set in Pecan Pie ink.  The "traditions" and holly also came from this set.  The banners were cut from the Three Banner Punch.

I used my Stampin' Blend Alcohol markers to color the manger.

Brushed with Beauty Birthday Card

Here's a bright and cheerful birthday card using the Brushed with Beauty DSP and the retired Simply Zinnia dies. 

I cut several flowers and greenery from Calypso Coral, Darling Ducking and Mossy Meadow card stock using the Simply Zinnia dies. Then I added some ink blending in the coordinating colors to add depth.  I layered the pieces and adhered them to the panel of DSP.  

I adhered the panel to an A2 Darling Ducking card base.  I also cut a strip of paper from the same DSP pack to place at the top of the card front and tied some linen thread around the top.  This is a book binding card so the top inch of the card front is glued to the back side of the card. 

For my sentiments, I used the Three Banner Punch bundle with Very Vanilla card stock and Calypso Coral ink. I used a few Pearls of Beauty and some liquid pearls to finish off the card.

 

How to Create a Christmas Shaker Card

Shaker cards are fun to make and even more fun to receive.  I created this cute one for my granddaughter. She is almost three and loves to get mail from her Nannie.

I began by cutting an oval window in an A2 Very Vanilla card base.  I used the oval die from the Impressions Abloom dies.  I also cut a panel from the North Pole Delivery DSP a quarter inch smaller than my card front and cut the same oval from it as well.  I've saved the center oval for another card.  

I created a window using clear acetate and used Tear and Tape to adhere it over the front of the card. Then I cut another piece and adhered it to the back of the panel I cut from the DSP pack.  I layered some foam tape around the oval on the card front to create a well to hold my shaker bits.  Then I removed the backing on the foam adhesive and carefully placed the panel over the well.  

I used the Three Banner Punch to cut out some banner strips using Very Vanilla and Real Red card stock. I stamped sentiments from the Banner Saying stamp set .  I stamped the sentiments on the Very Vanilla card stock in Real Red ink and placed the red banner strips behind the ivory ones to help them stand out a little more.  I also used the mail truck from the North Pole Delivery ephemera on the bottle of the card.  

The shaker pieces are from Pretty Pink Posh but are several years old.  They do have some current ones available now though.  

Have you made a shaker card before?  They aren't as complicated as they appear and your recipients will love getting them!

How to Create Quick and Easy Christmas Cards

Even though I love creating cards with lots of details, sometimes, I just need a few quick and easy cards. When I do, there are a few things I reach for most of the time...

First, I go through my pre-made tags.  These are often sold in packages from Stampin' Up! For my card sample below, the Christmas tree image is a tag from a retired pre-made kit. 

The second product I reach for is DSP, often with ephemera in the package. My second card is one such product, North Pole Delivery DSP.  The postage stamp was made with the Keeping Traditions stamp set and the background paper is from the Elegant Pine Snowflakes DSP.

Each card took very little time to create but both project what I want, one a more formal card and the second, a fun and whimsical card.

The next time you need a few quick cards, give these ideas a try!

'Tis the Season...for Mittens!

With the cold front hitting the nation today and tomorrow, I decided to create a card with the Stay Warm stamp set. I decided to combine it with  the Global Design Project's weekly challenge. This week it is a card sketch challenge.

I began with an A2 card base using Shaded Spruce card stock and cut a panel of the Shaded Spruce and snowflake DSP from the Elegant Pine Snowflake DSP.  I also cut another piece from the DSP pack and mounted it on a strip of Cherry Cobbler card stock.  I used a 1 3/4 circle punch to cut three circles, one in Cherry Cobbler, Shaded Spruce and Secret Sea card stock.  I also cut three 1 1/2 circles in Basic White card stock and stamped the mittens from the set in the coordinating colors of ink.  I used the coordinating Stampin' Write markers to draw a squiggly line on each to connect each set of mittens.  I used the Wink of Stella pen to add some sparkle to the mittens and blend the ink to create pale colors on the mittens.

I stamped my sentiment from a retired stamp set in Shaded Spruce ink and mounted it with dimensionals to the right side of the card.  To finish the card, I added some small pale green rhinestones for a bit more sparkle.

To see more cards with this sketch, visit Instagram and search #gdp522.  

Dog Lovers Fa La La

Do you know anyone who loves dogs?...bears?...cats?  The ephemera pack in the North Pole Delivery DSP  is full of fun and whimsical images of animals and this little golden lab is just one of them.

This card has a Poppy Parade card base and a panel from one of the designs in the North Pole Delivery DSP pack.  The sentiment is from the Keeping Traditions stamp set and the ink colors are Petal Pink, Real Red and Shaded Spruce.  

I love the postal them in this DSP pack.  It is so on trend right now!  Be sure to check it out!

O Come Let Us Adore Him Card

This card gives me a sense of peace.  I used the stamp set, A Child is Born to stamp and fussy cut the manger and Baby Jesus.  I adhered them to a pre-made tag from a last year's kit. Then I stamped the sentiment and stars in Secret Sea ink.  The background is the Elegant Pine Snowflakes.  

...a very simple card, but elegant too.

Wrapped in Cheer November Paper Pumpkin

Have you subscribed to the November Paper Pumpkin kit? It promises to be a great help in preparing for the upcoming holiday season!  The contents of the kit are listed below.

November Paper Pumpkin:  Wrapped in Cheer

Craft festive goody boxes perfect for holding gift cards or small treats!

• Makes 8 projects: 4 each of 2 tag designs with 8 identical coordinating boxes • Foldable box bases and precut paper pieces

• Linen thread and red dot embellishments

• Coordinating colors: Basic Beige, Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow

(Classic Stampin’ Spot), Old Olive

Delicate greenery pieces with double-sided printing add a sophisticated touch.

Subscribe by November 10th at www.stampinup.com with 

Demonstrator Tonya Byrd

Stampin' Up!'s November Creative Challenge

I love creating cards for challenges and this month, SU!'s challenge is to create a nontraditional colored Christmas card.  I chose Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, and Granny Apple Green to use on my card.  The stamp set I've chosen is called Merriest Moments, unfortunately it has retired. There is a die and embossing folder that coordinates with this set.  

I started with a Petal Pink A2 card base.  I stamped "Joy" in Petal Pink on the card front for a tone-on-tone effect.  I cut two pieces of the focal point from the embossing folder in Granny Apple Green two tone card stock.  I stamped some greenery from the set in Granny Apple Green ink and cut them out.  I stamped poinsettias and holly berries in Petal Pink and Calypso Coral inks. 

Once all the elements had been cut out, I assembled the card layers and added some glitter dots to finish it off.  

Upcoming November Paper Pumpkin kit

If you are like me, my family likes to receive gift cards instead of gifts over the holiday season.  This month's Paper Pumpkin is 8 small boxes with coordinating tags that will hold gift cards.  They also have a food safe coating on them so they can be used for treats as well.  

If you don't give gift cards, the panels can be cut apart and used to create cards, so either way, this month's kit will be handy for preparing for the upcoming holiday season!

If you need more than 8 gift card holders, you can login to your Paper Pumpkin account and increase your number of kits to reach the number of card holders needed.

The subscription deadline is November 10th, so don't delay!