Another Alternative Using the January Paper Pumpkin Kit

I decided to go with more traditional colors for this valentine's card.  I used Real Red ink with Basic Beige and Real Red card stock.

I also used the negative piece from a postal die for the front layer panel.  

Two Alternative Cards from the January Paper Pumpkin Kit

Have you started working with your January Paper Pumpkin Kit?  There are so many pretty elements to work with and the cards are great as well.

Here are my first two cards using the kit elements and some Real Red ink.  The kit comes with Poppy Parade ink and that is a great color as well.  I chose the red because it is a little bolder and brighter.

I cut the kit cards in half and used white card stock as my card base to extend my kit supplies.  

This is such a fun kit!  Enjoy creating with it.  

January Paper Pumpkin Alternatives

Are you ready to extend your Stampin' Up! January Paper Pumpkin kit? Here are two cards for avid stampers that can be recreated and shared with loved ones! The recipe for the cards is below the photo.

Lots of Love Valentine Card

Need a quick and easy Valentine card?  I used the On the Go DSP to create this card. I did a few layers of different patterns and tore the edges to create separation.  The Lots of Love sentiment is from a previous Paper Pumpkin kit along with the heart lock and key.  The Feb. 14 image is from a retired stamp set.  

This simple sketch could be used to create a card with any stamps in your stash!   Give this sketch a try...I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy and effective it is! :)

Missing You Birthday Card

 I created this card for my sister's upcoming birthday next month.  She lives in a different state so I hardly ever get to spend her birthday with her.

I used the Stampin' Up! January Product of the Month Fabulous Sayings stamp set and a sentiment from the December Paper Pumpkin kit.

I chose Fresh Freesia card stock to be the base of my slimline card.  I also stamped "happy birthday" in Fresh Freesia ink on the background.  Then I cut a smaller panel of Fresh Freesia cardstock and dry embossed it with the Beautiful Pattern embossing folder.  I also stamped the birthday sentiment in Frsh Freesia ink and fussy cut it out.  

I used a few patterns of the Lovely and Beautiful DSP to cut squares using the Snippets of Joy dies and some gold metallic paper to create the arrangement on the left side of the card.

I finished off the card with some gold sequins for a little more sparkle.

Use Your Stash Valentine's Day Challenge Part 3

I am hosting a Use Your Stash Valentine's Day Challenge!  I hope you will join me this month and play along.  

Each week, there will be an assignment.  Play along and by the end of the month, you will have 4 (or more) Valentine's to send to family and friends, just in time to arrive on Feb. 14th!

Week 1: Jan. 4th Go through your dies and punches. Cut out images that you could use on your cards. Think outside of the box...use banners, alphabet letters, flowers and postal images.  Also, many of my Christmas die sets have hearts so be sure to check those as well.  Now organize all those pieces into a muffin tin or similar container. I sorted mine by the following categories: big hearts, small hearts, special hearts, banners, tags and xoxo's, arrows, birds and bows.

Week 2: Jan. 11th We are going to do something similar to last week.  Go through your stamps and DSP.  Stamp, color and cut out images that you will  use on your cards. Be sure to think outside the box and use stamp sets that you may not think of as Valentine's at first glance! Cut images from your DSP. Now sort them into your container you created last week.

Tip:  I stamp my images, then color them as I am watching TV during the week.

Next week the fun begins, we will be creating Valentine's Day Cards based on card sketches. See you next week!

Week 3: Jan. 18th Now that we have prepped lots of items, it's time to start creating.  We are going to create cards based on the first two templates below, # 1 and #2. These templates are from page 17 of the new Stampin Up! January - April Mini Catalog.

Template #1:

Template #2:

Week 4: Jan. 25th

January 31st:

I hope you'll join me in the Valentine's Day Challenge!  See you next week for the fourth part of the challenge!

Use Your Stash Valentine's Day Challenge Part 2

I am hosting a Use Your Stash Valentine's Day Challenge!  I hope you will join me this month and play along.  

Each week, there will be an assignment.  Play along and by the end of the month, you will have 4 (or more) Valentine's to send to family and friends, just in time to arrive on Feb. 14th!

Week 1: Jan. 4th Go through your dies and punches. Cut out images that you could use on your cards. Think outside of the box...use banners, alphabet letters, flowers and postal images.  Also, many of my Christmas die sets have hearts so be sure to check those as well.  Now organize all those pieces into a muffin tin or similar container. I sorted mine by the following categories: big hearts, small hearts, special hearts, banners, tags and xoxo's, arrows, birds and bows.

Week 2: Jan. 11th We are going to do something similar to last week.  Go through your stamps and DSP.  Stamp, color and cut out images that you will  use on your cards. Be sure to think outside the box and use stamp sets that you may not think of as Valentine's at first glance! Cut images from your DSP. Now sort them into your container you created last week.

Tip:  I stamp my images, then color them as I am watching TV during the week.

Next week the fun begins, we will be creating Valentine's Day Cards based on card sketches. See you next week!

Week 3: Jan. 18th

Week 4: Jan. 25th

January 31st:

I hope you'll join me in the Valentine's Day Challenge!  See you next week for the third part of the challenge!

Only Two More Days to Subscribe to the January Paper Pumpkin Kit

Have you heard...the January Paper Pumpkin kit is a postal theme!  And it is also a Valentine theme...win, win!

Here is a sneak peak of a card created using the kit and the add on dies!  Isn't it so cute!?

Subscribe by Jan. 10th to receive this adorable kit.  Visit Stampin' Up! to subscribe.  I'd love to help you get started. 

Tonya Byrd <3

The New Product of the Month has Arrived!

Have you seen the Fabulous Sayings stamp set by Stampin' Up! that is only available this month? It has ten everyday greetings in a unique scripted font. 

It is only $5 with a $75 order.  There is a visual at the top of your cart to help you see as you get closer to the target. Plus, the new Mini Catalog products became available today so there are lots of new products to choose from as you shop!

Click on over to the Stampin' Up! and check out all the new items! 

New Spring Catalog from Stampin' Up!

With the new year ahead of us, Stampin' Up! is offering a whole catalog full of pretty spring products. Items from Valentine's Day to Easter and other items are in the catalog.  

You can view the catalog on the Stampin' Up! website or click here to view it starting today.  

Be sure to check out the new catalog and get started on some new projects today!

Use Your Stash Valentine's Day Challenge

I am hosting a Use Your Stash Valentine's Day Challenge!  I hope you will join me this month and play along.  

These are the images I cut out.

Each week, there will be an assignment.  Play along and by the end of the month, you will have 4 (or more) Valentine's to send to family and friends, just in time to arrive on Feb. 14th!

Week 1: Jan. 4th Go through your dies and punches. Cut out images that you could use on your cards. Think outside of the box...use banners, alphabet letters, flowers and postal images.  Also, many of my Christmas die sets have hearts so be sure to check those as well.  Now organize all those pieces into a muffin tin or similar container.

I sorted mine by the following categories: big hearts, small hearts, special hearts, banners,

tags and xoxo's, arrows, birds and bows.

I hope you'll join me in the Valentine's Day Challenge!  See you next week for the second part of the challenge!

Week 2: Jan. 11th

Week 3: Jan. 18th

Week 4: Jan. 25th

January 31st:

3 Ways to Use Your New Paper Pumpkin Postage Die

Tomorrow, Jan. 6th, the new Paper Pumpkin Add On die set becomes available so I thought I would share some ways I've been using it to get the most from it!

The first way I used it was to cut the image out with white card stock, but leave the die on the image and ink blend the paper.  This leaves a thin white border on your die.  I used Pretty in Pink ink on the top left image and Real Red ink on the image on the top right.

The second way I used the die was to cut it out once, then realign it and cut it again to make smaller stamp images. I especially like this technique because I can cut lots of different sized pieces.

The third way I used the die was to use washi tape and grid paper to tape off a border and paint a watercolor wash over it.  Allow the watercolor to dry before gently pulling off the tape.

I hope this has given you a few more ideas on how to utilize this great die.  The item number is 168666 and will be available Tuesday, Jan. 6th.  Stampin' Up! will also release the next Product of the Month, so be sure to check that out as well!

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.