Throwback Thursday: Free as a Bird with Fresh In Colors

If you’ve been crafting with me for a while, you know Free as a Bird is one of my all-time favorite retired Stampin’ Up! stamp sets. This week, I dusted it off for Throwback Thursday and gave it a fresh twist with the 2025–2027 In Color Designer Series Paper, the 2025–2027 In Color Flat Pearls, and the crisp White ¼” Ribbon.

To bring it all together, I reached for the Spotlight on Nature Dies and created a pretty circular focal point for my sweet bluebirds. The color combo of Darling Duckling, Poppy Parade, and Pool Party comes straight from the Global Design Project #509 color challenge – and it’s perfect for a bright, happy friendship card.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Cut a Basic White card base (4 ¼” x 11”, scored at 5 ½”).
Cut a Darling Duckling DSP layer to 4” x 5 ¼”.
Add a 1 ¾” x 5 ¼” strip of Pool Party cardstock across the card front. Stamp the sentiment in Memento Black.
Tie a piece of White ¼” Ribbon and make a bow on the right hand side. Adhere this DSP/ribbon layer to the card base.
Die cut a circle from Basic White using the Spotlight on Nature Dies, adhere to the card front using Dimensionals.
Stamp the bird image from Free as a Bird in Memento Black on Basic White and color with Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and Darling Duckling Stampin’ Blends. I also used a little bit of light Crumb cake for the branch. Fussy cut.
Adhere the birds to the circle with a bit of glue in the center and Mini Dimensionals on the two branch ends.
Finish with Darling Duckling 2025–2027 In Color Flat Pearls for a cheerful touch.

Stampin’ Tip: If you don’t have the Free as a Bird stamp set, you can substitute any branch-and-bird image for a similar look – the key is in the color palette and layout.

🛍️ Shop the Supplies:

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780]	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [122924]	2025–2027 In Color™ 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [165300]	Free As A Bird Cling Stamp Set [149468]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Darling Duckling Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [165288]	Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154958]	Pool Party Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154894]	Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154882]
Spotlight On Nature Dies [163580]	2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [165192]	White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Ribbon [165562]	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108]	Basic White Medium Envelopes [159236]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]	Take Your Pick [144107]

The DSP and dots are also on sale this month!! Make sure to grab all the In Color items during this sale – you can find ALL the products on the In Color Sale Special page ( or click the image below).