Merry Christmas — Hand Stamped Sentiments Colour Challenge #HSS478

Today I’m sharing my card for the Hand Stamped Sentiments HSS478 Colour Challenge, and it’s the perfect project if you’re still squeezing in a few last-minute Christmas cards! I wanted something quick, clean, and still absolutely stunning—and this bold “Merry Christmas” sentiment delivered exactly that.

I stamped the Merry Christmas image in Shaded Spruce onto Basic White cardstock, then layered it over a piece of Shaded Spruce cardstock and a full background of Need for Tweed 12″ x 12″ DSP for cozy winter texture. The frame comes from the Textured Notes Dies, and I tucked in a few delicate vellum leaves cut with the brand-new Nature’s Symphony Dies—coming in January! A sprinkle of Traditional Sparkling Sequins adds just the right amount of festive shine.

It’s getting late in the season, but if you need a card that’s fast and fabulous, this one is definitely the ticket.

This is my final HSS design team project for 2025, but I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be returning to the team again in 2026. Thank you for all the love and support this year—your encouragement means so much. 💚✨

Come join us for HSS478 and share what you create!


Need some supplies still – no problem – you can place an online order right now: https://www.stampinup.ca/?demoid=2189587

When you shop with me – you also get a bonus Tutorial with an order over $65 ( before rewards, shipping and taxes).

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I HAM So Proud of You – Global Design Project #GDP521

I’m so excited to share my very first project as a new member of the Global Design Project Design Team! 🎉

This week’s challenge is a beautiful colour combination for #GDP521, and I couldn’t resist using the adorable Party Piggy bundle (on the Last Chance list 🐷). I paired it with the Beautiful Bokeh 6″x6″ Designer Series Paper and the Dotted Circle 3D Embossing Folder, each layered on Calypso Coral mats for a bright, playful look.

The sentiment, “I HAM so proud of you,” is heat embossed in white on a strip of Granny Apple Green cardstock, adding a crisp, bold contrast to the soft piggy tones. I finished the card with Traditional Sparkling Sequins and White & Gold Baker’s Twine for just the right touch of shimmer.

You can visit the Global Design Project on Facebook to see the rest of the team’s creations and join in this week’s colour challenge!
👉 facebook.com/GlobalDesignProject

If you’d like to recreate this look, here’s a full list of supplies used as well as a printable card recipe.


Want to Stamp With Me?

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Merry & Bright for HSS Color Challenge #475

This week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Colour Challenge is a gorgeous one — featuring Cherry Cobbler, Secret Sea, and Pool Party. These colours come together beautifully for a rich, festive look that’s perfect for holiday cardmaking.

For my project, I pulled out the Merry Christmas stamp set — I just love that elegant, bold font! I paired it with the sweet poinsettia image from the Jolly Holly stamp set for a touch of classic Christmas charm.

The background layers showcase the Regal Distressed Designer Series Paper — that subtle pattern adds just the right amount of texture and warmth. To finish off the design, I tied on some Secret Sea ribbon for a soft pop of colour and shimmer.

A few stamped poinsettias and low profile sparkle dots complete the look for a simple yet stunning holiday greeting card.

If you haven’t yet, hop over to the Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge Blog to see the rest of the design team’s creations — and play along with us this week!

Here’s a full list of supplies used as well as a printable card recipe.

Product List

This cheerful card is perfect for holiday giving—and so much fun to create!

Want to Stamp With Me?

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Right now we also have 2 great starter kits deals to choose from! This is too good to pass up.

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Dino-Mite Fun for HSS472 + GDP514!

This week I combined the sketch from Global Design Project #514 with the Hand Stamped Sentiments Colour Challenge #472. The colour combo of Darling Duckling, Timid Tiger, and Pretty Peacock was perfect for creating a playful fall card with a cheerful twist.

This card features the Darling Dinos bundle. I used masking to create the layered field of flowers behind the dino, giving extra depth and dimension. Paired with the embossed sunflower background and a bold sentiment banner, this layout came together beautifully and stayed true to the sketch.

This card makes me smile—it’s bright, fun, and perfect for a birthday surprise!

Here’s a full list of supplies used as well as a printable card recipe.


Want to Stamp With Me?

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Looking for even more inspiration and more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team!

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Contact me to find out more or see the details on my website.



Throwback Thursday: Frogs, Sass & GDP505 Colours

It’s time for Throwback Thursday, and this week I had a giggle while crafting! The inspiration? The Global Design Project #505 Colour Challenge—featuring Strawberry Slush, Pretty Peacock, and Old Olive—and the hilariously snarky Birthday Banter stamp set (yes, it’s wood-mounted and still fabulous!).

This week’s card features:

  • A sentiment heat embossed in white on a Pretty Peacock cardstock.
  • Textured Soft Waves 3D Embossing Folder background for a playful feel
  • A pop of Strawberry Slush in the Faux Linen Ribbon, coordinating Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems, as well as Strawberry Slush Stampin’ Blends to colour the froggy lipstick. 🐸💄

The design uses two Stylish Shapes Dies circles: one for our glamorous froggy duo and another for the cheeky sentiment. The result? A card that’s equal parts silly and sweet—perfect for a birthday that celebrates survival with style.

💡 Why You’ll Love This Throwback:

  • That lipstick-wearing frog duo? Pure gold
  • Combines bold colour with nostalgic humour
  • Showcases how old stamps still have tons of personality
  • Great for friends with a wicked sense of humour!

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See you next week for another Throwback Thursday creation!

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Encircled With Love Cards – GDP501 Colour Challenge

During today’s Live, I shared a sweet and summery card design featuring the Encircled With Love stamp set! I used the GDP501 Colour Challenge trio of Timid Tiger, Petal Pink, and Lost Lagoon to create two cheerful versions of the same layout.

My original sample featured the “Thank You” sentiment from the stamp set, but during the live I swapped it for the sunny “Way to Go!” Both sentiments work beautifully in this layered circle design.

✨ Key Details:

  • DSP: 2025–2027 In Color 6×6 DSP
  • Ribbon: Last Chance Petal Pink Scalloped Ribbon
  • Bling: Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems
  • Colours: Timid Tiger, Petal Pink, Lost Lagoon

💡 Design tip: This layout is super adaptable – swap in any sentiment from the Encircled With Love set and you’ve got a card for any occasion!

📺 Watch the replay here:

🛠️ Here’s a Full List of Supplies Used:



Why I love this card:
This design is simple, elegant, and versatile—perfect for beginners but also great for mass-producing! A quick sentiment swap gives you a whole new card. My original version used the “Thank You” image, and I switched it up live with “Way to Go!” for a completely different vibe.

💡 TIP: Save cardstock by die-cutting the circle layers from the centre of the same Lost Lagoon panel used to mat your DSP! No one will ever know, and you’ll get more out of each sheet.

Join an upcoming class:
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See the details and register here! – The live videos have happened – but I still have a kit available and the replays are available to watch at your convenience!
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Global Design Project #497 – Colour Challenge

I’m excited to be back with another entry for the Global Design Project, and this week is a colour challenge—one of my favourites! The combo of Strawberry Slush, Secret Sea, and Darling Duckling is such a cheerful, fresh palette that practically screams birthday fun! 🎉

For this week’s card, I reached for the adorable Sweet Jar Bundle. I love how versatile this set is—you can fill the jar with so many fun elements! This time I used birthday candles to create a playful birthday card that’s both bold and sweet. I placed the jar inside a die-cut circle on a Secret Sea panel, layered over a soft Strawberry Slush tones DSP piece. A few embellishments in coordinating colours and a stitched sentiment banner finish the card perfectly.

Here’s the card I created:

💖 What I Love About This Card:

  • The candles inside the jar feel so festive and unique—like a mini birthday celebration!
  • The bold contrast between the soft background and the crisp Secret Sea die-cut window really makes the jar pop
  • The punch makes assembly quick and simple—perfect for beginners or batch-making
  • This design works for birthdays of all ages

🛠️ Tips for Creating This Card:

  • Stamp the jar and candles first, then punch them out for crisp, clean edges
  • Pop up the punched jar with Stampin’ Dimensionals for added dimension
  • Switch up what you “fill” the jar with for seasonal or themed cards—so versatile!

📌 Be sure to visit Global Design Project’s site to see the full challenge and more stunning inspiration from creators around the world.

Looking for more ways to enjoy stamping?

🧁 Want to Create with the Sweet Jar Bundle? Join My Upcoming Class!
I’m thrilled to announce an upcoming Virtual Card Class featuring this exact bundle! You’ll get everything you need to make some super sweet projects—and yes, we’ll be using those darling jars.

📆 Date: July 3rd, 6pm Pacific Time
📍 Location: Online (Canada-wide shipping or local pickup)
📝 Register here: https://form.jotform.com/leahdixon41/sweet-jar-bundle-virtual-card-class

🚨 Note shipping: In the event of a postal strike, we will work out alternate shipping or pick-up options. This may incur additional costs depending on your location.

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Join now!

Upcoming Card Classes

Looking for more crafting fun? Join my June Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

See the details and register here! – There is still time to register!

The three colours in this challenge are part of the new In Colors for 2025-2027. Below is great way to collect them all and get some great inspiration.

✨ Thanks so much for stopping by my creative corner! I hope you’ll give this colour combo a try and maybe even join in on this week’s #GDP497 challenge.

Click here to shop my online store.
Click here to access & view the current catalogs.
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HSS #463 Colour Challenge – Happy Hibiscus Card Featuring Fresh Freesia, Summer Splash & Soft Sea Foam

Hello friends!

It’s time for a fresh new colour challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, and this one has me dreaming of tropical blooms and sunny skies! For HSS Challenge #463, we’re playing with a gorgeous palette of Fresh Freesia, Summer Splash, and Soft Sea Foam — and I couldn’t resist pulling out the Happy Hibiscus Bundle for this one. 💜💦💚

Here’s my design for the challenge:

I started with a bold Summer Splash card base to make those florals pop, then added a panel of white cardstock cut with the Textured Notes Dies for that subtle stitched border. The hibiscus flowers are stamped in Fresh Freesia and layered with coordinating die cuts for added dimension.

I used Soft Sea Foam for the die-cut leaves — they give the card a nice balance without overpowering the blooms. And how sweet are those little white accent flowers with Holographic Resin Dots for some sparkle? They’re the perfect finishing touch!

This card came together so easily thanks to the Happy Hibiscus stamp set and dies — it’s quickly becoming one of my favourites for summer crafting. The mix of bold florals and delicate details is just right for cards that celebrate life’s special moments.

Here is a full list of the supplies I used:


Want to Play Along?

We’d love to see your take on this challenge!
Head over to Hand Stamped Sentiments to get all the details and link up your project. Whether you’re a seasoned cardmaker or just starting out, our colour challenges are a great way to stretch your creativity!

🛍️ Great News! Stampin’ Rewards Now Start at $25+

Stampin’ Up! has made it even easier to earn free product!
You can now earn Stampin’ Rewards on orders starting at just $25 (before tax and shipping) — no more waiting to hit a $200 threshold!

This new earning structure applies to all orders, whether you’re shopping for a few essentials or stocking up on a big wishlist. It’s a great way to enjoy a little extra every time you place an order.

Upcoming Card Classes

Looking for more crafting fun? Join my June Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

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Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think of this week’s project, and if you’re creating with Fresh Freesia, Summer Splash, and Soft Sea Foam — I’d love to see what you come up with! Tag me on social @StampinWithLeah. 💬



Global Design Project #493 – Colour Challenge

This week’s Global Design Project is a fun Colour Challenge featuring Melon Mambo, Granny Apple Green, and Basic Gray—and I just couldn’t resist creating a bright and cheerful teacher thank-you card using the School Days stamp set (available online only).

Here’s the card I created:

The bold stripes were created using tone-on-tone stamping to highlight the cute images from the set—apples, pencils, and stars. I added a stitched circle featuring a poppy Melon Mambo apple stacked on a couple of books, and tied it together with a sweet “Thank you” banner and a simple bow. Inside, I finished the card with the sentiment “You make a world of difference” and another little apple for a heartfelt touch.

This card would be perfect for any amazing teacher, EA, or school staff member who deserves a little love this time of year!

Here is a list of all the supplies I used:


Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 131202 ]
$15.75
Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 115320 ]
$15.75
Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 121044 ]
$15.75
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146990 ]
$15.75
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
$20.00
School Days Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165443 ]
$24.00
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147051 ]
$12.25
Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad [ 149165 ]
$12.25
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [ 147095 ]
$12.25
Melon Mambo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 153112 ]
$15.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154885 ]
$15.00
Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154904 ]
$15.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
$41.00
Baker's Twine Essentials Pack [ 155475 ]
$15.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue [ 110755 ]
$8.25
Stampin' Dimensionals [ 104430 ]
$6.00

✨ Even More Reasons to Shop This Week!

From April 23–25, Stampin’ Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100 CAD. It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on your crafting essentials or treat yourself to some new goodies (like the School Days stamp set!).

See the details here.SPRING BOGO ONLINE SALE

PLUS—don’t forget, my BOGO Sale is still happening! When you place a qualifying order through my online store, you get to choose an equal amount of FREE new or gently used retired Stampin’ Up! products from my BOGO Facebook Group ➡️ Join the BOGO Sale Here

Finally, ANY orders over $65 qualify to receive the April Crafty Collaborations Tutorial for FREE from me!

So many great reasons to treat yourself this week!

Upcoming Card Classes

Looking for more crafting fun? Join my May Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

Looking for more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team!

  • Save 20%+ on your orders.
  • Get free access to my monthly card class tutorials.
  • Enjoy our monthly team meetings with stamping fun and collaboration.

Contact me to find out more or see the details on my website.

Join now!

🌈 Colour Challenge Details:

I’m playing along with the #GDP493 Colour Challenge from the talented team at @GlobalDesignProject. Be sure to check out all the fabulous creations this week!

Click here to shop my online store.
Click here to access & view the current catalogs.
Click here to subscribe to those fun Paper Pumpkin kits of creativity!
Click here for more information about joining my Online Monthly Technique Club. Earn even more goodies by joining a club!
Click here to learn more about joining my Ink Pad Pals Team. Get the MOST rewards including a discount on future products!
Follow me on social media! I share regularly on PinterestYouTube, and Facebook!
Please subscribe to my newsletter, too! Click here and enter your email. When you include your birthday you will even be added to my birthday card mailing list 🙂