GDP562 Sketch Challenge: Cutest Crew Birthday Card

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There’s just something about puppies that makes a birthday card instantly more cheerful! 🐾💕

For this week’s Global Design Project sketch challenge, I had so much fun creating this bright and playful birthday card featuring the adorable puppies from the Cutest Crew Bundle.

I kept the layout fairly simple so those cute little faces could take centre stage, then added a few details to give the card some extra texture and personality. A little linen thread, some texture in the background (Sunflower 3D embossing folder on the Golden Glow strips and the pre-order Softly Woven 3D embossing folder for the background), and those pretty Crisp Cantaloupe In Color butterflies were just the finishing touches this card needed. 🦋

I love how a sketch challenge can take you in a direction you might not have chosen on your own. Starting with the sketch gave me a great jumping-off point, and then it was just a matter of playing with the colours and elements until everything came together.

The result is a fun, happy birthday card that would be perfect for any dog lover — or really anyone who could use a little puppy-powered cheer!

This project was created for Global Design Project #GDP562, a sketch challenge that is always a great source of card-making inspiration. If you enjoy card sketches, be sure to check out the challenge and see how other crafters interpreted it.

✂️Supplies Used:


Shop With Me

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

The join process has changed a bit (sign up for $135 and get a $170 coupon) and you now get a fantastic Welcome Box too. The perks once you’ve joined remain the same.

  • Save 15%+ 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!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my GDP card! I hope these cheerful puppies bring a little smile to your day. 🐾💕


Holly Jolly Branches MEGA Stamp Camp: 10 Holiday Projects + A Weekend of Crafting Fun!

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If you’re ready to start your holiday crafting, I have something fun planned for you! 🎄

I’m excited to be joining Ange McKay, Gill Long, Kim Kroeker and Lori Willcox for our Holly Jolly Branches MEGA Stamp Camp, happening online October 3–4, 2026.

We’ve been busy planning a fabulous weekend of Christmas crafting, and this time we’re bringing you 10 awesome projects featuring a beautiful collection of coordinating Stampin’ Up! products.

And the best part? You can join us from anywhere in Canada!

A Weekend Full of Holiday Crafting

The Holly Jolly Branches MEGA Stamp Camp will take place online over two days:

Saturday, October 3: 10:00 AM–1:30 PM PT
Sunday, October 4: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM PT

We’ll be crafting together online, with plenty of inspiration, tutorials and fun along the way.

Your registration includes:

  • 10 Make ‘n Take projects, including pre-cut cardstock, envelopes and any die-cuts that aren’t included in the bundle
  • 10 video tutorials — presented live and recorded so you can watch them again later
  • 10 printable PDF tutorials
  • An additional BONUS tutorial featuring 5 more projects
  • Access to our exclusive Facebook group
  • A fun Mystery Stamping session
  • Entry into our prize draws

That’s a whole lot of holiday crafting packed into one weekend!

The Holly Jolly Branches Collection

Instead of focusing on just one suite, we’ve put together a carefully curated collection of products that we’ll be using throughout the camp.

The collection includes:

  • Holly Jolly Branches Bundle — stamp set and dies
  • Whispering Woods 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper
  • Winter Dreams 12″ x 12″ Specialty Designer Series Paper
  • White 3/8″ Textured Ribbon
  • Adhesive-Backed Sparkle Sequins

The Whispering Woods Designer Series Paper is especially lovely for holiday projects — and $4 from each package will be donated to organizations helping to spread a little holiday cheer. ❤️

Here’s a card sample using these products. This is not a project from the MEGA Stamp Camp — simply an example of the kind of beautiful holiday project you can create with this collection.

👉 See the details and reserve your spot now:

https://form.jotform.com/leahdixon41/hollyjolly-branches-mega-stamp-camp

We can’t wait to stamp with you!

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!
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Christmas Crafting with Stitched Season DSP | Case the Catalog Challenge

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I am officially in full Christmas crafting mode! 🎄 With autumn Christmas fairs on the horizon, I’ve been pulling out my Christmas Designer Series Paper and looking for ways to create cards that are festive, eye-catching—and don’t take forever to make.

This card was created for this week’s Stampin’ Through the Catalog Challenge, and I had so much fun putting it together.

For this design, I used A Stitched Season Designer Series Paper for almost all of the colour and pattern. I cut four rectangles (1-1/2″ X 2-1/4″ each) for the background and then used the third-smallest Everyday Arches Die to cut the little bird from a different DSP piece as the focal piece.

No stamping or colouring involved. Just a bit of die cutting, layering and embellishing!

The card base got some extra texture from the Textured Tree Rings 3D Embossing Folder, which adds just the right amount of interest without competing with all those pretty patterns.

And then there’s that Happy Christmas sentiment! ❤️

I used the new Magical Christmas Hot Foil Die with red hot foil and the reverse plate. I LOVE how bold and shiny it is—and how quickly hot foiling can take a card from simple to special.

The Magical Christmas Hot Foil Die is part of the upcoming September–December collection. Customers will be able to order it beginning in September, but if you’re someone who just can’t wait to get your hands on the new products, you can join my Stampin’ Up! team today and take advantage of the demonstrator preorder.

That means you can choose all the preorder products you want and start creating before the new catalogue even goes live. If you’ve ever thought about joining my team, this is a pretty fun time to do it!

I’m really enjoying being in full Christmas mode already. There is something very satisfying about getting a head start on those Christmas fair projects—and this card is a perfect example of why I love Designer Series Paper so much.

🛒 Want to recreate this card?
Head to my online store or contact me today to grab your supplies.

✨ Stampin’ Up! Supplies Used:

(*PLUS – the Magical Christmas Hot Foil Die, Red hot foil and the Reverse plate – available Sept 2026 or now when you sign up to join my team)


Shop Here

📦 Want to create more with me? I’m currently in the middle of a reno so not offering in person classes, however I have some upcoming online classes and all my past classes are available here:

See my whole PDF shop here.

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! We have a new Starter Kit! You get an fabulous Welcome Box and a $165 coupon for just $135.

  • Save 15%+ 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!

❤️ Thanks for crafting with me!
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a Festive Friday!

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 Pinterest, YouTube, 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 🙂

Festive Friday: A Little Woodland Christmas Magic

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It’s Festive Friday, and I have another Christmas card to share with you! 🎄

I’m having so much fun getting a head start on my Christmas cards, and this one features the adorable Woodland Wishes stamp set.

There’s something about these little woodland images that makes me smile. The sweet little deer and bird make such a fun focal point, and I love how the soft, natural colours give this card a cozy woodland feel.

A pop of Real Red from the sentiment and those fun Adhesive-Backed Christmas Berries adds just enough Christmas colour, while the little bit of Linen Thread gives it a rustic finishing touch.

This one feels like Christmas in the woods to me—and I think it would be a fun design to make multiples of for your Christmas card stash!

🛒 Want to recreate this card?
Head to my online store or contact me today to grab your supplies.

✨ Stampin’ Up! Supplies Used:

(*PLUS – the Adhesive-backed Christmas Berries – available Sept 2026 or now when you sign up to join my team)


Shop Here

A couple of important reminders!

Today is the LAST DAY of Double Stampin’ Rewards!

For today only, qualifying orders (minimum $25 CDN) earn 20% in Stampin’ Rewards instead of the usual 10%. If you’ve had something on your wish list, today is the day!

And don’t forget about the 15% Designer Series Paper & Cardstock Sale on select papers, happening through August 31. Perfect timing if you’re starting to build your stash for fall and Christmas crafting!

📦 Want to create more with me? I’m currently in the middle of a reno so not offering in person classes, however I have some upcoming online classes and all my past classes are availble here:

See my whole PDF shop here.

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! We have a new Starter Kit! You get an fabulous Welcome Box and a $165 coupon for just $135.

  • Save 15%+ 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!

❤️ Thanks for crafting with me!
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a Festive Friday!

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 Pinterest, YouTube, 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 🙂

Throwback Thursday: A Christmas Card with Half Full

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I’m using some of my free time over summer break to get a little ahead for Christmas Craft Fairs this fall, so apparently it’s time to start making Christmas cards! 🎄

For this Throwback Thursday, I pulled out an old favourite: the Half Full stamp set by Stampin’ Up!

I love revisiting older stamp sets and giving them a fresh look with newer colours and products.

For this card, I went with a mostly white colour palette for a soft, snowy Christmas feel. The embossed background adds lots of texture while keeping the overall design clean and elegant.

The wine glasses are coloured with Golden Glow, while the holly leaves feature Peaceful Pine and a pop of Real Red for the berries.

And then there are those gorgeous Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes! These are a pre-order product that I was able to play with early as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. They’ll be available to customers in September, so I thought this card would make a fun little sneak peek.

I love how those tiny snowflakes add just a touch of sparkle without taking away from the focal point.

Of course, a card made with the Half Full stamp set needs a little humour!

There’s another fun sentiment waiting inside this card — because sometimes the inside deserves just as much attention as the front. 😉

I’m hoping to build up a good collection of cards for my Christmas Craft Fairs over the next few months. Getting started during summer break means I can enjoy the process instead of scrambling to make everything at the last minute!

And while I’m definitely not ready to give up summer yet… I have to admit, Christmas crafting is pretty fun. 🎄

Are you a Christmas crafter who starts early, or do you wait until the Christmas spirit hits?

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! We have a new starter kit offer. See all the details by clicking the image below.

  • Save 15%+ 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!

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GDP561 Colour Challenge: A Soft and Pretty Christmas Card

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I’m playing along with this week’s Global Design Project colour challenge #GDP561, and I have to say… these colours are just gorgeous together!

This week’s colour combination is Hydrangea Hue, Soft Sea Foam and Peaceful Pine, and I thought they would make a beautiful, slightly unexpected Christmas colour palette.

I’m trying to get a head start on my Christmas cards, so I reached for the simple and lovely Hope Love & Joy Bundle to create this sweet Christmas card.

I started with a Hydrangea Hue card base, stamped with Hydrangea Hue snowflakes for a subtle background. I then added a torn strip of Soft Sea Foam cardstock across the middle, with a Basic White strip layered over top.

For the sentiment, I stamped the J and Y in Peaceful Pine, while the “O” is actually a Hydrangea Hue snowflake! I love finding little ways to make a simple card more interesting.

A bit of Peaceful Pine ribbon and the gorgeous Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes finished it off perfectly.

And speaking of those snowflakes… they are currently available through the Stampin’ Up! demonstrator preorder! If you’d love early access to new products and all sorts of fabulous preorder goodies, I’d love to have you join my team, Ink Pad Pals – see below for more details.

I hope this Global Design Project colour challenge inspires you to create your own project for #GDP561. Grab your crafting supplies and join the fun!

✂️Supplies Used:


Shop With Me

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

The join process has changed a bit (sign up for $135 and get a $170 coupon) and you now get a fantastic Welcome Box too. The perks once you’ve joined remain the same.

  • 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!


HSS495 Inspiration Challenge: Sunflower Birthday Card

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There’s something about sunflowers against a bright blue sky that just makes me happy! 🌻💙 For this week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Inspiration Challenge (HSS495), I was inspired by the beautiful combination of sunny yellow sunflowers and that gorgeous pop of blue.

I decided to recreate that feeling on a handmade birthday card using the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Blends and a little bit of ink blending.

To create my background, I embossed Basic White cardstock with the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder. I coloured the debossed side of the flowers with Stampin’ Blends—Pecan Pie for the centres, Golden Glow and Darling Duckling for the petals, and Granny Apple Green for the leaves.

Then came the fun part! I dragged an Azure Afternoon ink pad across the entire piece, creating a beautiful blue background while allowing the colourful sunflowers to really pop.

I added a birthday sentiment from Exciting Times, stamped in Azure Afternoon, and finished the card with Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine and three Golden Glow 2026–2028 In Color Butterflies.

I love how cheerful and summery this card turned out! It definitely captures the feeling of a field of sunflowers under a beautiful blue sky. 🌻

I hope you’ll stop by Hand Stamped Sentiments to see what the rest of the Design Team created, then join us with your own interpretation of this late summer inspiration board!

Want to grab the supplies for this card? Shop the links below or head to my shop.


SHOP HERE

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

The join process has changed a bit (sign up for $135 and get a $170 coupon) and you now get a fantastic Welcome Box too. The perks once you’ve joined remain the same.

  • 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!


Coast to Coast Creators: A Festive Fun-Fold Christmas Card

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It’s time for another Coast to Coast Creators Blog Hop, and this month we’re sharing one of our favourite fun-fold card designs!

I’m excited to share this festive Christmas card with you. I love fun folds because they add a little element of surprise to a handmade card. This one looks interesting when it’s closed, but opens up to reveal even more layers and space for a message.

For this card, I used the gorgeous Stitched Season Designer Series Paper. The traditional Real Red and Secret Sea patterns are perfect for Christmas cards, and I love how the different patterns work together with this particular fold.

The focal point is the Hope, Love & Joy Bundle, with the JOY sentiment layered onto the front of the card.

To add a little extra sparkle and texture, I also used:

  • Shimmering Stripes 12″ x 12″ Specialty Paper
  • Real Red Stitched Ribbon
  • A heat-embossed snowflake
  • A small rhinestone placed in the centre of the snowflake

That little rhinestone is such a simple detail, but it adds just the right amount of Christmas sparkle!

How This Fun Fold Comes Together

The card base starts with a piece of cardstock measuring 5-1/2″ x 12″.

On the 12″ side, score at 4″ and 8″. Then, on the 5-1/2″ side, make a mark at 2″ and cut from that mark to the far score line to create the angled sections.

The Designer Series Paper is cut to coordinate with each angled section:

  • Front angled layer: 3-3/4″ x 3-1/2″, on the 3-3/4″ side mark at 1-3/4″ then cut from that mark to the far point at an angle.*
  • Middle angled layer: 3-3/4″ x 5-1/4″, on the 3-3/4″ side mark at 3-1/2″then cut from that mark to the far point at an angle.*
  • Inside angled layer: 3-3/4″ x 5-1/4″, on the 3-3/4″ side mark at 3-1/2″then cut from that mark to the far point at an angle.*

*make sure you are cutting in the right direction to adhere to the card base.

The Basic White inside layer measures 3-3/4″ x 5-1/4″, giving you plenty of room to add a greeting and a personal message. I added a 3-3/4″ X 1-7/8″ piece of DSP and a 3-3/4″ X 5/8″ piece of Shimmering Stripes DSP to the top of this piece.

The great thing about this fold is that once the card base and DSP pieces are cut, it comes together quite quickly. The angled pieces do all the work of creating that fun, dimensional look!

✨ Now it’s time to see what the other Coast to Coast Creators have created for this month’s fun-fold theme. We have talented Stampin’ Up! demonstrators from across Canada sharing their projects, so be sure to hop along and check them all out.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a little time crafting with me!


Want to make this card?

You can! I have a full list of supplies below and a printable recipe card.

🛒 Ready to shop the current supplies? Head to my store: https://www.stampinup.ca/?demoid=2189587 or use the items links below:


Here is a printable recipe card – with supplies and instructions:

C2c Aug 2026Download

When you place an order with me, you’ll earn Stampin’ Rewards on your purchase, a $65 order with get you the Crafty Collaborators PDF Tutorial and a $100 order qualifies you to purchase the Product of the Month ( for just $7) and I will send you a 12 card Creative vault Tutorial featuring project made with the Product of the Month too!

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👉 Looking for other ways to stamp with me?

You can watch my You Tube channel – new videos coming after my move is complete.

You can find tutorials in my Payhip Shop.

If you are local – join my in person card class!

CLASSES WILL RESUME AFTER MY MOVE IN SEPTEMBER

Looking for even 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!

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Global Design Project #560 | Balloon Celebration Card

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I love a good sketch, so this week’s Global Design Project #560 CASE the Designer Challenge was right up my alley!

For this challenge, we were given a beautiful card by Charlet Mallett to CASE. Rather than copying all of the details, I grabbed the sketch and used the layout as my starting point—my favourite way to design a card!

I wanted my version to feel bright, happy and summery, so I pulled out the Balloon Festoon and Exciting Times stamp sets along with the colourful Beautiful Ordinary Life Designer Series Paper.

The striped Designer Series Paper was the perfect choice for this card. I love how the vertical stripes create a fun background while still leaving plenty of room for the balloons and greeting to stand out.

For the focal point, I stamped and layered three colourful balloons and added the balloon strings underneath. The large circle behind the balloons helps bring all of the elements together and gives the balloons a place to “float.”

I also added a little texture with the coordinating ribbon tied across the card and finished it with a few colourful embellishments. The “Let’s celebrate” greeting was the perfect sentiment for this cheerful design.

One of my favourite things about CASE challenges is seeing how a card can evolve when you take the layout from someone else’s design and then make it your own. The original card may be the inspiration, but the colours, products and little details can completely change the finished project.

This would make such a fun birthday card, celebration card or party card—and the bright colours make it perfect for summer celebrations!

I hope you’ll check out the original card by Charlet and see how the Global Design Project Design Team interpreted the challenge. Then grab the sketch, put your own spin on it and join the challenge #GDP560!

✂️Supplies Used:

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
Beautiful Ordinary Life 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167553 ]
[167553]
Balloon Festoon Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167602 ]
[167602]
Exciting Times Bundle (English) [ 167881 ]
[167881]
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165286 ]
[165286]
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
Lemon Lolly Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161666 ]
[161666]
Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad [ 166648 ]
[166648]
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
Array Of Dots [ 167559 ]
[167559]
Garden Green 1/8" (3.2 Mm) Chevron Ribbon [ 167212 ]
[167212]
Multipurpose Liquid Glue [ 110755 ]
[110755]
Stampin' Dimensionals [ 104430 ]
[104430]
Detail Scissors [ 170902 ]
[170902]
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
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Want to stamp with me?

Make sure to sign up for my newletter (link below) to learn about upcoming classes. I am in the middle of moving right now – so no classes this summer. I can’t wait to host you all in my new studio once the move is complete.


7 Christmas Cards with Stitched Season

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I’ve been having so much fun playing with the Stitched Season Designer Series Paper and Stitched Stocking Dies! 🎄

I love Christmas products that have a cozy, handmade feel, and these products definitely fit the bill. The DSP has such fun patterns, and the stitched details in the dies add that extra bit of texture that makes a card feel special.

For these cards, I mixed and matched the Stitched Season DSP with the Stitched Stocking Dies, along with the coordinating stitched ribbon and adorable buttons. I also brought in sentiments from a few other stamp sets because I love combining products to create a look that is uniquely mine.

I especially enjoyed seeing how different the cards can look simply by changing the DSP, colours and arrangement. Some are more traditional, while others have a softer or more whimsical feel.

Here are all seven cards together!

A Stitched Season Suite Collection

If you love the products I’ve used on these cards, you’ll find them together in the A Stitched Season Suite Collection. The collection includes the Stitched Stocking Stamp Set, Stitched Stocking Dies, Stitched Season Designer Series Paper, Real Red 1/4″ Stitched Ribbon and Adhesive-Backed Mini Christmas Buttons.

The Stitched Stocking Dies make it easy to create fun stockings from the coordinating DSP, and I love that you can mix and match the patterns to create so many different looks.

The stitched ribbon and little buttons are the perfect finishing touches, adding just the right amount of texture and dimension.

And, as always, don’t feel like you need to stick to just the products from one collection. I used sentiments from other stamp sets on these cards, and mixing and matching is one of my favourite parts of creating with Stampin’ Up! products.

Which one is your favourite?

I’d love to know which of these seven Christmas cards is your favourite! 🎄❤️

Do you prefer traditional Christmas colours, or are you drawn to the softer and more unexpected colour combinations?

You can find the A Stitched Season Suite Collection in my online store: https://www.stampinup.ca/?demoid=2189587

Want to stamp with me?

Make sure to sign up for my newletter (link below) to learn about upcoming classes. I am in the middle of moving right now – so no classes in March. I can’t wait to host you all in my new studio once the move is complete.