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.

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!

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.
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 🙂


Festive Friday: Winter Meadows Meets 2025 In Colors

For this week’s Festive Friday, I’m spotlighting the stunning Winter Meadows 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper along with the elegant Greetings of the Season stamp set. These cards came together effortlessly thanks to this beautifully illustrated paper—perfect for creating serene winter scenes without needing a lot of stamping.

I chose two of the new 2025 In ColorsSecret Sea and Cloud Cover—to complement the soft, cool tones in the paper. One card keeps it simple with a single stamped sentiment and a peaceful forest scene, while the other adds layers, dry embossing, and a sweet bow for added texture and charm.

Why I Love This Paper

The Winter Meadows DSP makes cardmaking quick and satisfying. The imagery is detailed enough to stand on its own, meaning you can let the paper shine and still end up with a beautiful result. It’s ideal for making multiples during the busy holiday season!

Product List:


If you’re looking to get a head start on your Christmas cards, give this combo a try! You’ll love how quickly your designs come together—and your recipients will love the cozy winter feel. ❄️🦌

New Stampin’ Rewards Program

Stampin’ Up! just launched an updated Stampin’ Rewards program—and it’s better than ever!

• Earn rewards on every order of $25 CAD or more
• Redeem your points for free products
You must opt in to start earning—so be sure to sign up through your account

Now you can be rewarded for every crafty order, big or small!

Looking for more ways to stamp with me? Make sure to watch my You Tube live each Wednesday and if you are local – join my card class!

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! Now is a great time to join with our fabulous Starter Kit deal.

  • 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.

👉 Let me know which style you prefer: clean and simple or layered and textured?

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 🙂


Throwback Thursday with Humming Along and the NEW In Colors!

Today’s card is a special blend of old and new — a fun way to honour my love of stamping history while celebrating the exciting new 2025–2027 In Colors!

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, I pulled out one of my retired favourites: the Humming Along stamp set and coordinating dies. This set features a beautiful hummingbird that’s just begging to be coloured, and I knew it would pair perfectly with the layout from Global Design Project Challenge #496 (GDP496) — a CASE the Designer sketch.

Mixing Old and New

To bring this card to life, I used the brand new 2025–2027 In Color 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper for the soft floral (Cloud Cover) background. The colours are dreamy and subtle — perfect for spring and summer cards.

I coloured the hummingbird using the new In Color Stampin’ Blends:

  • Secret Sea for the wings and feathers
  • Cloud Cover for soft shading
  • Strawberry Slush for that eye-catching pop of colour on the head and throat
    I also brought in a touch of Soft Sea Foam for the belly so it matches the stitched label and card base, which ties everything together beautifully.

Finishing Touches

A wrapped Gold Striped Mesh Ribbon adds a bit of sparkle and texture, and a few coordinating In Color Flat Pearl embellishments give the card just the right amount of polish. I also folded the top left corner for a little added interest — it’s a small detail, but it really enhances the layered look.

A Note on the Layout

The GDP496 sketch was the perfect layout to CASE (Copy and Selectively Edit). I loved the idea of anchoring the main image to a shaped label and bringing attention to the sentiment with some elegant script. This layout is super versatile and one I’ll definitely use again.

Here is a full list of supplies:


Don’t forget – you’ll earn Stampin’ Rewards on your purchase too!

👉 Looking for other ways to stamp with me?

Then you’ll LOVE the all-new Celebratory Sips Suite! I’m featuring this fun collection at my upcoming Celebratory Sips Mega Stamp Camp, where we’ll create even more fabulous cards and projects together.

Reserve your spot now: https://form.jotform.com/leahdixon41/celebratory-sips-mega-stamp-camp

Looking for more ways to stamp with me? Make sure to watch my You Tube live each Wednesday and if you are local – join my card class!

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! We have a great Starter Kit Deal right now!

  • 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.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I hope this Throwback Thursday post inspires you to mix and match your old favourites with some new supplies from your stash. 💌

Do you have a retired stamp set you just can’t part with? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear what classics you’re still reaching for!

➡️ Subscribe to my newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/f18https://www.stampinup.ca?09c680508/subscribe-to-stampin-with-leahs-newsletter


1 Layout, 3 Cards – Featuring Celebratory Sips DSP!

This week, I took on the Global Design Project Challenge #GDP496 by CASE-ing the designer with a fun twist: using one layout to create three unique cards – each with a different stamp set, but all showcasing the Celebratory Sips DSP and Holographic Foil Resin Dots!

This kind of layout challenge is my favourite way to spark creativity. It keeps design decisions simple while allowing for endless variation. Here’s a closer look at each card:

🍹 Cheers & Sips Card

Bright, summery, and refreshing! I paired cocktail images from the Cheers & Sips bundle with Soft Sea Foam cardstock and Old Olive DSP. The embossed panel adds just the right texture.

🐷 Party Piggy Card

How fun is this little pig?! The Party Piggy stamp set brings such whimsy to the same layout. I swapped in a cheerful orange stripe for a party-perfect look.

🦋 Beautiful Butterflies Card

This third card has a completely different vibe – rich Secret Sea and sweet Strawberry Slush and Petunia Pop butterflies from Beautiful Butterflies make this one elegant and eye-catching. Same layout, totally different feel!

All three cards use the same:
✔️ Celebratory Sips DSP
✔️ Holographic Foil Resin Dots
✔️ Layout from GDP496

🎥 Catch the Replay:

🛒 Want to craft along?
Click here to shop all supplies


💡 Crafting Tips from This Live:

Let patterned paper guide your colours – it makes mixing sets easy!

Pick one layout and play with different stamps for quick cardmaking.

Use dimensional layers to make simple layouts pop.

Repeat your embellishments for a cohesive collection of cards.


Don’t Miss These:

🎨 Celebratory Sips Stamp Camp
Create even more with this gorgeous DSP! This is the paper featured on today’s cards, and it’s part of my Celebratory Sips Mega Stamp Camp! Join now. You’ll get a fun-filled day of tutorials, project kits, and inspiration using this suite.
👉 Check out the details and sign up here!

🖌 Touch of Ink Class – Only ONE kit left!
Join us this weekend for a relaxing and creative class.

Live near Port Coquitlam? Join me in person for a card class (or contact me to create your own monthly stampin’ group).

🌈 In Color Club is open!
Get all 5 new In Colors in a budget-friendly monthly subscription.

🎁 Starter Kit Deal – Join my team and get extra product FREE!

Looking for more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! Right now we have a great Starter Kit deal!

In addition to the great price, there are a TON of other benefits:

  • Save 20%+ on your orders.
  • Get free access to my monthly card class tutorials.
  • Enjoy our monthly team meetings with stamping fun and collaboration.
  • Exclusive Demonstrator events by Stampin’ Up! such as Creative Convention.
  • and MUCH more!

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

Which card is your favourite? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube so you never miss a project.

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 🙂


Join Stampin’ Up! in May and Get $220 in Products for Just $135!

Are you in love with all the new goodies in the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue? Whether you’re a long-time stamper or just getting started, May is the BEST time to join Stampin’ Up!—and I’d love to welcome you to my Ink Pad Pals team!

💥 The May Starter Kit Special

This month only, you can build your Starter Kit with $220 worth of products of your choice and pay only $135 CAD + taxshipping is FREE! 🙌 That’s $85 in free product, just for saying yes to creativity.

Why Join Now?

The new catalogue is packed with fresh colours, inspiring stamp sets, and beautiful Designer Series Papers—there’s never been a better time to dive in!

You get to pick exactly what you want in your Starter Kit—ink pads, stamps, tools, papers, you name it!

You’ll enjoy an ongoing 20% discount as a demonstrator (with the potential for more).

Here is a sample starter kit option (perfect for a beginner stamper):


Why Join the Ink Pad Pals?

When you join through me, you’re not just signing up for discounts—you’re becoming part of a vibrant, creative, and kind-hearted community. My Ink Pad Pals are a group of stampers from across Canada who support one another, share inspiration, and have a ton of fun together.

Whether you want to:

  • Craft for fun and save on your purchases
  • Teach classes or host events
  • Build a part-time or full-time business
    …you’ll be supported every step of the way.

👉 Learn more about the perks of joining my team here:
https://stampinwithleah.ca/benefits-of-joining-the-ink-pad-pals-team

Ready to Join?

Click below to build your custom Starter Kit and become an Ink Pad Pal today:

Have questions before you dive in? I’m just an email or message away—I’d love to chat and help you get started.


Festive Friday: Bright & Easy Christmas Card with Take a Bow DSP

It’s Festive Friday, and I’m excited to share this bold & cheerful Christmas card with you!

This handmade card features strips of the Take a Bow Designer Series Paper layered across a clean white background for a simple yet eye-catching design. I added a sentiment from the Greetings For All Ephemera Pack on a bright red banner, finishing with pearls for extra holiday sparkle.

✅ This layout is perfect for using leftover scraps from your holiday crafting!
✅ Change up the colors and patterns to fit any occasion.

Here is a full list of supplies:


📌 Ready to craft this card? Shop anytime (use the link below) or contact me with questions!

New Stampin’ Rewards Program

Stampin’ Up! just launched an updated Stampin’ Rewards program—and it’s better than ever!

• Earn rewards on every order of $25 CAD or more
• Redeem your points for free products
You must opt in to start earning—so be sure to sign up through your account

Now you can be rewarded for every crafty order, big or small!

Looking for more ways to stamp with me? Make sure to watch my You Tube live each Wednesday and if you are local – join my card class!

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! Now is a great time to join with our fabulous Starter Kit deal.

  • 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.

I can’t wait to see what you create for Festive Friday—tag me so I can cheer you on!

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 🙂


Throwback Thursday: Cocktails & Celebratory Sips

For today’s Throwback Thursday, I’m dusting off the Nothing’s Better Than stamp set—retired, but still one of my favorites! I created this playful cocktail card using Celebratory Sips DSP and Strawberry Slush cardstock for a fun, vibrant background.

The cocktail image is stamped with Memento Black Ink and Strawberry Slush Ink and die-cut, colored with Granny Apple Green (for the lime slice 🍋), Pool Party (for the glass), Berry Burst and Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends for the mini umbrella. I added gold striped ribbon and Holographic Resin Dots for extra sparkle—because cocktails deserve a little bling!

Inside, I stamped “You make everything better”—a heartfelt sentiment that pairs perfectly with this cheerful card.

Here is a full list of supplies:


Don’t forget – you’ll earn Stampin’ Rewards on your purchase too!

👉 Love this card? Then you’ll LOVE the all-new Celebratory Sips Suite! I’m featuring this fun collection at my upcoming Celebratory Sips Mega Stamp Camp, where we’ll create even more fabulous cards and projects together.

Reserve your spot now: https://form.jotform.com/leahdixon41/celebratory-sips-mega-stamp-camp

Looking for more ways to stamp with me? Make sure to watch my You Tube live each Wednesday and if you are local – join my card class!

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! We have a great Starter Kit Deal right now!

  • 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.

Do you still pull out your retired favorites? I’d love to know which sets you can’t let go of!

➡️ Subscribe to my newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/f18https://www.stampinup.ca?09c680508/subscribe-to-stampin-with-leahs-newsletter


Cheers to You! Featuring the Celebratory Sips Suite

Let’s raise a glass! 🥂

In today’s Facebook Live, I shared a bright and cheerful card using the Celebratory Sips Suite—which also happens to be the featured suite for my upcoming Celebratory Sips Mega Stamp Camp. I couldn’t resist creating with these adorable drink images and fun textures.

Here’s a closer look at the card:

👉 I started with an Old Olive card base and added a Glass & Gardens embossed background (I love how it adds subtle texture!).
👉 The drinks were fussy cut from the DSP in the suite—aren’t they adorable?
👉 I layered them onto a Soft Sea Foam Everyday Arch, stamped some Old Olive mint leaves behind for extra greenery, and tied it together with that stunning Gold Striped Ribbon.
👉 For sparkle, I used the Holographic Resin Dots—love the shine they give!
👉 The sentiment, stamped in Blackberry Bliss, pops perfectly against the soft background.

You can catch the replay of today’s Live on You Tube—let me know what you think of this card!

💡 Why I love this suite:
The Celebratory Sips Suite makes it SO easy to create cards for birthdays, brunches, and summer parties. The fun drink imagery, fresh colour palette, and versatile sentiments mean you can use it year-round. Plus, the matching DSP makes designing quick and easy—just cut, layer, and go!

Here is a full list of supplies I used on today’s card.


🎉 Want to craft along with me?


Join my Celebratory Sips Mega Stamp Camp! You’ll get a fun-filled day of tutorials, project kits, and inspiration using this suite.
👉 Check out the details and sign up here!

Looking for more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! Right now we have a great Starter Kit deal!

In addition to the great price, there are a TON of other benefits:

  • Save 20%+ on your orders.
  • Get free access to my monthly card class tutorials.
  • Enjoy our monthly team meetings with stamping fun and collaboration.
  • Exclusive Demonstrator events by Stampin’ Up! such as Creative Convention.
  • and MUCH more!

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

I’d love to have you join me at my next in person or online card class or my team meeting!

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 🙂


Sneak Peek – 2025–2027 In Colors for GDP494

The newest Global Design Project sketch challenge (GDP494) was the perfect opportunity to showcase Stampin’ Up!’s brand new 2025–2027 In Colors—and I’m in love!

Here’s the card I created:

This happy birthday card features:
🎨 Secret Sea, Cloud Cover, Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, and Darling Duckling—aren’t those names just fun?
🌿 Each color strip is embossed using the Garden folder from the Glass & Gardens 3D Embossing Folder Pack for gorgeous texture and dimension.
🌸 I added three sweet layered flowers with pink gem centers for a whimsical touch.
💬 The sentiment comes from the new Simply Said stamp set, heat embossed in white on a bold strip of cardstock.

The best part? Most of these products aren’t even available to the public yet—they launch May 6! But… if you sign up to become a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, you can get early access and a discount too. Win-win!

👉 Want to recreate this design? I’ll have a full supply list ready once the products go live—stay tuned!

📌 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? 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!

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!

I’d love to have you join me at my next in person or online card class or my team meeting!

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 🙂


Join Us for the Celebratory Sips Mega Stamp Camp!

I’m so excited to announce the Celebratory Sips Mega Stamp Camp!
This event includes:

  • 10 stunning card projects using the Cheers & Sips bundle
  • Pre-cut card kits shipped to your door
  • Full PDF + video tutorials
  • Bonus projects, prize draws & more!

You’ll also join a private Facebook group for even more crafty fun and community.

Your hosts—myself, Kim Kroeker, Gill Long, Ange McKay, and Lori Willcox—have created an unforgettable experience to spark your creativity.

Here are the beautiful new online exclusive products we will be crafting with:

👉 See the details and reserve your spot now: https://form.jotform.com/leahdixon41/celebratory-sips-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!
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 🙂