💌 Bright & Happy Christmas Wishes – #GDP522 Card Sketch Challenge

Card sketches are one of my favourite ways to kickstart creativity — and this week’s Global Design Project #GDP522 sketch was the perfect excuse to play with the Jolly Holly Bundle from Stampin’ Up!®.

For this cheerful holiday card, I went with a fun non-traditional colour combo:
🎨 Strawberry Slush, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, and Coastal Cabana.

The background is embossed with holly leaves for a soft texture, and I added White & Gold Baker’s Twine for a touch of sparkle. The Strawberry Slush Gems finish the look perfectly — just the right pop of shimmer to balance the playful colours.

I love how this card turned out — bright, modern, and full of Christmas cheer! 🌿✨

Play Along!

Want to join the fun? Create your own project inspired by #GDP522 and share it on social media – facebook.com/GlobalDesignProject
👉 Don’t forget to tag @stampinwithleah and use #GDP522 so I can see your creations!

📌 Save this post for your next cardmaking session — or share it with a crafty friend who loves non-traditional Christmas cards!

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?

Join my December Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

Don’t live nearby? You can find many PDF Tutorials in my shop:
👉 https://payhip.com/StampinWithLeahCardCardClassestoGo

Looking for even more inspiration and 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.



Jolly Holly & Patterned Tags – Holiday Cardmaking Replay

If you missed this week’s Facebook and YouTube LIVE, don’t worry — you can still catch all the creative fun! I shared a set of festive projects featuring two unique Stampin’ Up! products: the Jolly Holly stamp set and the Patterned Tags Dies.

These two work together beautifully to create quick, cheerful cards that are perfect for your Christmas crafting! Whether you’re making a few special cards or prepping for a big batch, these ideas will help you add sparkle and dimension to your holiday projects.

📺 Watch the Replay:

💖 Why You’ll Love This Class

  • You’ll learn fresh ideas for using tag dies beyond gift tags — perfect for cards, packaging, and more!
  • The Jolly Holly stamp set offers beautiful sentiments and imagery that blend easily with many DSPs and embellishments.
  • Get step-by-step guidance and design inspiration to make your holiday crafting simple and stress-free.
  • You can craft along with me using your free packet or the PDF tutorial — whichever fits your crafting style!
  • The projects are quick to make but look polished, ideal for sending a handmade touch during the busy holiday season.

💌 How to Join In

🎁 Free Card Packet Offer (Nov 3–7 Only!)

Place a $65+ order with me this week and you’ll receive a FREE card packet featuring the pre-cut Designer Series Paper and sequins I used in my projects.

✨ I only have 5 ready-to-ship packets available!
If those run out, I’ll contact you to see if you’d like:

  • A kit with a coordinating retired DSP substitute, or
  • To wait for your packet when the DSP is back in stock (expected Nov 17).

🛒 Shop here: https://www.stampinup.ca/?demoid=2189587

Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss my next live class!

Here are the 4 unique cards:

I had such a great time creating these projects live — I hope you’ll give them a try and add your own festive twist! If you do, be sure to tag me on social media @StampinWithLeah so I can see your creations. 💕

Looking for more ways to stamp with me?

Join my December Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

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

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 🙂


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?

Join my November Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

Don’t live nearby? You can find many PDF Tutorials in my shop:
👉 https://payhip.com/StampinWithLeahCardCardClassestoGo

Looking for even more inspiration and 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.



Sweeten Your Holidays with the Gingerbread Man Card!

The holidays are the perfect time for crafting, and I’m so excited to share my Gingerbread Man card with you! This adorable card is full of festive fun and sweet details, perfect for sending to friends and family—or just keeping for yourself as a little holiday joy.

🎥 Watch the replay on YouTube:

In this live demo, I show you step-by-step how to bring this cheerful Gingerbread Man to life using Stampin’ Up! products. It’s playful, easy to follow, and full of tips to make your holiday cards extra special.

But if you’d like to craft at your own pace, I also have a Gingerbread Man Card Class To Go available! For just $10 CAD, you’ll get a 4-card PDF tutorial that shows you exactly how to create this sweet card and three more festive designs. It’s perfect for a cozy crafting night at home, or even as a gift for a fellow crafter.

👉 Grab your Gingerbread Man Card Class To Go here: https://payhip.com/b/qDEQ5

Whether you watch the replay or dive into the full class, these cards are sure to bring a little extra cheer to your holiday season.

📦 Want to create more with me?

Join me next week for my November Card Class To Go (Monday 7pm Pacific) on Facebook and YouTube

You can also find me in person ( In Port Coquitlam, BC)

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! There are two fabulous starter kit deals right now! Act fast – this deal ends Oct 31!

  • 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 crafting with me!

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 🙂


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?

Join my November Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

Looking for even more inspiration and 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.

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

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



October 2025 Paper Pumpkin – Cozy Christmas Unboxing & Alternative Ideas

If you love cozy, classic Christmas designs, you’re going to adore the October 2025 Paper Pumpkin Kit – Cozy Christmas! This month’s kit includes everything you need to create beautifully coordinated Christmas cards with traditional colors, flocked accents, and festive greetings.

In my video and blog today, I’m sharing:
✨ My unboxing of the Cozy Christmas kit
🎁 The three original card designs
🌟 Three alternative cards I created using the leftovers from the kit

For my alternatives, I used:

  • Gold Striped Mesh Ribbon
  • Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder
  • Cherry Cobbler Ink
  • Blending Brush
  • Stylish Shapes Dies
  • Abundant Joy add-on dies
  • Traditional Sparkling Sequins (I didn’t use these – but a great alternative if you run out of the kit sequins)

For my alternatives, I played with textures, layers, and a touch of shimmer:

The JOY card features a fun stencil technique! I used the negative frames from the die-cut letters and a blending brush to softly blend the letters onto the extra frame.
I used second generation ink to stamp the snowflakes on the die cut circle and I finished this card with gold striped mesh ribbon for a festive sparkle.
The background is embossed with the Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder. The green leaves come from the Abundant Joy die add-on, adding extra depth and dimension.

Whether you stick with the original designs or create your own alternatives, this kit is perfect for spreading handmade joy this holiday season.

Want to get even more from your kit?
If you subscribe through me, you’ll also receive a free 10-project PDF tutorial each month. This tutorial is sent out to my Paper Pumpkin subscribers after the 25th of every month—perfect for keeping the creativity going. Below is a peek at last months tutorial bundle.

📦 Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin here:
Paper Pumpkin Subscription

🌿 Abundant Joy Add-On (Item 167855| $16.50)
Don’t forget the coordinating add-on dies! The Abundant Joy Dies work perfectly with this month’s Cozy Christmas Kit, plus the upcoming November and December kits. Quickly and cleanly cut out a gift tag, a flower, sprigs of greenery, or the word Joy to elevate your crafting projects. 

📌 Refill Kits:
Around the 24th of each month, Stampin’ Up! often releases refill kits (while supplies last). Grab yours here: https://www.stampinup.ca/categories/subscriptions/paper-pumpkin/refills-past-kits-add-ons?demoid=2189587

👉 Watch the replay, subscribe today, and get ready for all the cozy, creative fun Paper Pumpkin brings each month!


Coming in November

November Kit: Wrapped In Cheer
Wrap up a little Christmas magic with the Wrapped in Cheer Paper Pumpkin Kit! 

With delicate double-sided greenery pieces and textured paper bows, these festive tags and goody boxes are just the right size for gift cards, candies, and other festive little favors! Each all-inclusive kit comes with everything you need to make eight treat boxes and two coordinating tag designs, including:

  •  Foldable boxes
  •  Precut paper pieces
  •  Red dot embellishments
  •  Linen thread
  •  A Christmas stamp set

Get your kit today and turn every tiny gift into a merry moment to remember! 


Coordinating Add-On: Abundant Joys Dies – Item #167855
Price: $16.50 CAD
Available while supplies last.

💌 Ready to craft with Paper Pumpkin?
👉 Subscribe here : https://www.stampinup.ca/products/paper-pumpkin-subscription/?demoid=2189587
You won’t want to miss these beautifully coordinated kits!

Product List

Looking for some more fun stamping experiences in person or online? Check out my calendar of events or contact me to book your own card class.

You can also sign up for my newsletter (link below) so you don’t miss out on any of my events.

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 🙂


Cozy Fall Inspiration with Amber Autumn – HSS #474

As soon as I saw the Hand Stamped Sentiments Inspiration Challenge #474 board, I knew I wanted to feature the Amber Autumn Bundle. Its classic pumpkins, gourds, and foliage perfectly capture the cozy, layered textures and rich colours of fall shown in the challenge images.

This card combines the Amber Autumn bundle with the soon-to-be-released Vellum Basics (available November 1st — or you can get it early by joining my Stampin’ Up! team and adding it to your starter kit today!)

The background features the textured Need for Tweed DSP, and the metallic leaves are die-cut from the Earthen Tones Metallic Specialty Paper — a subtle shimmer that complements the soft fabric look perfectly.

🍂 Why You’ll Love the Amber Autumn Bundle

  • Perfect for creating elegant fall cards and Thanksgiving projects.
  • Gorgeous line art images ideal for colouring, blending, or embossing.
  • Versatile sentiments that work beautifully for gratitude, friendship, and seasonal celebrations.

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


If you love this bundle as much as I do, don’t miss my Amber Autumn PDF Tutorial — available now in my shop:
👉 https://payhip.com/b/5lef9

You’ll find step-by-step instructions for multiple cozy fall cards — perfect for crafting during those crisp October evenings.

💛 Join the Inspiration

Head over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and play along with Challenge #474! Use the inspiration board to spark your next fall creation and share your work with our creative community.

Want to Stamp With Me?

Join my October Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

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

There are two great ways to join right now and so many reasons to be a part of my 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.



GDP518 Sketch Challenge – Nests of Winter & Misty Moonlight Magic

There’s something so elegant about a cool winter palette, and today’s card for the Global Design Project #518 Sketch Challenge captures that perfectly! I paired the Nests of Winter Designer Series Paper with Misty Moonlight, silver-edged ribbon, and rhinestones for a frosty, festive feel.

The sentiment from Jolly Holly was stamped in Misty Moonlight and layered on a Spotlight on Nature circle for the perfect focal point. This simple but striking design really lets the patterned paper and soft shimmer take center stage.

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


I love how the sketch challenge layout gave me the perfect framework to build a clean and elegant holiday card that’s quick to assemble but still full of detail.

👉 Check out all the amazing inspiration from the Global Design Project #518 Challenge here and try the sketch yourself!

💙 Tip: If you love this colour combo, stock up on Misty Moonlight cardstock and ink before the holidays—they’re perfect for winter crafting projects.

Want to Stamp With Me?

Join my October Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

Don’t live nearby? You can find many PDF Tutorials in my shop:
👉 https://payhip.com/StampinWithLeahCardCardClassestoGo

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

There are two great ways to join right now and so many reasons to be a part of my 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.



Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to share a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving to you all! My crafting community means a lot to me and I ‘m so glad you are a part of it!

If you are in Canada I hope you are enjoying a lovely long weekend – I willa ctually be celebrating next weekend with the whole family ( including my sisters new in-laws!). It will be a great time for meeting new family and celebrating with all.

Here is a little card I created to share with my family.

This card was created using all the same products as the cards from my Amber Autumn card class to go.

You can find it in my PDF ShopGet it here

Here’s a printable PDF for how I created this card:

Looking for more ways to stamp with me?

Join my October Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!

2 amazing ways to join right now!!

  • Save 20%+ on your orders (including the virtual album and the suite sale items!!)
  • Get free access to my monthly card class tutorials.
  • Enjoy our monthly team meetings with stamping fun and collaboration.

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 – Modern Christmas Elegance

It’s time for another Festive Friday inspiration! Today’s card showcases the Modern Christmas Bundle—a gorgeous set that captures the beauty of minimal design and festive sparkle.

I started with a clean black-and-white palette, adding a crisp geometric background to make the gold sentiment and tree details truly shine. A few gold sequins and metallic twine finish the look with a hint of glam.

This card is a perfect example of how less can be more! If you love elegant holiday cards that are quick to make but still make a statement, this bundle is a must-have.

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

Stampin’ Up! Supplies Used:

  • Modern Christmas Bundle
  • Gold Foil and Loose Gold Sequins
  • Basic White & Basic Black Cardstock
  • Black and Gold Twine

👉 Try this look for your next round of Christmas cards and let your creativity sparkle!

📦 Want to create more with me?

Check out this months Card Class To Go

You can also find me in person ( In Port Coquitlam, BC)

Looking for even more ways to enjoy stamping? Join my Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad Pals team! There are two fabulous starte r kit deals 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 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 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 🙂