Huge Thanks — Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge #HSS476

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Stampin’ Up!’s brand new Big Little Things Stamp Set (released November 4th, 2025) is full of charm and heart. I couldn’t resist using the sweet manatee image for this week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge. It’s perfect for thank-you cards, birthdays, or just-because notes — and it pairs beautifully with subtle seaside tones.

Design Tip 💡

To get this soft ombré look on your background, lightly blend Lost Lagoon ink over your embossed panel using a Blending Brush. It highlights the raised areas and brings the waves to life.

Join the Challenge

I’d love for you to join this week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge! Use the sketch as your starting point and share your creation with us. Whether you go bold or subtle, it’s all about having fun and getting creative.

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


HSS476Download

Save this card idea to your Stampin’ Up! Sketch Inspiration board — it’s a fun layout you can reuse for so many themes.

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

Don’t live in Canada? You can still get this tutorial in my PDF shop: https://payhip.com/b/dya8j

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Merry & Bright for HSS Color Challenge #475

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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
HSS475 TutorialDownload

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

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Cozy Fall Inspiration with Amber Autumn – HSS #474

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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.


thesearemystamps.com_cards_print_hss474Download

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.

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HSS Sketch Challenge – Gingerbreadman Bundle

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I’m so excited to share my project for this week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge #473. For this card, I featured the Gingerbreadman Bundle from Stampin’ Up! to create a whimsical holiday design.

This card is full of sweet details:

  • A gingerbreadman, heat embossed in white on Pecan Pie cardstock.
  • A bold red banner stamped with “Season’s Eatings”.
  • Bright, cheerful die cut gumdrops.
  • Candy stripes from the Turtle-y Cute DSP for extra festive fun.

This project combines playful colors with holiday cheer and is a perfect way to spread smiles this season!

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


HSS473 card recipeDownload

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

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RSVP now for the October 25th class
Live outside of Canada? You still have time to register!

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Dino-Mite Fun for HSS472 + GDP514!

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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.


HSS472CCDownload

Want to Stamp With Me?

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RSVP now for the October 11th class
See the details and register here!

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Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge #471 – Creating with Love & Courage

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The Hand Stamped Sentiments Inspiration Challenge #471 brings cozy fall vibes—plaid blankets, crisp leaves, and glowing light. I was especially drawn to the sunflower image, which I carried into my card design using the new Love & Courage Stamp Set.

This stamp set is available beginning September 3rd in the Stampin’ Up! September–December Mini Catalogue. It includes heartfelt phrases like “Support, strength, heart, faith, resolve, fight, hope, courage, survivor, believe” as well as a beautiful sunflower and ribbon image. These sentiments are designed to help us create meaningful cards of encouragement, gratitude, and solidarity.

Even more powerful, Stampin’ Up! donates $4 from every purchase of this set to breast cancer organizations in the country where you order. It’s a way for crafters around the world to come together and make a difference through creativity.

For my project, I chose to adapt the ribbon from pink to gold in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in September. Gold symbolizes courage, hope, and love—perfect qualities to share with families who are walking this difficult journey.

🌻 Whether your cardmaking supports breast cancer awareness, childhood cancer awareness, or another cause dear to your heart, the Love & Courage Stamp Set is a meaningful addition to your craft collection.

👉 You can purchase this set starting September 3rd through my Stampin’ Up! online store.

Want to Stamp With Me?

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

RSVP now for the September 13th class
See the details and register here!

Join me live every Wednesday at 9am ( or catch the replay). Here is last week’s replay – you can still get this class until midnight tonight (Tuesday September 2nd, 2025).

See the details here: https://stampinwithleah.ca/2025/08/27/coffee-cards-august-2025-replay/

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Hand Stamped Sentiments #470 – Sketch Challenge with Terrific Toadstools

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I love when a sketch challenge comes together easily, and this week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge is one of those! The layout was perfect for showing off the Terrific Toadstools bundle—a current set that’s just right for fall cards. 🍂

👉 See the DT projects and play along: Hand Stamped Sentiments

How to Make This Card

  1. Card base & mats
    • Gray Granite card base (5-1/2″ × 8-1/2″, score at 4-1/4″).
    • Add a large Country Woods DSP panel (4″ × 5-1/4″) in the Basic Beige design.
    • Layer a second coordinating DSP rectangle (2-5/8″ X 4-7/8″”) onto a Gray Granite CS (2-3/4″ x 5″) and then to the left side of the cardfront.
  2. Leafy backdrop
    • On Basic Beige (2-1/4″ × 3-1/2″, matted with a Petal Pink CS – 2-3/8″ X 3-5/8″), stamp greenery in 2nd-generation Old Olive to keep it light and layered.
  3. Mushrooms (Terrific Toadstools)
    • Caps: stamp in 2nd-generation Calypso Coral and 2nd-generation Early Espresso.
    • Stems: stamp in full-strength Gray Granite.
    • Use a sponge dauber with Memento Black to softly ink the edges for depth.
    • Fussy cut and pop up with Dimensionals.
  4. Sentiment & assembly
    • Stamp a sentiment using Memento Black Ink on a slim strip (1/2″ X 1-1/2″) and adhere beside the focal panel.
  5. Finishing touches
    • Sprinkle Muted Palette Dots to balance the corners and add a soft sheen.

🛒 Want to recreate this card? Click here to shop all supplies in my Canadian online store! Here is a full list of the supplies I used:


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Join me live every Wednesday at 9am ( or catch the replay). Here is last week’s replay – you can still get this class until midnight tonight (Tuesday August 19th, 2025).

https://stampinwithleah.ca/2025/08/13/coneflower-celebrations-card-class-to-go-replay-kit-pdf-available/

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HSS469 Colour Challenge- Cheers to Blackberry Season!

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This week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge #469 features a beautiful combo of:
🟣 Blackberry Bliss
🟪 Fresh Freesia
🩵 Pool Party

This palette immediately reminded me of the juicy blackberries I picked earlier this week — so of course, I had to add a few to the glasses on this card! The Cheers & Sips stamp set and Celebratory Sips DSP were the perfect pairing for this berry-inspired design.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Instructions:

Card Base: Pool Party cardstock, A2 size (5½” x 4¼”).

Embossed Layer: Fresh Freesia panel (4″ x 5¼”). Emboss using the Glass & Gardens Embossing Folder (tile pattern) for a patio-inspired backdrop.

Arch Focal Point: Die cut stitched arches from Everyday Details Dies (4th and 5th largest) in Blackberry Bliss and Basic White.

Adhere with liquid glue.

Drinks & Details: Die cut two drink glasses from the Celebratory Sips DSP. Use the texturing die on the taller glass. Add stamped blackberry clusters (because why not bring the garden to the glass?) Arrange and adhere with Dimensionals over the arch panel.

Sentiment Label: Stamp “Cheers” in Blackberry Bliss on Pool Party cardstock. Die cut using Beautiful Butterflies Dies label.

Final Touches: Stamp “Let’s Celebrate!” on the arch. Scatter a few Starburst Sequins for some bubbly sparkle. Tuck in more blackberries for flavour and fun! To create the blackberries I stamped them in B;ackberry Bliss Ink and used a blending pen to add Blackberry Bliss Ink to the insides, then die cut.

💡 TIP: Heat emboss the drinks for a glassy look or add Wink of Stella to the berries for extra juice-inspired shine!

🛒 Want to recreate this card? Click here to shop all supplies in my Canadian online store! Here is a full list of the supplies I used:


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🎯 Join the Challenge:
Create your own summer-inspired card using this week’s trio at https://handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com/. You’ll love where the colours take you!

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We are in month 4 of the In Colour Club – but it’s not too late to join and get these fabulous colours!

A great way to get all the new colours!

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HSS468 – Celebratory Sips Inspiration Challenge

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This week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments Inspiration Challenge (#HSS468) is filled with summery fun, so I reached for my Celebratory Sips 12×12 DSP and created a trio of refreshing drink elements to fussy cut. For the backdrop, I watercoloured loose circles on Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper using Azure Afternoon and Blueberry Bushel reinkers.

🌟 Watercolour Tip: Start by painting your circle shape with just water, then load your brush with a watered-down drop of reinker. When you add this to your wet area, the colour blooms beautifully, and using two shades together creates stunning blends and movement!

I mounted everything on Blueberry Bushel and Azure Afternoon cardstock, and finished the look with Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Adhesive-backed Gems. A perfect “Cheers—it’s your day!” kind of card!

👉 Join the HSS468 challenge and get inspired: https://handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com/

Here is a full list of the supplies I used:


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RSVP now for the July 26th class
July 15 – 22 you can get the full kit, after that the PDF is still available – find details here: https://stampinwithleah.ca/2025/07/16/card-class-replay-not-29-anymore-with-birthday-treats-ephemera/

We are in month 3 of the In Colour Club – but it’s not too late to join and get these fabulous colours!

A great way to get all the new colours!

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HSS467 Sketch Challenge | Featuring Coneflower Celebration

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It’s time for another Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge—this week is a sketch challenge and I absolutely loved working with it! I chose the stunning Coneflower Celebration bundle (currently out of stock—but more on that below!) to build my card around.

I paired it with elements from the Country Woods 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper for a warm and earthy base, then added a beautiful pop of colour with the Strawberry Slush 3/8″ Faux Linen Ribbon. This ribbon is so pretty, ties beautifully, and the colour is truly exquisite.

🌼 Card Details:

  • Stamping: The coneflower was stamped in Early Espresso Ink and coloured using Stampin’ Blends in Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, and Pecan Pie.
  • Stem: Stamped in Early Espresso and coloured with Old Olive Stampin’ Blends.
  • Layering: The background includes a Textured Notes die-cut panel and Country Woods DSP.
  • Details: I added some Early Espresso ink speckling, a trio of Adhesive-backed Textured Dots, and layered everything with dimension for a card that really pops.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

Speckling Technique: Use an empty Water Painter or stiff bristle brush to flick diluted Early Espresso ink lightly across your background for organic splatter effects. Sometimes I use the reinkers to get a richer colour.

Blending Colours: For a soft ombré petal effect, start with the darkest colour at the petal base and blend out using the lighter tone in small circular motions. For these petals I also combined Strawberry Slush with Timid Tiger. The coneflower center is Timid Tiger combined with Pecan Pie.

Here is a full list of the supplies I used:


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📦 Note on the Coneflower Celebration Bundle:

As of today, the Coneflower Celebration bundle is currently unavailable. However, Stampin’ Up! now has a fantastic “Notify Me” feature on all product pages!
If you’re logged into your account, you can click “Notify Me” to receive an email alert as soon as the bundle is back in stock. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss out when this popular bundle returns!

📌 Ready to get inspired? Head over to the HSS467 Challenge Page to see more interpretations of this fun sketch!

Want to Stamp With Me?

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

RSVP now for the July 26th class
July 2 – 9 you can get the full kit, after that the PDF is still available – find details here: https://stampinwithleah.ca/2025/07/02/introducing-the-jar-of-joy-card-class-to-go/

We are in month 3 of the In Colour Club – but it’s not too late to join and get these fabulous colours!

A great way to get all the new colours!

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

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