Throwback Thursday: A Christmas Card with Half Full

Leave a comment

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!

➡️ Subscribe to my newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/f1809c680508/subscribe-to-stampin-with-leahs-newsletter

GDP561 Colour Challenge: A Soft and Pretty Christmas Card

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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!

Shop Here

👉 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!

➡️ Subscribe to my newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/f1809c680508/subscribe-to-stampin-with-leahs-newsletter

Global Design Project #560 | Balloon Celebration Card

Leave a comment

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]
Shop With Me

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

Leave a comment

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.


August 2026 Product of the Month – Glow of Harvest 12X12 Specialty DSP

Leave a comment

Each month, Stampin’ Up! features an exclusive Product of the Month, giving you the opportunity to purchase a featured product at a special price with a qualifying order. I love this promotion because it’s a great way to add something special to your craft room while saving money!

For August, the featured product is the gorgeous Glow of Harvest 12″ x 12″ Specialty Designer Series Paper (Item #168598) and this month’s Product of the Month promotion begins on August 4th! . With a $100 CAD order (before tax and shipping), you can add this beautiful paper pack to your order for just $7 CAD! It’s a great time to stock up on your favourites and earn this month’s special offer!

This stunning paper collection celebrates the beauty of autumn with warm, rich colours and an elegant pearlized finish that adds a subtle shimmer to every project.

Each package includes:

  • 12 sheets (2 each of 6 single-sided designs)
  • Pearlized finish for extra shine
  • Acid and lignin free (photo-safe)
  • Coordinating colours: Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Golden Glow and Pecan Pie.

The smaller patterns make beautiful card backgrounds, while the larger designs are perfect for fussy cutting to create eye-catching focal points on your cards, scrapbook layouts and other paper crafting projects.

My Bonus Gift for You

When you order the Glow of Harvest Specialty Designer Series Paper as part of Stampin’ Up!’s August Product of the Month promotion through me, I’ll send you my exclusive PDF Tutorial featuring projects created with this beautiful paper.

It’s my way of helping you get even more inspiration from your new supplies! Instead of wondering what to make first, you’ll have step-by-step project ideas ready to inspire your creativity.

This tutorial includes:

  • 12 inspiring projects
  • A variety of card styles
  • Creative layouts and ideas
  • Inspiration to help you get the most from this beautiful die

It’s available exclusively to my customers as my thank you for supporting my business.

SHOP HERE

Inspiration from the Stampin’ Up! Design Team

Need a little creative inspiration? The talented Stampin’ Up! Design Team has created some beautiful projects featuring the Glow of Harvest Specialty Designer Series Paper, showcasing just how versatile this collection really is.

From elegant cards to sweet 3D projects, these samples highlight the gorgeous pearlized finish, warm autumn colour palette, and a variety of ways to use both the larger focal designs and the smaller all-over patterns.

Take a look at these beautiful projects below!

I hope these ideas inspire you to create something beautiful with your own Glow of Harvest Designer Series Paper. Whether you CASE one of these designs or put your own creative spin on them, this paper makes it easy to create stunning projects.

How to Get Yours

It’s easy!

  • Place a $100 CAD (before tax and shipping) order during August.
  • Add the Glow of Harvest Specialty Designer Series Paper to your cart for just $7 CAD.
  • Complete your order through my online store.
  • I’ll send you my exclusive PDF tutorial so you can start creating beautiful projects with your new paper.

Don’t Miss Out!

This special offer is available only during August and while supplies last, so if this paper has caught your eye, be sure to grab it before it’s gone.

I can’t wait to see what you create with this gorgeous fall collection!

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 🙂

Global Design Project #558 | Woodland Wishes Christmas Card

Leave a comment

This week, I’m excited to share my card for the Global Design Project #558 Sketch Challenge! I always enjoy sketch challenges because they provide a great starting point while still leaving plenty of room for creativity.

For my card, I stayed true to the sketch by creating four square panels and filling each one with an adorable woodland scene using the Woodland Wishes stamp set. Each little critter brings its own personality to the card—from the curious hedgehog and graceful deer to the sweet fox and friendly bear.

To add interest without overwhelming the design, I embossed the Basic White card base with the festive Swirls of Magic embossing folder. The subtle texture creates the perfect whimsical backdrop while allowing the stamped images to remain the focal point.

I coloured all of the images with Stampin’ Blends and layered each panel onto Old Olive cardstock to help define the layout from the sketch. A bold Real Red sentiment banner stretches across the centre, tying all four panels together while adding the perfect pop of Christmas colour. I finished the card with a few rhinestones for just a touch of sparkle.

One of my favourite things about sketch challenges is seeing how everyone interprets the same design differently. It’s amazing how a simple sketch can inspire so many unique creations!

I hope you’ll visit the Global Design Project to see all of the Design Team inspiration and then join us by creating your own version of this week’s sketch. I can’t wait to see what you make!

✂️Supplies Used:

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [ 159229 ]Basic White 8 1/2″ X 11″ Thick Cardstock [159229]Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]Basic White 8 1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [166780]Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 100702 ]Old Olive 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [100702]Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 102482 ]Real Red 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [102482]Woodland Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 168243 ]Woodland Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [168243]
Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad [ 166648 ]Basic Black Hybrid Stampin’ Pad [166648]Versamark Pad [ 102283 ]Versamark Pad [102283]Basics Wow! Embossing Powder [ 165679 ]Basics Wow! Embossing Powder [165679]Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [ 129053 ]Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [129053]Embossing Additions Tool Kit [ 159971 ]Embossing Additions Tool Kit [159971]
Golden Glow Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 167682 ]Golden Glow Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [167682]Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154882 ]Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [154882]Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 161674 ]Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [161674]Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154881 ]Calypso Coral Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [154881]Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154892 ]Old Olive Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [154892]
Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154899 ]Real Red Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [154899]Darling Duckling Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 165288 ]Darling Duckling Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [165288]Rhinestone Basic Jewels [ 144220 ]Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]Swirls Of Magic Embossing Folder [ 168179 ]Swirls Of Magic Embossing Folder [168179]Multipurpose Liquid Glue [ 110755 ]Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755]
Stampin' Dimensionals [ 104430 ]Stampin’ Dimensionals [104430]Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]Paper Trimmer [ 152392 ]Paper Trimmer [152392]Basic White Medium Envelopes [ 159236 ]Basic White Medium Envelopes [159236]
Shop With Me

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.


Interactive Gift Card Holder with Lovely Arrangements | Stampin’ Up!

Leave a comment

This week’s challenge at Global Design Project is all about COLOUR—and it’s such a fresh and cheerful combo!

When I saw this colour palette, I immediately thought flowers! The beautiful blooms from the Lovely Arrangements stamp set were the perfect choice. I stamped the flowers in Smoky Slate and coloured the flowers in Flirty Flamingo, paired them with stamped off Coastal Cabana leaves, and added touches of Lemon Lolly in the flower centres to tie all three challenge colours together.

For the focal point, I layered the flowers over a vellum circle cut using one of the dies from the Spotlight on Nature Dies. I love how the detailed edge frames the floral arrangement while adding just the right amount of texture. The soft patterned panel (cut from the Beautiful Ordinary Life 12X12 DSP) along the left side of the card provides a subtle backdrop without competing with the flowers, and a few Shimmering Dots add the perfect finishing touch.

The real surprise is inside!

This card opens to reveal a pop-out gift card holder, making it a beautiful way to give a gift card while still including space to write a personal message. I always love creating cards that are both pretty and practical, and this fold is sure to bring a smile when it’s opened. You can find all the dimensions and a how to video below.

The inspiration for this fun fold came from creativemomentsbyg.com . Once you know the fold, the possibilities are endless!

Card Details

I suggest using one colour of cardstock to create these 4 pieces. This will be the basic pop out card structure.

  • 5-1/2″ X 4-1/4″ mat
  • 8-1/2″ X 4-1/4″, scored at 4-1/4″ card
  • 6-1/4″ x 3-7/8″, scored at 3/4″ pop out piece
  • 4-3/4″ X 1-1/4″, scored at 1/4″ on each side, strip across the back of the card

Then you can use DSP and cardstock to decorate as desired. Here’s what I used to decorate this card:

  • 1-3/4″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Beautiful Ordinary Life 12X12 DSP on the card front
  • 4″ x 1″ piece of Beautiful Ordinary Life 12X12 DSP on the card back
  • 4″ x4″ piece of Beautiful Ordinary Life 12X12 DSP on the inside
  • 3″ X 3-5/8″ piece of Beautiful Ordinary Life 12X12 DSP as the gift card/cash mat
  • 3″X3″ piece of vellum to cut a Spotlight on nature circle die
  • Scraps to stamp and die cut the flowers and leaves.
  • optional – 3″ X 3″ Basic White square for inside the card and scraps for more flowers and leaves.

Watch here to see how these pieces go together to create a very special gift/cash holder for someone in your life:

Here’s a full list of my supplies.


Shop Here

I hope this project inspires you to try this week’s colour combination or to create your own interactive card. Be sure to stop by the Global Design Project and check out all the amazing inspiration from the Design Team, then join us by sharing your own creation!

Want to stamp with me?

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


HSS493 – A Sweet Birthday Card with Caring Animals

1 Comment

It’s time for another fun challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments , and this week we’re featuring a beautiful Colour Challenge HSS493!

When I first saw this colour combination, I immediately thought of creating something soft, sweet, and perfect for celebrating a birthday. The adorable lion from the Caring Animals stamp set seemed like the perfect choice!

I started with a Barely Blush card base and added lots of subtle texture using the Fern & Flora 3D Embossing Folder. I love how embossing adds interest without competing with the focal image.

For the background strip, I used a piece of Beautiful Ordinary Life Designer Series Paper in Lost Lagoon, but I wanted to give it a little extra personality. I stamped the leafy images from the Caring Animals stamp set directly onto the DSP using Lost Lagoon ink for a subtle tone-on-tone effect. It’s a simple technique that adds depth and ties the background in beautifully with the embossed botanical theme.

To create a little extra dimension, I stamped the lion and sentiment in Lost Lagoon on my die-cut circle first, then stamped the lion again in Black Memento Ink on a separate piece of cardstock. After colouring and fussy cutting him, I popped him up with Stampin’ Dimensionals so he extends beyond the edge of the circle. It’s an easy technique that really helps the focal image stand out. To finish the focal point, I wove Linen Thread through the stitched openings around the Spotlight on Nature circle and tied a bow in the bottom left corner. I love the soft texture it adds and how it draws attention to the beautiful stitched detail of the die. To finish the card, I added a few gems for sparkle from the In Color 2026-2028 Dots.

One of my favourite things about colour challenges is seeing how everyone interprets the same palette in completely different ways. This combination felt soft and elegant while still being playful thanks to the adorable lion.

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 these beautiful colours. I can’t wait to see what you make!

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!