This week’s handmade Christmas card is all about sweet details and versatile layouts. I used the Humble Home stamp set and punch to create the cutest gingerbread house focal point, accented with Adhesive-Backed Peppermint Dots for a fun holiday pop.
The Take a Bow 6×6 Designer Series Paper—a retiring favourite on the Last Chance List—adds a joyful mix of stripes and polka dots. I tied everything together with a bow of White 1/4″ Ribbon for that finishing touch.
✅ This layout is a repeat of yesterday’s Throwback Thursday—because when a design works, I say use it again! ✅ Great for batch card-making during the holidays.
🛒 Want to make this card?
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Thanks for stopping by! I hope this card inspires your next holiday creation. Don’t forget to follow for more weekly inspiration and holiday cheer.
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 🙂
This week’s Throwback Thursday project is all about celebrating a classic favourite—Playful Pets Designer Series Paper! I absolutely love when a paper pack offers more than just backgrounds, and this one delivers with adorable images perfect for fussy cutting.
🐶 The Card Details:
For this card, I kept the layout playful and clean, letting that sweet pup be the star. Here’s what I used:
Playful Pets DSP (retired) – the dog image is fussy cut right from the paper!
Basic White & Real Red cardstock – bright and bold to match the playful vibe
Stylish Shapes Dies – I used these for both the stitched circle and the sentiment banner
Mini Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder – to add texture to the background circle
Black Baker’s Twine from the Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack – tied in a simple bow
Neutral Matte Dots – for a pop of contrast and balance
I love how the paws and hearts on the background DSP panel playfully frame the focal point while the corrugated embossing adds subtle dimension. 🐾❤️
💬 Creative Tip:
When a DSP pack includes images that can be fussy cut, you essentially get an extra set of embellishments or die-cuts for free! It’s such a great way to get more out of your supplies.
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.
There’s still time to register for this incredible stamp camp – from anywhere in the world!
If you loved the May 2025 Paper Pumpkin kit, you’re going to love these three alternative card ideas! Today I’m sharing how I used leftover pieces from the kit—along with the Hugs Abloom add-on dies introduced last month—to create masculine cards perfect for birthdays, Father’s Day, and more.
👉 🎥 Watch the replay here:
Here’s are my alternative cards:
🎨 Alternative Card 1: Reflected Wilderness
This card pairs a serene lake scene with deep blue layers for a nature-inspired masculine birthday card. I cut apart one of the original card bases and added it to a crisp white, then stamped the bird image across both panels for balance. The Happy Birthday sentiment is stamped and die-cut using the Hugs Abloom add-on dies. Finally, I embellished the card with Neutral Matte Dots.
💡 Tip: Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to pop up your sentiment for extra depth.
🌿 Alternative Card 2: Rolling Hills Landscape
This soft and serene design came together with extra pieces from the kit. I used one of the pre-printed sky and rolling hills panels and stamped birds and a birthday greeting using Misty Moonlight ink. Then I emebllished with Neutral Matte Dots.
⛰ Alternative Card 3: Earth Tone Layers for a Wonderful Man
This card features a pre-printed landscape layer in warm neutrals and cool blues for a striking scenic look. The sentiment “To a wonderful man” was cut using the stitched circle from the Stylish Shapes die set. Finally the card was embellished with Neutral Matte Dots.
💡 Perfect for: Father’s Day, masculine birthday cards, or even a retirement card!
These cards came together using only the leftover pieces from the May Paper Pumpkin kit, some cardstock and the exclusive Hugs Abloom coordinating dies. With a little creativity, you can extend the value of every kit and create cards that are personalized, heartfelt, and truly special. Here are the materials I used (note – the Misty Moonlight Ink is included in the Paper Pumpkin kit in ink spot format).
The coordinating Hugs Abloom Dies Add-On (Item #166238, $16.50 CAD) work with the April, May, and June kits—giving you even more creative options!
🌲 Did you miss subscribing to this kit? While the May kit is no longer available, you can still subscribe now for the June Paper Pumpkin: Full of Charm kit (Subscribe between May 11–June 10). It features gold-foiled cards and coordinating envelopes—perfect for heartfelt greetings!
This kit features:
9 cards (3 each of 3 designs)
Elegant gold foil accents
Colours: Berry Burst, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Mossy Meadow, Pretty Peacock (Classic Stampin’ Spot), and Timid Tiger.
A perk of subscribing to Paper Pumpkin with me is also that I have a new offering of a Paper Pumpkin Stamp Set PDF Tutorial (10+ alternative cards using the stamp set) for all my Paper Pumpkin subscribers.
You can also sign up for my newsletter (link below) so you don’t miss out on any of my events.
Let me know in the comments: which card is your favourite? Have you tried creating alternative designs with your Paper Pumpkin kits?
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 🙂
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.
🧁 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.
🚨 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!
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Enjoy our monthly team meetings with stamping fun and collaboration.
Contact me to find out more or see the details on my website.
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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 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 🙂
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 Colors—Secret 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!
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. ❄️🦌
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!
👉 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 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 🙂
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
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 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 🙂
Welcome back to the Coast to Coast Creators Blog Hop! This month, our creative team is thrilled to introduce the brand new 2025–2027 In Colors from Stampin’ Up! These fresh and vibrant hues are perfect for spring and beyond. Whether you love bold brights or softer shades, this new lineup offers something for every style:
Strawberry Slush – a bright, happy pink
Timid Tiger – a soft, orangey-coral
Darling Duckling – a warm, sunny yellow
Cloud Cover – a dreamy, misty blue
Secret Sea – a deep, mysterious navy
Many of the creators in our hop were inspired by a sketch this month… and while I may have missed including the sketch, I didn’t miss the chance to play with these gorgeous new colours!
My Card Set – Textured Notes + In Color Elegance
For my projects, I created a set of thank you cards using the new Textured Notes Bundle paired with the Heartfelt Hexagon Punch. I love how the leafy image fills the space without overpowering the sentiment — it makes for a simple, elegant focal point.
Each card features one of the new In Colors as the card base, coordinating stamped foliage, and a bold punched sentiment layer. I embellished each one with:
✨ Gold Striped Trim – adds a beautiful bit of shine ✨ 2025–2027 In Color Flat Pearls – the perfect subtle accent
I kept the layout clean and repeated the design to let the colors shine. This is a great way to create a coordinated set of cards or even prep a bunch to have on hand for gifts!
💙 Hop Along With Us!
You won’t want to miss what the rest of the Coast to Coast Creators have made this month! These demonstrators are so creative and bring a wide range of styles and techniques to inspire you:
👉 Click the link below to visit each blog and leave a little love 💕
Tips for Using Cloud Cover Ink
If you noticed that my Cloud Cover card looks just as soft and dreamy as the other colours—thank the Stampin’ Write Marker! Since a full-sized Cloud Cover Classic Ink Pad isn’t available due to a unique chemical reaction with the firm foam, I used my Stampin’ Write Marker to ink up the stamp directly. This works beautifully, especially with cling stamps like those in the Textured Notes set.
Why no ink pad for Cloud Cover? Stampin’ Up! discovered that when Cloud Cover ink meets the foam in our classic pads, it causes the colour to shift unpredictably. While they can’t reverse this reaction, there are still great options to enjoy this lovely hue:
Use the Cloud Cover Stampin’ Write Marker (available in the 2025–2027 Marker Pack – 165292)
Pair the Cloud Cover Classic Ink Refill l (165279) with Uninked Stampin’ Spots (141822) for consistent results
Look for the Stampin’ Spot Assortment Pack (166716), which includes a felt-based Cloud Cover spot!
While the 5-colour Classic Ink Pad Bundle won’t be available this year, you can still purchase Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, Darling Duckling, and Secret Sea ink pads individually. And trust me, Cloud Cover is still just as usable—you’ll simply reach for it a little differently.
Have you been thinking about joining Stampin’ Up!? Now is the perfect time. In May, you can choose $220 worth of products (including new In Color goodies!) and pay only $135 CAD — and there’s no shipping cost!
Whether you’re looking to save on your own orders or start a small business, the Starter Kit is completely customizable and there’s no obligation to sell. Plus, you’ll be part of my friendly and creative team! In Color productsin my online store here — and don’t forget, orders of $75+ qualify for my customer rewards!
Love the new In Colors but want to collect them gradually? My In Color Club is a fun and affordable way to build your collection over 4 months. Each month, you’ll receive a selection of products in all of the In Colors. See the details and register here: https://form.jotform.com/leahdixon41/in-colour-club-2025
✨ Let’s Stay Connected!
💌 Join my email list for early access to card classes, Stampin’ Up! promotions, and exclusive tutorials 📱 Follow me on Facebook and Instagram 🎥 Watch weekly Facebook Lives every Wednesday!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Be sure to hop along and check out what the rest of the Coast to Coast Creators have made with these fabulous new colors — you’re sure to be inspired.
Click here to shop my online store. Click here to access & view the current catalogs. Click here to subscribe to Thanks for hopping by! Make sure to pin this post for future reference and share it with your crafty friends.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 🙂
It’s time for a fresh new colour challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, and this one has me dreaming of tropical blooms and sunny skies! For HSS Challenge #463, we’re playing with a gorgeous palette of Fresh Freesia, Summer Splash, and Soft Sea Foam — and I couldn’t resist pulling out the Happy Hibiscus Bundle for this one. 💜💦💚
Here’s my design for the challenge:
I started with a bold Summer Splash card base to make those florals pop, then added a panel of white cardstock cut with the Textured Notes Dies for that subtle stitched border. The hibiscus flowers are stamped in Fresh Freesia and layered with coordinating die cuts for added dimension.
I used Soft Sea Foam for the die-cut leaves — they give the card a nice balance without overpowering the blooms. And how sweet are those little white accent flowers with Holographic Resin Dots for some sparkle? They’re the perfect finishing touch!
This card came together so easily thanks to the Happy Hibiscus stamp set and dies — it’s quickly becoming one of my favourites for summer crafting. The mix of bold florals and delicate details is just right for cards that celebrate life’s special moments.
We’d love to see your take on this challenge! Head over to Hand Stamped Sentiments to get all the details and link up your project. Whether you’re a seasoned cardmaker or just starting out, our colour challenges are a great way to stretch your creativity!
🛍️ Great News! Stampin’ Rewards Now Start at $25+
Stampin’ Up! has made it even easier to earn free product! You can now earn Stampin’ Rewards on orders starting at just $25 (before tax and shipping) — no more waiting to hit a $200 threshold!
This new earning structure applies to all orders, whether you’re shopping for a few essentials or stocking up on a big wishlist. It’s a great way to enjoy a little extra every time you place an order.
Upcoming Card Classes
Looking for more crafting fun? Join myJune Card Class to learn new techniques and create beautiful projects. Spots are limited, so reserve yours today!
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think of this week’s project, and if you’re creating with Fresh Freesia, Summer Splash, and Soft Sea Foam — I’d love to see what you come up with! Tag me on social @StampinWithLeah. 💬
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 + tax—shipping 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):
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.