Thursday, June 19, 2025

Come ARTISAN With Us!! Hopping with Stampin' Up!'s Artisan Design Team!

We LOVE being your 2025 Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team!  Today we are doing a fun Instagram hop & I wanted to share it here too!  Come over to IG to hop along with us to see our projects that were inspired by something we love about being an Artisan!  

📣 🙌 BONUS!!! If you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, you can apply now through June 30th to be on the 2026 team! 👏 🎉

I have a few bits of Artisan love of inspiration in the cards that I am sharing today!  Let's get started! 


All supplies are from ©️ Stampin' Up!

Colors Basic White, Strawberry Slush, Peach Pie, Coastal Cabana
Inks: Strawberry Slush, Peach Pie, Coastal Cabana, Pecan Pie, VersaMark
Cardstock/Papers: Coastal Cabana, Basic White, Thick Basic White, Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper
Stamps: Sunshine Vibes
Tools:  Sunshine Vibes Dies, Exposed Brick Embossing Folder, Water Painter, Heat Tool
Accessories: Baker's Twine Essentials Pack, Iridescent Faceted Gems

📦 🥰 First up ... my card uses a bundle that I received FREE in one of my Artisan boxes!  Yes ... that is right!  ONE of my boxes!  We get several throughout the year and believe me -  it is absolutely fabulous & exciting to have these boxes show up!  

🎨 😍 I was assigned this bundle for one of my assignements.  We get to participate in a variety of assignments as an Artisan Design Team member.  I love this piece because it truly has helped me grow in my creativity in more ways that I could share here! 

💓🌎 Saving the best for last ... the people!  I made a "Hello Darling" card in honor of all my Artisan friends!  The worldwide community of friendships created by being an Artisan is one that I carry with me forever.  "Once an Artisan, always an Artisan" is what this team is about. 

I will never be able to put into words what this team means to me.  But this hop is one way of trying to share!  😃  I just feel so fortunate to be an Artisan.  And we are so excited to share a bit about it all in this hop!!! 


Of course I want to share each card in a little more of a detailed way.  So let's get started! 

I think I will be obsessed with doing rainbows like this now.  Hee.  I first watercolored onto Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper.  Then dried it with my heat tool & added some gold splatter.  (To do this I just splattered Pecan Pie ink and then quickly added gold embossing powder.)  Then I used the fabulous rainbow die from this Sunshine Vibes Bundle from Stampin' Up! to die cut the individual rainbow pieces.  Look how pretty it is!!! ... 


Then I just used some of the rainbow arches mixed in with some of the other rainbow pieces from the die set that I cut out in white.  ***TIP:  Add Adhesive Sheet to the back of your cardstock before die-cutting to make them easy to stick to your project! 💖


Then these other bits were made in a few ways.  I watercolored a bit of Strawberry Slush onto watercolor paper.  Dried it, then stamped & embossed the greeting over it.  The floral image was just stamped & embossed in white embossing powder onto Basic White cardstock.  I fussy cut it out and then sponged some Peach Pie ink lightly over it.  I like doing these techniques because it gives you more control over the color saturation.  I wanted more subtle colors for these cards.  


And then one last tip.  I used the sunburst stamp to just stamp around the whole card to give it a fun background. 



I was originally just going to make one card.  But let's be honest ... I feel in love with the negative die part from the watercolored paper too.  Hee.  So I made both! 


Used the same supplies, same techniques, and got 2 cards!  That I am in love with.  Trust me ... they look better in person and I just keep looking at them.  Hee.  One last look at both cards: 




Thank you so much for visiting!  I hope you HOP on over to Instagram so you can see what everyone on the team made & shared with you! 

Here is a full list of the hoppers! 

Pamela @passionateaboutscrapbooking
Stacey @stampinwithstaceymarsh
Bree @craftsomnia
Andrea @andreaksargent
Sarine @sarinezijderveld
Jaqueline @touchofjoycs
Maheswari @maheswarirajaguru
Rochelle @thestampingblok_rochelleblok
Carina @inastempelt
Lara @scrappykea
Constanze @conibaer
Kim @kim_mcgillis
Ashley @designwithink
Marion @einilomascrap
Cornelia @manufaktur_herzgemacht
Petra @stempelstein
Eve @scrapbook_fait_avec_amour
Christine @christinecabello_latortuescrap
Jay @mitosucrafts
Yvonne @thecreativeteacup


Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything!  Would love to help you with all your papercrafting needs!  Would love to get you the Stampin' Up! supplies you need also!  So don't hesitate to reach out! 

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Friday, June 13, 2025

Extraordinary Flora Sketch for TGIF Challenge #529 ...

Who needs a fun sketch challenge to spark some creativity!  I know this helped me a lot this week!  And I played with a fun new product from Stampin' Up! ... the Extraordinary Flora Bundle!  I LOVE this stamp set/die (with bonus washi tape that you can order separately!) bundle.  You just may as well after I show you what it can do!  First up though ... here is the card I made with it! 

All supplies are from ©️ Stampin' Up!

Colors Basic White, Basic Black, Lemon Lolly, assorted shades of pink & green
Inks: Memento Black, BLENDS: Petal Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Granny Apple Green, Soft Sea Foam, Lemon Lolly, Peach Pie
Cardstock/Papers: Basic White, Thick Basic White, Lemon Lolly
Stamps: Extraordinary Flora Sunshine Vibes
Tools:  Extraordinary Flora Dies, Everyday Arches Dies, Exposed Brick Embossing Folder, Water Painter (splatter)
Accessories: Baker's Twine Essentials Pack, Iridescent Foil Gems

Pretty cute, right?!  And it is so easy!  I just stamped the large floral image, colored them with Blends Markers, and then die cut them all out with ONE DIE!!!  I even used the Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine!  😃  In love with that little mini powerhouse.  Hee.  But look how fun & easy it is to get all those fun floral images: 

I highly recommend this bundle.  This was my first time using it, but it most definitely will not be my last! 

And without further ado ... here is the sketch challenge for this week!  I pretty much kept to the sketch with just a few adaptions. 

I hope you enjoy & come play along with us this week!  Just head on over to the TGIF Challenge Blog to see what the other designers on the team made & to play along with us!  Can't wait to see what you made! 

Thanks for visiting!  Let me know if you have any questions or need me to help with anything!  Would love to help you get this bundle ordered! 

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Storytelling With Scrapbook Layouts!

Sharing a fun Technique Tuesday post that I did for Stampin' Up! as an Artisan!  It's a fun 12" x 12" scrapbook layout!  It's all about storytelling in scrapbooks.  Check it out! 

Storytelling in our scrapbooks is so important and adds so much value! The stories about people are important, yes - but don't forget that the other stories about what makes us who we are matter, also!  Today I'm sharing a layout I made about one of my favorite places on the planet, including a super-easy way to add journaling space to layouts.  So remember - it doesn't have to be difficult to be worth it!  Just record your stories!  

All supplies are from ©️ Stampin' Up!

Colors Pool Party, Lemon Lolly, Pretty in Pink, Basic White
Inks: Lemon Lolly, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, VersaMark, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, BLENDS: Bubble Bath
Cardstock/Papers: Pool Party TWO-TONE, Lemon Lolly, Bubble Bath, Crumb Cake, Basic Beige, Berry Burst, Strawberry Slush, Basic White, Celebratory Sips DSP
Stamps: Notes & Totes
Tools:  Notes & Totes Dies, Soft Waves 3D Embossing Folder, Heat Tool
Accessories: Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Baker's Twine Essentials Pack

How fun is this page?!  Have to admit ... I really love it.  Hee.  So let's talk about it more!   Starting with the storytelling then I will share a few more tips that I did to get the different accents. 👏




So easy, right?!  😃  Want me to show a few details & how I made them?!  Well then let's go!  💗  I used the FABULOUS Notes & Totes Bundle from Stampin' Up! 

Let's start with the base.  Two-Toned cardstock is SO MUCH FUN!  I used the Pool Party base with 4 square panels on top.  Look at the subtle beauty that adds.  So much interest without any other supplies.  For the 4 panels on top ... I did 2 different techniques. I stamped one side of 2 of the panels.  Then I embossed the 2 other panels & sanded them to let the white core come through. Love the subtle two-tone of the same colors!  😍  Then just added them to the page catty corner to each other before adding the other details. 


This leads to a few other tips!  Check out that cute title!  I love the Mini Alphabet Dies for cardmaking.  But of course, they are pretty fabulous for scrapbooking also!  I love that you can cut the whole alphabet out with one swipe through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine.  Also ... *TIP* Add Adhesive Sheets to the back before cutting out and you have easy letter stickers!  Extra fun ... add interest to the letters by adding some color with Blends Markers!  Then I lined them up using Grid Paper & Masking Paper to easily apply to color and add to my scrapbook page. 


Next tip ... now where did I get this fun flower?!  😁  

In the Notes & Totes Bundle there is this fun piece that cuts out a fun tie for the bag. I circled it in this photo: 


So I just cut out 5 of them, stamped them with the fun dotted stamp in the bundle, and adhered them together.  Love that flower!  💗

an

I already shared the fun little way I added the date & location, but here are a few more pics because I LOVE this bag die (cut out from Celebratory Sips Designer Series Paper) and all the little details from the dies.  Like really ... how stinking cute is it all layered together? And to do the sand layer, I just cut/tore a layer from Crumb Cake cardstock then used the dotted stamp again to make the sand.  



Those sunglasses!!!! 😍😍😍  Here is the full page again: 


Hope you enjoy this!  I loved making it and hope it inspires you to scrapbook those stories from your life! 💖

Let me know if you have any questions.  I would be happy to help you with all your papercrafting needs! 

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Inked Occasions Treat Box ...

Still have one more project to share that I made with the Fabulous Stampin' Up! April Paper Pumpkin Kit.  It's called Inked Occasions and probably one of my fave kits from all the years.  It is so gorgeous!  I share two different cards that I made in THIS POST and THIS POST.  And now I am sharing this fun box! 


All supplies are from ©️ Stampin' Up!

Colors Basic White, Berry Burst, Pool Party, Gold
Inks: Coastal Cabana, Berry Burst, VersaMark
Cardstock/Papers: Thick Basic White, April 2025 Paper Pumpkin Kit Inked Occasions
Stamps: Inked Occasions (stamps from kit)
Tools:  Fancy Borders Dies, Heat Tool, Simply Scored Scoring Tool
Accessories: Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder, Gold & Silver 1/8" Trim Combo Pack

Look how cute she is!  And so easy to make!  You just cut one of the cards from the kit into 2 pieces measuring 3" x 5 1/2".  Then use the Fancy Borders Dies to cut the top end of both of the pieces.  Then ... using the template below ... cut and score a piece of Thick Basic White Cardstock and make your box bottom.  Adhere the card pieces - one to the front & one to the back, decorate, and voila!  Cute little box to put any small gift or treat in! 

It was a fun box to make and definitely fun to give! 💗 



I hope you enjoy this little cutie.  Let me know if you have any questions!  Or need help getting signed up with your own Paper Pumpkin subscription!  

Thank you so much for visiting! 

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Friday, May 30, 2025

Playing with Celebratory Sips! For TGIF Challenge #527!!!

Woot!  A fun new challenge this week playing with fun product!  Celebratory Sips by Stampin' Up!  It is such a fun suite of products with lot of fun elements.  Today I did a quick and simple card that I am excited to share with you!  But keep in mind ... if you don't have these products - just use it as inspiration and create something with whatever you do have!  Or feel free to order it with me & we will get it to you ASAP! 😁

All supplies are from ©️ Stampin' Up!

Colors Basic White, Basic Black, colors from paper
Inks: Secret Sea (splatter), VersaMark
Cardstock/Papers: Basic Black, Basic White, Celebratory Sips DSP
Stamps: Cheers & Sips
Tools:  Cheers & Sips Dies, Heat Tool, Exposed Brick Embossing Folder, Water Painter (splatter)
Accessories: Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Baker's Twine Essentials Pack, Holographic Resin Dots

This card really was so quick to make.  Did a background with embossing & splatter and then cut out some of the fun drinks from the Designer Series Paper, used one of the die-cuts to add the fun pattern to the orange drink & added my greeting & embellishments!  And VOILA!!  Magical & fun!  Here is the official challenge! 


And a few pics of the details for you! 



So guess what?!  Now it is YOUR TURN!  Yay!  Can't wait to see what you make!  Just head on over to the TGIF Challenge Blog to see what the other designers made to inspire you & to play along with us!

Thank you so much for visiting!  Would love to help you with all of your papercrafting needs!  So don't hesitate to reach out! 

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Sushine Vibes With Azure Afternoon ...

Have a fun & cheery card to share today using - what I think is - my fave bundle from Stampin' Up!'s NEW ANNUAL Catalog!  It's called Sunshine Vibes and is part of the Boho Vibes Suite Collection!  I LOVE it!  But I just used the bundle for this card I am sharing today! 

All supplies are from ©️ Stampin' Up!

Colors Azure Afternoon, Melon Mambo, Lemon Lolly, Peach Pie, Basic White
Inks: Lemon Lolly, Melon Mambo, Peach Pie, Secret Sea, VersaMark
Cardstock/Papers: Bubble Bath, Petunia Pop, Basic Black, Basic White
Stamps: Sunshine Vibes
Tools:  Sunshine Vibes Dies, Textured Notes Dies, Blending Brush, Heat Tool, Birch Wood Embossing Folder, Water Painter
Accessories: Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Baker's Twine Essentials Pack, Iridescent Faceted Gems

Isn't she fun & so cute! Look at the fun bundle ... because you get RAINBOWS AND SUNSHINE!  I mean - seriously - what else do you need?!  Hee.  


Yeah, big fan!  And hope you enjoy this card today!  Let me know if you need help with any of your paper crafting!  Or if you need a NEW Stampin' Up! catalog to flip through with your own hands ... just let me know!  Would be happy to get you one!

Thanks for visiting!

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Congratulations With Inked Occasions ... April '25 Paper Pumpkin Alternative!

Have another Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin Alternative to share today!  Need a fun congrats card?  Well maybe you should make one of these also! 😍 I paired the kit, the kits add-on coordinating die set, Hugs Abloom, & the Everyday You & Me Bundle (those cute flowers!) to make this card: 


Some of the fun details: 

  • I love that label die (from Hugs Abloom Dies!) for a fun background.  I cut some from one of the cards and some from Basic White Cardstock.  Added texture by embossing some with the Exposed Brick Embossing Folder.  
  • Die-cut leaves (Hugs Abloom Dies!) in both Lemon Lime Twist Cardstock & Gold Foil to layer those for dimension.  One of the pieces from the kit is behind it also.
  • Stamped those flowers in Bubble Bath ink & used the coordinating dies (Everyday You & Me Bundle) to make this focal point pop! 
All supplies are from Stampin' Up! 

And for some close pics of the details ...




It is so much prettier in person than what I could show in the photos.  Haha.  So just trust me on that!  But I love how this card turned out! 

Thank you so much for visiting!  I hope you enjoy this card!  Let me know if you have any questions!  If you are in the United States - I would love to get you set up with your own Paper Pumpkin subscription if you need one!  Or help you with ordering any Stampin' Up! supplies that you need! 

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Inked Occasions! With Hugs! April Paper Pumpkin Kit Alternative ...

Have you played with your April 2025 Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin Kit yet?!  Do you have a Paper Pumpkin subscription?!  Well I hope so because this kit, Inked Occasions, is FABULOUS!  Oh my heavens!  So much fun & GORGEOUS!  The kit comes with all the supplies needed to make 9 cards ... including a stamp set, ink, & envelopes!  The cards are gorgeous as is ... or let them be a jumping off point to your creativity!  I made a couple alternatives & today I am sharing the first one!  


I used the stamps & elements from the kit ... plus a few other supplies from Stampin' Up!  The Happy Hibiscus Bundle was so much fun to use with this set.  So I used that & the Textured Notes Dies.  I stamped the flowers onto one of the cards that came with the kit & embossed with gold embossing powder.  Then just used to die-cuts to cut them out.  Added some leaves from the Happy Hibiscus Dies, stamping with the butterfly from the stamp set that is included with the kit, and some Brushed Brass Butterflies.  


The greeting was fun to do as well.  I stamped the greeting on a piece from the kit, then added some ink using a Blending Brush.

In real life the gold shimmers & shines & looks just insanely gorgeous! 




I hope you enjoy!  Thank you so much for visiting!  If you need to get your own Paper Pumpkin subscription so you can have perfectly coordinated projects delivered to your house each month - let me know! 💖  Would also love to help you with any of your paper crafting needs!  

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Friday, May 2, 2025

Arched Wishes & Color Challenge for TGIF Challenge #523!

It is all about COLOR for our TGIF Challenge this week!  Yes ... that's right!  It is a fun color challenge!  Woot!  I played with the Arched Wishes Stamp Set & Everyday Arches Dies for the birthday card I made for this color challenge! 

All supplies are from ©️ Stampin' Up!

Colors Petunia Pop, Balmy Blue, Daffodil Delight, Basic White, Basic Black
Inks: Petunia Pop, Balmy Blue, Daffodil Delight, VersaMark
Cardstock/Papers: Bubble Bath, Petunia Pop, Basic Black, Basic White
Stamps: Arched Wishes
Tools:  Everyday Arches Dies, Blending Brush, Heat Tool, Mini Corrugated Embossing Folder
Accessories: Basics Wow! Embossing Powder, Baker's Twine Essentials Pack, Iridescent Faceted Gems

So fun and peppy, huh?!  I watercolored the balloons for a more muted color.  But here are the official colors for this challenge! 


I love how these colors look together!  Now ... have to admit ... I used the Floral & Gingham Vellum for the background to this card.  I felt like I have to admit that because the blue on that vellum is actually Pool Party.  But ... I felt like it matched with the watercolored Balmy Blue balloon quite nicely.  😃  So just a reminder that these challenges are a jumping off point meant to inspire.  They don't have to be set in stone.  (Or paper in this case.  Hee.)

A few more shots of the details of this card: 

A few notes on the card: 

  • The balloons and greeting are stamped in VersaMark ink & then embossed with black embossing powder.  I love embossing before watercoloring & I love embossing in general. 😀
  • I purposefully tried to leave a little splatter of the black embossing powder so I could have some black embossed splatter on the balloons. 
  • The balloons & greeting are fussy cut out.  
  • The vellum patterned paper is just adhered to the card front with Multipurpose Liquid Glue so you don't see it through the vellum.

One more look at the full card! I really love how cheery it all came together.  This would be a fun card to make in lots of different color combos! 💖


Thank you so much for visiting!  Now you can head on over to the TGIF Challenge Blog to see what other on the design team made & to play along with us!  

Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything!  Would love to help you with all your papercrafting needs!  Would also love to help you get your hands on any Stampin' Up! supplies you are needing! 

Contact: designwithink@gmail.com

Come ARTISAN With Us!! Hopping with Stampin' Up!'s Artisan Design Team!

We LOVE being your 2025 Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team!  Today we are doing a fun Instagram hop & I wanted to share it here too!  ...