Hidden Gem| Stitched Greenery

Stampin’ Up! do a great job of displaying their gorgeous products but there’s a few hidden gems in the 2021-2022 Annual Catalogue that you may not notice on your first flick through. One of these hidden gems is the Stitched Greenery Die plate. It’s a single die that doesn’t cut a shape, but instead embossing a stitched leaf pattern that is just gorgeous.

The colours and styling of these cards were inspired by a card made by Karen Young. You can see Karen’s card by clicking here.

I made two versions – a simpler version of Karen’s using the Artistic Die and a different version using the Layering Hugs Dies. We made the hugs version in today’s Social Stamping class and it was a big hit!

I’ve added in a sentiment from the Artistically Inked stamped set for the card above and one from the Sending Hugs stamp set for the card below.

The flowers are from the Sweet as a Peach stamp set, embellished with Basic Rhinestones. The three sizes are perfect for the three different sized flowers. No need for fussy cutting, there’s a die in the Peach Dies that cuts them out!

If you need to add any hidden gems to your next order, you can find the full range in the online store. I love being able to search, scroll and browse through the categories, making it easy to find all your favourites. Click here to shop or browse.

Colour INKspiration | Celebrating 3 years

I’m back hopping with the Colour INKspiration Crew today as a guest designer for their 3rd birthday celebrations.  Thanks to Bronwyn Eastley for inviting me to join the celebrations.

We each got to choose our 3 favourite colours and make anything we wanted!  Narrowing it down to either just 3 colours, or just one favourite combination is virtually impossible for crafters.  My favourite colours depend on my mood, or the card I’m making or my current favourite DSP!  I’m sure you can relate!

I’ve gone with a trio of colours that I love for lots of different occasions – it works for a neutral baby card, for a classic wedding card, for a card of friendship, for males, for females – for everyone!!!  It’s black, yellow and gray (with the option to throw in white as a classic neutral).

I could make cards all day with these colours, so I’m sharing 2 cards with you today.  The first is a technique I’ve been wanting to try for a while using Stampin’ Blends and a new stamp set – Dressed to Impress.

I created the floral background by stamping the flowers randomly on a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I then coloured the negative (ie, between the flowers) using the Basic Black Dark Stampin’ Blend to create a solid black background and coloured the flowers with the light & dark Mango Medley Blends (as close as we have to Crushed Curry).  Stampin’ Blends glide so beautifully over the cardstock and blend (as the name suggests) to create a seamless image.

This card is on a Smoky Slate base with a Crushed Curry label, Whisper White die cut and a white on black embossed sentiment.

Stamp sets: Dressed to Impress, Well Said

Dies: Stitched Nested Labels, Well Written

Stampin’ Blends: Dark Basic Black, Light & Dark Mango Medley

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Veramark

Embossing Powder: White

Colours: Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White

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The second card is a favourite layout I’ve used before using a heart frame and flowers to create a floral centrepiece.  Today’s card uses frangipani flowers from the new Timeless Tropical stamp set.

This card is much brighter and sunnier, using white space and lots of yellow to lighten the mood.

Stamp sets: Timeless Tropical, Well Said

Dies: Stitched Be Mine, In The Tropics

DSP: Regals 6″ x 6″

Stampin’ Blends: Light Mango Medley

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento

Colours: Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White

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To see more great colour combinations, keep hopping and visit the very talented Vicki Boucher who has a colour combination that I’m excited to see in action!

All the colours on the hop are fabulous ideas and sure to spark lots of creativity.  I know I’m going to be back visiting the hop when I need some colour ideas.

You can join the challenge over at the Colour INKspiration Facebook group.  Click here to visit.

Thanks again to the Crew for inviting me back!

Colour INKspiration #59

It’s time for another Colour INKspiration hop.  Chosen by Bronwyn Eastley – this colour combination is just divine!  Soft, dreamy and oh-so-pretty.

I’ve seen a sneak peak of some of the cards on this hop and you’re going to love them all.  So much variety from florals to masculine to pretty kitties!

We’re joined today by guest designer Denise Buetler.  Denise won challenge #57 and accepted our invitation to join us for this hop.  You can see her project by clicking here or keep hopping through all the projects til you get to her gorgeous card.

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As with many the Colour INKspiration Crew, there was something about these colours that was reminiscent of the water.  I’ve used the new Seaside Notions stamp set to create another sympathy card.  Sadly it’s the week for it.

The background is the Stitched Lace die – I just can’t get enough of this die.  It’s adds such elegance to the card.  This time I’ve cut it using the lace die (see my previous post for tips on getting a great cut) and then cut it to card front size using the largest Stitched Rectangle Die.  If you have these dies, you’ll know the proportions are a little different our card sizes, so I’ve cut the card down to 4-1/8″ wide by 5-1/2″ long (11″ before scoring and folding in half).

I’ve layered a Subtle embossed mat in Smoky Slate and a frame made using the Stitched Rectangle Dies in Seaside Spray.  I am loving this new In Color – so serene!!!  The seahorse is stamped in Seaside Spray and fussy cut, layering it over the ‘thinking of you’ sentiment.  Finished off with a couple of silver Metallic Pearls.

I’ve carried the theme through to the inside of the card and added some stamped shells and a sand dollar on another stitched rectangle background with a strip of Seaside Spray DSP.

I loved these colours together, but if I’m honest, using Very Vanilla was a huge challenge for me!!!  I guess I’m just a Whisper White girl at heart!

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We’d love for you to join the challenge by sharing your creation made with these colours in our Facebook group.  Click here to visit.

Next up on the hop is my gorgeous friend Leonie Stuart and a beautifully delicate card.

Thanks for visiting!

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Product List

Seaside Notions Cling Stamp Set

$40.00

Stitched Lace Dies

$61.00

Stitched Rectangle Dies

$61.00

Subtle Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$17.00

2019–2021 In Color 6″ X 6″ (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$20.00

Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock

$17.00

Seaside Spray A4 Cardstock

$15.25

Card Stock A4 Smoky Slate

$15.25

Seaside Spray Classic Stampin’ Pad

$13.00

Early Espresso Classic Stampin’ Pad

$13.00

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin’ Pad

$13.00

Metallic Pearls

$12.25

Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals

$6.00

Paper Snips

$17.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

$7.00

Colour INKspiration #58

I have another fabulous colour combination for you today as part of Colour INKspiration #58.  It’s pretty and subtle and I cant’ wait to see what you share with us on the Colour INKspiration Challenges Facebook group.  Click here to visit the FB group.

Don’t these colours exude elegance and luxury?

We’re joined for this challenge by our guest designer – Vicki Boucher.  Vicki’s gorgeous card won challenge #56 and we’re delighted to have her create with us for this hop.  If you’re already on your way hopping around, then you will have travelled here from Vicki’s blog.  If you’re starting here, keep hopping until you visit Vicki.

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With these sweet colours, I’ve inked up one of the new Stampin’ Up! bundles –  Above the Clouds.  It comes with a stamp set and coordinating Hot Air Balloon Punch.

I forget what this style of card is called – but it’s one of my favourites!  Stamp on the base layer of the card then add cardstock to the left & right edges to create a sunken patterned panel.  I’ve stamped the clouds in Blushing Bride and edged the Whisper White cardstock with gold foil.

There are some cute sentiments in the Above the Clouds stamp set, but I’m enjoying lots of mixing & matching of stamp sets at the moment to create a variety of birthday cards – as these are the cards I most need.  This fun birthday sentiment is from another new set in my collection – Beautiful Friendship.

I’ve used another set (not so new, but regularly used) on the inside – Itty Bitty Birthdays – together with Above the Clouds.  I don’t always decorate the inside of my cards (despite my new years resolution) but when I do, it always makes me smile to add an extra layer of happy!

The clouds are stamped in full colour (Blushing Bride) and then again without reinking to create a variety of cloud depths.  As well as full size hot air balloons, Above the Clouds has this cute trio of little hot air balloons too!  My tip for two step stamping with a solid image and an outline is to stamp the outline first.  It’ll be much easier to see through the solid stamps and line them up with your outline stamping.

This is the same for the big hot air balloons!  And that cute bunting I’ve used on the top of the card.

The gold touches on this card really lift it up (pun intended!).  Aren’t those balloons so pretty in pink!?!

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Keep hopping and see all the lovely ways the design team have used these colours.  Next up is my sweet friend Rachel Palmieri.

Thanks for joining us!

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Product List

Above The Clouds Photopolymer Stamp Set

$38.00

Hot Air Balloon Punch

$31.00

Above The Clouds Bundle

$62.00

Beautiful Friendship Photopolymer Stamp Set

$38.00

Itty Bitty Birthdays Cling Stamp Set

$39.00

Gold Foil Sheets

$8.75

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

$14.25

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

$17.00

Card Stock A4 Blushing Bride

$15.25

Blushing Bride Classic Stampin’ Pad

$13.00

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin’ Pad

$13.00

Aqua Painters

$20.00

Versamark Pad

$16.50

Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder

$10.50

Heat Tool

$50.00

Stampin’ Dimensionals

$6.00

Paper Snips Scissors

$17.00

Colour INKspiration #57

Hello!  Thanks for joining us for Colour INKspiration #57.  I’ve chosen the colour palette today – I hope you like it!  We’re crafting with Lovely Lipstick, Daffodil Delight & Granny Apple Green – inspired by these gorgeous Calla Lilies.

Joining us on the hop today, as our guest designer, is Kate Webb – thanks Kate!!  Kate’s pretty card won challenge #55 and we are delighted to have her along for this hop.  Each challenge the crew picks 5 cards and ask the members of the Colour INKspiration Facebook group to choose a winner.  Join the group and make sure to enter your project for the current challenge!  Click here to visit.

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The bold & bright colours of this challenge reminded me of spring, so although the weather here is cold and wet (hello winter!), my craft room can be as warm and summery as I like.  So with the challenge colours in mind, I’ve stamped some pretty butterflies using the new Butterfly Wishes stamp set and lined them up in rows.

This style of card using the Stitched Rectangle Dies as a frame reminds me of butterflies on display in a museum.  I’ve make them fly as much as I can by adhering in the middle of the body and flicking up the wings….

But I’d like to try a card like this again with flying butterflies!  I’ll keep it on my to-do list for another challenge!

For the sentiment in the middle of the card, I’ve masked the other words on the ‘celebrate’ stamp with masking tape and inked it up with Versamark and heat embossed in white.  I then cut it using the Classic Label punch.  To create the banner, I used the end of the same punch.  I love when products are so versatile!

I have the pleasure of linking you to our guest designer – Kate Webb with her gorgeous floral creation.  These colours just work so well for flowers!

Thanks for hopping with us, can’t wait to see your creations in our Facebook group.

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Product List

Butterfly Wishes Cling Stamp Set

$40.00

Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies

$61.00

Butterfly Duet Punch

$31.00

Classic Label Punch

$31.00

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

$13.50

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

$17.00

Lovely Lipstick A4 Cardstock

$14.75

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad

$13.00

Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin’ Pad

$13.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Pad

$13.00

Versamark Pad

$15.75

White Stampin’ Emboss Powder

$8.75

Heat Tool

$50.00

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

$7.00

Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals

$6.00

Colour INKspiration #56

Hello & welcome to a Colour INKspiration challenge design team blog hop.  We’re all linking together to share projects we’ve create with the challenge colours – can you believe we’re up to #56!!!

You may have hopped here from our amazing guest designer – Cazz Boylan.  I just loved her beautiful card!  Cazz won challenge #54 and we were delighted to have her hop with us.  To add your card for this challenge and be in the running for a guest designer spot, join us in our Facebook group – click here to visit.

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All those gorgeous pink & purple tones made me want to watercolour – so I did!!!  On watercolour paper, I used an Aqua Painter to marble Melon Mambo, Berry Burst & Blackberry Bliss inks together.  I did it all at the same time (rather than waiting for each colour to dry) so they ran together to create a mix of those tones.

The colours were just perfect for a congratulations card for a friend who welcomed a new grandbaby girl into the world this month.  With this as my plan, I added elephants in Whisper White using the Elephant Builder Punch.  I love the bright white against the vibrant watercolouring.

To add a bit of texture to the stark white, I embossed the elephants – Quilt Top for the Grandma Elephant and Tufted  for the baby elephant.

I’ve used the Little Elephant stamp set (coordinates with the punch) for the sentiment & hearts. The hearts are clear embossed for a cute little touch.

Both the stamp set and punch are carrying over to the new catalogue – yay!

Next on the hop is my friend Jacque Williams with a card I can’t wait to CASE!  I’m not going to spoil the surprise – but I love that she’s added that DSP to this colour combination!

Thanks for joining us!

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Product List

Little Elephant Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$35.00

Elephant Builder Punch

$31.00

Little Elephant Clear-Mount Bundle

$59.25

Bunch Of Banners Framelits Dies

$45.00

Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies

$61.00

Quilt Top Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$15.00

Tufted Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$16.00

Watercolor Paper

$8.75

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

$13.50

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

$17.00

Melon Mambo A4 Card Stock

$14.75

Blackberry Bliss A4 Cardstock

$14.75

Garden Green A4 Card Stock

$14.75

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill

$6.50

Berry Burst Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill

$6.50

Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill

$6.50

Aqua Painters

$20.00

Versamark Pad

$15.75

White Stampin’ Emboss Powder

$8.75

Heat Tool

$50.00

Stampin’ Dimensionals

$6.00

Colour INKspiration #55

Hello!  We have a fabulous colour challenge for you this week at Colour INKspiration.  There’ s a blog hop to enjoy and then all the action for the challenge happens in our Facebook group. Click here to visit and share your creation with us.

You may have hopped here from the gorgeous Lisa Whitehead who won challenge #53 and joins us as a guest designer.

Here’s the colours for challenge #55…

You can use 3 or more of these colours in your project.

I went all out and used all 6 plus white & black as we can include basics (white, black & vanilla) and metallics.

A large part of the inspiration for my card came from the challenge photo.  I used the clouds to create the background and the Grapefruit Grove cushion to inspire the styling of the hot air balloon.

It was so hard to photograph the background but it’s crazy shimmery!  I used Shimmery White cardstock for my base and then added a mix of Isocol (alcohol), reinker and shimmer paint.  My first attempt at a major fail – sprtizing using a mask doesn’t work!  All the colour seeped under the mask and I got blobs rather than clouds.

The second attempt was much better applying the colour with a sponge and I got these pretty clouds.  One mix was Coastal Cabana & Frost White Shimmer Paint and the second was Smoky Slate & Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.

It’s hard to capture just how pretty it is!

I used the remaining challenge colours under the balloon – cut by the Up & Away Framelits.

The sentiment is from the Lift Me Up stamp set.  I white heat embossed on Rich Razzleberry and Grapefruit Grove cardstock and then roughly snupped with scissors.  I love chopping up sentiments like this!

I had so much fun with these colours!  It was the perfect challenge to prompt me to put different colours together than my normal combinations!

Next up on the blog hop is my gorgeous friend Lou Kitzelman in QLD.

Thanks for hopping with us!

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Product List

Lift Me Up Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$37.00

Up & Away Thinlits Dies

$50.00

Shimmery White A4 Card Stock

$15.75

Basic Black A4 Card Stock

$14.75

Card Stock A4 Coastal Cabana

$14.75

Card Stock A4 Smoky Slate

$14.75

Flirty Flamingo A4 Cardstock

$14.75

Lemon Lime Twist A4 Cardstock

$14.75

Grapefruit Grove A4 Cardstock

$14.75

Rich Razzleberry A4 Card Stock

$14.75

Versamark Pad

$15.75

White Stampin’ Emboss Powder

$8.75

Heat Tool

$50.00

Pattern Party Decorative Masks

$10.00

Stamping Sponges

$6.00

Coastal Cabana Classic In Color Stampin’ Ink Refill

$6.50

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill

$6.50

Frost White Shimmer Paint

$14.00

Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint

$14.00

Colour INKspiration #54

Hello!  It’s time for another Colour INKspiration challenge – possibly one of my favourites of all time.  Which is crazy – because it’s so simple.  Black & white plus a pop of colour.  But the simplicity is what makes it awesome.

I can’t wait for you to see what the crew have come up with this week.

You may have hopped here from the gorgeous Anne Matasci.  Anne won Colour INKspiration #52 and joins us for this hope as our guest designer.  I just love her card – and I know she loves the theme as much as I do!

To join us and share your card for Colour INKspiration #54, find us on Facebook.  Click here to visit the group.

I could have made a million cards with this colour combination (if only time would allow), but sharing this sweet card made with a few items that will join the retirement hall of fame very soon.

The stamp set is from the Stampin’ Rewards section of the catalogue – Hand Delivered, the embossing folder is Petal Pair and the DSP is from the Brights stack.

Click here to see all the retirement list items in the online store.

My pop of colour is Bermuda Bay.  But like so many of the cards on this blog hop, you could sub in any pop of colour that was your favourite to change up the design.

Now that we’re using our fireplace to combat the cold weather, I’m experimenting with different locations to take photos of my cards. I love being back in the outdoors with all that natural light!

 

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Next stop on the Colour INKspiration blog hop is my beautiful friend Nikki Spencer.

Thanks for hopping with us!

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Product List

Hand Delivered Photopolymer Stamp Set

Buy with Stampin’ Rewards

Washi Label Punch

retired

Petal Pair Textured Impressions Embossing Folders

$16.00

Brights 6″ X 6″ (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$19.25

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

$13.50

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

$17.00

Basic Black A4 Card Stock

$14.75

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$10.00

Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

$15.50

Smoky Slate Light Stampin’ Blends Marker

$7.75

Basic Black Dark Stampin’ Blends

$7.75

Twine Baker’s Whisper White

$5.25

Versamark Pad

$15.75

White Stampin’ Emboss Powder

$8.75

Heat Tool

$50.00

Stampin’ Dimensionals

$6.00

Paper Snips Scissors

$17.00

Colour INKspiration #53

One of the things I love most about Colour INKspiration challenges is the variety of colour combinations.  We use inspiration photos with beautiful photography and then match them to Stampin’ Up! colours.  It sometimes throws together an unexpected combination – like this week!  A shade of green, teal, blue and pink together with white make for a fabulous starting point for some amazing projects.  Add in gold or silver for some optional bling!

We are joined for this week by Fiona Whitehead who was the winner of challenge #51 If you’re hopping around, you have jumped here from Fiona’s blog.  If not, keep clicking on next until you get back there.

I went with Clean & Simple for my card today – wanting to have a play with the cute dies in the Well Written die set.

I’ve seen the leafy vines used by others but didn’t realise until recently that as well as the 14 word dies, this set also contains 10 fabulous extra dies.

How cute is that little birdie!?!?!

I have layered the welcome die – silver foil on top with two layers of Night of Navy underneath.  I find this gives a great depth to the sentiment and really makes it pop.  These dies are best used with Multi-Purpose Adhesive Sheets so you’re not fighting with glue!

I’ve just realised as I share this card with you, that there’s no stamping!!!  It’s all paper, die cutting and embossing.  There’s so many ways to make pretty cards!

Please join us for this fun challenge.  All the action happens in our Facebook group.  Click here to visit.

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Keep hopping for more great projects.  Next blog is by Jan Clothier with a very clever card!

Thanks for joining us!

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Product List

Well Written Framelits Dies

$70.00

Tufted Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$16.00

Silver Foil Sheets

$7.00

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

$13.50

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

$17.00

Night Of Navy A4 Card Stock

$14.75

Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock

$14.75

Petal Pink A4 Cardstock

$14.75

Card Stock A4 Bermuda Bay

$14.75

Pearl Basic Jewels

$8.75

Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets

$17.00

Stampin’ Dimensionals

$6.00

Colour INKspiration #51

Hello! Welcome to Colour INKspiraton for March 2019.  You may have just come here via our talented guest designer – Vicki Boucher.  Wasn’t her project great!  If you’re starting here, be sure to keep hopping until you reach Vicki to see all the great projects.

As always, it’s a gorgeous colour palette.  I think we’re going to be seeing a lot of flowers!  But I can’t wait to see what else might come of these colours!

This challenge is bright and fun and I also can’t wait to see what you make with it. Join us on the Colour INKspiration Facebook page to share your project.

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My card today was inspired by products I have sitting on my shelf that are very much part of the Stampin’ Up! range but don’t appear in the Annual or Occasions Catalogues.  Can you spot them?

The embossing folder is a current Sale-A-Bration choices – available to earn until 31st March 2019. It’s so lovely in crisp white!  See all the Sale-A-Bration choices by clicking here.

The stamp set is Country Home – a carryover item from the 2018 Holiday Catalogue. You can find all the carryover items by clicking here and viewing in the online store.

I’ve used Stampin’ Blends to colour the flowers & jug.  If you’re a Stampin’ Up! addict, you’ll know that there aren’t specific Blends in Pear Pizzazz and Berry Burst – so I’ve just used the closest in the range – Old Olive and Lovely Lipstick.

The third ‘not in a catalogue’ item is the Stitched Seasons framelits. These were a special release item last year. The stitching is so lovely. Although retired, they are available via the online store on the clearance rack. This also means they are discounted – a fabulous bargain!!  Click here to see all the clearance rack items (all at up to 60% off retail).

Once I’d finished & photographed this card I realised how familiar it seemed to me.  Well, as it turns out, my vision for this stamp set is very one-track.  Click here to see a card I made last year with this set!!!

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Thank you for joining us today for the Colour INKspiration hop.

To see more great projects, please keeping hopping and visit Rebecca Scurr and her fabulous card.

Don’t forget to join us on Facebook to share your creation!

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Product List

Country Home Photopolymer Stamp Set

$37.00

Sunshine Sayings Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$40.00

Classic Label Punch

$31.00

Country Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Sale-A-Bration

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

$13.50

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

$17.00

Berry Burst A4 Cardstock

$14.75

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$10.00

Dark Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends Marker

$7.75

Mango Melody Dark Stampin’ Blends

$7.75

Dark Lovely Lipstick Stampin’ Blends Marker

$7.75

Old Olive Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

$15.50

Stampin’ Blends Color Lifter

$7.75

Versamark Pad

$15.75

White Stampin’ Emboss Powder

$8.75

Heat Tool

$50.00

Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals

$6.00

Paper Snips Scissors

$17.00