Happy Monday! I'm excited to be participating in another Monday Montage Blog Hop with these talented ladies.  I'm also excited to show off new product from the recently released Annual Catalog.  SO many amazing items.  

Today I'm going to share a few cards I made with the Hues of Happiness Suite.  You can find it on pages 108 and 109 in the new catalog. When I first got the paper I started fussy cutting the flowers and then realized that most of the images had dies to match! SO much better than cutting them all by hand. 

Another new item I am in love with is the Stylish Shapes dies. I've already been using them a lot! This card really came together in a flash. 

The Glossy Dots are a perfect embellishment for this suite.  You can never have too much bling...right??

Adding a little Crinkled Seam Binding ribbon is a perfect little touch for this card. 

You really can let the Designer Series Paper do the work on these designs.  They come together so fast. All of the background pieces are cut to 4 x 5 1/4. This is my go to way of cutting 12 x 12 down for cards. 

Three cards all using the same basic layout but changed up just a little each time! 

Click next to check out Julie's creativity or back to see what wonderful creations Elizabeth has to share. 

Old and new flowers abound! So many flowers to show off.  

The first card I made features the Daffodil Daydream set from the Jan-June mini that I am so excited has carried over to the new catalog.  It's a perfect set for coloring. I loved using soft spring pastels for this one. 

These next two feature the Flowing Flowers set also in the Jan-June mini. Sadly though, this set is not carrying over.   I loved being able to create two very different looking cards simply by changing the color scheme.  Both are very simple but stunning!

Which do you prefer?

This final card is a sneak peak of a beautiful new set launching in the new Annual Catalog tomorrow.  Fresh Cut Flowers on page 65 has a number of flower stamps included. I love the possibilities for layering them but for this card I wanted to show off how amazing this bouquet looks colored in two of the new In Colors.  I also wanted to showcase the new Stylish Shapes Dies.  I have already gotten a LOT of use out of these dies.  

Happy stamping! 

The April Paper Pumpkin kit, Change is Beautiful, did not disapoint.  I loved the bold, bright color choices and the fun folds they created.  Of course, once I made one of each the way they were designed I started cutting it all apart! 

Printed envelopes are my favorite becuase it means you can really stretch the contents to make a lot of cards! Here I show you my typical cuts from an envelope.  I usually have three pieces including a 4 x 5 1/4, a 3 x4 and a 1 1/4 x 5 1/4 strip. 

With the fun fold designs on the original card bases I cut them into three parts.  Paired with part of an envelope you have a great card!

The pieces you remove from the moon and sun card give you even more to play with! 

Yet again, the negative piece makes a great mask for creating a background.  I also added in the butterfly stamped image as well. 

It's hard to see in the photo but the small piece in the middle of the card had a score line in it already based on where I had cut it from the original base. I got out my trimmer and used the score blade to add score marks every quarter of an inch. 

The cactus set seemed to be made for pairing with these pieces!

Since this already looked like a notecard I simply added it to a base.  This one does not open. It's a flat notecard!

Don't miss out on another Paper Pumpkin. The May box looks amazing (it features all FIVE new In Colors) plus there are Golden Tickets hidden in select boxes! You could win a $25 gift certificate.  Go here to sign up or learn more. 

I've been having some fun with the Pierced Blooms dies that are retiring at the end of the month. They are so fun to work with! 

There's just something about bold colors paired with black and white. 

These next two I tried one with bright bold colors and another with pastels. I love both! 

On both cards I cut 1 1/2 in off the white base and added a piece of Designer Series Paper to the inside. 

Be sure to add these to your collection before they are gone for good! 

I had a "Best of Bundles" class on Friday night and one of the bundles we used was the Your Biggest Fan bundle.  It's been requested that I add in some "anything but a card" projects to classes so I pulled out the Sweet Little Boxes that are in the January to June mini and we decorated it with the Your Biggest Fan suite. 

The boxes are very easy to put together as they come with the adhesive already on them. Simply fold on the score lines, line up and seal together. You can fill with candy but they'd also be perfect for giving a gift card! 

I think the cute little Resin Stars might be my favorite part. 

While I had all the supplies out for creating the box I also made up this quick and easy card. This would be perfect to celebrate a birthday or any other milestone someone had! The striped baker's twine really tied the card together for me. 

I also enjoy Monday Montage blog posts. Be sure to click next to see what Julie has created this week or back to see what Elizabeth has for you! 

,Once again, Stampin' Up! provided us with a wonderful creative kit.  As I like to do, I made up one of each as shown in the directions and then proceeded to create my alternatives. 

The negative space from the die cuts are great to use as stencils. Here I used part of an envelope, ink and the blending brush to create the leaf image and then stamped my sentiment over it. A truly simple card! 

The pre printed cards were beautiful but I didn't find ways to cut them up.  Instead I simplified this one. 

The envelopes, though, were perfect this month! They were printed on both the inside and the outside giving me even more ways to use them. 

Although I didn't find ways to cut up the front of the pre printed cards this was a fun way to create an alternative. I flipped the card inside out, die cut an opening and then closed it back up.  It provides a cool opening and look to the card! 

This one uses both the inside and the outside of an envelope.  Add a few punched pieces and you've got a card! 

All of these use parts of envelopes! 

If you're interested in getting your own Paper Pumpkin kit go here to learn more or sign up.  Be sure to be signed up by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. 

It's that time of year.  The annual catalog will retire at the end of April along with many items included inside.  There are lots of deals to be had, as well, since many items are on sale for as much as 50% off. Remember that it's while supplies last so if there are items you really want be sure to snag them now. Current host code is 4KPY4DG4 and you can click here to shop. Special gift offer with any order over $50 placed by Sunday night using the Host Code. 

There are other changes coming as well.  Starting April 1st there will be an increase in shipping costs to $7.95 minumum or 11%. 

Some items in the annual catalog will go up in cost as well.  Here is a graphic that includes these increases. Stampin' Up! has worked hard to keep costs reasonble and has only increased a few times over the years.

​Remember, I'm here to answer questions! 

I was not really a huge fan of these stamps until I saw this idea shared by Chelsey Christensen. By outlining it with marker it totally changes the look! It's a simple technique with a big wow factor. 

We actually made this version in class recently.  It creates a great masculine or sympathy card. 

Friday night I had a Fun Folds class via Zoom.  I loved creating these projects.  I am a pretty traditional card maker so I don't always try new and different folds which meant creating this class pushed me out of my usual routine. 

I would never have thought I'd be teaching online classes before the pandemic hit but I have to say there really are some great benefits. I have friends from all over who can now take classes with me! 

I refered to this first card as an accordian fold.  I don't know if it has another name? I figure it's perfect for sending to someone who you want to celebrate but you might not want to write a long message to on the inside. ?

This is a Triangle Gate Fold. It looked intimidating until I realized it was two squares that you glue on either side! I've seen ribbon used to close this design as well but I decided to make a belly band instead. 

I called this one a Book Binding card.  By adding a score line and sealing it shut between the score lines you can crate a unique opening on the left edge. 

The final card was a pocket card.  I love the look of the insert peeking out. 

How many of these have you tried before?  When it comes to creating these, and other fun fold cards, the one tool you need most is a good scorer!  I love that the Stampin' Up! Paper Trimmer has both a cutting and a scoring blade that stays on the cutter at all times. It's very convenient for creating cards like these.

Interested in the class?  I do have packets that can be mailed and PDF's available for purchase.  Email me (emkstamper@gmail.com) if you are interested. 

Be sure to hop along with us today.  Click next to head to see Julie's creations or back for Elizabeth's.  Everyone has great projects to share. 

The All Squared Away bundle is on sale for 20% off this month and it's a favorite of mine. The square cutouts can be used in so many ways. 

I saw this idea shared by Leah Fedynak and had to CASE it.  I love any card that uses scraps! These are my customer thank you cards for March. 

These are made with three strips of 1.5 x 4 in Designer Series Paper, a 3x3 vellum square and the die cut.  I used our adhesive sheets to cut out the focal points to make adhering them simple. 

The square pieces also are the perfect size for 3x3 cards.  I created too different looks by changing up the colors.  The other thing I love about creating 3x3 cards is that we carry the envelopes! No need to create them. 

You can shop the All Squared Away bundle here.  Current Host Code is ​4KPY4DG4.