The Sweet Conversations stamp set has many cute stamps included.  I wanted to create quick and simple Valentine's Day cards so I started with a fun color palette. 

The large plain stamp was a perfect image for what I was going for. 

All of these cards use only stamps, ink and paper. Since I needed to clean the stamp between colors I made sure I was ready to make a lot at once.  I started with the yellow in the middle and stamped ALL of them at once.  Then clean, ink and repeat! 

This design can easily be CASEd with any good solid image and a palette of colors! 

It's time for another Monday Montage! This time I'm sharing a bunch of projects I've made with the new Amazing Thanks dies from the Jan to June Mini Catalog.  As you'll see, I am a bit obsessed with using these dies! They make it so easy to create great cards. 

The Daffodil Afternoon Designer Series Paper is a Sale a Bration item you can earn with a $50 purchase now through the end of February.  This paper is stunning. 

Another paper I am in awe of is the Symbols of Fortune. Paired with a die cut from Gold Foil it makes a gorgeous card.  I added a Basic Black frame to make it pop more but this is simple card making at it's best! 

Another card with the Daffodil Afternoon paper.  I've used the "thanks" die a lot more than the "you are amazing" dies but it really pops on this card.  

I switched to the Friendly Hello Designer Series Paper for this card. Again a simple layout that pops thanks to the black accents.  

My tip is to put your card stock and Designer Series Paper on adhesive sheets and then cut out a lot all at one time! Having them ready to go means faster card making.  

Here's another super simple card created from a die cut! 

Click next to check out my friend Melissa's amazing post or back to see Elizabeth's great creations! 

The new Stampin' Up! Abstract Beauty suite in the January to June Mini Catalog is wonderful. There are so many products included.  These projects highlight a number of them! 

The Designer Series Paper included in it is 4 x6 which is a different size than we usually carry. This particular design is black and white so I grabbed some Blends and added a little color. Check out the fun embossing on the die cut piece. I also used some of the ephemera pieces and paired them with the new Bough punch. This card measures 4 1/4 x 4 1/4. 

Cutting out shapes and arranging them in a pattern is an easy way to create an eye catching card. This card shows off many of the wonderful patterns in the Designer Series Paper pack. The navy twine was pulled apart and then tied in a bow to give it that messy look. 

This suite gives you more than just circles to work with. Layering hexagons is fun too! 

The "I miss your face" sentiment is one I use a lot. Who could you send this message to?

The other great offering in this suite is the preprinted cards and envelopes.  Talk about an easy way to make cards! Add the ephemera pieces and maybe some of the Designer Series Paper and you are done. 

I've been trying to use up more of my beautiful Designer Series Paper.  This design is easy to replicate for quick and easy cards.  

Choose two to four coordinating pieces of Designer Series Paper.  Cut at 1 1/2 in on the short size and cut at 2 in on the long end.  Then mix and match in a grid pattern. 

​The Expressions in Ink Designer Series Paper makes beautiful cards!  Which is your favorite?

Welcome to the first Monday Montage of 2022.  I hope everyone is staying warm and safe.  Our new year is not starting as planned as both my boys are on remote learning for the time being. Thankfully they can still continue with school but it does change up my ability to establish a new year routine! 

The new January - June Mini Catalog and Sale a Bration kicked off this week so I'm excited to show off some new products.  I was instantly in love with the new Cactus Cuties bundle.  I decided to do a series of three cards using the same basic image but progressively stepping up the cards. 

This first one is simple stamping at it's best.  Only two layers, three inks (Granny Apple Green, Magenta Madness and Memento Black) and a few stamps for this one! The image combined with the bright colors still makes this card pop even though it is incredibly simple. 

The same images on the same die cut but this time layered with a piece of the Sunshine and Rainbows Sale a Bration Designer Series Paper. I used Mango Melody for the base and a strip of Magenta Madness in the middle. 

On this one I added an additional Basic Black frame, some white twine and In Color Jewels.  These are actually Polished Pink but on the card they look like Magenta Madness. 

Which do you prefer?

Enjoy the rest of our blog hop.  Click next to head to Julie and Creating on the Run or back to Elizabeth at Seeing Ink Spots. 

There are so many benefits to joining Stampin’ Up! and I would love to have you on my team.  It’s truly the best value since you choose $125 worth of product for only $99 and get free shipping.  Plus a past Paper Pumpkin kit, plus catalogs, plus business supplies (you can pass on to me or another team member if you don’t need them!) You get the picture!

​And now through the end of February you also get to choose any two stamp sets for free. 

Here are some of the other top reasons I encourage you to join:

1. You can receive/earn a 20%-25% discount on all your orders/income on sales (this includes your own Paper Pumpkin subscription). 
2. You do not have to sell anything.  MANY demonstrators join simple for the discount and this is absolutely fine.  You can purchase for yourself only.  These demonstrators are often referred to as “hobby demonstrators”.  In fact, nearly all my current team members are hobby demonstrators.
3. To stay active you must have $300 in sales every quarter. If you do not meet this, you have one month to make it up or you are dropped.  There are NO penalties to dropping.  You also have extra time when you first join.  You have the current quarter as well as the next full quarter for your first $300.
4. You get access to the catalogs early including options to order product early! A copy of each catalog is mailed to you at no cost.
5. As a team perk I offer a discount on my catalog product shares.
6. Access to a private Facebook group for my team—I keep you up to date on what is going on and we meet (some in person, some virtual) most months for a fun crafting time. These are always completely optional.
7. Stampin’ Up! events and trainings.  Currently these are virtual events but hopefully we will be back in person soon.  There can be both regional one or two day events as well as a larger multi day convention.
8. Me! I am always here if you have questions or if you want to build a business. I am happy to offer encouragement and goal setting as well as share class ideas.  I will never pressure you to sell or to participate in any team activities.  That is all up to you!
9. If you want to build a business there are many opportunities to earn more income and free product as well. 

Ask me questions or go here to learn more and sign up.  I've love to have you join me. ​

I couldn't wait to get my December kit.  I'm a sucker for a good pun and this kit did not disappoint.  I started out creating one of each card as intended and then I started playing around. I ended up making 25 cards from one kit! There are plenty of pieces to let you get creative and try new designs with just a few extra pieces of card stock. 

The small piece of striped paper below the circle is from one of the envelopes.  I cut one of each style of envelope apart and used the pattern on various cards. 

This one is pretty close to the sample.  I decided that faces weren't always necessary! 

Which version do you like best? I love the mustache and both sayings.  They are perfect for guy cards.  

Two things about this one.  First, it uses the inside of an envelope for the main background.  I love the soft stripes.

Second, the egg looked like a flower to me! If you don't stamp the outlines it's a pretty flower.  

Another card using an envelope piece. So simple and basic but I love the bright red polka dots. 

Signing up for Paper Pumpkin is easy.  Simply go here and create your account.  Or, consider a pre-paid subscription! You can even earn Sale a Bration rewards on 3, 6 or 12 month pre-paids. 

Remember you can pause or cancel anytime but it's so fun to have a craft kit arrive on my door each month.  Create as is or try some alternatives.