Welcome to the Creativity Abounds Blog Hop!  We are a group of international Stampin' Up!® demonstrators.  We hop together on the third Wednesday of every month.  Our hops focus around a particular bundle, holiday, occasion or product suite.  Every month we create a tutorial bundle. The tutorial bundle is available as a gift with a qualifying purchase or can also be purchased. This month our theme is Fun Folds!

We also offer a stamp camp three times a year.  The next stamp camp will be in February 2023 and will feature a suite from the 2023 January-April Mini Catalog.  The suite we have chosen for the next stamp camp is…By the Bay!  More information about the stamp camp can be found HERE.

Fun folds are just well fun.  It is amazing what a cut here or an extra fold there can create.  My card requires just 2 extra cuts from a 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”(14.9 cm x 21 cm) card so it is simple to make so you can spend more time figuring out how to decorate it. 

I used the lovely Two-Tone Floral bundle, Fancy Flora DSP, and the Iridescent Pastels Gems.  These are all part of the Fancy Flora Suite Collection. 

The colors I used are Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Evening Evergreen.  The flowers in the Two-Tone set  are 2 Step stamping.  This means there are 2 different stamps used to create the beautiful shading on the image.  For the larger flowers I used Calypso Coral.  I found it easier to stamp the darker lined/definition first and then the lighter solid image on top of that.  I thing everyone has their own preferred way.  The lined/definition stamp was stamped full strength and the solid image was stamped off (stamped first on another piece of paper) and then over the the definition image.  This creates the beautiful flowers.  You could also use 2 different colors to create the flower.  The Evening Evergreen leaves were stamped off  once. I wanted the color to be a little more muted.  The flowers and leaves were adhered on to a Basic White Layering Circle and then on to a Pool Party circle using the Stylish Shapes dies. The sentiment is from the Days to Remember set.  

Here are the details of the card.

• Pool Party Card Base- 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” (14.9 cm x 21 cm folded in half) scored at 4-1/4”.  Cut a slit from the fold to the bottom of the front of the card 1-1/4” (3.5 cm) in from the side.  Repeat on the other side. These are the “arms”.
• Cut a 1” x 4-1/2” (2.5 cm x 13 cm) piece of Window Sheet.  Attach the ends of the window sheet to the “arms” 1/2” (1 cm)up from the edge of the front of the card.
• Cut four 1” x 4” (3 cm x 10 cm) strips of the Fancy Flora DSP  for the arms and inside of the card.  
• Adhere a 2-3/4” x 4” (7.5 cm x 10 cm) piece of Fancy Flora DSP to the center panel.
• Stamp and die cut the flowers and leaves.
• Die cut a Pool Party Stylish Shapes circle (2-1/2” circle/6.5 cm)
• Die cut a Basic White Layering Circle (2-3/8”/6.3 cm)
• Stamp the sentiment and adhere the flowers to the Basic White circle.
• Attach the circle to the “arm” portion only with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
• Attach Calypso Coral Iridescent Pastel Gems as shown.
• Stamp Happy Birthday on Basic White CS and die cut using the Stylish Shapes banner die.
• Adhere the Happy Birthday banner to the center panel only, positioning it to show through the Window Sheet.
• Stamp and die cut Pool Party flowers and adhere it to the banner only.
• Attach the remaining DSP strips to the inside of the card so it mimics the look of the front of the card.
• Cut a 3” x 4” (7.8cm x 10 cm) Basic White piece and attach it to the inside of the card, between the 2 arms. This piece should be hidden behind the center panel.  Adhere a 3/4” x 3” (2 cm x 7.8cm) piece of DSP to the bottom. 
• Stamp and die cut a flower and leaves and attach it to the DSP strip.

Time to keep on hopping!

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out below how you can receive the Creativity Abounds Fun Fold tutorial.

Place a $50 order through my online store and receive this bundle (13 tutorials!!)  as a thank you.  You can also purchase the tutorial bundle for $15.00.  Please contact me ([email protected]) if you would like to purchase the tutorial.

It is Friday and time for another fun Festive Friday Challenge!  This time the Inspo List is inspired by  National Simplicity Day!  What does this mean to you?  Check out the Inspo List and choose 3 things to use on your project and post it in the Festive Friday blog gallery!  Here's the Inspo List.

Lots of fun things on this list!  I chose Stitching, Birthday theme and Floral theme.  Surprised?  Me too!  I was all set to do the B & W with a pop of color cause that is usually my jam but wait I guess I kind of did do that.  I will let you be the judge.

It is hard to see but the Basic Black layer does have a stitched edge and so does the sentiment.  You can see the floral and birthday theme but where is the white?

There it is!  Okay, this might be pushing what is really meant by b&w and a pop of color.  Magenta Madness definitely is a happy pop of color and it is still my favorite new In Color but to be fair I haven't used the other colors as much.  

Guess what?! I have a tutorial for you with all the measurements and supplies.  CLICK HERE!

Thanks for stopping by and I  hope you play along with the Festive Friday Challenge #FF62.  I love seeing what your creations in the gallery!

Product List

Blossoms In Bloom Bundle (English) [154123]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Magenta Madness Classic Stampin' Pad [153117]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Magenta Madness 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153080]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

It is Friday and time for the Festive Friday Challenge!  The festivity we are being inspired by is the First Day of Summer #FF0060.

To play along with the challenge all you have to do is pick 3 of the items on the Inspo List and use it on your project.  Once your project is complete head on over the Festive Friday Blog and enter it in the gallery.  You have until Monday, June 8 at 8pm CST to enter.  I hope to see your entry in the gallery!

I was inspired by watercolor, patterns, and bright colors from the Inspo List.  This card is a mix of sneak peek items (Many Medallion dies and one of the new In Colors, Magenta Madness) and items carrying over from the January-June 2020 Mini Catalog Timeless Tropical stamp set and In the Tropics dies (purchase them as a bundle before June 3 and you will save 10%, Timeless Tropical bundle ).

I love the Many Medallions dies!  I can think of so many different ways  to use these dies.  Today I simply layered it over my favorite new In Color (at least for today), Magenta Madness.  There have been overlays before in different kits. I was always reluctant to use them since they were just a few of them but now I can make as many as I want which gives me permission to play. I think they would make fun stencils to use with embossing paste, brayers, and sponging techniques.  When I am in the right frame of mind, it would also be fun to inlay them in  different colors.  That's just a few ideas I have roaming around in my brain.  Hope to have a stretch of time to play.

I tried something new on the "aloha".  I wanted it to be raised up but wasn't sure how to do it since it is pretty skinny and I didn't think trimming dimensionals would be very satisfactory.  While I was thinking about what to do I remembered finding some white fun foam while cleaning out my room and yes, I decided to try and cut the fun foam with the aloha die.  It cuts like a dream, no problems at all.  I glued the Sparkle Glimmer paper aloha to the fun foam and problem solved!  This is an easy solution and so much easier than cutting tiny pieces of dimensional.  

Did you know that every member of the Festive Friday Design team creates a tutorial for their project?  Some are videos, some are on the blog post, and some are PDFs.  I created a PDF for you!  You can access it HERE.

Thank you for stopping by!  If  you do not have a copy of the 2020-21 Stampin' Up! Annual catalog that goes live on June 3 and do not already have a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator please contact me.

Did you know there was a National Lucky Penny day?  Well, there is and it is celebrated on May 23.  National Lucky Penny Day is the festivity featured on the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0058.  

To play in the challenge pick 3 of the elements to include in your project.  It is easy and fun to play along!  

Here's what I made using the elements: copper, green, gift card holder, and congratulations sentiment.  This just may be the easiest gift card holder you will ever make.

All you need to do is cut the front of the card to the score line to form a pocket.  Secure the side and along the bottom to form a pocket.  Lots of retiring products were used to make this card.  

Retiring Products Used

• Garden Lane DSP  this is now available for only $8.05 , while supplies last
• 6" x 6" Subtles DSP this unfortunately has already sold out
• Leaf Punch  I use this one a lot
• Parisian Dies  going to miss those pretty swirls
• On to Adventure cutest images and sentiments

 Click HERE for a PDF Tutorial!

Product List

On To Adventure Cling Stamp Set [149334]	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111]	Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133676]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730]	Copper Foil Sheets [142020]
Garden Lane Designer Series Paper [149488]	Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [149615]	Parisian Dies [151463]	Medium Daisy Punch [149517]	Leaf Punch [144667]

Hope to see your project for Festive Friday #FF0058 in the Gallery!

I received some inquiries regarding the DSP panel cards I have been posting.  These cards are quick and easy to make and perfect to show off your Designer Series Paper.

Here I used the Mosaic Mood Specialty DSP (retiring).  Aren't those hummingbirds so pretty?  They have shiny accented feathers.  I also used the sentiment from the Accented Blooms stamp set (retiring) punched out with the Tailored Tag.  The Flower Faceted Gem (retiring and just $5.60) adds a bit of sparkle to the sentiment.  The ribbon is the Mint Macaron 1/4" Textile Ribbon (retiring).  

Here are the details:

• Card base Mint Macaron 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2"
• Soft Suede 3-3/4" x 4"
• Mosaic Mood DSP 3-3/8" x 3-3/4" cut into  three 1-1/8" x 3-3/4" strips I use the Stampin' Up!® Paper Trimmer to cut the strips 

This panel card uses the Tropical Oasis DSP (retiring). Don't you just love the Woodie cars in the print?  For the sentiment I used one of the stickers from the Tropical Oasis Memories & More Card Pack.  Instead of my usual bow, I tied a double knot with the Mint Macaron 1/4" Textile Ribbon, thinking it would make it a little more manly.

Hope this will help you make your own DSP panel cards.  

PS Many of you asked me to provide you with the directions for this card.  I am working on an online card class which will have a card using this fold.  I will do a post once the class is over.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Welcome to the Paper  Pumpkin Pop Up Blog Hop! We are all fans of this monthly crafting kit and want  to share with you our enthusiasm for this box of fun and creativity. The beauty of the Paper Pumpkin kit is that you can follow the directions provided in the  kit to make the projects as they were designed, or use the supplies as a  starting point and let your creativity run wild. On this hop we will be sharing  lots of ideas with you on how to use the March Paper Pumpkin kit: No Matter the Weather.

This kit has got to be one of the best Paper Pumpkin kits ever!  It is amazing how perfect the stamp set is for what we are going through in the world right now.  In addition the die cuts are just so cute! To make things even better there's a bonus stamp set included that is full of fabulous images including a pair of flowery boots that I would love to wear.  

I have been wanting to make a Quarter Sheet Pop Up card.  On this card I used the die cuts and sentiment from the kit and added the grass/cattails using the Friendly Silhouettes dies.  There is a lovely grass image in the bonus stamp set but I was being a bit lazy and didn't want to fussy cut.  This grass/cattail die from the Friendly Silhouette dies is one I am very fond of.

Here are the details on how I made this card.

• Adhere 2 of the same note card together so that you have a larger background design.
• Trim the note cards to equal 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" with the fold (seam where you joined the 2 cards) in the center (2-3/4")
• 1-1/4" x 4-1/2" Balmy Blue strip, score at 1/2", 2-1/4", 4"  decorate using the die cuts.  Center the 2-1/4" score line with the center fold of the card.  Attach the tabs to the card base. 
• 1/2" x 6-1/2" Shaded Spruce strip, score 1/2" at both ends.  
• 2-1/2" x 5-1/2" Shaded Spruce strip cut using the Friendly Silhouettes grass/cattail image.  Adhere the grass/cattails to the back of the 1/2" x 6-1/2" strip and inside of the 1/2" score lines.
• Stamp the sentiment in Basic Gray ink (included in kit) and attach the heart die cut.  Add glitter to heart if desired.  Attach it to the front of the 1/2" x 6-1/2" strip.  Adhere the strip (1/2" tabs) to the front of the card.

This card lays flat to mail (since it is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" it does not need to be folded and fits in an A-2 envelope).  The card stands up nicely.  The 2 strips bow out creating a nice pop up effect.

Are you currently a Paper Pumpkin subscriber?  If  not, now is a great time to join in the fun.  Contact your demonstrator to get started or  CLICK HERE* to subscribe.

Thank you for joining us as we share with you the possibilities of Paper Pumpkin, now hop over to  Janey Backer's blog to see her fun creation.

PS If you are one of my Paper Pumpkin subscribers and want to make this card but do not have the Friendly Silhouettes dies, contact me!

I am ready for Spring!  If you are ready too, then you need to check out and participate in the Festive Friday challenge #FF54.

All you need to do is pick at least 3 items from the Inspo List to include in your project and then post it in the Festive Friday gallery.  Here's more information about how to play along with the Festive Friday Challenge.

I chose flowers, green, pastel colors, and stitching to use on my project.

I used the new So Very Vellum Specialty Designer Series Paper in Purple Posy for the card base.  This beautiful embossed vellum is part of the Sale-A-Bration  2nd Release products.   This pack of paper is FREE with a $50 order.  There are 3 colors: Pool Party, Purple Posy, and Soft Sea Foam.  In the pack you get six 12" x 12" pieces, 2 each of three colors.  

The beautiful flowers are from the Forever Blossoms bundle and are colored using Stampin' Blends.

This is inside of the card.  I wanted to cover up the adhesive that was showing through from the front so I added the top rectangle as well as  the bottom.  All the rectangles are the same size.

I have written a tutorial for you on how to make this card, CLICK HERE  for the tutorial. In fact, every member of the Festive Friday design team creates either a video or a written tutorial on their project so be sure to check it out!

I look forward to seeing your project in the Festive Friday gallery!

Ready for another Festive Friday Challenge?  

How do you play along?  Just pick 3 items from the Inspo list to include in your projects and submit it to the Festive Friday gallery by the due date.   The project you create doesn't have to celebrate Valentine's Day but it does need to include 3 items from the Inspo List.  Here is a link to how to play along with the challenge.

I chose to use hearts, doilies, and red from the Inspo List. I could even claim glitter since he is holding a glittery red heart.   Isn't the raccoon from the Special Someone set so cute?  From the first time I saw the catalog I knew the set would have to be mine.  Beginning on February 4th, the Special Day dies that coordinates with the Special Someone set will become available.  As a demonstrator I was able to pre-order them which is what I used to cut out Mr. Raccoon.  

Let's Make It

• Cut out 2 tags from the Golden Honey Specialty DSP (Sale-A-Bration choice)  using the tag die from the Bonanza dies.   
• Score the bottom of the tags 1-1/4" .  This is how big the item I wanted to insert measures.
• Apply adhesive to one of the 1-1/4" rectangles and place the other tag over it. 
• 
• Secure the treat in the holder with adhesive.  I used a Ferrero Rocher.
• Thread a 4" piece of Real Red ribbon through the tag holes and tie a bow around the ribbon using White Baker's Twine
• Stamp the outline raccoon image in Basic Gray ink.
• Ink the bold raccoon stamp in Basic Gray ink and stamp off once on a piece of scrap paper and then over the outline raccoon image.
• Cut out the raccoon using the Special Day dies or fussy cut.  
• Using Stampin' Dimensionals attach the raccoon to a red heart doily
• Stamp "for you" on Whisper White card stock.  Cut out using the banner die from the Clubhouse bundle.
• Cut 2 hearts out of Red Glitter paper 
• Attach one heart to the raccoons paws using a part of a Stampin' Dimensional.
• Attach one heart to the banner.  Attach the banner using SNAIL adhesive to the doily.
• Using Stampin' Dimensionals attach the doily to the treat holder.

Cute and simple little treat to give to your friends, co-workers, or anytime you need a little treat holder.  Now it is time for you to figure out what you are going to make for the Festive Friday Challenge #FF0051.  

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! All of the products I used on this card are listed below. You can click on any of the photos to go directly to my Stampin’ Up!® online store. 

The Host Code for January is FTCKVA4N.  When you place a Stampin' Up!®  order using this code I will send you a project tutorial.  If your order is $60 or more I will also send you a package of Champagne Rhinestones as a thank you gift.  This gift will be sent in early February. 

Please do NOT use the host code if your order is over $150 (before tax and shipping). You will earn host rewards from Stampin’ Up! AND you'll also receive a project tutorial and a gift from me. 

Product List

Special Someone Photopolymer Stamp Set [151643] $17.00	Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad [149165] $7.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Golden Honey Specialty Designer Series Paper [152311] $0.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Real Red Glimmer Paper [150427] $5.00	Special Day Dies [153587] $29.00	Bonanza Dies [151566] $26.00
Golf Club Dies [151580] $27.00	Real Red 3/8" (1 Cm) Double-Stitched Satin Ribbon [151155] $7.50	Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine [124262] $3.50	Heart Doilies [151191] $5.50

I have had questions about how to make the stand I showed with my calendar.

I do not know who to give credit to for the stand.  I had a sample of the stand in my files.

• Start with a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"  card stock.  The ones I made for the calendars were made using Stampin' Up! Basic Black card stock
• Score in half at 2-3/4"

• Draw a diagonal line from the fold line to the lower right hand corner.
• Measure 3/4" up from the bottom and draw a line from the edge to the diagonal line

• Draw a line from the 3/4" mark to the diagonal line 1/2" up from the corner.
• Now cut from the top of the diagonal line stopping at the 1/2" marking.
• Cut along the short diagonal line from the 3/4" marking to the 1/2" mark.

Hope you found this helpful.  

Welcome to another Festive Friday Challenge!  The festivity we are being inspired by is Wear Your Pearls Day!  Bet you didn't know there was a special day to celebrate wearing your pearls.  The Inspo list for this challenge is so fun.  To play along all you have to do is pick a minimum of 3 items from the Inspo List to use on your project and share it on the Festive Friday blog.  Easy peasy and a lot of fun too!

For this challenge I chose to use rhinestones, black & white, pink, and embossing paste.

It is a little hard to see that I used Shimmery White Embossing paste.  There are flecks of glitter in the paste which makes for a very sparkly background. 

I think you can see the glitter in the embossing paste in this picture.  The mask I used is from the Stampin' Up!® Holiday catalog on pg 35.  It is a little hard to find.  

To make things even more sparkly I brushed Clear Wink of Stella over the body of the ornament and some Frost White Shimmer paint on the top of the ornament.  I thought I might as well go all out and added rhinestones  and a glittery black bow to the ornament.  To finish it off, I added a die cut sentiment from the Jolly Season dies. 

Want a tutorial and list of all the products I used?  Here is a link to a tutorial.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created for this challenge.