GDP – Stampin' With Candice

Shining Stars & Holly Jolly Branches | Global Design Project #GDP568

This week’s Global Design Project Challenge #GDP568 was another fun CASE the Designer challenge, featuring the talented Krista Frattin!

All week long, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to create for this challenge. I had a few ideas floating around, but nothing was really coming together. Then, toward the end of the week, my Stampin’ Up! order arrived with this month’s Product of the Month — the Shining Stars Dies! ⭐

OMG! I was so excited to get my hands on these dies, and as soon as I saw them, I knew they would be perfect for this challenge!

I decided to pair them with the Holly Jolly Branches Bundle and step a little outside my usual Christmas color palette. I took inspiration from Krista’s beautiful colors, changing them up just slightly to give my card a more festive feel.

And I have to say, I absolutely LOVE how it turned out!

Creating the Background & Adding Layers

I started with Lost Lagoon for my background, stamping a subtle pattern of stars using white ink. I love how the soft white stars add interest without taking away from the focal point.

Next, I stamped my Christmas tree in Old Olive and began building layers with the Holly Jolly Branches Bundle and Shining Stars Dies.

To add a little sparkle, I die-cut several trees and stars using Silver Foil Sheets. I love how the metallic accents catch the light and give the card that extra touch of holiday magic!

A Sneak Peek at Something New!

One of my favorite details on this card might be a little difficult to see in the pictures.

The greeting, several of the trees, and some of the stars were all die-cut from the new Textured Canvas Specialty Paper, coming in November as part of Stampin’ Up!’s Online Exclusives!

This paper is so cool! It adds a beautiful, soft texture to your projects, but what’s even better is that you can stamp directly onto it!

I also used a Blending Brush to add Old Olive ink to a few of the canvas stars, giving them a little extra color and dimension. It’s such a simple way to customize the paper while still allowing that wonderful texture to show through.

One of the things I love most about being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is getting early access to new products like this!

And speaking of being a demonstrator, there’s an awesome joining special happening in October! If you’ve ever thought about joining my team, I’d love to share more with you. You can also visit the GROW section of my blog to learn more about the creative opportunities and benefits of being part of my team.

Ribbon, Stars & a Little Whimsy

To finish building my design, I added some Barely Blush stars and ribbon, along with the new Cherry Cobbler Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

We’ve had ribbon similar to this in the past, and it’s always been one of my favorites for Christmas projects. There’s just something about those festive stripes!

But did you notice the wispy ribbon flurries tucked behind the trees?

This is such a fun technique, and it’s one I recently shared when creating my Spooktacular Gift Bags!

By carefully pulling out one of the main threads from the ribbon, you can separate the fibers and create these wonderful, delicate wisps. I tucked them behind my trees, letting them loop and flow naturally across the card.

I love how they add movement, texture, and a little bit of whimsy without overwhelming the design.

For the finishing touches, I added a few Iridescent Pearls and layered my Lost Lagoon panel onto Cherry Cobbler cardstock, all mounted on a Barely Blush card base.

Those little details really brought everything together!

Sometimes the Best Projects Are the Unexpected Ones!

When I first sat down to create this card, I really wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. I had a general idea, a new set of dies I couldn’t wait to play with, a color palette that was a little different from my usual Christmas combinations, and beautiful challenge sample for inspiration.

But once I started creating, everything came together surprisingly easily!

I love the mix of textures, the unexpected colors, and all those wonderful layers. It’s definitely one of those cards that looks more complicated than it actually is and has that WOW factor I love!

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy participating in creative challenges so much. They encourage me to try something different, look at my supplies in a new way, and sometimes discover combinations I might never have thought to use.

What do you think? Would you use Lost Lagoon, Old Olive, Barely Blush, and Cherry Cobbler for a Christmas card?

Have You Gotten Your Shining Stars Dies Yet?

If the Shining Stars Dies aren’t already on your wish list, you might want to add them! ⭐

They’re this month’s Stampin’ Up! Product of the Month, which means you can purchase them for just $5 with a qualifying $75 order!

I have a feeling these dies are going to be popular, so I wouldn’t wait too long if you want to grab a set before they’re gone.

Ready to shop? Visit my online store at candiceanderson.stampinup.net.

And remember to check out the other amazing creations for #GDP568. There’s always so much inspiration to be found!

Happy Stamping!

Learn • Connect • Create • Grow 🦋

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

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October 11, 2026

Candice1 Comment

Create Stunning Christmas Cards: CASE Techniques

This week’s Global Design Project challenge, #GDP560, is another fun CASE the Designer challenge, featuring Charlet Mallett!

I love CASE challenges because there are so many different directions you can take the inspiration. You can focus on the colors, layout, technique, or even just one little element that catches your eye.

For my card, I chose to focus on Charlet’s background technique and a similar layout, but gave it a Christmas twist using the Pretty Poinsettia Bundle. 🎄

I absolutely love how the soft background adds interest without competing with that gorgeous poinsettia. It really helps the rich colors and dimension of the flower pop!

That’s one of my favorite things about CASEing another designer—you can start with the same inspiration and create something completely your own. ❤️

Want to See How It Comes Together?

Check out my reel for a quick recap of how to create this stunning card!

Then use these quick tips when creating your own:

Create your own stencil. Cut the leaves from a thick piece of paper. I used one of the cardboard backers from a Designer Series Paper pack. Keep an extra piece handy to cover any open areas as you move the design around your background.
Start with watercolor paper. For the best results with this background technique, watercolor paper gives you a little more freedom to work with the water and ink.
Make your own color spritz. Add a few drops of reinker to a color spritzer along with water to create the soft background color.
Add some splatters. A Water Painter makes it quick and easy to add those little splatters of color that give the background even more interest.
Give your poinsettia dimension. Ink the edges of the poinsettia petals and leaves, then gently curl them with a Bone Folder before assembling. This adds beautiful depth and texture.
Customize your Rhinestones. Use Stampin’ Blends to add color to your Rhinestones so they coordinate perfectly with your project.

✨ Want to create your own?
Click here for a complete list of the products I used and an easy way to place your order.

No matter where your creative journey takes you, I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s learn, create, connect, and grow together—one project at a time. 🦋

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August 16, 2026

CandiceLeave a comment

Soft Florals & Bold Color: A #GDP533 Challenge Card

This week we’re jumping into another color challenge for the Global Design Project challenge #GDP533, featuring Strawberry Slush, Petal Pink, and Pretty Peacock. When I look at these colors together, I love them—they’re soft, fresh, and so pretty. But if I’m being completely honest, once I sat down to actually create with them… I struggled more than I expected.

Perfect timing though, because my most recent Stampin’ Up! order arrived, and inside was the Lovely Florals Stamp Set #166797, which has been sitting on my wish list for quite a while. I was a little sad to realize it’s now on the Last Chance list (along with the Texture Notes Dies #165555), but it turned out to be exactly the inspiration I needed for this card.

A handmade greeting card featuring a pink floral illustration on a white square, accented with blue and coral geometric patterns and a pink ribbon.

I started by stamping the floral image in Black StazOn Ink #101406, then pulled out my Water Painters #168253. I dipped them directly into my ink pads and watercolor-painted the image, which allowed me to control the intensity of each color while still keeping that soft, artsy feel.

For the background, I stamped the grid image onto white cardstock and used my water painter to flick ink onto the paper, creating a fun speckled effect. I then went back in with a Blending Brush #160518 to add more color. This technique was such a win—I could leave some of the white showing and create multiple shades of color, essentially making my own custom DSP.

Close-up of a handmade card featuring a pink flower illustration with green leaves, placed on a textured pink background and accented with a pink ribbon.

A close-up view of a metal cutting die positioned over a pink cardstock, with an embossed texture visible beneath the die. The setup appears to be on a craft table, including a clear base plate.

One of my favorite little tricks on this card came from a happy workaround. I wanted a square layer behind my focal image, but the dies I had were rectangular. Instead of cutting the full die, I partially ran it through the machine so it only cut part of the image. Then I lined it up and cut the opposite side. The result? A square cut with that same cool patterned edge—problem solved!

To finish things off, I added Adhesive-Backed Gems #165615 and Faux Linen Ribbon #165274 for a bit of texture and sparkle.

You’ll notice there’s no sentiment on this card—and yes, that was intentional. I originally planned to add a “hello,” but in the end I decided to leave it off. Sometimes it’s nice to have a card ready to go, so you can add the perfect sentiment when the moment calls for it.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out all the beautiful projects shared by the designers over at the Global Design Project—this color combo definitely sparked some gorgeous creativity this week. 💕

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

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February 6, 2026

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From Treat Bag to Box: My Favorite Heart Gusseted Treat Bag Project

Monday night on my live, I shared multiple projects using the Heart Gusseted Treat Bags (#167073), and I had so much fun playing with these bags and seeing just how many ideas I could come up with. 💕

My live video featured my favorite project.. This little box is relatively simple to make, and I love how versatile it is—plus, one bag makes TWO boxes, which is always a win!

A handmade greeting card featuring a heart design with 'Hugs & Kisses' text on a colorful background, alongside a blank card with a heart pattern and similar text.

A decorative card featuring a lace-like red heart design with multiple smaller hearts, embellished with a pink and white striped heart that says 'Hugs & Kisses'.

Box Instructions

Start with one Heart Gusseted Treat Bag:

Cut off the top folded portion of the bag.
- Measure 9-1/4″ up from the bottom and cut.
Trim the bottom so the bag measures 9″ total.
Cut the bag in half at 4-1/2″.
Score the bottom at 3/4″.
- Be sure to flip the piece so you get a good score on both sides.
Cut the corners on the bottom of each piece up to the 3/4″ score line.
- You should now have two red sections and two white sections.

A handmade greeting card featuring layered hearts, a decorative doily, and a mix of red and pink colors, with a white background adorned with small hearts.

Two green-topped bottles of adhesive glue stored in a decorative holder with a pink and red design, featuring hearts.

Box Base (for Support)

Cut a piece of chipboard to 4″ x 1-1/4″
- I used chipboard from my Paper Pumpkin kits.
Cover with Real Red cardstock, also 4″ x 1-1/4″.
Adhere to the bottom of the inside of the box for extra stability.

Decorating Details

A close-up view of a decorative Valentine's Day card featuring layered hearts in shades of pink and red, with a ribbon that reads 'Hugs & Kisses'. The background includes a lace-like doily pattern.

Decorate your box as desired! For my sample, I used:

Lovely Doilies #167104
Endless Love Stamp Set #167055
Endless Love Dies #167061
Bubble Bath Ribbon #167075
Real Red Baker’s Twine #164051

Colors: Real Red, White, & Bubble Bath

✨ Perfect Fit: This box fits our Note Cards (#159232) perfectly, making it ideal for a sweet Valentine note or gift enclosure.

The simple card design tucked inside the box was inspired by Heidi Collins, keeping the look clean, classic, and easy to recreate.

Two handmade greeting cards featuring red striped hearts and the phrase 'Hugs & Kisses'. One card has the text 'I adore you' repeated in the background.

A greeting card design featuring a large striped heart, the words 'I adore you' repeated in the background, and 'Hugs & Kisses' written prominently at the bottom.

✨ Bonus: This project is the perfect fit for this week’s Global Design Project challenge – Hearts #GDP531! 💖

Be sure to check out my video to see just how easy this project is to create, along with the other fun ideas I shared. I’ll be posting more details on the remaining projects later this week, so be sure to tune back in! 💕

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

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January 20, 2026

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Hello Sunshine & Travel Dreams ✈️🌞

Did you know that today is National Shop for Travel Day?
That feels perfectly timed because my future travel plans include a Caribbean cruise—and after almost two years of planning, I’m finally down to under 100 days! 🎉

With travel on the brain, it felt only right that during my live yesterday I featured the Beach Boardwalk Suite. This collection also has a coordinating scrapbooking kit, and I can hardly wait to use it to document our trip once we return. 🌊📸

For this project, I used the Global Design Project #GDP530 layout challenge as my starting point. I pushed myself a little out of my comfort zone and treated the layout more as inspiration rather than a strict roadmap—which is definitely not my norm!

Two colorful greeting cards featuring a beach scene with palm trees, a large sun, and the text 'HEY, SUNSHINE'. The background has soft pastel colors and textured layers.

Design Inspiration & Creative Changes

One of the main elements in the challenge layout is three circles on the side. Instead of circles, I swapped them out for three palm trees, keeping the visual balance while adding a fun tropical twist. 🌴🌴🌴

I also decided to turn this into a slimline card, which is one of my favorite formats. This size fits perfectly in a legal-size envelope, making it great for mailing or gifting.

Card Size & Base

While there are many slimline sizes, I typically make mine 8-1/2″ x 3-1/2″. I also love turning them into pocket cards for money or gift cards.

Card base: 8-1/2″ x 8-1/2″, scored at 3-1/2″ and 7″
Card base color: White

Background & Layers

I cut a second piece of white cardstock to 8-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ and used my blending brushes with Strawberry Slush, Petunia Pop, and Pool Party to create a soft ombre background.

For the square focal element, I cut a piece of Beach Boardwalk DSP #166820 using the largest square from the Stylish Shapes Dies #159183 and framed it with a 3″ x 3″ piece of cardstock:

Card 1 frame: Strawberry Slush
Card 2 frame: Petunia Pop

Want to see all the steps come together?
Be sure to check out the replay from my live, where I walk you through the entire process and share extra tips along the way. 🎥✨

Stamping & Die Cutting Details

Two hand-crafted greeting cards featuring a watercolor background with pink and blue tones, silhouettes of palm trees, and a yellow sun.

Palm trees stamped from Boardwalk Fun Stamp Set #166822 in Petunia Pop on the DSP
Additional palm trees die cut in black cardstock using Boardwalk Fun Dies #166828
I layered two of them over the stamped palm trees to create a shadow effect.

For the sun, I used one of the stitched circle dies (third smallest) cut from white cardstock and blended Daffodil Delight and Timid Tiger for added depth ☀️.

Sand, Waves & Finishing Touches

Sand: Torn Crumb Cake cardstock, stamped with dots from Swirled Designs #167030 in Pecan Pie, then softly blended for dimension
Waves: DSP cut with Light & Wonder Dies #165762, edges highlighted with Pool Party ink

I stamped “Hey, Sunshine” in black ink in the bottom right corner and wrapped Strawberry Slush Ribbon around the ombre background before assembling everything.

The palm trees were popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals, and I finished them off with a simple knot secured using Mini Glue Dots. A few Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems #165615 added just the right amount of sparkle ✨.

Inside Pocket

A colorful greeting card design featuring palm trees and a sun, with the text 'HEY, SUNSHINE'. The card is partially open, revealing a two-dollar bill inside.

On the inside, I added a strip of DSP to the top of the 1-1/2″ folded section and used Tear & Tape on the sides to create a pocket—perfect for cash or a gift card.

This bright, happy card has me so ready for warm weather and sunshine, especially while we’re still in the middle of winter ❄️➡️☀️.

💬 Tell me:
What trip are you dreaming of taking this year? And can you see yourself using the Beach Boardwalk Suite for your summer plans?

If so, be sure to add this amazing suite (and all the fun extras!) to your cart today. 🛒🌴
If you enjoyed this project, remember to click follow so you’ll be notified when I share more creative inspiration and upcoming projects.

Thanks so much for stopping by—I truly appreciate you! ☀️✨

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

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January 13, 2026

CandiceLeave a comment

Create Unique Backgrounds with Nature’s Symphony Techniques

This week the Global Design Project featured another color challenge using Night of Navy, Azure Afternoon, and Balmy Blue. I briefly considered using December’s Product of the Month since those blues would have worked perfectly, but in the end I decided to do something a little different and create my own background paper.

I pulled out the Nature’s Symphony Stamp Set (#166919) and Dies (#166925) and had so much fun experimenting that I ended up mixing and matching the technique with several different background colors. Each one turned out completely unique. Can you guess which one was my original? I’ll give you a hint—it started with Very Vanilla cardstock, which I really love because it highlights the technique.

A collection of five handcrafted greeting cards featuring various shades of blue and white floral designs, with the text 'YOU MAKE ME SMILE' prominently displayed on each card.

Creating the Textured Background

I originally planned to stamp the image and let it peek through the die-cut opening, but once I started playing, I realized I wanted even more texture. Instead, I layered stamped and die-cut elements to really build depth.

To make your own background, start with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock cut with the second-largest die from the Perennial Postage set (#162607).

Stamp the large leaf image randomly in Balmy Blue
Add the textured line image in Azure Afternoon
Finish by stamping the small leaf in Night of Navy

Now for the fun (and slightly scary) part—crumple the paper. Yes, really! Squish it up to create a rough, worn texture full of dimension. Once flattened out a bit, use Blending Brushes (#160518) with Balmy Blue and Night of Navy to add even more depth.

A handmade greeting card with a blue floral design featuring layered leaves and flowers, with the text 'YOU MAKE ME SMILE' prominently displayed in a white speech bubble.

Close-up of a card featuring a decorative design with blue leaves and a central message that says 'You Make Me Smile' in a playful font.

Adding Extra Texture

In the Nature’s Symphony die set, there’s a small die made up of hash marks. It doesn’t cut out an image—it cuts tiny hash marks creating textures instead. Run this die across your background in multiple directions. After sending it through the Cut & Emboss Machine, the paper will be flatter again, so go ahead and crumple it one more time. Be gentle—those cut areas can catch—but allow some sections to bend and open for even more interest. Add a little extra ink with your blending brushes to highlight those textured areas.

A handmade card featuring a blue background with a layered design, adorned with various leaf shapes in different shades of blue. The message 'You Make Me Smile' is prominently displayed in a decorative frame at the center.

A handmade card featuring blue and white paper leaves and flowers, with the message 'YOU MAKE ME SMILE' prominently displayed on a scalloped tag. The background is a textured dark blue, enhancing the layered design.

Finishing the Cards

Once the background was complete, all that was left was deciding what colors to stamp and die-cut for the remaining elements. I used the same technique on multiple cardstock colors, but Very Vanilla really lets all the details shine.

I finished each card by layering the die-cut elements, using Dimensionals behind the delicate leaf piece for added depth. A quick tip: if you cut the cardstock layer that sits behind your postage die piece to the correct size, you can die-cut one of the leaf shapes from the center first, saving cardstock before adhering it.

For the greeting, I used the second-smallest rectangle postage die, added small piece of paper that I used the Three Banner Punch #167050 to turn into a tach and finished with Very Vanilla Baker’s Twine behind it. Did you notice on some of the cards it isn’t very vanilla? I customized the twine color by brushing ink directly onto it with a blending brush—a great trick when you need ribbon in just the right shade. I always keep white or vanilla twine on hand for this reason. To finish things off, I added a touch of bling with Muted Palette Dots (#165155).

Final Result

In the end, I created five stunning cards, all using the same basic technique but each with its own unique look and feel. It may sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty easy once you try it—and I even made a hyper-speed video so you can see the whole process in action.