Category: Holidays

Create with Candice Challenge #CWCC002 – A Colorful Twist on Christmas!

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from a project you’ve already created! That’s exactly how this month’s Create with Candice Creative Challenge came to life.

Last week, I introduced our second creative challenge, and this time we’re playing with COLOR! 🎨

The Inspiration Behind the Challenge

It all started with a card I created for the Global Design Project’s CASE the Designer challenge featuring Krista Frattin.

I loved the colors in her original design, but since I was using the Holly Jolly Branches Bundle, I wanted to give my card a little more of a Christmas feel.

I started with a Lost Lagoon background and, of course, added Old Olive for my Christmas tree. I swapped in Barely Blush for a softer touch, but the real surprise was my fourth color — Cherry Cobbler!

I had this beautiful, large Cherry Cobbler ribbon that I really wanted to incorporate, so I decided to go bold. To finish things off, I added a little sparkle with Silver Foil Sheets and some Basic White to balance everything out.

Not only did I love how the finished card turned out, but I absolutely fell in love with how these four colors worked together!

And just like that, I had the inspiration for our next challenge!

🎨 Your Challenge: Four Colors, Endless Possibilities!

For Create with Candice Challenge #CWCC002, I’m challenging you to create something using these four Stampin’ Up! colors:

  • Lost Lagoon
  • Cherry Cobbler
  • Barely Blush
  • Old Olive

You can also incorporate neutral colors and a little metallic sparkle, just like I did!

The best part? Your project doesn’t have to be Christmas-themed!

That’s one of the things I love most about color challenges. The same combination can inspire completely different projects depending on the stamps, papers, and designs you choose.

Whether you create a card, scrapbook page, gift packaging, or something entirely different, I can’t wait to see how you bring these colors to life!

A Little More Inspiration!

Of course, I couldn’t stop at just one card!

After creating my original Holly Jolly Branches card, I decided to see how these colors would work with something completely different. I pulled out the Rolling Waves Bundle and created another sample.

Then, during my Monday Live, I went back to the Holly Jolly Branches Bundle, this time playing with a different layout and incorporating the Shining Star Dies, our Product of the Month.

I love how each project has its own personality, even though they’re all using the same four colors!

Be sure to catch the live replay! I’ll show you how I created the whimsical ribbon background and share more about the special textured paper I used. It’s a fun little detail you won’t want to miss!

🦋 Ready to Take the Challenge?

Now it’s your turn!

I hope you love this color combination as much as I do and will join me for this month’s creative challenge.

Challenge Deadline: Saturday, November 21, 2026

That gives you plenty of time to pull out your supplies, get creative, and share your project!

Remember, everyone is welcome to participate, and you don’t have to use Stampin’ Up! products.

Visit my Create with Candice Challenge page for all the details on how to participate and share your creations.

When sharing on social media, be sure to:

  • Use our challenge hashtag #CWCC002
  • Include #CreateWithCandice
  • Tag Stampin’ With Candice so I can find your project and share your creativity with our community!

I can’t wait to see what you create with these colors. Will you go with something festive, or will you surprise me with something completely different?

Happy Creating! 💜

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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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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Candice1 Comment

DIY Spooktacular Gift Bag Tutorial for Unique Halloween Treats

When I first saw the Spooktacular 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper, I just knew I had to have it! It was one of the first things from my wish list that I ordered. Of course, it took me a little while to actually find the time to create with it—but it was definitely worth the wait!

I knew I wanted to create some kind of fun Halloween gift box using those adorable monster faces. As I started playing around with the paper and experimenting with different ideas, I actually came up with this gift bag completely by accident.

And I absolutely fell in love with it! 👻🎃

I love how the angled sides let you see even more of that cute Designer Series Paper, while the coordinating handle, layered BOO tag, wispy ribbon, and stamped tissue paper add all those little finishing touches. And because each sheet features a different monster, you can create a whole collection of bags, each with its own personality!

You love it too, right?

And if you don’t already have the Spooktacular Designer Series Paper, I have a feeling it’s going to be on your wish list after seeing these!

Ready to Make Your Own?

I’ve made it easy for you with my Spooktacular Gift Bag Tutorial.

For just $7, you’ll receive a 5-page downloadable PDF tutorial complete with:

  • Step-by-step instructions and photos
  • Cutting and scoring measurements
  • Complete supply list
  • Helpful tips for assembling and embellishing your bag
  • A video tutorial so you can follow along with me from start to finish

Need Supplies?

Want to create the bags but you’re missing some of the supplies? I’ve made that easy too!

Use my Stampin’ Up! project link to see the products I used and add only the items you need directly to your shopping cart.

I Can’t Wait to See Yours!

One of my favorite things about sharing my projects is seeing how they inspire your creativity. Change the colors, embellishments, tags, or treats and make these little bags your own!

When you create your Spooktacular Gift Bag, be sure to tag me when you share it. I always love seeing what my projects have inspired you to create.

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. 🦋

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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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. 🦋

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.

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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CandiceLeave a comment

Cut, Shake & Share: Valentine Treat Ideas with Heart Gusseted Treat Bags

Last week on my live, I shared several fun ideas using the Heart Gusseted Treat Bags (#167073). I posted about the project I created during the live, but then realized I never shared the other projects—so today I’m fixing that!

A variety of decorated gift bags with heart designs, featuring messages like 'Hugs & Kisses' and 'I Adore You'. The bags are embellished with red and pink colors, and some contain chocolates and other small gifts.

These four additional projects all feature cutting a window into the treat bags using the Endless Love Dies (#167061), then using the die-cut heart from the bag on a coordinating project. It’s such a fun way to stretch your supplies and get multiple projects from one idea.

Helpful Tips Before You Cut

A handmade greeting card featuring three red heart cutouts with a transparent background, displaying colorful sequins inside, and the text 'Hugs & Kisses' on a pink ribbon.

Be sure to watch the video where I share tips on how to avoid cutting through the sides of the bag. For this technique, you’ll want to use the Mini Cutting Plates (#151004) and place one inside the bag, so you’re only cutting through a single layer.

If you’d like your bag to stand up like mine, score the bottom of the bag at 1/2″, then fold that section to the inside to create a flat base.

Project One – Large Heart Window Shaker

For my first project, I used the large heart die to cut a window in the bag. I then cut a smaller heart from Real Red cardstock and embossed it with the Hearts of Love 3D Embossing Folder (#167071).

To create the shaker:

  • I used a 3″ x 3″ Flip Flap (#166514)
  • Filled it with the Loose Valentines Assortment (#167074)
  • Attached it to the back of the embossed red heart
  • Then adhered everything to the inside of the bag behind the window
A handcrafted gift box featuring red and white hearts with an arrow design, embellished with an 'XO' motif and colorful ribbons, presented on a textured background.
A decorative Valentine's Day card featuring layered hearts, one red with a black outline, and the text 'XO' on a white heart background with small red hearts.
A decorative treat bag featuring a large red heart with an arrow, a transparent heart-shaped window filled with confetti, and a string bow. The background is white with small red hearts.

I finished the bag with additional die cuts and Real Red Baker’s Twine (#164051).

For the coordinating project, I used the heart cut from the treat bag along with extra die cuts and twine then attached them to an Iridescent Treat Bag (#166204)—quick, easy, and adorable.

Project Two – Filigree Hearts & Shimmery Window

For the second project, I cut the smaller hearts and layered them with the filigree heart dies.

A decorated packaging with red hearts and the text 'Hugs & Kisses' holding colorful candies, next to a chocolate bar wrapped in pink paper with a tag that says 'I Adore You'.
A decorative white bag with red hearts and the phrase 'Hugs & Kisses' printed on a pink ribbon.
A handmade card featuring three red heart cutouts with iridescent backgrounds, accompanied by a pink 'Hugs & Kisses' sentiment and adorned with a pink ribbon.

To create a shimmery window:

  • I cut open an Iridescent Treat Bag (#166204)
  • Adhered it to the inside of the gusseted treat bag

For the greeting, I used the Three Banner Punch (#167050) for a quick and easy sentiment. The final touch was Bubble Bath 1/8″ Faux Linen Ribbon (#167075)—the perfect delicate accent.

Coordinating Candy Bar Treat

To coordinate, I layered one of the hearts cut from the treat bag onto additional die cuts. I embossed Bubble Bath cardstock, wrapped it around a candy bar, and added:

  • A strip of Real Red cardstock stamped with XO in black
  • A big, beautiful bow made from the Bubble Bath Faux Linen Ribbon

Quick, easy, and super cute!

A wrapped chocolate bar decorated with a pink and red heart-shaped tag that says 'I ADORE YOU', resting on a textured surface.
A wrapped chocolate bar with a pink embossed cover featuring small hearts, a red band displaying the word 'XOXO' in black, and a decorative ribbon.
A decorative gift wrapper featuring hearts and the phrase 'I Adore You', on top of a chocolate bar.

Any of these projects would make a perfect Valentine treat for someone special, and they’re a great way to get even more value from your Heart Gusseted Treat Bags.

💖 Remember: You can purchase all of the products used for these projects on my website. I appreciate your support.

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.

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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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:

  1. Cut off the top folded portion of the bag.
    • Measure 9-1/4″ up from the bottom and cut.
  2. Trim the bottom so the bag measures 9″ total.
  3. Cut the bag in half at 4-1/2″.
  4. Score the bottom at 3/4″.
    • Be sure to flip the piece so you get a good score on both sides.
  5. 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.
Global Design Project logo with a globe and heart symbol, featuring the text 'GLOBAL DESIGN PROJECT #GDP531' and three heart-themed icons below.

✨ 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! 💕

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.

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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CandiceLeave a comment