Day 25 – Yule Be Amazed – Color combo

Playful Woodland Critters + Witty Wordplay + Color Challenge #5

Today’s challenge brought together two fun themes: Yule Be Amazed—full of playful woodland critters and witty wordplay—and Color Challenge #5 using the Concord & 9th palette of Wildberry, Lakefront, and Harbor.

To match this with Stampin’ Up! colors, I chose a bright, cheerful combination of Lost Lagoon, Balmy Blue, and Melon Mambo. At first, I wasn’t sure how to bring both themes into one card. Woodland critters made me think browns and greens… not exactly what this color combo offers!

So I turned to my wall of retired stamp sets in search of inspiration—and that’s when the answer practically jumped off the shelf.

⛄️ When Snowmen Become Woodland Critters

I spotted the retired Spirited Snowmen Set (#148072) and instantly thought of one of my favorite children’s books—
“Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner.

In the story, the snowmen come to life and play outside in the woods after dark. And that’s when it hit me:
If snowmen can play in the woods at night… why can’t they count as playful woodland critters?

With that little spark, everything fell into place.

A handmade card featuring a whimsical snowman skating on ice, surrounded by a soft, snowy background with blue hues. The snowman is wearing a colorful scarf and a hat, and there is a sentiment that reads, 'your friendship warms my heart.' The card is adorned with a sheer ribbon and decorative elements inspired by a playful woodland theme.

A greeting card featuring the phrase 'winter cheer' in bold red text on a light blue banner, surrounded by decorative snowflakes.

🎨 Coloring the Scene

To get a soft, playful look, I stamped the snowman in Black StazOn (#101406) on Watercolor Paper (#149612).

Then I used my Water Painters (#168253) and the ink pads in my three challenge colors to bring him to life. Watercoloring gave the image a gentle, whimsical feel—perfect for the theme—and made it easy to blend shadowing under him so it looks like he’s skating on ice.

For additional details, I used:

Pumpkin Pie (nose)
Pecan Pie (arms)
Basic Gray (skates)

A touch of Wink of Stella on the snowman and skates added the perfect shimmer.

❄️ Building the Background

To create the snowy nighttime feel, I used the Snowy Delights Decorative Masks (#165808) with a blending brush. The soft Balmy Blue and Lost Lagoon inks blended beautifully behind the snowman and tied the entire color combo together.

🎀 Finishing Touches

The final details pulled everything together:

Balmy Blue Sheer Ribbon (#165767)
Three Banner Punch (#167050) for the sentiment
A soft matting layer in challenge colors

The finished card is sweet, whimsical, and full of playful charm—perfect for sharing a little holiday cheer.

A whimsical snowman with a pink and teal scarf and a carrot nose, smiling while skating. The image is outlined with glitter for added shimmer.

A promotional image for the 30 Day Christmas Card Making Challenge, featuring color challenge #5 with swatches of Wildberry, Lakefront, and Harbor.

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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.

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November 25, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 24 – Twinkle All the Way & Tree-mendous Wishes

A Sparkly Technique Using Iridescent Treat Bags!

Day 24 is here, and today was full of sparkle with the themes Twinkle All the Way and Tree-mendous Wishes. On my live, I shared a fun technique using the Iridescent Treat Bags (#166204) in a completely unexpected way to create a gorgeous, shimmering background.

Two handmade holiday cards featuring intricate sparkling trees, each tagged with the word 'merry', set against a softly colored background with embellishments.

If you missed the live, be sure to catch the replay—you’ll definitely want to try this one!

✨ Using Treat Bags for Sparkle (In a Whole New Way!)

The magic of this card starts with the treat bags themselves. Instead of using them as packaging, I cut the bag apart to create a flat section large enough to run through my die-cutting machine.

Then I glued that piece directly onto my background cardstock.

Because these bags have a beautiful pink/yellow iridescent shimmer, the color shifts depending on the cardstock behind it:

My first sample used Pretty in Pink
During the live, I used Bubble Bath

Both produce totally different looks, and that’s what makes this technique so fun!

For today’s project, I paired the shimmer with the retired Decorative Trees Dies (#164084) for a clean, elegant seasonal look.

🎄 Building the Card

To keep things quick and easy, I went straight to page 24 of the Annual Catalog and pulled inspiration from one of the tag templates. (If you need a catalog, send me a message—I’d be happy to get one to you!)

Here’s how the card came together:

Layers & Elements

Background: Silent Snowfall Designer Series Paper (#166062)
Tree Layering:
- One solid shimmery tree
- One intricate tree cut from Peaceful Garden Glimmer Paper (#165929) layered on top
Tag & Sentiment:
- Cut using the Merry Tags & More Dies #(#165639)
- Tag created from the Celebration Expressions Memories & More Card Pack (#165307)
  - Not a Christmas pack—but the colors and designs worked perfectly (and bonus: tons of great backgrounds for future cards or scrapbook pages!)

Finishing Touches

Sheer Balmy Blue Ribbon (#165767)
White Baker’s Twine (#155475)
Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems (#165615)

And one fun detail about this project:
There is no stamping on the entire card!
It’s a great reminder of how versatile your dies, embellishments, Memories & More packs, and specialty papers can be.

Card on top is Bubble Bath Background – Card on bottom is Pretty in Pink Background.

A festive card featuring a pink tree die cut on a tag, with the word 'merry' in blue, placed on a light blue background. The card is adorned with light blue ribbon and colorful embellishments.

A decorated tag featuring a pink and white Christmas tree with glitter accents, the word 'merry' in blue, and pink sequins on a light blue background.

🌟 Bonus Samples

I also created a few additional samples to showcase how cool it looks when you emboss the iridescent treat bags. On the shaker card sample, I paired the treat bag layer with white cardstock—you can really see the yellow shimmer come to life!

A festive card featuring a translucent tree design with a snowman in a winter scene, surrounded by colorful sequins, on a pink and blue background with the text 'tis the season' at the top.

A festive shaker card featuring a clear tree shape filled with sequins and a snowman drawing, set against a pink polka dot background with a sentiment that says 'tis the season.'

This is definitely a technique worth trying on multiple projects.

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Contact me today to place your order!
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November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 23 – Elfie Time!

Fun Fold Gift Card Holder + Sketch Challenge #5

Today’s theme was Elfie Time, and the moment I read it, I knew exactly which stamp set I had to pull out—my beloved retired #Elfie (#150509). Pairing it with Sketch Challenge #5 inspired a playful twist: a Fun Fold Gift Card Holder!

This design is so easy to create and perfect for the holidays—because who doesn’t love receiving (or giving!) a cute handmade gift card holder?

I shared the full tutorial during a live in the Card A Day in November 2025 group as well as on my YouTube and Facebook pages. If you missed it, no worries—you can still catch the replay. And huge thanks to Kevin for inviting me on to share this project!

🎁 How to Make the Fun Fold Gift Card Holder

This fold comes together quickly and can be decorated for any theme or season. Here’s the basic template:

Card Base

Cut: 9-1/2″ x 5-1/2″
Score at: 3-1/2″ and 7-1/2″
This creates:
A 3-1/4″ panel (the main front)
A 4-1/4″ panel (the inside)
A 2″ flap (perfect for the pocket)

Belly Band

Cut: 1-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ (or longer depending on embellishments)
Wrap loosely around the card so it slides easily.

Gift Card Cutout

You’ll need circle punches or dies:

1-3/4″ for the pocket opening (#119850)
2″ for the decorative circle layer (#133782)

Interior Layer

If you’re using a different color inside:

Cut 2-1/2″ x 5-1/4″
Make sure it extends past the punched opening for a clean look.

Tools That Help

Bone folder (#102300)
Tear & Tape (#154031)
Mini Glue Dots (#103683)
Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (#144108)
Circle punches/dies

And then… decorate to your heart’s content!

🧝 Elfie Samples

Of course I made more than one! Here’s what I used:

Elfie Cards

Color combos:

Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Summer Splash
Others:
- White Baker’s Twine (#155475)
- Real Red & White Peppermint Embellishments (#164050)
- Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems (#165615)
- Forever Plaid Embossing Folder (#164049)
- A Little Cheer (#166121)
- Stylish Shapes Dies (#159183)
- Wink of Stella (#141897)
- Blending Brush (#160518)
- Masking Paper (#155480)
- Blends – Poppy Parade, Summer Splash, Pool Party, Pecan Pie, Petal Pink, Pretty in Pink

Both versions turned out adorable and festive!

A handmade holiday gift card holder featuring a playful elf design, with a red and teal color scheme and a greeting saying 'A Holiday Hello'.

A Fun Fold Gift Card Holder featuring a playful elf design with a greeting that says 'A Holiday Hello' on a light blue background.

❄️ Additional Sample – Christmas Cuties

I also made a version using the retired Christmas Cuties (#139787) paired with the Need for Tweed Designer Series Paper (#166144) for a quick, textured background.

Color combo:

Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Others:
- Real Red Baker’s Twine (#164051)
- Shimmer Star Foam Stickers (#166202)
- A Little Cheer (#166121)
- Perennial Postage Dies (#162607)

A different look but just as charming!

A handmade gift card holder designed for the Christmas season, featuring an elf illustration, festive patterns in red and green, and the greeting 'Happy Christmas.'

A festive handmade card featuring a cheerful elf character, surrounded by red and green decorative elements. The card includes the text 'Happy Christmas' and is embellished with twine and stars.

🎄 Do You Love This Fun Fold as Much as I Do?

I adore how quick and adaptable this Fun Fold Gift Card Holder is, and I can’t wait to see what you create with it!

If you try this fold, please share your photos—I love seeing everyone’s creative twist on the design.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
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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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November 23, 2025November 26, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 22 – A Little Bit of Festive Flora & Oh Deer!

Silly Deer Mishaps + Paper Pumpkin Fun

Today’s challenge theme brought together two fun ideas: festive flora and oh deer—and that instantly reminded me of this month’s Paper Pumpkin kit and its adorably silly deer mishaps. The original kit was designed to create cute tags and gift boxes, but you know me… I couldn’t resist turning those tags into full cards!

A layout sketch for a card-making challenge, featuring a framed design in pale pink against a light blue background.

The TGIFC551 Sketch Challenge (even though it’s finished now) was the perfect layout inspiration. I loved the balance and simplicity of the sketch, and it translated beautifully to both tag designs in the kit.

Transforming the Tag into a Card

To bring out the playful “oh deer!” vibe, I reached for one of my favorite retired sets: Cookie-Cutter Christmas (#142043) with the coordinating punch. That sweet little deer was exactly what the project needed.

I added a festive pop using the Real Red Shiny Ribbon (#165876)—a tiny bow with a big holiday statement!

For the card base, I stamped the Linen Background Stamp (#167107) to add soft texture without overwhelming the design. It really ties everything together and gives the card a more polished look.

The end result?
A fun, festive, simple-to-create card that came together quickly and still feels special and works for both the challenges.

Bonus Card!

Two handmade Christmas cards featuring festive designs, one with a reindeer and a red ribbon, and the other with holiday greenery and a bow.

A handmade Christmas card featuring a festive red and green tag design, adorned with a white bow and greenery, and a 'Merry Christmas' sentiment.

Since I loved the layout so much, I used the second tag design from the kit to create an additional card using the same sketch. Paper Pumpkin always makes it so easy to branch out and try new ideas—whether you follow the directions as-is or grab your supplies and create something entirely different.

Why I Love Paper Pumpkin

These kits are truly creativity sparkers:
✨ Quick projects
✨ Beautiful designs
✨ Endless alternate possibilities

And you never miss out when you’re subscribed!

Click Here to Subscribe

Be sure to sign up so you always get your kit—
or even better, save on prepaid subscriptions starting December 1st!

Promotional image for Paper Pumpkin subscription featuring customizable sentiment stamps and a floral design on a watercolor background.

A card featuring the message 'miss you so much' surrounded by decorative paper cutouts of leaves and flowers, with gold sequins on a textured blue background.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
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Contact me today to place your order!
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November 22, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 21 – Santa “Don’t Stop Believin’”

Rockin’ Santa & Snow Globe Dreams (with a Grinch-Inspired Twist!)

Today’s challenge theme was Santa — Don’t Stop Believin’, and my mind went in a dozen different directions before I landed on the perfect idea. Those of you who know me well know that I am a huge Grinch fan. (Yes… he even has his own dedicated section of my Christmas décor!)

There’s a classic image of the Grinch holding a Christmas ornament, and I thought, How perfect would that be for this theme? So I decided to recreate that scene using our amazing Stampin’ Up! products.

Once the idea hit, the wheels started turning fast.

To really bring the magic to life, and because I love pushing the boundaries of our products, I decided to take it up a notch and turn it into a snow globe shaker card using my Flip Flap Technique (which I’m still claiming as my own unless someone can show me otherwise 😉). This time, I added an extra twist — slimline card, giving me plenty of room for the full Grinch-inspired scene.

And yes… the moment you step outside the “intended use” of our products, things get creative fast. This card is no exception! Let’s just say… this card was an adventure!

🎄 Creating the Ornament

The ornament was actually the easy part!

Stylish Shapes Dies (#159183) for the circle
Gold Foil Sheets (#132622) for the topper
Topper from Ornamental Christmas (#166000)
Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine (#164051) for the hanging string

Simple, classic, and instantly recognizable.

💚 Crafting the Grinch’s Hand

This was where things got… creative.

No die gave me exactly what I wanted, so I sketched the Grinch’s hand by hand (pun intended 😉) and cut it from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock.

To add the Grinch’s signature “fur,” I stamped one of the leaf images from the Cheers & Sips set (#165588) in Granny Apple Green. The texture was perfect!

Then I added:

Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends for outlining
Blending Brush for shading
A hand-cut “Santa sleeve” in Real Red, brushed with black ink
And the perfect finishing touch — Fluffy Trim Ribbon (#165849) for the cuff

This combination brought the Grinch’s hand to life exactly the way I pictured it.

❄️ The Background & Final Touches

For the snowy scene, I used the gorgeous Silent Snowfall Specialty DSP (#166062) and added sparkle with a touch of Wink of Stella on the snowflakes.

A few Real Red & White Peppermint embellishments (#164050) tied the festive vibe together.

🌟 Creating the Slimline Flip Flap Shaker

This shaker section was the fun part!

How I Built It:

Cut Granny Apple Green cardstock to 7″.
Score at 3-1/2″.
Trim 1/16″ off one side.
Fold in half.
Layer the snowflake DSP on top.
Die-cut through all three layers at the same time using the Stylish Shapes circle.
- You may need to run it through more than once, but cutting all layers together guarantees perfect alignment.

With the leftover piece of cardstock, I scored it again at 3-1/2″, leaving a 1/2″ tab to connect both pieces.

For this card I used the 3×3 Flip Flaps (#166514). There are multiple different sizes and the one you use will depend on how big your cutout is.

Here’s a quick video of how to assemble it.

Shaker Fillers:

Loose Gold Sequins (#165267)
White hearts from the Loose Valentine’s Assortment (#167074)—a fun sneak peek from our January 2027 Mini preorder!

Everything was sealed together using Tear & Tape.

Important Tip:

Always plan what the interior will look like through the window.
Whatever you stamp inside becomes part of the scene!

💬 Interior Details

Because you definitely can’t put a standard “Merry Christmas” in a Grinch-inspired snow globe card… 😄

I used the Mini Alphabet Dies (#162934) to create my own custom sentiment. Pairing these dies with Adhesive Sheets (#152334) is a must — instant letter stickers for easy placement!

To finish the little interior scene I used:

Pine Tree Trimmings Stamps (#166040)
Pine Tree Trimmings Dies (#166046)
A Little Cheer (#166121)
Jar of Joy (#166176)
And to complete it all, a sweet little heart from the Darling Dinos Dies (#164734)

Many elements shows through the shaker window, adding a beautiful layered effect.

❤️ The Finished Look

This card was definitely on the advanced end of the crafting spectrum, but the result is exactly the whimsical, storybook look I hoped for. A little Santa magic, a little Grinch mischief, and a whole lot of creativity.

It’s playful.
It’s nostalgic.
It’s unexpected.
And it absolutely makes me smile.

Sometimes the “big idea” cards are the ones that make you stop, smile, and believe—and this one did exactly that for me.

A festive slimline card featuring a Grinch-inspired green hand holding a decorative Christmas ornament, decorated with a tree and red elements, set against a light background.

Graphic promoting Day 21 of a 30-day Christmas card making challenge, titled 'Snowglobe Dreams'. The background features a light blue color with snowflake patterns, indicating a winter theme.

👉 Want to recreate it? You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
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Contact me today to place your order!
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November 21, 2025November 26, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 20 – Blessings of the Season

Scripture-Based Messages + Color Challenge #4

Today’s project blended two beautiful inspirations: Blessings of the Season, which called for scripture-based messages paired with gentle imagery, and Color Challenge #4 featuring the Concord & 9th palette of Nectar, Eucalyptus & Blueberry.

To coordinate with Stampin’ Up! colors, I selected Petal Pink, Soft Sea Foam, and Misty Moonlight—a soft and elegant combination that worked perfectly with the peaceful feel of the theme.

Simple, Elegant & Meaningful

For this card, I kept the design very simple to allow the scripture and imagery to shine.

I reached for the Gift of Joy Stamp Set (#169238) and used the lovely three-step flower images. The layered stamping made it easy to incorporate all three challenge colors while still keeping the design airy and light.

For my sentiment, I chose a scripture greeting from the retired Blessings of the Season set (#139919). After stamping, I die-cut it using the Textured Notes Dies (#165555) and then matted it with Petal Pink for just a touch of warmth.

Connecting the Details

To pull the design together, I stamped the flower images in opposite corners—top and bottom—creating a natural frame for the sentiment.

Then came one of my favorite parts: using a Blender Pen and a ruler to draw a soft dashed border connecting the two floral corners. Such a simple technique, but it adds so much charm! Once the entire panel was complete, I cut around it for a polished look.

For the background, I added a layer of Soft Sea Foam stamped with the brand-new Lasting Linen stamp (#167107). This subtle texture gives the finished card a gentle richness without overpowering the simplicity.

The Finished Card

The final result is simple, elegant, and filled with meaning—a quiet, beautiful design built around scripture, soft florals, and one of my favorite color combinations this season.

I love how this one turned out, and I can’t wait to try it again with different sayings in the center. It would be so easy to switch it up for birthdays, sympathy, encouragement, or even a simple “thinking of you.”

Sometimes the simplest layouts are the most versatile.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
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Contact me today to place your order!
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November 20, 2025November 21, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Playful Woodland Critters + Witty Wordplay + Color Challenge #5

⛄️ When Snowmen Become Woodland Critters

🎨 Coloring the Scene

❄️ Building the Background

🎀 Finishing Touches

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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A Sparkly Technique Using Iridescent Treat Bags!

✨ Using Treat Bags for Sparkle (In a Whole New Way!)

🎄 Building the Card

Layers & Elements

Finishing Touches

🌟 Bonus Samples

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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Fun Fold Gift Card Holder + Sketch Challenge #5

🎁 How to Make the Fun Fold Gift Card Holder

Card Base

Belly Band

Gift Card Cutout

Interior Layer

Tools That Help

🧝 Elfie Samples

Elfie Cards

❄️ Additional Sample – Christmas Cuties

🎄 Do You Love This Fun Fold as Much as I Do?

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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Silly Deer Mishaps + Paper Pumpkin Fun

Transforming the Tag into a Card

Bonus Card!

Why I Love Paper Pumpkin

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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Rockin’ Santa & Snow Globe Dreams (with a Grinch-Inspired Twist!)

🎄 Creating the Ornament

💚 Crafting the Grinch’s Hand

❄️ The Background & Final Touches

🌟 Creating the Slimline Flip Flap Shaker

Shaker Fillers:

Important Tip:

💬 Interior Details

❤️ The Finished Look

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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Scripture-Based Messages + Color Challenge #4

Simple, Elegant & Meaningful

Connecting the Details

The Finished Card

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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