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

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.

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!


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.


👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
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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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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.

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.

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.

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.

Which one do you think was my original? 💙


👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
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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.

Contact me today to place your order!
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Finding Inspiration Through Casing a Designer | #GDP528

Casing Inspiration: Three Unique Card Designs

A card design featuring pink flowers and blue accents, with a stamped greeting saying 'Thinking of you,' framed by a gray vertical panel, and a pink border.

I don’t know about you, but inspiration is often one of the hardest parts of creating. Looking at what you have and figuring out how to turn it into something that not only speaks to you—but to others as well—can feel overwhelming at times. That’s where casing comes into play.

Casing (Copy And Share Everything) is one of my favorite ways to spark creativity. I often look to other designers when I need a jump-start, and the Global Design Project – Case the Designer challenges are a perfect source of inspiration.

This week we cased designer Ann Alexander, and during my live I shared how I pulled different elements from her card to inspire three very different designs of my own.


Card One – Same Layout, New Look

A handmade card featuring a botanical illustration of leaves in white on a textured blue background, with a greeting that says 'to a great guy'.

For my first card, I stayed fairly true to the original layout, but changed things up by using very different colors and imagery. I started with one of the new suites coming in January, Nature Walk (#166936), and used several elements from the suite including the stamp set, dies, Designer Series Paper, and embellishments.

To keep this card simple, I let the DSP do most of the work and added a stamped leaf image in Secret Sea along with a simple greeting. This is a great example of how keeping the layout but changing the products can completely transform a design.


Card Two – Color Combo with a Twist

Card featuring a floral arrangement in a cup with a greeting that says 'HERE'S TO YOU!', set against a layered background of gray and pink.

For my second card, I wanted to focus more on the color inspiration while still using the basic design—this time with a bit of a twist. Because the floral image in Weekend Adventures (#167318) isn’t a large focal image like the cased card, I chose to frame it using the Everyday Arches Dies (#164629).

I stamped the image on Watercolor Paper (#149612) and colored it using Water Painters (#168253) with ink pads for a soft, blended look. The greeting was heat-embossed in white on black cardstock and punched out using the Banner Sayings Bundle (#167051).

To add texture, I used the Lovely Stripes 3D Embossing Folder (#167179 – coming in January) and kept the color palette clean and bold with Melon Mambo and Smoky Slate cardstock. I finished the card with Muted Palette Dots (#165155) for a subtle pop of detail.


Card Three – Smaller Scale, Same Inspiration

My final card is the one I demonstrated during the live. I kept the same core color palette from card two, but added Balmy Blue and Pretty in Pink cardstock for a softer feel.

This time, I resized the layout to better fit the smaller image by cutting the design down and adjusting the focal point. I also flipped the card and went with a horizontal design rather than a vertical one. I layered Balmy Blue Sheer Ribbon (#165767) behind the image and finished the card with Rhinestone Basic Jewels for just the right amount of sparkle.


A Simple Splatter Technique (Used on All Three Cards)

Across all three cards, I used one of my favorite easy splatter techniques with ink pads and Water Painters. What I love about this method is how versatile it is—you can splatter in any color, make the drops big or small, and it won’t ruin your marker tips or waste ink.

Be sure to watch the video to see just how quick and easy this technique really is!


One Design, Endless Possibilities

A display of three unique greeting cards featuring floral designs, each in different color schemes and layouts. The cards showcase a mix of elements such as stamped images, embellishments, and various backgrounds.

Seeing all three cards together really highlights why I love casing a designer so much. Even though each card was inspired by the same original design, they each have their own personality.

  • One focuses on layout with a fresh color palette
  • One leans into color inspiration with a bold, textured feel
  • And one adjusts the scale and proportions to better fit the image

By changing just a few key elements—colors, focal point size, textures, and embellishments—you can completely transform a design while still honoring the original inspiration.

The final result is three different and unique cards, all sparked by the same design. That’s the beauty of casing—it’s not about copying, it’s about letting someone else’s creativity jump-start your own.

So the next time you’re feeling stuck, take a look at the work of designers you admire and see what elements you can borrow to get your creativity flowing. Let their creativity spark your own. Remember—there’s no right or wrong way to case a card. The goal is simply to get those creative juices flowing and make it yours.


👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
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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.

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


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Day 29 – Pinecone & Poinsettia Elegance Meets Cocoa & Company

A Floral Favorite + Cozy Cocoa = One Beautiful Winter Card

When I started today’s challenge, I’ll be honest—I had no idea where I was going. The themes Pinecone & Poinsettia Elegance and Cocoa & Company felt so different, and I wasn’t sure how they were going to come together on one card. But poinsettias are one of my absolute favorite holiday flowers (yes, I buy a new one every year!), so I knew I wanted to start with the retired Poinsettia Petals Stamp Set (#153475) and Dies (#153522).

From there… the magic started to grow.

A handmade winter greeting card featuring vibrant poinsettias and holly leaves, a cup of cocoa topped with whipped cream, and a gold circular frame. The sentiment reads 'warm wishes from our home to yours' in red lettering, with colorful sequins adding sparkle.

🌺 Watercolored Poinsettias & Layered Florals

I began by cutting a bunch of pieces from the poinsettia and pinecone dies. I wanted a soft water colored look, so I stamped the poinsettia outlines in the darker shade and then water colored with the Water Painters (#168253) using the lighter shade.

Color Choices:

  • Flowers: Cherry Cobbler + Real Red
  • Flower Centers: Crushed Curry
  • Leaves: Mossy Meadow + Old Olive

I also cut additional small flowers in both Real Red and Cherry Cobbler, layered them together, and added Gold Metallic Enamel Effects for the centers. The dimensional layered look was gorgeous.


🌲 Pinecones & the Perfect Focal Element

For the pinecones, I used:

  • Pecan Pie cardstock
  • Early Espresso cardstock

I was arranging all my pieces when something caught my eye: the retired Large Gold Hoops (#166004). Suddenly, the card clicked into place. The hoop became the perfect wreath-like frame to build my poinsettia cluster around.


☕️ Bringing in the Cocoa Theme

Next challenge: how do I incorporate cocoa into a poinsettia & pinecone card?

I had two great current product options, and ultimately went with the Weekend Adventures Stamp Set (#167318) for the mug. For the whipped topping, I used the More Than Autumn Stamps (#164228) and Dies (#164075).

Details:

  • Mug stamped in Secret Sea
  • Interior washed with Cloud Cover
  • Whipped topping sparkle added with Wink of Stella

The greeting was stamped in Cherry Cobbler, fussy-cut, layered onto Real Red, and fussy-cut again for a bold double-layered sentiment.

I tied a small Real Red Baker’s Twine Bow (#164051) to the mug for a cozy finishing touch.


🎨 Soft, Vintage-Inspired Background

I didn’t want a stark white background, so I used Watercolor Paper (#149612) and did a soft wash using Cloud Cover and my Aqua Painters. Then I roughed up the edges with my scissors and bent the corners slightly for a worn, distressed look.

This gave the whole card a warm, handmade, winter-cozy feel.


Assembly & Final Touches

With all the pieces ready, I began arranging and adhering everything around the gold hoop—
using lots of Dimensionals and Mini Glue Dots to secure every element and build incredible depth. Bonus water coloring the paper adds automatic depth by warping the paper. I did use a bone folder to add a bit of a curl to the petals.

I finished the front with the Traditional Sparkling Sequins (#165875), using a variety of colors to add softness, shine, and movement.

Since the card base is Cherry Cobbler, I made sure to decorate the inside as well. I added a Merry Christmas sentiment, tucked in a few small poinsettias, sprinkled more sequins, and mounted the whole inside layer onto Old Olive cardstock for balance and contrast.

This is definitely not your typical flat card—it has layers, depth, movement, and dimension and doesn’t exactly fit within the confines of a standard mailable design. But it is perfect for that special someone you want to hand-deliver a card to… the kind of card that truly shows how much you care. The pictures don’t do it justice. I made a quick video to help showcase the texture and depth to this card.


❤️ Final Thoughts

I love how this card evolved from “I have no idea where I’m going” to one of my favorite designs of the entire month. The mix of elegant florals, rustic pinecones, and a warm mug of cocoa created such a charming, heartfelt winter masterpiece.


👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

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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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.


👉 Want to recreate it? You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

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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#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #ACardADayInNovember2025 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge #ChristmasCards #HandmadeCards #CreativeTechniques #HolidayCrafting #cardmaker #cardmaking #christmascards #handmadecards #papercraft #sketchchallenge #christmaschallenge

Easy Winter Craft: Faux Buffalo Check Cards

Nothing says cozy winter crafting like a Buffalo Check background! ❄️
This week’s Make It With Me Monday was all about creating a faux Buffalo Check look using simple supplies and a few easy steps. I made this fun card for the Christmas Card Challenges — and I absolutely love how the faux Buffalo Check background turned out. It’s the perfect background technique for all your winter projects— warm, rustic, and so fun to make!! 🖤❤️

To create your own faux Buffalo Check background, you’ll need:

  • 🟥 A piece of red or white cardstock
  • ⬛ A black ink pad
  • 🖌️ A blending brush
  • 📄 Masking paper
  • ✨ Your favorite stamps and embellishments

I used the Weekend Adventure stamp set to finish my project — it pairs perfectly with this pattern for a fun, outdoorsy feel.


🎄✨ Be sure to follow along to see all my creations for the Christmas Card Challenge!

Today’s cards are for Day 3 featuring:
🎨 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallengeSketch Challenge #1
#ACardADayInNovember2025Warm & Cozy Christmas

Think cozy cocoa mugs, snuggly sweaters, cute mittens, and classic Buffalo Check patterns — the perfect ingredients for a warm holiday vibe. ❤️💚


☕ This or That: Whipped Cream or Marshmallows?

Since this card has such a cozy winter vibe, I had to ask… what’s your favorite topping for a warm cup of cocoa? Tell me in the comments — Team Whipped Cream or Team Marshmallows? ☕️🍫


Watch the Replay Here:

🎨 Why I Love This Technique

What makes this background so special? It’s easy, adaptable, and looks like patterned paper — without ever having to cut into your DSP stash! You can switch up the colors, change the ink intensity, or even try it in non-traditional combos for Valentine’s or spring cards.


💌 Additional Samples

I couldn’t stop at just one! Here are a few extra samples I created using this same technique. Each card shows just how versatile this background can be — from rustic holiday designs to cozy winter greetings.


🖤 Join Me Live Next Week

I go live every Monday at 7:30 PM MST on YouTube and Facebook.
Come craft along and try something new with me each week!


🛍️ Materials & Product List 👉 Shop with Me Here

  • 155480 Masking Paper $7.00
  • 160518 Small Blending Brushes $14.00
  • 132708 Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad $8.00
  • 141897 Wink of Stella Glitter Brush $10.00
  • 164049 Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder $12.00
  • 167318 Weekend Adventures Stamp Set $20.00
  • 164076 More than Autumn Bundle Stamp and Dies$47.50
  • 166176 Jar of Joy Stamp Set $20.00
  • 165506 Sweet Jar Builder Punch $26.00

This week’s project is my little tribute to a retiring favorite — the Beside Me stamp set. I used the #GDP490 layout as inspiration to create a heartfelt farewell card. Swipe to see how it turned out! #lastchancelist #stampinup #handmadecards

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

Contact me today to place your order!
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