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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Flash Sale! Save 15% on Some of My Favorite Stampin’ Up! Dies!

WOW! 15% OFF some of my favorite dies! 🎉

Who doesn’t love a good sale? I know I can’t pass one up, especially when it includes some of my favorite crafting products!

Stampin’ Up! is having a 3-Day Flash Sale featuring 15% OFF select dies and die-cutting tools!

But like most good sales, this one won’t last long! The sale ends Friday, October 23, 2026, so don’t wait too long to grab those dies you’ve had your eye on!


Let’s Start with the Essentials!

Not sure what to get, or just need a little inspiration?

If you don’t already have some of the essentials in your collection, I’d add these to your cart right away! They’re some of my absolute go-to dies, and I use them ALL the time!

  • Stylish Shapes Dies
  • Everyday Arches Dies
  • Perennial Postage Dies
  • Spotlight on Nature Dies

These are the kinds of dies I find myself reaching for over and over again. They’re so versatile and work with just about any stamp set or project!

And guess what? I couldn’t resist the sale either! I’ve already added two new sets to my collection — Scalloped Blooms and Nested Essentials. I can’t wait to start creating with them!


Ready for a Bigger Project?

If you’re ready to make a bigger purchase, the Party Banner Dies and Party Alphabet Dies are definitely worth adding to your list!

I used these dies to create my adorable Boo Banner, and I love how it turned out!

It’s a perfect example of how dies can be used for so much more than just cards.

Even better, you can get my Boo Banner Tutorial FREE with a qualifying $35 order!

Be sure to check out my Boo Banner page for more details on the project and how to get the tutorial.

FYI I still have a few kits available if you are looking for the kit. The Spooktacular DSP feature in the project is now sold out.


So Many More Fabulous Dies!

Of course, I can’t forget about all the other amazing dies included in this sale!

Some of my favorites are the ones that can be used with or without their coordinating stamp sets, giving you even more creative possibilities.

Here are just a few worth checking out:

  • Balloon Festoon – So much fun for birthdays, shaped cards, and playful designs!
  • Sunset Coast – Perfect for creating beautiful coastal scenes.
  • Extraordinary Life – A great way to add creative details to your projects.
  • Relaxing Waterside – Wonderful for peaceful, relaxing scenes.
  • Pretty Poinsettia – Perfect for elegant Christmas cards.
  • Bordering in Beauty – Another versatile set with so many possibilities!

And honestly, there are so many great ones that I can’t possibly name them all!

I’ve shared projects using many of these dies in my Facebook Lives, blog posts, and tutorials, so if you’re looking for ideas on how to use them, I’ve got plenty of inspiration waiting for you!


Rememeber the Shining Stars Dies! ⭐

And here’s one more reason to get excited about shopping!

Remember, when you spend $75, you can add the fabulous Shining Stars Dies to your order for just $5!

I’ve already had so much fun creating with these dies, and I love how easy they make it to add a little sparkle and shine to your projects. With so many stars in different sizes, the creative possibilities are endless!

Hurry! These won’t last long either! They’re available while supplies last, so don’t miss your chance to add them to your collection.


What’s on Your Wish List?

Whether you’re stocking up on the essentials, adding a few new favorites, or finally treating yourself to those dies you’ve been wanting, this is definitely a sale you don’t want to miss!

Remember, the Flash Sale ends Friday, October 23, 2026!

🛍️ Shop the Flash Sale Now!

So run, don’t walk, over to my website and check out all the fabulous deals!

And I’d love to know — what’s on your wish list? Are you grabbing some essentials, or is there a special set you’ve been waiting to purchase?

I can’t wait to see what you create! 💜


Happy shopping and happy creating

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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Reverse Masking with Dies: Get More Creative Uses from Your Dies

Sometimes all you need for a little creative inspiration is a good technique!

Recently, I was looking through some of my older blog posts when I came across a reverse masking technique that my upline, Brandi Barnard, had shared. It had been a while since I had played with this technique, and seeing it again inspired me to pull out my dies and give it another try.

I shared just how easy this technique is during my Monday Live, along with several different samples showing just how versatile it can be.


What Is Reverse Masking with Dies?

The idea behind this technique is simple. Instead of using a die as it was originally intended—to cut out a shape—you use the negative opening created by the die as a mask.

Place the mask over your cardstock and then stamp through the opening using an image that may be completely unrelated to the die itself. Background stamps, textures and smaller repeating images are especially fun for this technique.

I also used blending brushes to add color inside the masked area. This helps define the shape and gives you even more options for changing the finished look.

What I love most is that it gives you another way to use dies you already own. The same die can create a completely different look depending on the stamps, colors and techniques you use inside it.

I shared four different samples during my Live, but the possibilities really are endless. Take another look through your dies—you may be surprised by how many shapes would work perfectly for reverse masking!


Main Products & Colors Used

🌲 Tree Card
Products: Holly Jolly Branches Bundle & Bordered in Beauty Stamp Set
Colors: Real Red, Garden Green & Soft Sea Foam

🎈 Balloon Card
Products: Balloon Fest Bundle & Bordered in Beauty Stamp Set
Colors: Timid Tiger, Azure Afternoon & Daffodil Delight

⛄ Snowman Card
Products: Stylish Shapes Dies & Holly Jolly Branches Stamp Set
Colors: Real Red, Pool Party, Timid Tiger & Early Espresso

& Ampersand Card
Products: Extraordinary Life Bundle & Banner Sayings Stamp Set
Colors: Pool Party, Berry Burst & Fresh Freesia

🎥 Be sure to watch the replay below to see the technique in action and get a closer look at all four samples.

As you can see, this technique works with so many different shapes and styles. Once you start looking at your dies as masks instead of just cutting tools, you open up a whole new set of creative possibilities!


Looking for even more inspiration? Check out the original post I mentioned during my Live for even more fabulous ideas using this reverse masking technique.


Now I challenge you to pull out your dies and look at them a little differently. What die in your collection would make a great reverse mask?

And remember to join my Stampin’ Fun with Candice Facebook group and share your creations with us. I’d love to see what you come up with—and your project just might inspire someone else to give this technique a try! 🦋

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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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.


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 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.


🌟 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!

This is definitely a technique worth trying on multiple projects.

👉 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 #AC

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!

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!

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


👉 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