Let’s Talk Ephemera Packs

Ephemera Packs. 

These often overlooked and definitely underrated little packs, are full of creativity just waiting to be used!

I recently recreated a card directly from the Stampin’ Up! May-August 2026 Catalogue (page 68) and was asked by a fellow crafter “are those stickers from Stampin’ Up!?” My reply was “absolutely!”

As a seasoned crafter, it’s easy to pass over elements like this as we look at stamps, dies and more - especially with the new Hot Foil Machine and all the things that go with it!

But sometimes, it’s nice to put a card together without having to use “everything”.

So, when I recreated the card from the catalogue, I found that another card came together quickly with the same Ephemera pack and Patterned paper that I already had out.

Here is my quick creation

And here is the card I CASEd from the SU catalogue 

Both cards feature the Everyday Essentials Mix & Match 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Designer Series Paper and Sincerely Noted Ephemera Pack. The second card also has elements from the Meant for You Ephemera Pack.

Oh, and don't forget the Everyday Borders Accents which is currently a Last Chance product and on sale!

2024-2026 In Colours Card

This month, my Cards to Go kit featured a few of the new Designer Series Papers.

One card in particular was a "Sampler" card with strips of the new 2024-2026 In Color papers.

It also showcases the new Basic Beige colour addition.

The 2024-2026 In Colors are: Pretty In Pink, Peach Pie, Summer Splash, Petunia Pop, Shy Shamrock

Do you have a favourite?

It's an easy card to make, and any patterned paper could be used.

Why not give it a go? I'd love to see your alternate cards.

Purchasing my Cards to Go kit, whether it be a one off, or each month, is a great way to see and play with some new products with having to purchase them all yourself.

You receive all the supplies with full instructions to complete the cards, all you need is a "sentiment" (words) stamp and some ink.

Still not sure? Contact me for any other information you need.

Delightfully Eclectic Mega Pack!

My cards to go kit last month featured the Delightfully Eclectic 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Designer Series Paper.

This paper pack is twice as big as most of our other packs.

It has 48 Double-Sided sheets of paper (4 each of 12 double-sided designs).

Each card featured different design, and showed both sides of the paper.

Here is one of the cards, which I CASEd from US Demonstrator Jaimie Babarczy.

It also features the Wanted to Say Dies and uses a circle from the Stylish Shapes Dies.

Would you like a kits to make a card like this in your own home? I supplied everything except adhesives for this card! Contact me for more info.

Penguin Playmates Birthday fun

Last month was saw my youngest turn 10! Where did that 10 years go?!

She absolutely loved the Penguin Place stamp set as well as the Penguin Playmates Designer Series Paper (DSP) which was out for Sale-a-Bration.

So I used them for her birthday card and created this

It had a 'double opening' which she thought was fun

The animals are all fussy cut from the DSP

The circles were created with the Picture This dies. 

I cut a thin strip of the DSP to use as 'binding' to hold the front layer to the card.

She loved it!

Fun Fold with more folding fun!

Have I mentioned that I am drawn to origami and folding techniques? Maybe just once or twice?

So when I saw a card with some folding fun inside (made by fellow Demonstrator Julie Davidson), I knew I had to try it.

Click on the image below for a list of supplies.

From the outside, it looks fairly "normal". It does need a belly band (the piece around the card) to hold it closed, which just adds to the look of the card.

Once you take the band off, it starts to open on it's own....

And of course from there, once you open it further, the inside starts to "pop" toward you!

It isn't hard to make and is a great way to show off double sided papers. It also makes for a fun change to a regular card. 

The piece inside measures 8" x 4" or 20.3cm x 10.1cm. I found it easier to work in inches for this as it made it easier to work out where to score & fold. It is then scored at 2", 4" & 6" and diagonally from each corner to 4" (the middle). I will do a Facebook live and load it on YouTube soon (and add the links).

This card has already been given to my lovely friend (and another fellow demonstrator) Pauline Bennetts.

In these lockdown days, I was reminded again how much joy receiving a card can be. Last week it was a neighbours birthday, so my girls and I all made a card and dropped it in their mailbox.

I received a lovely text message thanking us for our cards, including a photo showing them on display. The birthday person commented that he had been receiving text messages, but these had been the only cards he had received - and how lovely it was. 

Never underestimate the joy a simple card can bring to someones day - especially at the moment!

Send someone some happy mail today ;)

A bit of Origami fun

Here in the Greater Sydney region of NSW, we are in the middle of another lockdown. It meant that we had to stay home during school holidays, and have spent this week with homeschool.

With our lockdown being extended for a second time in a few short weeks, it has become the new "norm".

My girls spent much of the holidays making cards, which meant I was able to do the same!

I stepped away from our Stampin' Up! products for just a moment (what?!) to make my neighbour a birthday card. She shares my love of Japanese things, so I dug out my lovely Japanese papers that have been tucked away for a time to make this.

I've used retired Not Quite Navy cardstock (so still using some SU products!) for the card base & some Shimmery White behind the lovely patterned paper. The butterfly is copper paper. Simple, but I love the result.

To follow in my origami folding, this months Cards to Go kit may have had a mostly Christmas in July theme, but one card that wasn't Christmas themed was a fun origami flower card.

The flower opens and has a sentiment in the centre. If you'd like to see a quick video of how to fold the flower, you can find it on my YouTube channel HERE.

The card itself is a 6" x 6" (or 15.2 cm x 15.2 cm) card (so, 6" x 12" piece folded into a square) and each of the smaller squares are 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" (3.8cm x 3.8cm).

I have used the 2021–2023 In Color 6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm) Designer Series Paper, on Basic White.

If you're interested in trying a Cards to Go kit, just me know. There is no commitment. You can let me know if you'd just like to do it once, or every now & then. There is full instructions emailed after each kit goes out. Local pick-up or choose to have it posted to you.

What have you been doing during lockdown?

Using your papers - to buy more! 15% off Selected DSP

There is a SALE on selected Designer Series Papers (DSP) from today for the month of July.

You will receive 15 % off the following DSP's:

• BEAUTY OF THE EARTH 12" X 12"
  
• BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED 12" X 12"
• HAND-PENNED 12" X 12"
• IN GOOD TASTE 12" X 12"
• IN THE WILD 12" X 12"
• PANSY PETALS 12" X 12"
• SWEET SYMMETRY 12" X 12"
• TIDINGS OF CHRISTMAS 6" X 6"
• YOU’RE A PEACH 12" X 12"

Find them HERE.

Since here is the Sydney region we are in lockdown, it is a great time for crafting!

Here is a card I copied or CASEd from our catalogue that uses the Pansy Petals DSP.

The flowers and leaves are cut straight from the DSP. I used the coordinating Pansy dies, but you could easily fussy cut them. The stamp is from the Pansy Patch set. 

Another great way to use up & show off your favourite DSP is a Fun Fold card.

There are so many different types fun fold you can try, but here is a easy one to start with

This card uses the Pattern Party Host DSP (you can earn this with a qualifying order), but you could use your favourite DSP. 

The tag on the front is using the Tailor Made Tag dies and the stamp is from the Biggest Wish set.

To make this card, you simply fold the front of the card in half back on itself.

Try making this fun fold card yourself with your favourite DSP - I'd love to see the results!

Happy crafting.

CASEing the Catalogues for Cards to GO!

Each month, I make Card Kits which can be purchased (Cards to GO) and made at your convenience. You receive an email with complete instructions on how to assemble the cards including a photo of the finished card.

Quite often, I an stuck for ideas, and one of the first places I go to for ideas and inspiration, is the SU Catalogues! They used to be called "Idea Book & Catalogue" for this very reason - as they are filled with ideas!

So, with school holidays and other things taking my attention, my cards for this months kit were mostly CASEd, either from the catalogue, or from online searches.

Here are the cards from this month's kit:

 

Three of the 5 cards use retiring DSP. The last card is taken from the upcoming 2021-2022 Annual Catalogue, so shows ALL NEW products including the 2021-2023 In Colours. The "bird" card also comes from the new catalogue with one slight variation.... see if you can spot it.

If you have questions about any of the cards shown, or products used, please contact me, or comment below.

Cards to Go kit with a masucline theme

 My Cards to Go kits started up again last month, and I had been asked if I could include some masculine cards this time - not my strong suit I must say.

So after have a good Google & Pinterest search, here is what the kits made.

These cards all involve little to no stamping and lots of DSP and die cut pieces.

The are also quite simple to copy and repeat!

If you would like more info on any of these, just leave a comment, or send me an email.

Clicking on each image will provide a list of the products used (the DSP in the circle one is no longer available as it was a Sale-a-bration item).

Some frosty paper for a pretty Thankful card

Here is another card that was in this months Card Kits to Go. The original card idea was taken - or CASEd (Copy And Share Everything) from a card by a UK Demonstrator, Zoe Tant (see her card HERE)

It features the Feels Like Frost DSP which is a "Returning Favourite" in the 2020 August - December Handmade for You Catalogue.

Since these papers focus on snow covered trees etc, it doesn't really suit what Christmas is like here in Australia. But if you take smaller sections/strips then the focus becomes more on the colours.

So I have used this to make a Thankful card, which looks so shimmery and pretty with the silver from the paper as well as in the ribbons.

The strips are 3/4" (1.9cm) and punch each end with the Lovely Labels Pick a Punch. The strips are adhered to a vellum layer.

You could use any patterned paper you like with coordinating colour card and ribbons/accessories to create a variety of different types and styles of card.

Click on the image above for a full list of products used.

Thanks for looking!

Natasha

Non Traditional Christmas Tidings

Over World Cardmaking Day/weekend, we started making our Christmas Cards.

I've also been making Christmas cards to go in my monthly "Card Kits to Go" (see my "Events & Classes" tab if you're interested). 

Last month I tried to do a few that were using less traditional colours.

Here is one that I quite liked the end result - I played around with it for a while before the final result...

I CASEd the idea from a Stampin' Up! project I had seen for a tag/gift box using a different stamp set.

The main colours are Rich Razzleberry, Misty Moonlight and Seaside Spray along with Whisper White and a hint of Pool Party in the Old Olive leaves on the tree (hard to see in the photo) and of course the Plaid Tidings DSP which is currently 15% off.

I have also used the twine that is included in the Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo pack which I have "frayed' at the ends.

Do you use traditional colours for your Christmas cards? or do you prefer non traditional colours?

I would love to hear what you this of this one!

Thanks for stopping by,

Natasha

Fun Fold Bright and Fun

Here is another card from this months "Cards to Go" kit.

This Fun Fold card features both the Flowers for Every Season and 2020-2022 In Colours DSP.

I am really loving the new In Colours, and if you haven't felt the 2020-2022 In Colours Ribbons, they are just so soft and beautiful - you need some!

CLICK HERE for a list of supplies used

Again, I love the POP of Magenta Madness in the card.

It's quite a simple card with not to much involved.

Contact me for all the details.

Thanks for looking!

Natasha

Grab a kit - Cards to go

Would you like to see and use some of the latest products without having to buy a whole lot yourself?

You can purchase my June Cards to Go kit which has supplies to make 5 cards. 

Each card comes with an envelope and a selection of pre cut, scored, embossed pieces of card stock and paper with embellishments and instructions for what the finished card could be. You just need to have some adhesives, sentiment stamps, ink and scissors to put it all together.  

 

Here is a sneak peek of what you could make this months kit

You get to see and use the new 2020-2022 In Colors in person including some of the new Designer Series papers featuring the new In Colors. 

There is even a Christmas card in there!

So let me know if you’re interested in purchasing a kit of 5 or talk to me if you’d like something else instead. 

Thanks for stopping by

Natasha

Time to use your DSP - or buy more while it's on SALE

As we near the end of the current Annual Catalogue period, I look for ways to use up products that will retire to make room for all the new ones coming!
I always seem to have a growing supply of DSP, so really wanted to get into it and use some up.

Okay, so who doesn't yet know what DSP stands for??
It's understandable if you don't.
There are times we use acronyms without realising that not everyone knows what they stand for or mean.
And if you are new to Stampin' Up! you will not always know what the SU (Stampin' Up!) term is for certain products, to then realise what the acronym would be.
So, what is DSP? This is Designer Series Paper which is SU's own double sided specialty printed paper in colours that coordinate to SU's own colour range.

I would think that any paper crafter would have a good "stash" (some may say "hoard') of DSP or similar, and never really use "enough".

There are some great "sketches" or "crops" that can be found on the many places crafters will look on the internet (Pinterest, YouTube etc) which can help you chop that paper up to use.

I've always wanted to do one of these, but never committed to any of them, and thus still have a good stockpile of paper to use.

But last weekend, I finally got stuck into one.

After seeing a number of other demonstrators use a One Sheet Double Wonder layout by Stampin' Up!'s own Shannon West (from the Home Office) and then a full layout and instructions from US demonstrator Julie Davison, I picked out some DSP, and I CHOPPED IT UP!!!!

Here are some of the resulting cards.

I did make some adjustments as our card size in Australia differs to the US card size. So I did add a layer where I thought it could use a little extra.

So who is ready to use up some DSP?
I will be holding an online/virtual class using this layout and I would love you to join in.
So get your DSP out, find some coordinating card stock and let me know if you're ready!
There is no cost for the class, just make sure you have all your supplies. Of course, if you don't have supplies, I can held you order some! Or I may even have a "kit" of supplies I can sell you.
Just let me know how I can help.

Thanks for looking
Natasha