CSF Saturday Blog Hop - Favorite New Designer Paper

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Welcome to the Create with Stampin' Friends Saturday Blog Hop! I'm so happy you're stopping by today. Our theme is Favorite New Designer Series Papers, and if you're anything like me, choosing just one favorite is nearly impossible! There are so many gorgeous papers to choose from that make crafting easy and beautiful, whether you're creating cards, scrapbook pages, gift packaging, or home décor projects!

As soon as I saw the Creative Celebrations paper, I fell in love with its versatility. While many of the patterns are designed with the holidays in mind, I love that they can easily be incorporated into projects for birthdays, thank-you cards, and so much more. The mix of playful patterns and classic designs makes this paper a wonderful addition to your collection.

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Pretty Poinsettia

Ink: Secret Sea

Paper: Thick Basic White, Creative Celebrations DSP

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, Dreamy Snowflakes dies, Basic Rhinestones, Hydrangea Hue Stampin' Blends

Happie Stampin'!

Ready to see more pretty papers? 

Go NEXT to see what Connie created or BACK to 

see what Libby created!

rubberFUNatics Weekly Challenge #407

 Good Morning, Stampers!

(click photo to enlarge)

Welcome to another rubberFUNatics Weekly Challenge! This week we're bringing you a fun and flexible sketch challenge that is perfect for cards of any occasion.

The beauty of a sketch challenge is that it provides a starting point while leaving plenty of room for creativity. Follow the layout as closely as you'd like, rotate it, flip it, or use it simply as inspiration for your own interpretation. The most important thing is to have fun crafting!

I started with a Basic White card front embossed with a snowflakes to create subtle texture without overwhelming the design. Instead of the curved line from the sketch, I incorporated a snowy village scene that stretches horizontally across the card. A strip of plaid designer paper adds color and interest while grounding the focal elements.

To recreate the layered shapes from the sketch, I added two stamped evergreen trees layered over the village scene. The trees are accented with Basic Rhinestones colored with Real Red Stampin' Blends that resemble ornaments and provide a cheerful pop of color against the soft green tones. Behind the trees, loose strands of custom-colored Peaceful Pine twine add texture and movement while helping draw the eye toward the focal point.

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Welcome Noel
Ink: Basic Gray, Peaceful Pine
Paper: Thick Basic White, Basic Gray, All Wrapped Up DSP
Accessories: Dreamy Snowflake embossing folder, Welcome Noel dies, Real Red Stampin' Blends, Basic Rhinestones, Peaceful Pine reinker, White Baker's Twine

Thanks so much for joining me this week!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Catalog Inspiration

 Good Morning, Stampers!

One of my favorite things about Stampin’ Up! catalogs is that the samples aren't just beautiful—they're a great place to start when looking for a little inspiration. I came across a card on page 12 that immediately caught my eye. I loved how they added the little tag at the top of the card and thought it would be fun to try it for myself using the new Painted Pumpkins bundle.

The tag is from the Creative Celebrations holiday designer paper pack. I added a little

fall touch and incorporated the Crisp Cantaloupe Gingham Gallery designer paper and the autumn leaves Seasonal Cheer embossing folder for a more warm, cozy feel. 

(Page 12)

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Painted Pumpkins

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Thick Basic White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Peaceful Pine, Gingham Gallery DSP, Creative Celebrations DSP

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, Gray Granite trim, White Baker's Twine, 2026-2028 In-Color Dots, Painted Pumpkins dies, 1/4" hole punch

Stampin' Blends: Hydrangea Hue, Crisp Cantaloupe, Peaceful Pine

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Paper Craft Crew Weekly Challenge #688

 Good Morning, Stampers!

(click photo to enlarge)

This week’s Paper Craft Crew Challenge is a sketch, and I couldn’t wait to play along! Sketches are such a fun way to jumpstart creativity — they give just enough structure to guide your design while leaving plenty of room for personal flair.

For my take on the sketch, I reached for the new Creative Celebrations designer paper and Soiree Salutations stamp set. The playful birds and cozy plaid patterns instantly set a cheerful holiday tone. It's a great sketch that can easily be adapted to any occasion!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Soiree Salutations

Ink: Secret Sea

Paper: Basic White, Real Red, Creative Celebrations DSP

Accessories: Dreamy Snowflakes dies, Stylish Shapes dies, Dreamy Snowflakes embossing folder, Antique Pearls, Real Red Stampin' Blends

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

Check out more ideas featuring this week's sketch:

Step into September!

 Good Morning, Stampers!

September sweeps in with a burst of inspiration, and this month’s Stampin’ Up! lineup is overflowing with reasons to refresh your craft room and spark new ideas! The brand‑new Sept–Dec Mini Catalog is brimming with festive magic — cozy textures, holiday sparkle, and seasonal suites that make every project feel like a celebration. Pair those delights with the September Online Exclusives, where surprise releases and hidden gems wait to be discovered, and you’ve got a creative playground at your fingertips.

And the spotlight of the month? Our September Product of the Month - Luxe Foliage Specialty Paper! Rich metallic accents, elegant botanical patterns, and a shimmer that turns even the simplest layout into a showstopper — it’s the perfect way to add warmth and glow to your autumn crafting.

Visit my online store HERE to see what's new!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

September Interchangeable Easel - Give Thanks

 Good Morning, Stampers!

The September Interchangeable Easel Kit to Go is all about slowing down, savoring the season, and celebrating the simple joy of gratitude. This month’s kit — Give Thanks — wraps your space in cozy autumn warmth, making it the perfect Thanksgiving décor piece for your craft room, entry table, or holiday gathering display. Add personality to your home all year long - each month brings a brand‑new themed insert that attaches effortlessly with hidden magnets, making it simple to refresh your décor in seconds. Limited kits avaiable while supplies last. EASEL SOLD SEPARATELY.

SU!pplies Needed to Complete: 

Stamps: Thanks and Giving

Ink: Early Espresso, Golden Glow, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Pecan Pie

Stampin' Blends: Pecan Pie, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Golden Glow

Give Thanks KIT ONLY - SOLD OUT

Give Thanks KIT ONLY (Porch Pick-Up) - SOLD OUT

please allow 7-10 business days

Give Thanks PDF ONLY- $6.95  - HERE

(emailed upon payment confirmation by September 7th)

Easel Sold Separately - HERE

This content contains Amazon affiliate links. I receive a small commission from

qualifying purchases, which helps support my work.

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

No-Line Watercoloring

 Good Morning, Stampers!

There’s a certain elegance in letting watercolor do the talking. By starting with the faintest of outlines, no‑line watercoloring transforms a simple stamped image into something that looks entirely hand‑painted. Today’s project showcases how approachable this technique can be—inviting you to blend, soften, and build color until your design glows with quiet artistry.

Detail and no-line watercolor uses very light outlines, often stamped in pale ink, to create a soft, hand-painted look without harsh borders. Start with faint lines, then apply loose washes of color. Build depth through layered glazing after each layer dries. Finish with subtle details and darker accents to define shapes and add dimension without relying on heavy outlines. Pro tip: Want a lighter outline? Stamp off!

Get the FREE printable project sheets HERE

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

CSF Saturday Blog Hop - Favorite New Sept-Dec Catalog/Online ExclusiveSU!

 Good Morning, Stampers!

The crafting season is officially in full swing, and between the Sept–Dec Holiday Mini Catalog and the ever‑growing Online Exclusives Collection, inspiration is everywhere! For this week’s Create with Stampin’ Friends Saturday blog hop, we’re celebrating our favorite bundles from these two exciting collections.

Whether you love the cozy classics of the holiday lineup or the fresh surprises tucked into the online releases, this time of year makes it easy to create projects that sparkle with creativity!

For me, the standout is the Wrapped Greenery bundle — it captures the cozy elegance of the season, so I layered rich greenery and berries against a textured white background. I paired it with a sentiment from the Scalloped Christmas Cheer stamp set. The result is a card that feels crisp, classic, and full of traditional holiday cheer!

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Wrapped Greenery, Scalloped Christmas Cheer

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Cloud Cover

Paper: Basic White, Cloud Cover, Peaceful Pine, All Wrapped Up DSP

Accessories: Cloud Cover ribbon, White Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones, Wrapped Greenery dies, Softly Woven embossing folder

Happie Stampin'!

Ready to see more favorite new bundle ideas?

Go NEXT to see what Connie created or

BACK to see what Libby created!