CSF Saturday Blog Hop - All About Greetings

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Welcome to the Create with Stampin' Friends Saturday Blog Hop

where today it is all about greetings!

The greeting is the heart of the design on my card featuring the NEW

Extraordinary Life bundle. I layered the focal sentiment

over a soft collage of florals, script textures, and the gorgeous Hydrangea Hue blue. The greeting sits on a torn‑edge panel, which adds that perfectly imperfect, handmade charm. A bold ampersand peeks from behind conecting the sentiments from the NEW Sending Salutations stamp set.

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Extraordinary Life, Sending Salutations

Ink: Crumb Cake, Hydrangea Hue, Versamark

Paper: Hydrangea Hue, Basic White, Crumb Cake, Barely Blush, Delicate Creams DSP

Accessories: Extraordinary Life dies, Damask Designs embossing folder, White Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones, Hydrangea Hue Stampin' Blends

Happie Stampin'!

Ready to see more ideas featuring greetings?

Go NEXT to see what Connie created or

BACK to see what Libby created!

rubberFUNatics Weekly Challenge #386 - Spring Flowers

 Good Morning, Stampers!

(click to enlarge)

There’s something so refreshing about crafting in spring — as if the whole studio gets a little burst of sunshine. This week’s rubberFUNaitcs challenge is all about spring flowers, and I couldn’t resist leaning into soft petals, fresh color, and that gentle sense of new beginnings!

For my card, I reached for a palette that feels like early spring mornings: warm neutrals, soft pinks, and a hint of earthy grounding. The floral images take center stage, stamped in a way that feels both delicate and full of movement. Whether you’re stamping, die‑cutting, watercoloring, or mixing techniques, let your creativity bloom!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Sending Salutations

Ink: Pecan Pie

Paper: Very Vanilla, Berry Burst, Basic Beige, Floral Charm DSP

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, Bordered in Beauty dies (coming May 2026!), Sparkle gems

Happie Stampin' - Happie Creating!
~Melissa

FREE TUTORIAL!

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Every week, I send out my newsletter that includes FREE printable tutorials designed to help you try something new, stretch your crafty wings, and feel that oh‑my‑goodness‑I‑made-this joy! Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just dipping your toes into the world of ink and paper, you’ll find a little inspiration in tons of ideas from some of your favorite Stampin' Up! stamp sets and bundles like the NEW Fern and Flora from the upcoming May-Aug Catalog. No purchase necessary. Join my Weekly Newsletter HERE 

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Thankful for You

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Today I’m sharing a card that feels like a little walk through a color‑washed garden. This card features the brand‑new Fern & Flora bundle, and what makes it extra special is that each panel of the Floral Charm designer paper has been individually stamped with the fern image using Tuxedo Black ink to create a soft, organic, custom‑textured look. I love that rich color!

This design is wonderfully adaptable. Swap the colors, change the sentiment, or try tone‑on‑tone stamping for a softer look. It’s a great way to showcase your favorite designer papers while giving them a custom twist with your stamps.

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Fern and Flora

Ink: Tuxedo Black

Paper: Thick Basic White, Basic Black, Floral Charm DSP

Accessories: Fern and Flora dies, White Baker's Twine

Happie Stampin'!

~Melissa

Going, Going, GONE!

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Out with the old to make room for the NEW! 

It's an exciting time of year in the crafting world!  New things are coming,

 creativity is buzzing, and shelves are being cleared to make room for fresh 

inspiration. But before we turn the page, we get one of my favorite moments of the 

catalog cycle… the Last Chance Sale! If you love a treasure hunt, this is

your moment! Once these items are gone, they’re truly gone. Retiring stamp sets, dies, papers, embellishments, tools—some discounted, some simply disappearing forever. And as always, the most-loved items tend to sell out in a blink so don't wait too long!

If you’ve had your eye on something…

If you’ve been meaning to stock up on a favorite paper or ink…

If you love a good deal…

This is the time to jump in!

Shop my online store HERE while supplies last!

As always, get a FREE card kit from me with every purchase!

Happie Stampin'! ~Melissa

Monthly Creative Challenge

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Stretch your creative skills by combining two coloring techniques on a single project—like this Love You Lots card. We used a Stampin’ Brayer to add Fresh Freesia ink to the card base, then created a circle stencil with a Stylish Shapes Die and applied a thin layer of uninked Embossing Paste over the stencil. Keeping the paste thin allowed the ink beneath to show through for a soft wash of color. Check out Stampin' Up!'s monthly creative challenges live at 2pm on the first Wednesday of every month on Facebook and Instagram! 

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Save the Date!

 Good Morning, Stampers!

I’m so excited to share a little peek at something special coming your way this winter. Mark your calendars now, because my Winter Wonderland All‑Day Craft Event is officially on the horizon—and you won’t want to miss it! From beginner‑friendly to wow‑factor projects for avid crafters, this event is designed to spark your imagination and send you home with a heart full of joy (and a table full of creations)! Be sure to hold the date so you can join me for a day filled with creativity, community, and winter sparkle. To-Go options will be available, too!

Registration begins May 1, 2026

Join my email list HERE to be in the know!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

CSF Saturday Blog Hop - Repetitive Backgrounds

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Today’s Create with Stampin' Friends theme is all about repetitive stamping.It's the perfect way to show how stamping can transform a simple idea into a full‑blown celebration. With just one playful sentiment and a few festive icons, you can build a background that feels lively, coordinated, and completely custom!

I started by adding ink using the Dotted Line decorative mask and blending brushes.Then, I stamped the sentiment and sprinkled in little images until the entire backgroundwas a birthday celebration! I finished it off with balloons, sentiment and a few coordinating embellishments. Next time you’re staring at a tiny stamp and wondering what to do with it, try repeating it across a panel. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it turns into a pattern that looks designed and intentional.

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Balloon Festoon

Ink: Tuxedo Black, Azure Afternoon, Melon Mambo, Gorgeous Grape, Craft White

Paper: Basic White, Basic Black Azure Afternoon

Accessories: Balloon Festoon dies, Water & Dotted Line Decorative Masks, Blending Brushes, Stylish Shapes dies, Shimmering Dots

Stampin' Blends: Melon Mambo, Gorgeous Grape

Happie Stampin'!

Ready for more great repetitive stamping ideas?

Go NEXT to see what Connie created or BACK 

to see what Libby created.