Sneak peek: three ideas using Beautiful Gallery Designer Series Paper

When I first saw the Beautiful Gallery Suite from Stampin’ Up!®, my first thought was “Finally some grungy Designer Series Paper in dark, moody colours!”

While I love all the bright and pretty designs in the current (and upcoming) Stampin’ Up!® catalogue, I do sometimes long for something a bit murkier. And Beautiful Gallery Designer Series Paper fits the bill perfectly, with designs based on old paintings and artistic details. You’ll find full 6"x6" sheets with a self-contained design, as well as old-world patterns and some painterly effects too.

Over the Easter holiday I was short of time and inspiration so turned to THREE tried and tested card designs so I could give them a new spin using Beautiful Gallery Designer Series Paper. 

Easy card ideas with Fruit Salad Designer Series Paper

I firmly believe that cardmaking does not have to be difficult, and you don’t have to throw every Stampin’ Up!® product from the catalogue at your designs.

These four simple cards are made with Fruit Salad Designer Series Paper, cardstock, greeting stamps and ribbon scraps. Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Paper is a great way to get lots of variety in your images with minimal outlay. 

 You can cut the images out instead of stamping them, and get lots of mileage from one pack. In fact, this is how I managed to keep my classes going during lockdown, without asking customers to break the bank. 

Fruit Salad Designer Series Paper (164943) is perfect for this and what’s more, it’s free with a £55 order in the UK, which means you can select it if you order the two stamp sets used here – With You in Mind (164747) and Simply Said (163756) – along with any pack of assorted or single-colour A4 cardstock and some Basic White Thick A4 cardstock (159230) for your card bases.

Simple card making with Toadstool Gardens Designer Series Paper

 

I just HAD to have this Toadstool Gardens Designer Series Paper because my daughter loves fungi and everything related to them. I knew I had to make her birthday card with this gorgeous Stampin’ Up!® paper.

Inspiring card ideas for Thoughtful Journey Designer Series Paper

Exciting news! There’s a Designer Series Paper sale starting today at Stampin’ Up!® and I have four fab fancy fold ideas to inspire you.

I have used Thoughtful Journey 6x6 Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!® but you could use almost any patterned paper from the 15% off sale with these versatile designs.

During the sale, which runs until the end of August, you can save 15% on standard 6x6 and 12x12 Designer Series Paper packs in the current 2024-2025 Annual Stampin’ Up!® Catalogue.

Check out the sale here 

Six card ideas using Full of Life Designer Series Paper

I don’t know about you but I love it when I can make two cards in one go, and this happened twice during a craft session with the STUNNING new Full of Life Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!®

The paper had completely passed me by until a customer ordered it. Once I saw her pack, I knew I had to have my own... and plan an online class around it too.

Although there are no actual images on the paper, the designs really are Full of Life – full of rainbows of colour and geometric patterns.

I have used various Stampin’ Up!® stamps and dies to make these cards because my focus was on the Full of Life Designer Series Paper. There is a coordinating bundle called Friends for Life but I don't have this so wanted to see what else I could use.

Card ideas with Take to the Sky Designer Series Paper

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again... you don’t always need to buy the stamp set. This may feel like shocking advice from a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator but I know times are tough for many people right now and I would rather help you find ways to keep crafting than see you give it up for financial reasons.

Here are three cards I made using Take to the Sky Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!® I don’t have the coordinating Adventurous Sky stamp set because, frankly, I didn’t think I’d get much use from it. But I love the paper featuring masculine patterns, planes, maps and clouds, and think it could be extremely versatile.

Six EASY cards using Sunny Days Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!®

Sale-a-Bration is a wonderful time of year for Stampin’ Up!® fans as we can earn lots of gorgeous free products.

One of them is this pack of Sunny Days Designer Series Paper, which I've used here to create six REALLY simple cards which anyone can make with no special equipment.

All I have used here is some Thick Basic White cardstock, Basic Black cardstock for layering, some Stampin’ Up!® greeting stamps, a paper trimmer and some ribbon. 

SIX card designs using Trusty Toolbox FREE Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Paper

Did you know you can earn some fabulous FREE Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Paper during January and February? Yes, it’s Sale-a-Bration, and one of the free gifts you can earn when you spend £45 is this gorgeous Trusty Toolbox Designer Series Paper. 

Read on for six easy ideas for making the most of this fabulous paper. 

Les Shoppes Designer Series Paper card ideas

Want to save some money? Check out these projects using Les Shoppes Designer Series Paper. Both of them focus on Les Shoppes Designer Series Paper, and you can use any greeting stamps to finish them off.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again... thanks to the the fab designs of our Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Paper packs, you don’t always need to buy the coordinating stamp set.

Naturally, there are pros and cons, so these tips may help. 

Five easy cards with Zoo Crew Designer Series Paper

 

Do you want to join the Zoo Crew? I cannot tell you how much I love these fun creatures on the Zoo Crew Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!® When I first saw the knitting llama, I actually laughed out loud.

 

You might not laugh out loud but you’ll certainly smile when you learn that this paper and many other designs are available at 15% off throughout June. 

Easy cards using Love Cats stamp set from Stampin’ Up!®

Do you love cats and cat cards? If not, I suggest you move swiftly on as today all my projects feature the fabulous Love Cats stamp set from Stampin’ Up!®

While the stamp set is in the Valentines section of Stampin’ Up!®’s January-April Mini Catalogue, this set offers so much more. 

I don’t make Valentines projects but this wasn’t going to put me off the best cat stamp set Stampin’ Up!® has offered for years. In fact, I have taken scissors to rubber and trimmed down the “Hi there, Valentine” stamp so it reads simply “Hi there”. 

For these projects I have teamed the Love Cats stamp set with various other Stampin’ Up!® sentiment sets so I can send cards for all occasions to my cat-loving friends. 

Designer Series Paper projects using Sale-a-Bration papers

 

I love all the gorgeous Designer Series Papers from Stampin’ Up!® and love making them the focus of my projects because they do all the work for you. 

 

On Saturday I ran a class on Zoom which I called a Paper Caper as customers could choose from two packs of Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Paper from the Sale-a-Bration brochure: Favored Flowers or Day At The Farm.

25 card ideas using Stampin’ Up!®’s Ringed With Nature stamp set and Rings of Love DSP

Are you ready for 25 Stampin' Up!® card ideas? They all use the Ringed With Nature stamp set... well most of them do. I do have some cards to show you which used the coordinating Rings of Love Designer Series Paper, which is no longer available as it was a Sale-a-Bration freebie back in the summer, but it seems a shame to miss them out.

One pack of Designer Series Paper, one card design, two looks

Using the same basic card design and most of the same elements, I created two very different looks here to celebrate the male and female members of my Stampin' Up!® team. Yes, men can be demonstrators, too!

I decided to let the Designer Series Paper do the talking and pulled out the paper sampler that you can earn FREE as part of your Starter Kit if you join during Sale-a-Bration.

The feminine cards use the Best Dressed Designer Series Paper, while the masculine card uses the Country Club Designer Series Paper, with a little die-cut polar bear as its accent. This is from the Snow Globe Scenes Dies, which have carried over from the Autumn/Winter catalogue.




Neither of these paper packs were on my radar so it’s great to have just a little taste of them to play with and to show to customers.

Other than the polar bear, all the other dies are from the Painted Labels Dies from the Peaceful Poppies Suite. The "from me" sentiment and stars are from Label Me Bold, one of those stamp sets which looks a little uninspiring on first glance but turns out to be really useful.

By fussy-cutting elements from Designer Series Paper, you don’t always need the co-ordinating stamp set. This allows you to experiment with styles outside of your comfort zone.
 

Desktop Calendar with Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits

These Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits just cry out for copper foil, I think. They were the finishing touch of this very simple project we created at my Christmas Hygge Night.

The calendar is really easy to make; just half a sheet of A4 (cut lengthways) scored at 10.5cm, 13.5cm, 16.5cm and 27cm. Fold this piece to create the stand-up bit then decorate as desired.

It was such a happy accident that the curved sprig from Foxy Friends fit the shape perfectly!

We added a little pocket for a notepad (I have LOADS of these notepads; they must have been a bargain!) and a calendar tab. We were going to add a pen but I couldn’t find them in time – but the craft room is tidy now so no more excuses!

Chicken picture with Sweet Dreams DSP

We certainly tried lots of different projects on our homemade crafty retreat. This had us all way out of our comfort zones as we had to hand-draw and hand-cut the elements to make three chickens. Even now, as I look at it, the beaks get on my nerves. I might buy another canvas (it’s A4 and was only 99p from Home Bargains) and have another go.

Still, check out the supplies list... minimal, eh?

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Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

Join Stampin' Up! and get free paper for SIX MONTHS

Don’t forget... if you join Stampin ’ Up!® before October 24, you can choose a FREE pack of Designer Series Paper (RRP £9.95) every month for six months! This is an incredible offer, which has proved very popular in the past, and is well worth taking the plunge for.

In addition, for your £99 start-up fee, you will get:

• Your choice of craft supplies up to a value of £130
• A business supplies bundle of catalogues, order forms etc
• Discount on all your craft supplies
• Opportunity to earn free stamps in your first six months
• Opportunities to earn additional freebies throughout the year
• Commission on all sales, an opportunities to earn cash bonuses
• Access to exclusive Stampin’ Up!® events
• Access to demonstrator website, featuring business tips
• Access to demonstrator forum, packed with craft ideas
• Demonstrator newsletter from Stampin’ Up!®
• Team newsletter from me...

...plus immeasurable benefits such as friendship, support and fun. So why not join my friendly team today? All you have to do is click here... and your Starter Kit will be with you in the next few days!

Two special offers - discounts and free paper

We have two fabulous new offers starting today, so read on…

Stamp, Stock & Save

This is a fabulous new – but very short – promotion which allows you to stock up on some stamping essentials at a discount. 

To celebrate World Cardmaking Day, which is this Saturday, from today until 6th October, you can purchase selected ink, paper, envelopes and adhesive at 15% off… and selected stamps at 20% off!

Here’s what’s included in the deal:

15% off items

• All classic Stampin’ Pads - £4.21 (RRP £4.95)
• All A4 cardstock collections - £5.31 (RRP £6.25)
• Whisper White A4 cardstock - £6.38 (RRP £7.50)
• C6 envelopes in Whisper White or Very Vanilla - £4.89 (RRP £5.75)
• Medium Crumb Cake envelopes - £4.89 (RRP £5.75)
• Medium Clear envelopes - £3.83 (RRP £4.50)
• Fast Fuse Adhesive - £7.61 (RRP £8.95)
• Fast Fuse refill - £5.74 (RRP £6.75)

20% off stamp sets

• *Big News (p68)  in wood (£31.96) or clear-mount (£23.16)
• Playful Pennants (p92) in wood (£15.96) or clear-mount (£11.96)
• Choose Happiness (p118) in wood (£17.56) or clear-mount (£12.76)
• *Petite Pairs (p134) in wood (£20.76) or clear-mount (£16.76)
• *So Very Happy (p55) in wood (£17.56) or clear-mount (£12.76) 

*Also available in French and German

You can order any of these items from my online store and have them shipped to any UK address, so why not start shopping?

Pick a Pack of Paper

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a demonstrator, or have been one in the past and are thinking of returning, now is an excellent opportunity… especially if you like Designer Series Paper (and who doesn’t?).

During October, we have a fantastic sign-up offer which gives you a free pack of £9.95 paper every month for six months! Every month for your first six months as a demonstrator, you will be prompted to choose a free pack of paper when you place a demonstrator order. I’m happy to give you more details if you get in touch, or you can take the plunge straight away by joining my friendly team here. 

Looking forward to welcoming you on board!

Sale-a-Bration ends today! Don't miss out!

Today’s the day! The last opportunity to earn free Sale-a-Bration products for 2014. It’s always sad when a fabulous promotion like this comes to an end, especially because there’s always somebody who doesn’t realise the deadline has passsed and gets upset because they’ve missed out on a fabulous freebie!

So don’t be the one to miss out – if you want to earn a SAB freebie, please do head straight to my online shop to place your order. Make sure you do it before 10pm to be on the safe side – Stampin’ Up!® works one hour ahead of us as they are based in Germany. 

It’s also the last day to get extra craft supplies in your starter kit if you join the Stampin’ Up!® family of demonstrators. It really is a no-risk way of stating a crafting business; it costs just £99 and you’ll get £150 of craft supplies of your choice, as well as a business pack to get you started. You’ll earn a minimum of 20% commission (on the pre-VAT price) on every order, and you’ll quality for hostess benefits when applicable, too.

There are demonstrators who just do the occasional party or just sell to their friends… and there are demonstrator who work at it full-time, earning a healthy living. And, of course, there are many, many demonstrators in between. If this is something you could see yourself doing, why not give it a try – you really have nothing to lose, and you could be a member of my friendly team within the hour, just by clicking here.

Okay, about today’s projects... I showed these at Pat’s party on Friday evening to illustrate the versatility of the Cupcake Punch. It’s not just for cupcakes – here I’ve also made an ice cream (I handcut the cornet but you could use the Perfect Pennants Builder Punch) and a tiny handbag (with the addition of circle punches).

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Finally, we have the bag, which I made using the technique I showed you yesterday. I added a few more supplies to this project; after all, it was my last chance to use my Petal Parade stamp set before I put it into storage, and Basic Black cardstock really makes this paper pop! The bag is the perfect size and shape for the note cards, which was almost like I’d planned it!

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No-cutting Sweet Sorbet cupcake bag

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there; hope you’re enjoying your day! I’m currently tucking into a slice of Malteser Tiffin, lovingly made by my daughter, while stroking a beautiful new Paperchase journal chosen by my son (I wonder if he had help from the daughter? It’s very tasteful!)

As time is rapidly running out for Sale-a-Bration, I wanted to show you the projects I demonstrated at Friday evening’s party. I wanted to show the ladies two products in particular; the versatile Cupcake Punch and the gorgeous Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper, which you can earn FREE with a £45 order until the end of Monday. 

I started by demoing this cute gift bag, which you make with a square of Designer Series Paper. There’s no cutting involved and it’s quite simple. If you’d like to see a video of this, please click here (it’s not a Stampin’ Up!® video I’m afraid; I tried to find one but life’s too short to get sucked into YouTube!). The measurements for scoring are below:

The bag at the top of this post is made from a full sheet of 12”x12” DSP; it’s big enough to hold a small gift, such as a scarf, a notebook or a bag of chocolates. This one holds sweets and is made handbag-style with a ribbon handle.

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Make it using 6”x6” DSP and you get a cute little bag which is just the right size to hold a stamp and some ribbon, which was handy as that’s exactly what I wanted to give to my hostess, Pat. 

I have one more to show you tomorrow; by happy accident, the bag is exactly the right size to hold our note cards. 

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