Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #662

 It's time for Atlantic Hearts first sketch challenge of 2026  digitalized by Michelle.  

Here's My Card:

I decided to make a feminine birthday card using the AHSC sketch.  

The inspiration for this card came from a package of ephemera called Easter Time Mix and Match Ephemera which will be available in the new January to April Stampin' Up! catalogue on January 6th, 2026.  The precut images feature beautiful subtle colours and I was really drawn to the combination of purples and yellow in the floral designs.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• "Wishing You" is from an old Stampin' Up! birthday stamp set, that I can't locate the name for.
• "Happy Birthday" from Perennial Birthday 
• Impressions Abloom Dies for ovals

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic White for card base
• 3 x 4" Basic White for Oval 
• 5" x 3 3/4" Basic White for inside mat 
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" Daffodil Delight for front mat and 5 1/4"x 4" for inside mat
• Oval stitched frame cut from 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" Daffodil Delight 
• 5 1/4" x 4" Highland Heather embossed with Sequin embossing folder for front mat

Ink:

• Gorgeous Grape

Accessories:

• Easter Time Mix and Match Ephemera Pack #166984
• Shiny Self-Adhesive Lemon Lolly Sequins 
• Sequin retired SU Embossing folder 

Thanks for visiting my blog and checking out this sketch challenge.  I try to complete these sketch challenges on a weekly basis, so why not start the New Year off by following along and adding your own rendition.  The linky for this challenge ends on January 4th, 2026.  

HAPPY STAMPING

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

 

WELCOME TO JANUARY 2026 - 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Stampin' Up! has a BIG DAY coming up on Tuesday, January 6, 2026:

• January to April 2026 Mini Catalog Launches to the Public
• January 2026 Online Exclusives Launches
• Bonus Days Begins (January you "earn" rewards and February you can "redeem")
• Product of the Month Release for January
• Two New Kits from Kits Collection

Bonus Days - January 6 to February 2, 2026

Get ready for Stampin' Ups! first promo of the year! BONUS DAYS are coming!!!! When you shop Stampin' Up! between January 6 and February 2 and spend $60 CDN you will earn a $6 CDN coupon! Make sure you save all your coupons because you can redeem them (and we mean ALL of them) between February 3 and 28. Each purchase earns you Stampin’ Rewards, so that’s even more bang for your buck!

There’s no limit to how many coupons you can earn.  Check out this video from Stampin' Up!

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 online shop 

Wildflower Birthday card and FMS#717

 Freshly Made Sketches #717

This is the final sketch for Freshly Made Sketches for 2025.  Narelle is the host made a beautiful card using these sketch elements, so make sure you check it out on her blog.  

Since it's Christmas time and everyone is so busy, the Design Team at Freshly Made Sketches are taking a break.  So that's the reason this sketch which would normally run for a week has been running since December 17th and will carry through to January 5th, 2026.  The sketch prince and princess notables will be announced on January 6th and then everything will return to normal with the first sketch challenge for 2026  

Why not add "sketch challenges" to your list of New Year's resolutions for 2026, and start a weekly habit of joining in. And while you're at it, there's still time to play along with Sketch 717.

Here's My Card: 

I don't know about you, but at this time of the year, I'm looking for something new to make, and I'm not wanting to make any more Christmas cards.  When I looked at the FMS sketch I thought it would be a perfect layout for a feminine birthday card, so I decided to let some new designer paper and ephemera I'd purchased, influence the card design. Here's what I came up with: 

The paper I used is called Wildflower Birthday.  I'd admired this papers soft feminine contrasts and designs since it first came out, but couldn't justify getting another birthday DSP until it recently went on sale in the Last Chance products listing.  I was also interested in buying the coordinating dies called Birthday Celebration and got them for half price along with the paper.  

For my card I added some pieces of ephemera from the Wildflower Birthday DSP instead of stamping images.  There were two sheets of ephemera included with the paper, so it was fun trying different pieces to see what would work and what wouldn't while developing my card.

I also tried out a new to me fancy fold that is great for using up paper, for the inside of the card. I have no idea what this fold or design is called, however it involves putting a 10 1/2" x 4" piece of DSP that's scored at 5 1/4" on the inside of the card and then adding a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of neutral cardstock for writing your message on that is adhered to the inside of the DSP.

I added quite a few self-adhesive sequins to the front of the card to add a festive look.  The tag for the sentiment is from another new to me die set that I bought off the Last Chance List called Tags To Go.  Love, love love this tag die for it's shape and simplicity.  I know I'll be using this die set often in the future. 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Tags To Go #165576 sentiment tag
• Round We Go #163724 - sentiment

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Wildfire Birthday 12 x 12 DSP #164591 
• 10 1/2 x 4" scored at 5 1/4" for inside fold 
• 5 1/4" x 4" matte on card front 
• 2" x 1 1/2 inch stripped piece for rectangle 
• Soft Seafoam Cardstock Matte 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front matte
• Basic White 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" for card base; two 2" x 1 1/2" scraps for sentiment tag and for 2" x 1 1/2" layer 

Inks and Blends:

• Blueberry Bushel for sentiments 

Accessories: 

• Ephemera from Wildflowers Birthday 12 x 12 paper pack
• Purple Adhesive Sequins 
• Dimensionals
• Glue 

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you'll return again.  If you liked this card or know the name of the DSP panel I used inside the card let me know, I'd be happy to hear from you. 

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH - DECEMBER STAMPIN' UP!

Product of the Month December

Did you know there's a new thing going on?  Stampin' Up! introduced a new promo in December called the "Product of the Month".  This promo replaces the Sale-a-bration sales we've all come to love over the years, and instead each month they will offer a new product that will be available while supplies last. 

 Here's the details: 

Follow these simple steps to get the exclusive Product of the Month for only $5!

• LOG IN TO YOUR STAMPIN’ UP! ACCOUNT.
• ADD PRODUCTS TO YOUR BASKET.
• MAKE SURE YOUR BASKET TOTAL IS AT LEAST $100.
• ONCE YOU’VE REACHED THE QUALIFYING AMOUNT, YOU CAN ADD THE PRODUCT OF THE MONTH TO YOUR BASKET.

Here's the Rules: 

1.  You must have a Stampin’ Up! account to participate. If you don’t currently have an account, now’s the perfect opportunity to quickly create one on the Stampin’ Up! website.

2.  You must spend at least $100 in one order to purchase a Product of the Month. You can track your spending progress online.

3.  If you use Stampin’ Rewards, coupons, or discount codes on your order and your basket amount falls below $100, you’ll need to add items in your basket to get the total at or above the qualifying amount again.

4.  The Product of the Month is limited to one month’s product per Stampin’ Up! account. Additionally, the Product of the Month items are only available while supplies last, so once they’re sold out, they’re gone for good. So, if you purchased the January Product of the Month, you cannot purchase another January Product of the Month. However, you could purchase the previous December Product of the Month or the new February Product of the Month, provided those products are available for purchase and you meet the qualifying amount once for December and again for February. If you don’t meet the qualifying amount in January until later in the month and the January Product of the Month sells out in the first two weeks, you won’t be able to purchase it.

Stay tuned for some cards made with this beautiful designer paper .

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 online shop

More Than Autumn Masculine Birthday Card Sketch 661 AHSC

Here's the latest challenge over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #661. Although it's got a Christmas vibe going on in the sketch, I've decided to do a winter birthday card.

Here's My Card:

Today's card was one of those last minute projects that was sitting on the back burner all week, and I didn't get to it until the eleventh hour.  I decided to use one of my new Stampin Up! sets "More Than Autumn" that I purchased during the No Shipping Fees and Last Chance Sales.  Am I happy I bought it.  What fun I've had! 

This warm and happy feeling birthday greeting has a winter feel about it's casual vibe is quite masculine. It'll be perfect for that guy birthday card coming up at the end of the month.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• More Than Autumn Stamps and Dies Bundle #164228
• Round We Go #163724- sentiment 
• Hugs Abloom Paper Pumpkin Dies #166238 add-ons
• Deckled Rectangles Dies retired SU 

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Basic White card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4", 3 7/8" x 5" for inside matte and scrap for sentiment tag and for stamping Coffee Mug and donut. 
• Timeless Plaid mattes #164678 - cut two at 5 1/4" x 4 for front and inside of card. 
• Pecan Pie 4 3/4" x 3 1/2" cut with Deckled Rectangles die
• Scraps of Old Olive for leaves 

Inks and Blends:

• Momento Black ink images 
• Calypso Coral for Sentiments 
• Pecan Pie, Smokey Slate, and Timid Tiger blends for donut and Hot Chocolate cup.

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals 
• Faceted Gems in Pecan Pie and Calypso Coral 

Thanks for visiting and I hope you liked this card.  It came together fairly quickly because I had the elements pre cut.  I like that it takes the hard work out of making something at the last minute.  

HAPPY STAMPING!  

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Store

Masculine Birthday "Kilt" Card

Only a few days to go until Christmas Eve. I'm finding the time has spun out of control since we returned from vacation in late November.  I was getting anxious and wondering if I would have time to do all the things I planned to do, but since I didn't need all that stress in my life, I reassessed the long list and did the important things.  Now we are spending the rest of our December enjoying time with family and friends.  Mission accomplished! 

Before I show you today's card I thought I'd share a few Christmas pictures.  This one is of the beautiful Christmas light display at the entryway to our townhouse complex. So many of our owners have put up wonderful decorations but a couple of volunteers really went all out decorating the entryway fountain and path to the pond this year.  How festive!  

This is my fireplace mantle in my rec area which I always enjoy decorating.  The stockings still need hanging, but that'll get done last thing on Christmas Eve.  Ho! Ho! Ho! 

Usually we haul all the ornaments and the big box with this tree upstairs and assemble it in the kitchen. This year we decided to give ourselves a break and instead of lugging all that stuff up and down our long flight of stairs we decided to put it up in our rec room.  Such a simple change, but a great decision.  Now we're enjoying this Christmas tree even more this year in its new location.   

  

And finally, I wanted to share a picture of these very special bunny ornaments we received as a gift from a very special couple we met on our 45th wedding anniversary cruise. Unfortunately our friend passed away and his celebration of life was held on December 6th.  This is our tribute to him and his wonderful soul mate.  

 

Here's My Card: 

I'm still managing to sneak in a bit of time in for stamping but haven't had time for weekly challenges. I spent some time finishing some December birthday and anniversary cards.  Here's one I photographed that I'm quite proud of.

One of our very good friends is celebrating his 77th birthday on the 27th of this month, and I wanted to make him a special masculine card.  As he is a very proud Scotsman I felt a kilt might be in order.  Thank goodness for the influence of Pinterest as I was able to find some pictures of cards with kilts and figure out how they were assembled.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies: 

• Arched Wishes #165428 for "Cheers to another year of you" sentiment
• Everyday Arches Dies #164629 for Mossy Meadow and Lost Lagoon arches on front of card. 
• Beautiful Balloons #161450 sentiments for inside card 
• Brewed for You beer mug and foam and sentiment on front 

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Basic White "8 1/2 x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" for card base 
• Basic White 5" x 3 3/4" for inside matte 
• Basic White scrap for sentiment "Another Round for Your Birthday"
• Timeless Plaid #164678 tartan paper "5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front matte
• Timeless Plaid 3" x 5" strip for kilt scored at 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4" on both sides
• Scrap of basic black for waistband 
• Scrap of silver for buckle 
• Mossy Meadow cardstock 5 1/2 x 4 1/4" for largest arch
• Mossy Meadow 5 1/4" x 4" for inside matte 
• Mossy Meadow scrap for backing on sentiment for front layer 
• Lost Lagoon 5 1/4" x 4" for second largest arch

Inks and Blends:

• Momento Black for front sentiment and beer mug and foam on inside 
• Mossy Meadow for inside sentiments 

Accessories:  

• small piece of silver chain 
• two silver brads
• dimensionals and adhesive dots 

So although I didn't add the sporran to the chain on the kilt front, and the tartan wasn't exactly the same as my friend's I was pleased with the end result.  

Well that's it for this week's card. It's time to get it to the Post Office so it'll arrive on time for his birthday. I hope you enjoyed today's post and will drop by again before the year is out.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Store 

All The Best For The Holidays

Just a note before the holidays to let you know how much I appreciate all the support I've received in 2025 and in the past for my blog, my facebook page, my Stampin' Up! Demonstratorship and how much that has meant to me.   I'm going to take some time off during the holidays to enjoy my family and friends and celebrations in our community.  

To each and everyone of you I wish you a happy and safe holiday season filled with fun and laughter, great food, family visits and all the joys the season brings.  I look forward to  continuing in the New Year. 

Cheers!  

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT
Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo Since 2006