Paper Pumpkin Lakeside Retreat Masculine Cards - FMS#734

I've really been enjoying creating with the Lakeside Resort April 2026 Paper Pumpkin kit.  Such beautiful papers and I really like the subtle hue.  This kit leans heavily towards masculine cards with a Father's Day theme and nature images.  Although the theme and contents of this kit appear masculine, in this day and age they with the exception of some of the stamps could work easily for any occasion card or gender. 

When Stampin' Up!s latest catalogue is released tomorrow, it includes a stamp suite or bundle called Waterside Resort that coordinates beautifully with the Lakeside Resort kit.  With their mix and match capability these two products provide a whole host of other possibilities for outdoor themed masculine cards. 

I'm using the Freshly Made Sketches #734 hosted by Jen M.challenge sketch for today's card. Some of the examples from the Design Team and participants are literally out  of this world.  There are some excellent samples on the blog from the Design Team if you're looking for inspiration.  

Here's My Card:

This card layout could work for a birthday or special event like Father's Day.  I'm in love with Secret Sea which is the dark blue cardstock I've used.  It's so dark and accents the Balmy Blue so well.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Relaxing Waterside #167922 - sentiments
• Lakeside Retreat - papers and ephemera
• All About Birthdays -stamp birthday sentiment inside card
• Sun Rise Sailing SU#165491 stamp and dies for sailboat 

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Basic White cardstock for base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White for inside matte 4" x 3 3/4" and a 2" by 3 1/2" piece for the sail boat
• Secret Sea 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front matte, 2" x 4 1/2" for front color block which has been embossed. A small scrap strip for the sentiment.
• Balmy Blue 5 1/4" x 4" for front matte.  Embossed with Scripty Embossing Folder by SU. 

Ink:

• Secret Sea
• Balmy Blue 
• Pecan Pie 

Accessories: 

• Corner Rounder Punch
• Classic Label punch
• Scripty Embossing Folder 
• Blue self-adhesive sequins 
• Dimensionals for sailboat. 

This card came together fairly quickly once I decided on colours and theme.  Before I go here are  some more Alternative Paper Pumpkin - Lakeside and Waterside Resort cards I've made.  

Have a good week everyone and thanks for dropping by.  I hope these cards give you some fresh ideas and enjoyment.   Until next sketch...........

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop!

Time to Celebrate Birthday #AHSC679

What a busy week it’s been! I didn’t have a chance to make any cards until this past weekend, so I missed last week’s Atlantic Hearts Challenge. However, the good thing about their sketch challenges is that they happen every week. With that in mind, please take a look at this week’s sketch: Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #679

Here's my card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies: 

• Perennial Birthday - "Happy Birthday" sentiment SU#145757 R
• Round We Go  - "Time to Celebrate" sentiment SU#163724 R
• Tags to Go Dies SU#165576 R

Every now and then, you come across true treasures on the clearance rack. I had overlooked this set several times because I wasn’t fond of the stamp set included with it, but when it dropped below $20, I couldn’t pass it up. At first, I purchased it for the key dies, which I plan to use on Christmas and housewarming cards, but then I grew fond of the stitched triangle tag.

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Basic White 10 1/2" x 5 1/4" scored at 5 1/4" for base
• Inside matte - 4 3/4" x 4 34" 
• 2 3/4" x 1 12" for stitched tag
• Blueberry Bushell cut two mattes - 4 3/4" x 4 3/4" 
• Wildflower Birthday - SU#164591 R

The papers in the Wildflower Birthday DSP feature gold foil on the leaves, dots, and other background elements, which truly highlight the lovely patterns on the paper. The Ephemera pack for this collection is filled with images of cakes, cupcakes, and flowers. The small gold foil banner was trimmed from a larger banner in this set and is attached to the front of the card using dimensionals.  I love this paper and I'm happy every time I use it.  Click here to check out another card I made in December featuring this paper. 

Ink:

• Blueberry Bushell

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Genial Gems - green SU #155500 R
• Ephemera and cut fussy cut images from Wildflower Birthday DSP
• flower on tag, cupcake image on dsp square, gold foil banner, flowers on inside of card and small cupcake on back of the card. 

Thanks again for visiting my site and for your comments on my cards.  It simple makes my day when I get a notification someone's looking.  Make sure to check out the design team and participants samples on the AHSC blog as there are some really cute cards for this challenge.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online shop

Masculine Birthday - Going Fishing FMS #733

Some thrilling news for everyone eagerly awaiting the new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue; it’s coming soon! If you’re on my mailing list, you should be getting yours this week. Stampin’ Up!, always evolving and updating, has revamped their catalogue format, so don’t be surprised when you get the latest edition. It contains only 87 pages, unlike their usual 180+.  The new catalogue goes live on May 5th, 2026.

For this weeks Freshly Made Sketch hosted by Jen T.

HERE'S MY CARD:   

Today's masculine birthday card uses products from the April Paper Pumpkin kit called Lakeside Retreat, and a coordinating suite in the new catalogue called Waterside Retreat.  I've also used one of the exciting new incolours called Peaceful Pine.  Enjoy! 

I wasn’t satisfied with the simple Misty Moonlight matting on both sides of the DSP—it seemed too plain. So, after attaching the striped designer paper to the matte, I used my ball stylus to draw lines every 1/4" across the surface of the cardstock and paper. It was a small change, but I felt it brought more texture and vibrancy to the card front. I also made an error when measuring the designer paper and cut it half an inch too short. Fixing it was straightforward: I cut a matching strip measuring 1/2" by 4 1/4" and glued it underneath the paper matte, making sure the stripes lined up perfectly. I think it’s a convincing fix and not very noticeable. Let me know if you like this effect or would consider using it on your own card.

While applying a touch of Wink of Stella to the two fish on this card, I accidentally sprayed it over the front of the card. Oops! I cleaned up the mess a bit and then allowed it to dry. Everything turned out fine; there’s just a slight sparkle on the striped paper, but it still suits a guy card.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Lakeside Retreat Stamp set
• Perennial Birthday - inside sentiment

Cardstock and DSP:

• Basic White 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" for the card base, scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White 5" x 3 3/4" for inside matte
• Misty Moonlight 5 1/4" x 4" for matte on card front 
• 3 1/8" x 1 7/8" matte for picture
• DSP from Lakeside Retreat Paper Pumpkin kit
• 4 3/8" x 4" matte for card front
• Ephemera from Lakeside Retreat and Waterside Retreat DSP

Ink:

• Peaceful Pine (new 2026/27 Incolor Stampin' Up!)
• Wink of Stella for the fish

Thanks for visiting my blog and for taking a look at my rendering of the  FMS #738.  Please let me know your thoughts on this card, I'd love 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 

Faux Step Waterside Retreat

Last Saturday, two of my favourite stamping friends came over, and I created a Faux Step Card using the Waterside Retreat papers. We shared many laughs and had a great time putting this card together, which is simple to assemble and has a clean design suitable for any event. Take a look at the card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Relaxing Waterside Stamps #167922
• Relaxing Waterside Dies #167927
• Stylish Shapes 2 1/2" stitched circle die #159183

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Misty Moonlight cardstock for card base.  Cut to  1/2" x 8 1/2" and score at 2 1/4", 4 1/2", 5 3/4", 7", and 7 3/4".  Starting at the 2 1/4" score line, fold in a mountain fold and burnish, then next scoreline is a valley, next one a mountain, ending with smallest score line which will be a mountain fold and is the front of the card.   Burnish all score lines.
• Misty Moonlight cut strip 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" for faux flap, a scrap to cut 2 1/2" stitched circle and a scrap for the sentiment. 
• Basic White cut piece 2 1/2" x 4"  for the back of the faux flap for signing.
• Pecan Pie 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece for the Adirondack chair 
• Waterside Retreat designer series paper (DSP)#167920 Cut the following strips which are adhered to the steps starting with the back panel and moving to the front one:
• 1 piece 2" x 5 1/4"
• 1 piece 1" x 5 1/4"
• 1 piece 1/2" x 5 1/4"
• Cut  a 2 1/2" x 4" piece of coordinating DSP for the front panel of the card.  

Ink:

• Misty Moonlight

Accessories:

• Copper Sequins self-adhesive
• Dimensionals

Thank you for stopping by my blog this week and taking a look at my masculine birthday Faux Step Card featuring products from the Waterside Retreat suite.

I hope you'll come back for more easy stamping and card making. Please leave a comment if you liked this post—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Gone Fishing Birthday Card

This week’s card is another masculine birthday design, using stamps and papers from Stampin’ Up!’s retired "Let’s Go Fishing Suite". This set of stamps, dies, and papers remains one of my favourite choices for making masculine cards. I’m drawing layout inspiration from this week’s excellent sketch, hosted by Michelle L. at Freshly Made Sketches.  

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Gone Fishing #161535 - fishing gear 
• Gone Fishing Dies #161541 
• Best Catch Ever #148598- It's Your Day stamp
• Darling Dinos #164734 - Happy Birthday Sentiment
• All About Birthdays - inside sentiment

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper: 

• Basic Beige cardstock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 scored at 4 1/4" for card base 
• Basic Beige 5" x 3 3/4"  for inside matte  and a scrap for Happy Birthday sentiment on card front and 1 5/8" square 
• Misty Moonlight cut two mattes 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" and scrap for sentiment 
• Let's Go Fishing DSP #161534 strip for front in Wild Wheat 1 3/4" x 5 1/4"

I looked through my leftover pieces from the Let's Go Fishing set and found the strip featuring fishing reels, which I thought was ideal. It just needed a small trim. I matched it with a matte made from Misty Moonlight cardstock, which I embossed with a water pattern to add some movement to the card front.

I already had a focal point created earlier with this set, and it fit perfectly, substituting the circles on the sketch with the block and tackle elements. For the front sentiment, I wanted something very narrow, so after searching through some of my stamp sets, I selected the "happy birthday" sentiment from the Darling Dinos stamp set.

Initially I didn't want to add sequins or other gems to this card, but it appeared somewhat flat in the photos. So, afterwards, I used a silver Wink of Stella pen to add some sparkly accents to the fish lure and bobbins. That was exactly the touch it needed.  

Inks and Blends: 

• Real Red
• Misty Moonlight
• Pecan Pie 
• Wink of Stella 

Accessories: 

• Seaside Textured  Embossing Folder for Misty Moonlight matte on card front
• Dimensionals 

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment on this week’s challenge card. I truly enjoy creating masculine cards and hope you find them inspiring and enjoyable. I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Dog Sitting - AHSC #677

Another wet week is expected for those residing in the Lower Mainland. There's even, heaven forbid, mention of additional snow in the nearby mountain passes. I'm really relieved I didn't register for golf this week. The positive side of rainy days is that I can spend more time in my happy place doing what I enjoy. 

So, I've been reflecting on this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #677 which seems to have a lot going on with all those squares and the focal.  After some thought I think I've come up with a good rendition of this sketch that I can share.   

Here's My Card: 

I was a bit intimidated by this sketch looking at all those squares and thinking what on earth am I going to put on them.  I thought about the designer papers and the stamps and dies I have in my stash, and then like a flash, I could  visualize the card I wanted to make.

This card was actually inspired by an event last Friday where I was babysitting a neighbor's dog on the phone.  That's right!  In this modern age of ring monitoring systems I was able to watch this cute doodle's moves by phone while checking in with his mama and papa and reassuring all was well on the homefront.  So here is my pet sitting inspired card:

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Pet Love #166025
• Cutest Crew #167146
• Stylish Design Dies for 1" squares

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Basic White Cardbase 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White Matte 5" x 3 3/4" for inside and scraps for stamping dogs, stitched heart, ribbons for scarf and circle behind ball. 
• Misty Moonlight 2 Mattes - 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front and 5 1/4" x 4" for inside, scraps for foot prints, ball, and dots on scarf
• Real Red 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"  piece for stitched circle.  (Note cut left edge with trimmer before mounting. 
• Real Red scraps cut twelve 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" squares for design, foot prints, stars and hearts

Ink and Blends:

• Real Red
• Momento Black
• Smokey Slate Blends for shadowing on dogs

Accessories: 

• Basic Rhinestones
• Dimensionals 

One last look: 

By combining elements from two wonderful pet themed stamp sets Pet Love (now on sale in the Last Chance section on Stampin' Up!), and Cutest Crew, I was able to fill the squares with cuteness.  The focal point contains a polkadot scarf, love you dog tag and a favourite toy ball.  What fun! 

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my rendition of this week's card sketch.  I love receiving your comments and feedback so if you like this one, please let me know.  Hope you'll drop by again.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT!

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop

BONUS REWARD DAYS ON NOW! DON'T MISS OUT!

Hi everyone, I have some exciting news to announce – Stampin' Up! Double Stampin Rewards begins today! 

From April 15 to 17, you can earn Double Stampin' Rewards on every purchase made through my online store. To take part in this special rewards event, all you need is a Stampin' Up! Account with me and to have opted in to receive Stampin' Up Rewards. It's that simple!

Here are the key details about this promotion:

• Earn double rewards (2x rewards) for three days only: April 15, 16, and 17, 2026.
• This deal applies to ALL products (except non-commissionable items and current Paper Pumpkin subscriptions).
• All orders qualify once the rewards minimum of $25 CAD is reached.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006