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 

Cozy Christmas Paper Pumpkin Alternative

Hi everyone and welcome back.  After recently returning from holidays, I've been wanting to create a few more Christmas cards to have on hand.  

I decided to interpret the clean and simple sketch from  Freshly Made Sketches #715. Michelle F. is the sketch designer and she says although this sketch would work well as a wreath, the circle is open to interpretation. With that, I changed my interpretation of the circle to a classic Christmas ornament.  Hope you like it. 

Here's My Card: 

I had a few supplies left from my October Paper Pumpkin kit called Cozy Christmas so I made an alternative card using them.  For the matte layer I cut an envelope from the kit in half and cut a 5 1/4" x 4" matte.  The sentiment "Deck the Halls" is from the Greetings For You Mix and Match ephemera pack #166208.  The beautiful red self-adhesive sequins are from the Cozy Christmas kit.  

The inside has a 5 1/4" x 4" real red cardstock matte layer and a basic white layer that measures 5" x 3 3/4"  The sentiment is stamped in Real Red ink and is from a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set called More Merry Wishes.  I added some Garden Green star images using a stamp from the coordinating Cozy Christmas stamp set.  

Well that's it for today's card.  I want to thank you for stopping by and checking it out.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my online shop 

Paper Pumpkin Kits 2026 -

 A New Year is Coming for Paper Pumpkin - GET READY TO SUBSCRIBE!

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin for a monthly, all-inclusive crafting kit that’s a fun surprise! Each kit includes a photopolymer stamp set, Classic Stampin’ Spot™, and step-by-step instructions to complete exclusive paper craft projects, including cards, tags, and gift packaging.   Kits arrive in a nice box.

Here's a sneak peek of Stampin' Up!'s upcoming Paper Pumpkin kits beginning in January 2026. There's also a special add-on die kit that coordinates with all three months! It's called Beautiful Blooms Dies Add-On #168666 available only while supplies last. (NOTE: Add-on's are ordered through the Paper Pumpkin menu in my online shop and are sold separately from Paper Pumpkin Subscriptions! Click here for the link.

JANUARY: Special Delivery 

Subscribe December 11–January 10
Send heartfelt valentines featuring sweet postage stamp designs and sentiments for love and friendship.

• Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs
• 3 different coordinating envelope designs
• Precut paper pieces with gold foil accents
• Coordinating colours: Blueberry Bushel, Bubble Bath, Darling Duckling,
Garden Green, Mossy Meadow, Poppy Parade (Classic Stampin’ Spot)

Coordinates with the Easter Joy Suite Collection (item 166954 January catalog)!  For more information scan the QR code.  

FEBRUARY: Celebrate Spring

Subscribe January 11–February 10
Craft whimsical handmade cards that celebrate Easter and sweet spring days.

• Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs with 9 coordinating envelopes
• Pre-cut paper pieces and pink baker’s twine
• Iridescent pink and yellow sequins
• Coordinating colours: Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake, Lemon Lolly, Peach Pie, Pretty in Pink, Shy Shamrock (Classic Stampin’ Spot)
Free additional stamp set included!

MARCH: Fluttering Garden

Subscribe February 11–March 10
Create charming cards with a hummingbird motif for Mother’s Day and more!

• Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs with 9 coordinating envelopes
• Textured white card bases
• Pre-cut paper pieces and sentiments
• Coordinating colours: Basic Gray (Classic Stampin’ Spot), Coastal Cabana,
Early Espresso, Gorgeous Grape, Old Olive, Peach Pie, Pretty Peacock.
Free additional stamp set is included with this purchase!

Last Free Shipping of the Year!

 Wow sorry folks I'm a bit behind in checking out all things Stampin' Up! but this just caught my eye: 

What You Need To Know: 

• All order types qualify for this promotion.

• Free shipping is for three days only. Orders must be opened and closed from December 10–12.  Closes at 10:00MT Tonight - so there's still time on the clock. 

• Free shipping automatically applies to your cart after the qualifying amount has been met, which is $100 CAD (before tax).

• Coupon codes and Stampin’ Rewards will lower your order’s retail amount. Orders must meet the qualifying amount to be eligible for free shipping.

• The additional cost for expedited shipping is not covered by this promotion.

• Prepaid 3-, 6-, and 12-month Paper Pumpkin subscriptions and month-to-month subscriptions do not qualify for free shipping. Refills, past kits, and add-ons do qualify toward free shipping, but you must be a subscriber to purchase. Subscriptions billed and shipped this month will be charged for the normal amount $36.75 CAD shipping included) + tax.

• Please keep in mind that due to the high volume of orders and the Christmas season, the distribution center may fall behind our typical shipping timeframes. We will do all we can to return to our regular service levels as quickly as possible. Any orders placed during this promotion are not guaranteed to arrive before or by December 25.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: 

If you take advantage of the free shipping and place a $100.00 order you're eligible to get this beautiful 12 x 12 paper pack for only $5.00.  You'll be prompted on your screen when you reach the qualifying amount.  Click here to see the flyer.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my online shop