Happiest of Birthdays

This week's sketch at  Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #686 calls for a large sentiment as the focal.  This was a bit of a challenge for me since I don't have a lot of large sentiments, however I decided on a retired Stampin' Up! set called "Happiest of Birthdays" that was perfect. 

HERE'S MY CARD: 

I likely haven't used the Happiest of Birthdays stamp set for five or six years, but I recall purchasing it because of the big birthday messages and the font styles. I really liked it back then, and I believe I've come to appreciate it once more. Thanks to AHSC for this challenge!

I used Secret Sea ink from Stampin' Up! to stamp the sentiments; it’s a very dark blue shade that falls between Night of Navy and Black. I was quite pleased with the richness it added to the sentiments both inside and outside the card.

I came across a 3 1/2" x 5" piece of ephemera cardstock featuring beautiful flowers that matched the first matte on the card front. Initially, I planned to cut out and matte the sentiment on a square or another shape for the focal point, but I managed to stamp the sentiment between the two floral designs instead. Since it appeared a bit flat, I searched the ephemera pack for coordinating flowers and attached them with dimensionals at each corner. I completed this layer by adding some soft pink sequins.

For the inside of the card I chose an image of a cake slice and a strip of pink gingham DSP from the Wildflower Birthday paper pack to glam up the inside of the card.  I used the sentiment "It's Your Day! Enjoy" from the Happiest of Birthdays" stamp set.  

SUPPLIES AND INSTRUCTIONS:

Stamps and Dies:

• Happiest of Birthdays #152539 SU (R)

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Basic White cardbase 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White matte for inside 3 3/4" x 5"
• Pretty in Pink matte 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" for front
• 5 1/4" x 4" matte for inside of card
• Brocade Blue matte 3 5/8" x 5 1/8" for front 
• Wildflower Birthday Designer Paper (DSP) 
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for card front 
• 5" x 3 1/2" Ephemera Matte for front
• 3/8" x 5" strip for inside card 
• Ephemera Birthday Cake and flowers 

Inks:

• Secret Sea ink

Accessories:

• Dimensionals 
• Soft Pink Iridescent Sequins

Once I selected the large sentiment and the designer paper I wanted to use, this card came together quite quickly. The mattes' dimensions aren't standard due to the ephemera piece I picked as the focal point. When that happens, you just need to adjust your sizing.

Thank you for stopping by to view my entry for this week's sketch challenge at Atlantic Hearts. I hope you liked my interpretation. I’m sure I’ll be using these sentiments again and was glad to rediscover them in my collection. Until next time..........

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop

Popup Soccer Surprise - Masculine Birthdays

I like surprises and so when I saw the Valentines Pop Up card layout by Meg Loven of Lovenstamps, I was inspired to try out her design.  This is a very quick and easy card to make and a great way to use up designer series paper.  

Here is My Version of the Pop Up Card:

I decided to make a couple of male sport themed birthday cards.  This card would be great for either a boy or man who are interested in sports. Here's the first card I made using products from a soon to be released suite called A Wonderful Match.  

Here is the second version:

For the second card I added a little grass using the die cut from the Match Day dies on a scrap of garden green cardstock.  What a difference grounding the balls with grass makes.  Love it!  I also changed up the puffy stars to black and attached them on the front of the card to balance out the soccer shoes. 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Match Day Dies - soccer ball
• Sizzix Circle Dies 1 1/4" or punch 
• Perennial Birthday #145760
• "Enjoy Your Special Day" - this is a Stampin' Up! sentiment stamp, but I can't remember what set it came from.  It'll be sitting on my desk until I run across the stamp set that's missing one.  Hopefully someone can point out what set it came from.....hint, hint! 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper (DSP):

• Basic Black cardstock - card base 4 1/4" x 11 Scored at 5 1/2". Turn on longside and trim off 1 1/4" from edge. 

• Basic White cardstock:
• Cut two 4 x 4 pieces.  Adhere one piece to the inside of the card for the message.  The second 4 x 4 piece is adhered to the front of the card, leaving an 1/8" margin around it. 
  
• Cut 1" x 4" for the DSP strip to layer on 

• Pop Up Mechanism: Can be any color.  I chose Basic White so it blends in well with the inside message panel. Cut a strip 1 1/4" x 6" and score it at 1 1/2", 3" and 4 1/2".  Burnish the score lines.  Fold the two cut ends together and put adhesive on both sides.  Line this piece up with the score line for the center of the card, making sure you have even spacing to the bottom of the card.  Holding the pop up mechanism in place close the front of the card over top of it and hold for a few minutes to allow your glue to dry.  Decorate. 

• Designer Series Paper: A Wonderful Match 12 x 12 

• Cut two pieces 4 x 4 for the front and inside panel 
• Before adhering the front piece of DSP line it up with the white 4x4 matte on the card front and roll back the bottom edge towards the middle.  Before adhering the dsp matte, make sure there is enough room to add an image or sentiment in the part of the basic white piece that is now exposed.  The fold back can be adhered with a couple of dimensionals and the balance of the matte lined up and adhered to the 4 x 4 basic white matte. 
• Cut a strip 1" by 3 3/4" for the inside and adhere it to the basic white strip.  Note this DSP strip doesn't have to match the front or inside panel but should coordinator with the front when the card is closed.  
• Note:  One of the paper sheets in the Match Day paper pack has all kinds of images of soccer shoes, whistles, scarfs, etc.  I chose to fussy cut out a pair of soccer shoes to use on the front flap and a trophy for the back of the card from this paper. I could have also used one of the die cuts from the Match Day Dies as there is a nice trophy, a whistle and flag die cuts that would have added a nice finishing touch to the dark cardstock.   

Match Day Dies 

Ink: 

• Momento Black Ink

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals
• Wonderful Stars Puffy Stickers in Black and White

I loved making this card and can imagine it in all kinds of themes, and designs.  Once all the mattes and mechanisms are cut out it comes together really quickly.  I hope you enjoyed it to.  If you're interested in watching Meg's video click here

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

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Donuts and Coffee for a Happy Birthday! AHSC#663

January is such a busy month with taking down the Christmas decorations and cleaning the house from top to bottom that it's going by quickly.  My house always looks so blah after all the lights and sparkle are put away especially on all the grey rainy days we've been having.  

I was proud of myself because I was able to stick to my decluttering plan and whittle down more of our Christmas decorations.  I still have way too many boxes in storage, but it's less than last year, which is a good thing!   

I had a bit of spare time left in between packing and cleaning, and decided to play with the first sketch of the year at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog.  I love this layout and had no difficulty coming up with my own version of the sketch. 

HERE'S MY CARD: 

SUPPLIES AND INSTRUCTIONS:

Stamps and Dies:

• Branching Out #165771 sentiment "Sent With Lots of Love"
• More Than Autumn #164228 donuts, coffee cup and leaves
• Wishing You the Happiest Birthday Yet from Stampin' Up

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Basic White card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4".  
• Basic White matte for inside card 5 1/4" x 4" 
• Basic White scraps for coffee cup, donuts and 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" sentiment square and for hearts 
• Pecan Pie 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" matte for card front and 2" x 2" scrap for square 
• Old Olive - scrap for die cut leaves 
• A Little Latte DSP # 163453(R) - mattes for front and inside card 5 1/4" x 4" and scraps for strips for front of card and 1 1/2 x 1 1/2" square for front 

Ink and Blends:

• Momento Black Ink for donuts and coffee cup
• Lost Lagoon for sentiments
• Calypso Coral, Lost Lagoon, Daffodil Delight alcohol blends for donuts and hearts

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Nuvo Clear Drops for shiny glaze on donuts
• Lost Lagoon self adhesive faceted gems

Well that's it for this week.  I hope you enjoyed this card, and would love to hear your thoughts on the layout.  Is this design one that you would use in your cardmaking?  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Throwback Challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #647

Atlantic Hearts Challenge #647

It's the 3rd Monday of the month and time for a throwback challenge to when Atlantic Hearts first started their challenge site.  Here's the original sketch followed by this weeks sketch.  This challenge runs from September 17th to September 21st, 2025, I hope you'll join me and play along.  

Click here to visit AHSC #647 and Check Out  the Design Team 's Samples. 

Here's My Card:

Do you have a friend who loves pink?  This is for a gal I know who absolutely loves pink, and the brighter and bolder the better.  She also likes the odd beverage or two, so this birthday card will be perfect for her in many ways. 

Here's a view of the inside of the card.  I used DSP for the coloured layer instead of cardstock which helps to keep the card lighter for going in the mail.  

Supplies:


Stamps & Dies

• Retired sentiment stamps from Stampin Up for birthday greetings 

Cardstock & DSP

• Strawberry Slush InColor 2025-2027
• 4" x 5 1/4" for front layer
• 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 for rectangle layer 

• Celebratory Sips 12 x 12 DSP_ #165586
• 3 3/4" x 5" for front layer 
• 4" x 5 1/4" for inside layer 
• Ephemera fussy cut from paper pack 

Inks & Blends

• Memento Black Ink 

Accessories

• 1/8" strip of gold ribbon 10" 
• Dimensionals 
• Strawberry Slush Sequins 

This was a very easy card to make since there was so little layering and stamping involved.  Let me know if you're a fan of 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 

Sweeter With You - July 2025 Paper Pumpkin Kit

Hi to all my Paper Pumpkin subscribers and followers, welcome back.  My "Sweeter Than You" Paper Pumpkin kit arrived this past weekend, and I couldn't wait to take it apart and start playing with this fun summer kit. 

This kit includes enough card bases, envelopes and ephemera to make 8 cards if you follow the instructions......but who does that? Usually there is enough material to make 9 cards, so that's a bit of a change, and one I will follow up with Stampin Up Demonstrator Support to find out if it's just something for this kit or will this be ongoing.   The kit also includes a very cute 9 piece stamp set, Garden Green ink spot, dimensionals, glue dots and tear n' tape.  

There are nine photopolymer stamps in the Sweeter With You Stamp set that comes with the kit.  Each of these stamps as you'll see in my sample cards, stamps beautiful images.

I was particularly impressed with the two-step strawberry.  I recommend using Poppy Parade ink or any red ink that has an orange overtone (not blue) for the berry and then stamping the stem with Garden Green.  

I stamped off quite a few of these berry images so I'd have extra's on hand. You could even make your own background paper using the strawberry and the small flowers.   You can see how well the image stamps from this photo of the back of my cards. 

If you're a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, and you run out of supplies for this kit or others and want to make more cards, you can order refills. The Sweeter With You Kit refill is order #167283.  The refill comes with everything in the kit but the stamp set and ink.  

Sweeter With You Kit Refill Available Online Order #167883

Another item that coordinates with this kit is the Circle of Seasons Dies add-on (item 167277).  This is a great coordinating product that keeps on giving because it not only works with this kit, but it also coordinates with the July Farmhouse Florals Paper Pumpkin Kit, and  the August Fall for Toile Paper Pumpkin Kit.  And, you can pair these dies with other Stampin’ Up! products for even more creative options!  

Here Are My Sweeter With You Alternative Cards:
So far, I've made eight cards from the kit supplies, all alternates to the original card offering. I've got enough supplies for at least eight more, so that's always a plus.

Card One: This is a Faux Step card which is incredibly easy to make.  I started with a white card base that measures 

Card Two:  The Strawberry Slush and White mattes were cut out using Stampin' Ups! Decalled Rectangles dies. The 1/4" strips of card and dsp papers worked really well in filling up the white space on this card.  I used Pool Party for the ink splatters to tone down the white.  Finally, since I had a lot of the brass mini and regular sized bees from previous supplies on hand I decided to apply them to this card using mini glue dots. 

Card Three:  This flap card is one of my favourite go to designs when I'm making cards.   It starts with a card base measuring 8 1/2 x 4 1/4" and scored at 3" on the long side.  Burnish on the score line and fold the flap to card front.  The second piece on this card front measures 8" x 3" and is scored at 4".  Burnish the score line and fold in half.  This piece is adhered to the inside of the card and the flap fits across the front of the card when closed.  Decorating consists of coordinating DSP and two mats on the front of the flap.  

I stamped those beautiful strawberries on the inside of this card and the sentiment "You're the Best".  Love how they turned out. 

Card Four:  This is another easy fun fold.  The card base which is a piece of 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Strawberry Slush cardstock is scored on the front at 1 1/4" and burnished on the score line so the fold exposes the inside of the card.  The folded over piece is decorated with a 3/4" x 5 1/4" piece of coordinating designer series paper (DSP).  I usually adhere the back of this flap to the card front so it stays in place.  

Here's a view of the inside of the card where I've added 1/4" x 5 1/4" strip of the matching DSP.  

Card Five: This is just a standard card where the front is the focal.  I ran the vellum strips that were in the kit through my Cut & Emboss machine and used a retired 3D Embossing Folder called "Eyelet", to add a little texture to the card.  There were only three basket pieces in the ephemera pack, so I traced around one of them on  Pool Party cardstock and then fussy cut out several extra boxes.  To give them some life, I used a Pool Party Watercolour Pencil to trace around the image and to add some shadows.  

Card Six: This is another standard card with a multiple image focal point.  The  Garden Green and Strawberry Slush mats were cut out with the Decal Rectangle dies, and the stitched circle mat for the sentiment is Granny Apple Green cardstock. The glimmer paper sequins are also in Granny Apple green and add a touch of sparkle.  I cut the long white scalloped piece of cardstock from the kit in half after embossing it with the Eyelet embossing folder and then tucked one half behind the sentiment circle.  

I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" mat from Strawberry Slush cardstock for the inside of the card and then randomly stamped all over the piece with the small flower image from the stamp set. Before adhering this piece to the inside of the card I cut out the mat for the card front from the center using the Decal Rectangle dies.

Card Seven:

For this card I decided to build a mat using some of the strips that were left over from cutting down mattes.  They are various sizes but that's okay I used what fit.  The pink strip was embossed with the Eyelet Embossing folder and the Pool Party cardstock strip was left plain, but I added some of the pretty white flowers from the kit to give it some interest.   Once again I used some of the brass bees from my stash.  

Card Eight:

This is a very straightforward card relying on the various layers of ephemera from the kit to create the focal point.  I loved that little blue striped piece and used one of the plant pots from the kit to hold the strawberries. I splattered  Pool Party ink  on the pot and the white scalloped piece to give some highlight.  Pink self adhesive sequins from my stash were used to add some sparkle. 

I hope you enjoyed these Paper Pumpkin kit cards.  This is one of my favourite kits from this year.  Have a great week, leave me a comment, I'd love to hear which card is your favourite, and if you have any questions about any of the designs.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Tokens, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 online store 

Click here for Paper Pumpkin Subscription Information