Monochromatic Strawberry Slush Birthday Card

Welcome to my blog. Today I'm showcasing an ultra feminine birthday card that combines both old and new Stampin' Up! products.  The sketch I'm using as the guideline for this card is from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #628, created by Michelle and digitalized by Brandi.  Here's the sketch:

Here's My Card:

The brush stroke stamp from Season of Chic is pretty large so I decided to make this card horizontally so I could get the spacing more evenly distributed.  I wanted a feminine card with a clean look even though there's a lot going on in the sketch.  

To achieve that I went for a monochromatic colour scheme and used one of the new incolours called Strawberry Slush.  This color was around several years ago, and I always liked it.  To achieve the gradient color swatching I stamped the first brush stroke full strength and then stamped off the second and  the third images.

Supplies:

Stamps and Dies: 

• Season of Chic #158810 - brush stroke image 
• Artistically Inked #154542 - Happy Birthday sentiment 
• Butterfly Gala #148580 - Butterflies 
• Textured Note Dies #165555

The brushstroke image in the retired Season of Chic stamp set is wonderful for creating backgrounds.

I used a retired stamp set called Butterfly Gala and its coordinating punch to stamp and cut out the butterflies.  

Cardstock:

• Whisper White 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" card base
• Whisper White cut two - front 5" x 3 3/4" and inside mattes
• Scrap for Textured Notes sentiment strip 3 3/4" x 1"
• Strawberry Slush cardstock 5 1/4 x 4" cut two for front and inside 

Ink:

• Strawberry Slush #165286 (NEW 2025/26 Incolor) 

Accessories:

• Dimensionals
• Butterfly Punch (R) - coordinates with Butterfly Gala Stamp Set 
• Basic Rhinestones
• Self-Adhesive Sequins 

Thanks for dropping by and checking out my sketch challenge  card today.  Make  sure you visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog and take a look at all the other entries and the design team cards.  Have a great week, and if you like my card leave me a comment, it really makes my day.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

 NEW CATALOGUE - NEW YEAR!  

The brand new Stampin' Up! 2025-2026 Catalogue has been released and has some exciting new and carried over products.  

Click here to see the PDF Download 

It's a brand new season for Stampin' Up! and they're starting off with a great sign up offer.  If you're interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator between May 6th to 31st, 2025 is the perfect time!

Stampin' Ups! new Starter Kit Special is available for anyone wishing to join up.  The Starter Kit gives new demonstrators $220 worth of products of their choice for just $135.00 CDN.  Wow, that's an extra $85 worth of products!  You'll also get  FREE SHIPPING, bonus business supplies, and a Paper Pumpkin kit along with this limited-time offer!

JOIN MY TEAM:  

On top of the Starter Kit Special, Stampin’ Up! demonstrators receive these perks:

• Get 20%–25% off all Stampin' Up! products.
• Exclusive early access to new products.
• Opportunities to earn modest supplemental income based on your sales.
• Support through online training resources and a demonstrator-only online community with thousands of project ideas.
• Access to regular promotions.
• Learn creative tips and techniques, share ideas, and meet potential new friends and teammates who love paper crafting as much as you do!
• Opportunities to attend incredible crafting and training events and be part of a creative community that spans the globe.
• A free Paper Pumpkin kit! (Ask me for more information about this subscription service.)

When you join my team "Penny Tokens Stampers" I'll help you out from the start with guidance on how to start, answering questions, stamp sessions.  Click here to see how to join.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Celebratory Sips Floral Birthday Card - FMS#684

This week's Freshly Made sketch was hosted by Jen.  Its a very simple layout and quite quick todo.  This would be a great sketch for anyone wanting to try doing a challenge.   

FMS # 684 by Jen

Here's My Card:

I just got some new Stampin' Up Supplies including a 12 x 12 paper called Celebratory Sips that I bought because of the beverage designs.  When I opened the paper package I fell in love with a floral patterned paper that had a straight olive green backing.  This paper was perfect for the card I made.  

Supplies: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Spotlight on Nature Circle Dies #163579
• Wanted to Say Dies - Flower #161594
• Bough Punch #157711
• Lacy Border Punch
• Stitched Circle Die 2 1/4"

Cardstock and DSP:

• 81/2" x 5 1/2" basic white card base 
• 3 3/4 x 5" basic white matte inside and 3 x 3 scrap for circle die 
• Blackberry Bliss for mattes 
• 4" x 5 1/4" inside matte
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8"  matte card front 
• 1" x 5" strip for scalloped edging and scraps for flowers
• Bubble Bath 3" x 3" scrap for circle and scraps for flowers
• Celebratory Sips 12 x 12 DSP 4" x 5 1/4" floral pattern for front panel
• 3 2/4" x 4  7/8
• 1/2" x 4" for inside strip 
• 1" by 4 7/8" strip of reverse Old Olive side for front panel 

Inks and Blends:

• Blackberry Bliss

Accessories:

• Purple Adhesive Backed Sequins #164970
• Dimensionals large
• Tombow Glue 

So that's it for today's card.  I hope that you're inspired to try out this sketch challenge.  Drop me a note and let me know if this is the type of card you would send for a birthday greeting or would like to receive.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 online shop

Daisy Daydream Alternate Cards - Paper Pumpkin March 2025 Kit Part 1

Welcome to my blog.  Thanks for dropping by to check out what's new.  Today I'm sharing some of the cards that I made using the Daisydream March 2025 Paper Pumpkin kit.   

The Daisy Daydream kit was probably one of the nicest Paper Pumpkin kits I've worked on this year. All the cards and elements are beautiful and easy to work with and they coordinate with other Stampin Up products. 

This kit will make a total of nine cards if you don't make any changes and just follow the outline.  But, I'm a rebel at heart and I like to stretch these kits to the maximum and choose my own path of creativity.  I do that by using basic white card bases and coordinating cardstock for mattes.

So far I've created twenty-two cards by adding my own card bases, mattes and layers and have still got enough leftovers to go for thirty.  

Here are some of the cards I've made:

Card No. 1 

One of the first cards I made with this kit was a standard gatefold flap card.  

For this card I used Smokey Slate for my matte and sentiment pieces.  The embossing on the white matte was done with a Hexagon Embossing Folder that's been longer retired but still in my go-too stash.  

Card No. 2

I absolutely love how this card turned out.  I've doubled matted using an old retired dsp called Always Artichoke and the blue layer is actually one of the cards I cut in half and then embossed with Stampin' Ups! Cute Crochet (R) embossing folder.  Love it!  The Happy Birthday sentiment layer and stamp is from the December 2024 Paper Pumpkin kit called Notes From the Heart. 

Card No. 3

I had some very old ribbon in my stash so I cut a 6" strip and stretched it across the front of the card to divide the floral dsp from the embossed Always Artichoke panel.  It really brought the card to a new level.  The focal below the ribbon is dressed up with some daisies and stamped images from the kit.  on the white circle.  The Three gems are from the Iridescent Foil Gems pack. 

Card No. 4 

I love to dress up the insides of my cards too, and for this one I used stencils and stamps from the kit.  I like the way this inside matte turned out, and think it's so much nicer than a plain white card insert.  

This is one of my favourite card layouts and styles and I've made it many many times.  For the front flap, I embossed a piece of Basic White cardstock with the Basic D embossing folder (cross hatch) after stamping some of the honeycombs in crushed curry ink.  

Card No. 5

One of the panels in the kit has the honeycomb images pre stamped and they have a glossy finish that changes in the light.  I used this panel which already had a circle cut in it, and one of the circle elements (green) that's also included with the kit.  This was one of the easiest of the cards to come together.  The hardest decision is what elements to put on it.  

Card No. 6

For my next card I once again embossed the front card panel with the  Basic D (R) embossing folder and used this single mat to create the focal for the card.  

Card No. 7

For this next card I used one of the beautiful blue envelopes to create the panels and flap cover.  The arch die cut was a fun element to add to this card and the paper cut like butter.  

Card No. 8

If you're interested in getting a subscription to Paper Pumpkin you can check out the join options available on the Stampin' Up! website.  It's easier than every to get started.  

Click here to visit PAPER PUMPKIN SHOP 

Well that's it for this selection of alternate cards made with the March 2025 Daisy Daydream Pumpkin Kit. I'll be sharing some more cards in the weeks to come.  Hope you enjoyed this selection.  I'd love to hear from you, so let me know if which of these cards is your favourite.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin up Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 online shop 

Sending Smiles Note of Thanks

This week I am pairing up two challenges.  The first is a sketch challenge from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge  created by Michelle and digitalized by Brandi.

The second challenge is from "The Paper Players" challenge blog, and the premise is to combine something old with something new.  

Across Canada there is the possibility of strike action by Canada Post employees sometime in mid-May, so I'm busy trying to get all my  birthday cards completed and mailed before that occurs.  I also wanted to make some note cards for folks I haven't been in touch with for a while so both of these challenges will work perfectly for my themes.  I'm starting with the note cards.  

Here's My Card:

Quite a while ago I purchased a beautiful stamp set from Stampin' Up! called Sending Smiles. It's retired now, but it's still a favourite on my list because of all the wonderful sentiments, the florals and the coordinating dies. 

I'm pairing the Sending Smiles floral design and sentiment with a brand new background stamp set called Elements of Text, one of Stampin' Ups! current while supplies last Online Exclusives.   

I wanted these cards to be easy mailers and clean and simple so I didn't die cut and add an overlay of daisies for the note cards.  

Supplies:

Stamps and Dies:

• Sending Smiles #158701 (R)
• Elements of Text #164774 (Online Exclusive)

Cardstock:

• Basic White card base - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White Matte - 3 1/2" x 3 3/4" 
• Pecan Pie Matte - 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" 
• Granny Apple Green Matte 3 3/4" x 5"

Ink: 

• Crushed Curry
• Granny Apple Green
• Pecan Pie 

Accessories:

• Adhesive Backed Shiny Sequins #16348

Thanks for dropping by today and I hope you'll come back again.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on this card.  

HAPPY STAMPING

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Earn 2Xs Stampin' Rewards - May 2nd and 3rd, 2025

The first Saturday in May is a special day of celebrations for paper crafters, in particular scrapbookers all over the globe.  This fun celebration first began in 1994 when it was founded by the Creative Memories foundation as a way to celebrate scrapbookers and the memories they create. 

Stampin' Up! is excited to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day with the crafting community around the world! For 2 days only (May 2–3) they’re offering 2x rewards on all purchases! What better way to celebrate one of our favorite crafting holidays? And the best part? This offer applies to almost ALL products, not just scrapbooking items! (Some exclusions apply, see more below.)

• Earn double rewards (2x rewards) for two days only, from May 2–3!

• This offer applies to ALL products —it doesn’t have to be just scrapbooking products. The only products that don’t count toward rewards are non-commissionable items and existing Paper Pumpkin subscriptions.  

• While existing Paper Pumpkin subscriptions won’t earn double rewards and new subscription or prepaid subscription ordered during the offer will earn double rewards.

• All orders qualify once the rewards threshold of $25 CAD is met.

• You must have a Stampin' Up! Account to take advantage and participate in this special sale event. And you need to be opted in to Stampin’ Rewards program. If you aren't signed up yet, go ahead and get started so you don't miss out.

• Sales Period: May 2–3
• Ordering Deadlines:
• Phone: May 2, 2025, at 6:59 p.m. (MT)
• Online: May 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (MT)

NOTE:  Rewards are earned on the product price—shipping and expedited shipping fees are not included in the rewards calculation.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKEN'S STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stamin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

In Sympathy for Vancouver's Fillopino Community - FMS#683

Last night in Vancouver BC Canada a most terrible and senseless tragedy took the lives of 11 people and injured many more who were attending festivities during the Lapu-Lapu Filipino festival. A 30 year old Vancouver man plowed his car into these innocents, committing such a heinous act that words cannot even describe. 

I'm using today's sketch to design a sympathy card for all those affected by last night's loss. Obviously I can't make or send a card to all the families, first responders and others affected by this tragedy, but hopefully by posting my card and my message of condolence I can express my sadness, grief and offer my prayers for healing to those who need it.   

Freshly Made Sketches 

Here's My Card: 

Supplies:

Stamps and Dies:

• Textured Notes #165548 - basket bottom and leaves 
• Country Flowers #163405 - sentiment "With heartfelt sympathy" 
• In the Moment #157987 - sentiment "You're In My Thoughts" 

Cardstock and DSP:

• Basic Beige 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" for card base
• scraps for sentiment on card front, basket and leaves 
• Early Espresso 3 1/4" x 5 1/4" front panel 
• 1" x 5 1/4" strip for bottom inside detail
• Pecan Pie 4" x 5 1/4" for front matte 
• DSP - Woven Textures 12 x 12 #165560
• Cut 3" x 5" strip of DSP cut this piece in half at 2 1/2" flip one side over and adhere to early espresso panel. 
• 3/4" x 5"  strip of DSP cut in half, flip one side over adhere two panels to 1" x 5 1/4" early espresso panel on inside bottom of card. 

Ink and Blends: 

• Tuxedo Momento Black 
• Pecan Pie 

Accessories: 

• 2" circle punch for basket
• Dimensionals 
• Adhesive
• Gold Sparkle Gems (R) 

The detail in the Textured Notes distinktive stamps is amazingly crisp.  The trick to stamping with distinktives is to not over saturate the surface with ink.  You'll get a clearer image by reinking and stamping a few times.

Well that's it for today's card.  Thank you for stopping by and having a look at my card.  Appreciate it. 

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop