Bright Star Stampers

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Monthly Card Kit Ready for You to Create

Hello! Just checking all the weekly updates and there is one that you might want to know about. Stampin' Up!® announced a promotional on our monthly kit subscription called Paper Pumpkin. You can get 25% off your first kit! Curious what this is? Now is the perfect time to subscribe, get the kit and cancel if it's not what you were expecting.

Paper Pumpkin is one of the best kit subscriptions available. Each month you get a box that includes an ink spot, stamps, instructions, and everything you need to make the projects. The kit coordinates with current products. It's like pushing the creativity easy button!

The Kindred Greetings Paper Pumpkin Kit is all about sharing meaningful messages, with timeless monochromatic designs, specialty textured card bases, and thoughtful sentiments. This is the kit you will get when you subscribe. Lots of details on these cards!

The coolest thing about Paper Pumpkin is you can skip a month! If you see the preview and you don't like it, just go in to your account and skip. It resets after the 10th back to your monthly box. Here's a preview of next month's kit: PREVIEW

That's all for today. Thanks for reading. Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy stampin',

Mary Lou Foster

Your Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator

SHOP With Me

JOIN MY TEAM

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Cutest Crew Bundle Pet Sympathy Card

Hello, friends! Sorry for the long delay but you know, life..... I don't really have anything big to report just staying busy. Did you know I make welding caps for welders in addition to cards and holding classes? It's a balancing act between the two. I say my welding caps pay for my card addiction because these guys order in bulk. That's a good thing for income but it does take my time to cut and assemble all those caps. Here's a sample of what I make:

What more info? I have a Facebook page for my caps: Caps for You by Mary Lou.

Back to business, you came for card making and here's the card for today:

The Cutest Crew bundle is so much fun. I needed a pet sympathy card and thought I could adapt the playfulness enough for the sentiment to come through. Our pets bring joy to our lives and when they die, we grieve because our daily routine is suddenly changed. It takes a while to adjust. The sentiment on this card is from the Happy Tails stamp set which is retired but you could use a similar sentiment from any set in your stash.

Here is the video over on my You Tube Channel: Cutest Crew Card

Let's dive in to the details. Those strips of paper are from the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper! Remember our beautiful paper has two sides and sometimes the B side is perfect for using in other projects. The pawprints add a detail, just our little dogs do when they come in with wet feet! I die cut the banner shape with the Stylish Shapes dies.

I used a variety of Stampin' Blends to color the little dogs. Pecan Pie, Smoky Slate, Crumb Cake and Ivory were the ones I settled on. Don't forget we have skin-toned blends to choose from. Make a color swatch to decide what color you would like to use. The flowers and scarfs were shades of blue, pink and yellow, I just grabbed whatever caught my eye. Feel free to go rogue and choose your own colors.

Since I used a retired set I had this sentiment to use on the inside. My friend's little dog was sandy-colored so I tried to make this one look like her. I think my friend will appreciate my card.

Here's a close up of the front:

Thanks for stopping by. Stay cool. Let me know if you have any questions or need any help. As a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator, I am here to help you with your crafting needs.

My Online Store is open 24/7: Click HERE

Want to get a discount on all the things you would like to have? Join My Team! It's the best kept secret in town! I can tell you all about it, just reach out.

Happy stampin',

Mary Lou Foster

Your Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator

Cutting Instructions:

Card Base: Cut 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", score and fold at 4 1/4". This is a landscape card so the crease goes at the top

Basic White layer: 3 3/4" x 5"

Inside Basic White layer is 4" x 5 1/4"

Print Recipe

Product List

Cutest Crew Bundle (English)

[167149]

$45.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$14.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Waterside Retreat 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[167920]

$13.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$8.00

Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad

[149165]

$9.00

Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144601]

$9.00

Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154904]

$12.00

Bronze & Ivory Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154922]

$12.00

Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161674]

$12.00

Azure Afternoon Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161672]

$12.00

Golden Glow Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[167682]

$12.00

Strawberry Slush Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[165290]

$12.00

2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls

[165192]

$8.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Add All to Cart

Monday, June 15, 2026

Happy Lovely Birthday Card

Today I'm using the Lovely Arrangements Bundle and Lovely Blossoms DSP to make this happy card. The paper does the work with just a little bit of help from some stamping. I love the colors in this DSP: Secret Sea and Petal Pink. What do you think?

If you watch the video, I colored the white flower by using a blending brush to pull color from the stamped image. The square is die cut using the Stitched Shapes dies. Did you notice the stitched detail around the edge? That is the best die set.

The embellishments are called Moody Palette Glossy Dots. They are just the right size and add a pop of color. Did you notice that stamped flower in the Petal Pink square? It's tone on tone!

Here is the card I made on the video demonstrating how to watercolor with a blender pen or water painter. You can gently pull color from the stamped image but you have to be careful and not get the paper too wet so it doesn't pill up. I like the little bit of color.

Another option for coloring I tried. Before stamping the flower, I used my water painter to swipe ink on the cardstock, I let it dry and then stamped the flower. You can't see in this picture but the paper curled which gave it dimensions. I used a dimensional to adhere since it curled so nicely. I will use this card for a Thank You card. So which do you like the best?

Cutting Instructions:

Card Base is cut 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4". this is a landscape card

Secret Sea layer: 3 1/4"x 5 1/2"

Lovely Blossoms Designer Series Paper: 3" x 5 1/2"

Petal Pink square: 2nd from largest

Scrap of Basic White to stamp flower, leaves and sentiment

Here's the Video showing how to make this card.

Thanks for stopping by to check out this Happy Lovely Birthday card. Hope you like it as much as I do.

Have questions? Need help? Email me, I am happy to help.

Ready to Shop? Here's MY Online Store

Until next time,

Mary Lou Foster

Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Print Recipe

Product List

Lovely Arrangements Bundle (English)

[167176]

$48.50

Lovely Blossoms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[167168]

$12.50

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[159229]

$17.00

Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165624]

$14.00

Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146985]

$14.00

Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad

[165285]

$11.00

Petal Pink Classic Stampin' Pad

[147108]

$9.00

Moody Palette Glossy Dots

[167180]

$8.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Virtual Craft Classes-Learn New Techniques

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Today I want to talk about the Craft Classes that Stampin' Up!® has been offering. Did you know they are for everyone, not just demonstrators? Yes! I have been doing them to see what they are all about and let me tell you-they are amazing!

Honestly, I am weak in some of the more artisan techniques and these classes bring that. They are taught by the people who have designed the stamps, dies and paper. I love that they explain what the intent was when they drew the ideas for the products. These are some very talented people, mostly ladies but there are men also.

Then next Craft Class is coming up and is called Scenic Coast. Here's what SU says about this class:

"Craft along with our Stampin’ Up! product experts during the Scenic Coast Craft Class. They’ll use the Scenic Coast Suite Collection to create four completely unique cards, exploring the versatility of suites with four different paper crafting styles: shabby chic, artful, traditional, and modern. By the end of the class you’ll have lots of tips, techniques, and inspiration to continue crafting long after the class is over.

After you’ve purchased the class, we’ll send you an email within 2–3 business days with a link to the exclusive Facebook group where we’ll host the class.

DETAILS
- Access to 1 digital video class
- Make 4 projects using the Scenic Coast Suite Collection and other select products, all sold separately
- Available for streaming: June 18 at 2:00 p.m. (MT)
- Class available for purchase before and after June 18

CRAFT CLASSES
- Guide you through complete creative projects.
- Recorded class videos are available on-demand after June 18 to rewatch and craft as you like."

Hope you can join me and learn from the experts! Click this LINK to go directly to the page to add this class to your cart!

Have a great day and maybe you will be able to make something pretty.

Hugs,

Mary Lou Foster

Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demostrator

Shop with Me HERE

Interested in Getting a discount when you order? Check out Joining my Team Get ready for a new join experience in July!!

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Today is May 5, 2026! Keep Reading to see why that's important

It's New Catalog Release Day!!!!

Click on picture for the digital catalog or CLICK HERE to see all the new.

Today new Online Exclusives Release

Stampin' Up! is offering a Join Special. You can add the brand new 5 In-Colors to your order for free OR choose an extra $35 in products. Details Here

I'll be doing a catalog walk-through and unboxing video today at 1:30 on my Bright Star Stampers Facebook page.

Have fun looking and shopping!! I'll be back after I've had time to see what's new.

Thanks,

Mary Lou Foster

Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

New Kits Available

Good day! Hope you are doing well. We are busy with yard work that didn't get done last year and some weed management for this year. It is never ending around here. I have had a little bit of time in the craft room but not as much as I'd like.

Have you checked out Stampin' Up!'s® kit collections? They are perfect for the crafter who wants to make nice cards but doesn't want to buy a lot to do that. If you are a beginner crafter, kits are perfect. Even seasoned crafters love kits because all the work is done for you. Here is one of the newest kits released this month. It's called Painted Skies and is so pretty. This kit makes the perfect masculine cards.

I can't wait to get this kit and see the scenes in person.

Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned for the new catalog!

SHOP WITH ME

JOIN MY TEAM

Happy stampin',

Mary Lou Foster

Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Outdoor Adventure Birthday Card

Hello! Here with a masculine themed card for my 14 year old grandson's birthday. He loves fishing and being outside so I knew what look I wanted for his card. I used Outdoor Adventure bundle for that fox stamp! His last name is Fox so anytime I can use one in his card, I do. The stamp set is retired but the dies are still available. If you already own this set, you may be like me and look for an inspiration card. Hope this one inspires you.

The colors make this card masculine but who doesn't agree the great outdoors is a more masculine theme? The designer series paper is Nature Walk DSP. Isn't this package the best grungy, outdoorsy look? It is part of the Nature Walk suite of products.

The card base is Crumb Cake with Old Olive strip for the sentiment. Mr. Fox is stamped in Cajun Craze and the trees are stamped in Mossy Meadow, first generation and stamped off for the second set of mountains. The 'to a great guy' is from Nature's Symphony stamp set.

My favorite part of this card is the inside. I tore the liner to get that shabby look and die cut Very Vanilla with the Branching Out Dies. I had stamped the deer for the front but changed my mind so he found a place on the pocket for money. Both my husband and I wrote a note to our grandson.