Bright Star Stampers

Thursday, November 5, 2026

Festive Cheer Holly Jolly Greetings | Christmas Gift Card Holder

Hello!!

Did you survive the time change? It's nice to get up when the sun is already shining, but goodness, it sure feels like it gets dark early now!

Today's card is full of fun little surprises! We're water painting the background, combining some unexpected products, sharing tips for dealing with stubborn die cuts, and even creating a pocket for a gift card.

Those are just a few of the little "secrets" I have to share with you today!

When you look closely at this card, there are lots of little details that make it fun to create and receive! Did you notice the watercolor stripes in the background? I demonstrated how to get that look on my video.

Those circles add such a fun touch, and they're actually a combination of some unexpected products!

I first made this card on a crafting cruise in August, sponsored by my friends Melanie Hockin and Brenda Zorn. Stampin' Up!® had just released some new Online Exclusives in July, including Christmas products like the Festive Cheer Bundle and A Stitched Season Designer Series Paper.

These talented ladies came up with the clever idea of combining A Stitched Season DSP with Everyday Essentials DSP. Who would have thought those two papers would work so well together?

The circles were cut with punches, but don't worry if you don't have the exact sizes I used. Just choose three different sizes, or pull out your Stylish Shapes Dies. That set has several circle sizes that would work beautifully!

And there's one more surprise! This isn't just a Christmas card. It has a little pocket inside that's perfect for tucking in a gift card. Such a fun way to make a gift card feel a little more personal!

Be sure to watch the video to see how it all comes together. I've also included a handy tip for dealing with those stubborn little die cuts that just don't want to come out!

Cutting Instructions

Card Front

Card Base: Basic White cardstock, 4 1/4" x 11", scored and folded at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: Basic White cardstock, 4" x 5 1/4"
Circles: Scraps of coordinating Designer Series Papers for punching three circles
Branch: Crumb Cake cardstock for die cutting
Heart and Bow: Gold Foil Sheets for punching and die cutting
Sentiment Label: Lined Everyday Essentials Designer Series Paper, 1" x 2"

Inside of Card

Gift Card Pocket: Everyday Essentials Designer Series Paper, 4 1/4" x 2 1/4"
Decorative Strip: A Stitched Season Designer Series Paper, 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Ornament and Sentiment: Basic White cardstock scraps for stamping and punching

A Little Tip: You might notice that my gift card pocket doesn't quite reach the edges of the card. Well, I accidentally cut mine a little too short! The measurement listed above is the correct one. Just another reminder that handmade doesn't have to be perfect!

Thanks for stopping by to check out this fun little gift card holder! I hope you'll give it a try. If you do, I'd love to hear how yours turned out. And if you have any questions, just leave me a comment. I'm always happy to help!

Happy stampin'!

Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

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Friday, October 30, 2026

Stitched Season Christmas Tree Card | Stampin' Up!®

Hello, My Stampin' Friends!

Welcome back! I don't know about you, but time is just flying by! I've been busy planning a wonderful lineup of classes for November, and I think you're going to love what's coming!

Can't join me in person? No problem! How about having a class kit delivered right to your door? My November Christmas Mice Club Create is one of the classes available by mail, so you can enjoy some creative time right at home!

The best way to keep up with all my classes, special offers, and upcoming events is to join my email list! That way, you won't miss a thing.

Now, let's talk Christmas cards!

Today's card features products from Stampin' Up!®'s A Stitched Season collection. I'm calling this one my Stitched Season Christmas Tree Card, and I love how it turned out!

The original card design is from Ronda Wade, but I'm pretty sure she wouldn't recognize it after I got through with it! I made a few changes, starting with the color scheme. I chose Peaceful Pine and Real Red for that classic Christmas look.

And that pretty striped layer? It's Shimmering Stripes Specialty Paper, and oh my goodness, does it sparkle! It's one of those papers you really need to see in person because a picture just doesn't capture all that shimmer.

I used a Blending Brush to add a little Real Red ink behind the tree layer. It looked a bit too white to me, and blending is such an easy way to add just a touch of color!

The Stitched Stocking Dies have so many possibilities! You can use the die cuts just as they are or change things up by cutting them apart and rearranging the pieces.

I wanted my Christmas tree to stand out from the Peaceful Pine square, so I cut a second one and used my Paper Snips to carefully cut out the tree. It was surprisingly easy because the pieces are barely connected in the original die cut. And you know what? It turned out even better than I expected!

Did you notice the two holly clusters? One is cut using the Stitched Stocking Dies, while the other is from the Adhesive-Backed Christmas Berries. I love how they each add a little texture and interest in their own way.

And don't forget the inside! I added some stamping there, too. The Stitched Stocking stamp set has some fun quilting-inspired images that are perfect for carrying the design to the inside of the card.

Cutting Instructions

Peaceful Pine Card Base: 4 1/4" x 11", scored and folded at 5 1/2"

Shimmering Stripes Specialty Paper: 4" x 5 1/4"

Real Red Layer: 3 1/4" x 4 1/4"

Basic White Layer: 3" x 4"

Die-Cut Pieces:

Real Red: Die cut a square using the Stylish Shapes Dies.

Peaceful Pine: Die cut the Christmas tree design using the Stitched Stocking Dies.

A Stitched Season Designer Series Paper: Choose your favorite pattern and die cut the tree design using the Stitched Stocking Dies. Then use your Paper Snips to carefully cut out the tree.

Want to see how it all comes together? Grab a cup of coffee and join me for this week's Coffee, Chat and Cards! I'll show you how I made this Christmas card and share a few tips along the way. Watch the video on YouTube!

I hope this card inspires you to try something a little different with your dies and Designer Series Paper. Sometimes a little snip here and there opens up all kinds of possibilities!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you find a little time to get creative this weekend!

Happy Stampin'!

Your Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator

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Product List

Stitched Stocking Bundle (English)

[168231]

A Stitched Season 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[168223]

Shimmering Stripes 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper

[168197]

Peaceful Pine 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[167691]

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[102482]

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[100702]

Adhesive Backed Christmas Berries

[168549]

Small Blending Brushes

[160518]

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

[147084]

Peaceful Pine Classic Stampin Pad

[167679]

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

[152813]

[103683]

[152392]

[159183]

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Beautiful Ordinary Life Happy Birthday Card – A Little Shabby Chic Fun!

Hello, My Stampin' Friends!

How are you?

I am so excited that I finally got started on reorganizing my craft room! But tell me, why is it that you have to make such a mess to clean up? Does that happen at your house, too?

Right now, I have boxes everywhere, and I'm having to work my way around them. But it will all be worth it when I finally get that big computer cabinet out of the room. Just think of all the extra space I'll have for crafting supplies! Well, maybe I shouldn't think about that too much. Ha!

A Happy Birthday Card with a Little Personality!

Today's card is just plain HAPPY! I love the soft, cheerful colors in the Beautiful Ordinary Life Designer Series Paper. Those lighter colors just make me smile.

One of the things I really like about this paper is how different the two sides are. The "A" side is full of pretty colors, while the "B" side features black-and-white designs. That gives us so many possibilities!

And don't you love how that small mat of Basic Black makes the center panel pop? Such a simple little detail, but what a difference it makes!

A Little Shabby Chic!

Did you notice the torn-paper detail?

I think that little bit of shabby chic gives this card so much personality! And here's the fun part — both patterns came from the very same piece of Designer Series Paper!

I started with a 3" square, tore off one corner, flipped that little piece over to show the black-and-white polka dots, and layered it back onto the colorful side.

Isn't that a fun way to use both sides of your paper? And no waste, either!

Another Clever Little Trick!

Take a closer look at the Pool Party scalloped detail tucked behind the birthday greeting.

Would you believe that's just one scalloped circle cut in half?

I have to give credit to a fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator for sharing that clever idea. By placing the two halves behind the label, you get a pretty little accent without needing another die.

I love finding ways to make our supplies go a little farther, don't you?

To finish it off and give it a little bit of sparkle, I flicked Wink of Stella on the label before I adhered it to the card front. How fun is that?

And we can't forget the inside! A handmade card deserves a little something special when you open it, don't you think?

Let's Talk Measurements!

This is a fun card to make, and you don't need lots of complicated layers. Here are the measurements so you can make one, too!

Cardstock and Cutting Measurements

Flirty Flamingo: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4" and folded for the card base
Basic Black: 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
Basic White: 5" x 3 3/4" for the front and 5 1/4" x 4" for the inside
Beautiful Ordinary Life DSP: One 3" square and one strip measuring 3 3/4" x 1 1/2"
Pool Party: Scrap for the scalloped circle
Basic White: Scrap for the die-cut greeting label

Watch the Card Come Together!

If you'd like to see how I put everything together, be sure to watch my Coffee, Chat and Cards video. I'll show you how to create that torn-paper detail and use the scalloped circle trick.

Sometimes it's those little touches that make a handmade card extra special!

Ready to Make Your Own?

I've included my complete supply list below so you can see everything I used to make this card.

If you need any supplies, I'd love for you to shop with me at my online store.

And if you're not already receiving my emails, I'd love to have you join my stamping friends! You'll hear about upcoming classes, card ideas, and other fun things happening in my craft room.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Now I'd better get back to those boxes before I lose my craft room completely!

Happy Stampin'!