Bright Star Stampers

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Pretty Poinsettia Christmas Joy

Hello, friends!

How's everything going at your house? Things have been pretty busy around here! I think I've mentioned before that I make welding caps in addition to hosting card classes. For some reason, whenever I'm especially busy with cards, the welding cap orders start coming in, too! Right now, I have three orders to fill, along with a few special orders for Christmas items. Sometimes time management can be a real challenge!

If you've joined me for Coffee, Chat and Cards on my Facebook page, you know that we're now meeting on Wednesdays at 2 PM. I always like to show off my coffee cup because I have quite a collection! This week's cup was one our local airport sold for the solar eclipse in April 2024. We were under the path of totality here in Sulphur Springs. That was certainly a memorable event!

Well, enough chatting for today. Let's get to the card!

Do you like poinsettias? Did you know that they can grow into large shrubs in Mexico? I love the beautiful colors they bring to the Christmas season.

Today's card features Stampin' Up!® Pretty Poinsettia Bundle paired with the All Wrapped Up Specialty Designer Series Paper. I chose a slightly different color combination for this Christmas card, and I love how it turned out!

There are several special things about this card! First, it's a fun fold, which always adds a little extra interest. The color combination is Lost Lagoon and Real Red, and I used two-generation stamping to create different shades on the poinsettia. I also added a little shimmer by coloring in the open letters of the word "Joy" with the Peaceful Pine Shimmer Brush.

It's those little details that make a handmade card special!

Here's what the card looks like when it's open:

Cutting Instructions

Card Base: Lost Lagoon cardstock, cut 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Score at 2" and 4 1/4".
Fold the card in half at the 4 1/4" score line, then fold the 2" section back toward the left. You can adhere this section so it stays folded or simply leave it folded back. Use your bone folder to make nice, crisp folds.
Center Panel: Timeless Metallic Specialty Paper, cut 3 1/4" x 4 1/4"
Basic White Layer: Cut 3 1/8" x 4 1/8"
All Wrapped Up Specialty Designer Series Paper:
Front left panel: Cut 1 3/4" x 5 1/4"
Cut two additional pieces, each 2" x 5 1/4"
Inside of Card: Basic White cardstock, cut 4" x 5 1/4"
Stamping: Additional Basic White cardstock for stamping the poinsettia and other elements

Watch the Video

Want to see how this card comes together? Join me for Coffee, Chat and Cards as I demonstrate the fun fold, share a few stamping tips, and show you how I added those special touches to the poinsettia and the word "Joy."

You can follow along and make one of your own!

Video Here

If you'd like to make this card yourself, you'll find the supplies I used listed below. Just click on any product to see more information or add it to your shopping cart. I always appreciate it when you choose me as your Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope this card inspires you to try a fun fold or add a little shimmer to your next Christmas card.

Happy stampin'!

Your Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 💜

Supplies Used for this Card:

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Wednesday, November 11, 2026

One Kit at a Time | Creating Meaningful Moments

'Tis the season for a little something extra from Stampin' Up! And who doesn't love getting a little more for their money?

For a limited time, you can earn DOUBLE Stampin' Rewards on Paper Pumpkin subscriptions! That's 20% in rewards instead of the usual 10%!

And here's the best part—both new and existing subscribers qualify!

Who Can Earn Double Stampin' Rewards?

The promotion runs November 11–December 10, 2026, and here's who qualifies:

Existing pay-as-you-go subscribers: Keep your subscription active to enjoy double rewards!
New pay-as-you-go subscribers: A great time to give Paper Pumpkin a try!
New prepaid subscriptions: Perfect if you're thinking about giving Paper Pumpkin as a Christmas gift!

Please note: Existing prepaid subscriptions are not included in this promotion.

That's 20% in Stampin' Rewards instead of the usual 10% on qualifying purchases!

Unfamiliar with Paper Pumpkin

Paper Pumpkin is a monthly crafting kit delivered right to your door. Each kit includes the supplies you need to create beautiful handmade projects, with everything planned and prepared for you.

It's a wonderful way to enjoy some creative time without having to gather all your supplies.

A Gift That Keeps on Giving!

Looking for a Christmas gift that's a little different this year? How about giving someone a little creative time each month?

A Paper Pumpkin subscription is a fun gift for a friend, family member, or even someone who's always wanted to try stamping but doesn't know where to start.

Instead of another gift that gets tucked away in a closet, they'll have something fun to look forward to!

And with the current Double Stampin' Rewards promotion, there's a little something extra in it for you, too!

Already love Paper Pumpkin?

There's something for you, too!

If you're a pay-as-you-go subscriber, be sure to keep your subscription active so you can enjoy double Stampin' Rewards on your December kit!

And if you've been thinking about giving Paper Pumpkin a try, this might be just the little incentive you need!

Explore Paper Pumpkin

Have questions about Paper Pumpkin or how the rewards work? I'm always happy to help!

Happy stampin',

Your Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator 💜

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'!