May INK and Go Kits Are Ready!

I think May's INK and Go Kit is one of my favorites yet!

When I started designing these cards, I didn't set out to create such a blue collection, but summertime and water seem to go hand in hand, and that's the direction many of the designs naturally took. The result is a beautiful mix of cards featuring a variety of images and styles, including a lily of the valley, a coastal lighthouse, a pair of summer flip-flops, and a relaxing Adirondack chair.

One of the things I love most about this kit is the variety. Whether you're creating for a birthday, thank you, retirement, thinking of you, or just because, you'll have four unique cards ready to send.

What's Included

Each INK and Go Kit includes everything you need to create 8 (2 each of 4 designs) handmade cards except adhesive, ink, and greeting stamps.

Your kit includes:

• Pre-cut cardstock pieces
• Embossed elements
• Die-cut pieces
• Ribbon
• Embellishments
• Envelopes
• Full-color tip sheet
• Access to a step-by-step video tutorial

Due to Stampin' Up! policy, demonstrators are not permitted to provide pre-stamped images or greetings, so you'll supply your own favorite greeting stamp set and ink to complete the cards.

Video Tutorials

This month's kit also includes access to a complete video tutorial. Simply scan the QR code included with your kit to watch the full walkthrough and create along with me.

Card Tutorials

Lily of the Valley Card

Lighthouse Card

Flip-Flop Card

Adirondack Chair Card

Kit Details

May's INK and Go Kit is $25 for porch pick up and $30 for mailed kits.

If you'd like to reserve a future kit or learn more about my monthly INK and Go Kits, be sure to contact me or follow along here at Great Minds INK Alike or follow me on Facebook. 

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

My Pre-Order Surprise… and What’s Changing with Stampin’ Up! Catalogs

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The Joke Was on Me… My Pre-Order Surprise!

A few days ago I asked a  “this or that” question on Facebook:  Should I open my pre-order right away… or be responsible and get some work done first?

I decided to be responsible and save opening the box as my reward.

Well… the joke was on me.

When I finally opened the box, it wasn’t my pre-order at all! It was a shipment of envelopes and several of the new kits from the Kit Collection.

Not exactly the exciting reveal I was expecting.

The good news is that my actual pre-order has arrived, and this time it really was the fun stuff!

One thing you might notice if you look closely… there are no new In Color stamp pads and only one set of Stampin' Blends.

I’m honestly not quite sure how I managed that. Apparently my excitement got ahead of my checklist when I was placing the order!

So yes… another order went in right away.

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Why Demonstrators Get to Pre-Order

One of the perks of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is getting to order new products early. This allows us to:

• Create projects to share with you
• Design class samples and kits
• Learn the products before the catalog goes live

It’s one of my favorite parts of a new catalog season because it’s when all the creative ideas start flowing.

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A New Catalog System

While we’re talking about new products, you may notice that Stampin’ Up! is changing the catalog system this year.

In the past we had one large annual catalog and two smaller mini catalogs.

Now there will be three catalogs each year, each covering about four months:

• January – April
• May – August
• September – December

These catalogs are a little thinner than the old annual catalog but bigger than the minis, and each one will include the basic supplies and tools you need all year long — things like cardstock, adhesives, inks, and other essentials.

Each catalog will also introduce lots of new products, but some items will carry over from one catalog to the next.

You may also occasionally see products at an event or online that aren’t shown in the current catalog. That’s because some carryover items will remain available in the online store even if they aren’t pictured in the catalog anymore.

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Online Exclusives

Stampin’ Up! will also continue releasing Online Exclusives, which are products that are only shown in the online store and not in a printed catalog.

New Online Exclusives are released every other month (the odd months), so if you see something online or at an event and can’t find it in a catalog, it’s probably an Online Exclusive.

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Last Chance Lists

To keep things fresh, Stampin’ Up! will also continue releasing Last Chance lists every even month.

This is where retiring or discontinuing items show up — often at a discount — while supplies last.

So if you ever have something on your wish list, it’s a good idea not to wait too long!

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Back to My Pre-Order…

Now that my actual pre-order has arrived, the fun part begins — playing with the new products and deciding what will show up in:

• my Stamp-a-Stack classes
• future INK and Go kits
• Stampin' 101 classes
• upcoming projects and tutorials

And waiting for those In Color stamp pads I somehow forgot!

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Interactive Bandstand Card Using the Easter Basket Bundle

The Easter Basket Bundle and Easter Joy Suite were perfect for creating a bandstand card, which was my final project for my Vacation Stamping School demonstration. It was so much fun creating these 3-D bandstand cards!

The Easter basket die works beautifully for the front of the bandstand because its size spans the distance between the top and bottom pieces. As you can see, I also made a version using a circle die, which gives a different but equally fun look.

Tip: Adding an Easter Bunny in the basket helps provide extra stability to the front of the card because you can glue the bunny ear to the top with the basket handle. 

You can add as much—or as little—detail to the back of the bandstand as you’d like. If you want room for a message, simply add an extra panel.

For even more interest, try placing a battery-operated light inside the bandstand—it really makes the card come to life!

This wraps up my final post featuring the Easter Basket Bundle. If you missed the earlier Easter Basket Bundle projects, you can find them all here.

Stretch Your Supplies: Spring and Baby Cards with Easter Joy

Let the Paper Do the Work: Easter Cards with the Easter Joy Suite

Boxes, Baskets & Treat Containers—Oh My! | Easter Joy Suite Gift Packaging

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Boxes, Baskets & Treat Containers—Oh My! | Easter Joy Suite Gift Packaging

Boxes, Baskets, Treat Containers… Oh My!

This is my third post featuring the Easter Joy Suite, and I’m still not done sharing all the fun projects you can create with it! After showing the versatility of this suite with baby cards and spring cards, I moved on to one of my favorite things to make—treat containers. Because really… who doesn’t love a cute little box or basket for the holidays?

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Sour Cream Container Carrot

I started with an old favorite—the sour cream container—and turned it into this adorable carrot-shaped treat holder. I used Pleasant Patterns 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper, which worked perfectly for this project. It’s just the right size for jellybeans or a small Easter treat.

To make a sour cream container:

• Roll a 4¼" x 5½" piece of cardstock into a tube

• Seal the ends with Tear & Tape, going in opposite directions

• Tuck a piece of green cardstock into the top and snip strips to create a cute carrot top

Simple, fun, and always a crowd favorite!

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DIY Easter Basket Box

If you’ve looked closely at the mini catalog, you may have noticed a basket/box shown with this suite—but it felt a little too skinny for what I had in mind. So, I decided to design my own box, making it as roomy as possible for Easter treats.

I created a custom box and added baskets to the front and back for extra detail. Now I’m ready to fill these sweet little baskets with goodies for the kids on Easter morning!

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Monogrammed Treat Boxes

Another fun option—especially if you want the DSP to really shine—is these monogrammed treat boxes. You can make them in almost any size, and the Party Alphabet Dies make it easy to personalize them for someone special. These are perfect for gifting a small treat with a big impact.

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Windowed Boxes (Because I Wasn’t Done Yet!)

After finishing the monogrammed boxes, I still had my window sheets out… so I kept going! I used the basket die to create a fun window detail and made a box with the lid attached.

Once the window sheet is attached to the inside, you can decorate the top just like the monogrammed boxes. I designed two sizes:

• One snug and adorable (a tight fit for the basket)

• One slightly larger, making assembly easier—and leaving room for more treats!

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This suite just keeps on giving, and I still have more ideas to share. Stay tuned—because I’m not done yet! 💛

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Let the Paper Do the Work: Easter Cards with the Easter Joy Suite

Did you see my last post? I shared some baby cards and spring cards I created with the Easter Joy Suite, showing just how versatile this set can be well beyond Easter.
But today, I’m leaning fully into Easter cards—and especially the paper.

The Easter Joy Specialty Designer Series Paper is absolutely amazing. Each sheet has a shiny, glossy side and a more subtle matte design on the back, giving you lots of options depending on the look you want. One of the standout sheets includes six cut-apart scenic backgrounds, and I made it my goal to use all six in a card or project.

These first two cards were a breeze to make thanks to those adorable scenic backgrounds. I simply added a bunny, a basket, and a few eggs, and the card was practically finished for me.

This little bunny is pretty cute on his own, but I couldn’t help thinking of the Easter song “Hippity, hoppity, Easter’s on its way,” so I had to make another version using the Mini Alphabet Dies to bring that playful phrase to life.

For the next two cards, I trimmed the scenic panels down slightly to use them as backgrounds, but I wanted to try something a little different. One card is an Easter Double Easel Card, with Easter Joy Specialty Designer Series Paper added to the background for extra interest. The other is a Side Panel Column Card, featuring the Pleasant Patterns 12 x 12 Specialty Designer Series Paper.

I really love cards like these for sending to someone special because they stand up and display on their own—almost like a little piece of home décor.

If you’d like to try these folds yourself, I have a video that walks you through creating a Double Easel Card, and another video that shows how to make a Side Panel Column Card step by step.

I hope you enjoyed these Easter projects using the Easter Joy Suite. Please check back soon for the next post in this series—I still have more ideas to share!

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stretch Your Supplies: Spring and Baby Cards with Easter Joy

Last weekend I had the pleasure of doing a demonstration for Vacation Stamping School, a virtual event with my stamping friends, and I spotlighted the Easter Joy Suite. I wanted to go beyond Easter and really show how versatile and usable this beautiful suite can be all season long—and even beyond spring.

I borrowed a congratulations sentiment from another set and paired it with those adorable little bunnies to create some sweet baby cards. That’s one of the things I really appreciate about the Easter Basket Bundle—the images are specific enough to feel special, but flexible enough to work for many different occasions.

For the twin bunnies card, I used the mirror image technique, which is a fun way to get your images facing each other without needing a second stamp.

Here’s how I did it:

1. Stamp your image onto a silicone craft sheet.

2. Flip the craft sheet over and press it onto your cardstock to transfer the image.

3. If you’d like to die cut the image, hold the cardstock up to the light and die cut from the backside for perfect placement.

It’s such a simple technique, but it really adds something special to a card—especially for baby or friendship designs where symmetry feels just right.

I also created a few spring-themed cards using the “Hello, Spring” sentiment included in the stamp set. So of course, I had to include daffodils. They’re my absolute favorite, so this card was an easy choice for me! I love that the daffodil die includes two separate pieces, which adds dimension and makes the flowers feel even more realistic.

But I think my favorite card of the bunch might be the simplest one—the single daffodil. Sometimes less really is more. The Pleasant Patterns 12 x 12 Specialty Designer Series Paper included in this suite is stunning, and that shinny green pattern made the most beautiful background. It lets the daffodil shine without overwhelming the design.

This is the first in a series of posts where I’ll be sharing projects from my Easter Joy Suite demonstration. If you love seeing how one suite can stretch in lots of creative directions, you’re going to enjoy what’s coming next!

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Curious About Scrapbook Club?, Step Inside My Scrapbooking Setup

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to come to Scrapbook Club? 

Maybe you love scrapbooking but don’t always make the time… or maybe you’ve thought, I’d love to scrapbook, but I don’t have all the stuff.

Today I’m sharing a peek into my kitchen setup for Scrapbook Club tonight so you can imagine yourself right here—scrapbooking memories, enjoying fun conversation, and creating beautiful layouts alongside a great group of women who gather every month to craft together.

When you come to Scrapbook Club, you’ll have your own 4-foot workspace, ready and waiting for you. At each spot you’ll find the monthly flyer with measurements and a sample 2-page 12x12 layout, with that same sample displayed on the wall for easy reference as you work.

You’ll also have access to my die-cutting machine, and not just the alphabet used in the sample—all of my alphabet dies are available for you to use, so you can customize your pages with names, dates, and titles that matter to you.

One of my favorite parts? Choices! I keep two tubs of retired Designer Series Paper, which means plenty of options—and no trying to “make” your photos work with the wrong paper.

Working on seasonal memories? I also have a dedicated “holiday” paper tub, perfect for Christmas, fall, or other special occasions when you want just the right feel.

And of course, there’s cardstock—lots of it. I have an extensive selection of 12x12 and 8½x11 cardstock in all current Stampin’ Up! colors, plus many past favorites that longtime stampers still love.

You’re always welcome to bring your own papers if you have something specific in mind, but many ladies love not having to haul everything with them. Just bring your photos (and adhesive) and enjoy the process.

Scrapbook Club is about more than layouts—it’s about making time for your memories, being creative without pressure, and spending a little time with people who enjoy the same things you do. If you’ve been on the fence, I hope these photos help you picture yourself joining us. Every month, there’s a seat waiting for you.

One of the things I hear most is, “I love this idea, but I’m not sure I can commit every month.”

Scrapbook Club is designed to be flexible. There’s no long-term commitment—you can join month-to-month, whenever it works for you.

If coming to my house isn’t your thing, your schedule is full, or you live too far away, there’s also a virtual option. You’ll receive the same layout, measurements, supply list, and a video tutorial so you can create on your own time.

To participate, simply place a $25 product order or pay a $20 class fee for that month. That’s it—easy and pressure-free. 

If you’ve been curious but hesitant, consider this your invitation to try it once and see how it feels.

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

January INK and Go Card Kit: Easy Cards You’ll Love Sending

With Christmas—and an early-month demonstration—behind me, I was excited to turn my attention to the January INK and Go Card Kit.

Because Stampin’ Up! policy doesn’t allow pre-stamped images, I’m always looking closely at my dies and Designer Series Paper to create cards that are quick, beautiful, and still feel special. January’s kit came together nicely using just that approach.

I like to include a Valentine’s Day card in the January kit, and the Endless Love bundle was the perfect choice. I used the Hearts of Love Embossing Folder, a couple of die cuts, and a few Loose Valentine's Assortment embellishments. All you need to do is add your favorite Valentine’s greeting to the large heart, and you’ll have cards ready to drop in the mail come February.

The Sunshine and Tulips die is ideal for a “to-go” card kit—it features one large, dramatic die cut that really does all the work. To keep things quick and simple, I stuck with a single background color, but can you imagine this card with different colored tulips? So many possibilities!

The Lovely Garden Designer Series Paper (currently on the Last Chance list) is so striking on its own that it hardly needs anything extra. I added a greeting and just a couple of embellishments, and voilà—the card was finished.

I’m also loving Friendly Foliage. It makes a beautiful stamped card, but I was especially happy that it translated so well into an INK and Go style design. It has a completely different look than the stamped version, which makes the bundle feel even more versatile.

I put these kits together each month for porch pick-up, or I’m happy to drop one in the mail. You can message me directly or find them in my Payhip store.

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Endless Love Tutorial Inspiration

Looking for a little Valentine’s Day inspiration? 💕 You’re going to love this month’s exclusive digital tutorial featuring the Endless Love Bundle.  You can purchase it here!

Created by The Creative Stamping Collective—a collaboration of 12 Stampin’ Up! demonstrators from across the U.S. and Canada—this tutorial is filled with heartfelt ideas perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond. Each project showcases creative ways to use the Endless Love Bundle to make cards that celebrate love, friendship, and meaningful connections.

When you purchase this digital download, you’ll receive:

• 12 exclusive project ideas featuring the Endless Love Bundle

• Full-color photos of each project

• Complete materials and measurement lists

• Step-by-step tutorial videos to guide you through every design

The Creative Stamping Collective releases a new tutorial each month, giving you fresh inspiration and exclusive projects you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re creating Valentine cards for loved ones or simply enjoying time in your craft room, this tutorial is a wonderful way to spark your creativity and make something truly special.

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Cute as a Bug Side Panel Column Card

I pre-ordered The Cute as a Bug Suite over a month ago and am playing with it for the first time.  It's so cute, and I love that is uses so many different colors. Like so many Stampin' Up! Designer Series Papers, I can't choose my favorite one. So when I was sitting down to create, I decided I'd do a fun fold that would show off two different papers.  

These same ants are in the Designer Series Paper and can be die cut, but I colored them with my blends to save the DSP for another project. I grabbed some of the colors listed on the back of the DSP and colored my ants.  It wasn't until after I finished coloring that I realized I used the same colors as the paper.  Great minds do INK alike!

I've made column cards before so this is a stepped up version - a Side Panel Column card.  Or you may have also see them called a Side Panel Pillar card. It's another great fun fold that goes together easily, but looks impressive.  This won't be the last Side Panel Column card I make this year!

If you would like to see how I made this card, check out my tutorial here:

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