What's Up Wednesday ~ Adopt a Pet ~ January 2026 Kit

Here is the Adopt a Pet Kit introduced in January. It is SO cute and would be fun to make with kids. My job as Kit Ambassador for our Team was to show some alternate ideas using the kit. I hope you like my ideas!

The parrot was kind of an easy one to work with as I had these photos of my grandsons from their trip to Maui a couple Decembers ago. 

For this first layout, I created a leafy look for the bird to perch in and hung it's bell toy on a branch. I cut the bird in half since I didn't need it to be 3D. I did pop it up on Dimensionals however and tucked the tail behind the branch to show more depth. I added some gems and twine to accent the photo just for fun.

For my next layout I kept it similar in design with the leaves. I used the birdcage on this layout and hung it from the branches. Once again the bird is perched on a branch as before. Gems and a ribbon were used as accents this time.

Next up is a 9" x 9" shadow box for the kitten. I kept some semblance of the 3D nature for the box and cat. Each animal in the kit comes with an adoption certificate and I include done here. The fish is popped up on foam and hanging on some twine.

The puppy made it's way onto a 5" x 7" card. The background was created by blending some ink for the sky and DSP. I tore the edge of the DSP then inked it. Trees were stamped to create depth and a horizon.  The dog and doghouse are popped up on Dimensionals as is the dish. 

Finally, the hamster turned out to be this cute card. The base is a single CS layer and the hamster is the part that opens! DSP was used for the background with part of the cage was added to the background. To create the hamster part I cut it apart at the top where there was a tab joining the two halves. I left a small part of the tab on one half of the hamster and used that to join the two halves to make the "card" so it opens. 

Here is a photo with the card open. If you look carefully you can see a bit of the tab holding the two halves together. I covered each half of the card with white CS so cover the tab and make it look finished.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my alternate ideas for the Adopt a Pet Kit. You can see other images in my online store where the kit is shown.

Have a crafty day!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #adoptapetkit 

Square Snippets as Strips

Hi how are you today? Are you ready for a fun idea on how to user the Square Snippets? Well here you go! 

For this look I used 2 of the 4" squares and cut strips 3/4" wide for the floral and 1/2" wide for the checks. For the CS strips I cut them at 1/4" wide and staggered them across the card front. 

The sentiment is on a piece of CS punched from the Modern Oval punch. The pink layer is from the same punch and offset from the white oval. It's popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and accented with gems. 

That's it! Simple. Easy. Quick. 

This idea is also a great way to use up scraps that seem to be all over the place. 

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon. Leave a comment to make me smile.

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #cardmaking #squaresnippets

Thank you Card ~ Color Dare #688

Ready for a new color challenge? Well our team at Color Dare has one we hope inspire you to create something fun! You must use at least TWO of the colors from our graphic (seen below). We Aldo give you some free colors to use with the graphic colors if you like. Do not add any extra colors beyond the graphic. 

Make any paper craft you like. When you'r ready to join our challenge use the direct link below.

My project used one of our new online products called, A Round of Hellos. It's a really fun set with great images and sentiments that you'll use over and over again! Here is my take on this set with our color challenge.

I wanted to incorporate the half circle image and went with using it as a kind of scalloped design along the edge. I stamped then used my 1. 75" circle punch. Having the whole circle give me a nice area for the adhesive when I glued it to the back of the white cardstock.

The center circle with the flower is popped up on Dimenionals. Notice the texture on the leaves. I wanted to do a 2nd generation color and looked around my desk for a scrap of paper. Not finding one I did see a piece of paper towel and used that. The texture of the paper towel created the look you see on the leaves. 

Direct link to Color Dare #688

Here is a somewhat out of focus photo showing the sparkles from splattering Wink of Stella all over the white layer. It's always hard to photo Wink of Stella but I think you get the idea.

A look at the inside shows you I kept the theme going by adding a flower in the lower corner. Since it's a Thank You card I left the inside blank so I can write a custom message.

Now it's your turn to create and share using our color challenge. Remember the "rules" and have fun creating. We can't wait to see how our colors inspired you!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images © Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #colordareshallenge #colorchallenge #cardmaking

A Round of Hellos

Lots to Love ~ NEW January 2026 Kit

I'm our Team Kit Ambassador for January which means I will be showing you the 3 NEW kits for this month and alterations to the cards. This is the first kit I opened and played with so take a look.

Lots to Love is a beautiful and easy kit to create with. You get a total of 9 cards and envelopes with 3 cards of 3 designs. I made 1 card of each design using the included directions. Then I went a bit rogue and altered the other 2 cards for each design. 

The first photo shows the pretty grouping of 4 flowers. The card on the left is by the directions. The window layer has a lot of texture and is popped up with the included foam strips. The flowers are popped up with Mini Stampin' Dimensionals. 

The altered cards are next. The middle card has a trimmed down window layer with inked edges in Crumb Cake and a Blending Brush. I used a White & Gold ribbon knot in the center and moved the sentiment to. the bottom.

The card on the right has no window layer. To alter I simply wrapped a ribbon detail along the left fold. It's a very easy thing to do and makes a pretty altered look!

Card 2: the card on the left has a large center spray of flowers and is made by direction. The flowers have a delicate die cut popped up on Dimensionalds are a couple leaves. The window layer is also popped up on strips of the included foam. 

Middle card: The window layer is trimmed down a bit to create a framed look. I added a piece of window plastic behind the opening and used the strips of foam. Placing some Gold Sequins on top of the flowers I then laid the window layer on top and sealed in the sequins. Now it's a shaker card! I did not use the die cut flowers and leaves on the inside because of the sequins, sod I added one flower to the card front next to the sentiment. 

Right card: I cut up the window layer to create corners and inked it with Crumb Cake ink and a Blending Brush. This creates a vignette look that draws in your eye. The flowers and leaves have the die cuts popped up. 

Card 3: Left card is done by the directions. The leaves are popped up with the Mini Dimensionals and tucked into the window over the other leaves. 

Top card: No window layer this time. I did add a piece of the window layer edge I trimmed off and added a piece of Pretty Peacock CS to the edge. You can just see it a little bit. Sorry about that. The die cut leaves are popped up and accented with a Gold Sequin on the bottom. 

Right card: The window layer is once again trimmed but only on the top and bottom sides. The window is popped up as are the die cut leaves. Pretty Peacock CS is at the top and bottom and Gold Sequins complete the look!

I hope you enjoyed seeing this kit and the alterations I created. It was a lot of fun and I love this kit even more than I thought I would! You are going to want to have this kit on hand as it will easily adapt to all kinds of occasions.

Come back soon for the next January Kit!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#shownadtellwithmichelle #lotstolovekit #kitambassador #cardmaking  

What's Up Wednesday ~ Snowy Days Layout

 It's mid-week so that means a new What's Up Wednesday. This is where I give you a more detailed project and this week it's a layout. 

My daughter sent some photos of a snowy cross country skiing day with their neighbors. The photos paired very well with the new Square Snippets DSP so I was ready to start the layout!

The Square Snippets DSP is a bit different than other pack of DSP we have. Here you get 12 sheets: 4 each of double sided designs. You get sheets with 4"squares and sheets with 3"squares. Talk about versatility! 

Square Snippets DSP

The Joyful Squares Bundle was also used and is made to coordinate perfectly with the Square Snippets DSP. The dies are so fun! Take a close look at the layout and see if you can find which dies I used, I also added some of the stamp images but with all the squares I kept the stamping minimal so as not to make it too busy.

Joyful Squares Bundle

Starting with the left page I knew I wanted a larger sized photo of all the kids lined up.  I started by cutting up a sheet of the 4" squares. I laid them out in a way that looked nice with the colors in the photo. After that I started playing with cutting shapes to created more interest. With the dies there are so many ways to alter the squares!

On this page more of the squares are in the upper left corner with just a few opposite in the lower right corner. I kept areas free of squares so it didn't look too busy but then those areas look unfinished. Stamping the corner and adding a few gems solved that issue!

For the right page I just mimicked the left page but I reversed the corner placement. Now most of the squares are in the lower right corner. I kept the same idea with laying out fun squares to create a nice pattern. then I started altering some of the squares and added the stamped corners, arms and a couple of the stamped sentiments.

Scrapbooking these photos was so much fun. I felt part of the day even those I was a thousand miles away! that's why I love scrapbooking. When you create the pages you get to relive the memory of the occasion. With this layout I also get to share with my family when I send them this layout for their albbum!

Thanks for stopping by! Come back often for more ideas, information and inspiration. Have a crafty day!

Michhelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #scrapbookinglayout #squaresnippets #joyfulsquares

Embossed Split Negative Card

 I promised I'd share more Split Negative designs and here is a different way of creating with that technique.  Embossing creates a new look and adding a metallic element really makes it a bit dramatic, too. Click here to see the previous post I shared explaining the technique.

Here I've used Black and Copper Metallic for this look. Alternating layers of Black card stock and Metallica Copper Specialty paper gave me this dramatic look. You can easily make two cards at once simply but cutting your card stock to the full size of your image using both choices of paper. Then cut those two pieces in half giving you two each of the papers. Do the same for the layer under the image layer. You end up with enough pieces to make two cards!

Back to this card....

Using Black and Copper embossing powders I heat embossed my image on the two pieces placed next to each other so the image can be lined up. A word of warning: the metallic papers are slippery. Be careful when placing the stamp onto the metallic paper so it doesn't slip and blur your image. I find if I place the stamp carefully then lift it straight up it works well.

To create the layers I start with the one directly on the card first. Line up the two pieces and glue to the card. Next comes the embossed pieces. Glue them to the image lines up AND the center seam lines up, too. 

For the sentiment I used the Banner Punch to create the 3 pieces. I added a few gems to finish it off.

Want to see an idea on how to take this look up a notch? Here you go!

I used the same idea here but die cut the layers for a stylish look. To soften all the white area I used a water painter to splatter black ink. I put a drop of ink on a block then picked it up with the water painter. Holding the card base over my trash can I tapped the painter on the edge of the trash can to get the splatters. 

HINT: Sometimes I use a piece of scrap paper to hold the layers together I just glue it to the back and it hold those two pieces in place.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this version of a Split Negative card and a way to kick it up a notch. Give it a try and have fun with it!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images© Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #splitnegativetechnique #cardmaking

Wooly Friends Card ~ Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 665

 Are you ready for a sketch challenge? Well our team at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge has you covered! Every Monday we give you a new sketch to start your creative juices flowing. Our blog opens for enties on Wednesday and is open through Sunday. 

Use our sketch however you like. We just need to be able to recognize our sketch in your design. When you're ready to add your entry use the link below.

I altered parts of the sketch shapes to go with my Wooly Friends set. The basic design on the sketch is still plainly visible. The very pretty and shiny paper is from the Pleasant Patterns, one four new Mini catalog products. There is a third design in the pack and they are all beautiful.

The dimensions I used for the pattern paper are as follows: pink strip: 1.25" x 5.25", green banner: 2.25" x 2.75". 

Stampin' Blends were used to color the ewe and the head is popped up on Dimensionals. The flowers were colored with the coordinating two step images in the set.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 

How about giving our sketch challenge a try? I know you'll have fun and create something really fun. We love seeing how our sketch inspires you. 

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images© Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #Atlantic hearts sketch challenge #cardmaking #woolyfriends

Wooly Friends Bundle