Nature Walk Sympathy Card featuring Prayers & Promises

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

If you’ve been craving time to create, breathe, and truly recharge, my Spring Stamping Retreat was created with you in mind. Yesterday I shared the invitation to this all-inclusive, in-person retreat—a place where creativity flows freely, your sanity gets a much-needed refresh, and you leave feeling relaxed, inspired, and filled with memories you’ll carry long after the weekend ends. Today, I want to show you how that retreat experience comes to life at the stamp table through one of the projects you could expect to create and explore together.

This card, created with the Nature Walk Designer Series Paper, is a perfect example of how inspiration, technique, and thoughtful design come together—something I intentionally build into every retreat experience. We begin with an A2 card base using Pretty Peacock cardstock, cut to 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ and scored at 4 1/4″. A layer of Basic Black cardstock, cut to 4″ x 5 1/4″, frames the designer paper and immediately draws the eye inward. The distressed pattern I chose from the Nature Walk collection reminds me of a painted canvas—rich, textured, and quietly powerful. It’s the kind of paper that works beautifully for nature-inspired designs, masculine cards, and sympathy cards like today’s project, making it an incredibly versatile addition to your crafting collection.

At this stage, the greeting naturally becomes the focal point of the card, allowing the sentiment to speak from the heart. I used the Prayers & Promises stamp set, stamping the greeting in Pretty Peacock ink to create harmony across the design. To soften and balance the layout, I added layered leaves cut from both Pretty Peacock cardstock and the Nature Walk Designer Series Paper. This combination adds depth and visual interest while keeping the card elegant and meaningful—exactly the kind of thoughtful design approach we focus on during retreat classes as we explore new fun folds and techniques together.

And let’s talk embellishments for a moment—because sometimes it’s the smallest details that bring everything to life. The Holographic Resin Dots were the perfect finishing touch. I love how they subtly catch the light and reflect the colors of the card, almost like magic. These little accents add just enough sparkle without overpowering the sentiment, a design tip I love sharing during retreat sessions when we talk about balance and intention in cardmaking.

This is what my stamping retreats are really about—you. They’re about creating together, learning together, and giving ourselves permission to pause and enjoy something that fills our hearts. If this card inspires you, imagine an entire weekend built around that feeling. I would love nothing more than to share that experience with you at my Spring Stamping Retreat. Reach out to save your spot, and be sure to take a closer look at the Nature Walk Designer Series Paper and Prayers & Promises stamp set—products chosen with you in mind and perfect for creating cards that matter. 💙

Thank you for being the heart of this stamping community—your creativity, your friendship, and your love for cardmaking continue to inspire me! Till next time ~

Day 3: Playful Ghosts & Wickedly Good Times!

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Welcome back, crafty friends! It’s Day 3 of our Halloween Week, and today I’m bringing a bit of spooky fun into the mix with the Playful Ghosts stamp set. If you’ve been following along, you know we’re keeping the Halloween vibes going strong with the Halloween Spells Designer Paper, and today’s project is no different! Let’s dive into how this charming ghostly creation came together, step by step.

To start, I used the starry pattern from the Halloween Spells Designer Paper as the backdrop for our spooky scene. Measuring 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″, this piece sets the perfect Halloween night tone when mounted onto a 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock. This pairing really makes those stars pop! The card base is Granny Apple Green—a must for our Halloween color palette, adding a playful and eerie contrast to the deeper tones of the card.

Now, for a bit of layering fun! I die-cut two banners using the Take a Bow dies: one in Pumpkin Pie and another in the Gorgeous Grape polka dot pattern from the same designer series paper. These playful colors work together to create a whimsical, spooky feel.

Next, I reached for the Granny Apple Green “bubbly” pattern from the designer paper and stamped the greeting “Wickedly Good Times” in bold black ink. I love how the pop of green brings this sentiment to life! To give it that finishing touch, I die-cut the greeting with the Nested Essentials Dies, giving it a sharp and clean look.

And now for the star of the show—our Playful Ghost! I stamped the adorable little “witch” ghost using Memento ink and brought her to life with markers. You can really have fun with this one by adding bright pops of color to her hat or gown. She’s spooky, but let’s face it, she’s way too cute to scare anyone!

By layering all of these elements together, you’ve got a fun, playful card that perfectly captures the Halloween spirit! Whether you’re sending this card to a friend or adding it to your stash of handmade holiday creations, it’s sure to bring a smile to their face.

All the supplies used in this project are available in my Stampin’ Up! store, so if you’re loving this card as much as I am, be sure to grab your Playful Ghosts stamp set, Halloween Spells Designer Paper, and coordinating dies before they vanish like a ghost in the night! Stay tuned for more Halloween fun coming your way tomorrow—there’s plenty more tricks and treats to come this week! 🎃

Happy stamping, and don’t forget to add these must-have Halloween supplies to your crafting stash! Until tomorrow, keep crafting wickedly good times! ✨👻 OR … You join me LIVE tonight on my Linda’s Stampin’ Escape Facebook page; I’ll be showing you how to make some cute “Trick or Treat” gifts.