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 ~

Cute As A Bug – A Card That’s Simply Buzzing With Charm

Hello Stampin’ Friends,

If you love cards that make you smile the moment you see them, today’s project is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. Before you scroll any further, take a moment to imagine sitting at your craft table, surrounded by cheerful colors and playful patterns, creating something that feels lighthearted and happy. That’s exactly the feeling behind today’s card, featuring the absolutely adorable Cute as a Bug Designer Series Paper—and trust me, it truly is buzzing with charm.

This card brings together two different patterns from the Cute as a Bug paper pack in the sweetest way. The mushroom scene immediately caught my eye, and I knew it would make the perfect focal point. I die cut it using the Everyday Arches Dies, which frames them beautifully and gives it a soft, storybook feel. There’s something about that arched shape paired with the woodland mushrooms that feels both cozy and whimsical, making it a wonderful foundation for the rest of the design.

The card base is a classic A2 size, created with Mossy Meadow cardstock (8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, scored and folded at 4 1/4″). This rich green color grounds the design and ties in perfectly with the foliage in the designer paper. For the card front, I added a layer of Basic White cardstock, cut to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and embossed with the Eyelet 3-D Embossing Folder. The embossed background adds texture without overpowering the focal images, and the whimsical pattern pairs beautifully with the playful theme of the card.

Now let’s talk about that sweet little bug, because she truly steals the show. She was fussy cut from a second pattern in the Cute as a Bug Designer Series Paper, and I couldn’t resist placing her right beside the mushroom arch. With her daisy held high, I can’t help but wonder—do you think she’s using it as an umbrella? That tiny detail adds so much personality and makes the card feel like it’s telling a story rather than just displaying images.

To tie everything together, I also fussy cut a few small mushroom clusters from the same designer paper and tucked them around the card front and on the inside! These little accents help balance the design and bring the mushroom pattern back into the layout without overwhelming the focal point. It’s a simple detail, but one that really helps the card feel cohesive.

The greeting comes from the Prayers & Promises Stamp Set and was stamped in Mossy Meadow, keeping the sentiment soft and coordinated with the rest of the card. I love how this sentiment complements the gentle, caring feel of the design without distracting from the artwork.

To finish the card, I added a few Moody Palette Glossy Dots for just the right touch of shine. They add subtle interest and draw the eye around the card front, proving once again that a few well-placed embellishments can make all the difference.

This card is such a fun reminder of how playful designer paper can transform a simple layout into something truly special. Mixing patterns, adding texture, and fussy cutting a few charming elements creates a card that feels joyful and full of personality. If this project made you smile, I hope it inspires you to pull out your Cute as a Bug Designer Series Paper and start creating your own buzz-worthy cards. Be sure to let me know what your favorite detail is—and if you think that daisy is an umbrella too!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this sweet little card brought a smile to your face and sparked a bit of creative inspiration. Until next time, happy stampin’ and enjoy every crafty moment!

An Unexpected Pairing: Cute as a Bug & Prayers and Promises

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Today we will be turning an unexpected product pairing into a beautiful heartfelt card. Sometimes the most meaningful cards come from unexpected pairings—and this project is a perfect example of that. As you’re browsing your craft room or flipping through the catalog, I want to gently encourage you to look beyond the obvious combinations and think about who you’re creating for. When you design with a specific person in mind, products often come together in ways that feel natural, intentional, and heartfelt.

At first glance, the Cute as a Bug Designer Series Paper and the Prayers and Promises Stamp Set may not seem like a natural match. Cute as a Bug is filled with charming ladybugs, fluttering friends, and picnic-perfect prints that immediately feel playful and lighthearted. But this particular berry pattern stopped me in my tracks. It reminded me of my grandma—warm, comforting, and familiar—and that personal connection made it the perfect choice for a card meant to offer encouragement and care. This paper beautifully demonstrates just how versatile designer paper can be when you let emotion, memory, and purpose guide your choices.

The Prayers and Promises Stamp Set is truly one of those foundational stamp sets that belongs in every stamp room. It shares words of faith, love, sympathy, and encouragement—sentiments we all reach for when someone we care about needs support. Having a go-to set like this allows you to create meaningful cards with confidence, knowing the message will be just right for the moment.

My card begins with an A2 card base in Blackberry Bliss (8½” x 5½”, scored and folded at 4¼”). I cut the Cute as a Bug Designer Series Paper to 5⅛” x 3⅞” and layered it onto a Mossy Meadow mat measuring 5¼” x 4″. The combination of these rich, earthy tones grounds the card and gives it a calm, reassuring feel—perfect for this style of sentiment. This is a color palette you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.

The greeting was stamped in Blackberry Bliss ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock using a sentiment from Prayers and Promises. I die cut the sentiment with the Nested Essentials Dies, then die cut a second layer in Blackberry Bliss to place behind it. That extra layer adds a subtle pop of color and frames the greeting beautifully. I popped the sentiment up with Stampin’ Dimensionals to add just the right amount of dimension and draw the eye to the message.

To finish the card, I added a few Low Profile Sparkle Dots in green. These small details may seem simple, but they add a gentle touch of shine and tie everything together without taking away from the sentiment.

As you can see, these two seemingly different products blend seamlessly when used with intention. This card is a wonderful reminder that it’s not about following rules—it’s about telling a story, honoring a feeling, and creating something meaningful. If you enjoy designing cards that connect on a deeper level, these are products you’ll want to keep close at hand.

The next time you sit down to create, I invite you to start with a person, a memory, or a feeling—and then let your supplies fall into place. You may be surprised how beautifully unexpected combinations come together when you design from the heart. 💜

Until next time … Happy Stamping!

Designer Paper Magic! A WOW Fun Fold

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of designer paper and thought, I don’t want to waste a single inch of this!? If that sounds like you, you’re going to LOVE today’s project. I’m sharing a fun, eye-catching designer paper fun fold that not only maximizes your paper but also delivers a big WOW factor with very little effort. This is one of those cards that looks fancy and impressive, yet comes together easily—perfect for using up your favorite papers while making something truly special.

One of my favorite things about this fun fold is how efficient it is. With just a few strategic cuts and folds, you’ll be amazed at how much impact you get with little to no waste. It’s a fantastic way to stretch your designer paper, especially those patterns you’ve been hoarding because they’re “too pretty to cut.” Trust me—this design lets the paper shine while keeping the process simple and enjoyable.

In today’s Facebook LIVE REPLAY / YouTube video, I walk you through the entire process step by step. You’ll see exactly how the folds come together, how the layers create that WOW moment when the card is opened, and how easy it is to adapt this design using different designer papers, colors, and themes. Whether you’re crafting for birthdays, thank-you cards, or just for fun, this fold is one you’ll come back to again and again.

🎥 Watch the video below to see this designer paper fun fold in action and learn how to maximize your paper while creating something truly impressive. Grab your supplies, craft along with me, and don’t forget to leave a comment—I’d love to hear which designer paper you’re excited to try with this fold!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE

If you loved this fun fold and the idea of getting more WOW from your designer paper, be sure to check out the supplies I used—you can easily recreate this design or make it your own with papers you already have on hand. This fold is incredibly versatile and looks amazing with just about any designer series paper. And if you’re hungry for more creative ideas, fun folds, and stamping inspiration, make sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel and following along here on the blog so you never miss a project. Crafting should be fun, relaxing, and inspiring—and I’m so happy to share that creative escape with you.

Happy stampin’, my friend! 💕✂️

🎉 Join me next Tuesday at 6:30 pm on my Linda’s Stampin’ Escape Facebook page LIVE as I launch my Mini Catalog Kick-Off Party—stamping, inspiration, specials and crafty fun await!