In honour of Nature Photography Day, I’m sharing a nature-inspired project featuring the Capturing Smiles stamp set.
I tend to take a lot of photos of cards and marching bands these days (okay, one band primarily: the Burlington Teen Tour Band), but I still appreciate the beauty that can be found outdoors. This card uses the Capturing Smiles stamp set to create a collection of nature-inspired scenes (and okay, there’s a cityscape in there too!).
One of the things I enjoy about this design is that it can be customized in many different ways. Change the colours, swap the scenes, or adapt the layout to suit your own style.
The scenes are coloured with Stampin’ Blends so it’s still easy and impressive, even though it may take a bit longer to create than some of the cards and tutorials I share.
I’ve made the tutorial available as a free downloadable PDF. Simply click the link below to download the instructions and create your own version of this project.
A card that looks polished and impressive… but secretly comes together without too much fuss.
I created this card for a recent Demonstrator-Only card swap featuring products from the May-August Catalogue (which goes live to customers on Tuesday May 5!).
If you’ve ever wanted to create something that feels finished, but still works on a lower-energy crafting day, this design is one to keep in your back pocket.
Today’s project uses Golden Glow, Crisp Cantaloupe, and the 2026–2028 In Color Painted Patterns DSP to create a coordinated layered birthday card. There’s a fully linked supply list on the YamStamps Sunday Swaps Page, but please note that the links to the items in the May-August catalogue won’t work until May 5th! Also – while it goes against everything I learned in grade school, I use “Color” because that’s how the product is labelled….
The background is created using a single sheet of Designer Series Paper! The small dot pattern is one side of the sheet, and the large dots are on the other. One 4″ x 12″ strip will create one cardfront so it’s easy to create a few of these cards at the same time.
Let the Thrifty Sentiment Be in the Spotlight
The Words & Wishes Dies really shine in this design, particularly because they are popped up on a Foam Sheet. Thrify crafting for the win – and super coordinated flow. After I die cut the background from the large dot DSP, I stuck the cut outs onto a foam sheet and then die cut the sentiment from that. When you adhere the sentiment into the negative spaces, you’ll see how the pattern flows across the words and creates cohesion! The trickiest part of this project was making sure I didn’t lose the dot to the “i”…
HINT: In my experience, the large random dot pattern is a bit more forgiving than a smaller, more solid pattern, and circles are always more forgiving than hard edges like rectangles or stripes.
Add Just Enough Sparkle
Rhinestones are one of my most favourite all around accessory to add to a project. They catch the light, draw the eye in and give that finishing touch.
Application Hints:
Space them out
Create a loose visual triangle
My preference: odd numbers
One Design, Endless Variations
You may know this about me – but I don’t want to use up all my brain cells for crafting (typically I craft at the end of a work day so I don’t have many left over!!). With this one design, you can create so many looks – swap out the paper you use, swap out the colours for a whole new take. The Words & Wishes Dies have a number of coordinating sentiments and backdrops so you can swap out the sentiments as well!! That’s why I love card designs like this – paper crafting doesn’t have to be difficult to be impressive.
Your Turn
If you’ve been wanting a go-to birthday card that you can recreate without overthinking every step—this is a beautiful one to try.
Pull out your supplies, pick your colour, and give it a go.
And when you do:
Are you leaning Golden Glow or Crisp Cantaloupe?
Did you keep the background soft or go a little bolder?
Comment below, save this layout for later, or share your version—I’d love to see what you create.
Ends tomorrow – earn double the Stampin’ Rewards when you shop! Place an order of $25CAD or more by the end of April 17, earn twice the regular amount of Stampin’ Rewards that you can use against future orders! Sign into your online account, and make sure that you’ve opted in to Stampin’ Rewards to earn.
Shortcut to shopping in Canada is yamstamps.com/su or you can message me for assistance placing your order.
Pay no shipping fees on Stampin’ Up! Canada product orders of $100CAD (after any discounts/before taxes)! February 18-20 only!
Yes, you read that correctly – FREE shipping! Until February 20, pay no shipping costs if your order has $100CAD product! No code to enter, just add things to your cart at yamstamps.com/su and once you hit the threshold, there will be no shipping fees. Please be aware that any Bonus Days coupon codes that you use will affect the product total in your cart. The free shipping order threshold must be met AFTER any discounts and BEFORE any taxes.
If you have a smaller order and can pick up your order in Burlington, use the group code ZXWCZTFX . By using this group code, all the orders will be shipped to me in Burlington, and everyone will qualify for free shipping! By entering your own order into the system (but using the group code), you can earn Stampin’ Rewards (with minimum purchase) and you’ll be able to select your payment method. I will notify you once the order has arrived! I will close the order when the group total hits $100CAD or by end of day February 20th, whichever comes first.
Check out all that’s new and fresh for February in the Stampin’ Up! Canada sphere!
Good news is all around – Wiarton Willie predicted an early spring yesterday, and today, there’s new products and promotions for your crafting needs.
Free Stampin’ Positioner!
Exclusively available as part of a New Demonstrator Starter Kit! Get a FREE Stampin’ Positioner in your starter kit February 3 – March 2. Existing Demonstrators had the opportunity to buy one over the last couple of weeks, but now the only way to get one is in the starter kit.
New Products Available! New Kits!
Two new crafting kits are available for purchase – Best Ever to reward your champions, and Happy Happenings to celebrate those happy occasions in life.
Place an order for $100CAD worth of product (AFTER your coupon codes are applied, and BEFORE shipping and taxes are added on) – and you are eligible to purchase the Product of the Month for just $5CAD! There’s a new Product of the Month available for February – the beautiful Painted Illusions Designer Series Paper!
