Stamping INKspirations – Tic Tac Toe

Today I’m hopping with a new group called Stampin INKspirations. This group has a few members that I hop with in my monthly Around the World on Wednesday group and that I hop with over on Instagram. Thanks for the invite ladies! This month’s challenge for this group is Tic Tac Toe. We were challenged to use a Tic Tac Toe board, and choose a row (vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or the whole board!) As always with a Blog Hop, be sure to hop along with us by checking out the Roll Call at the bottom of this post so you can carry through and see the other creations of my talented stamping friends.

Tic Toe Toe Board

I’m choosing the middle vertical: BLUE, GLITTER, and WAX.

Here’s My Project:

I’m using all Stampin’ Up! products from my stash. Cake Fancy is the name of the stamp set I used, along with retired blue designer series papers and a vanilla embossed piece and gold label from an old card kit called Boho Indigo (BLUE). I stamped the cake in a variety of blue inks (and a few browns to make the cake part). Blue candles (WAX), and gold embossing powder for the flame with orange and yellow glitter to make the flame pop (GLITTER).

Here’s a close-up of our three Tic Tac Toe words:

Now let’s see what my crafty friends pick for their project and this Tic Tac Toe challenge. Click the next button below to follow along to the fabulous Angie McKenzie’s blog, or follow along the hop using the Roll Call below to see all of my stamping friends’ creations!

Happy stamping! Kelly

Roll Call:

Leonie Stuart
Mo Rootes
Jan Musselman
Karen Henderson
Kelly Taranto You are here!
Angie McKenzie

AWOW – Playing with Sand

The Around the World on Wednesday (AWOW) team and I are hopping today — here on our blogs, and on Instagram. Before I go on, let me first introduce the AWOW Team–here’s who we are and where we are in the world:

This month’s theme is “Playing with Sand” and interpretation was left to each of us. I don’t have any crafting sand, nor do I have any of the new (and adorable!) beach-related products from Stampin’ Up! so I chose to feature the sanding technique. And, the best way to showcase this technique? Is by using a 3D embossing folder on Stampin’ Up’s two-toned cardstock. This cardstock is perfect for this technique because it has a white core rather than a fully colored core. Emboss your cardstock piece, and then rub with a sanding block, and watch the embossing folder design pop in white!

For my main project, I’m using product from the Moonlit Flora Suite Collection. Let’s take a look at this sanded panel in action!

And, here’s a close-up of the sanding:

It’s so pretty!

Now, let’s take a look at another design using the Sunflower 3D embossing folder:

Isn’t this a fun technique? I will say, I didn’t think I needed two-tone cardstock in my life, but there are a few techniques you can do with it, and this is a WOW.

What do you think? Oh! And both projects use my favorite new color right now: Golden Glow.

Now let’s see what my friends around the world did with this challenge. Click the next button below to follow along to the fabulous Chris Smith’s blog, or follow along the hop using the Roll Call Below. (And, my Moonlit Flora card is inspired by Chris — I love how she offsets layers on DSP.)

Happy stamping! Kelly

Roll Call

Leonie Stuart – AU

Rochelle Laird-Smith – AU

Kelly Taranto – US You are here!

Chris Smith – US

Bree Renwick – US

Lori Willcox – CA

Cheryl Hamilton – US

Stamping With Friends – New Products

Today I’m hopping with my Stamping With Friends group and our challenge is “Blogger’s Choice.” Now that I’m back in my craft room, I’ve been playing with the new products offered by Stampin’ Up! paired with unique folds, easy wow ideas, etc that I’m finding online. I thought this would be perfect time to showcase new May Catalog and May Online Exclusive products using a fun fold I saw on Facebook (sorry, I don’t remember the original poster to give credit). As always with a Blog Hop, be sure to hop along with us by checking out the Roll Call at the bottom of this post so you can carry through and see the other creations of my talented stamping friends.

Project 1: Features Silly Old Bear Collection
Front
Inside – Opened
Project 2: Features the Homemade Sweetness Suite Collection
Front
Inside – Opened Card
Project 3: Features the Bloom Boutique Suite Collection
Outside – Card Front
Card Opened – Inside

Directions

This card is so easy to make:

  1. Cut a card base that measures 5 1/2 x 8 1/2. Score on the long side at 4 1/4″ and 7 1/4″. On the 1 1/4″ scored panel, measure 1 1/2″ from the top and the bottom, and you’ll cut out those ends to make a center tab. See diagrams above.
  2. Fold the card in half at the 4 1/4″ score line. Then, fold the 1 1/4″ flap back onto the card front. You will adhere whatever shape you are using on the card front (for Projects 1 and 3 I used the Sweet Label shape, Project 2, I used a rectangle. — see photos below for a closer look.)
  3. Decorate! Note: whatever you put on the inside of the card, make sure it sits within your shaped label / layer from the font.

Note: the Misty Moonlight rectangle is attached to the Coral Card base tab using dimensionals, but you don’t have to!

Now let’s see what my friends pick for their Blogger’s Choice this month. Be sure to click through the Roll Call below to see all of my stamping friends’ creations!

Happy stamping! Kelly

Roll Call:

NC Demos Hop – New Product Sketch Challenge

It’s hard to believe my last post on this site was in early April. It has been a very very busy spring — the busiest ever! I will eventually share more, but for today, it’s the last Sunday of the month, which means it’s time to hop with my NC Demos group. Yup, I’m back! You might have already stopped by the talented Laurie Meier and her blog, but if you are just popping in with me first, our theme this month is all about showcasing new products all using the same sketch for inspiration.

For my projects today, I decided to use the new Sweet Old Friends bundle and DSP (these products are from the Silly Old Bear Suite). I wouldn’t call myself a Winnie the Pooh person…but I am LOVING this suite of products. It is darling. I first just purchased the Silly Old Bear DSP and the Sweet Words & Labels Bundle. Take a look:

And then, I loved it all so much, I decided to order the Sweet Old Friends Bundle too:

Oh, and I’m so glad I did. The dies cut out a boatload of the images from the DSP — isn’t that the best when that happens!? Time to order more DSP for sure.

Okay, enough already! Let’s look at my projects:

SQUEAL!!! I love these cards to much. I also am loving the new in-colors. While I’m always a little sad to say good-bye to old in-colors (especially like Petunia Pop!) I’m in love with these soft colors. Golden Glow and Hydrangea Hue are my favorite at the moment.

Let’s take a closer look. First, the sketch we were supposed to use is above, and here it is again:

Here’s the first card I made — just using the sketch as a guide / not taking it very literally:

CARD #1

All of these images were die cut from the DSP — the background is DSP, the sign and stump are from the dies, and the label and greeting are from Sweet Words & Labels bundle.

Then, I decided to use the sketch more literally:

Card #2

I love this greeting, and Pooh and Piglet walking together is adorable.

I’m curious to hear which is your favorite. Card #1 or Card #2?

Now, let’s see what the others have done showcasing new products with this same sketch. Visit the roll call below, or click the next arrow below to head over to Frances Wagner’s Blog:

Happy Stamping! Kelly

Roll Call

Tina Lesson 
Toni Campana 
Tracie Evans Langley -the Sassy Stamper 
Laurie Meier 
Kelly Taranto -the Late Night Stamper – You are here!
Frances Wagner 
Amanda Rhodes

AWOW – Sketch Challenge

The Around the World on Wednesday (AWOW) team and I are hopping today — here on our blogs, and on Instagram. Before I go on, let me first introduce the AWOW Team–here’s who we are and where we are in the world:

This month we were challenged to use a sketch for our project:

I decided it was time to crack into the Homemade with Sweetness Suite of products that are an Online Exclusive by Stampin’ Up!®

Take a look at this suite!

To me, the star of this bundle is the giant jar — which I didn’t use on my project. The 2nd shining star is the DSP — gorgeous!

Let’s take a look at my creation:

Let’s look at the card from another angle:

Also, I am still going strong on The 100 Day Project — it’s day 45 (can you believe it?!) If you don’t know what I’m referring to, visit this blog post. You can follow me on Instagram – I’m posting an artist trading card (ATC) each night. Here’s an ATC using the Homemade Sweetness DSP and this adorable little label:

What do you think?

Now let’s see what my friends around the world did with this challenge. Click the next button below to follow along to the fabulous Lori Willcox’s blog, or follow along the hop using the Roll Call Below.

Happy stamping! Kelly

Roll Call

Jan Clothier – NZ
Leonie Stuart – AU
Rochelle Laird-Smith – AU
Cheryll Miller – AU
Marga Bultena – DE
Aurélie Fabre – FR
Kelly Taranto – US You are here!
Lori Willcox – CA

AWOW – Use Your Stash

The Around the World on Wednesday (AWOW) team and I are hopping today — here on our blogs, and on Instagram. Before I go on, let me first introduce the AWOW Team–here’s who we are and where we are in the world:

For our twelfth month, we are focused on using up our stash and CAS(e)ing our English team member, Kim Gibbons Fee.

Kim is a returning Artisan team member (2022, 2024 and 2026). Kim loves to create with whatever she has on hand in her craft room… she is creative with her outside of the box thinking and if she feels a need to use something that is not current, she doesn’t hesitate to use it. #useyourstash

Kim is known for her elegant, classic style with a touch of sparkle.

Take a look at some of her designs:

I love Kim’s designs. I like the clean look of them, the pops of color and texture, and the simple but stunning designs.

I also love to use retired product. After 23 years of being a demonstrator, I have a LOT of stamping stuff in my stash. While I absolutely love getting new products (who doesn’t?!) I also love to revisit some of my favorites from over the years. This was a perfect excuse to dig into my stash. I chose one of my favorite DSP packs of ALL time – Delightfully Eclectic:

Everything about this DSP screams me! Yellow polka dots. Navy. Whimsy and eclectic. I love love LOVE it. (good thing I still have almost a full pack!)

I also chose the old stamp set and dies called Petal Palette:

Over the years, this bundle has made it in my “to sell” pile, and then I think of this bird, or polka dots, or the great dies, and I pull it back out…so it’s a keeper.

Let’s take a look at my creation:

Let’s look at the card from another angle:

What do you think?

Now let’s see what my friends around the world did with this challenge. Click the next button below to follow along to the fabulous Bree Renwick’s blog, or follow along the hop using the Roll Call Below.

Happy stamping! Kelly

Roll Call

Jan Clothier – NZ
Leonie Stuart – AU
Rochelle Laird-Smith – AU
Cheryll Miller – AU
Marga Bultena – DE
Ximena Morales – DE
Aurélie Fabre – FR
Annette Ball – CA
Angie McKenzie – US
Kelly Taranto – US – You are here!!
Bree Renwick – US – Next!
Cheryl Hamilton – US

NC Demos Hop – Cheerful Spring

It’s the last Sunday of the month, which means it’s time to hop with my NC Demos group. You might have already stopped by the talented Tina Lesson and her blog, but if you are just popping in with me first, our theme this month is all about shaking off the winter blues and bringing on the spring cheer. I think we’re all ready for it!

I’m using an variety of new “spring things” that have entered my craft room in the past couple of weeks. To see all of the product, skip down to Shop the Supplies below. But, the star of the show on these cards is the Splash of Sparkles 12 x 12 DSP.

Let’s take a look:

Doesn’t this paper scream spring?! And the silver foil…I’m not going to lie. Any DSP with foil, I’m ordering.

I made this card first:

The background is from the Splash of Sparkles DSP pack. The stripes are from the Easter Joy DSP. Let’s take a look at that:

I actually had that little scrap leftover from another project, but the colors went so well with Splash of Sparkles, I decided to use it. Turning it horizontal, made me think of birthday candles so I found a make-shift flame from my stash (believe it or not, it’s a ice cream “drip” from the retired Sweet Ice Cream stamp set) and made a birthday card.

But, I couldn’t stop there. I made these other two cards using the Splash of Sparkles DSP and Easter Time Mix & Match Ephemera Pack:

Finally, today kicks off the #The100DayProject (if you don’t know what that is, visit: https://www.the100dayproject.org/) and I am going to make an ATC (Artist Trading Card — size 2.5 x 3.5) each day for 100 days showcasing Stampin’ Up!’s gorgeous DSP — my favorite product. So, a bonus mini project was also crafted today using these products:

Isn’t it darling? I’m excited to try out this journey.

Let’s take a look at all of these projects together!

Who’s ready for spring now!?

Now, let’s see what the others have done showcasing the new Mini Catalog. Visit the roll call below, or click the next arrow below to head over to Toni Campana’s Blog:

Happy Stamping! Kelly

Roll Call

Tina Lesson 
Kelly Taranto  The Late Night Stamper
Toni Campana 
Laurie Meier 
Tracie Evans Langley – the Sassy Stamper 

Shop the Supplies

Add All to Cart

Stamping With Friends – Delicate Dreams DSP can be Masculine!

Today I’m excited to be hopping with my Stamping With Friends group. Our challenge today is to create a masculine card. Oddly enough, I’m using a floral pack of DSP for my card! As always with a Blog Hop, be sure to hop along with us by checking out the Roll Call at the bottom of this post so you can carry through and see the other creations of my talented stamping friends.

Here is the DSP I’m using:

This paper is called Delicate Dreams and will be released March 3rd as part of the new Online Exclusives March release. It is gorgeous! Blues, tans, and grays with a pop of Old Olive. The “A” side of the patterns has copper foil.

I was making other cards with this gorgeous paper and decided to use it to make a masculine card for today’s challenge. Let’s take a look!

This project also uses die cuts from the Lovely Arrangements bundle. The connected dot die (circled in pink below) in that bundle is the star of the show, if you ask me!

Now let’s see what my friends chose to do for this month. Be sure to click through the Roll Call below to see all of my stamping friends’ creations!

Happy stamping! Kelly

Roll Call:

AWOW – CASEing the New Catalog

The Around the World on Wednesday (AWOW) team and I are hopping today — here on our blogs, and on Instagram. Before I go on, let me first introduce the AWOW Team–here’s who we are and where we are in the world:

For our eleventh month, we are CAS(e)ing the new Jan-Apr catalog, AND our Alaskan team member, Teri West.

Teri is a returning Artisan team member (2024 and 2026). Teri loves to do alternate designs for the Paper Pumpkin kits and was selected to provide alternatives for some of the Paper Pumpkin lives during her first year as an Artisan.

Teri is known for her lovely clean and simple style.

Take a look at some of her designs:

As mentioned, the other challenge for this month’s hop is to CASE the catalog. I thumbed through the January – April 2026 Mini Catalog and came across this sample:

This sample immediately reminded me of Teri’s projects above so I decided this was the card to CASE.

Let’s take a look at my creation:

I am using most of the products from the Endless Love Suite of products from Stampin’ Up!

Let’s look at the card from another angle:

What do you think?

Now let’s see what my friends around the world did with this challenge. Click the next button below to follow along to the fabulous Bree Renwick’s blog, or follow along the hop using the Roll Call Below.

Happy almost Valentine’s day! Kelly

Roll Call

Jan Clothier – NZ
Leonie Stuart – AU
Rochelle Laird-Smith – AU
Cheryll Miller – AU
Marga Bultena – DE
Kim Fee – UK
Angie McKenzie – US
Kelly Taranto – US — You are here!
Bree Renwick – US
Cheryl Hamilton – US

NC Demos Hop – Jan-Apr Mini Catalog Showcase

It’s the last Sunday of the month, which means it’s time to hop with my NC Demos group. You might have already stopped by the talented Amanda Rhodes and her blog, but if you are just popping in with me first, our theme this month is all about the new January-April mini catalog. We have new wonderful Mini Catalog and Bonus Days all at the same time! So, inquiring minds want to know, what’s on your shopping list that would get your order to $50 to earn a Bonus Days Coupon AND then what would you add to reach $75 to get the January Product of the Month, the Fabulous Sayings stamp set!

Given the icey-wintery-mix we’re all experiencing right now, I’m thinking spring. Today I’m featuring the Sunshine & Tulips bundle.

Let’s take a look:

The stamp set has pretty little flowers all in a row, and a set of images to make a layered tulip. It also has really great sentiments in mixed fonts – which I love. The die set’s showstopper is the big cutting plate. It measures 4 x 5 1/4, so perfect for an A2 sized card front. The other showstopper of the die set? The label (you can never have enough of these in your stash!)

Here’s my first card with this bundle:

But, I couldn’t stop there! I decided to make a mini set of tulip cards to show how you can cut up the main cutting plate to make multiple cards — you don’t always have to use the big background die as a standalone piece.

To make these cards, you cut one panel using the big die, then place the the die back on the cut piece, to not only cut the piece into other pieces, but also to add the stitched border to finish off those pieces.

Let’s see this idea in action:

The middle card only has stitching on the sides — I didn’t have enough room to add it to the top and bottom (although, I could have tried it). Also, that card’s sentiment “Sending Love” is from the January Product of the Month stamp set. [And, note: when using the little tulip filler dies, use Adhesive Sheets!]

Now, let’s see what the others have done showcasing the new Mini Catalog. Visit the roll call below, or click the next arrow below to head over to Toni Campana’s Blog:

Happy Stamping! Kelly

Roll Call

Tina Lesson 
Frances Wagner 
Tracie Evans Langley – the Sassy Stamper 
Laurie Meier 
Amanda Rhodes 
Kelly Taranto – The Late Night Stamper
Toni Campana

Shop the Supplies

Add All to Cart