The most magical time of the year is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you want your holiday crafting game to be strong this year. Whether it’s handmade cards, unique tags, or festive gifts that gets you excited, I’ve got some news that’s going to make your holiday season shine brighter than Rudolph’s nose!
Let’s talk about something fun and oh-so-festive: The 12 Weeks of Christmas, starting October 2!
What is the 12 Weeks of Christmas?
Imagine getting a free, exclusive holiday crafting tutorial delivered to your inbox every single week for the next 12 weeks! Starting October 2, you’ll receive a new project idea, complete with step-by-step instructions, measurements, and a supply list. And it’s totally FREE!
Each tutorial will focus on a different holiday project. Whether you’re into handmade cards, gifts, or more, I’ll be sharing ideas that will keep your craft room bustling with creativity all season long.
There’s something for everyone, and it’s the perfect way to make sure you’re staying on top of your holiday crafting. Because, let’s be real, December sneaks up on us faster than a gingerbread man on a sugar rush.
Why Should You Sign Up?
Here’s the thing—crafting takes time. And if you’re like most of us, you might start out with big plans to handmake everything this holiday season… only to end up frantically buying store-bought cards and pre-made gift tags last minute.
With the 12 Weeks of Christmas, I’ve got your back! Each week, you’ll get a fresh idea that’s designed to be fun, easy, and doable—even if life gets busy. These tutorials are perfect for crafters of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, you’ll find tons of inspiration to keep your holidays handmade and heartfelt.
Plus, who doesn’t love the satisfaction of showing off their handcrafted holiday creations? Trust me, your friends and family will be blown away when they see what you’ve made.
Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect each week:
Card Tutorials: From elegant and classic to cute and whimsical, I’ll be sharing a range of card designs perfect for spreading holiday cheer.
Gift Tags: Dress up your packages with handmade gift tags that’ll make even the simplest present look extra special.
Handmade Gifts: Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you make yourself! I’ll show you how to create thoughtful, handcrafted presents that your loved ones will cherish.
Each project comes with:
Step-by-step instructions: No need to guess what to do next! Every tutorial is broken down into simple steps so you can craft with confidence.
Measurements and Supply Lists: No more scrambling to figure out what you need. I’ve got all the details sorted out for you.
Tips and Tricks: I’ll be sharing my favorite hacks to make your crafting process smoother and more fun!
Why Start on October 2?
Starting early means you’ll have plenty of time to get creative and avoid the last-minute rush. By the time December rolls around, you’ll already have a stash of handmade goodies ready to go!
Also, let’s be honest—we all need a little extra Christmas spirit this year. And what better way to get into the holiday mood than by spending time each week creating something special? Trust me, the holiday season is a lot more enjoyable when you can slow down and enjoy the process of making something beautiful.
How Do You Sign Up?
It’s super simple! Just enter your email, and you’re all set to start receiving your weekly tutorials. You’ll get your first project delivered to your inbox on October 2, and then every week after that, you’ll get another one. Before you know it, you’ll have 12 fantastic projects under your belt and a head start on your holiday crafting.
And did I mention it’s completely FREE? No hidden costs, no strings attached—just 12 weeks of festive fun, inspiration, and creativity. Plus, you’ll receive my free tutorial, “5 Fun Folds Every Paper Crafter Need to Know!”
Get Ahead: Instead of scrambling at the last minute to make your holiday cards and decorations, you’ll already have a solid start! Think about how nice it’ll be to spend December sipping hot cocoa and enjoying your Christmas tree instead of frantically crafting.
No Stress, Just Fun: With weekly tutorials sent straight to your inbox, you won’t need to scour Pinterest for hours looking for inspiration. It’s all done for you!
Build Your Crafty Confidence: Trying something new can be intimidating, but with clear instructions and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll feel confident tackling any project.
Personal Touch: Handmade projects add a special, personal touch to your holiday season. Whether you’re gifting handmade cards or decorating your home with your own creations, nothing says “thoughtful” like something made from the heart.
What Will You Make First?
From cards to decor to handmade gifts, the possibilities are endless. What I love most about the 12 Weeks of Christmas is that it helps you build excitement for the holidays one project at a time. You’re not just crafting—you’re creating memories and traditions that will last for years to come.
Remember, the fun starts on October 2. Don’t miss out—sign up today and get ready to deck the halls, fill your gift boxes, and spread holiday cheer like never before.
If you’re looking to add a dash of fun to your holiday crafting, the Reindeer Fun Bundle by Stampin’ Up! is your new best friend! Whether you’re making cards, tags, or more, this bundle will have you prancing through your projects.
Now, the bundle is amazing but the Reindeer Days Suite Collections adds a charming paper that centers around—you guessed it—reindeer! Also in the suite are adhesive peppermints, twine and my new fave, the Plaid 3D Embossing Folder. With a mix of playful and classic designs, you can create everything from whimsical holiday cards to sophisticated winter scenes.
View the card tutorial:
Why I Love the Reindeer Days Suite:
Versatile Dies: The coordinating dies make it super easy to cut out those reindeer, along with other pieces like the build a reindeer, wreath and scene stealing greenery frame. No fussy cutting required! (Though if you love fussy cutting, I support you!)
Adorable Reindeer Stamps: The star of the show is the reindeer stamp set, which features various poses of reindeer that are ready to be the focus of your cards and projects! You can stamp the reindeers and bring them to life by coloring them with Stampin’ Blends. Or, use two-step stamping to add accessories.
Cozy, Festive Paper: Don’t forget the patterned paper! The Reindeer Days Suite includes cozy winter patterns in rich colors like soft browns, deep greens, and pops of festive red. Perfect for layering on your cards or cutting out accents.
I love, love, love the way the die cuts layer to build the reindeer. Can you see the whites of the eyes? What a fun feature! And I finished the card with a peppermint nose.
Do you know a coffee lover who thinks every day should start with a little caffeine boost? Or, like me, are you a coffee addict that simply can’t function without that first cup of joe. If so, you’ll want to cozy up with the Latte Love stamp and die bundle!
This adorable collection of stamps is perfect for capturing your love of coffee, whether you’re a die-hard espresso enthusiast, a latte sipper, or someone who enjoys a simple cup of brewed coffee. Imagine making cards that smell like freshly brewed coffee (okay, not really, but the mood is there) with steaming mugs, cute sentiments, and fun coffee-themed images that celebrate our favorite daily ritual.
All of the products in the A Little Latte Suite are adorable and available exclusively online and are not in any catalog.
Measurements:
Early Espresso: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” for the card base and 1-1/8” x 3-1/8”
Pecan Pie: 4-1/8” x 5-3/8”
Lemon Lolly: 3” x 3”
Basic White: 3-7/8” x 5-1/8” and 1” x 3”
DSP: Lemon Lolly coffee cup
Instructions:
1. Score and fold the Early Espresso card base in half. Adhere the Pecan Pie card stock layer to the card front. With Early Espresso ink, stamp the top view coffee cup image in each corner of the Basic White card stock as well as in the center. Fill in each coffee cup with the feather latte art image in the same color of ink. Adhere to the card front once dry.
2. Cut out a circle from the Lemon Lolly card stock square using the second largest Stylish Shapes die. Add the circle to the card front with adhesive.
3. Stamp the greeting onto the smaller piece of Basic White card stock with Early Espresso ink and trim each edge at an angle. Layer onto the smaller piece of Early Espresso card stock and trim the card stock edges to align with the Basic White. Glue the two pieces together and add to the card with Dimensionals.
4. Cut the Lemon Lolly coffee cup from the DSP and add to the card with additional Dimensionals.
5. To finish the card, add three Adhesive-Backed Swirl Dots as shown./
A quick reminder on the last day of Sale-a-bration. Please keep reading for the Accordion Card Tutorial.
Do you have your free Sale-a-bration items?
SHOP the catalogues, Clearance Rack, prepaid Paper Pumpkin subscriptions and the Kits Collection online and you can earn exclusive items for purchasing products already on your wish list.
Level 1 is free with a $60 purchase pre-tax and shipping. Level 2 items are free with a $120 purchase pre-tax and shipping.
JOIN This is my favourite way for you to save during Sale-a-bration. Until August 31st, you receive the following with your Starter Kit when you join my Dreaming About Rubber Stamps Team:
Your choice of $165 in products
Pay only $135 including GST & Taxes
The Making Plans Collection including the Making Plans Planner, Making Plans Notebook Trio and Making Plans photopolymer stamp set
Want more reasons to join my team during Sale-a-bration?
Your Starter Kit is shipped free and the GST is paid.
You’ll earn a 20% discount on all purchases immediately after joining and for long as you remain an active demonstrator.
Join my team today and you’ll get tons of inspiration from our DARS Team FaceBook group, team swaps and events which share amazing and inspiring projects.
You’ll have no obligation to ever sell or share with anyone and no obligation to buy another thing if you don’t want to.
If you’re ready to join my incredible team, click here.
Accordion Card using the Wonderful World SAB Bundle
The Wonderful World stamp set & DSP Bundle is one of my favourite Sale–a-bration products. And when the stamps and paper coordinate so wonderfully, it’s easy to make card like this fun fold.
Accordion Card Tutorial:
Cut a piece of cardstock 5-1/2″ x 11 for the card base and score at 1-3/4″, 3-1/2″, 5-1/4″ and 7″ along the 11″ side. Cut a second piece of cardstock to 3″ x 6″ for the folded piece and score at 3″.
Cut two pieces of designer series paper that each measure 2-3/4″ x 2-3/4″ as well as two pieces of designer series paper each cut to 1-1/4″ x 5-1/4″.
For the inside of the card, cut a piece of Basic White to 4″ x 5-1/4″.
Stamp a flower onto the Basic White layer for the image inside the card being sure to position it to be hidden when the card is closed. I masked the flower and inked up the stem first. Then I removed the mask and carefully inked up the flower in the darker ink before stamping.
Stamp two greetings and a flower onto a scrap piece of Basic White and cut out with dies or scissors. There is not a matching die for Wonderful World so I fussy cut with Paper Snips.
Assemble the card as shown using Seal to adhere all of the pieces except the greeting and flower on the front which were adhered with Dimensionals.
The flower I stamped inside and on the front of this card is the German Cornflower. The Wonderful World stamp set includes images of prominent flowers found around the world.
Included in the set is an English Rose, a pink Campanula or bell flower from the Netherland, a Colombian Cattleya Orchid, a French Iris, a Sri Lankan Blue Lily, a Swiss Edelweiss, a Pakistani Jasmine, a Romanian Dog Rose and a New Zealand Kowhai. Stamp a lovely flower, then add a sentiment from a greeting set like Charming Sentiments. I love that there are matching dies for this greeting set.
This card can be mailed in a Basic White Medium Envelope. When closed, the vibrancy of the Basic White cardstock layer really shows off the rest of the card.
Today is World Card Making Day and here’s a free tutorial to celebrate. This Cutting Edge tutorial shows how cardstock can be cut with to use most of the paper – budget and time friendly. Leave a comment if you have any questions or comments.
Click on the tutorial above or this link to download.
Today I wanted to share the Reverse Watercolor Technique with you. It is a super simple twist on watercoloring. Instead of coloring the flowers or any stamped image as usual, I watercolored around them adding ink to the background. It makes the stamped image pop because they remained brighter than the rest of the card.
For this card, I used the Falling Flowers stamp set available in wood and clear mount. It is also available as a bundle with the May Flowers Framelits Dies. I always recommend purchasing the bundle as you save 10% and have a lot more creative options.
I also used some the new 2016-2018 In Colors – Flirty Flamingo and Peekaboo Peach. Remember, these can be bought as a Classic Stampin’ Pads bundle as well. And don’t forget the coordinating 8-1/2″ x 11″ card stock package. I’m a fan of these new colours!
With Basic Black Archival ink, I stamped the flower onto Shimmery White card stock. Using an Aqua Painter, I took turns adding Watermelon Wonder, Flirty Flamingo and Peekaboo Peach inks allowing each colour to dry before adding the next.
Once dry, I went over the coloured spaced with the Flirty Flamingo ink to help blend the colours and to cover any large white spaces.
Before adhering the card, I wrapped Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine around the card front. I then stamped my greeting from the Thoughtful Banners stamp set and punched it out using the Classic Label punch.
To finish the card, I adhered a bow made with three lengths of twine over the punched greeting piece.
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The Fine Print
This is the personal blog of Darlene McCallum, an Independent Demonstrator with Stampin’ Up Canada and I am responsible for its content. Stampin’ Up! does not endorse the contents of classes or use of services, or non-Stampin’ Up! products I may offer here.
