Tips & Tricks: Embossing Texture and Depth

Today's Tips & Tricks: Take your cards to the next level by using an embossing folder to add beautiful depth and texture! It's such an easy way to elevate even the simplest design and make your focal image truly stand out.  

A little texture goes a long way in turning your handmade card into 

something extra special. 

Supplies Used: 

Blessed Beginnings Bundle

Stone & Vine Embossing Folder

Stampin Cut Machine

Basic White CS

Pecan PIe Blend

Crumb Cake Blend

Mossy Meadow Blend 

Memento Black Ink

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Thanks for stopping by and browsing.

Christina K.

 

Simple & Meaningful Wedding Blessings Card

Today I’m sharing a clean and elegant card that highlights the beauty of simplicity. This design features the Blessed Beginning stamp set, and it truly speaks for itself with its heartfelt message and timeless style.

I started with a Basic White cardstock base, keeping everything light, fresh, and classic. To add just the right touch of color, I layered in a soft Pool Party cardstock mat, which gives the card a gentle pop without overwhelming the design.

The focal point of this card is the sweet church image, stamped in black for a crisp and classic look. I added dimensionals behind the church to give it a little lift and create subtle depth—such an easy way to add extra interest!

To finish it off, I included a few delicate embellishments and soft cloud accents, which bring a peaceful and uplifting feel to the entire card. The “Wedding Blessings” sentiment ties it all together perfectly, making this a beautiful card for celebrating a special couple.

This is a wonderful reminder that you don’t need a lot of layers or complicated techniques to create something truly meaningful. Sometimes simple really is best.

Tip: Try changing the cardstock colors or sentiment to easily adapt this design for other occasions like baptisms, anniversaries, or encouragement cards.

Happy crafting,

Christina Kelly

Easy Corner Fold Card 💙

If you love a fun fold that feels a little extra special, this Easy Corner Fold is definitely one to try! I absolutely adore how this design opens up to reveal multiple panels—it’s such a fun surprise for the recipient and gives you plenty of space to decorate and add heartfelt messages.

For this project, I leaned into these beautiful blue tones that feel both calming and elegant. The combination of patterned paper and coordinating cardstock really brings everything together for a clean yet eye-catching design. And can we talk about that inside panel? It’s the perfect spot to add a sweet sentiment or personal note.

This card is one of those designs that looks impressive but is actually simple to recreate once you get the folds down—my favorite kind! 💕

 Supplies Used:

• A Round of Hellos (#167227)

• True Blue Florals – Product of the Month (#167970)

• Basic White Cardstock (#166780)

• Secret Sea Cardstock (#165624)

• Secret Sea Ribbon (#166932)

• Balmy Blue Ink (#147105)

• Secret Sea Ink (#165285)

 Measurements:

• Card Base: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

  • Front Mat Layer 2-3/4" X 4-1/4"

  • Inside Mat 3-3/4" X 5"

  • Inside Square Mat 2-1/2" X 2-1/2"

• Designer Series Paper (DSP):

  • 6-3/4" X 8" Score @ 2-3/4" along top of 6-3/4" side and 2-3/4" on the left side 8"

  • 2-1/4" X 2-1/4"

• Basic White Cardstock:

  • Front Layer 2-1/2" X 4"

  • Inside Layer 3-1/2" X 4-3/4"

I hope this inspires you to give this fun fold a try! If you recreate it, I would absolutely love to see your version—be sure to share and tag me so I can cheer you on! 

Happy crafting,

Christina

Create Beautiful Nature-Inspired Decor with the Every Little Thing Kit

If you love bringing a touch of nature into your home, the Every Little Thing Kit is such a beautiful way to do just that—while enjoying some relaxing creative time.

This kit allows you to create three stunning DIY paper artworks, each inspired by the beauty of the outdoors. From soft magnolias and delicate tulips to peaceful mountains and a sweet little bird, every design feels calm, uplifting, and full of charm.

What makes this kit even more special are the uplifting sentiment stamps included with each piece. They add that perfect finishing touch, turning your projects into meaningful decor that not only looks beautiful but also brings a 

little joy to your space.

One of my favorite ways to display these pieces is by using the Standing Clipboard Trio Kit (sold separately). It makes it so easy to showcase your creations and switch them out whenever you’re ready for a fresh look. You can also style them in frames, on a shelf, or in your craft space for a personalized touch.

This kit is perfect for both beginner and seasoned crafters. Everything coordinates beautifully, making it simple to sit down and create something you’ll be proud to display in your home.

Whether you’re decorating a cozy corner, brightening your desk, or creating something meaningful for a friend, the Every Little Thing Kit is a wonderful reminder that it’s often the little things that bring the most joy. 💕

Happy crafting,

Christina ✂️💖

 

Celebrate Your Everyday Heroes with the Best Ever Kit 🎉

Best Ever Kit

We all have those special people in our lives—the ones who show up, support us, and make everyday moments feel a little more meaningful. With the Best Ever Kit, you can celebrate your #1s in the most fun and creative way!

Whether it’s Mom, Dad, a friend, teacher, or any everyday hero, this kit is designed to help you create projects that show just how much they mean to you.

What makes this kit so special are the playful and unique elements like foam fingers, ribbons, and trophies—all the little details that make your cards and paper crafts feel like a true celebration. It’s bright, cheerful, and full of personality!

One of my favorite things about the Best Ever Kit is how easy it is to use. Everything coordinates beautifully, so you can jump right in and start creating without overthinking your design. It’s perfect for making cards, tags, and other paper crafts that are full of appreciation and heart.

This kit makes it simple to turn your creativity into something meaningful—because sometimes the people we love most deserve to be celebrated in a big, joyful way.

So go ahead and craft something special… because your people are truly the best ever. 💕

Happy crafting,

Christina Kelly 💖

 

This Month’s Mystery Project – Easy Gift Card Holder ✂️

This month’s Mystery Project unveiled the cutest and simplest gift card holder, and I just love how it turned out! Projects like this are perfect for those moments when you want to give something thoughtful, but also handmade.

I used the Homemade Sweetness Designer Series Paper, paired with coordinating stamps and dies, to bring this project together. The sweet patterns and colors make it perfect for birthdays, thank-yous, or just because.

What I love most about this design is how easy it is to create, while still giving that “wow” factor when opened. It’s a fun fold with just the right amount of detail, and you can easily customize it with your favorite bundle and colors.

✂️ Supplies & Measurements

Colored Cardstock:

8-1/2" x 11" (cut 2)

Score at 4-1/4" along the 8-1/2" side

Score at 5-1/2" along the 11" side

After scoring:

Trim out the bottom right-hand quadrant

On the bottom left-hand quadrant, cut on a diagonal

White / Neutral Cardstock:

4" x 5-1/4"

Plus a label for stamping

Designer Series Paper (DSP):

4" x 5-1/4"

Cut on a diagonal

Additional Supplies:

12" ribbon for a bow

Embellishments

Favorite bundle with coordinating stamp pads

This project is such a great one to keep in your back pocket when you need a quick but impressive gift idea. Just tuck in a gift card, add a bow, and you have something truly special to give.

If you recreate this project, be sure to tag me—I would love to see your version and how you make it your own! 💖

Supplies I used: Strawberry Slush CS, Homemade Sweetness DSP, Multipurpose glue, Filled with Sweetness Bundle, Strawberries & Dots, Made With Sweetness stamp, Blends Markers: Strawberry Slush, Old Olive, Blueberry Bushel

Happy crafting,

Christina ✂️💕

Create Meaningful Cards with Ease | Lots to Love Kit 💕✂️

If you love creating handmade cards but don’t always have the time to design from scratch, the Lots to Love Kit is such a beautiful solution!

This kit makes it incredibly easy to design thoughtful, heartfelt cards without the fuss. It comes with everything you need to get started—no guesswork required. Inside, you’ll find printed card bases and envelopes, laser-cut card fronts, precut paper pieces and sentiments, and coordinating dot embellishments.

What I love most about this kit is the combination of colorful accents and fun botanical touches, which give each card a fresh and cheerful feel. Whether you’re sending a simple “hello” or a heartfelt “thank you,” these designs help you create something truly 

meaningful in just minutes.

It’s perfect for those days when you want to create something beautiful without pulling out your entire craft room—just open the box and start crafting!

✨ Good news: While this kit is currently unavailable, it will be back in stock soon—so be sure to keep an eye out and grab it when it returns!

Because sharing a handmade card is one of the simplest (and most meaningful) ways to brighten someone’s day. 💕

Happy crafting,

Christina Kelly💖

Shop Lots To Love Kit

 

Create Beautiful DIY Displays with the Radiant Reminders Kit 🌿

If you love adding a personal, handmade touch to your home decor, then you are going to fall in love with the Radiant Reminders Kit!

This kit allows you to create three stunning DIY displays that are not only simple to put together, but absolutely beautiful once finished. Featuring gorgeous elements like monstera leaves, delicate luna moths, and soft neutral patterns in shades of beige, black, brown, green, and gold, these pieces bring such a natural and organic feel into your space.

One of the things I love most about this kit is how versatile it is. You can display your finished creations using the Standing Clipboard Trio Kit (sold separately), which makes it so easy to switch out designs whenever you want a fresh look. You can also place them in your favorite frames, on a bulletin board, or even styled 

on a shelf or desk.

And can I just say… the luna moth design is my absolute favorite! There is something so elegant and peaceful about it — it truly stands out as a beautiful focal point in any room.

This kit is perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike. It comes together so easily, making it a relaxing and enjoyable project that results in decor you’ll be proud to display.

Whether you’re decorating your craft room, office, or a cozy corner of your home, these handmade pieces are such a lovely way to let your creativity shine while adding a touch of nature-inspired beauty.

Shop Radiant Reminders Kit

 

Exciting News – A Brand New Catalog Is Coming Soon! ✨

Hello friends!

I hope this finds you having a blessed and creative week. I am so excited to share a little sneak peek of what’s coming your way — a brand-new Stampin’ Up! catalog is just around the corner, and I truly think you are going to love these upcoming changes!

Starting in May, Stampin’ Up! is doing something new and refreshing with their catalog releases. Instead of the traditional setup of one large annual catalog and two mini catalogs each year, we will now have three catalogs per year, with each one lasting four months.

And here’s the fun part — these catalogs will be in a portrait-style layout, similar to what we’re used to with the Annual Catalog. From everything I’ve heard, the new design is much easier to navigate, beautifully organized, and makes finding your favorite products simpler than ever. (Which means even more fun shopping for us! 😊)

As always, I love treating my customers, so I will be sending out complimentary early copies of the May catalog to my opted-in customers. If you’ve placed at least a $50 order with me since January, you’ll be on that list!

I’ll be placing my catalog order very soon, so if you haven’t ordered yet this year, there’s still time to qualify.

✨ Place a $50 order before March 25, and I’ll make sure a copy is on its way to your mailbox.

I truly cannot wait to get this beautiful new catalog into your hands and start creating with all the amazing new products together.

Happy crafting,
Christina

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Easy Cube Gift Box – A Fun & Creative Surprise! ✂️💕

Today I’m sharing my latest YouTube tutorial, where I walk you step-by-step through creating this Cube Gift Box—and let me tell you, this one is such a fun design!

This box is a wonderful way to surprise someone special, and it even has a little extra space that makes it perfect for adding a small treat or special note. I just love interactive boxes like this—they always bring that extra “wow” factor!

One of my favorite things about this project is the bright, cheerful colors from this bundle. They really make the box pop and give it that sweet, happy feel that’s perfect for so many occasions.

✂️ Supplies & Measurements

Colored CS (Base):

• 8-1/4" x 8-1/4" Score @2-3/4" on all sides.

Colored CS (Lid):

• 6-9/16" x 6-9/16" Score @ 7/8" and 1-7/8" on all sides. 

Colored CS (Handle):

• 3/4" x 4" Score @ 1/2" on each end

Designer Series Paper (DSP):

• 2-5/8" X 2-5/8"  ((X5)) base

•  7/8" X 2-11/16 ((X4)) lid

BaseMat

✨ Supplies Used

• Strawberry Slush Cardstock # 165625

• Paper Trimmer # 152392

• Multipurpose Glue # 110755

• Homemade Sweetness DSP #167467

Shop with me here at my online store.

Lid Mat

This cube box is simple to create but looks so impressive when finished. It’s perfect for birthdays, or just letting someone know you’re thinking of them.

🎥 Be sure to watch the full YouTube tutorial to see exactly how I assembled this box and to follow along step-by-step!

I hope this project inspires you to get creative and try something new. If you make one, be sure to share it—I would love to see your version!

Happy crafting,

Christina 💕✂️

 

Lucky Little St. Patrick’s Day Treat Holder

This simple little St. Patrick’s Day card is sure to bring someone a smile—especially with a lucky golden coin tucked inside! 

It’s a fun and easy project that adds just the right 

touch of charm for the holiday.

To create this sweet design, I used a heart punch to make the clover leaves and a circle punch to create the window that shows off the special surprise inside. A little bit 

of twine tied at the top adds the perfect pop 

of texture and color to finish it off.

This project would be great for gifting to a friend, neighbor, coworker, or anyone who could use a little extra luck and a smile. Simple, cute, and thoughtful—sometimes those are the very best kind of handmade creations!

This project would be great for gifting to a friend, neighbor, coworker, or anyone who could use a little extra luck and a smile. Simple, cute, and thoughtful—sometimes those are the very best kind of handmade creations!

Thanks for viewing!

Christina Kelly

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Tips & Tricks - Stamp Cleanliness Matters!

Keeping your stamp clean helps them last longer and keeps your images crisp every time you craft. A simple habit after each project makes a big difference. 

Quick Tip:

Keep ink stained stamps clean with a simply moistened cloth or a cleaning tool. A quick wipe right after stamping prevents ink buildup  and keeps those fine details looking sharp. 

Here are a few great tools to make stamp cleaning effortless:

+ Simply Shammy (#147042) This reusable stamp cleaning cloth makes cleaning quick and easy. Just add water and wipe your stamps on the shammy. The durable, thick lint-ree material cleans ink from even narrow grooves. (The ink will stain the shammy but won't transfer to your fingers or other stamps.) Its protable 5" X 7" size fits perfectly  inside a stamp case. (( This one is my favorite))

+ Stampin' Scrub (#126200) Keep your stamps squeaky clean with this double tray scrub system. Spray Stampin' Mist on one side to scrub stamps clean, then dry them on the other pad. The plush black fiver pads help remove ink from even the most detailed stamps. Folds closed for easy storage. 

 +Stampin Mist (#153648) A gentle cleaner that removes ink and helps condition your rubber stamps. Perfect when paired with the Stampin' Scrub for deep cleaning. 

+ StazOn Cleaner (#109196) Best used when working with StazOn ink to minimize staining on red rubber stamps. After using StazOn cleaner, follow up with Stampin' Mist for the best care. 

A clean stamp means clearer impressions and happier crafting. 

 

💚 Christina Kelly

Lucky to Be Friends – A Sweet St. Patrick’s Day Tag 🍀

Today’s sketch is all things St. Patrick’s Day, and I had so much fun creating this adorable little tag! Projects like this are perfect when you want to add a handmade touch 

to a small gift or treat.

This tag starts with a base of Soft Seafoam cardstock, creating a soft and cheerful background. The focal layer was created using the Modern Oval Punch, which frames the stamped design beautifully.

I stamped the sentiment using the Good Luck and Sweet Jar stamp sets in Garden Green ink, which gives the tag that perfect St. Patrick’s Day feel. The combination of the playful sentiment and sweet clover images makes this 

design feel festive and fun.

To add a little extra charm, I created my own clover using a heart punch—such a simple and creative way to customize your design! By layering the punched hearts together, it forms the cutest little shamrock and adds wonderful 

dimension to the tag.

I finished the project with a mix of ribbon, baker’s twine, and a few embellishments to give it a polished look. The textures and sparkle bring everything together beautifully.

This turned out to be an absolutely darling tag that would be perfect for attaching to a treat bag, small gift, or even adding to a handmade card.

Sometimes the smallest projects bring the biggest smiles, and this little tag is a perfect example of that. 🍀

If you recreate this project or use this sketch for inspiration, be sure to tag me — I would love to see your version!

Supplies Used:

Good Luck Stamp

Soft SeaFoam Cardstock

Garden Green Ink Pad

Tuxedo Black ink pad

Modern Oval Punch

 

How to Make a Beautiful 12x12 Gift Box | Step-by-Step Tutorial

This project is not only beautiful, but it’s also large enough to hold all kinds of goodies, making it perfect for small gifts, treats, or a little surprise for someone special. I love projects like this that are both practical and pretty, and this box definitely

 checks both boxes!

The finished size of this box is 9" x 3-3/4" x 1-1/2", giving you plenty of room to tuck in chocolates, small gifts, gift cards, or other thoughtful surprises. It’s a wonderful project to create for birthdays, celebrations, party favors, or even holiday gifting.

For this project you will need:

Cardstock:

12" x 12"

Score on one side at:

1-1/2" and 10-1/2"

Turn and score on the other side at:

3/4", 1-1/2", 5-1/4", 6-3/4", 10-1/2", 

and 11-1/4"

Designer Series Paper (DSP):

8-1/2" x 3-1/4" (cut 2 pieces)

Once assembled, this box comes together beautifully and makes such an impressive handmade gift presentation. The decorative details really take it to the next level, and you can easily change the papers and embellishments to match any occasion or season.

🎥 Be sure to watch the YouTube video below, where I walk you through the entire project step-by-step so you can create 

your own version at home.

 

Happy crafting! 💚

Christina Kelly

✨ 📸 Scrapbook Class — Now Available as a Mail-Out Option!

Starting this month, our Scrapbook Class will be available as a mail-out only option — making it easy for you to create from the comfort of your own home! ✂️💕

I’ll be featuring the adorable Made with Sweetness Scrapbook Kit this month. The cozy patterns and welcoming images beautifully complement photos of family gatherings, backyard harvests, and those peaceful everyday moments we treasure most.

Want to take it up a notch? You can add interactive pockets, embossed details, and other creative elements using the additional coordinating products listed below.

✂️ What You’ll Receive:

• Complete scrapbook kit

• Everything pre-cut and organized

• Pieces laid out and ready to assemble

• Step-by-step instructions included inside the kit

No guessing. No measuring. Just open and create!

💲 Cost: $60
This includes:
✔️ The full kit
✔️ Shipping & handling
✔️ Class preparation

📬 Packets will be mailed Friday, March 27th
⏰ Deadline to submit payment: Sunday, March 15th

You can secure your spot by paying through the PayPal link listed here, or by using one of the additional payment options below the link.

I’m so excited to continue creating and memory-keeping with you — even from afar. Scrapbooking is such a beautiful way to preserve our stories, and I can’t wait for you to enjoy this month’s kit. 💕

Let me know if you have any questions!

PayPal Link 

You may also pay through

VENMO: @Christina-Kelly-118

CASHAPP: $cmkelly77

Birthday Fun with Gears & Textures

Masculine cards are one of my favorite creative challenges. For this birthday card, I focused on building depth and texture using layered gears and distressed details to create that bold, industrial feel.

The combination of Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie, Basic Black, and Smoky Slate creates a rich, earthy color palette that feels strong without being overwhelming. Adding metallic elements and dimensionals between the layers helps the gears stand out and adds incredible visual interest.

I also love inking and distressing the edges of the Designer Series Paper to give it that worn, vintage look. It pulls everything together and enhances the overall rugged style of the card.

If you ever feel stuck creating masculine projects, try focusing on:

• Neutral and earth-tone color palettes
• Texture and layering
• Metallic accents
• Clean but bold sentiments

The Gears & Textures theme makes it easy to create a card that feels thoughtful, strong, and perfect for celebrating the guys in your life. You want this one in your stamp collection. 

Happy crafting! ⚙️

Christina K.