Ink Spot Background Technique

Ink Spot Background Technique

Have you seen the Stampin’ Spots? The mini ink pads that come in the Stampin’ Up! Paper Pumpkin kits and the Kits Collection? Be sure to keep them and use them for other projects.

Though small in size, they lend themselves to a variety of techniques. Today, I showcase a handmade greeting card where I used the spots to create a fun background.

Measurements and Details

  • Coastal Cabana card stock base measuring 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored and folded at 4 1/4
  • Basic White card stock panel measuring 5 1/4 x 4
  • Randomly stamp Basic White card stock panel with different colors of Stampin’ Spots. I used Daffodil Delight, Basic Grey, and Coastal Cabana.
  • Heat emboss the sentiments from Simply Said and add to card front.
  • Add Neutral Matte Dots.

Click here to see a blog post and video for another technique using the Stampin’ Spots.

In the new 2025-2026 Annual Catalog (which debuts May 6, 2025), the Classic Stampin’ Spots assortment comes with two options:

Assortment 1 includes Real Red, Petal Pink, Garden Green, Cloud Cover, and Early Espresso.

Assort 2 includes Melon Mambo, Darling Duckling, Granny Apple Green, Fresh Freesia, and Basic Grey.

You may also purchase a set of uninked spots (six pads for $10) to create your own mini pad. Just fill with any of Stampin’ Up!’s refills and you’re good to go. Choose from any of Stampin’ Up!’s fifty ink colors.

A couple of tips regarding using the Stampin’ Spots:

  1. Wrap a rubber band around the little container. This keeps the lid from falling off and drying out the pad.
  2. Store the spots upside down to keep the ink toward the top of the pad.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! I hope you enjoy this project. Please let me know if you have questions about this project or any others.

Need more inspiration? Subscribe to my free, email newsletter. I send three to four newsletters each month that include a paper crafting video, a card making tutorial, and updates to Stampin’ Up! news and specials. Click here to subscribe.

Kim

Ink Spot Background Technique Supply List

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Ink Spot Birthday Card

Ink Spot Birthday Card

Did you know Stampin’ Up! offers two sizes of ink pads? The full-size Classic Stampin’ Pad is perhaps the most common. Stampin’ Up! sells these pads in about 50 different colors. The second option includes the Stampin’ Spots. Find these in Paper Pumpkin kits as well as select kits from the Kits Collection.

In the new 2025-2026 Annual Catalog (which debuts May 6, 2025), the Classic Stampin’ Spots assortment comes with two options:

Assortment 1 includes Real Red, Petal Pink, Garden Green, Cloud Cover, and Early Espresso.

Assort 2 includes Melon Mambo, Darling Duckling, Granny Apple Green, Fresh Freesia, and Basic Grey.

You may also purchase a set of uninked spots (six pads for $10) to create your own mini pad. Just fill with any of Stampin’ Up!’s refills and you’re good to go.

A couple of tips regarding using the Stampin’ Spots:

  1. Wrap a rubber band around the little container. This keeps the lid from falling off and drying out the pad.
  2. Store the spots upside down to keep the ink toward the top of the pad.

In today’s post, I share two cards I created using the Classic Stampin’ Spots. The first card features the large Simple Birthday sentiment. The second card showcases the Thanking You Photopolymer Stamp set. Be sure to watch the video below to see how this technique works.

Measurements and Details (Birthday)

  • Gorgeous Grape card stock base measuring 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored and folded at 4 1/4
  • Gorgeous Grape card stock panel measuring 5 1/4 x 4, embossed with the Dotted Circles 3D Embossing Folder
  • Basic White panel measuring 5 1/4 x 4, die cut with the Textured Notes Dies
  • With the stamp facing up on your craft table, apply ink from the spots directly onto the stamp. Start with the lighter color first. Then add your second color. Stamp on Basic White Card Stock panel. I used Gorgeous Grape and Flirty Flamingo.
  • Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to pop up the birthday sentiment.
  • Add coordinating gems: Rainbow Adhesive-Backed Dots

Here’s a thank you card using the same technique. This card uses Daffodil Delight and Coastal Cabana ink spots. Check out the cute background: The Pattern of Friendship Die.

Stampin' Up! Thanking You Photopolymer Stamp Set

How to Video

From my craft room in Mesa, Arizona, I offer step-by-step visual instructions to create this card at home:

I hope you enjoy today’s cards. This is a great way to use those Stampin’ Spots. Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. Please let me know if you have questions about this project or any others.

Kim

Ink Spot Birthday Card Supply List

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Memories & More Mother’s Day

Welcome to Team Stamp It’s April Blog Hop! Thanks so much for joining us! This month, we share handmade greeting cards and projects that focus on Mother’s Day. Be sure to visit all of the blogs on the hop to gain a host of paper crafting inspiration. Leave a comment on each. You have a chance to win the Birthday Sparkle Kit.

Memories & More Mother's Day

Do you ever need a quick card like yesterday? You need the easy button! For me, that’s Stampin’ Up!’s Memories & More Card Packs. For today’s Mother’s Day card, I use the Mixed Media Florals Memories & More Card Pack with just a few add ons. The card pack includes 50 double-sided printed cards for quick card fronts and pocket scrapbooks plus 4 sheets of stickers to embellish your projects.

The cards and the stickers allow you to create a variety of cards — everything from birthday to thank you to thinking of you and even this Mother’s Day card with the “You’re Amazing” sticker.

Measurements and Details

  • From the stack of cards, choose the card with the grid in the middle surrounded by Shy Shamrock stripes. With your paper trimmer, cut this piece to 5 1/4 x 4.
  • Adhere to a Shy Shamrock card stock base measuring 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored and folded at 4 1/4
  • Select the larger tulip image from the sticker sheet and place on card front, as shown in the photos.
  • Find the “You’re Amazing” sticker sentiment, and layer it on the card.
  • Include a couple of flower stickers and a ladybug.
  • Tie a bow with 8 inches of the Shy Shamrock 3/8-inch Bordered Ribbon and place on card front with a Glue Dot.
  • Place a 5 1/4 x 4 piece of Basic White card stock to the inside of the card. Write a nice message!

The sentiments and images in the pack work well for quick and easy cards that you’re proud to send out.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I hope you enjoyed this “easy button” project.

Need more inspiration? Look for the list near the end of this post. Leave a comment on each for a chance to win the Birthday Sparkle Kit.

Congratulations to last month’s winner: Michele Deschenes

Blog Hop Participants

Click on any of the links below to get started on the hop. Just follow along.

Memories & More Mother’s Day Supply List

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Beautiful Butterflies Free Tutorial

I’m thinking many of you feel the same way about sympathy cards; they are difficult to create. Yet, I believe they provide a lot of comfort to those who receive them.

In today’s post, I share step-by-step directions for creating this simple sympathy card. I use Stampin’ Up!’s Beautiful Butterfly Bundle, one of the hybrid embossing folder offerings. It debuted in the spring catalog. And, good news, it’s still available. (Please note: It’s been a popular item so it goes in and out of inventory. Keep checking the store. Or, let me know so I can keep an eye on it for you.)

This hybrid embossing folder bundle offers a lot of fun options. Click here to learn how to make a fun butterfly shaped card. Look for a video on that post, as well.

Beautiful Butterflies Bundle

Measurements and Details

Stampin’ Up! Supplies:

  • STAMPS – Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (164615), Mixed Labels Cling Stamp Set (164643)
  • PAPER – Night of Navy Cardstock (100867), Smoky Slate Cardstock (131202), Basic White Cardstock (166780)
  • INK – Night of Navy Classic Stampin’ Pad (147110)
  • OTHER – Linen Thread (104199), Opal Rounds Assortment (163298), Stylish Shapes Dies (159183), Stampin’ Seal (152813), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653)

Cutting & Scoring:  

  • Night of Navy Cardstock – 8 ½” x 5 ½”, scored and folded at 4 ¼”; 4 ½” x 4 ½”  
  • Smoky Slate Cardstock – 5 ¼” x 4”, 2” x 3”
  • Basic White Cardstock – 5 ¼” x 4”  
  • Linen Thread – 9”

Instructions:

  • Die cut the butterfly outline from the 4 ½” x 4 ½” Night of Navy Cardstock.
  • Dry emboss the 5 ¼” x 4” Smoky Slate Cardstock with the embossing folder.
  • Stamp the sympathy sentiment from the Mixed Labels Stamp Set in Night of Navy ink on the Smoky Slate scrap. Die cut with the banner from the Stylish Shapes Dies.
  • Add large butterfly to card front with adhesive of choice.
  • Tie a bow with the Linen Thread. Attach a Glue Dot to the knot and place on card front on an angle.
  • Place Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the sentiment and place on craft front on top of the Linen Thread.
  • Add three Night of Navy gems from the Opal Rounds Assortment.
  • Place remaining Basic White Cardstock in the middle of the card.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. Please let me know if you have questions about this project or any other stamping-related, paper crafting question.

Kim

Supply List

Click on any of the graphics below to shop for the products to create this card at home:

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Interactive Spring Treat Box

Interactive Spring Treat Box

Who loves treats? Especially when they come in a cute box! An interactive box, too! Include these in Easter baskets, use on the table for dinner, give to a server as a tip, or share with a friend during a special celebration. I gave these out as party favors for a recent fundraiser kit gathering.

In today’s post, I share the directions for creating an interactive spring treat box. It features the Mixed Florals Photopolymer Stamp Set. Find it online as part of Stampin’ Up!’s Online Exclusives. (Please let me know if you need help finding this stamp set or help in ordering it.)

Mixed Florals Stamp Set

Measurements and Details

  • Card stock of your choice (I used Crumb Cake) measuring 6 x 4 3/4. Score at 1/2, 2 1/2, 3 1/4, and 5 1/4 on the 6-inch side. Score at 4 inches on the 4 3/4-inch side.
  • Stamp tulip image from the Mixed Florals Stamp Set across the long side of the box. I stamped the image twice using the White Craft Ink.
  • Added a sentiment (from a Paper Pumpkin kit) heat embossed in white and die cut with a circle from the Stylish Shapes Dies.
  • Petal Pink 3/8″ Scalloped Ribbon: 16-18 inches
  • Embellishments, if desired. I used the Petal Pink dots from the Low-Profile Dots.

How to Video

Be sure to watch the video below. From my craft room in Mesa, Arizona, I give step-by-step directions for creating this cute box.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I hope you love this project and want to try it at home. Please let me know if you have questions. I’m here to help.

Kim

Interactive Spring Treat Box Supply List

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