Growing up, I spent most summers living on the lake in Minnesota. Those lazy summer reading books on the dock, swimming, water skiing, and hanging out bring back great memories. So, Stampin’ Up!’s Waterside Retreat Suite calls me to me. I love all of the images and dies in the Relaxing Waterside Bundle and appreciate the great patterns in the Waterside Retreat 12 x 12 Designer Series Paper.
In addition, the images and paper provide a great opportunity to create masculine-themed cards.
In today’s card, I used a sketch for my inspiration. Each month, our team of Kim’s Paper Krafters works on a crafting challenge. This month, the challenge calls for us to create either a card or a memory keeping page using the following sketch.
Screenshot
Measurements and Details
Pool Party cardstock base measuring 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored and folded at 4 1/4
Misty Moonlight Panel measuring 4 x 3
Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper panel measuring 3 3/4 x 2 3/4
Gray Granite strip die cut with die from Lovely Arrangements and trimmed
Adirondack chair stamped in Pecan Pie ink on Pecan Pie cardstock and die cut with coordinating die
Grass stamped with Pool Party ink on Pool Party cardstock and die cut with coordinating die
Seagull stamped with black ink on Gray Granite cardstock and die cut with coordinating die
Sentiment stamped in Misty Moonlight on Pool Party cardstock measuring 1/2 x 2
How to Video
From my craft room in Mesa, Arizona, I offer step-by-step instructions for creating this card using the Waterside Retreat Suite and a sketch.
I hope you enjoy this card and the others I showed in the video. I’ll be reaching for this bundle frequently!
Kim Quade, Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in Mesa, Arizona
Supply List
Click on any of the graphics below to to shop online for the products to create this card at home:
We all need a little shimmer and glimmer in our lives! And Stampin’ Up! is offering a brand-new way to do this! Be sure to check out the 2026-2028 In Color Shimmer Brushes. Find them on page 71 of Stampin’ Up!’s May-August 2026 Mini Catalog.
These brushes add a little glitz to all of your paper crafting projects. They come in Barely Blush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Hydrangea Hue, Peaceful Pine, and Golden Glow. Be sure to watch the video below to gain some tips and tricks for using this fantastic new products.
When I first received these brushes, I started playing around with coloring different images. In this post, I share two different cards I created with these brushes.
In the card featured at the top, I colored an image from the Artisan Sketched Garden 12 x 12 Designer Series Paper and hand cut with the scissors. I then layered it on vellum and another piece of card stock from the Artisan Sketched Garden.
For the card above, I used the Hydrangea Hue Shimmer Brush to “splatter” some background on the Basic White card stock (“embossed” with the Eyelet Blooms Die). I stamped the images with Memento (dried overnight). But I do recommend using Stazon when coloring with the Shimmer Brushes.
How to Video
From my craft room in Mesa, Arizona, I give some tips and tricks for playing with the 2026-2028 In Color Shimmer Brushes.
I hope you enjoyed this video. Be sure to hop on over to the online store to grab these brushes for yourself. See the links below.
Kim Quade, Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in Mesa, Arizona
Supply List
Click on any of the graphics below to shop the online store to purchase the products to create the featured card at home;
I’m loving all of the balloons included in Stampin’ Up!’s new Balloon Festoon Bundle. Find it in the May-August 2026 Mini Catalog. The catalog goes live today!
Today, I tried a fun heat embossing technique. After stamping the balloon image with ink, I applied Wow! Clear Embossing Powder in the image, heated with a heat gun, and then die cut. The clear embossing powder gives the balloons a real shiny look — just like a balloon. Be sure to watch the video below to see how this card comes together.
I also used the brand-new 2026-2028 In Colors: Barely Blush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Golden Glow, Peaceful Pine, and Hydrangea Hue.
Measurements and Details
Hydrangea Hue cardstock base measuring 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored and folded at 5 1/4
Hydrangea Hue Painted Patterns 12 x 12 2026-2028 In Color Designer Series Paper measuring 5 1/4 x 4
Vellum 12 x 12 Specialty Paper measuring 5 x 3 3/4
Balloons stamped in each of the five 2026-2028 In Colors on Basic White cardstock
Heat emboss with Wow! clear embossing powder and die cut with coordinating die
Sentiment stamped in Hydrangea Hue on Basic White cardstock measuring 2 3/4 x 1/2
2026-2028 In Color Dots — I used one of each
How to Video
From my craft room in Mesa, Arizona, I offer step-by-step instructions for creating this handmade birthday card.
May Card Kit Offer
If you love the Balloon Festoon Bundle, I know you’ll like my free May card kit offer. Read this blog post to learn how you can get this card kit (which includes an easy fun fold and a gift card holder) sent to you.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! I hope you enjoyed this project! Please let me know if you have questions about this card or any other.
Kim Quade, Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in Mesa, Arizona
Supply List
Click on any of the graphics below to shop for the products to create this card at home.
Raise your hand if you like new colors? Do you look forward to the release of Stampin’ Up!’s new In Colors each year? In just a week, you’ll be able to get your hands on these new colors in a variety of coordinating products.
Our new colors are: Barely Blush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Golden Glow, Hydrangea Hue, and Peaceful Pine.
In addition to the new colors, you’ll notice a difference in the pads. No longer difficult to open, they are magnetic — the lids come off easily and close easily. Be sure to watch the video below for a demonstration.
Some of the additional 2026-2028 In Color products include: ink refills, 8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock, 12 x 12 Two-Tone Cardstock, 12 x 12 Pearlized Cardstock, In Color Dots, In Color Butterflies, In Color 12 x 12 Painted Patterns Designer Series Paper, Stampin’ Blends Combo Packs, 3/8-inch Bordered Ribbon, and shimmer pens (coming soon).
For today’s card, I combined the colors in a very quick and easy card. The video also shows samples in all of the new 2026-2028 In Colors. (If you don’t want to wait until May 5, consider purchasing Stampin’ Up!’s Starter Kit; you can add these new items to you kit. Ask me for details. Or click here to join.)
Measurements and Details
Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock base measuring 8 12 x 5 1/2, scored and folded at 4 1/4
Basic White cardstock panel measuring 5 1/4 x 4
Strips measuring 3 3/4 x 3/4 — one of each from the 12 x 12 Painted Patterns Designer Series Paper
Balloon from Balloon Festoon die cut from the Crisp Cantaloupe Pearlized Cardstock
Heat embossed sentiment and dots in Wow! white
Crisp Cantaloupe dots
Crisp Cantaloupe 3/8-inch Bordered Ribbon
How to Video
From my craft room in Mesa, Arizona, I introduce all of the brand-new In Colors, show coordinating products, and give step-by-step directions for creating the featured card.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog today! Please let me know if you have questions about this project, the In Colors, or getting your hands on these products early.
Kim Quade, Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in Mesa Arizona
May Free Card Kit Offer
If you love Stampin’ Up!’s Balloon Festoon Bundle, then this free card kit offer is for you. Click here to read all of the details.
Supply List
Click on any of the graphics below to shop the online store for the products to create this card at home:
This is what happens when I’m working on several projects at a time! My craft table (an extended dining room table) is covered with an array of projects in mid-completion. I’ve been playing with Stampin’ Up!’s new Product of the Month (the Eyelet Blooms Die), while designing for this week’s in-person classes using the Forever Florals Bundle. And, I have remnants from last month’s class using the Lovely Arrangements Bundle. All those pieces came together on this thank you card.
Each month, Stampin’ Up! releases a new and exclusive Product of the Month. When your online shopping card total reaches $75 (before tax, shipping, and any redeemed rewards), you can purchase the Product of the Month for just $5. Limit of one per customer. Available while supplies last.
Measurements and Details
Pool Party Cardstock base measuring 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored and folded at 4 1/4
Pool Party Cardstock panel measuring 5 1/4 x 4
Basic White Cardstock panel measuring 5 x 3 3/4. “Embossed” with Eyelet Blooms Die. See instructions below.
Pool Party Cardstock die cut with floral image from Forever Florals Dies. Cut in half.
Heat emboss sentiment (Lovely Arrangements) with Wow! Basics white. Die cut with Forever Florals label.
Array of Dots (Pool Party). Available in upcoming May-August 2026 Mini Catalog.
Embossing Sandwich
Use a die to emboss. From bottom to top:
Plate 1
Plate 3
Silicone Craft Sheet
Cardstock — upside down
Die
Plate 3
Shim (if needed)
How to Video
From my craft room in Mesa, Arizona, I give step-by-step instructions for creating this thank you card.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. Please let me know if you have questions about this or any other stamping project.
Kim Quade, Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in Mesa, Arizona
Supply List
Click on any of the graphics below to shop for the products to create this card at home:
Sign up for my newsletter and get a free tutorial!
Get Updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from Kim!
You have Successfully Subscribed!
Current Catalogs
Follow Me
Categories
Disclaimer
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of Kim Quade as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!
