Let’s Craft Together Blog Hop – September

Weโ€™re a group of Australian Stampinโ€™ Up!ยฎ Demonstrators who have joined forces to share our passion for papercraft and inspire creativity in your craft space.

Whether youโ€™re a seasoned stamper or just starting out, weโ€™re so glad youโ€™re hereโ€”and we hope youโ€™ll find fresh ideas and creative sparks to fuel your next project!

What to Expect

Each month, we explore a new creative theme or fun challenge, bringing you a variety of styles and techniques to try. Thereโ€™s always something new to learn and love!


The challenge this month for the Letโ€™s Craft Together Blog Hop is by Nancy and I am using the Nests of Winter Designer Series Paper by Stampinโ€™ Up!ยฎ.

The challenge Guide: Use products from your stash (maybe ones that are feeling a bit neglected) and create something new and on trend by combining it with a select few new items. The aim of this challenge is to show you can create exciting cards with old products

Nests of Winter

The Nest of Winter Designer Series Paper first appeared in last yearโ€™s Mini Catalogue, and I was so happy to see it carried over into the current Annual Catalogue. Since this challenge is all about using products that may be retired or sometimes forgotten, I thought it was the perfect excuse to pull it out of my stash and create a card with it.

The challenge was to combine something from your stash that maybe a little forgotten with something NEW! โœจ For my card, I paired the Nest of Winter DSP with the pine tree branches from the Christmas Greenery Bundle and a label from the Traditional Labels Bundleโ€”both are part of the Traditions of Christmas Suite Collection. To finish it off, I added a sentiment from the Greetings For You Mix & Match Ephemera, which tied everything together beautifully.

These new products will be available in the Septemberโ€“December Mini Catalogue, open for orders from 3rd September.

Other Products and Tips

  • Sentiment has an adhesive backing- remove the sticky by pouncing the Embossing Buddy on the sticky side. Then add mini dimensionals to adhere to your card front and give lift over the branches.
  • Bird was fussy cut from the DSP and added with dimensionals.
  • To give some some bling to the finished card I added the clear & gold gems from the Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems

Cutting Measurements

 ColourImperial/LetterMetric/A4
Card Base Tent FoldGray Granite4 ยผ x 11โ€, score @ 5 ยฝโ€10.5 x 29.9cm, score at 14.9cm
Card MatMisty Moonlight4 x 5ยผโ€10 x 14.4cm
Card FrontDSP3โ…ž x 5โ…›โ€9.7 x 14.1cm
Insert MatMisty Moonlight4 x 5ยผโ€10 x 14.4cm
InsertBasic White3โ…ž x 5โ…›โ€9.7 x 14.1cm
Insert StripDSP3โ…ž x ยพโ€9.7 x 2cm
Label Gray Granite2ยฝ x 4โ€6.5 x 10cm
Pine BranchesMossy Meadow
Shaded Spruce
2ยฝ x 5โ€
2ยฝ x 5โ€
5 x 12.5cm
5 x 12.5cm

Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that youโ€™re inspired to get crafty!

You may be starting here or have come from someone elseโ€™s blog โ€“ either way there is a list below to help you move around all the different blogs and get many amazing ideas.

Follow the Hop here..

If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

Product List

Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

Click on image to find out more.

If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

Charming Day Water Colouring

Hi there, and welcome! Whether you’re here for inspiration, ideas, or just a creative escapeโ€”I’m so happy you’ve stopped by.

On yesterdayโ€™s โ€˜Live with Micheleโ€™ I created this card using the Charming Day Bundle from the Floral Charm Suite Collection by Stampinโ€™ Up! ยฎ.

Itโ€™s been a while since I last did any water colouring, and Iโ€™d forgotten just how much fun it is! I know a lot of people feel a little hesitant to give it a try, but honestlyโ€”itโ€™s all about experimenting and playing. If youโ€™re new to it, I recommend grabbing a simple, inexpensive pad of watercolour paper and just having a go. Test out different techniques, see how the colours move, and find what feels right for you.

In the video below, youโ€™ll see my favourite way to water colour and the effects I love to achieve. Iโ€™d love to know if you give it a tryโ€”let me know in the comments what technique you enjoyed most!

Measurements Used…

 ColourImperial/LetterMetric/A4
Card Base Tent FoldBasic Beige4 ยผ x 11โ€, score @ 5 ยฝโ€10.5 x 29.9cm, score at 14.9cm
Card MatDSP4 x 5ยผโ€10 x 14.4cm
Card FrontBasic Beige3โ…ž x 5โ…›โ€9.7 x 14.1cm
Insert MatDSP4 x 5ยผโ€10 x 14.4cm
InsertBasic Beige3โ…ž x 5โ…›โ€9.7 x 14.1cm
Die Cut LeavesMossy Meadow4ยผ x 3โ€10.5 x 7.5cm

Tip: make sure to use Stazon Ink to create a perfect image for water colouring.

YouTube Video

Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that you’re inspired to get crafty!  

And if youโ€™re in Australia and donโ€™t already have a Demonstrator, Iโ€™d love to help with your crafting needs. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408 868 771 or michele@jutrisa.com

Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

All products used are listed below and are linked to my On-Line Store

Product List

Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

Click on image to find out more.

If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

Product Updates

Stampin’ Up! have some updates about cling stamps and Stampinโ€™ Write Markers, as well as some exciting news about new coordinating packaging for stamps and dies.

Important Update: Cling Stamps Are Being Retired โœจ

Stampinโ€™ Up! has made the tough decision to discontinue cling stamps. The key materials needed to make them are becoming increasingly hardโ€”or even impossibleโ€”to source.

Hereโ€™s what this means for you:

  • The Septemberโ€“December Mini Catalogue will be the last catalogue to feature cling stamp sets.
  • Starting with the November Online Exclusive release, all new stamp sets will be photopolymer only.
  • Any cling stamp sets in the Mini or Annual Catalogue will move to the Last Chance category when the catalogues endโ€”so grab them while you can!
  • Online Exclusive cling sets will be available until April 2026 at the latest, though some may retire sooner if stock runs out.

Background stamps will still be part of the range but will now be photopolymer.

โœจ Tip for StฤzOnโ„ข lovers: If you enjoy using StฤzOnโ„ข with your photopolymer stamps, just clean them immediately after use to help keep them in great condition.topolymer, simply clean your stamps right after use. This will help preserve their quality and longevity.


Stampinโ€™ Write Markers Are Retiring! โœจ

With Stampinโ€™ Blendsโ„ข becoming more popular than ever, Stampinโ€™ Up! has decided itโ€™s time to say goodbye to Stampinโ€™ Write Markers.

Stampin’ Write Markers have already moved to the Last Chance category.
๐Ÿ›’ Hurryโ€”while supplies last! If youโ€™ve been thinking about grabbing any sets, nowโ€™s the perfect time to order before theyโ€™re gone for good.

Donโ€™t miss out on these classic markersโ€”theyโ€™ve been a staple in so many crafting projects! ๐Ÿ’›


Exciting News: Sleeker, Slimmer Packaging for Stamps and Dies! โœจ

Big changes are coming to how you store and organize your stamps and diesโ€”and we think youโ€™re going to love it!

Since photopolymer stamps are thinner, Stampinโ€™ Up! has redesigned our durable clear plastic envelopes to be sleeker and slimmer. The new envelopes are the same size (5โ…” x 9″ / 14.3 x 22.9 cm), making them so much easier to store. And hereโ€™s the really fun partโ€”die packages now include printed artwork, so identifying and organizing your dies has never been simpler. Plus, the larger size means you can see more stamp artwork at 100%, which is perfect for planning your next project.

Hereโ€™s how the transition will work:

  • New stamps and dies from Novemberโ€™s Online Exclusive release will come in the new packaging right away.
  • Dies released before November will stay in the old packaging until theyโ€™re discontinued.
  • Photopolymer stamps released before November will gradually move into the new packaging depending on stock, so you might see a mix of old and new for a little while.

Storage options for your crafty collection:

  • Standard Stamp Cases (119105) are still available to help keep your stamps organized, though they might retire in the future.
  • New Stamp & Die Organizers (167772) will be available in packs of 10 from 4th Novemberโ€”perfect if you want to transfer your photopolymer stamps and dies into the new sleek packaging.

Weโ€™re super excited about these changes because they make it easier to store, organize, and enjoy your stamps and diesโ€”and who doesnโ€™t love a little extra crafting convenience? ๐Ÿ’›


If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

Painterly Pears Card Box

Hi there, and welcome! Whether youโ€™re here for inspiration, ideas, or just a little creative escapeโ€”Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™ve stopped by.

On yesterdayโ€™s โ€˜Live with Micheleโ€™ I shared something a little differentโ€ฆa Card Box created with the Painterly Pears Suite Collection by Stampinโ€™ Up! ยฎ. This box was designed to perfectly hold all four of the Z-Fold cards weโ€™ve been making together over the past few weeks. Now, itโ€™s ready to be gifted as a setโ€”or you could fill it with other little treasures for a thoughtful handmade present.

Painterly Pears Card Box Printable Tutorial

Included in this tutorial are the measurements youโ€™ll needโ€”not only to make this box, but also to adjust it to any size you like. That way you can recreate it for different cards, gifts, or occasions.

YouTube Video

Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that you’re inspired to get crafty!  

If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

All products used are listed below and are linked to my On-Line Store

Product List

Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

Click on image to find out more.

If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

Painterly Pears Z-Fold Pop-Up Card

Hi there, and welcome! Whether youโ€™re here for inspiration, ideas, or just a little creative escapeโ€”Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™ve stopped by.

On yesterdayโ€™s โ€˜Live with Micheleโ€™ I shared a card featuring the Painterly Pears Suite Collection by Stampinโ€™ Up! ยฎ. This project wraps up my little series exploring different Z-Fold card styles, and I hope youโ€™ve enjoyed them as much as I have!

Todayโ€™s card is a Z-Fold Pop-Up Card. It has a fun middle layer that gives you space to write a message to your recipient. Best of all, itโ€™s quick and simple to put together with only minimal stampingโ€”perfect for when you want a card that looks impressive but doesnโ€™t take hours to create.


Painterly Pears Pop-Up Z-Fold Card Printable Tutorial

Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that you’re inspired to get crafty!  

If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

All products used are listed below and are linked to my On-Line Store

Product List

Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

Click on image to find out more.

If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

Mr Squiggle

Hi there, and welcome!

Whether you’re here for inspiration, ideas, or just a creative escapeโ€”I’m so happy you’ve stopped by.

This was so much fun!

In July, the Canberra National Museum opened its exhibition Mr Squiggle and His Friends. It celebrates the incredible life of Norman Hetheringtonโ€”the creative genius behind Mr Squiggle.

Norman was a lifelong artist and storyteller, turning his hand to everything from cartoons to commercial art. He entertained troops during WWII, designed costumes and stage sets, wrote scripts, and even acted.

Mr Squiggle first aired on ABC on 1 July 1959. Children from all over Australia sent in their โ€œsquiggles,โ€ and Mr Squiggle would turn them into clever drawings right before our eyes. The show ran for over 40 years, and my sisters and I absolutely adored him.

And yesโ€”Mr Squiggleโ€™s nose did actually draw! In the early days, it was a felt-tip pen. Later, he also used crayons and chalk. The magic happened thanks to Norman, who operated the puppet from above and skillfully drew with that famous pointy nose.

Mr Squiggle was just one of many wonderful puppets brought to life by Norman Hetherington

How I created my layout

For this double-page layout, I knew I wanted the colours to be just as happy and lively as the moments in my photos. The Stampin’ Up!ยฎCelebratory Sips Designer Series Paper was an instant โ€œyes!โ€ with its bright, vibrant palette and cheerful patternsโ€”it practically shouts celebration.

To add movement and texture, I grabbed my Stylish Shapes dies and cut a scattering of circles from Two-Tone Cardstock. Each one got a little crafty treatmentโ€”scrunched up for dimension, then lightly sanded to reveal some of the white core. I love how this little step adds so much personality to the page.

For the finishing touches, the Just a Note Bundle came out to play. Its sweet accents and shapes were perfect for anchoring my journaling spots and pulling the whole layout together without stealing the spotlight from the photos.

The end result? Bright, fun, and full of the same joyful energy I felt when those pictures were taken.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that you’re inspired to get crafty!  

If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

All products used are listed below and are linked to my On-Line Store

Product List

Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

Click on image to find out more.

If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

Painterly Pears, Horizontal Quadruple Z Fold

Hi and welcome today to my Blog.

On Sunday, some friends and I got together on Zoom for a crafty play session with another Z-Fold card design. Taking inspiration from Susan Campfield, we created a Horizontal Quadruple Z-Fold. Since Iโ€™ve been using the Painterly Pears suite for my other Z-Fold cards, I decided to keep the theme going and feature it on this one as well.

How to make this card…

Tips:

  • Card bases- Cut 2 Card Bases and score. Use the second card base to cut the 4 strips at 2cm as required. This way you are sure of having 4 strips all scored the same.
  • Strips- Adhere the top and bottom first then adhere the 2 middle strips, spacing evenly.
  • Side Panels- Emboss with embossing folder. these will cover where the strips are attached to the card base.
 ColourImperial/LetterMetric/A4
Card BaseBasic Beige9 x 4ยผโ€, score at 1ยพโ€, 3 ยฝโ€24.9 x 10.5cm, score 5, 10cm
Strips- cut x 4Basic Beige9 x ยพโ€, score at 1ยพโ€, 3 ยฝโ€24.9 x 2cm, score 5, 10cm
Side panel Mat x 2Basic Beige1ยพ x 4ยผโ€5 x 10.5cm
Strips- cut x 4DSP3โ… x โ…โ€9.6 x 1.7cm
Side PanelDSP1โ… x 4โ…›โ€4.7 x 10.2cm
Back Panel MatPetal Pink5ยผ x 4โ€14.4 x 10cm
Back PanelBasic Beige5โ…› x 3โ…žโ€14.1 x 9.7cm
Back Panel StripDSP5โ…› x ยฝโ€14.1 x 1.3cm
Sentiment Circle- largePetal Pink3 x 3โ€8 x 8cm
Sentiment Circle- smallBasic Beige2ยฝ x 2ยฝโ€7 x 7cm

    Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that you’re inspired to get crafty!  

    If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

    Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

    Product List

    Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

    Click on image to find out more.

    If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

    Painterly Pears Z-Fold Card Part 3

    Hi there, and welcome! Whether you’re here for inspiration, ideas, or just a creative escapeโ€”I’m so happy you’ve stopped by.

    This is the third installment in our Z-Fold Card series. On Fridayโ€™s Live with Michele, I created this card using the Painterly Pears Suite Collection by Stampinโ€™ Up! ยฎ.

    I first spotted this design on YouTube by Annette Green โ€” a Unique Z-Fold โ€” and adapted the measurements to suit standard envelopes for both US Letter and A4 sizes.

    What I love about this card is how unassuming it looks at first glance. But once you open it, the clever fold really showcases the stunning Designer Series Paper at its very best.

    Printable Tutorial

    YouTube Video

    Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that you’re inspired to get crafty!  

    If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

    Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

    All products used are listed below and are linked to my On-Line Store

    Product List

    Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

    Click on image to find out more.

    If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

    Painterly Pears Triple Z-Fold Card – Part 2

    Hi there, and welcome! Whether you’re here for inspiration, ideas, or just a creative escapeโ€”I’m so happy you’ve stopped by.

    On Fridayโ€™s โ€˜Live with Micheleโ€™, I created a Triple Z-Fold Card using the Painterly Pears Suite Collection by Stampinโ€™ Up!ยฎ

    Fruit-themed suites arenโ€™t usually my first pick, but Iโ€™m absolutely loving the rich colours in this one! In fact, on this card, the pears almost fade into the background, allowing the vibrant hues and floral elements to take centre stage.

    To continue exploring fun ways to use Z-Fold styles, Iโ€™ve taken it a step further and created a Triple Z-Fold Cardโ€”and I love how it turned out!

    TIP: Below is a cutting diagram showing how I created the Secret Sea card bases from one sheet of cardstock. It works for both A4 and Letter-sized cardstock.
    Each layer is scored into three sectionsโ€”Left, Middle, and Right. The Middle sections must all be the same width to ensure your card folds flat. The Left and Right sections can be any width you choose, depending on your design.

    Painterly Pears Triple Z-Fold Printable Tutorial

    YouTube Video

    Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that you’re inspired to get crafty!  

    If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

    Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

    All products used are listed below and are linked to my On-Line Store

    Product List

    Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

    Starting 5 August, select products that feature the new 2025โ€“2027 In Colorsโ„ข are 15% off! This is a great opportunity to purchase new In Color products at a discount, so grab products you loveโ€”like ink, two-tone cardstock, and Designer Series Paperโ€”and get everything you need to create projects that showcase Stampinโ€™ Up!โ€™s amazing colour coordination!

    Ready to shop the sale? Click HERE

    If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . . 

    Let’s Craft Together Blog Hop- August

    Welcome to the Letโ€™s Craft Together Blog Hop!

    Weโ€™re a group of Australian Stampinโ€™ Up!ยฎ Demonstrators who have joined forces to share our passion for papercraft and inspire creativity in your craft space.

    Whether youโ€™re a seasoned stamper or just starting out, weโ€™re so glad youโ€™re hereโ€”and we hope youโ€™ll find fresh ideas and creative sparks to fuel your next project!

    What to Expect

    Each month, we explore a new creative theme or fun challenge, bringing you a variety of styles and techniques to try. Thereโ€™s always something new to learn and love!


    This monthโ€™s theme is:
    ๐ŸŽ‰ Masculine Birthday Cards ๐ŸŽ‰
    Hosted by the talented Monique, this challenge is all about celebrating the men in our lives with handcrafted cards that are bold, stylish, and thoughtful.

    Boho Vibes

    For this monthโ€™s challenge, I decided to create a Masculine Birthday Card using the Boho Vibes Suite Collection by Stampinโ€™ Up!ยฎ.

    I had fun playing with a layered designโ€”this card features two cards of different sizes, each opening in opposite directions and overlapping one another for a unique and interactive layout. The earthy tones and bold patterns from the Boho Vibes Suite made it perfect for a masculine look with plenty of style!

    The simple black and white sentiment comes from the Greetings for All Mix & Match Ephemera pack.

    The card was then finished of with a few white Matte Dots from the Neutral Matte Dots.

    Cutting Measurements…

     ColourImperial/LetterMetric/A4
    Card Base 1Secret Sea5ยฝ x 7โ€, score @ 2ยพโ€14.9 x 17cm, score at 6.5cm
    Card Front Left 1Secret Sea2ยฝ x 5ยผโ€6 x 14.4cm
    Card Insert Mat 1Cloud Cover4 x 5ยผโ€10 x 14.4cm
    Card Insert 1DSP3โ…ž x 5โ…›โ€9.7 x 14.1cm
    Card Base 2Cloud Cover6 x 4โ€, score at 3โ€16 x 10.5cm, score at 8cm
    Card Front 2DSP2ยพ x 3ยพโ€7.5 x 10cm
    Card Insert 2Basic White2ยพ x 3ยพโ€7.5 x 10cm
    Insert Strip 2DSPยฝ x 3ยพโ€1.4 x 10cm
    SentimentBasic Whiteยฝ x 2ยพโ€1.4 x 7.5cm

    Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. I hope you have enjoyed my projects & that youโ€™re inspired to get crafty!

    You may be starting here or have come from someone elseโ€™s blog โ€“ either way there is a list below to help you move around all the different blogs and get many amazing ideas.

    Follow the Hop here..

    If you’re in Australia and need help with your crafting needs and don’t have a Demonstrator, I’d love to assist you. Feel free to reach out to me at 0408868771 or michele@jutrisa.com. Cheers!

    Stampin’ Up! products used in today’s Project

    Product List

    Current Stampin’ Up!ยฎ Promotions

    Click on image to find out more.

    If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to . . .