virtual album retreat

virtual album retreat

Imagine an online scrapbooking event where you can create a beautiful album that celebrates your milestones and memories, cultivate scrapbooking techniques, connect with a friendly community of crafters, and finish feeling inspired with a keepsake you’ll be proud to display.

Are you interested?

Then join us to turn your cherished moments into lasting memories—right from the comfort of your home at the Happiness Is Here Virtual Album Retreat! Held on April 29–May 1, 2026, we’ll start the Facebook live stream at 12:00 p.m. each day.

I will also be opening up my studio for all the the broadcast times as well! And offering two additional 2 page bonus spreads with your purchase!

This kit is your all-access pass to the three-day virtual scrapbooking retreat filled with:

– Creative inspiration: Discover new scrapbooking techniques and hone your crafting skills.
– Expert guidance: Follow step-by-step instructions from experienced instructors to complete your album with ease.
– Community and fun: Connect with fellow crafters, share your progress, and enjoy a supportive atmosphere.
– Memory making: Create a beautiful 10-spread (20-page) album that tells your unique story.

By purchasing this product, you’ll be able to attend Stampin’ Up!’s Virtual Album Retreat, a three-day Facebook event full of crafting and fun. Ask your demonstrator or visit the Virtual Album Retreat event page to learn more.

EVENT DETAILS
– What: Three-day virtual scrapbooking album retreat
– Date: April 29–May 1, 2026
– Start time: 12:00 p.m. (EST)
– Place: Online in a private Facebook group
– How: Purchase this Happiness Is Here Virtual Album Retreat 2026 kit; then once you receive the kit, scan the kit’s QR code to join the private Facebook group

KIT DETAILS #168051 $250.00 (earn $25 in Stampin’ Rewards!
Includes components needed to create 10 scrapbook spreads (excluding adhesive, ink, and tools) as listed below:
– Happiness Is Here Stamp Set
– Happiness Is Here Alphabet Stamp Set
– Golden Glow Shimmer Brush
– White Gel Pen
– Exclusive Designer Series Paper
– Printed precut images and stickers
– Linen Thread
– Moody Palette Glossy Dots
– Photo Placeholders
– 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Top-Load Memory Protectors™ Value Pack
– 4″ x 4″ (10.2 x 10.2 cm) Flip Flaps™

LIVE STREAM MAGIC
– On April 29–May 1, 2026, join us for exciting live stream workshops and presentations by staff from our Riverton office, including Stampin’ Up! CEO Sara Douglass. Gain expert tips, techniques, and tons of inspiration.
– Interact with other participants live and ask questions as we create together.
– Private Facebook group: Connect with fellow crafters, ask questions, share your progress, and get motivated by the amazing community.
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
– Download easy-to-follow instructions and enjoy video replays so you can craft at your own pace. Even if you can’t attend the live event on April 29–May 1, 2026, you can still purchase the kit and access all the materials you’ll need to make the album on your own time.
LANGUAGE
-This kit’s components (stamp sets and precut pieces) are in English only.
– The downloadable instructions are available in English, Dutch, French, and German.
– The live stream will be in English only.
– About a week after the live stream, its recording will be available to watch on demand with Dutch, French, and German captions.
If you come to the Stampin’ Studio all additional supplies will be available to share from my craft room supplies but you are welcome to order any of these additional supplies.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES LIST (sold separately)
To complete the album, you will need the following supplies on hand:

Ink
– Calypso Coral Classic Stampin’ Pad™ (147101)
– Crushed Curry Classic Stampin’ Pad (147087)
– Garden Green Classic Stampin’ Pad (147089)
– Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin’ Pad (153118)
– Petal Pink Classic Stampin’ Pad (147108)
– Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Pad (147107)

More Additonal supplies:

Coloring Tools
– Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2 (149014)
– Stampin’ Journaling Pens (166647)
– Blending Brushes (153611)

Adhesives
– Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755)
– Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)
– Stampin’ Seal (152813)

Additional Supplies:

Tools
– Bone Folder (102300)
– Clear Block B (117147)
– Clear Block C (118486)
– Clear Block D (118485)
– Clear Block F (118483)
– Clear Block H (118490)
– Paper Trimmer (152392)

Other
– Cutting mat or sturdy cardboard *
– Scissors **
– Eraser
– Pencil and pencil sharpener
– Ruler
– Masking tape or sticky notes
– Stamp cleaning supplies

* This mat must fit inside a 12″ x12″ Memory Protector
** In addition to regular cutting, you’ll use the tips of your scissors to cut slits in some of the Memory Protectors. If the tips of your scissors aren’t sharp, you may need a craft knife.

NOTE: This kit does not include an album, but it’s not necessary to make your spreads. If you’d like to keep all your finished spreads in one place and you don’t currently have an album, consider purchasing either the 1-1/2″ Post 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Album (166515) or the D-Ring 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Album (166516).

I hope you will join us for this exciting album retreat!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

cozy christmas paper pumpkin alternatives

cozy christmas paper pumpkin alternatives

Paper Pumpkin kits are so incredible for $27 you get detailed color instructions to make 8-9 cards, a stamp set, an ink spot, an acrylic block in your first box and all of the supplies to make these lovely cards as is…

OR you can follow a multitude of creative Stampin’ Up! demonstrators that make alternative cards for that particular box! Today I am using the October 2025 Cozy Christmas kit to turn 9 card supplies into 44by adding extra card stock and envelopes! I added Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green cardstock, cut up bases and envelopes and added die cuts to make some lovely simple Christmas cards!

This month’s kit came in a festive box with a versatile stamp set. The box makes 3 sets of 3 card designs if you follow the enclosed directions.

For the my first alternative card I used the Merry Christmas sentiment die, stamped it in a Cherry Cobbler ink pad that I brought in. (The kit comes with a Pecan Pie ink spot)

I cut the Garden Green tree printed base card into 2 – 4″ x 5 1/4″ pieces. I mounted the tree layer onto a 5 1/2″ x 81/2″ cardstock base that I scored at 4 1/4″. I cut all of the flocked leaves apart and after popping up the sentiment onto the layer I adhered the flocked leaves under the sentiment piece. I adhered the layer to the base and added embellishments to finish this simple and fun card.

In order to more than quadruple the cards made from the kit I separated the die cuts to try to use them in expanded ways. I took the Cherry Cobbler JOY letters to use on a different project and used the negative die images of the letters and traced the letter outlines in Garden Green ink where the die cut letters would have been. I cut away the flocked red flower images from both sides of the JOY sentiment piece.

I cut one tree printed card into four pieces at
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ and adhered the strip onto the middle of a Cherry Cobbler base card.

I stamped the “to the world” in Pecan Pie ink under the outline JOY on the sentiment piece and popped it up onto Stampin’ Dimensions
I tucked one flocked flower and one flocked leaf segment under the sentiment piece.

Add embellishments and this card alternative is finished as well.

This next card uses a Cherry Cobbler CS base, I cut the envelope flap off of the envelope and adhered it to the scored side of the card. Cut off the excess on the sides and make sure all of the sides are adhered down.

Take the ornament pieces and adhere the top piece over the flocked bottom piece. Pop up the ornament die cut in the center of the card over the envelope’s flap point.

I stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment in the bottom right-hand corner of the card base in Cherry Cobbler ink for a tone on tone effect and added embellishments to finish this next simple and elegant Christmas card alternative.

I cut the Cherry Cobbler card base into 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ layers each card base will make 2 layers.

Adhere the layer onto a Garden Green base.

I embossed a 1/2″ x 5 3/8″ strip and took one of the thin strips cut from the card base and adhered it into the middle of the white strip. Adhere the white and red strips to the middle of the card layer. I die cut a middle circle from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamped the JOY sentiment in Cherry Cobbler ink and the stars around the word in Garden Green ink.

Pop up the circle die over the right-hand side of the strips, and add embellishments to finish off this card.

I adhered a Basic Beige layer to a Cherry Cobbler CS base.

I cut up the flocked trees into smaller tree sections making more available for more cards. I added Stampin’ Dimensionals under the bottom of the three tree base and under the one tree image. I mounted the one tree over the five tree image and adhered that tree to the middle of the card. I added the flocked star over the flocked tree and adhered it under the tree top.

I stamped “DECK the Halls” sentiment in Pecan Pie ink on a smaller banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set. Pop up the sentiment piece under the tree image on the card layer.

I added embellishments to finish off this card!

For the next alternative card I die cut one of the larger circles from the Stylish Shapes die set in Cherry Cobbler CS. I stamped the Merry Christmas and the stars image in Cherry Cobbler ink.

I adhered the envelope flap on the top short side of the card, cut off the excess and adhered the excess to the bottom card corners.

Pop up the circle die on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the envelope point and add embellishments to complete this card.

This last card is a CASE card from my sideline Rachel T., she is such a great source of inspiration! Thanks Rachel. I changed up the placement of the ornament but loved her idea of using just the ornaments tops to stretch the kit even farther!

I used one side of the envelope as the card layer cut at 4″ x 5 1/4″. I adhered this to a Cherry Cobbler card base. I adhered the JOY letters to the top of the card in a diagonal whimsical way. I punched a small circle out of Cherry Cobbler CS, positioned it directly under the O in the JOY lettering and adhered off the bottom of the card layer. Adhere the ornament cap and decor to the top of the circle, making sure that the Pecan Pie “string” butts up to the O.

I have a few other designs which I will post after my Stamp-a-stack on Monday – but can you believe 44 cards from this kit and with Christmas cards – so useful!

Now go and create some alternative Paper Pumpkin cards or some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – secret sea, lost lagoon, and misty moonlight

more color mondays – secret sea, lost lagoon, and misty moonlight

Today’s color challenge for this week’s More Color Mondays features Secret Sea, Lost Lagoon, and Misty Moonlight. This extended Z fold fun fold card is a paper pumpkin alternative for the Mountain Majesties May 2025 Paper Pumpkin.

Measurements:
BASE: Misty Moonlight CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″
Lost Lagoon CS: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″
Envelope piece: 4″ x 5 1/4″ and scrap for die
PP card: 2 1/8″ x 5 1/4″
Secret Sea CS: scrap for die

Score the Misty Moonlight CS at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″.
Cut a 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece out of the envelope.
Cut the Mountain Majesties card into a fourth 2 1/8″ x 5 1/4″.
Adhere the envelope piece onto the Lost Lagoon layer.
Adhere the 2 1/8″ card piece to the left hand side of the Lost Lagoon layer.
Die cut the Secret Sea scrap with one of the larger Spotlight on Nature dies.
Die cut the other side of the envelope with a smaller die cut from the Spotlight on Nature dies set.
Adhere the Secret Sea die cut above and to the right of the Lost Lagoon layer.
Adhere the Lost Lagoon layer onto the first panel of the z-fold.
Adhere the Two-toned Sparkle Gems around the card to finish it.

This is a fun alternative card from the May 2025 Mountain Majesties Paper Pumpkin.

Try a Paper Pumpkin subscription and see what alternatives you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – berry burst, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape – paper pumpkin alternatives

more color mondays – berry burst, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape – paper pumpkin alternatives

Every month I get a craft kit in the mail and I was super excited to receive last month’s April 2025 Inked Occasions kit – so excited in fact I increased my order to 2 kits because I knew that i would LOVE the alcohol inks images on the base cards so much that I would want extra and I am so glad that I did!

This kit is absolutely gorgeous and I have so many ideas! This is the first set of alternative projects and the first one highlighted is the More Color Mondays color challenge card!

I picked three favorite colors from the kit: Berry Burst, Coastal Cabana and Gorgeous Grape and designed a fabulous window card to highlight one of the stunning die cuts in this kit!

First let me show you the three card designs that are detailed in the kit – beautiful on their own with nothing more to do than just follow the full color instructions sheet!

Here are the items required for the first card:

This card features a beautiful gold-foiled die cut as the sparkling focal point. The instructions detail to pop this die cut up on the right-hand side of the gorgeous card base.

First I stamped the small butterfly images onto the card with the Berry Burst ink spot included in the kit. Then popped up the die in between the stamped images.

I stamped the Congratulations sentiment on the shaped die and the “you are amazing” on the rectangular sentiment die and popped them up on the mini Stampin’ Dimensionals provided in the kit over the gold-foiled die cut.
And the first gorgeous card is complete!
I gathered the supplies for the second card in the instructions.
I stamped the “thinking of you” sentiment in Berry Burst ink on the appropriate shaped die cut and punched it out and popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The base card is gold-foil framed and I adhered the fabulous alcohol inked die cut silhouettes over the bottom of the card.
I adhered the sentiment piece over the right-hand side of the die and stamped a few butterflies above the sentiment to finish off card #2 from the instructions! So EASY!
Card #3 from the instructions stamped the small butterflies onto the card, popped up the gold-foiled “hugs” sentiment and stamped the “I’m here for you” sentiment in one of the rectangular sentiment die boxes and popped that up below the hugs and this card is done! Even easier!
These are the three cards that come in the kit SO SO PRETTY as is but now for today’s More Color Monday card and the rest of the alternative projects I made!
I just loved the silhouette die that came in the kit so I decided to highlight that in my More Color Monday’s card and I made a window card out of it!

Measurements:
BASE: Coastal Cabana CS: 5 1/2″ x 9″
scored at 2 3/4″
Gorgeous Grape CS: 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ strip
Berry Burst CS: scrap for sentiment matte
Card Kit Card: cut into four pieces
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″
Window Sheet: 3″ x 5 1/2″

Adhere the Window Sheet to the shorter edge of the card and match with the back edge of the card to make a clear front panel.

Adhere the Gorgeous Grape strip under the bottom edge of the 2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ card kit layer.

Adhere the card kit layer over the Window Sheet layer and adhere evenly to the top of the card front.

Lay the die cut piece face side down over the card matching the bottom edges. Add liquid glue to the foliage that will be above the cardstock edge not below where the window sheet is except foe the very bottom edge.
Turn the die cut over and matching up the bottom edges adhere to the card.
Stamp the “Congratulations” and “you are amazing”sentiments in Berry Burst and pop up on the card base. Place the “Congratulations” above the Window sheet on the left-hand side and the “You are Amazing” below the window sheet on the right-hand side.
I added five Purple Shimmer Gems to the card front, tucking some under the sentiments.
I added three small single butterflies in Gorgeous Grape ink to the upper right-hand side of the card kit card layer.
I decided I wanted to little bit more emphasis on the “Congratulations” sentiment so I added a Berry Burst matter under the sentiment and fussy cut to match the die cut form.

I love the see through bottom “apron” of the card – just stunning and it shows of the beauty of this alcohol inked die!

I liked this style so much I tried it with a Gorgeous Grape cardstock base.
This simple alternative card started with a Coastal Cabana card base. I used one of the
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ pieces of card base, I adhered two Gorgeous Grape strips on either side of the card kit layer.
I stamped the butterflies around the sentiments. I popped up the sentiment on Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals at the lower right-hand corner.
I cut one of the card bases from the kit to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and adhered it to a Gorgeous Grape CS base. I stamped the “thinking of you” sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink and added the small butterflies around the sentiment. I added three Purple Fine Shimmer Gems.
The last alternative card from this batch I created a z-fold fun fold.
I used one of the 2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ card kit layers on the right-hand side of the inside of the card base.
I cut the colored part of the envelope to a
2″ x 5 1/4″ piece and adhered it to the first panel of the z-fold.
I stamped the sentiment “hugs” in Gorgeous Grape and added color with a Blending Brush and stamp extra butterflies.
Add adhesive to the left-hand side of the circle die and adhere to the center of the first panel.
I added 5 Purple Shimmer Gems to the card front to finish the card.
Paper Pumpkin card kits are such great monthly kits delivered to your mailbox – for a bit of fun every month!

Try it one month and watch your creativity blossom! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

march 2025 paper pumpkin alternatives

march 2025 paper pumpkin alternatives

Do you like to craft but think you don’t have the time? Do you love papercrafting but feel like you do not have the right supplies or enough good ideas? Then a Paper Pumpkin subscription may be just what you are looking for! Want to connect with a friend or spend quality time with a family member – daughter or grandchild? Then you need a Paper Pumpkin Subscription.

Paper Pumpkin is a complete craft project in a box – it comes with everything to make that month’s projects including a full color instructions guide! Afraid that the crafts will be too simplistic and you are a more avid crafter than just be following demonstrators that routinely post alternative projects for each month – the possibilities are endless!

Every March Paper Pumpkin celebrates it’s anniversary and they do that by giving the subscribers the gift! This March 2025 the Daisy Daydream’s box came with an extra stamp set!

The first photos below show the full color instructions insert and the three cards that are designed for this month’s creativity box followed by photo’s of the two different stamp sets included in the Daisy Daydreams kit!

The first alternative cards I made were by cutting the daisy card in half. I cut the card front to 4″ x 5 1/4″. I mounted that card front to a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ Crushed Curry cardstock scored to 4 1/4″. I cut the back of the original card in four pieces. I stamped the sentiment on the 1/2″ strip in Mossy Meadow ink and cut one end in a banner edge. Pop up the sentiment strip on Stampin’ Dimensionals and add Linen Thread under the strip. Add Loose Frosted Dots to the card front to finish off the first alternative card.
For the second card, I stamped the honeycomb image in Crushed Curry ink on a Crushed Curry cardstock base. I cut the rest of the back of the card to three pieces 1 1/2″ x 4″, 1 1/2″ x 4″ and 1″ x 4″. I stamped the bumblebee and a sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink. Adhere the Loose Frosted Dots to the sentiment.
I cut the white envelope with the bee apart.
I cut the envelope to 4 1/2″ and scored at 2″,
2 1/2″, 4 1/2″ and 4 3/4″. I cut the bottom 1/2″ on the score lines and glued them to each other to create a little bag. I punched a hole through the top and placed a ribbon through the hole.
I cut a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ piece of Pebbled Path cardstock. Score at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″. Cut a piece of Crushed Curry to 4″ x 5 1/4″ adhere to the front panel. Cut one of the envelopes open to 4″ x 5 1/4″. Adhere a 1/4″ piece of Crushed Curry diagonally over the envelope piece. Cut a piece of the envelope to 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ and adhere a small strip of the Crushed Curry strip under the sentiment piece. Pop up the daisy on a Stampin’ Dimensional below the sentiment piece. Then adhere three Frosted Dots around the sentiment piece.
The next alternative card used a Pebbled Path card base. I cut a Beautiful Bokeh DSP piece at 2 1/4″ and adhere to the left side of the card front. I cut the blue card base to 3″ x 4 1/4″, stamp the Happy Birthday, the honeybee and honeycomb image on the blue card.
Adhere the blue piece to the middle of the card above the DSP. Adhere the flowers die above the DSP and fussy cut a bumble bee and pop it up on a Stampin’ Dimensional. Add three Pretty Peacock Frosted Dots to finish off the card.
I made a shaker card out of the circle die layer.
I placed the layer over a Crushed Curry card front. I stamped the bumblebee image and the sentiment in the area that the circle will be.
I adhered a Window Sheet over the circle cutout.
I placed Foam Adhesive Strips around the backside of the window sheet around the circle.
Place frosted dots over the stamped area. Adhere the layer onto the card front.
Adhere three Pretty Peacock dots on the card front.
I cut a piece of Crushed Curry cardstock to. 5 1/2″ x 9 1/2″. Scored at 4 1/4″ and 6 7/8″.
I cut a diagonal from the first score line to the left edge.
I placed glue down on the bottom of the panel and the outside edge. Fold the first panel inward and glue the pocket down.
I adhered the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer to the inside. I adhered a 1 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ piece of card to the right side of the Basic White layer.
I placed together a 1 1/2″ x 5″ piece of card with the honeycomb back to back with a 1 1/4″ x 5″ piece of Crushed Curry cardstock. I punched a hole in the top and pulled a piece of ribbon through. I stamped the book mark and slipped the Crushed Curry cardstock in the pocket!
I added a piece of card to the front of the first panel. I adhered a flower die to the card front.
The last alternative card in this series uses a Mossy Meadow card stock cut to 4 1/4″ x 9 3/4″.
I scored the card at 5 1/2″ and then cut off
1 1/4″ off the edge. I cut a 7/8″ strip of the honeycombed card front. I tied some Linen thread around the strip and tied a bow. I adhered one of the bokeh circles from the kit, popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it over the strip. I adhered one flower on a Stampin’ Dimensionals on the bokeh circle. I stamped the Happy Birthday on the bottom of the front panel.
On the inside of the card I adhered to envelope sections separated by the 1 1/4″ piece from the card front, stamped with a sentiment and the bumblebee.
Check out Paper Pumpkin when you get a chance – it’s a great way to craft once a month!

Try some alternative projects – create your own artwork – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

scrapbooking workshops

scrapbooking workshops

I had the opportunity recently to attend the first of three virtual scrapbooking workshop training seminars.
To say that I am delighted for Stampin’ Up! to be expanding their scrapbooking line is an understatement – I am so excited with the offerings that are coming out and super excited to see the line that will be debuting in the future!
The first session met to discuss and put together the double scrapbooking pages of the new Meant To Bee scrapbooking workshop.
The workshop is a totally self contained packet that includes all of the product to make three gorgeous double page scrapbooking spreads with a lot of product left over to create more matching pages of your own!
The kit comes with a full color instructions booklet with step by step details on how to cut and put together these pre-designed scrapbooking pages.
The first page of the first double page spread features little 2″ x 2″ square of the patterned paper – one of which is exclusive to this workshop and coordinates with a stamp bundle and two toned scrapbooking paper that color coordinates with this suite of products.
The words and bumble bees are stickers for easy adhesion and coordination!
The second page of this spread carries the squares of DSP theme to the matching page and allows for a seamless spread to highlight your scrapbooking photos!
I used some recent photos of a family vacation to set off this stunning and easy to do scrapbooking spread!
I used a coordinating marker to draw dotted lines for the bee’s trail across the pages – such a cute detail!
The second spread used Designer Series paper as the background with the exclusive bee designed DSP to make the photos pop. Easy coordination with pop out die cut stars and flowers to decorate as you like along with the stick words with mixed fonts and coordinating colors!
The last page is set on Old Olive cardstock and carries the coordinating DSP papers along for a coordinated set of pages or use them separately – these photos were from an adult only Napa wine country tour we took last year and featured just a few of the many happy pictures we took! The third page was made from scraps and left overs from the kit and I still have many more scraps of DSP, stickers, punch out shapes and cardstock to use to create a bunch more pages!

I loved the ease of this coordinated kit and cannot wait for the next one to show you!

Interested in getting a group together for a scrapbooking night? Let me know and we can make your next ladies night out a scrapbooking fun night!

Below I have included the codes and linked photos of ALL the coordinating products,
I only used the Meant to Bee Scrapbooking Workshop to create these pages! You could do a whole themed scrapbook with just these products though – would “bee” super cute!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie