For this challenge I was inspired by a project I’d seen in a catalogue that used three wide strips of patterned paper across the background to add both colour and texture. The sample used tone-on-tone papers with a softly watercoloured potted plant as the focal point.

I loved the idea of using patterned paper as a textured background element, so I decided to test the concept using pieces from my scrap stash.

Of course, when you're working with scraps, the pieces you have aren’t always the right size. As I began laying out my background strips, I realised several of the papers I wanted to use were just a little too short.

That led to a small discovery.

By trimming the strips strategically and positioning them so the ends disappeared behind the focal panel, I was able to create the illusion of longer pieces of patterned paper. It’s a simple trick, but it makes those awkward scraps much more usable.

When it came time to film the video for this challenge, I decided to experiment with a variation of the idea. I reached for some purple-toned papers from my scrap pile after noticing I had a watercolour pencil in a similar shade that I hadn’t used much before.

One of the patterned papers included a beautiful multi-coloured floral design, which became the starting point for the colour palette. I pulled several of those colours into the focal image, building up the petals in soft layers using watercolour pencils. The gradual layering created a gentle depth that paired beautifully with the textured background.

Want to see the full process?

In the video for Use Your Stash – Challenge #4, I share the full process for:

• turning scrap strips into a textured background

• the simple trick for making short scraps look like longer panels

• layering colour with watercolour pencils to build a soft floral focal point

Below is the pink variation I mentioned in the video. 

The blue circle I shared that I had originally planned to use for the sentiment didn’t quite work the way I’d hoped, but it led to a happy little adjustment. I cut out the word “friend” and paired it with the “hello” in black on white that I had set aside from the purple version, creating a fun multi-coloured sentiment that worked beautifully with the brighter palette.

Next week’s challenge features the DIY patterned paper made from scraps that I experimented with earlier this week. It turned into a really fun way to use those tiny leftover pieces — you can catch the preview HERE. 

Use Your Stash #4 Textured Backgrounds from Scrap Strips

March 20, 2026

In searching for ideas for my Use Your Stash – Paper Scraps Challenge, I went back to an old cardmaking tutorial that focused on working with patterned paper. The featured project used a beautiful multi-coloured paper that moved through a range of warm and cool tones. I realised I didn’t have anything quite like it in my stash, so I decided to see if I could create my own version using scraps.

I’ll confess, I’m often a little intimidated by colour — especially brighter tones. But this paper gradually moves from bright pink through soft peaches with a hint of yellow, then into neutrals — light browns, whites and greys — before shifting back into cooler blues and finishing with navy.

It’s not a colour combination I would normally reach for… but I absolutely love how it turned out.

Inspired by a few current cardmaking challenges, I reached for my rectangle dies and created three panels from the sheet with just two cuts. It turned out to be a happy accident that each section of the paper contained a different mix of colours, which meant every card ended up with its own personality.

Card One - Freshly Made Sketches

The first card was inspired by this week’s sketch from Freshly Made Sketches, and it worked perfectly with the large outer frame piece from my patterned panel.

This section of the paper was the brightest of the three, as it was the only piece that captured the full sweep of colours, including the bold Melon Mambo pink along the top. When I saw the arch element in the sketch, I immediately thought of a rainbow.

Using the Brilliant Rainbow dies, I created a rainbow in tones pulled from the papers used in the frame. A piece of Bermuda Bay ombré patterned paper in the centre became the backdrop for the rainbow — patterned, but subtle enough that it didn’t compete with the busy, multicoloured frame.

Card Two - TGIF Challenges

For this card, I used the second-largest piece of my patterned paper, trimming the smaller rectangle to match the sketch layout. I layered it on a navy card base, loving how the dark tone made the colours in the patterned panel really pop.

I struggled a bit to choose a focal element, but inspired by the die-cut rainbow from Card One, I decided to skip stamping altogether and build the floral focal image using the Flourish Thinlits. I leaned into Melon Mambo and Calypso Coral for the flowers. At first, I worried it might be too loud, but in the end, I think the bold, bright blooms complement the colourful background beautifully.

Card Three - Sunday Stamps

The final rectangle panel had the gentlest tones and felt the most in my comfort zone. I was inspired by the “Spring” colour challenge from Sunday Stamps, which featured peach, Crumb Cake, soft and deep blues — and a gorgeous flower.

For this card, I used a stamp this time, choosing my new Gallery Blooms floral, stamped simply in Blush on white and layered over the rectangle panel. I added touches of Pool Party die-cut leaves in the background to tie the colours together. I even found a small offcut of Blush ribbon to layer under the sentiment, which worked perfectly with the romantic, soft, feminine vibe of the card.

Each of these three cards grew from the same piece of patterned paper, yet they each ended up with their own personality — bold and bright, layered and playful, or soft and romantic. It’s a reminder of how a single creative experiment can inspire multiple designs, and how working with what you already have can lead to unexpected results.

I’ll be sharing the full process for creating this scrap patterned paper and turning it into all three cards in a video tutorial in the coming weeks. If you’d like to see step-by-step how the paper was built, cut, and turned into these cards, keep an eye on my YouTube channel — I can’t wait to show you the whole process!

Inspired by These Challenges

Freshly Made Sketches #727 – Card One

TGIF Challenges #568 – Card Two

Sunday Stamps “Whispers of Spring” Colour Challenge – Card Three

Be sure to check them out for more design inspiration!

Scrap Patterned Paper Experiment (Use Your Stash Challenge #5 Preview)

March 16, 2026

When I spread my scrap stash out over my desk, I noticed I’d accumulated small piles of leftover die-cut shapes. You cut a few extra “just in case,” set them aside for later… and before long there’s a little stack of shapes that never quite made it onto a finished project.

For the third challenge in my Use Your Stash – Season 1: Paper Scraps Edition, I decided to focus on some of these pieces. Instead of treating those leftover shapes as scraps, I turned them into a repeated die-cut background.
I reached for a group of blue circles that had already been cut and placed them inside the Tin Tile embossing folder, running them through the Big Shot to give them this lovely pattern.

I suspect the particular shade of blue was actually from a recycled manila folder rather than a Stampin’ Up! colour, so I couldn’t do an exact match with the background panel I adhered them to. After testing a few blues from my collection as substitutes, I settled on Pacific Point.

Because the colour was quite bold — and I had a sympathy theme in mind — I decided to keep the overall design simple.
When I sat down to film the tutorial, I decided to explore a sea-inspired variation. The blues already lent themselves beautifully to an ocean palette.

I kept the same layout and colours, but switched the embossing folder to Swirls and Curls. The white leafy element became a die-cut net from the Under the Sea framelits, and the orange florals were replaced with a tiny school of fish.

Those small changes shifted the mood of the card, turning the repeated shapes into something a little more playful and thematic.

You can see the design choices and craft along with me in the full video tutorial below.

While filming this challenge, another idea emerged.

I still had the Under the Sea framelits on my desk, and a sand dollar shape caught my eye. With a stack of light blue leftover circles sitting in front of me, it felt like the perfect opportunity to create one more variation.

For this version I used the Sand Dollar die to cut the shapes and leaned into a beach-inspired theme.

The lighter palette and delicate shapes gave the card a completely different feeling, even though the underlying idea remained the same. Because the repeated background already added plenty of visual interest, I kept the sentiment banner simple with a few stamped details.

It’s a good reminder that a single layout can evolve in very different directions depending on the supplies you choose.

Starting with a simple goal — use up die-cut circles — led to three very different cards: a soft sympathy design and two sea-inspired variations.

Using your stash well isn’t just about finishing leftover pieces. It’s about looking at what you already have and asking:What design could this become?

If you’d like to see the full process and how each version came together, you can watch the tutorial below.

If you enjoy stash-busting ideas like this, you can find the other projects in the Use Your Stash – Paper Scraps Edition series HERE.

Use Your Stash: Challenge #3 Leftover Die Cuts

March 13, 2026


One of the easiest supplies to build on in our stash?

Tone-on-tone patterned paper.

You know the ones — subtle prints, soft patterns, easy to overlook sometimes being almost too quiet to stand alone. But after this challenge, you’ll see they’re a deceptively powerful foundation for building a beautiful project.



For this challenge, I worked from an older catalogue inspiration piece and asked:

What if the background is the design feature?

Instead of using patterned paper as a small accent, I built the entire card front from layered square panels.

The design parameters:

- Use tone-on-tone patterns

- Keep the palette cohesive

- Let layering create interest instead of bold contrast

The result? A square card built from smaller square sections that create movement without overwhelming the eye.

For the first version, I stayed fairly close to the original colour story from the catalogue inspiration.

Why?

Because recreating something close to the source is often the best way to understand why it works.

This version helped me test proportions and experiment with spacing. It also allowed me to observe how subtle pattern differences create depth.

It became my “foundation version.”

In the video, I shifted the process slightly. Instead of starting with a fixed colour plan, I pulled tone-on-tone patterned papers from my stash and let them guide the direction.

That led to two blue variations:

A version built of soft, light blue tone-on-tone pattern squares on a misty moonlight base

And a dark navy blue with light blue pattern, on a base of lighter, balmy blue.

Both followed the same structural formula:

- Square panel background

- Layered florals

- Complementary sentiment panel

But the choice of decorative elements took each in very different directions. This was an intentional choice to inspire you to use what you already have on hand, whether that’s hand-stamped elements or florals fussy cut from patterned paper.

You can see the full decision-making process — including how each variation evolved — in the video below.


While filming, I wasn’t focused on perfect stamping technique. Instead, I talked through why I chose certain patterns and how I decided when a layer needed dimension.

Using your stash well isn’t about copying a finished card.
It’s about learning to read your supplies, build within gentle guidelines, and trust your eye.

Try it yourself — and as you do, pay attention to the decisions you’re making along the way.

If you’d like guidance through that process, the video walks through it step by step.


This is Challenge 2 of 8 in the Use Your Stash – Paper Scraps Edition series.

In Challenge 1, we focused on turning leftover scraps into cohesive layered designs. If you missed it, you can find that project here.

Next week, we’ll continue building on this foundation with a new creative constraint designed to stretch your stash in a different way.

Use Your Stash: Challenge #2 Tone-on-Tone Square Bases

March 8, 2026


Do you have a mountain of paper scraps and wonder if they’re useful or just clutter? In this card making challenge, I’m proving that even tiny offcuts can become beautiful, fun projects — no need to throw them away!

Welcome to Season 1 of Use Your Stash: Paper Scraps Edition — a creative series all about turning leftover paper into intentional, playful cards. The idea came while prepping a homeschool workshop for kids aged 3 to 16. I realised that scraps can spark their own kind of creative inspiration.

For this challenge, I sorted my scraps by colour and built kits with a rainbow of tones. I also brought along a few sample cards, including an up-leveled version with a simple faux stitching technique, so kids (and adults!) could try something more advanced if they wanted. 

Some participants followed the samples, others created their own layouts. Their creativity was so heart-warming! I’ll share some of their photos here.

In my YouTube tutorial, I show step-by-step how I put the kits together, the choices I made along the way, and how you can craft along with your own scraps at home. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, this challenge will help you see the potential in every leftover strip and piece of paper.

Join the challenge: grab your scraps, get inspired, and create with me! Don’t forget to check out the full tutorial on YouTube and share your creations — I’d love to see them.

I hope this challenge inspires you to play with your own paper scraps! I’ll be back soon with Challenge 2, where we’ll explore another fun way to turn leftover pieces into creative cards.

If you give this one a try, I’d love to see your creations — share them in the comments or tag me on Pinterest. Happy crafting!

Use Your Stash: Challenge #1 Rainbow Paper Strip Scraps

March 1, 2026

 

This weekend, a delightful friend of mine is celebrating her 40th birthday — such a special milestone! Of course, I had to make a card just for her.

The colour palette was inspired by the tiniest detail — a little butterfly I fussy cut from a scrap of DSP in my stash. Its coral and yellow tones guided the rest of the design.

For the layout, I turned to this week’s sketch at Freshly Made Sketches. I loved the split focal point in the sketch, but in the end I kept my circle solid. I toyed with the idea of running the ‘happy birthday’ banner through the middle, but it just didn’t feel like my vibe. Instead, the solid circle gave a perfect base for the '40' and stamped foliage elements.

Here’s what I used:

  • Ranunculus Romance: subtle background texture in Petal Pink

  • Number of Years: bold “40” sentiment

  • Sending Smiles: flower

  • Butterfly Basics: leaf

  • Plus that little DSP butterfly that started it all!

It was fun to combine these retired favourites into a card that feels bright, fresh, and celebratory. Most of all, I love that it was made for someone so special — happy 40th, my beautiful friend!

Happy 40th

August 17, 2025


This week’s Global Design Project challenge is a CASE (Copy And Selectively Edit) of a beautiful pastel card by Rose @rosecoleman_stampinup. Her design features a soft heart background in pink, green, and yellow.

I remembered having some of the retired 'Hello Baby' Project Life cards in my stash and dug through until I found this perfect printed heart pattern. The colours and hearts instantly reminded me of Rose’s background, so I built my card from there.

My card is for an upcoming baby shower for some family, celebrating the impending arrival of a baby boy. To bring in a little more “baby boy” vibe to the otherwise feminine colours, I paired the hearts with a Pool Party card base and added a coordinating strip of Pool Party designer series paper.

For my feature image, I couldn’t resist the adorable rhino from the retired Stampin’ Up! Animal Outing stamp set. I coloured him using grey Stampin’ Blends, added a soft sponged Pool Party background, and gave the little bird a matching pop of blue.

It’s always so much fun to mix and match old favourites from my craft stash with fresh inspiration. Thank you Rose for such a beautiful starting point for this challenge!

Supplies used:

  • Hello Baby Project Life (retired)

  • Animal Outing Stamp Set (retired)

  • Stampin’ Blends (Grey)

  • Pool Party cardstock & DSP

  • Ink: Pool Party

💬 Have you ever CASE-d a design using something from your retired stash? I’d love to hear about it!


Welcome Little One

August 9, 2025

It’s been a while since I last shared a card here — but this week, I finally sat down to make something special for a friend’s birthday, and it felt so good to get those stamps and inks out again.

For this card, I pulled out an old favourite from my stash: Butterfly Basics. It’s a retired Stampin’ Up! set, but one I still reach for when I want something timeless and pretty.

When I’m feeling creatively rusty, I often look to card challenges for a jump-start — and this week’s colour combo at Global Design Project #GDP505 gave me the perfect palette to play with: Old Olive, Strawberry Slush, and Pretty Peacock. I paired it with the clean and versatile sketch from Freshly Made Sketches — thanks, Jen T!

I began by stamping the sentiment in Pretty Peacock, masking it off, and then adding the large floral image over the top. The image was coloured with blender pens using Strawberry Slush and Old Olive, echoing the challenge colours.

Once the layout was together, something still felt a little flat — so I added a bold 'Happy' in Strawberry Slush and outlined the 'birthday' sentiment with a fine liner. That simple detail gave it a beautiful bordered look and helped the sentiment pop against the rest of the card.

It was a joy to revisit these old favourites and play with some creative prompts. Thanks to the challenge hosts for the inspiration — and happy birthday to my sweet friend this weekend!

Let me know if you’re also crafting with retired sets — I’d love to hear what old favourites are still in your rotation. 💛

Colour Challenge Comeback

July 19, 2025

 A Simple and Sweet Card Inspired by Mother’s Day

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I wanted to share a floral card project that’s heartfelt but simple enough to make in a quiet crafting session. This design says “You are amazing”, which makes it perfect not just for mums, but for any wonderful person in your life who deserves to feel appreciated.


It’s a feminine card, soft and uplifting, built on a Pool Party card base — a gentle blue that works beautifully with florals and fresh spring tones. If you’re not familiar with Stampin’ Up! colours, it’s a light aqua that’s easy to coordinate with.

🖤 Upcycled Details

I couldn’t resist sneaking in a bit of upcycling too! I used a strip of black-and-white patterned toilet paper wrapping (yes, from Who Gives a Crap!) which I salvaged for its lovely design. I love reusing packaging in unexpected ways — it adds character and charm to your projects and helps reduce waste.

🌼 Stamping the Florals

For the floral image, I turned to an old favourite stamp set called Touches of Texture. The floral spray was stamped in Melon Mambo, though I’ve also used Lovely Lipstick in earlier versions — just grab any pink that makes you smile!

I used a blender pen to pull the ink from the stamped lines and fill in the petals. I love how the colour starts out deep and then softly fades as you go, creating dimension and softness.

Then I added a bit of grungy fun by stamping the little textured spots back over the flowers using the same pink. It ties everything together and gives that signature “touch of texture.”

🍃 Leafy Details & Speckles

For the leaves, I stamped the same textured spots in Pear Pizzazz, giving them a similar look and feel. And to finish the background, I pulled out the larger spray of speckles and added those in Pool Party over the top of everything. It’s a lovely final layer that gives the card some movement and interest.

🖋️ Assembling the Sentiment

I walk you through this entire process step-by-step in my video — you can watch it here:
👉 You Are Amazing Card Tutorial – Watch on YouTube

It all came together with Tombow glue, and I added a strip of my salvaged wrapping paper to the left edge of the card for a unique border.

This card is a sweet and easy way to tell someone they’re amazing — whether it’s a mum, sister, teacher, or friend. It’s also a lovely reminder that sometimes the simplest materials (and even scrap packaging!) can become part of something meaningful.

Let me know if you give this one a try — I’d love to see your version! 💙
Until next time, happy creating!

Jenn x



You Are Amazing

May 7, 2025

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