Quick & Easy Lights of Aurora Cards – Free Class with $40 Purchase

 Embrace the Magic of the Lights of Aurora Suite ✨

The northern lights have always fascinated me—those shimmering waves of color dancing across the sky. This week, I wanted to bring that same sense of wonder into our craft rooms with the Lights of Aurora Suite Collection from Stampin’ Up! The best part? Because this was the first Sunday of the month, this class is free with a $40 purchase in my online store through November 15!

When you place your qualifying order, I’ll send you pre-cut kits to make all three cards from this week’s class—no measuring, no stress, just pure creative fun. You’ll want the Light and Wonder Bundle to complete them as shown, but feel free to substitute what you have on hand!

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Card 1: Embrace the Magic 🌠

Our first card features the soft glow of the Aurora Borealis, layered with circles of Blackberry Bliss, Gorgeous Grape, and Basic Black cardstock. The background is embossed with the So Swirly 3D Folder, creating a Milky Way-like texture that pairs beautifully with the Lights of Aurora Designer Series Paper.

We heat embossed the sentiment “Embrace the Magic” in white on black cardstock for that striking, starry-night feel, then finished it off with Frosted Iridescent Dots and sheer Balmy Blue ribbon.

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Card 2: May Your Day Be Filled with Wonder 💫

This design is a beautiful reminder that simple can still be stunning. We embossed the sentiment directly on the Lights of Aurora DSP using VersaMark Ink and White Embossing Powder—a perfect way to make those words glow.

Layered on Azure Afternoon cardstock, this card practically radiates light. Add a few of those Frosted Iridescent Dots, and you’ve got a soft, celestial masterpiece in minutes.

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Card 3: Wishing You a Year of Love 💜

Our final card bursts with rich color using a Berry Burst card base and a gradient panel from the same designer paper. The sentiment “Wishing You a Year of Love” is heat embossed in white and accented with a delicate die-cut overlay in Basic Black for dramatic contrast.

This one might be my favorite—it’s elegant, easy, and looks like it took way longer than it did!

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Don’t Miss These Holiday Goodies 🎁

🧧 12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar – This adorable set includes 12 pre-filled boxes with fun crafting surprises for just $99 (while supplies last). My friend Cyndy and I are even creating a PDF tutorial with 10 bonus project ideas coming early next year!

🎄 Gift Card Holder Class – Registration is now open for our newest class-to-go! For $45 (shipping included), you’ll create eight adorable gift card holders—two each of four festive designs—featuring the North Pole Delivery Bundle. You’ll also get a full bolt of white ribbon and a pack of Deer Dots embellishments.
Registration closes November 7, and kits ship November 19—perfect timing for your holiday gifting!

🧧 Paper Pumpkin – Wrapped in Cheer (November Kit)
Subscribe by November 10 to receive this charming box filled with festive goodie boxes, tags, and coordinating colors in Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow, and Old Olive.

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Ready to Create Under the Northern Lights?

Place your $40 order by November 15 in my online store and I’ll send you the free card kits from this class! Orders will ship by November 20, so you’ll have everything you need to craft along before the holiday hustle sets in.

Until next time—embrace the magic, find joy in the little details, and never underestimate the power of a good embossing folder 💖

Happy stamping, friends!
Katrina from Katrina’s Kreative Heart

Adorable Holiday Cards with the Long Time No See Stamp Set

 Can you believe we’re already heading into November? The holidays are barreling toward us, and if you’re anything like me, you’re knee-deep in Christmas card season! This week on Stampin’ Sundays with Katrina, we got cozy with the Long Time No See stamp set—a whimsical collection that features the most adorable dachshund and llama. These little cuties are perfect for cheerful Christmas cards, winter birthdays, or just-because notes to warm someone’s day.

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🐾 Stretching Out the Fun: Long Dachshund Z-Fold Card

Our first card was a playful Z-fold design that let our little dachshund stretch allll the way across the panels. Using Pecan Pie, Old Olive, and Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Blends, I brought this pup to life in a cozy Christmas sweater.
To pull the look together, I layered Traditions of St. Nick Designer Series Paper in festive reds and greens and added a few Traditional Sparkle Sequins for that perfect touch of holiday shimmer.
💡 Pro tip: The “Take Your Pick” tool is a must-have for handling those tiny sequins—add it to your holiday wish list if you don’t already have one!

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🦙 Llama Love: A Sweet and Simple Christmas Card

Next up was our charming llama card, and I have to admit—I think he might be my favorite! I stamped him in Memento Black Ink, added a cozy scarf in Cherry Cobbler and Azure Afternoon, and gave him just a hint of blush with Flirty Flamingo.
The background layers feature more of that Traditions of St. Nick DSP, perfectly framing our festive friend. A quick snip of paper for a hand-cut “Merry Christmas” sentiment gives it a homespun, heartfelt look.

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🎁 Quick Gift Card Holder (from an Envelope!)

If you’re gifting gift cards this season (and who isn’t?), this final project is for you! All you need is a standard envelope—just fold it in half and trim one side to create an instant pocket. I wrapped it in Cherry Cobbler & Gold Satin Ribbon, stamped our sweet dachshund again, and added a sentiment in Old Olive.
It’s elegant, easy, and perfect for teachers, coworkers, or anyone who appreciates a handmade touch with their gift card.

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✂️ Bonus Crafty News

• November Paper Pumpkin: “Wrapped in Cheer” – Create eight festive goodie boxes with coordinating tags and red dot embellishments. Don’t forget to grab the Abundant Joy Dies add-on while supplies last!

• Join Stampin’ Up! – Through the end of October, you can pick $125 in products for just $35 (or $189 for $99!) and enjoy 20% off future orders. No obligations—just creative fun and savings.

• 12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar – My spoiler-alert videos are wrapping up this week. If you love surprises (or just want to see what’s inside), check out the full reveal on my Facebook page.

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💬 Wrapping It Up

I hope these projects inspire you to start (or continue!) your holiday cardmaking. The Long Time No See stamp set is an instant mood-booster—perfect for spreading smiles this season.
If you enjoyed these ideas, let me know in the comments below! Which project was your favorite—the long dog, the llama, or the envelope gift card holder?

👉 Save this post for your next crafting session or subscribe to my weekly newsletter for more tutorials, product updates, and creative inspiration!

Product List

Long Time No See Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [166189] $20.00	Traditions Of Christmas 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [165853] $16.50	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780] $14.00	Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [165624] $14.00
Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119685] $14.00	Basic White Medium Envelopes [159236] $11.00	Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [161665] $9.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $8.00
Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [147083] $9.00	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] $9.00	Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad [165285] $9.00	Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [161674] $11.00
Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154880] $11.00	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892] $11.00	Secret Sea Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [165289] $11.00	Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154884] $11.00

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🌲 Delicate Pines Christmas Cards — Cozy Snowflakes & Pine Bough Holiday Inspiration

 

A Touch of Winter Magic

There’s something about snowflakes and pine boughs that makes my heart happy this time of year. The Delicate Pines Bundle from Stampin’ Up! captures that cozy winter magic perfectly — a blend of nature’s beauty and festive elegance that feels like stepping into a peaceful snowy morning. In this week’s Stampin’ Sunday Live, I shared three cards featuring this gorgeous bundle, all showcasing the stunning Delicate Pines Designer Series Paper and coordinating stamps and dies.

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1. Layers of Pine & Snowflakes

Our first card layers up textured snowflakes in Pretty Peacock, Shaded Spruce, and Old Olive, creating a dimensional flurry that practically sparkles off the page. I paired it with a strip of frosty patterned paper — it reminds me of that delicate frost that forms on your windshield on a cold morning. A few faceted snowflake embellishments added just the right amount of shimmer to finish it off.

Tip: When working with detailed dies like these, keep your adhesive light — a dot or two of liquid glue will hold beautifully without making a mess.

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2. Warmest Winter Wishes Wreath

For the second card, I softened the look with a garden green ribbon trimmed in gold (also part of the suite!) and created a sweet stamped wreath using pine sprigs and pinecones. A light pencil circle helped guide the wreath shape, and a few cherry cobbler embellishments gave it that classic Christmas feel.

This one feels like a cozy cabin Christmas — the kind where you can smell the pine and cinnamon in the air.

Try This: Use your dies as templates! The inside edge of a circle die makes the perfect light pencil guide for stamping wreaths.

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3. Celebrate the Season

Our final design might be my favorite — a simple, elegant layout featuring layered snowflakes on a dark, moody background of pine and berries. The sentiment “Celebrate the Season” adds a timeless touch that works beautifully for Christmas or winter greetings. I love how the crisp Basic White border makes those deep greens and blues pop!

Design Tip: A touch of Shaded Spruce behind patterned paper really brings out those winter greens without overwhelming your design.

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Suite Highlights

The Delicate Pines Bundle includes a photopolymer stamp set and coordinating dies that make layering and dimension a breeze. The Elegant Pines Snowflakes DSP (Designer Series Paper) features rich shades of Pretty Peacock, Shaded Spruce, Old Olive, Secret Sea, and hints of Cherry Cobbler — perfect for winter crafting.

Whether you prefer rustic wreaths or glimmering snowflakes, this suite has everything you need to create holiday cards that feel both elegant and heartfelt.

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Wrap-Up

These cards were such a joy to make — each one a reminder of why I love this season so much. The textures, the sparkle, the rich colors… it all comes together to make something truly special.

What do you think — are you Team Snowflake or Team Pinecone? Drop me a comment below or share your favorite in my Katrina’s Kreative Heart VIP Group on Facebook. I’d love to see what you create with this stunning bundle!

Product List

Elegant Pine Snowflakes Suite Collection (English) [166079] $91.00	Delicate Pines Bundle (English) [166074] $56.50	Delicate Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [166067] $24.00	Delicate Pines Dies [166073] $39.00	Elegant Pine Snowflakes 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [166066] $12.50
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229] $17.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780] $14.00	Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [150880] $14.00	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100702] $14.00	Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146981] $14.00
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083] $9.00	Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad [147088] $9.00	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] $9.00	Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad [165285] $9.00	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [147083] $9.00
Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [161665] $9.00	Shaded Spruce & Gold Edged 7/8" (2.2 Cm) Ribbon [166078] $12.00	Faceted Snowflakes [166077] $10.00

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Modern Christmas Suite: 3 Chic Cards (Ornament, Star & Trees)

 If you’re itching to kick off Christmas card season with something elegant (and quick!), you’re going to love the Modern Christmas Suite. Think classic black and white, luxe gold foil, and simple layouts that look oh-so-fancy. Tonight I’m sharing three chic designs: a gold-star showstopper, a joy-fold with evergreens, and an inlaid ornament that feels like jewelry for your card front.

Why the Modern Christmas Suite?

This suite makes it easy to craft “wow” cards fast. The specialty DSP gives you black-and-white patterns on one side and gold foil on the other—so every piece you cut feels designer. Add the Ornamental Christmas bundle (stamps + dies), twine, and optional large gold hoops, and you’ve got endless mix-and-match options.

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Card 1: Wishing You Peace & Joy (Gold Star)

Vibe: Minimal, luxe, timeless
You’ll need:

• Basic Black card base (8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4")

• Basic White inside panel (5-1/4" x 4")

• Brushed Gold Foil (3-1/4" x 3-1/4")

• Modern Christmas DSP (3" x 3")

• Gold heat-embossing supplies (VersaMark + Gold EP)

• Star die, Black/Gold baker’s twine, Dimensionals

How to assemble:

1. Layer the 3" x 3" DSP over the 3-1/4" square foil. Wrap twine around the panel four times and tie a bow to the left (tweezers are your best friend).

2. Die-cut a gold star and pop it up in the center with a single Dimensional.

3. Gold heat-emboss “Wishing you peace and joy” on a 1/2" strip of Basic Black; pop it across the panel to finish.

Pro tip: When heat-embossing on black, swipe first with an embossing buddy to keep stray powder at bay and get that crisp, metallic shine.

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Card 2: Joy-Fold “’Tis the Season” with Trees

Vibe: Interactive, classic, warm
You’ll need:

• Thick Basic White (9" x 4-1/4", scored at 5-1/2") – main base

• Thick Basic White (8-1/2" x 3-1/4", scored at 4-1/4") – inner flap

• DSP panel (4" x 5-1/4") + front layers: Basic Black (4" x 3-1/4"), DSP (3-3/4" x 3")

• Circle die-cut (≈3") for sentiment

• Mossy Meadow ink + cardstock for trees, Memento for trunks (or a Basic Black Blend)

• Low-profile gold dots, Dimensionals, Adhesive

How to assemble:

1. Adhere the 4" x 5-1/4" DSP inside the main card base. Center and adhere the smaller folded card (inner flap) onto the left panel of the main base.

2. Layer Basic Black (4" x 3-1/4") with DSP (3-3/4" x 3") and adhere to the small front flap.

3. Stamp “’Tis the Season” slightly left-of-center on the circle, pop up with Dimensionals.

4. Stamp two Mossy Meadow trees; color trunks; die-cut. Adhere one flat behind the circle; pop the second with Dimensionals so it overlaps the right edge of the circle.

5. Finish with three gold dots for a rule-of-three sparkle.

Pro tip: Place Dimensionals only where the circle sits on the small flap—so your card still opens easily.

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Card 3: Inlaid Ornament with Diagonal Embossed Panel

Vibe: Sophisticated, textural, couture
You’ll need:

• Thick Basic White base (8-1/2" x 5-1/2", score at 4-1/4")

• Basic Black layer (5-1/4" x 4")

• Basic White layer (3-3/4" x 5")—cut diagonally, then trim 1/4" from the straight edge of both pieces to create a channel

• Christmas Words Collage 3D embossing folder (hybrid)

• Ornament dies: outline (Black), solid backer (White), detail inlay (Gold Foil) + topper (Gold)

• Black/Gold baker’s twine, Gold dots, Dimensionals, Tear & Tape (as a “holder” for angled twine)

How to assemble:

1. Emboss the two White diagonal pieces. Stamp “Merry Christmas” on the lower piece in Memento and let it dry.

2. Adhere both diagonals to the Black layer, keeping an even gap between them for the twine channel. Wrap twine on the angle and secure on the back (use Tear & Tape to coax it into place), tie a small bow.

3. Die-cut: Black ornament (outline), White ornament (backer), Gold detail circles + topper. Adhere Black outline to White backer; inlay Gold pieces; add Gold topper.

4. Pop the ornament over the twine channel with Dimensionals; add three gold dots.

Pro tip: Inlay tiny pieces with micro-dots of liquid glue—just enough to hold, not enough to ooze.

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What’s New & Can’t-Miss

• Paper Pumpkin (November: “Wrapped in Cheer”) – Subscribe by November 10 for festive treat/gift-card boxes with tags, twine, and classic holiday colors.

• Online Exclusives – Fresh holiday goodies (including this suite!) available online—some while supplies last.

• 12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar – I’ll be opening one box per night this week—join me live and craft along!

• Best Join Offer I’ve seen: Choose $125 in product for $35 or $189 in product for $99—both with free shipping and a past Paper Pumpkin kit. If you’re curious, let’s chat—no pressure, just options.

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I hope these ideas spark your creativity and make holiday cardmaking feel joyful, not stressful. Tell me: which card is your favorite—the star, the trees, or the ornament? Drop a comment, save this for later, and share with a crafty friend who loves black, white, and gold as much as we do!