Art With Heart November Blog Hop Featuring Boxes And Gift Bags

The Art With Heart Team are back with another inspirational Blog Hop. This month we are featuring Gift Bags and Boxes, just in time for the Christmas gift giving season. The bags and boxes featured are all made using current Stampin’ Up! products and any of our wonderful team members are happy to help you with the supplies you will need to reproduce these beautiful projects.

This is my first time I’ve ever made something like this and I’m so excited to be sharing with you my Explosion Box. I’ve used the gorgeous Let It Snow Specialty DSP and coordinating coloured Cardstock plus many other Stampin’ Up! products. 

Instructions to form the box are as follows

1.       Thick Whisper White Cardstock @ 21cm x 21cm square for the box

2.       Score at 7cm, 14cm both sides and fold the score line with Bone Folder

3.       Cut lines towards the base of the box please refer to photo of Grid Paper and instructions

4.       Cut away shaded pencil part with Paper Snips

5.       Inner - cut to measure 4 pieces of DSP @ 6.5cm square and cut 2 to make triangles

6.       Use preferred Adhesive to adhered triangle pieces down and secure a thin line of glue to form a pocket

7.       Place the other 2 pieces of DSP on inner squares

8.       Outer – cut to measure 4 pieces of DSP @ 6.5cm square and adhered to the outer of the box  

Instructions to form the lid are as follows

1.       Thick Whisper White Cardstock 11.2cm x 11.2cm square for the lid

2.       Score @ 2cm each of the sides and fold the score line with the Bone Folder

3.       Cut out the shaded pencil part with Paper Snips

4.       Use preferred Adhesive to adhered corners together to form the lid and make sure lid fits over box

Now the fun part begins! When it comes to decorating an Explosion Box the possibilities are endless. I wanted to use the colours from the Let It Snow Speciality DSP and to have a 3D item in the middle of the box. You can leave the centre blank and put a gift inside the box instead is another option.

Instructions to create the Christmas Tree are as follows

1.       You will need the following Stampin’ Up! products Sprig Punch, Twinkle Punch, smallest Layering Circle Dies, strip of Let It Snow DSP 1.3cm x 11cm, Real Red Glimmer Paper, Sliver Glimmer Paper, Sparkle Gimmer Paper, Take Your Pick Tool and Piece Mat

2.        You will also need a clean plastic bottle lid, tooth pick and Blu-Tak

3.       Punch out a number of Sprigs in Real Red and Sparkle Glimmer Paper and piece a whole at the end of each sprig with the Take Your Pick Tool and Piecing Mat

4.       Die cut out Real Red Glimmer with Layering Circle Die and thread onto toothpick

5.       Put a small amount of Blu-tak inside of bottle lid and secure the tooth pick into the Blu-tak

6.       Place a strip of Tear & Tape to DSP and adhered to outer of lid

7.       Thread Sprigs onto tooth pick to form a Tree

8.       Punch out star with Silver Glimmer Paper twice and attached to the top of the tree

I’ve used the Stitched Shapes Dies and Layering Circle Dies for the different layers of circles throughout the inner of the explosion box. I have also used the Delightful Tag Topper Punch for little messages to pull out.

For the lid I’ve attached the Real Red 1” Ruched Ribbon and formed a bow. I’ve used the Beautiful Boughs Dies to create the leaf and pinecone images with the dies. Shaded Spruce and Costal Cabana with some added glitter using Stampin’ Glitter and Shimmery Crystal Effects.



I hope I have inspired you to create an Explosion, the possibilities are endless with different Cardstock and DSP. I’m so glad I’ve taken part in the latest Blog Hop and created something I normally wouldn’t do. All of the products I’ve used will be at the bottom of this blog.

Thank you for stopping by!

The next hop in the Blog Hop is the very talented Andrea Sargent.



If you have a broken link or have come to this blog hop midway, you can view all the participants below:



Rachel Palmieri

Sharon Davern

Rebecca Jacovou

Kathryn Ruddick

Catherine Proctor

Vicki Boucher

Andrea Sargent

Sujatha Harding

Rachel Woollard

Tina Gillespie

Kate Morgan

Kathryn Mangelsdorf



Happy Crafting



Vicki Boucher



Product List:

Stamps: Itty Bitty Christmas
Dies: Beautiful Boughs, Stitched Shapes and Layering Circles
Punches: 2" Circle Punch, Sprig Punch, Delightful Tag Topper Punch and Twinkle Builder Punch
Paper: Let It Snow Speciality DSP, Real Red Cardstock, Coastal Cabana Cardstock, Basic Black Cardstock, Thick Whisper White Cardstock, Shaded Spruce Cardstock, Real Red Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper and Sparkle Glimmer Paper
Ribbon: Real Red 1" Ruched Ribbon and Bermuda Bay 1/4" Mini Striped Ribbon
Other Stampin' Up! Products: White Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Versamark, Shimmery Crystal Effects, Stampin' Glitter Stampin' Pierce Mat, Take Your Pick Tool and Memento Tuxedo Black

Art With Heart ~ Heart Of Christmas Blog ~ Week 15

Hello and welcome back,


It’s time for week 15 of the Heart of Christmas blog hop with my friends from Art With Heart Team, this is the second last hop and we are almost in December. I just know you'll love all the wonderful ideas you'll see on this hop, so make sure you click on the link at the end of my blog.

Today’s card I’ll be showcasing different products from the Stampin' Up! 2019 Holiday Catalogue and 2019 - 2020 Annual Catalogue that I just love to use when making Christmas cards. Who likes shades of blues combined with shimmer and glitter? I know I do! 

I wanted to use the So Many Stars Stamp Set and coordinating Stitched Stars Dies with the gorgeous Feels Like Frost 6” x 6” DSP. Don't you think they go so well together? I just love all the different sizes of stars and you can really layer them up when making a card.

I stamped the delicate star stamp in Versamark Ink onto a piece of Whisper White Cardstock, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder covered the image and heat set with the Heat Tool. I sponged Night Of Navy Ink with a Sponged Dauber until I was happy with the shades of blue. Using a baby wipe to wipe away any ink on the White Stamped Image. The star images and the swirly star image are from the Stitched Stars Dies as pictured above.

To create a frosted look on the swirly star image using the Night Of Navy Cardstock, I used Shimmery Crystal Effects and Ice Stampin’ Glitter. The adhesive dries quickly so it's best to apply the Ice Glitter quickly. 

The Night Of Navy card base has been spritzed with Frost White Shimmer Paint and Rubbing Alcohol mixed in a Stampin’ Spritzer. Giving the card a nice shimmer.

The layers of Cardstock and DSP have been die cut out with Rectangle Stitched Dies and layered on the Night Of Navy card base. I’ve used Stampin’ Dimensionals to layer the stars this gives more depth to the card. I finished off the card with a little more sparkle with Rhinestones.

This week’s Heart of Christmas blog hop is hosted by Michelle Taylor to see her creation and the rest of the team please click here.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Crafting,



Vicki Boucher


To purchase any of these products I’ve used today you can click on my direct links above or visit my Online Store here.

If you would like a copy of the current Stampin’ Up! 2019 Holiday Catalogue or the Annual 2019-2020 Catalogue please send me a message here.

Product List

Stamp Sets: Itty Bitty Christmas and So Many Stars

Dies: Stitched Stars and Rectangle Stitched Dies

Colouring Tools: Sponge Dauber, Emboss Buddy, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Versamark, Heat Tool, Frost White Shimmer Paint and Stampin’ Spritzers

Ink: Night of Navy

Other Stampin’ Products: Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Ice Stampin’ Glitter and Shimmery Crystal Effects

Other Products: Rubbing Alochol and Retired Big Shot

Colour INKspiration Challenge #68

Hello and welcome back,


Tonight I will be sharing with you a card that I’ve created for the latest Colour INKspiration Challenge #68. The colours for this challenge are Shaded Spruce, Blueberry Bushel, Pretty Peacock, Coastal Cabana and Silver. I just love this colour palette showcasing different shades of blues, greens and with a touch of silver. You can also add Basic Black, Whisper White, Very Vanilla and Metallics.

This challenge runs for 2 weeks and will end at 7pm (AEDT) on Monday 9^th December 2019. I hope you’ll enter into the Colour INKspiration Challenge, we would so love to see your creation.

To keep in the theme with the photo I was inspired to create a Christmas card for this challenge. I’ve seen so many Christmas decorations in these colours at the department stores lately. I just might have to decorate my Christmas tree in these gorgeous colours too!

To create a watercolor wash background I’ve used half a sheet of Stampin’ Up! Fluid Water Color Paper, Aqua Painter, Clear Block, water and drops of ink in the above mentioned colours. Which can all be purchased from my Online Store.

For the background I simply used an Aqua Painter brush to wet the Stampin’ Up! Watercolor paper then with the Clear Block I added a drop of ink of each colour or you can also use the Ink Pads as well. I started off with Coastal Cabana the lightest colour and then mixing the other colours together. I like to use the Clear Block as a palette. Adding more water if needed for a washout look and use a tissue to remove any excess of water or colour. I wanted a subtle look for the card, once the ink was dry, I could then add my layers to the card.


I’ve used the Stitched Stars Dies, Beautiful Boughs Dies, Tree Punch and Itty Bitty Stamp Set for the greeting. 

The larger Stitched Star is in Vellum and the smaller one is in Silver Foil. I’ve die cut out the branch in Whisper White, used Shimmery Crystal Effects and Stampin’ Glitter to give the branch some sparkle. The silver Christmas tree is simply punch out using the Sliver Glimmer Paper. I just love the greeting how it’s not in a straight line, but curvy for a change. I used Sliver Emboss Powder and heat set with the Heat Tool. Layering all these items together with Silver Metallic Thread in between. 

I’ve added more glitter to the Watercolor Paper with the Shimmery Crystal Effects and Ice Stampin’ Glitter. For the last addition I’ve added a few of the Woven Threads Sequin Assortment.

The card base is Thick Whisper White, then a layer of Silver Foil and followed by the layer of Watercolor Paper.

Make sure you visit our Facebook group to enter your creation, we would love to see which colour combination you choose and it’s so much fun to share too!

Click to join Colour INKSpiration Facebook group to partake in the challenge. All you need to do is up load a photo and if you have a blog you can link it back to your personal blog. Share with your crafty friends so they can join in with the challenges too.

Hope to see you there!

Now for more inspiration please click on the next button to see our Guest Designer Cheryl Miller. 

I just love her card and how she’s used the colours for this challenge. 

Thank you for stopping by today!

Happy Crafting

Vicki Boucher

To purchase any of these products I’ve used today you can click on my direct links above or visit my Online Store here.

Stampin' Up! 2019 Holiday Catalogue Art With Heart Team Blog Hop Week 12

Hello and welcome,


It’s week 12 with the Heart of Christmas blog hop and today I’ll be sharing my card using the Christmastime Is Here Suite. This suite is here for a limited time for the month of November and you can order this product today! The suite is available to purchase from my online store link at the end of this blog.

This suite is exclusive to Stampin’ Up! It’s just so stunning with the gorgeous festive floral Christmas Rose Stamp Set and coordinating Roses Dies which the die cuts out the Rose stamped image.

For the card I’ve stamped the large floral image onto Whisper White Cardstock. I wanted to use some different colours for the Rose and I’ve used my Stampin’ Blends. I just love to colour with the Blends they are just so magical to create with! 

I started off with colouring in the rose using both light & dark Mint Macaron and blending in with the Color Lifter. The bigger leaves I have used light & dark Soft Sea Foam. The spikey thin looking leaves, I started off using the light Mossy Meadow, but then I decided I wanted to use the dark Smoky Slate. The grey always goes so nicely together with these colours. The pinecones are in light & dark Crumb Cake and the berries I have used light & dark Flirty Flamingo.

For the card base I’ve used Thick Whisper White Cardstock, stamped the greeting off in Mint Macaron and then stamping randomly on the Cardstock.


The card front has been lightly sponged in Mint Macaron with the Sponge Dauber to give the die cut some lift as well as colour to the card. Before adding the Rose die cut image to the card I’ve placed Whisper White Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon under the Rose. 

The Merry Christmas greeting is from the Perfectly Plaid stamp set, stamped in Memento Black and die cut with the smaller label from the Beautiful Boughs Dies. I just love it when Stampin’ Up! products can be used so well together and then you have a completely different card. 


To finish off the card I’ve layered the die pieces with Stampin’ Dimensionals and I’ve placed three Frosted Epoxy Droplets which balances nicely with the soft colours.

This week's Heart of Christmas blog hop is hosted by Claire Daly to see her creation and the rest of the team please click here.

Happy Crafting

Vicki Boucher

To purchase any of these products I’ve used today you can click on my direct links above or visit my Online Store here.

If you would like a copy of the current Stampin’ Up! 2019 Holiday Catalogue or the Annual 2019-2020 Catalogue please send me a message here.

Product List

Stamp Set: Christmas Rose and Perfectly Plaid

Dies: Roses and Beautiful Boughs Dies

Colouring Tools: Stampin’ Blends :- Mint Macaron, Soft Sea Foam, Flirty Flamingo, Mossy Meadow, Smoky Slate and Color Lifter. Sponge Dauber

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ribbon and Embellishments: Whisper White Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon and Frosted Epoxy Droplets

#TGIFC236 Color Challenge

Hello and welcome,


Today I will be sharing a card that I’ve created for the TGIF Challenges and it’s a color challenge. I just love to do a challenge when I can.

The latest challenge is #TGIFC236 using the following colors Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso and Calypso Coral. These colors remind me of the Autumn season but they also can be masculine colors too. That’s why I’ve created this card for my Father In-law, his birthday is coming up later in November and I just love the combination of this color palette.

If you’ve been following my creations for a while you may of seen my hubby’s birthday card that I created back in May for his birthday. Well I just love the layout so much that I wanted to create a similar card for his Father. The Rooted In Nature Stamp Set and coordinating Nature’s Roots Dies from the Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue are just perfect for a masculine card.

I started off with the card base in Early Espresso, added a layer of Calypso Coral and Early Espresso for the card front. Before layering the two pieces of Cardstock, I ran my Paper Snips along the edge and curled the corners with my Bone Folder to give the card an old look. I also stamped the leaf image onto the Early Espresso Cardstock.

I used a piece of Calypso Coral Cardstock and ran it through the Die Cutting Machine with the Corrugated Embossing Folder. To give the corrugated some depth, I lightly ran the Calypso Coral Ink pad over the Cardstock. What do you think of this technique? 

The leaves have been stamped in Pear Pizzazz Ink onto Pear Pizzaz Cardstock and I also repeated this with the Calypso Coral leaves. Once the leaves have been die cut out, I then used a Sponge Dauber in the same coordinating color and sponged ink around the edge of the leaves. 


To give the card some shine I’ve used the gorgeous Celestial Copper Ink, stamped the smaller leaf image onto Early Espresso Cardstock and die cut the images out.

I stamped the greeting in Early Espresso Ink onto a piece of Crumb Cake Cardstock, die cut out with the Stitched Nested Labels one of the smaller dies. Sponged Early Espresso Ink with the Sponge Dauber and lightly sponged around the edge of the Cardstock.


To finish off the card I tied a small double bow using Line Thread which coordinates well with these colors.


Thank you for visiting my blog today. To see the other amazing creations from the TGIF Challenge team pleaseclick on the link here.

Happy Crafting

Vicki Boucher