Merry and Bright in Non-Traditional Holiday Colors

Today I’m sharing another festive card featuring products from the Catherine Pooler Designs and Sizzix collaboration. For this design, I stepped away from traditional holiday reds and greens and created a soft, modern woodland scene using warm peach and vibrant pink tones.

I began by securing the Star on Top layered stencils in the Print & Pattern Tool. For the first stencil layer, I softly blended Clay Mask ink over the trees and added a light layer of Pucker Up ink toward the treetops. I repeated the same color combination with the second stencil layer, using a heavier hand to deepen the shades and bring definition to the overlapping trees.

To coordinate the greeting with the background, I created a separate ink-blended swatch using the same Clay Mask and Pucker Up combination. I then die cut the large “Merry” greeting using the new Oh So Merry Dies. I love how the blended cardstock carries the color palette into the sentiment while the playful lettering adds a bold focal point.

To complete the greeting, I stamped “and bright” from the Warm Winter Wishes Sentiments stamp set and added it on a slim banner beside the die-cut word. A splattering of Pearl Shimmer across the background added the perfect finishing touch of snowy sparkle.

I absolutely love the cheerful, non-traditional colors on this holiday card. The combination of peach, pink and shimmer gives the winter trees such a warm and whimsical feel!

You can find these products in the Catherine Pooler shop!

~ Ally ~ 

Warm Winter Wishes with CP & Sizzix

Today I’m sharing a cool and cozy winter card featuring the “Around the Holiday” stamp set from the Catherine Pooler Designs and Sizzix collaboration. This playful set includes a variety of graphic holiday images that work together beautifully to create a bold, repeating pattern.

I used the Print & Pattern Tool to line up and stamp the images across a piece of white cardstock. The tool made it easy to build the pattern evenly while alternating the different squares. For a soft tone-on-tone winter palette, I stamped the images using Glacier and Stone Blue inks. I love how the two shades add subtle variation while keeping the background cohesive and frosty.

Once the patterned panel was complete, I layered it onto a narrow piece of dark navy cardstock and adhered it to a Stone Blue cardstock card base. The simple layers help frame the stamped design and add a little extra contrast.

For the greeting, I selected the beautiful “Warm Winter Wishes” sentiment from the “Warm Winter Wishes Sentiments” stamp set. I stamped it in dark blue ink, die cut it into a circle and popped it up over the bottom corner of the patterned panel.

This card was so much fun to create, and the Print & Pattern Tool made building the repeating design quick and easy. The “Around the Holiday” stamp set is perfect for creating winter cards, holiday backgrounds, tags and so much more!

The new CP and Sizzix products are available now in the CP Shop!

~ Ally ~ 

 

Sweet November Stamps ~ Snow Days Are the Best!

For my December Sweet November Stamps PenPal card, I knew I wanted something playful, cheerful, and full of cozy winter fun—and the “Snow Days” clear stamp set was the perfect choice!

This set is absolutely packed with personality, and I challenged myself to use every single image from the set to create a fun, story-filled scene. From building a snowman to snowball fights and playful pups, this card just makes me smile every time I open it.

A Rainbow of Winter Fun 🌈

One of my favorite parts of this project was coloring a rainbow of winter clothing. Bright scarves, colorful coats, striped hats—it was such a joy mixing and matching colors while still keeping everything cohesive. Winter doesn’t have to be all neutrals, and this set really shines when you let the colors play!

All of the images were colored with Copic Markers, keeping the shading soft and playful to match the whimsical style of the illustrations.

 

A Fun Fold for Extra Storytelling

I also chose a fun fold design, which gave me extra real estate to spread the snowy scenes across multiple panels. It almost feels like flipping through a tiny winter storybook—each panel reveals a new snowy moment, and using all the images really brings the set to life.

The simple sentiment, “Snow days are the best days,” felt like the perfect finishing touch and ties everything together beautifully.

This card was such a joy to create, and I hope it brought a big smile to my PenPal’s face this December. ❄️💙
If you love coloring sweet characters, building scenes, and adding lots of personality to your cards, the Snow Days stamp set is an absolute must-have!

Thanks so much for stopping by today—I hope this inspires you to embrace color and have a little extra fun with your winter cards!

Happy crafting,

~ Ally ~ 

 

Sweet November Stamps ~ The Joy of Christmas

Today I’m sharing a sweet and cozy holiday card featuring the Sweet November Stamps "Joy" clear stamp set. This image just melts my heart every time — she’s full of warmth, cheer, and that magical holiday excitement that only Christmas morning can bring.

For this card, I colored Joy with Copic Markers, giving her soft, warm skin tones and rosy cheeks. One of my favorite parts of working with Sweet November images is how easy they are to customize. I changed up her pajamas to a fun pink heart pattern and added extra detail to the present she’s holding to make it feel more personal and festive. Those little touches really help bring the character to life and make each card feel one-of-a-kind.

To frame her up, I reached for some elegant Spellbinders ornate dies. The delicate details add just the right amount of sophistication while still keeping the overall design soft and whimsical. I layered the die cuts over a clean white card base to let Joy remain the star of the show.

I finished the card with the simple but perfect sentiment “Merry Wishes”, keeping the focus on the image and allowing the coloring and details to shine.

This card would be perfect for Christmas, winter birthdays, or anyone who loves a sweet, cozy holiday vibe. Thank you so much for stopping by today — I hope this card brings a little extra joy to your day! 🎄✨

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2026 to all!

~ Ally ~ 

Sweet November Stamps ~ Postage Perfect Winter Cuties

Today I’m sharing a bright and happy winter card featuring the adorable “Postage Pals: Snowmen” clear stamp set from Sweet November Stamps! This set is designed perfectly for postage-style die cuts—like the fun postage panel die from Waffle Flower that I used here—making it incredibly easy to create sweet little mini scenes in each window.

I had such a blast coloring these charming snow friends with my Copic Markers. Each little vignette gets its own personality—bundled-up scarves, cozy hats, and even a tiny squirrel friend peeking in. To tie everything together, I ink-blended soft snowy skies in each panel and added falling snow for that magical wintery feel.

To finish the card, I paired everything with a cheerful rainbow border and added the sentiment “You’re snow cute” right in the center window. Honestly… could these snowmen be any sweeter?

If you’re looking for a stamp set that works beautifully with postage dies, encourages scene-building, and delivers maximum cuteness, Postage Pals: Snowmen is an absolute must-have in your collection!

Thanks for stopping by today—stay cozy and keep crafting! ⛄💙

~ Ally ~ 

Sweet November Stamps ~ The Stockings Were Hung

Today I’m sharing a cozy holiday card featuring the brand new “The Stockings Were Hung” digital stamp set from Sweet November Stamps—and it also happens to be my latest contribution to Craft Roulette!

This adorable new digi set includes a beautifully illustrated stone fireplace, plus two little girls with stockings and two little boys with stockings, giving you endless combinations for scene building. For my card, I chose one of the sweet boys carefully hugging his puppy filled stocking. To make the scene even more whimsical, I added the charming “Stocking Stuffers: Fluffy” digital image and perched her right from the mantel—because every cozy Christmas scene needs a festive little critter!

Craft Roulette Parameters (Episode #296)

This week’s challenge pushed me to bring everything together:

• Project: A2

• Colors: Fresh & Clean

• Element: From the Desert

• Random: Edge Distress

I incorporated the desert element by dressing the little boy in cactus-patterned pajamas—because who says desert vibes can’t be festive? For the Edge Distress parameter, I cut the edges with my Deckle Edge Trimmer of my focal panel to give the whole piece a warm, worn-in holiday feel.

Card Details

I colored everything with Copic Markers, taking extra care to make the stone fireplace glow with that soft holiday warmth. A classic plaid background helps frame the scene and tie everything together for a cozy Christmas aesthetic.

This card was such a delight to create—between the sweet characters, the glowing fireplace, and Fluffy hanging in her stocking, the whole scene just radiates Christmas magic.

If you’d like to try your hand at Craft Roulette, check out www.CraftRoulette.live for all the details. And don’t forget to pop by the Sweet November Stamps shop to see the full new release!

Have a great weekend!

~ Ally ~ 

Sweet November Stamps ~ Holiday Travels

Today I’m excited to share a card featuring one of the sweetest scenes from the newest Joyful Greetings release over at Sweet November Stamps—the Holiday Travels clear stamp set! This charming little family is all packed into their festive red car and cruising through a snowy winter landscape, and I had so much fun bringing the whole moment to life.

To create my scene, I stamped the adorable family inside their car, then extended the background with snow-covered hills and evergreen trees to give the illusion of a long, wintry drive toward holiday fun. Those beautiful Wintry trees are from the "Horizon Lines: Winter Wonderland" stamp set. Everything is colored with Copic Markers, allowing me to build soft winter shadows, warm sunrise tones in the sky, and bright cheerful details inside the car. I especially love how expressive each family member is—such a delightful image to work with!

The Joyful Greetings release is live and ready to shop right now in the SNS store, including this must-have Holiday Travels set. If you're looking to make heartwarming holiday cards full of personality, this collection is packed with inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy holiday crafting! 🎄🚗✨

~ Ally ~ 

Sweet November Stamps ~ Front Porch Greetings

Happy holiday crafting, friends!  Today I’m excited to share a festive new card featuring one of the newest additions to the Sweet November Stamps family—the “Front Porch Christmas Decor” clear stamp set! This set is part of the brand-new Joyful Gatherings release, which is live right now in the SNS shop and ready for you to snag.

For my card, I paired this charming new decor set with the previously released “Front Porch Background.” The pairing is seamless! Once again, the cozy porch scene provides the perfect foundation, and the new Christmas elements bring all the warmth, sparkle, and nostalgic charm of the season.

I had so much fun dressing up the porch with holiday lights, bells, bows, and that gorgeous bold red door—it all comes together to make the scene feel merry and inviting. I also added the sweet Christmas tree and those candy-striped yard decorations for an extra pop of color and whimsy.

To finish things off, I used a sentiment from the new “Postage Pals Snowmen” stamp set. Its simple and cheerful Christmas greeting was just the right touch for this snowy, welcoming scene.

If you haven’t checked out the Joyful Gatherings release yet, now’s the time! It’s full of adorable holiday images perfect for all your seasonal cardmaking.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Wishing you all a very merry and creative holiday season!

~ Ally ~ 

Sweet November Stamps ~ Cookies for Santa and Joyful Gatherings Ahead!

There’s nothing sweeter than a cozy Christmas scene — and today’s card celebrates just that! 🎄✨

For my card, I combined two adorable Sweet November Stamps clear stamp sets: “Cookies for Santa” (featuring the sleeping children on the couch) and “Dear Santa” (with Santa himself and the curious little one peeking around the corner). Together, they create the perfect heartwarming moment of Christmas magic — when Santa is caught mid-delivery!

Everything was colored with Copic Markers, bringing those soft holiday tones and cozy textures to life. From the warm glow of the living room to Santa’s bright red suit, I wanted this card to feel like a page right out of a classic Christmas storybook.

🎅 Sentiment: “May this be the sweetest Christmas ever.”  A perfect finishing touch for this nostalgic holiday scene!

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🎁 Exciting News from Sweet November Stamps!

The holiday fun doesn’t stop there — a brand new clear stamp release is just around the corner!
Join Sweet November Stamps for the “Joyful Gatherings” release on November 15th at midnight EST!

One of the stars of this collection is the “Holiday Travels” 4x8 clear stamp set — featuring a cheerful family heading out on their Christmas adventure. I had the honor of coloring up a special sneak peek for this set, and it’s just the beginning of all the festive goodness to come! 🚗💨

So mark your calendars, grab your cocoa, and get ready for a season full of heartwarming new designs from Sweet November Stamps.

Have a great week everyone!

~ Ally ~ 

Scrap 'n Stamp ~ The crafty Canuck Christmas Creative Hop *PRIZE*

It’s time for another fun Scrap ’N Stamp Instagram Hop—and this one’s extra special! We’re celebrating the Crafty Canuck Christmas Creative Hop, featuring The Crafty Canuck’s fabulous dies and products!

For my project today, I used the “Gnome & Friends” die set to create these three festive little gnomies. Aren’t they adorable? Each one has its own holiday personality—from the candy-cane-striped hat to the sweet reindeer antlers and that charming little gingerbread friend!  I used my Copcis to add whimsy and details for each character.  To finish off my scene, I used the “Wonky Stitched Rectangles” dies to give them a crisp stitched border and subtle inky glow.  

For the center gnome, I used a mini Action Wobbler to make him interactive! So cute!! 

You can start the hop over on Instagram at @scrapnstampcanadaand follow along to see what the rest of our amazing designers have created! 

Don’t forget to leave a comment at each stop for your chance to WIN! 🦫 

And that’s not all — you can SAVE 25% on all Crafty Canuck products at Scrap ’N Stamp right now! It’s the perfect time to stock up on some of these adorable dies for your Christmas crafting. Happy hopping and happy crafting, friends!

~ Ally ~ 

Craft Roulette ~ Postcard from Santa

It’s time for another round of Craft Roulette, the weekly card-making challenge where we spin the wheel for inspiration! 

This week’s parameters inspired me to create a festive little holiday postcard featuring Santa, his trusty reindeer, and a bonus feline friend. 🐾🎅

🎨 Episode #291 Parameters

• Project: Postcard(s) - I used a postcard die

• Colors: Easter Basket - lots of funn Easter egg colors

• Element: Pack(s)(ing) - packages packed in Santa's Pack

• Random: Shiny ✨ - "a shiny nose"

For my card, I used the “Peeking Santa” and part of the “Peeking Reindeer” digital images to create the left edge of my postcard. As a bonus parameter, I decided to Add a Cat — this cute kitty comes from the Sweet November Stamps “SN Gals: Libby and Laura” clear stamp set. 

Everything is colored up with Copic Markers in cheerful “Easter Basket” hues, and I added a subtle shimmer to tie in the “Shiny” parameter. The postcard itself was created using The Greetery’s postcard die and coordinating stamps for all the authentic postal touches — from the faux postmark to the little airmail accents.

It’s such a fun blend of holiday cheer and playful Craft Roulette creativity!

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🖋️ This was my 123rd Craft Roulette contribution! 

You can find all the challenge details and join the fun at Craft Roulette!

~ Ally ~ 

Sweet November Stamps ~ Season of Giving

Today I’m sharing a heartwarming holiday scene featuring the brand new digital collection “Season of Giving” from Sweet November Stamps!

To set the stage, I began with the cozy “Storefront” image — the perfect backdrop for a bustling holiday sidewalk. I added a festive “Pine Tree” beside the shop and decorated the window with a cheerful “Bead Garland” from the Happy Tree Ornament set and a big red bow from the Light Pole and Accessories collection.

Front and center, you’ll find the jolly “Bell Ringer” happily collecting donations beside his “Coin Kettle.” I couldn’t resist building a sweet family to join him — the “Mother,” “Daughter with Candy Cane,” and “Son with Dog” bring so much warmth and togetherness to the scene. And if you look closely, you might even spot a familiar face peeking out from the shop window — it’s “Beebs” the cat!

Everything is colored with Copic Markers for those soft, festive tones and cozy winter vibes. 

This entire illustration reminds me of taking my Scouts out each year to help man a Salvation Army kettle — a special tradition that truly embodies the spirit of giving and community.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

~ Ally ~ 

Catherine Pooler ~ Better Be Good with Santa's Crew

Today I’m sharing a cheerful holiday card featuring the entire gang from the Catherine Pooler Designs “Santa’s Crew” stamp set! I couldn’t resist bringing together all five of the crew and critters—Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elf, and their reindeer friends—into one fun lineup. Aren’t they adorable under that sprig of mistletoe?

Each character was colored up with Copic Markers, giving them bright pops of color and plenty of personality. To keep the sentiment playful, I stamped “Better Be Good” in Mardi Gras ink, which adds just the right amount of festive punch.

To tie it all together, I added a strip of patterned paper from the North Pole paper pack. The colorful gift boxes bring extra holiday joy to the card front and make the sentiment stand out beautifully.

The “Night Before Christmas” collection is officially live in the Catherine Pooler shop, and all the products—including this adorable stamp set, coordinating dies, patterned papers, stencils, and more—are now available to order!  Don't forget about our new ink too... Sugarplum!

👉 Shop the full release here!

Happy shopping!

~ Ally ~ 

Catherine Pooler ~ No Peeking!

I’m back with another playful card featuring products from the brand-new Night Before Christmas Collection from Catherine Pooler Designs!

For this design, I couldn’t resist using the bright and festive plaid paper from the North Pole Paper Pack. It makes such a fun backdrop for holiday characters!

The little elf, Mrs. Claus, and all the ornaments are from the Santa’s Crew stamp set. I colored each of the images with Copic Markers to bring them to life with a cheerful holiday palette. To finish off the card, I added the “no peeking” sentiment, stamped on a die cut from the Sentiment Banner Dies.

✨ Release Details
The Night Before Christmas collection is packed full of whimsical stamps, dies, patterned papers, and more. It goes live in the CP shop on Wednesday, September 10th at 9am ET. But if you’re a StampNation member, you get early access starting TODAY!

Happy shopping!

~ Ally ~