SENDING HOPE

Welcome to the first full week of 2026.  If you happened to catch my video announcement last week about the changes coming at Fairless Stampin' Flair this year, then you already know that I am reducing the number of posts each week on this blog from 3/week to 2/week.  At this point the plan is to post on Monday and Thursday.

My goal is to have one card be a "Pat-Style" Stamps, Ink, & Paper (SIP) card.  This is a challenge I've made to myself as SIP cards are not easy for me.  I love lots of layers and details with Techniques and Fun Folds tossed in.  But I am going to try!  However, just you understand the "rules" I made for myself -- embellishments, like gems and ribbon are absolutely allowed on a "Pat-Style" SIP card.  

Today's card is my SIP card for this week.

Most weeks I will continue my practice of featuring a specific product each week.  This week I am featuring the HOPE LOVE & JOY Bundle.  I gave you a sneak peak of this new, unique bundle last Friday.  Today I decided to use the "H PE" stamp from the HOPE LOVE & JOY stamp set.  I used a variety of the images that are meant to replace the "O".

I wanted to create a bit of an ombre cascade of HOPE but had a difficult time decided which colors to use.  To give me some direction I Googled, "What is the color usually associated with HOPE?"  The most consistent response was "green".  Google says the color green is associated with new beginnings, growth and optimism.  That sounds like "hope" to me.

Other sources suggested "blue" and "yellow."  Blue because it represents spirituality, peace, serenity and calm and yellow because it stands for renewal, happiness, optimism and creativity.

Since I don't often use greens except at Christmas or for nature scenes, I decided to go with greens with a little pop of yellow at the top.

The images were much easier to choose.  A dove, a heart, and praying hands all portray hope.

As I indicated, SIP cards are not "easy" for me.  I think I spent more time figuring out this simple card than some of the avid card styles I typically make.  And I do have to admit that I couldn't resist making a stepped-up version of this same card.  I just needed to see what it would look like if the images were stamped on a separate piece of colored cardstock that was the same color as the stamped word and then die cut and adhered to the card with dimensionals.

Since I made it, I thought I may as well share it.  Just know, it is not my intent to do this with each SIP card I make.  Just consider it "baby steps"!  I think it is going to take me some time to fully embrace the SIP card challenge.

Do you like one better than the other?

Here is the inside of my card.  I chose to make it a Get-Well card as "getting well" certainly involves "hope".  The sentiments on the inside of the card are from the Unbounded Love and Friendly Foliage stamp sets.  

FYI -- The strip of Daffodil Delight DSP on the bottom edge was NOT PLANNED.  I made a boo-boo that I needed to cover up!  More on that in the Tutorial.  

The lesson for us all, don't stress!  There is always a way to fix a boo-boo!

Use this link to download the tutorial.

The HOPE LOVE & JOY bundle will be available to purchase beginning tomorrow, January 6.  Since I cannot yet include a link for it to take you to my Stampin' Up! store, here is the item number for your reference.

HOPE LOVE & JOY BUNDLE:  Item # 166858.

Product List

Unbounded Love Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [163378]	Friendly Foliage Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [167021]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990]
Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780]	Brights 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [165301]	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [147089]
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [147095]	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [147145]	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

Add All to Cart