July 2025 Newsletter - Christine Josti, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
Happy July 1st! I hope you have crafting on your summer "bucket list"! Sometimes it's an easy activity to set aside with all the other summery things going on. But, it's important to have a
little time for yourselves or to craft with a buddy (show a new friend the joy of stamping).
I've shared this list in the past, but I think it's a good one to share again since our schedules may be filling up.
Finding More Time to Craft
-Schedule an appointment with yourself. Actually write the time and day on the calendar that you want to craft and be sure to keep your appointment. Do you skip a dentist or doctor appointment when housekeeping or errands are calling?? “me time” is important for keeping calm, happy and healthy.
-You don’t have to do the entire project at once. Divide the process into
segments: looking for ideas, designing the project, cutting, assembling, cleaning and sending.
-Try to keep distractions at a minimum by turning off phone & email notifications, closing the door, etc).
-Go online for only a limited period of time and save (screen shot) pictures of projects you like and place them in a designated folder (rather than on your desktop). Once you find 3-5 that fulfill a specific need, stop
searching and start planning/creating.
-If you don’t have all the supplies, don't let that stop you. Choose a different project or find alternative supplies or techniques to come close to your original idea.
-Your space is disorganized. Clean up your space. More than cleaning, you may have to organize and purge any supplies that are no longer viable or to your liking. You have my permission to get rid of supplies
(recycle, give away or throw away) that you no longer like or need.
Happy Creating!
~Christine
New Products Available Today!
Every other month a new batch of "online exclusive" products launches and the new set launches today!
If Halloween is a fun holiday for you to create for, then you will be very happy to see Halloween
in this lineup and as a new July kit. Halloween products will NOT be listed in the upcoming September Holiday catalog. Launching them in July allows for both early access, creating and re-stocking in case anything sells out.
I shared this card using the new Spooky Halloween bundle #166199 last week on my live. If you missed it, you can watch the replay here: Z-Fold Cards with a Surprise Inside
You are going to love the new iridescent treat bags #166204. I think they'll make great birthday treat bags too (in addition to Halloween).
You'll also see some early Christmas products as well as fall and year-round products.
Demonstrators who attend Stampin' Up! events get sneak peeks of upcoming products and many of them share pictures. I was not able to attend in March, but I did save two pictures someone shared of the new Perfectly Pears Suite that is also launching today. You may be seeing me use this suite in projects later this week (hint, hint).
I like how this picture shows how to cut this particular Designer paper into 4" squares and shows card examples using the squares. The paper is truly beautiful in person.
Sunflower Cards
Another new product launching today is the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder #166145. I love embossing folders because there is so much you can do with them. This one is fantastic! The images are so deep and textured. You can use this embossing folder as the focal point or the background.
Here are a few things I have made so far. Each of them uses the You Are Remarkablestamp set #165445 which pairs very nicely with the folder.
I'll be showing how I created each of these backgrounds (3 different ways) on my live today.
I'm happy to report that some popular products are back in stock and ready for ordering! Here are just three of them (the ones I know some of you wanted):
Are you ever curious what other people are buying (& making)? I have the list of the top selling products (from January through now). Because they are so popular, there will be MANY samples online for you to
look at & copy. To do an online search, just type in the name of the product and Stampin' Up! after it and you will yield hundreds of results. I like to search this way rather than searching on one particular platform (Pinterest, YouTube & Blogs) because all results will show with this type of search.
Bundles:
#1 Beautiful Butterflies #164615 (includes stamp set, dies AND
hybrid embossing folder)
#2 Storybook Friends #164675 (stamp set & dies)
Top Selling Kit:
Beautiful Arrangements #165007 (currently unavailable but you can add your email to the notification list of when it returns)
Top Selling Designer Series Paper:
Timeless
Plaid #164678
Top Selling NEW In Color Ink Pad:
#1 Secret Sea #165285
#2 Strawberry Slush #165286
#3 Timid Tiger #165278 (it was really close with #2)
Top Selling In Color Re-inker:
Cloud Cover #165279 (makes sense since the Ink pad is
unavailable - but you can make your own with a re-inker and an un-inked ink spot #141822)
Top Selling Embellishment
2025-27 In Color Flat Pearls #165192
All of these products are currently available for purchase!
Today's LIVE
Today I'm going to show you three fun (& easy) ways of coloring with an embossing folder (see above sunflower pictures). I will be using my new Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder #166145 which is now available for purchase.
You can watch live at 2pm ET (1pm Central, 12pm, MT & 11am PT) on Facebook and YouTube:
I go live every Tuesday and every first Thursday at 7pm ET (for Global live stamping with my Australian Demonstrator crafting friend Ann).
This week's live with Christine & Ann will be all about Christmas in July! Neither of us will share what the other is making until the live begins. Join in the fun this Thursday, July 3rd at 8pm ET, 7pm Central, 6pm MT & 5pm PT). I know it's the night before the 4th of July holiday, so if you are not around, please watch the replay.
July's Paper Pumpkin
Did you know you can have an all-inclusive (& exclusive) crafting kit delivered to your mailbox every month?
That's exactly what Paper Pumpkin is. A box filled with pre-designed and cut papers, card bases, decorative envelopes, a mini ink
pad, stamps, embellishments and directions on how to put that month's kit together.
Each kit includes a photopolymer stamp set, Classic Stampin’ Spot™, and step-by-step instructions to complete exclusive paper craft projects, including cards, tags, and gift packaging
Paper Pumpkin is perfect for beginners, those who travel, those who don't have a large craft space or want to
accumulate too many supplies and/or gifts.
You can start and stop at any time. To begin, subscribe by the 10th of the month to receive that month's kit. Then your crafting boxes will keep coming until you tell it to hold a month/s or cancel.
Craft sweet handmade cards featuring sun-kissed strawberries and breezy gingham.
• Makes 8 cards: 2 each of 4 designs with 8
coordinating envelopes
• Precut paper pieces and vellum accents
• Hand-painted card base designs
• Coordinating colors: Garden Green (Classic Stampin’ Spot), Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger
This exclusive Circle of Seasons Die Set (item 167277) coordinates with each of the three upcoming Paper Pumpkin kits! (July, August & September).
But, ONLY Paper Pumpkin subscribers can
purchase it. Another great reason to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin!!!!!
Two New Kits this Month!
Birthday Fancy Kit #166211
Serve up a slice of celebration with the Birthday Fancy Kit! With layered cakes, teacups, florals, and doily details in soft pastels, these 12 cards (4 each of 3 designs) are like a birthday party in an envelope. Whether you're crafting for birthdays or other sweet occasions, each design makes it easy to create
something charming and full of cheer.
DETAILS - Makes 12 cards: 4 each of 3 designs - Folded card size: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" - Colors: Darling Duckling, Fresh Freesia, gold, Lost Lagoon, Petal Pink, Strawberry Slush
Kit includes one of each item listed below. - Birthday Fancy Photopolymer Stamp Set - Clear stamp block - Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin’ Spot - Step-by-step instructions - 12 printed envelopes - Gold foil
accents - Adhesive
Sweet & Spooky Kit #166229
Make Halloween gifting extra special with the Sweet & Spooky Kit! This kit makes 15 treat boxes (5 each of 3 playful designs) featuring cute ghosts, bats, pumpkins, and more in a fun palette of black, pink, orange, and iridescent. With matching tags and ribbon included, these sweet boxes are perfect for party
favors, classroom treats, or spooky surprises.
Shape of old fashioned milk cartons.
DETAILS - Makes 15 treat boxes: 5 each of 3 designs - Colors: Basic Black, Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, iridescent, Pumpkin Pie
Kit includes one of each item listed below. - Step-by-step instructions - Printed and iridescent-foil precut pieces - Paper clips - Pressed wood picks -
Baker’s twine - Adhesive-backed holographic stars - Adhesive
It's that time of year when I open up slots for my in-person Stamp Club. Club meetings will be held in my Norwell, Massachusetts home studio.
I know not everyone lives close enough to attend, but if you do, we'd love for you to join us! If you are not able to join, many of the projects we make will be
filmed and added to my YouTube channel so you can follow along.
Stamp Club Details:
Club is a six month commitment (July - December).
You have a choice of when to attend. We meet on the 2nd Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday of the month. Exact dates listed below.
You have the choice to place a $30 order and get the Club Class for free, or pay $20 for the class. You can switch month
to month depending if you need supplies that month.
If you choose to place an order, you will earn Stampin' Rewards for yourself (no more hostesses).
At each month's class, you will make 3 projects (generally 2 cards and one 3D item).
If you miss a class, I will make up a kit for you to assemble on your own.
Dates:
Times - Monday at 7pm, Tuesday
& Wednesdays at 10am
July 14, 15 & 16
August 11, 12 & 13
September 8, 9 & 10
October 13, 14 & 15
November 3, 4 & 5 (I will be at a Stampin' Up! event the 2nd week of this month)
December 8, 9 & 10
If you have any questions and/or would like to join Club for this round, please let me know by July 10th!
