STAMPtember 2026 blog party

Happy STAMPtember everyone!!! The Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember release hit the shop yesterday and today we are celebrating with a giant blog party!

Before I show you the card I've made, check out this adorable Jingle All the Way set you can get FREE with a $100+ purchase! Don't forget to write down that code to get your set!

And visit the SSS blog to see all the participants because you will definitely want to see what everyone made & find out about more STAMPtember gifts!!!

Ok, now let me show you what I've made...

The new Haunted Garden set is so beautiful and dreamy that I wanted to make something that matched the vibe (and of course I went for a shaker)!

I started by stamping the ghost three times...on the front of a folded card in soft purple, on acetate in permanent ink and on soft purple cardstock in purple ink (though I switched to black later). I used my MISTI to make sure the ghost was in the same spot on everything.

Then I used markers to color the image on the white folded card and die cut a circle window from the purple panel.

I added some chunky glitter on top of the colored panel and adhered the acetate on top.

Then I adhered the purple window panel over the acetate, stamped a curved sentiment & added a little faux black splatter (made with a pen).

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon!

quick update

Long time, no see right?!! I've actually been creating a ton and just sharing other places like Instagram, YouTube, Substack and even a new way to shop some of my favs! I would love, love, love for you to join me in all of those places!!!

And today in fact I have a new newsletter out with a brand new video! Please come read & watch! Hugs!!!

simon says stamp always there release blog hop day 2

 I am thrilled to be joining in day 2 of the Simon Says Stamp blog hop celebrating the new Always There collection! (You should be arriving from Kath's wonderful blog!)

Before we talk cards, check out this super cute gift with purchase!!! Just follow the instructions on the graphic above when you go to shop😉

Ok, now let me show you what I made...

I'm a little obsessed with Strawberry Pint die set! It's so darn cute!!! And after creating this first card with the strawberries, these sentiments and this color palette (white, Chiffon, Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Kitsch Flamingo & black)...

...I had to make more! I think the strawberries pair well with these sentiments too, the Dot Pattern Petal stencil and a little glitter paste...

And I couldn't help but use the strawberries as shaker bits with the Big Hugs stamp and die from my first collection😉

The next hop stop is Natasha's beautiful blog! I know she is going to something gorgeous for us!!!

And here's the whole hop list just in case...

HOP ORDER:

Simon Says Stamp Blog 
Barbara Tarayao
Emily Midgett
Nichol Spohr
Nicky Meek
Tina Smith
Heather Ruwe
Keisha Charles
Lisa Addesa
Sandi MacIver
Miriam Prantner
Alberto Gava
Caryn Davies
Kath Stewart
Carly Minner ---you are here!
Natasha Polite

Thanks so much for hopping with us! Hugs!!!

Carly

P.S. And check out the inspiration galleries for the Always There!!!

pinkfresh studio sunlit manor release blog hop

Welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio Sunlit Manor blog hop! I'm so thrilled to be joining in the fun!!!

Pinkfresh always wows me with their GORGEOUS floral stamps and this release is no exception!!! I mean, look at these!!!

I love that each design has a stamp, coordinating die, stencil and press plate! It gives you so much versatility!!!

For these cards I used the press plates to create embossed texture on the backgrounds of the card and then layered stamped, die cut and colored florals over the top.

Ok, now before you go on to the next hop stop, let's talk about all the cool GIVEAWAYS! 

• Pinkfresh is giving away the full release on their blog and YouTube!
• You also have a chance to win one of TEN $50 gift cards to the Pinkfresh shop by leaving comments here and at each hop stop!
• Winners will be announced on June 3rd, on the PF GIVEAWAY PAGE. And prizes must be claimed within two weeks.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

hello and little update

You probably can't tell from the state of this blog but I have been crafting up a storm lately! The release of my first collection has been an absolute dream come true! 

And even after making dozens and dozens of cards with my collection Beary Sweet, I have a running list of more that I want to create!

I will try to post a little update here every so often but I would love for you to follow me on Instagram, YouTube and Substack to see more!

In the meantime, I'm going LIVE today with the AMAZING Jennifer McGuire!!! Seriously, is this real life?!! Pinch me!!! I hope you can take a break and pop over to see us!

And tomorrow I have a brand new video premiering on my YouTube channel with FIVE of my favorite ways to use small outline stamps. It would make my day if you stopped by to chat with me! Sending big, squishy hugs!!!

my first stamp & die collection

I have big news. BIG. HUGE actually. I have a new collection with Hero Arts!!!

Hero Arts has been a leader in the cardmaking industry since forever! I still remember purchasing my first set of Hero woodblock stamps and being so smitten with them. And the Carly who was stamping with those gorgeous wildflowers (cough…20 years ago…cough) would never be able to believe what is happening now! Honestly I’m still pinching myself!

This is Beary Sweet...

And there’s more…in celebration of the Beary Sweet collection, I have partnered with OLO Marker to create a special set of markers, Carly Tee Candy Colors! The sweet colors are perfect for coloring all my favorite gummy candies and more!

AND one more super fun thing…one of my favorite small businesses, Sugarspell Candle Co. has created a special edition Beary Sweet candle!

The candle smells AMAZING, just like gummy bears! I have been enjoying it so much in my craft room while I make cards with the Beary Sweet sets! The candle is only available for a limited time so don’t miss out. And make sure to follow Sugarspell on IG because there are fabulous new releases each month!!!

Thank you so much for celebrating this incredible dream come true with me and stay tuned for lots of Beary Sweet cards, videos and inspiration coming soon! Sending big, squishy hugs!!!

new easter cardmaking video

Are you looking for Easter card ideas? I think I can help! I've been having the most fun playing with the Hero Arts Easter Eggstra Special collection and I've got a new video today!

Every spring I'm a little obsessed with making chocolate foil eggs from paper and this year I went for a BIG one, LOL!

And in case you missed it, I shared the Easter version of one of my all-time favorite card designs last week...

One last thing...did you know that I have a newsletter? I promise not to spam you and I have some VERY exciting news coming soon so it would be a great time to sign up, *wink, wink*

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs!!!

Carly