Laightest Designs

Happy August!

Can you believe how fast time is flying? I always intend to blog more consistently… and then suddenly it’s a new month! But here we are in August, and I’m excited to share something special with you.

This month, I’m spotlighting an amazing bundle: Impressions Abloom. It’s a gorgeous stamp set with coordinating dies—and when I say coordinating, I mean really coordinating! The dies work beautifully with both the stamps and the paper. Talk about versatility! There’s also a stunning pack of patterned paper (Stampin’ Up! calls it Designer Series Paper, or DSP) that ties it all together. You’re going to love it.

Over the next few posts, I want to really dive into this bundle and show you just how many different ways you can use it. Whether you’re a seasoned stamper or just getting started, I think you’ll find something to inspire you.

Another thing I want to start doing is sharing a monthly card sketch. Sketches have become one of my favorite tools when I’m in a creative slump. They give you a structure to start with, and you can plug in whatever paper, stamps, and colors you’re in the mood to use. So handy!

Let’s get to it…

For this month’s sketch, I used the Floral Impressions 12″ x 12″ DSP. It’s so vibrant and full of life—it really makes the cards pop. The colors include:
Crushed Curry, Darling Duckling, Fresh Freesia, Garden Green, Misty Moonlight, Old Olive, Peach Pie, Pecan Pie, Pool Party, Pretty in Pink, and Strawberry Slush. That’s a dreamy palette to work with. One of the best things about this sketch is that it’s totally flexible. You could swap out the DSP, use a different stamp set, change up the sentiment, and still end up with a beautiful card.

This month’s sketch is one I keep coming back to. It’s actually from the 2024–2025 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog and it’s a great layout to showcase beautiful DSP. You can keep it clean and simple or step it up with layers, embellishments, or a fun technique. There are so many ways to change it up!

What do you think of the paper? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Stay tuned for more projects using the Impressions Abloom bundle—and don’t forget to save this sketch for the next time you need a little creative jumpstart!

Let Me Show You a Few Cards I Made Using This Sketch as Inspiration

The first card features some beautiful paper from the Floral Impressions Designer Series Paper (DSP). I paired it with a simple sentiment from the Blooming Phrases set and a flower from the Impressions Abloom bundle to let the paper really shine.

For the second card, I switched up the color palette and focused on a more subtle, romantic feel, while still following the same sketch layout. I used some retired DSP from my stash and A Beautiful Thing retired stamp set. It’s amazing how versatile one sketch can be when you just swap out colors, patterns, or embellishments!

And finally, I couldn’t resist creating a third version with a more playful and bold look—perfect for a birthday or celebration. Same sketch, but a totally different vibe! This DSP is probably one of my all time favorites because it is so bold and colorful! It is the Full of Life 6×6 set of paper and it coordinates with so many other colors!

Sketches are such a great way to spark ideas, especially when you’re feeling stuck or just want a starting point for a new project. Have you used this sketch or a similar one recently? I’d love to see what you’ve created—feel free to share in the comments!

Happy crafting! 💐✂️

~Nina

Featured Products