Mini Slimline Instagram Hop – A Fresh Take on Card Design

This month’s Mini Slimline Instagram Hop was such a joy to be part of! Each month, our group comes together to create and share mini slimline cards, and it’s always inspiring to see the variety of styles and ideas.

So, what exactly is a mini slimline card? There’s a little flexibility, which makes it even more fun! Some of us start with a 6" x 6" piece of cardstock and fold it in half, while others use a 6" x 7" piece. No matter the starting size, all of our finished cards fit perfectly into a 3.75" x 6.5" envelope. It’s a fantastic size to experiment with—just a bit different from standard cards, but still easy to work with.

For my card this month, I decided to switch things up by creating a shorter card front while still keeping the finished size at 6" x 3 1/2". I started with a 6" x 5 1/2" piece of Old Olive cardstock and scored it at 2". This allows the inside panel to peek out slightly, adding a unique design element.

I used patterned papers from the Waterside Retreat pack for a serene, nature-inspired look. The top layer measures 5 3/4" x 1 3/4". For the focal point, I cut one of the patterned panels using the next-to-largest die from the Nested Essentials set and then matted it with the largest die in Old Olive for a polished finish.

Inside the card, I added a 5 3/4" x 3 1/4" panel of Very Vanilla cardstock. To soften the look, I lightly blended Pool Party ink around the edges using a blender brush. It adds just the right touch of color without overpowering the design.

All of the stamping on this card comes from the May Paper Pumpkin “Lakeside Retreat” kit, which pairs beautifully with the papers I chose. To finish things off, I added two of the stone embellishments from the kit and attached an Anchor Trinket tied with Linen Thread for a subtle nautical accent.

This card came together easily and has such a peaceful, layered look—I really love how the shorter front adds a little something unexpected!

Be sure to hop over to my Instagram channel @jeanspaperjewels to see what the rest of the group created this month. There’s so much creativity to enjoy, and you might just find your next idea!

 

Craft Roulette Episode 317 – Going BIG with an A9 (and Making It Work!)

Craft Roulette Episode 317 brought the creative fun with special guest Kristina Werner—and let me tell you, this one stretched me in more ways than one!

The Parameters:

• Project: A9
• Colors: Florist Shop
• Element: Birthday(s)
• Random: Something from your “Mesk” (Messy Desk)

Let’s Talk About That A9…

An A9 card is no joke—it starts as a full 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of cardstock, folded in half to create an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" card. That’s HUGE! Honestly, I couldn’t imagine making a card that big and then not really having a practical use for it… so I pivoted.

Instead of a traditional card, I turned mine into a picture folder/mini album—something that feels more like a gift than just a card. Much better, right?

Florist Shop Colors = YES PLEASE 🌸

For my color palette, I used all the brand-new upcoming In Colors:

• Barely Blush
• Hydrangea Hue
• Golden Glow
• Peaceful Pine
• Crisp Cantaloupe

These colors absolutely scream florist shop vibes—soft, fresh, and full of life. They paired beautifully with the Bloom Boutique Designer Series Paper, which really helped tie everything together.

Birthday Element

I kept it simple but meaningful by adding a “Happy Birthday” die cut—perfect for the theme and easy to incorporate into the design of the album.

Something from My “Mesk”

This might be my favorite part! I already had a pile of butterflies punched out using the All Aflutter Bundle (because… messy desk life 😄). I brought them to life by coloring them with the new In Color Stampin’ Blends, and they added the perfect whimsical touch.

Turning It Into a Mini Album

To make the large format more functional, I added three 4" x 6" Flip Flap pocket pages inside. Now it holds photos and becomes a keepsake—so much more meaningful than a giant card that might get tucked away.

I also used the Boutique Blossoms Bundle to add layered floral elements throughout, enhancing that florist shop aesthetic.

Final Thoughts

This challenge definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone. I’m really glad I accepted it… but let’s just say I’m not in a hurry to make another A9 anytime soon 😂

If you’ve never watched Craft Roulette, it’s such a fun and inspiring weekly challenge! You can catch it live on YouTube every Friday evening at 6:10pm Central. As host Mary Gunn always says—the parameters are challenging, but they’re always doable!

🎥 I’ll have a YouTube process video coming soon where I walk through exactly how I created this project—stay tuned!

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Have you ever tried an A9 card or turned a card into something more functional? I’d love to hear what you would do with a project this size!

 

Craft Roulette Episode 316 – Diagonal Cut Card

For Episode 316 of Craft Roulette, I created a soft and elegant Diagonal Cut Card using some of the beautiful upcoming Bloom Boutique Designer Series Paper. All the new products will be available May 5th. This week’s parameters were such a fun combination, and I love how they all came together in this design!

Project: Diagonal Cut Card
I began by cutting two pieces of the Bloom Boutique Designer Series Paper diagonally, creating a lovely layered effect across the card front.

Colors: Calm
I chose the new 2026–2028 In Colors—Barely Blush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Golden Globe, and Peaceful Pine—to keep everything soft and cohesive. The subtle tones work beautifully together, especially with the delicate gold floral accents in the paper.

Element: Post(er)(s)
To incorporate this element, I used a die cut from the retiring Perennial Postage set. It creates the perfect focal point for the sentiment.

Random: Hexagon
I added lacy hexagons die cut from the Paper Pumpkin Add-On Die Set, Spring Is In The Air. These were quite delicate, so I applied Adhesive Sheet to the white cardstock before die cutting—this made adhering them to the card so much easier!

Card Details:
I started with an A2 card base made from Thick Basic White cardstock. On top of that, I layered a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" panel of Crisp Cantaloupe, embossed with the retired Subtle Embossing Folder for just a hint of texture.

Next, I added the diagonal Crisp Cantaloupe piece to the left side and overlapped it with the Barely Blush patterned paper on the right. The touches of gold florals in the design really elevate the overall look.

To embellish, I added leaves and roses from the Scalloped Blooms Bundle. The sentiment, from the Scalloped Blooms Stamp Set, was stamped in Golden Glow onto the postage die cut.

To finish the card, I added three tiny Golden Glow butterflies from the 2026–2028 In Color Butterflies Embellishment pack—such a sweet and simple final touch!

I loved this design so much that I made a second card using the remaining diagonal pieces. While there are a few small differences, both cards turned out absolutely gorgeous.

Which one is your favorite?

Be sure to join us for Craft Roulette on Friday evening at 6:10 PM (YouTube). The fun begins with a slideshow of the previous week’s submissions, and the live show starts at 6:30 PM Central Time. Host Mary Gunn spins the roulette wheel to reveal the four parameters, then she and her guest create their projects live—it’s always inspiring to see what everyone comes up with!

I hope you’ll join us and play along!

 

Zoy Fold Card – Bright, Happy Mail!

At the end of my Craft Roulette Episode 314 YouTube process video, I shared another take on the fun and interactive Zoy Fold Card—and this one is bursting with color and happiness!

👉 See that video

HERE 

For this version, I reached for the adorable Cute As A Bug Designer Series Paper and paired it with the Sweet Bugs Dies to cut out several of the playful images. I just love how easy it is to bring those little bugs to life with coordinating dies—they add so much charm and personality to the card!

This design came together as such a colorful, cheerful project, and it’s headed out soon as a piece of Happy Mail. There’s something extra special about sending a handmade card, and I know the recipient will feel the joy that went into creating it.

The Zoy Fold itself is such a unique and interactive style—it’s always fun to share different ways to use it and inspire new ideas!

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🎥 Watch the Video

I’d love for you to click on over to YouTube and watch the full process video to see this card in action!

If you enjoy the project, would you kindly:

• Subscribe to my channel
• Like the video
• Share it with a crafty friend
• Leave a comment

I’m working on growing my channel, and I truly appreciate your support—it means so much!

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Thank you for stopping by today! I hope this bright and happy Zoy Fold card inspires you to create and send a little sunshine of your own 💛

 

Craft Roulette Episode 315 - A Sweet "Hello" Mini Slimline Card

 

This week’s Craft Roulette Episode 315 was such a fun and easy one to bring together! The project theme was “Hello,” and the parameters came together in a way that made this card a joy to create.

I designed a mini slimline card measuring 6” x 7”, scored and folded at 3 1/2”. The base is made from Stampin’ Up! Thick Basic White cardstock, which gives it a clean and sturdy foundation.

For the color parameter—Strawberry Fields—I reached into my stash and used a (retired) strawberry-themed Designer Series Paper. It couldn’t have been more perfect! The bright, cheerful strawberries instantly set the tone for this sweet “hello” card.

The element spin was “hop, hops” or “hopping,” and I had so much fun with this one! I fussy cut a little grasshopper from the “Cute As A Bug” Designer Series Paper and added her to the bottom of the card. She’s the perfect playful touch and brings that hopping element to life.

For the random parameter—big letters—I used a bold “hello” die cut from my stash. It really stands out and ties the whole theme together beautifully.

And now for a little sneak peek… 👀
This card features two brand-new 2026–2028 In Colors! The label (cut using the Nest of Essentials Dies) is in Barely Blush, and the top layer of the “hello” die cut is in Peaceful Pine. I also used Peaceful Pine as a mat behind the strawberry Designer Series Paper, which really helps everything pop.

Everything came together so effortlessly this week, and I love how cohesive and cheerful this card turned out!

If you haven’t checked out Craft Roulette yet, I highly recommend it. It airs live on YouTube every Friday at 6:10 PM Central Time. It’s such a fun way to challenge yourself, use your supplies in new ways, and step outside your usual crafty routine.

Thanks so much for stopping by—I’d love to hear what you think!

Zoyfold Card – Craft Roulette Episode 314

If you love a clever Fun Fold, you are going to adore this one! My submission for Craft Roulette Episode 314 features the creative and oh-so-fun Zoyfold Card—a unique design that combines two classics into one interactive card.

This fold was dreamed up by Mary Gunn along with Irene Smith, blending a Z-Fold and a Joy Fold—hence the name Zoyfold! It’s a brilliant mashup that gives your card movement, dimension, and a delightful surprise element.

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🎨 This Week’s Craft Roulette Parameters

• Project: Zoyfold Card
• Colors: Easter Egg
• Element: Seal(s)
• Random: 4 Squares

I leaned fully into the Easter Egg color palette with soft pastels and cheerful spring vibes. The Easter Joy Designer Series Paper made this parameter effortless with its beautiful patterns and seasonal charm.

For the Element, I added a small Velcro dot to keep the card securely closed—practical and interactive!

And for the Random parameter, the background paper features a lovely grid pattern with more than four squares, checking that box in a fun and subtle way.

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✂️ Card Details

This Zoyfold card is all about layers and movement!

Card Base (Z-Fold):

• Thick Basic White Cardstock: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
• Score at: 2 1/8" and 4 1/4"

Joy Fold Panel (Center Back Card):

• Cardstock: 6" x 3 1/2"
• Score at:  3"

This smaller card attaches to the back panel and folds forward over the front—creating that signature Joy Fold interaction within the Z-Fold structure.

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🌸 Featured Products

• Easter Joy Designer Series Paper
• Easter Basket Bundle
• Ladybug Garden Embossing Folder

The Ladybug Garden Embossing Folder adds such a sweet texture—perfect for a springtime card!

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💡 Why You’ll Love the Zoyfold

This fold is:

• Interactive and eye-catching
• A fun twist on two classic designs
• Perfect for showcasing beautiful designer paper
• Great for special occasions like Easter, birthdays, or just because

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🎥 Craft Roulette Fun

If you’ve never watched Craft Roulette, you’re missing out on a seriously fun creative challenge! Episodes air live every Friday night at 6:10 PM Central Time on YouTube, and each week brings a new set of parameters to spark your creativity.

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This Zoyfold card was such a joy to make (pun totally intended 😄). It’s always exciting to try something new—especially when it turns out this fun and functional!

Have you tried a Zoyfold yet? I’d love to hear what you think!

 

Bay Window Fun Fold Card — Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop

Welcome to this month’s Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop! Our hop is all about sharing positivity, encouragement, and a little handmade joy. Each month, creators come together with the simple goal of inspiring others to spread kindness—whether that means offering a smile to someone who needs one, complimenting a stranger, checking in with a loved one, lending a helping hand, or simply remembering to take care of yourself (because you are worth it).

If you’d like to join our monthly hop (held every 2nd Friday at 1 PM ET), just message @craftyengineer or @missmissamakes on Instagram. We’d love to have you!

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My Bay Window Fun Fold Card

For this month’s theme, I created a Bay Window Fun Fold Card, inspired by a fantastic tutorial from Mixed Up Craftson YouTube. This fold is such a great way to highlight larger scenes, so it was perfect for the stunning coastal imagery in the new Scenic Coast Suite coming in the upcoming Stampin’ Up! May–August Catalog (available May 5th).

This suite has completely stolen my heart—the soft shorelines, the peaceful skies, the pops of coastal color… I love everything about it. And with 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper, the Bay Window fold really lets you showcase more of those scenic views.

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A Peek at the Details

• Fun Fold: Bay Window Card
• Suite Used: Scenic Coast Suite (available May 5)
• Designer Series Paper: 6" x 6" coastal scenes
• Tutorial Followed: Mixed Up Crafts (YouTube)
• Theme: Sending Sunshine — sharing positivity and encouragement

This card came together with such joy, and I hope it inspires you to send a little sunshine to someone in your life today.

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Come Hop With Us!

To see what the rest of the creators made, head over to Instagram and browse through the hashtag for today’s hop. You can find me there at @jeanspaperjewels  I’d love for you to stop by and say hello!

Thanks so much for visiting, and I hope you leave here feeling inspired to brighten someone’s day. 🌞💛