3 Fun Ways to Use the Balloon Festoon Bundle

 The Balloon Festoon Stamp & Die Bundle may immediately make you think of birthdays and celebrations—and it is wonderful for both—but the dies can do much more than create a simple balloon bouquet.

For this class, I made three bright and cheerful cards. We started with the more involved projects and worked our way toward a very easy card with a slightly unexpected twist.

The Balloon Festoon Bundle

The stamp set includes useful celebration greetings, but I think the dies are the real stars of this bundle. They include several sizes of balloons, delicate balloon strings, small highlight pieces, and larger shapes that could also be used for party decorations.

Throughout the class, I mixed cardstock and patterned paper to create balloons with different colors and textures. Using papers from the same Designer Series Paper pack made it easy to build a coordinated color combination without having to plan every color individually.

Project 1: Book-Fold Balloon Birthday Card

Our first project is a book-fold card with a narrow striped panel along the side and a colorful balloon arrangement on the main section.

The card base begins with a standard half-sheet of cardstock. An extra score line creates the narrow book-binding section, which is secured closed while the larger section opens like a traditional card.

I layered balloons of several sizes over patterned paper, using a combination of flat adhesive and Stampin’ Dimensionals. One of the larger balloons also became the sentiment label for “Hip Hip Hooray.”

When arranging a group like this, I like to place the largest pieces first and then tuck the smaller balloons into the remaining spaces. I also wait to glue everything down until I am happy with the overall balance.

Project 2: Arched Tri-Fold Shaped Card

The second project uses three large arch-shaped die-cuts connected with small cardstock hinges.

When opened, the card stands across three panels. The balloons continue from one section to the next, creating a full celebration scene. The final panel includes a white arch for writing a personal message.

The hinges are simply small cardstock rectangles scored through the center. I placed strong adhesive on each side of the score line and used them to join the three arches.

A few tips from this project:

Keep balloons on the inner panels fairly flat so the card can close.

Use Dimensionals mainly on the front panel, where there is more room.

Arrange everything before gluing so balloons do not interfere with the folds.

Check the finished width and height against an envelope before completing the decoration.

I used adhesive sheets behind the delicate balloon strings and highlight pieces. That turns them into easy peel-and-stick die-cuts and saves a great deal of fiddling with liquid glue.

Project 3: Balloon Daisy Card

The final project is the simplest card, but it may be the most unexpected.

Instead of using the balloon shapes as balloons, I turned them sideways and arranged five large white die-cuts around a yellow circle. Suddenly, the balloons became daisy petals!

I layered the flower over small floral patterned paper, added a banner greeting, and finished it with a few tiny ladybug embellishments.

This is a great example of looking beyond the intended purpose of a die. Circles can become flower centers, balloons can become petals, and leaves can become wings or feathers. Turning a shape in another direction can open up an entirely new group of projects.

The large flower extends beyond the card front but can flatten for mailing.

A Few Tips for Using Detailed Balloon Dies

Adhesive sheets are especially helpful behind thin strings and small balloon highlights.

Cut extra balloons while your machine and supplies are already out. Leftovers make quick birthday cards later.

Use balloons cut from patterned paper to add color and shading without extra stamping.

Try using a balloon as your sentiment label rather than adding another separate shape.

When layering several pieces, add Dimensionals only on the centers at first. This leaves room to tuck more die-cuts underneath.

Shop the Balloon Festoon Bundle

The Balloon Festoon Bundle is available through my Stampin’ Up! online store.

SHOP THE BALLOON FESTOON BUNDLE HERE

You can also visit CraftWithCheryl.com to find my current classes, shopping links, and other ways to craft with me.

Which project is your favorite: the book fold, the arched tri-fold, or the balloon daisy?

Wild Bunch Card Class: 3 Cards + Treat Packaging with Stampin’ Up!’s Product of the Month

 This week’s free class was all about the Wild Bunch stamp set, which is the current Stampin’ Up! Product of the Month. And oh my goodness — these little critters are just plain fun.

We made 3 cards and 1 treat packaging project featuring the penguin, koala, snail, and cow images from the set. I usually make three projects in a class, but there were four cute critters… so clearly we needed four projects. That’s just good crafty logic. 😉

Project 1: Penguin Thank You Card

Our first card featured the adorable penguin image. I used a masking technique to make three penguins look like they were standing together, then added one extra cut-out penguin on top with dimensionals.

This card also used a mix of Stampin’ Blends, colored pencils, and a blender pen for soft shading. It’s a simple way to add detail without making the card feel complicated.

Project 2: Koala Birthday Card

The second card was a sweet birthday card with a peekaboo-style window. The koala is stamped on the inside layer so he shows through the circle opening on the front of the card.

Then I stamped and colored a second koala, cut out just the head, and popped it up for a little dimension. It gives the koala such a cute look.

Project 3: Snail Fun Fold Card

For the third card, we used a fun fold layout with the snail image. I used mirror stamping so the two snails could face each other.

This one also uses patterned paper with a woodland/mushroom feel, called Cute As A Bug DSP, which was perfect for the snails. A little Wink of Stella gave them just enough sparkle.

Project 4: Cow Treat Packaging

The final project was a treat holder using the cow image from Wild Bunch and the Playful Packaging Dies.

This would be such a fun idea for party favors, little class gifts, table treats, or a simple handmade surprise. I used chocolate in the package, but there are lots of treats that would work.

Featured Product: Wild Bunch Bundle

The Wild Bunch stamp set is Stampin’ Up!’s current Product of the Month and can be added to a qualifying order for just $5 while supplies last.

Shop With Cheryl Here

This is also a great time to check your wish list because Stampin’ Up! is offering free shipping on qualifying orders through June 13, 2026.

Watch the Replay

You can watch the full class replay below and craft along whenever it works for you.

Stamping Cross Country

The digital option for Stamping Cross Country is still available, too. If you enjoy online crafting events with tutorials, videos, prizes, and lots of inspiration, I’d love to have you join us.

You can find replays, shopping links, email signup, and event info at:

CraftWithCheryl.com

Lily of the Valley Cards: Embossed Card + 2 Fun Folds

This week’s cardmaking class featured the beautiful Lily of the Valley Bundle and coordinating products from the suite. I made three cards during the class: one elegant embossed card, one green fun fold card, and one shaped tri-fold card using the Everyday Arches Dies.

I love classes like this because they show how one bundle can create very different styles of cards. You can keep things elegant, go a little more playful with a fun fold, or make something extra special with a shaped card. And, as always, you can use the supplies you already have and make these ideas your own.

Card 1: Embossed Lily of the Valley Birthday Card

The first card used a Pretty Peacock two-tone cardstock layer with a detailed embossing folder. I lightly misted the cardstock before embossing to help prevent cracking, then gently sanded the raised areas to bring out a little of the white core.

This card also used die-cut Lily of the Valley flowers and leaves layered over a decorative shape. It has an elegant feel, but the steps are very doable.

A few things to try:

• mist cardstock before using a detailed 3D embossing folder
• lightly sand two-tone cardstock for extra texture
• use die-cut flowers without stamping for a quicker option
• add a small butterfly or embellishment for a soft finishing touch

Card 2: Lily of the Valley Fun Fold

The second card was a simple fun fold using Garden Green cardstock and coordinating designer series paper. I used two patterned paper panels and added stamped Lily of the Valley images for the focal point.

This card is a good example of letting the paper do a lot of the work. The fold is easy, but it still feels special when opened.

A few things to try:

• use coordinating paper strips for the front flap
• let your designer paper guide your color choices
• color flowers with a blender pen and ink
• add a small bow and embellishments for a finished look

Card 3: Everyday Arches Shape Tri-Fold Card

The third card was the “extra special” card of the class. I used the Everyday Arches Dies to create a shaped tri-fold card. The panels are connected with simple cardstock hinges, which makes the card much easier than it first appears.

I also used the impressions mat to add texture with a die, which gave the inside panel a soft embossed detail. This is a fun way to get more use from the dies you already have.

A few things to try:

• use large nesting dies to create shaped card panels
• create simple hinges from scored cardstock strips
• add soft color behind stamped images with a blending brush
• use Wink of Stella for a little shimmer

Watch the Replay

I hope this class gives you a few ideas for using the Lily of the Valley Bundle, or for pulling out similar floral stamps and dies from your own collection.

You can buy the products used at this link: Lily of the Valley Class Products

You can find my current links, class replays, shopping info, email sign-up, and event details at: CraftWithCheryl.com

⏰ Last Chance! Registration for the Summer Virtual Retreat closes tomorrow, Monday, June 1st. Don't miss out on your retreat box—head over to CraftWithCheryl.com to snag your spot!

Thanks for crafting with me!