Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Organize Your Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils with Custom Color Charts

 



I'm excited to share a recent project that's brought a splash of color and organization to my watercolor pencil collection. If you're anything like me, you love having your supplies neat and easily accessible. That's why I created a color chart that fits perfectly in the lid of pencil boxes that are carried by Michaels Craft Stores. This chart has not only streamlined my crafting process but also sparked some delightful discoveries along the way. Let's dive into the details!

Why I Created the Color Charts

I often find myself reaching for my watercolor pencils in the midst of a creative session, only to spend precious time searching for the right color. I designed these color charts as a quick reference to display all the beautiful hues at a glance. 

(insert photo..)

What’s in the Box?

Each box contains a full set of watercolor pencils, a blender pen, and a waterbrush (Stampin' Up! calls them water painters). This makes it easy to bring to workshops, retreats and card buffets. Having everything in one place is a game-changer for both convenience and creativity. Plus, sharing this organized setup at events is a breeze!

The Blender Pen Revelation

While working on this project, I made a delightful discovery: the incredible versatility of the Stampin' Up! Blender Pens. Previously, I used Tombow blending pens, which feature one brush tip and one bullet tip. The Stampin' Up! pens, however, come with two brush tips. This means that in a pack of three pens, you actually get six brush tips! 

Here’s a fun tip: mark each tip with nail polish or washi tape to designate them for different color families—blues, reds, browns, yellows, greens, and black/grey. This method keeps your blending clean and your colors true.

Here is a link to my Stampin' Up Watercolor Pencil chart - FREE for YOU

Final Thoughts

Creating these color charts has been a rewarding endeavor. It’s a simple yet effective way to keep my watercolor pencils organized and accessible. I hope this inspires you to bring a bit more order and creativity to your crafting space. Feel free to share your own tips and tricks for staying organized in the comments below. Happy crafting!

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Tool Tip Tuesday: Why I Love the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine ✂️๐Ÿ’™

If you're anything like me, you love having your favorite crafting tools close by—whether you're at your craft table or halfway across the country. One tool that I find myself reaching for again and again is the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.


It’s compact, lightweight, and perfect for travel. I’ve even fit it into my smallest suitcase (yes, really!). I’ll be packing it for my next trip, and of course, it’ll be coming with me on the Stamping Cruise I’m hosting this October—I can’t wait to craft at sea with everyone!

Travel Tip: While the Mini is TSA-friendly, I like to pack it in my checked craft bag just to make things easier at security. Less stress, more crafting joy!

Tool Tip ๐Ÿ’ก

Before I travel, I pre-cut paper and organize it with the cutting plates in a 3D desk caddy I designed and 3D print myself. It keeps things tidy and accessible, especially when space is limited—like on a cruise ship desk or hotel room table.



Despite its size, this little machine is a powerhouse—it works beautifully with embossing folders and smaller dies. Plus, it barely takes up any room on your desk (or in your luggage).

If you haven’t tried the Mini yet, I highly recommend it for quick projects, small-space crafting, or as your go-to travel companion.

๐Ÿ‘‰ You can grab your own Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine on my Stampin’ Up website. I've linked it below, along with the limited edition Boho Blue version which will be gone soon. I have also linked the full-size Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine just in case mini isn't your style. If
 you're interested in the 3D desk caddy, it’s available in my Etsy shop.

✨ New Stampin' Up Catalog Prep: Stickers, Clips & More! ✨

There’s something magical about a brand new catalog… the fresh ideas, the inspiration, and all those must-try products just waiting to jump onto your crafting table! ๐Ÿ’–

I just wrapped up mailing the last batch of Stampin’ Up! catalogs this week, and I couldn’t help but add a few extras to make the experience even more fun for you. ๐Ÿ“ฌ๐Ÿ’Œ



➡️ What’s Inside the Catalog Pack?

  • A set of 3D printed clips I created to help you easily flip to key sections like the Scrapbook Kits, Color Collections, Bundles, and more

  • A Wish List so you can jot down your faves

  • A handmade sample card to give you a little crafty inspiration

  • And of course, the beautiful new catalog itself!

To help remind you that this catalog is just the beginning, I added a sticker to the front that says:

๐Ÿงก "Explore it All Online. This catalog is just the Beginning! dawn.stampinup.net"

There’s so much more available online than what fits in those pages—from exclusive kits to clearance goodies to ideas galore. I highly recommend exploring it all at your own pace.

๐ŸŽฅ I even put together a short video showing off my copy of the catalog and how I use my color-coded clips to jump between sections—makes finding things SO much faster!


✨ Want a FREE Catalog?

If you’ve ordered $50 or more from me in the past 6 months—you’re on my list and I’ve already sent your catalog pack with love! ๐Ÿ’Œ

If you haven’t ordered yet or haven’t attended one of my events, no worries! I’m happy to send you a catalog pack (clips and all!) for just $10 to cover shipping and materials.

๐Ÿ“ฌ Just send me a message or comment below to request yours!


Whether you’re circling your wish list or flipping through your favorites with those handy clips, I hope this catalog sparks some joy and creativity for you. ๐Ÿ’•

Have you received your catalog yet? What’s the first thing you want to create from it? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear!

Happy Crafting!
๐Ÿ’– Dawn
dawn.stampinup.net


Would you like me to create a social post to go with this blog post (for Instagram, Facebook, or another platform)?