There is something special about sitting down with paper, color, and creativity and knowing that what you make will eventually land in someone else’s hands.
What a Wild Bunch!
This month I spent time creating with the Stampin’Up, June Product of the Month, “Wild Bunch,” and decided to add my own touch by bringing in colored pencils. It was actually a challenge from a fellow card maker! Our Stampin Up team was challenged to use 4 different techniques with colored pencils and watercolor for the month of June. I love coloring outside the lines! Pushing myself to try new things! This was FUN!
I love how colored pencils soften the images and add depth and warmth without taking away from the simple beauty of the kit. Slowing down to blend color and highlight little details turned the process into more than crafting—it became quiet, peaceful time.
And can we talk more about the Wild Bunch stamp set for a minute? Right now, it’s available for only $5 with a $75 purchase, which makes it such a fun little bonus. This adorable set includes the cutest mix of characters—a hairy coo, a snail, a penguin, and a koala. It’s playful, cheerful, and full of personality. Adding colored pencil details brought them to life and made each card feel extra special.
Hairy Coos Forever
Ever since our trip to Ireland, I’ve had a soft spot for those shaggy, sweet-faced Highland cows—or as the locals call them, hairy coos! There’s just something about their windswept bangs and calm personalities that makes them impossible not to love. The bangs remind me of rebellious teenagers, especially in my era where long hair on a guy made a statement! Seeing the coos grazing against the beautiful Irish countryside turned them into one of my favorite travel memories… and I smile every time I spot one in a photo or painting. And now I have a stamp for my cards!!
Team Penguin
My husband is our family’s official penguin fan club president. Between his love of hockey and his appreciation for birds of all kinds, penguins are the perfect match—part athlete, part adorable bird. There’s something pretty entertaining about a creature that can look dressed for a black-tie event while waddling around like it owns the place.
Cute Comes in Unexpected Packages
Koalas may look like cuddly little teddy bears, but fun fact—they sleep up to around 20 hours a day and spend most of their waking time munching eucalyptus leaves. I’ve joked for years that a sloth is my “spirit animal”, but in truth it just might be a koala! I love a good nap!! And while we’re talking unexpected cuteness… even slimy snails deserve a little credit. Look closely and they’re actually kind of charming with their tiny antennae, spiral homes, and surprisingly determined pace through life.
One of my favorite parts of card making is that the creativity doesn’t end at the craft table.
Create. Pray. Send.
As I worked on each card, I thought about the people who might receive them. Some cards are for encouragement, some for celebration, and some simply to say, “I’m thinking of you.” I often pray while creating and again before mailing them—asking that each recipient feels seen, encouraged, comforted, or reminded they are loved.
Creating cards gives me joy because it invites me to slow down, notice beauty, and make something tangible in a world that often feels rushed. Sending them adds another layer of joy—the hope that a small handmade card might become a meaningful moment for someone else. Mailbox joy!
This batch of Wild Bunch cards felt especially cheerful with the added colored pencil details. Every finished card became a little reminder that creativity and kindness are meant to be shared.
If you create cards too, I’d encourage you to send them. Don’t wait for the perfect occasion. Put a stamp on them, say a prayer, and let them bring joy wherever they land. And if you don’t create cards yet, let me invite you to join me in one of the most rewarding hobbies I’ve ever had. Here’s my Stampin’ Up! link and I encourage first time card makers to try the Paper Pumpkin kit subscription. It’s affordable, comes with everything you need to make at least 9 cards and it is pure mailbox joy! I look forward each month to getting my kit!
Happy creating and happy sending.