Platform Pop Up for the New Year

I have decided to change things up on my blog this year, and run several different monthly series. Today is my first share in my "Platform Pop Up" Series. I have more information on my plans later in the post. Since it's Friday, this card also works for Fun Fold Friday here on my blog!

The more I play with this die set, the more I enjoy it. I especially like how easily it goes together, and that you can really keep the bulk down while still having a dynamic pop up that fits in an envelope for mailing.

This patterned paper was from Stampin' Up and has a cool finish on it. It's not actually sparkly, but when it catches the light it does have a shine. The Happy New Year is one I have had for several years, originally it was from the Stamps of Life.

... one more look ...

Why choose to do several different monthly series? I spent some time over the holidays thinking about my blog, what I create and what I like and don't like about how I've been doing things. I'm mostly happy about everything, but I don't like having great supplies that don't get enough use! Our supplies - dies especially - are an investment, and I have certain criteria for most of my die purchases. 

First, I want dies that are versatile & timeless. I want to be able to use them for multiple occasions and for many years. I don't really care about trends, in fact I'm usually behind on purchases that others got as soon as they were released. I've never been one to follow companies, anxiously awaiting their newest release and I don't think I've ever hit the "BUY ALL" button with a new release as lots of crafters do. 

Whatever supplies I have purchased fit that criteria. The problem is, that I'm not getting to actually USE them as much as I thought I would when I purchased them. Health, Family and Design Team work will always come first, but when I really thought about it - there should also be enough time to use the dies that I loved enough to buy. All those fun, interactive dies that I have notebooks of ideas for! It doesn't matter that many have been retired or discontinued - I spent good money on them so I could use them over the years and now I am going to do just that.

I plan on running a series for the Platform Pop Up, the Magic Iris (both by Lawn Fawn), Shaped Cards, 12 Months of Christmas, Throwback Fun Fold Dies, New Fun Folds etc. I know that travel and life might throw a wrench into a post here or there, but hopefully at the end of 2023 I will have shared 12 different cards in each of those Series. I will be getting good use out of my dies, be able to share ideas (which I love to do), and still have time to do my Design Team work. 

While I won't have set days for when I will be publishing a new post for any of the Series, I will create labels on the right side of my blog to make it easy for searching. I am really excited about this, and I am already feeling more creative and inspired.

 I'll be back again next month with another platform pop up creation!

I am including a running tally on how many cards I make this year, not counting the ones I don't share here on my blog.  I donate 25 Birthday Cards each month to my Mom's old nursing home and don't often take photos or post the majority of those. A couple of times recently, I was asked how many cards I make but I didn't have a clear number. Since a lot of my posts include more than a single card or project, I thought it would be fun to keep track this year. 

2023 Tally: 18 cards

Additional Supplies:

Patterned paper - Metallic & Shimmer, 6" - Stampin' Up

White cardstock

Stitched Stars - the Stamps of Life

Happy New Year - the Stamps of Life

This blog uses affiliate links whenever possible. This means, if you make a purchase through one of my affiliate links that you pay the same amount but I may receive a small commission from your purchase. I only link products that I own, love and use for my card making and not every link below is an affiliate one! 😊