Hey Paper Dreamers!

It's sunny here in North Idaho today, and supposedly somewhere in the mid-60's. So still cool enough that I tend to prefer a sweatshirt or something similar to handle the chill, but it's actually been a couple of days since I've needed my heavy winter coat. Crocuses have croaked for the year, daffodils are on the way out, hyacinths put on quite the display, but are now on their last legs, too, while my tulips are making me guess as to which day they'll fully open their flowers to show off. (They're close, but apparently enjoying this teasing game!) Lilacs have fat buds on them, and lilies are peeking up out of the ground. Inside, several of my orchids are blooming, and my 4 pots of Christmas Cacti only have about a half-dozen buds left to open before they'll be done.

(Wait! Did you just say "Christmas Cacti?" Um, yeah... but don't ask why they're blooming in April; it's a long story.)

Then just this morning I spotted 2 sprouts on a dahlia tuber I've been encouraging to wake up. So things are feeling bright and happy around here (until the rain returns in a few days).

And of course, as you already know, "You can't have too many flowers."

Right?!?

Here's what we'll cover in this issue:

• The Quiet "Well-Being" Gift of Papercrafting
• A Little Behind-the-Scenes Update (and that secret I've been keeping)
• A Few Quick Things to Know as we Gear Up for Summer

The Quiet "Well-Being" Gift of Papercrafting

Recently, I’ve been thinking about one of the quieter gifts of creativity. So often we talk about the projects we make, the techniques we learn, or the supplies we enjoy—but there’s also something deeper happening when we sit down to create.

Papercrafting is more than just a hobby. It gives us a chance to slow down, focus on one step at a time, and make something meaningful with our hands.

There is something so satisfying about choosing paper, adding a stamped image, layering the pieces, and watching a project come together. In a busy world, that kind of creative time can be calming, refreshing, and good for the soul. (And my health mentors would agree that it's good for our brains & mental health, too. They speak of all kinds of science-y stuff like the lowering of cortisol, the increase in oxytocin, and so forth. But fancy science explanations or not, making time for creativity is good for our overall health - and really all we need to know.)

But what makes papercrafting even more special is that it doesn’t stop with the maker. A handmade card can encourage someone, celebrate a joyful moment, or remind a person that they are loved. A scrapbook page can help preserve the memories and stories we never want to lose.

That’s why I believe papercrafting matters. It gives us creativity, connection, and a simple way to share beauty and kindness with others.

And really, that may be one of the best reasons to make time for creativity. It’s not only about making something pretty; it’s about making something meaningful - for both the maker and the receiver.

A Little Behind-the-Scenes Update

Confession Time: For the past several months, I've kinda been keeping a secret from you.

I've been working behind-the-scenes on a new website (which you *might* have known about or suspected)... but even more than that, I've been thinking carefully about the best way to help people grow in creativity without feeling overwhelmed.

That thinking has led me to something I'm calling Strategic Creativity. Its title may sound rather weird, but it's not complicated, and it's really not all that new; you may have noticed I've been referring to that phrase informally for some time. But it's really just a simple way of describing how I love to teach. I want to help people begin where they are, grow in confidence, understand why things work, and enjoy the process along the way.

Some people want a very easy starting place. Some want help using supplies they already own. Some are ready to build their creative confidence and branch out beyond card making - into scrapbooking, decor, and more personal design choices. As for myself... I love mentoring and guiding at all those stages and this framework will help me support you in a clearer direction.

So, if you notice some new language on my website and in my emails, that's why. I'm simply trying to make the creative journey easier to understand, more welcoming, and more helpful.

I'll be sharing more at a later time, but if you'd like to take a peek at part of my new website, along with a glimpse of my developing Strategic Creativity framework, you can find both, as of today, at YourPaperDreams.com. And if you see something you like, I'd love to know!

A Few More Quick Things You Might Want to Know

1. A brand-new catalog is coming on May 5th! And beginning on that day, Stampin' Up!® will now publish 3 catalogs a year. No more "Annual Catalog + 2 Mini Catalogs" that overlap each other and create confusion. Instead, you'll see 3 separate catalogs each year, each in publication for 4 months. And they'll be in portrait orientation, with beautiful magazine-like spreads, and expected to be between the former Annual Catalog and the minis in page length. Totally redesigned to make things easier to find within its pages, you'll find plenty of gorgeous samples to drool over, as well. As I perused my own copy a couple of days ago, I was struck by how much it reminded me of the "old days" of the once-a-year "Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog". Different layout, more modern-day vibe, but still similar. And I love it! If you've ordered from me recently and have full current address info in your customer account, have named me as your demonstrator, and do NOT have "no contact" set in your customer account, I've already ordered a new catalog to hit your mailbox, hopefully before the end of this month. If you don't fit *all* those parameters but would like a copy anyway, let me know!
2. Along with the change of catalog, be ready for the usual factors involved at this time. Product that is marked for retirement has likely already been transferred to the "Last Chance" category and may even be discounted. And will stay there until inventories are depleted. Product prices in a number of categories will (yes, sadly) have to increase, too. Some of those increases will be minor; others you'll certainly notice. So now would be an excellent time to stock up on basics and make sure you've got refills for your 2024-2026 In Color ink pads (which will also be retiring as soon as inventory runs out, too). And month-to-month Paper Pumpkin subscribers have already been notified of a pricing increase effective with the April kit (which should bill April 11th).
3. But while we'll bid adieu to certain products, we'll also be welcoming some new ones! The Stampin' Positioner will become available to everyone beginning on May 5th, and we'll be introducing Impressions dies (which will require a new Impressions plate we'll carry for the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine). Our new 2026-2028 In Colors will arrive in a redesigned magnetic ink pad case, which we will roll out for the entire line of ink pads next year. (More about all that later, but it's pretty exciting.) And both our Memento and our Stazon inks will be replaced by a Basic Black "Hybrid" ink pad. I understand that comes with a bit of a learning curve attached to it, so make sure you "learn" how to use it before it befuddles you by not even being able to figure out how to *open* the silly thing, lol!)
4. Stampin' Up!'s 2nd Annual "Virtual Album Retreat" is slated to coordinate with National Scrapbooking Day this year (which is always the first Saturday of May). Last year's FIRST "Virtual Album Retreat" was in July, so it hasn't even been a full year, but I wouldn't be surprised if future events continue to be connected to National Scrapbooking Day. So, what is "Virtual Album Retreat", anyway? It's a 3-day, multi-hour live-broadcast session during which you'll make TEN 12" x 12" 2-page spreads (20 pages), ready to place your own photos onto. Admission to the virtual event (which WILL be recorded in case the *live* timing doesn't work for you) is free - with the purchase of the associated kit of supplies. (The kit's not cheap, but it's certainly generous, btw.) What I enjoyed the most about last year's event was the numbers of tips and tricks I learned that I didn't even know about - even having been papercrafting for 29 years by that point!) So although not an insignificant price point, you'll probably feel it's "worth" it when you end up with an album's worth of pages. I certainly did, and I still reach for the stamps that came with last year's kit, since they're so versatile. "Live" online presentations will be April 29 & 30, and May 1... which takes us right up to National Scrapbooking Day on May 2nd, so you can finish up your pages on that day, if you wish!

Thanks so much for being part of my Paper Dreaming Peeps crew! Y'all are the reason I gather up all these things that tumble out of my brain so I can share 'em with you (usually accompanied by way too many exclamation points and parentheses!!!)

If you'd ever like to see a certain topic addressed (or have a question about something), I'd love to include it in a future edition. Just hit me up with an email reply (or text, call, whatever), and let me know what's on your mind!

PS:

Q: Hey, Lynda! Is there something special about April 9, 2026?

A: Uh, yes, I guess you could say so. April 9th marks exactly 30 days until my 30th Stampin'versary as a demonstrator!

Q: Hey, Lynda! What's with the highlighted date on your monthly wallpaper-calendars?

A: Oh, you mean that date usually near the beginning of the month and backed by a contrasting color? Those dates represent when "most new things launch" with Stampin' Up! that month. So, you can expect to see new kits introduced on that day, new products in either the "Last Chance" or "Online Exclusives" categories, new catalog release, etc. Release days are usually Tuesdays, but this month Stampin' Up! "April Fooled" us and picked April 1 for their releases!

Not yet a subscriber to my "Lines by Lynda" newsletter, but wanna be? Here ya go: https://yourpaperdreams.kit.com/b05e6fa8b8​

PO Box 2911, Post Falls, ID 83877
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