You Can Create It – International Challenge & Inspiration – January 2026

You Can Create It – January Challenge | Featuring Slimline Valentine’s Day

I am excited to share my project for this month’s You Can Create It international design challenge. This fun global Stampin’ Up! collaboration, created by talented German demonstrators Anja Luft and Heike Fallwickl, invites crafters to see just how much creativity can come from a limited set of supplies. It is always amazing to see how many completely different projects appear from the same little envelope of goodies.

✂️ What is “You Can Create It”?

Every quarter, participants receive a kit that includes four monthly envelopes plus one bonus extras envelope. Each month, we open one envelope and create a project using the contents, along with anything from the extras pack and a few finishing touches from our own stash.

On the 2nd of each month, our international team of demonstrators shares projects to spark your creativity. And here’s the best part: you can join in too! 🥳

👉 Grab your own YCCI Kit, create along with us, and share your masterpiece in my Crafty Stampin’ VIP Stampers Facebook group or on social media with the hashtag #YCCI.

Fun fact: “Mach was draus” means “Make something of it!” in German—and that’s exactly what we aim to do.

See prior YCCI months 

---

📨 January Envelope Contents + Extras Pack

Here’s what we had to play with this month:

💌 My Project: Slimline Valentine’s Day

This month I leaned into slimline cards because they are elegant, a little unexpected, and they give Designer Series Paper room to show off. These two cards are tall, clean, and super mail friendly, which is my favorite kind of fancy.

Slimline Card 1, You’re Amazing

This card is all about simple layers with a punch of bold color. The blue-patterned Designer Series Paper creates an instant background, so the focal point can stay crisp and uncluttered. I centered the sentiment banner across the front like a little belt, then popped the focal panel right above it for that “look at me, I’m important” moment.

• Details I love
  • The Real Red layer makes everything feel sharp and finished.
  • The slimline shape gives the layout a modern, boutique look.
  • A few clear epoxy accents add just enough sparkle without turning into a disco ball.

This is the kind of card you can give for Valentine’s Day, encouragement, a friend to pick me up, or, honestly, any day someone needs a reminder that they are not basic.

Slimline Card 2, Love You More

This one is more romantic, more layered, and slightly more dramatic, in the best way. The striped Designer Series Paper feels artsy and playful, and the green panel grounds the whole design so the reds do not run wild. Then we get to the stars of the show, the layered hearts and arrows.

• Details I love
  • The hearts add dimension fast, and they read “Valentine” instantly.
  • The arrows give movement, like Cupid showed up and actually did his job.
  • The rose image and hand-lettered style sentiment feel sweet without being sugary.

If you like a Valentine who feels modern rather than frilly, this one is your girl.

I hope you like my cards.❤️

---

🎨 Why I Love This Challenge

The magic of YCCI is seeing wildly different ideas emerge from the same kit. No two projects are alike, and the creativity from our global team never fails to inspire me. I hope it inspires you too!

Be sure to scroll down to see what the rest of the team designed this month. And don’t forget—you can create it, too!

👉 Click here to get your own YCCI Kit and start creating!

See my product list below.

---

🌍 Meet the YCCI Team

Check out the amazing demonstrators who make this challenge possible! Click their names to visit their websites, then search for “You Can Create It” to see their challenge projects:

• Anja Luft – Germany

• Karina Chin – Canada

 

• Alanna Klemick Wharf – Canada

 

• Aude Barbara – France

• Rose Packer – Australia

 

• Elodie Tanchaud – France

• Stacey Marsh – England

 

• Yolanda Pasterkamp – Netherlands

---

🎁 Want to Play Along?

For just $25.00, you’ll receive the official You Can Create It Kit:

• 4 monthly project envelopes
• 1 extras pack
• Shipping included!

Each month, you’ll find new inspiration from me and the YCCI team. Then share your creations on my Crafty Stampin’ VIP Stampers Facebook Page so we can cheer you on.

 

---

🖍️Color Palette

---

📌Delicate Pines Project Supplies

Click any photo below to shop my online store.
(Thank you for supporting my small business—it keeps the tutorials coming!)