If you've been looking for a versatile set that covers just about every holiday and occasion, the iconic imagery stampin up bundle is probably already on your radar. Honestly, it's one of those releases that makes you wonder why we didn't have it sooner. It's not trying to be overly complicated or artsy; it just gives you the exact "icons" you need to make a card for pretty much anyone in your life.
I've spent a lot of time playing around with different stamp sets, and sometimes you get one that's beautiful but really hard to use for anything other than a specific theme. That's definitely not the case here. Whether you're trying to whip up a quick birthday tag, a Christmas card, or something for Valentine's Day, this set has your back. Let's dig into what makes it so useful and why it's become a bit of a staple on my crafting desk lately.
What exactly is the Iconic Imagery bundle?
At its core, the iconic imagery stampin up collection is a Photopolymer stamp set paired with a fantastic set of dies. The "imagery" part of the name is spot on because the set is filled with these small, recognizable symbols: a Christmas tree, a snowflake, a heart, a balloon, and even a little graduation cap.
The aesthetic is very clean and modern. You aren't dealing with a ton of intricate shading or fussy details that take forever to color in. Instead, you get bold shapes that look amazing with a simple swipe of ink. For me, that's a huge plus. Sometimes I want to spend three hours coloring a floral masterpiece with my alcohol markers, but most days? I just need a cute card that looks professional and took me twenty minutes to put together.
Why this set stands out in a crowded catalog
Stampin' Up! releases a lot of stuff—like, a lot. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by all the new bundles. But I think this one stands out because of its longevity. It's not a "one-and-done" set that you'll use for one season and then tuck away in a drawer for the rest of the year.
Because it covers multiple holidays, it's actually a great value. You're getting stamps for New Year's, birthdays, Christmas, and general celebrations all in one go. Plus, the sentiments are short and punchy, which I personally prefer. They fit perfectly into the coordinating dies, so you don't have to worry about whether your "Happy Birthday" is going to look awkward floating in the middle of a giant label.
Breaking down the specific icons
Let's look at what's actually in there. The "icons" are designed to be layered or used individually, and they each bring a different vibe to the table.
The Birthday Vibe
The balloon and the little "celebrate" sentiment are perfect for quick birthday cards. I love using the balloon stamp with some bright, vibrant colors like Melon Mambo or Azure Afternoon. Since the stamps are photopolymer (that clear, see-through material), it's incredibly easy to line up the balloon string right where it needs to go. No more guessing and ending up with a floating balloon three inches away from the string!
Holiday Cheer
The little evergreen tree and the snowflake are tiny but mighty. You can create a whole forest on a card front just by stamping the tree repeatedly in different shades of green. It's also great for making DIY wrapping paper or gift tags. If you're like me and always find yourself needing "just one more" Christmas tag on December 24th, this set is a lifesaver.
Love and Everything Else
The heart is a classic, obviously. But what I really like is the graduation cap. It's a hard icon to find in a general-purpose set. Usually, you have to buy a specific "Graduation" set that you might only use once every few years. Having it tucked into this iconic imagery stampin up bundle is a really thoughtful touch.
Let's talk about those dies
I'm going to be honest here: even if I didn't love the stamps, I would probably buy this bundle just for the dies. The Iconic Imagery Dies include some of the best label shapes I've seen in a while.
There are these nested labels with a little bit of a "notched" corner detail that adds so much character to a card without being too distracting. They are the perfect size for sentiments, but they also work as little frames for the icons themselves. I've found myself reaching for these dies even when I'm using completely different stamp sets. That's when you know a die set is a winner—when it becomes a "go-to" for everything you make.
Some fun project ideas to get you started
If you've just grabbed this set and aren't sure where to begin, here are a few things I've tried that worked out really well:
- Repeat Pattern Backgrounds: Take one of the icons—like the star or the heart—and stamp it repeatedly across a piece of white cardstock to create your own patterned paper. It's a great way to coordinate with whatever ink colors you're using.
- Clean and Simple (CAS) Cards: Use one of the larger label dies in the center of your card, stamp a single icon like the tree, and add a small sentiment underneath. It looks incredibly chic and high-end, but it takes almost no effort.
- Shaker Tags: The dies are the perfect size for making little shaker tags. Cut out two of the labels, use a smaller die to create a "window" in one of them, add some acetate and sequins, and you've got a super cute tag for a birthday gift.
- Multi-Color Stamping: Since the icons are solid shapes, you can use a "thumping" technique with markers or a sponge dauber to add multiple colors to a single stamp. For example, you could make the tree have some brown at the bottom and dark green at the top.
Tips for getting the best results
Because the iconic imagery stampin up stamps are solid images, you want to make sure your ink pads are well-inked but not "juicy" to the point of being messy. If your ink pad is too wet, you might get some bubbles or uneven coverage on the solid parts of the stamp.
Pro tip: If you're getting splotchy images, try rubbing a clean eraser over the surface of the new stamp or stamping it a few times on scrap paper to "prime" it. It really helps the ink cling better to the photopolymer.
Another thing to keep in mind is the scale. These icons are relatively small, which makes them perfect for 3"x3" cards or for building a scene on a standard A2 card. Don't be afraid to group them together. Three little trees look way more intentional than just one sitting lonely in the middle of a big card!
Final thoughts on this versatile set
At the end of the day, crafting is supposed to be fun and stress-free. The iconic imagery stampin up bundle feels like it was designed with that philosophy in mind. It doesn't demand that you be a master watercolorist or a professional artist. It just gives you the tools to make something cute, meaningful, and handmade.
If you're a beginner, this is a fantastic starter set because it covers so many bases. If you're a seasoned pro, you'll appreciate how well the dies work and how quickly you can put together a polished project. It's definitely earned a permanent spot on my shelf, and I suspect it'll be one of those sets I keep long after it's eventually retired. Happy stamping!