Sunday, October 12, 2025

Hot Mess Halloween

 


Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #74, so we are into year #8. The idea of Hot Mess ~ Success is to Get Messy and you will have Success!  Messiness can be almost anything that we come up with--glitter, alcohol inks, glimmer glitz, sponged backgrounds, etc., anything that is a bit messy.  We are a very fun group and will post a card each month on the 12th.  The links to the other members are on my left side bar and I will also link them at the bottom at this post.






For my messiness this month, I decided to make a couple more Halloween cards.  This time I used a Taylored Expressions Stencil called Jack-o-Lantern with Simon Hurley-Ranger Lunar Paste in Guppy!  The Trick or Treat die is from Brass & Bliss. I made one white panel and panel from black. I used some orange glitter cardstock from The Paper Cut for the backer of the words on the black panel. I added Black Rhinestone Bits & Pieces on the white card and orange glitter drops on the black panel.  





I really like the look of this card and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies like them too!  Here are the links to the other somewhat messy crafters: Darlene, Jeanette and TerryI am sure you will enjoy seeing how everyone got messy this month and was successful in making some great cards!   Be sure to check back to see what we are up in November!


Image/Sentiment:  Brass & Bliss Trick Or Treat Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Orange Glitter; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie

Ink:  None

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Jack-o-Lantern Stencil, Black Rhinestone Bits & Pieces; Simon Hurley-Ranger Guppy Lunar Paste; Orange Glitter Drops


Friday, October 10, 2025

Stamp Joy Swap Cards

 




Today I am posting the cards I made for the Taylored Expressions Stamp Joy card swap that is happening at the event in Des Moines.  I made 37 of these cards and all of the components are Taylored Expressions products. I hope to post more pictures from the events in the next week or so.


I decided to use one of the recent freebies--Mega Messages Die Trick or Treat--and make Halloween cards. I used the Spiderweb Foil It panels for the background and the negative foil made the black panel--a two-fer!  I die cut the words from Black Licorice along with the frame from Frame in Frame 3.   I die cut the backer from Orange Glitter Cardstock and then used the leftover piece for a panel behind the web.  I added some orange enamel dots around the words.

 



I hope you like my card.  And, I hope my Stamp Joy attendees who swap with me also like my card.  Stay tuned for a picture of the cards I received 


Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Mega Messages Die-Trick or Treat

Cardstock:  Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube, Black Licorice, Orange Glitter

Ink:  None

Accessories:  
Taylored Expressions Frame in Frame 3, Spiderweb Foil It; Gina K Designs Poly Glaze; Orange Enamel Dots; 

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Big Hugs from Snoopy

 


Today is the 9th of the month and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, Kelly is the hostess and sent out a sweet image from CC Designs called Charles.  Snoopy's birthday was in August, but Kelly was not up that month for sending the images, so we are celebrating friendship now!  She also 2 sentiments from the same set.   For October this is card #134 and we are now in year #12!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 12 strong years!  




I colored the sweet image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I then picked the Spellbinders Embossing Folder called Hand Drawn Lines for my background.  I die cut the image and a  black backer with my Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitched Circle Dies.  I used a Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strip Die to cut the sentiments and a black backer. I added a strip of black cardstock to continue the theme for Black and White--For Snoopy! I added some Black Drip Drops from Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces  I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!  





Please check out the other Musketeer's cards.  Here is the link to Jeanette's blog along with Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of cute cards!  I am up for our November challenge, so please be sure to join us again. 



Image/Sentiment:  CC Designs Charles stamp set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest White; Stampin' Up Basic Black

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Spellbinders Hand Drawn Lines Embossing Folder; Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitched Circle Dies; Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strips; Taylored Expression Bits & Pieces-Black Drip Drops



Monday, October 6, 2025

Sip Sip Hooray

 


Today is the day I post a card for our challenge called Unused No More!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 6th with a group of friends from my No Foolin' Retreat.  Some may post on their blog and I will note those with blogs at the end of this post.  And, some might post on other social media.  Those that participate each month will send a picture in the text thread we have between us, showing our creation.  The premise is to use a stamp set, stencil die, hot foil plate or press plate that is new and has never been used.  So--Unused No More!  



My plan is to pick a different company each month to highlight and maybe even a different product than the month before.  For October, I picked an Avery Elle Stamp Set that I have not used called Sip Sip Hooray.  

For my card, I colored the stamped image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I decided to pick a circle die from Pinkfresh Studio called Inverted Stitched Scallop Circle to layer over the image and added foam tape behind it. I thought the  card could use a bit of color, so I added a layer of Cherry Cobbler between the circle layer and the card base.  The sentiment is from the same set and I used an older Stampin' Up punch with it.  I added some Black Rhinestones from Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces around the image.
 




I am not sure who will post each month on their blog, but this is a list of the other ladies who do have blogs.  Links to the blogs of JeanetteTerry, and Darlene Be sure to come back on November 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More.  


Image/Sentiment:  Avery Elle Sip Sip Hooray Stamp Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; 

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Inverted Stitched Scallop Circle Die; Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Punch; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Black Rhinestones

Friday, October 3, 2025

Blooming Sunflower

 


Today is the day I am posting my card for our One Plus Twelve challenge in 2025.  This is year number 7.  For this challenge, we are to use just one stamp, to make a card every month and post on the 3rd of each month.  For this year, I picked a Gina K Designs set called Blooming Sunflower.  The set includes a sweet stamp set and matching dies for the image and all four of the sentiments.  I am excited that I get to use this set every month for all of 2025. 

For my card this month, I stamped the image with Versamark and used Brutus Monroe Penny Embossing Powder.  I colored the embossed image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I then die cut the image with the coordinating die.  I picked a Pinkfresh Studio Ornate Rectangle Frame Die, which I cut from The Paper Cut's Cuba Libre Metallic Cardstock.   I added a embossed panel from an Altenew Crystal Wall 3-D folder behind the image and frame. The Birthday Wishes sentiment was embossed with the same Penny Powder and it is from the same set.   I added some Sparkling Champagne Pearls from Pinkfresh Studio around the image. 
 



Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve posts to see the the stamp set for the 2025 cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for October!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on November 3rd to see another fun card. 

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Blooming Sunflower stamp and die set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Cuba Libre metallic

Ink: Versamark; Brutus Monroe Penny Embossing Powder

Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers; Pinkfresh Studio Ornate Rectangle Frame Die, Sparkling Champagne Pearls; Altenew Crystal Wall 3D Embossing Folder; 

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Layered Forest

 


Today is the last day of September and I am posting a set of cards for our challenge-The Catch-up Club! A few of my stamping friends, Darlene, Jeanette and Terry along with myself, have signed up for a number of virtual stamping events in the past 4+ years.  One of the benefits of these events are that they are available to rewatch or even watch for the first time at a later date as they are all recorded. The 4 of us "try" to watch live and chat by texting during the event.  But, life steps in and there are times when one or more of us are not participating during the live.  Then, the kits from sponsors sits in our stamping area until we are ready to watch the video and create.  During one of the events, we decided we needed to push ourselves (and each other) to get some of these events done!   So--we all decided to devote one day a month, the last day of the month for the somewhat procrastinators that we are, to post cards we missed making.  So--here we are in our 16th month of The Catch Up Club!

Reminder--these are not my own designs!  The cards are the designs of the other instructors from these classes.  I am just recreating the cards from the class. This month the creations are again from Sarah and The Paper Cut in Appleton, WIS!

These 4 cards are from a kit called Layered Forest-Splattering on Black.  The products are from Brass & Bliss or The Paper Cut. All of the beautiful cardstock included in the kit are also from The Paper Cut.  The sentiments were from my stash.  I splattered Silver Alcohol Ink Mixative on the black background and added the Tree panel over the top.  The animals were colored with my Copic Sketch Markers.

 



Sarah offers many different kinds of classes through the year and kits can be ordered from their website.  I have a few other virtual classes from The Paper Cut that need to be completed. Plus, I have loads of card kits from their recent Warehouse Sale to make--Soon!  And, I also have parts of other virtual events and classes from 2024 and 2025, I am already way behind, so more Catch Up to Come! 

I hope you enjoyed my cards!  Here are the links to the other of the Catch Up Club.  Please be sure to check out Jeanette's, Terry's, and Darlene's blogs.  They may post today or in the next few days but we have all promised to post cards that we have missed the making along the way!  Come back in October to see what else I am behind on!


Image/Sentiment:  Layered Forest-Splattering in Black Card Kit from The Paper Cut. The dies are from 
Brass & Bliss.  The sentiments are from my stash

Cardstock:  All included in kit--all are available from The Paper Cut

Ink:    None

Accessories: 
Copic Sketch markers;  Tim Holtz Silver Alcohol Ink Mixative

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Sunflowers Fall Version

 


Today as it is the 28th and the day I am posting my cards for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS. This is our 105th month of de-stash, so we are into our 8th year of challenges.  I cannot believe my thought about using what we have is now 8+ years old! I really like these challenges and know they will continue as I know I have many, many items in my stash that I can use and love the fun challenges!  


The premise is to create a card or something else that uses only items that are in your own stamp room--nothing new is to be purchased.  The hostess each month posts their challenge to the group. Each person in the group creates their card with their own image, their own papers, their own embellishments with their own supplies--using up items from their own stash!  The card can be for any occasion and each person is encouraged to send the card on its way to someone so it can be admired.  It is a way for us to step out of the box a bit and create something that follows a challenge--isn't that what a challenge is supposed to be.  And--no money is spent as all items are to be already available in each of own stamping spaces.

Sue posted our September challenge---make a fall themed card

I decided to break out a roll of Pinkfresh Studio Washi tape called Sunflowers-Fall Version.  I die cut the panel with the washi tape with the coordinating die from the Sunflowers set.  I made 4 panels, so I was able to make 4 cards and still have some die-cuts leftover for more.  I picked a variety of framed dies and cover plates for the backgrounds.  I used gold metallic cardstock for the frames to highlight the gold foil in the die-cuts.  I added some gold enamel dots on all of the cards.  I did not add any sentiments and will add them as I send the cards.

 



If you check some of the blogs on my sidebar, you may find others who have posted their cards in the next few days. There may be more posted in the thread on SCS, so you might want to check out the link here.  We also have a keyword for the SCS Gallery--it is CYSSEP.  You might see many cards there if you do a search.  They probably will be posted today or in the next few days.

I hope you enjoyed my card and I know I am excited to check out what my other hoarders, I mean stash reducers have made!  Thanks for stopping by today!  For October, Jeanette is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!


Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Sunflowers-Fall Version Washi Tape, Sunflowers Die

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Gold Metallic

Ink:  None

Accessories: Pinkfresh Studio Braided Oval Die, Modern Mosaic Cover Plate, Stitched Chain Cover Plate, Basket Weave Cover Plate; Honey Bee Stamps Spring Leaves Cover Plate; Gold Enamel Dots

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Encore Challenge

 


Today I am posting my card for the The Encore Challenge!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 25th with a group of friends from my April Retreat.  Some may post on their blog and I will note those with blogs at the end of this post.  And, some might post on other social media. Darlene came up with this challenge and these are her words:  Go and grab a stamp set, stencil or dies--your choice, that you have used once before and have always wanted to revisit it and use it again.  However, despite your best intentions, you have yet to use it!  Now's your chance! Go dig it out and have fun with it once again.  Create anything you like, a card, gift card holder, decorate a gift bag, make a refrigerator magnet...whatever lights up your creative juices! So--Encore Challenge! 




My plan is to pick a different company each month to highlight and maybe even a different product than the month before.  For September,  I picked a stamp set and matching dies from Ranger and Simon Hurley called Penguins.  This set was a part of the Scrapbook & Cards Crop and Create from the fall of 2024.

I colored the two penguin images with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I used Honey Bee Stamps Snowflake Embossing Folder with a Pool Party panel. I then gently swiped my Hero Arts Unicorn White ink pad over the raised snowflakes.  The sentiment is from the same set and I placed it along with the penguins on the snowflake panel.  I added some Wink of Stella on the top of their hats and the balloon.   I added a few crystal bling in the middle of some of the snowflakes.  This will be a fun winter birthday card to send!




I am not sure who will post each month on their blog, but this is a list of the other ladies who do have blogs.  JeanetteTerryDarlene Be sure to come back on October 25th to see another fun card for The Encore Challenge!


Image/Sentiment: Ranger-Simon Hurley Penguins Stamp Set and Dies

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Night of Navy, Pool Party

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black, Unicorn White

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Honey Bee Stamps Snowflakes Embossing Folder; Crystal Bling; Wink of Stella

Monday, September 22, 2025

Flowering Zinnias

 






Today is the 22nd so this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 57th month, so we are in to our 5th year!



Each month, we get to pick a stamp set from a predetermined company. Then, we will use that one stamp set and make two cards from the set.  Different images and sentiments from the same set can be used, or use the same image two different ways—Double Duty either way!  But, as an added challenge, one item must be used on both cards—same color cardstock, same ribbon, same stencil, same something.  Double Duty Again!  We will post both cards on our blog on the the 22nd of each month.  See-Double Duty again!  We will be sure to have fun getting doubly inky each month with a different stamp company.  Let’s have fun!

For September, the company we picked is Stampin' Up!   This is probably the company most of us started with and as they say, the rest is history!

I picked a bunde that I got last year. It includes a stamp set and matching dies called Flowering Zinnias.  There is a package of Designer Series Paper that matches with the same name.  And, there is an embossing folder called Zinnias.  I picked a sheet of 12x12 DSP and cut it down to two panels.  I then ran each panel through with the coordinating embossing folder.  

For this card, I kept the entire panel in one piece and just added two layers of Melon Mambo and Lemon Lime Twist.  I picked one of the sentiment from the same set and added a panel of Lemon Lime Twist cardstock to the back.  I then added a few pink enamel dots on the sentiment panel.





For the second card, I trimmed the panel into 2 pieces to make a shutter card. I also added layers of Blackberry Bliss and Lemon Lolly. I picked one of the sentiment from the same set and added a panel of Lemon Lolly cardstock to the back that hangs over both panels.   I then added a few yellow glitter enamel dots on the sentiment panel.





I really like the dimension that the embossing folder gives for the colored panels.  They are quite busy, and I think this technique tone them down a bit.  They were very easy cards to make and I think they do make quite a statement!





Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards. Here is a link to Jeanette's,  Darlene’s,  and Terry's blogs. I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards. 

Next month we will make cards with Taylored Expressions. So be sure to check out our cards on September 22nd!    


Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Bundle--Flowering Zinnias Stamp Set--there is also a coordinating die set.

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Blackberry Bliss, Lemon Lime Twist, Melon Mambo, Lemon Lolly, Flowering Zinnias DSP

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black Ink; 

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Zinnias Embossing Folder; Yellow Glimmer Enamel Dots, Pink Enamel Dots

Saturday, September 20, 2025

All is Calm

 


Today I am posting a set pf cards that I recently made from a kit by The Paper Cut.  This is not my own design!  The card is the design of Sarah from The Paper Cut. 

All of the dies used on these cards is from The Paper Cut. All of the shiny cardstock is also from The Paper Cut. The snowflake panel was already embossed for me!  Everything was ready to go and I just had to assemble.  
 



Sarah offers many different kinds of classes through the year and kits can be ordered from their website.  


Image/Sentiment:  Let It Snow Card Kit from The Paper Cut. All dies are from The Paper Cut

Cardstock:  All included in kit--all are available from The Paper Cut

Ink:  None

Accessories: 
 Silver Bling

Thursday, September 18, 2025

All is Calm

 


Today I am posting a card that I recently made from another Crafters Classroom by The Paper Cut.  This is not my own design!  The card is the design of Sarah from The Paper Cut. 

The stamp set for this card is from Brass & Bliss called All is Calm.  We received this sweet winter trees set with the card class and there were three more cards that I made. The beautiful cardstock is from The Paper Cut. 
 



Sarah offers many different kinds of classes through the year and kits can be ordered from their website.  


Image/Sentiment: Crafter Classroom Woodland Winter Card Class from The Paper Cut.   Brass & Bliss All is Calm Stamp Set

Cardstock:  All included in kit--all are available from The Paper Cut

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Honey Bee Stamps Metallic Silver; Brutus Monroe Sterling Embossing Powder

Accessories: 
  None