Friendly Silhouettes

 

Today is the 22nd so this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 51st 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 March, we decided to use Gina K Designs, another of our favorite companies!  And, the company is less than a half hour from my house.   Too bad they no longer have a B&M store, as it was amazing!   The company has great stamps, dies, stencils, and so many other unique items.  Her monthly kits are so packed full of goodies and many times sell out within a few hours!  She also participates in a few of the virtual events I sign up for and her classes are so fun.  

For this month, I picked a sweet set called Friendly Silhouettes.  I think this was from one of the first SCT Crop & Create events that was started during the pandemic.  Ginma loves her silhouette stamps and I have a few other versions too.  She also likes to ink blend, so I did too!

For these cards, I decided on a design and used Gina K Masking Magic to mask off the area of the card to not be ink blended.  I die cut an oval from the middle of the making paper for the card on the left and used two wide strips for the card on the right.  I ink blended both cards with Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes and the one inch "magic" brushes.  The left was a yellow, green and blue while the card on the right was red, orange and yellow.  After ink blending and removing the masking paper, I then stamped the sweet silhouette image on the panels.  Both panels were die cut with Master Layouts 2 and backed with a black layer. Both of sentiments are rom my box of sentiments, so I am not sure where it is from.  

               

These were fun cards to make!

Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards. Here is a link to Jeanette's,  Darlene’s,  Carol'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 highlight another fun company, Pink and Main. So be sure to check out our cards on April 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs Friendly Silhouettes/Sentiments from Stash

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Basic Black

Ink: Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes; Hero Arts Intense Black Ink

Accessories:  Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 Dies, Masking Magic Paper

You Made My Day

  

Today is the 15th and this is my card this month for our The Creative Crew!  We are a group of 7--Jeanette, Carol, Darlene, Lorraine, Terry, Tracie and me. Each month will be a new challenge posed by one of the members sending out a kit. Or in the case of this month and maybe next, we post a sketch and color challenge.  That is what Jeanette and I did for March-Jeanette came up with a sketch and I pulled a random card for my Color Cube.

 

First, you might notice my card is backwards from the sketch.  I actually printed out the sketch and when I copied it to my document, I must have hit flip as it printed backwards.  I did realize that as the word sentiment was also backwards.......... But, as I was thinking of my card, I decided I want to use my BetterPress Machine and picked a fun Pinkfresh Studio floral image.  The design of the image was better coming off of the right side instead of the left, so I went with a reverse image!  The Pinkfresh set is called Always Smiling and it comes with a stamp set, press plates, set of stencils and a die set.  I used The Paper Cuts 111#White Hammered Cardstock and 3 BetterPress inks on the plate.  I then trimmed if to be a card front panel and placed is on a white cardbase.  I stamped the sentiment with Hero Arts Black Intense Ink and die cut it three times for dimension.  I added 3 yellow flower sequins as shown in the sketch.  This was a very fun card to make and I like the colors of  the pressed image!

I hope all of The Creative Crew Gals enjoy my card this month.  Please be sure to stop in to see what fun crafty cards are posted this month.  All of the blogs can be found on my left sidebar.  Our teammate Lorraine does not have a blog, so please check out her card in her SCS gallery.   I am sure you will enjoy all of the fun holiday cards!

We will be back in April with another challenge that Jeanette and I will pose to the group.   Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun is planned!

Image/Sentiment:   Pinkfresh Studio Always Smiling Set-Press Plate, Stamp Set Sentiment and Coordinating Die

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, 111# White Hammered Cardstock

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; BetterPress Inks Saffron, Leaf, Strawberry

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Yellow Flower Sequins

Messy Hello

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #69, so we are coming to the end of year #7. 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 grabbed some Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks in shades of purple.  I used Yupo paper and I really like how the colors move. I die cut the inked panel and a backer with Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  I also picked a Gina K Designs die set called Happy Hello and cut it from Antique Gold Metallic cardstock.  The sending smiles came from my sentiment box, so I am not sure what company it is.  I added some Gold Satin Baubles from Trinity Stamps around the card.  

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:   Carol, Darlene, Jeanette and Terry. I 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 April!

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Happy Hello Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Antique Gold Metallic; Yupo

Ink:  None, but Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks for background

Accessories:   Trinity Gold Satin Baubles

Happy Snowman

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, Jeanette is the hostess and she sent out this sweet image from Penny Black called Happy Snowman!  For March,  this is card #127 and we are now in year #12!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 11 strong years!  

I colored the snowman image with my Copic Sketch Markers  The pretty snowflake patterned paper is from a 6x6 paper pack from Mintay called Christmas Blessings.  I added some Lost Lagoon ribbon behind the image.  The sentiment is from my sentiment box, so I am not sure what company it is from.  I added some clay snowflakes from Taylored Expressions around the image. I  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!  Kelly is up for our April challenge, so please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:    Penny Black Happy Snowman

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  120# Accent Opaque White; Mintay Christmas Blessings 6x6 Paper Pack; Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon, Basic Black, Pebbled Path

Ink:  Pinkfresh Detail Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon Silky Taffeta Ribbon; Taylored Expressions Clay Snowflakes

Secret Stamp Challenge

 

Today I am showcasing a card made with a new to me stamp set that was gifted to me by Kelly.  AND--she sent a different stamp set to Jeanette and also kept a third set for herself.  So--the three of us, Jeanette, Kelly and me are posting cards from a new challenge called Secret Stamp Challenge.

The stamp set I received from Kelly is from Hanna Stamps and is Garden themed.  In the note Kelly sent along with the set, she taught of me as we have a greenhouse.  Every spring we start seeds in the house, under grow lights and then move the tiny plants to the greenhouse.  We usually start seeds around the end of March and move them to the greenhouse in early May.  The vegetables and flowers then get planted outside over Memorial Day Weekend.  Thanks for thinking of me and our gardens Kelly.

I first decided I would make a slim-line card so I can show off many of the sweet images. I picked out pre-cut slim-line items from The Paper Cut, a white cardbase, a green layer and a black 3 square overlay. I out foam tape under the black so there was some depth when adding the images.   I stamped the lady gardener (I wish I was that thin.................) along with many of her accessories with Hero Arts Intense Black ink.  I then colored all of the images with my Copic Sketch Markers.   I then fussy cut all of the images and placed them around the window squares. I picked a fun sentiment from my sentiment box and die cut it with a Waffle Flower Dotted Labels Die.  I added some lime green sequins in each of the squares.    I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card! 

I cannot wait to see the cards and the theme for the other two ladies!  Please check out the other blogs.   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 with fun themes.  Again--Thank You Kelly for sending me this fun stamp set.  AND--for a Secret Stamp Challenge.  Who Knows--maybe more to come in 2025!

Image/Sentiment:    Penny Hanna Stamps Garden/Sentiment from Stash

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Slim-line products.  White cardase, lime green layer and black 3 square overlay

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Lime Green Sequins

Tulip Bouquet

 

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 March, I picked a pretty Hero Arts stamp and die set that I have not gotten inky called Tulip Bouquet.  I also have the coordinating 4-piece stencil set called Color Layering Tulip Bouquet.

For my card,  I stamped the main image with Hero Arts Intense Black ink.   I then used Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes and ink blended over each of the stencils.  The sentiment is also from the same set and I also stamped and layered in black. I die cut the image and used foam tape for added dimension.  The background is a Honeybee Spring Leaves Cover Plate.  I added some yellow gems from The Ton around the image and some Stampin' Up linen thread as a bow.

 

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 Jeanette,   Carol,   Terry,   Darlene,  Shelly, and Rebekah.  Be sure to come back on April 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More

Image/Sentiment:  Hero Arts Tulip Bouquet Stamp and Die Set, Color Layering Tulip Bouquet Stencil

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Basic Black

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes

Accessories: Honeybee Spring Leaves Coverplate; The Ton Yellow Bling; Stampin' Up Linen Thread

Blooming Sunflower

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our first 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 Versafine Clair ink and added Clear Embossing Powder.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut both the image and sentiment.   I then picked a Brass & Bliss Offset Diamond Cover plate for the background and layered it three times.  I added a panel of Coastal Cabana behind the cover plate.   I added some orange glitter  dots 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 February!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on April 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; Stampin' Up Coastal Cabana

Ink: Versafine Claire Nocturne; Taylored Expressions Clear Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Orange Glitter Dots; Brass & Bliss Offset Diamond Cover Plate; Copic Sketch Markers

Pretty Blooms by Pinkfresh Studio

 

This is the third class from my recent Pinkfresh Studio Create and Connect virtual event, taught by Heather Hoffman.

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 class by Heather used this pretty bundle called Pretty Blooms.  The set includes the stamp set, matching die, a 6 piece stencil and a roll of the wide washi tape. She used the Stitched Pinwheels cover plate along with some of the dies from the Double Stitched Fancy Frames Die set, which were also included in the event box.  I know I will use those often in the future!  The washi is so pretty and was used on the top and right right.  We ink blended for the card on the left with the stencil set.

 

Next up is the class with Rachel Arribs and another Pinkfresh bundle.  Coming Soon!

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Pretty Blooms Stamp Set, Coordinating Dies, Stencils and Washi

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, 

Ink:  Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Stitched Pinwheels Cover Plate, Double Stitched Fancy Frame Dies

Wishing You All the Best

 

Today as it is the 28th and the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS. This is our 98th 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.

Suzy posted our February challenge---Make a card with love or friendship!

I picked a Pinkfresh bundle called Chrysanthemum with a stamp set, matching die and one of the huge rolls of washi tape.  I love the colors of the flowers in the washi tape.  I laid the washi tape on white cardstock and die cut the entire panel.  I picked a couple of Pinkfresh Studio dies for the background.  The cover plate is called Simply Diamonds and I layered it two times.  I also used a Scalloped Circle over the top of the diamond panel.  I tucked various flowers from the washi in and over the circle. I stamped one of the sentiments from the same set and die cut it with the matching die.  I added some Pinkfresh Peach Fuzz on the circle around the flowers.     I added some silver stars around the card.

 

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 CYSFEB.  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 March, I up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Chrysanthemum Stamp, Washi and Die Bundle

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Sizzix Pinkfresh Studio Simply Diamonds Cover Plate, Scallop Circle Die, Peach Fuzz Jewels

Inlaid Background Cards

 

Today is the second-to-last day of February and I am posting a set of cards for our challenge-The Catch-up Club!  I have another challenge card to post tomorrow, so I am a day early..........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 cards are from her February Crafters Classroom called Inlaid Background Cards.  The products are from Brass & Bliss or The Paper Cut. The sweet die used on all four cards is called Clouds-Stained Glass and I bought it with my kit, so I can create more fun cards.   All of the beautiful cardstock is also from The Paper Cut.  

 

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. And,  I also have parts of other virtual events and classes from 2023 and 2024, and even one from last weekend that I did not finish! 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 tomorrow, but we have all promised to post cards that we have missed the making along the way!

Image/Sentiment:  Crafters Classroom Inlaid Background Card Class from The Paper Cut. The die is Clouds-Stained Glass from Brass & Bliss.  The sentiments were pre-stamped

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

Ink:   None

Accessories:  All included in the kit

Encore Challenge #2

 

Today I am posting my card for the newer The Encore Challenge!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 25th with a group of friends, also from the 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 February, I picked a Stampin' Up set that includes a stamp set, matching die set and a 5 piece stencil set too. It has a sweet large rose image, additional smaller images and some sweet sentiments.

For my card, I stamped the image and sentiment in Hero Arts Intense Black ink on a panel.  I then ink blended the image with my Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes an die cut the image.  I then used a Stampin' Up cover plate called Stitched Greenery for the back panel.  I then die cut the leafy panel with a die from My Favorite Things called Blueprints 20, which added the scallop and stitched edge. I die cut the sentiment with a Taylored Expressions label die.  I added some Pinkfresh Studio Ballet Slipper Jewels 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.  Jeanette, Carol, Terry, Darlene and Rebekah.  Be sure to come back on March 25th  to see another fun card for The Encore Challenge!


Image/Sentiment:  Stampin' Up Layers of Beauty-stamps, dies and stencil set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black;  Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Ballet Slipper Jewels; My Favorite Things-MFT-Blueprints 20 die; Stampin' Up Stitched Greenery Cover Plate; Taylored Expressions Sentiment Label Die