Change is Good?

Today is not the third Wednesday of the month, but it is my Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with another challenge for September, our 53rd month!  That means we are into year #5 for us-WOW!

Jeanette provided the challenge for us this month: Change!  

It’s hard to believe that the 9/11 attack happened 20 years ago this month. It has changed us as a nation and it has most likely changed us as individuals, too. I remember in those first days after the attack, amongst the tears and frustrations, the heartache and anxiety, we gathered close to those we loved and reached out to others who were impacted by the attack, as well. Church attendance increased (briefly, at least), and people reflected more on their mortality. Neighbors checked in on neighbors. People helped one another. Life took on new meaning.

So. Many. Changes.

 

This month’s challenge will be about “Change”. I want you to look back at your cards from the past year or so and choose one of them as your starting point. (FYI – it will be best if you choose a card you didn’t absolutely love.) Now… I want you to make changes to that card and make it even better.

 

Obviously, you won’t have the same papers and such that the original card had. Sheesh! You might not even have the same stamps, though you might. Using that card as your starting point could simply mean you’ll use the same overall design (sketch).

 

Oh, and one more thing – please show us the “starting point” card, too (or link us to the blog post featuring it) when you post your card.

 

 Ready Set Go! 

This was a struggle this month and I am not sure why. I started this card more than three weeks ago and I am still not happy with it.  Maybe I need to Change It!

This is the card I picked to change--

I decided to pick a card that had an interesting background that I could recreate.  I also decided to make a slimline card for another change.  I used a WOW Stencil I just won in an IG giveaway called Lots Dots.  I used my Brutus Monroe Velveteen Glaze in Fresh Kale for the dotted background.  I then layered with green and black cardstock on the white card base.  I also just got the very large word Celebrate die from Picket Fence in the Scallop Framed Die Set--it is perfect for a slimline.  I die cut it from White Glitter Cardstock for a bit of sparkle as I did not thin I was going to add any embellishments-and I did not.  I layered the word three times for added dimension-though it is hard to see all of the sparkle in the picture!

I hope my new card is a positive change!

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card. Kelly is up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in October.

Image/Sentiment: Picket Fence Scallop Framed Die Set-Celebrate

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   Stampin' The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Silver Glitter Cardstock, Gamma Green, Black

Ink:  None

Accessories:  WOW Lots Dots Stencil; Brutus Monroe Velveteen Glaze-Fresh Kale

Pumpkin Day!

Today is the 15th and the day we post our card for our group, the Crafty Card Ladies!   The team names are the Pearls and the Diamonds--very Classy names for us!   For our September Challenge, I am the hostess for the Diamonds and my partner Tracie is the hostess for the Pearls.   And we are all team Classy Card Ladies!  

The theme for September is Pumpkins!  I sent all of the Diamonds this fun fall  image from Great Impressions called Harvest Cart.  I did not include any sentiments, so you may see some different ones or none at all, like on my card.  I also included some fun fall patterned paper, some fall ribbons, fibers and  embellishments. 

I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I die cut the colored image with an older Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 8.   The background is a piece of Imaginisce fall words patterned paper.   I then layered 3 types of ribbon and topped it with the orange, brown and white baker's twine--I do this often on my card kits to showcase the fun ribbons included!   I added some of the orange enamel dots.  This was fun card to make!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the patterned paper:

I hope all of the Classy Card Ladies enjoy my card this month. Please be sure to stop in to see what all of the Diamonds as well the Pearls have created this month.  There are two members who do not have blogs: Suzy who is on the Diamond team and Debby who is a Pearl. You will be able to check out their creations in their SCS gallery, if you click on the link for their name.  All of the others should be found on my left sidebar.  I am sure you will enjoy all of the wonderful creations this month!  See you next month in October when Darlene and Laura Jean are the hostesses!

Image/Sentiment:  Great Impressions Harvest Cart

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso; Imaginisce Fall Words Patterned Paper

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Orange Enamel Dots; Ribbons and Fibers; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 8 Die

Mega Hello!

Today is the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.  This is card number 26 and we are now into year #3. The idea of Hot Mess ~ Success started with Kelly and the general theme 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 group of 6 and we will post a card each month on the 12th.  The links to the other 5 members are on my left side bar and I will also link them at the bottom at this post.

For this month's messiness, I made two backgrounds with Ken Oliver Color Burst.  I have three sets of these and have used them only once or twice before.  For this background, I used blue, violet and green on Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock.  I die cut the Altenew Mega Hello from the panel. I layered the word on an embossed panel I made from Sizzix Brick Wall Embossing Folder.  I added a sentiment from Taylored Expressions Crafty Sentiment Strips.  I added a few Trinity Stamps Midnight Ball Embellishment Mix for the final touch!   I really like the look of this card and hope you do too. 

Here is the inside of my card:

Here are the links to the other members of Hot Mess ~ Success.  Please be sure to check out Jeanette's, Terry's, Kelly's , Carol's and Darlene's blogs. I am sure you will enjoy seeing how everyone got messy and was successful in making some great cards!   We will all continuing this year, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on October 12th.  

Image/Sentiment:  Altenew Mega Hello/Taylored Expressions Crafty Sentiment Strips

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock; Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Gorgeous Grape

Ink:  Ken Oliver Color Burst Green, Blue and Violet

Accessories:  Sizzix Brick Wall Embossing Folder; Trinity Stamps Midnight Ball Embellishment Mix

Teacher Thanks!

First--I am saying a Prayer this morning for all of those lives that were lost 20 years ago today.  How can it be that long ago?  We Shall Never Forget!

This is my September card for the monthly themed swap that Terry is hosting on SCS. Each month she will post a theme and we make cards using any stamp set we believe follows that thought. This is our 64th month and the theme for September is "Use your A-B-C's--use something on your card that starts with A-B-C".  

I m not sure I have met all of the A-B-C expectations, but I think using patterned paper with the alphabet on it counts too!  The die is from Taylored Expressions and is called Thanks and Backer.  I die cut the word from white and it is layered three times--the backer is in black.  The background is a fun teacher and school themed paper from Little Yellow Bicycle called Bookworm/Penmanship Green. I added some garden green satin stitched ribbon and an apple brad  I think this is a fun card and would be perfect for a back to school thank you teacher card!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the patterned paper:

I hope Terry and the others swappers like my card this month too! Terry has already posted the October theme and the ones for the rest of the year.  Be sure to come back in to see what we create!  

Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Thanks and Backer Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Garden Green; Little Yellow Bicycle Bookworm/Penmanship Green

Ink:  None

Accessories:  Stampin' Up 3/8" Satin Stitched Garden Green Ribbon; Apple Brad

Stamp What?

Today is the 10th and the day we are to post our Stamp What? challenge with the three collaborators you have seen many times in the past--Kelly, Jeanette and me! We started this in January of 2020, so we are now well into our second year of this fun challenge.  Kelly came up with the challenge to randomly pick a Stampin' Up set and make a card with that set.  Get the dust off of those forgotten Stampin' Up sets! 

I decided when this group challenge started to only use the wooden Stampin' Up stamps that are on my bottom shelves.  So this month, I randomly picked the Lifecycle set!  The year on the stamps is 2005, so it is an oldie!

I first picked out the patterned paper so help in deciding where this card will go.  The paper is a very fun pattern from Authentique called Seasons--Summer Three.  I die cut this layer with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 4.  The image was stamped on Crumb Cake and I colored some parts to match the patterned paper with my Copic Sketch Markers.  A few Vintage Shimmer Pearls from Studio Katia complete the card.  

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the patterned paper:

I like the look of my card this month and I hope you do too.  Be sure to check out Jeanette and Kelly's cards.  I am sure they have some fun cards with those "oldies but goodies" stamp sets by Stampin' Up!  And be sure to check back every month on the 10th to see what we create!  

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Lifecycles

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise; Authentique Seasons-Summer Three

Ink:  Stampin' Up Early Espresso

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 4; Studio Katia Vintage Shimmer Pearls

Cornucopia

It is time for another The Three Musketeers post. We are ready to showcase the card we all created with the image that I sent out for September for Card #85!  All three of us sure have enjoyed the challenges every month and we hope that it continues for a long time!  Jeanette is up for the October challenge, so be sure to come back to see what we create!  

For our card this month, I sent out this rather large fall image from Stamplistic called Cornucopia.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  It is a very large image and it covers almost all of an A2 card!  I did use a corner rounder for one corner for a bit of detail.  I also added some orange and brown bakers twine on the side.  A few orange sequins for the bling!  I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!

Here is the inside of 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 great cards!  They may post today or tomorrow, so be sure to check out their blogs for their card!   As I mentioned before, Jeanette is up for our October challenge.  Please be sure to join us again.  

Image/Sentiment:  Stamplistic Cornucopia

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Recollections 110# Ivory; Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, Color Me Autumn Designer Series 

Ink:  Simon Says Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Markers; Corner Rounder; Orange Sequins' Orange/Brown/White Bakers Twine

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

This is my September Crafters of Faith card.  This is a great group that my friend Kelly started on SCS.  She hosted for 5 years and now Faith has taken over for year #6. We will continue as we have in the past with each month a new hostess gives us a scripture and challenges us to make a card with that theme. 

Sue is the hostess this month and gave everyone this challenge:

Scripture: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Challenge: If we have learned anything in our country this past year, it’s that it is too easy to discourage and tear one another down. The difficult thing to do is to encourage and build one another up! It takes a certain going against the grain to do this, but it is the right thing to do and it is what will point others to Jesus. Make the decision today to not be a part of divisive talk and action, but rather to always seek to be the light of Jesus in your day-to-day interactions and conversations.  Make and send a card that will encourage and build someone up.

I inked up an older wood-mounted stamp from Whipper Snapper Designs called Live Well-Laugh Often, with Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler.  Since it is such a large stamp, I just layered on an embossed background, with Stampin' Up's Falling Petals.  I think they look like small hearts.  I added some thick red bakers twine and a corner rounder as an added touch.  I really like the look of this card! 

I hope you and the others from the Crafters of Faith group like my card this month!  We are to post on the 7th of each month, so if you look on my sidebar, you may see other creations.  I know that there will be many posted in the COF thread on SCS too! 

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Live Well-Laugh Often

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:  Thick Bakers Twine; Corner Rounder

Thank You For Being Kind!

This is my card for our September swap for my local stamp store called Polka Dots.  The theme is Monochromatic!  I picked a newer stamp that I am not sure I have used yet from Pretty Pink Posh called Simple Sayings-Kind. I then cut out the sentiment and the layer from my My Favorite Things-MFT Stitched Corner Tag Rectangles.  The background paper is from Stampin' Up's Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper Pack. I added a strip of Tranquil Tide Mini Ruffled Ribbon under the die cuts and some greenish enamel dots to complete the monochromatic look!

Here is the inside of my card:

I am sure I will get back some sweet cards!

Image/Sentiment:  Pretty Pink Posh Simple Sayings-Kind

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White ; Stampin' Up Tranquil Tide, Soft Sea Foam, Mint Macaron, Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Stampin' Up Tranquil Tide

Accessories:  My Favorite Things-MFT Stitched Corner Tag Rectangles; Stampin' Up Tranquil Tide Mini Ruffled Ribbon; Enamel Dots

September Thank You

This is my One Plus Twelve card for September. This was the brainchild of Kelly and she asked Jeanette and me to join her in this challenge in 2019. We are to use just one stamp, to make a card every month and post on the 3rd of each month.  It was so much fun that the three of decided to continue for our third year and pick a new image to use.

For 2021, I picked a Gina K Designs set called Thankful Greenery.  I think this set is so pretty and I can see in my mind many ways that I can use this image.  Plus--I will have 12 thank you cards at the end of the year!

For this month's card, I stamped the image on The Paper Cut's Cougar Opaque White with Hero Arts Intense Black.  I then colored with my Copic Sketch Markers. The background is from my Lawn Fawn 6x6 Watercolor Wishes Rainbow Pack--I really like the graduated greens.  A few green enamel dots are the final touch!

Here is the inside of my card:

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog. I am sure you will enjoy checking out what stamp set each of them picked for 2021 and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card and that you might too! Be sure to check back every month on the 3rd to see our cards!

Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs Thankful Greenery

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White Stampin' Up Basic Black; Lawn Fawn 6x6 Watercolor Wishes Rainbow Pack

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Green Enamel Dots; Copic Sketch Markers

Christmas Owl

Today I am showcasing a card I made with a Christmas kit that I received from Sam for our Christmas Crazy group on SCS. Sam sent the Spellbinders Christmas Owl image as the theme for July-August was Woodland Animals!

I colored the cute image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I added some Lawn Fawn Prisma Glitter to the Santa Hat!  The background is a gold embossed image of ornaments that was also sent by Tammy.  I added some of the gold and ivory sparkle bakers twine.   I think this is a cute card!

 

Here is the inside of my card, with some of the pretty patterned paper Sam sent:

I do like this card and hope you and Sam does too.  

Image/Sentiment:  Spellbinders Christmas Owl

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Garden Green, Real Red; Gold Embossed Background

Ink:  Fun Stampers Journey True Fusion Ink

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Lawn Fawn Prisma Glitter; Ornament Embossing Folder; Gold/Ivory Bakers Twine

Naughty or Nice?

Today I am showcasing a card I made with a Christmas kit that I received from Tammy for our Christmas Crazy group on SCS.  This was a replacement kit she sent me back in May as the first one had not arrived. But--the day after I received this kit, the first kit also arrived.  I made two cards with that kit and posted them yesterday, so please check back.

Tammy sent me these sweet images from Recollections and I colored them with my Copic Sketch Markers. I added some Lawn Fawn glitter to the hats of both of these cuties!  The background paper is by Doodlebug's Christmas Town line--it is so dang sweet!  I think this card is cute--Naughty or Nice!

 

Here is the inside of my card, with a sentiment from the same set and more of the cute patterned paper!

I like this card and hope you and Tammy does too.  

Image/Sentiment:  Recollections 

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Solar White; Stampin' Up Garden Green, Real Red; Doodlebug Christmas Town Patterned Paper

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Lawn Fawn Prisma Glitter