Unused No More!

 

Today is the day I post my cards 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 November,  I picked a set from Taylored Expressions called Poinsettia & Pine.  The set includes a 6x6 Embossing Folder,  the 4-piece Stencil set and a package of coordinating Foil It panels.

For my cards, I foiled a white panel with gold foil.  I then ink blended with Cupcake, Sweet Basil, Watermelon and Mulled Wine. I then picked a holiday die sentiment set called Mega Messages Merry & Bright!  I die cut the words in Gold Metallic and the backer is Sweet Basil, layered 3 times.  I trimmed the blending panel in two parts so I could make 2 cards.  I embossed another panel in Mulled Wine and matched up the cut strip on the left side of the panel.  I added some Gold Glitter Dots in the middle of the poinsettias and around on some of the small dots.  

 

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, Terry, and Darlene.  Be sure to come back on December 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More. 

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Poinsettia & Pine Embossing Folder, Stencil Set and Foil It Panels, Mega Messages Merry & Bright

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Gold Metallic; Taylored Expressions Mulled Wine and Sweet Basil

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Mulled Wine, Cupcake, Watermelon and Sweet Basil

Accessories: Taylored Expressions Gold Glitter Drops

One Plus Twelve

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our One Plus Twelve challenge in 2026.  This is year number 8.  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 Pinkfresh Studio set called Amazing Things.  The set includes a stamp set, matching dies, a 5-piece stencil set and a better press set. I am excited that I am able to use this set every month for all of 2026 and have so many options.   

For my card this month, I used the press plate with gold hot foil for the image.  I then brush blended the image with the stencil set using shades of pinks and greens with Taylored Expression inks. I then die cut the floral image with the matching die and layered twice. The background is an Altenew Embossing Folder called Geo Step 3D folder.  The sentiment is also from the same set and I used the same gold foil and die cut.  I added some Pinkfresh Blush Jewels around the image.

 

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve posts to see the sweet cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for November!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on December 3rd to see our final card for 2026.

Image/Sentiment: Pinkfresh Studio Amazing Things press plate, stencil and die set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; 

Ink: Gold Hot Foil; Taylored Expressions Spearmint, Gumdrop, Plum Punch Bubblegum and Strawberry Milkshake

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Blush Jewels;  Altenew Geo Step 3D Embossing Folder; 

SCT Crop & Create Cards

 

Today is the last day of October and I am posting a group 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 5+ 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 41st month of The Catch Up Club!  So, we are now on year #4

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 from Scrapbook and Cards virtual event called Crop & Create Delivered.  This is an amazing 3 day event and I also signed up for the Bonus Day.  It was held last weekend and I was only able to watch a couple of classes live. 

These cards are from 3 of the classes.  The bright Christmas cards on the top left are Taylored Expressions.  The pretty floral cards on the top right are from Gina K Designs.  The bottom 6 colorful mice holiday cards are from Jenn Shurkus and Lawn Fawn.  I love all of these cards and the instructors are so good!

 

I have more classes from the event to make--so more 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 tomorrow 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 November to see what else I am behind on!

Image/Sentiment:  Crop and Create Delivered classes from Taylored Expressions, Gina K Designs and Lawn Fawn

Cardstock:  All included in kit

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Various inks from Gina K and Taylored Expressions

Accessories: Various Glitter and Bling

Create a Fall Themed Card

 

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 118th month of de-stash, so we are into our 9th year of challenges.  I cannot believe my thought about using what we have is now 9+ 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.

Vickie posted our October challenge--Create a fall themed card or project

I recently bought a Gina K Designs fall bundle called Harvest Pumpkins.  The set comes with an embossing folder, a 6-piece stencil set and a couple of dies. I thought it would be perfect for the the,e!  Since I was ink blending the embossed panel, I thought I might as well do two cards at the same time. I used ivory cardstock and embossed the two panels.  I used Taylored Expressions inks for the blending--Pumpkin, Honey, Peaches N' Cream Pear, Sweet Basil and Latte.  I picked a Taylored Expressions set called Grateful Greetings for the sentiment.  I used Pumpkin ink on both of the sentiments, die cut them and added some additional die cuts for added dimension.  For the card on the left, I used Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 to die cut the image and the black backer.   I used some Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces in Candy Corn around the image on both 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. They will all probably have chickens on their card!  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 CYSOCT.  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 September, Tracie is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Harvest Pumpkins Embossing Folder and Stencil Set; Taylored Expressions Grateful Greetings Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock:  Taylored Expressions Black Licorice; The Paper Cut 100# Ivory

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Pumpkin, Honey, Peaches "N Cream, Pear, Sweet Basil, Latte

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces in Candy Corn; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2

Concord & 9th

 

Today is the 22nd and it is Double Duty Day! This is the 69th month, so we are coming to the end of our 6th year!  More Doubling Up!

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 October, the company we picked was Concord & 9th.  I have a number of C9 sets plus many of the newer Kristina Werner line.  They are so fun!

The set I picked is an older set called Floral Spring Stem.  There is a stamp set, matching dies, plus a stencil.  I stamped the 2 floral images two times and then ink blending with Taylored Expressions inks.  I die cut the image and 2 different sentiments from the set with the coordinating dies. The floral image along with the sentiments are all layered three times.   I picked two different cover plates for my cards.  I added a white thread bow along with some Pinkfresh Jewels around the images.

For the pink flowers, I used Peaches & Cream along with Pumpkin inks.  The cover plate is from Brass & Bliss called Lattice with Scallop Cover.  The PFS jewels are Ballet Sipper.   

For the yellow florals, I used Potato Chip and Sweet Corn.  The frame is from MFT and called Stitched Rectangle Frames and the cover plate below is Stitched Vines from Concord & 9th.  The PFS jewels are Peach Fuzz

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 is a bit different as we are going to pick a company that is no longer in business.  So be sure to check out our cards on November 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment:  Concord & 9th Spring Stem Stamp Set, Stencil, and  Coordinating Dies

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

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Peaches & Cream, Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Dill Pickle, Sweet Corn, Potato Chip

Accessories: Brass & Bliss Lattice with Scallop Cover Plate; MFT-My Favorite Things Stitched Rectangle Frame; Concord & 9th Stitched Vines Cover; Pinkfresh Studio Peach Fuzz and Ballet Slipper Jewels

Autumn Blessings

 

Today is the 15th and this is my card this month for our The Creative Crew!  We are a group of 6--Jeanette, Darlene, Lorraine, Terry, Tracie and me. Each month will be a new challenge posed by one of the members sending out a kit. For October, Lorraine was the hostess and sent out these fun autumn images from Sunny Studio Stamps called Turkey Day.  She die cut many images so we could choose what to use on our card.  Lorraine also included a number of fun sentiments and some colorful autumn patterned paper.  

I decided first on my background layout and picked a Taylored Expressions Die set called All Planned Out 2 for the frame.  I used one of the colorful pumpkin patterned paper for the background.  The cardbase is Ivory and the frame along with a background panel is Taylored Expressions Sweet Potato Pie.   I then picked the images to use and colored with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I added foam tape behind the frame and all of the images, along with the sentiment.  I also added a smaller secondary sentiment on the bottom of the frame.  No Bling Needed! 

I hope all of The Creative Crew Gals enjoy my card this month.  Please be sure to stop in to see what fun cards are posted this month.  All of the blogs can be found on my left sidebar.   I am sure you will enjoy all of the cute cards.

For November, Darlene is up for another challenge.  Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun is planned!

Image/Sentiment:  Sunny Studio Turkey Day

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Basic White; Taylored Expressions Sweet Potato Pie; The Paper Cut 100# Ivory; Carta Bell Harvest Collection

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions All Planned Out 2 Die Set

Yule Always be in my Heart!

 

Today is the 9th of the month and here is my card for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, Jeanette was the hostess this month and sent us a sweet stamp set from Spellbinders-House Mouse called Tree-mendous Christmas.  Thank you so much for sending us each a set--I love it!!!!!  For October, this is card #146 and we are now in year #12!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong coming up on 13 years! However, this will be the last year and this is the final month of hosting for Jeanette.  She wanted to pick the perfect set--and she sure did!

I stamped and colored the sweet House-Mouse image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I die cut the image with a Scrapbook.com A2 Stitched Rectangle die and backed with with a Peapod layer with the same set.  I also die cut one of the sentiments from a Taylored Expressions Sentiment Strip Set. The background patterned paper is from my stash and I added layers of Peapod and Red Pepper. I did not add any bling.   

I hope Jeanette enjoys my card and I hope I have made her heart smile!  I know mine is from our years of friendship and this amazing challenge that she formed 13 years ago!

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 fun holiday cards!  Kelly will be up for our November challenge, so please be sure to join us again next month!  

Image/Sentiment: Spellbinders/House-Mouse Tree-mendous Christmas

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Taylored Expressions Red Pepper, Peapod; Christmas Patterned Paper from my Stash

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black 

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Scrapbook.com A2 Stitched Rectangle Dies; Taylored Expressions Sentiment Strip Dies

Gather Together

 

Today is the day I post my cards 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 a set from Honey Bee Stamps called Grateful Gatherings that includes some wonderful sentiments and pretty images.   It also includes the matching dies--YAY!

For my card, I stamped one of the fall images and a sweet sentiment in black ink.  I colored the pumpkin and sunflowers with my Copic Sketch Markers. I then used the coordinating dies to cut each of them.   I picked a autumn embossing folder from Stampin' Up called Leaf Fall for the background.  I added some additional layers behind the image and sentiment for added dimension.  I added some Pinkfresh Studio Sparkling Champagne Metallic Pearls around the colorful 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 Jeanette, Terry, and Darlene.  Be sure to come back on November 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More. 

Image/Sentiment: Honey Bee Stamps Grateful Gatherings Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Pecan Pie, Crushed Curry

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Leaf Fall Embossing Folder; Copic Sketch Markers; Pinkfresh Studio Sparkling Champagne Metallic Pearls

I am Back!

 

It has been a few weeks since I have posted.................

Today is the day I am posting my card for our One Plus Twelve challenge in 2026.  This is year number 8.  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 Pinkfresh Studio set called Amazing Things.  The set includes a stamp set, matching dies, a 5-piece stencil set and a better press set. I am excited that I get to use this set every month for all of 2026 and have so many options.   

For my card this month, I used the press plate with gold hot foil for the image.  I then brush blended the image with the stencil set using shades of pinks and greens with Taylored Expression inks. I then die cut the floral image with the matching die and layered twice. The background is a Pinkfresh Cover Plate called Diamond Lattice with a gold metallic frame cut from Taylored Expressions Frame in Frame Die Set.  The sentiment is also from the same set and I used the same gold foil and die cut.  I added some Pinkfresh Gold Metallic Pearls around the image.

 

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve posts to see the sweet 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: Pinkfresh Studio Amazing Things press plate, stencil and die set

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

Ink: Gold Hot Foil; Taylored Expressions Spearmint, Mint Julep, Cupcake, Bubblegum and Strawberry Milkshake 

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Frame in Frame Die Set; Pinkfresh Studio Diamond Lattice Plate, Gold Metallic Pearls

Career Day?

 

Today is the 15th and this is my card this month for our The Creative Crew!  We are a group of 6--Jeanette, Darlene, Lorraine, Terry, Tracie and me. Each month will be a new challenge posed by one of the members sending out a kit. For September,  Jeanette and I came together with the challenge.  Career Day! 

Since I am a retired teacher, I could have made a card for my previous career.  But, instead, I went with my current career--Card Maker!  I have a sweet stamp set from The Project Bin that explain exactly why I make cards!  The name of the set is called Keepsake and the words are perfect!  I went with Blue Corn ink for the sentiment.  I then went to my Taylored Expressions Palette Playbook to see what colors might go well with Blue Corn.  Passion Fruit and Poblano Pepper were two choices and I think the jewel-toned colors look so pretty!   I then cut image with a Taylored Expressions Rounded Rectangle Stacklet and added the Ridged Rounded Rectangle die for the slashes.  I backed it with some Blue Corn cut with the next largest die.  I added a strio of patterned paper from the Carta Bella libe called Craft & Create.  I added a few enamel dots on the backer layer.

I love my new career!

I hope all of The Creative Crew Gals enjoy my card this month.  Please be sure to stop in to see what fun cards are posted this month.  All of the blogs can be found on my left sidebar.   I am sure you will enjoy all of the cute cards.

For October, Lorraine is up for another challenge.  Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun is planned!

Image/Sentiment:  The Project Bin Keepsake

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut's Cougar Opaque 110# White; Taylored Expressions Blue Corn, Poblano Pepper, Passion Fruit; Carta Bella Craft & Create

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Blue Corn 

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Rounded Rectangle Stacklets, Ridged Rounded Rectangle Dies;  Enamel Dots

Trick or Treat

 

Today is the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.   These 2 cards are #85, 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 Halloween card or two.......  I picked a Carta Bella stencil called Haunted Bats.   I used a Glitter Glaze from Brutus Monroe called Raven. The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions called Mega Messages Trick or Treat.  I die cut the words from black glitter cardstock and the backer from Candy Corn. The card on the right has a black and orange layer behind the bats, while the one on the left is only orange, with both using a black card base.  I added some orange enamel dots around the sentiment.

I like these two sparkly cards 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 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 October!

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

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Black Glitter; Taylored Expressions Black Licorice, Candy Corn

Ink:  None

Accessories:  Carta Bella Haunted Bats Stencil; Brutus Monroe Raven Glitter Glaze; Orange Enamel Dots