Free as a Bird

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 62nd month of de-stash, so we are into our 6th year of challenges.  We are continuing in 2022 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.

I posted our February challenge-February is National Bird Feeding month. Create a card with a bird--any bird!

I picked an image and sentiment from a fun Stampin' Up set called Free as a Bird.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and added the sentiment. I die cut the panel with my favorite Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2. I layered on a black panel and then added some linen thread. A few blue enamel dots for the final touch.

 

And here is the inside of my 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, Jeanette is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Free as a Bird

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

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Blue Enamel Dots; Stampin' Up Linen Thread; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2

Little Ladybugs!

Today is a Sunday and the 2nd post for one of my new personal challenges for 2022-Stampin' Up Sundays!  At least once a month, I will be posting a card made with one of my many Stampin' Up Sets!   Yes, I waited until the last Sunday of the month for February again,  but I made it!

This month, I made a card using the fun Little Ladybug stamp and matching die set.  I thought it would be fun to use 3 of the sweet ladybugs and make a slimline card.  I have some triple window overlays from The Paper Cut, who also makes the slimline card bases, along with the layers.  I stamped the image and die cut three different ladybugs.  I die cut them out and then colored with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I stamped one of the fun sentiments and used two circle punches to cut it out along with a black layer.  I added a few red enamel dots as the final touch!

I hope you like my card and will check back in March when I post my next card in the series!

Image/Sentiment:  Stampin' Up Little Ladybug stamp and die set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White slimline card base, black slimline layer and red triple window slimline overlay

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:   Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Circle Punches; Red Enamel Dots

Hero Arts Double Duty

Here we are!  This is the 14th month, so we are into year #2.  This was a thought that I had in the middle of the night, similar to what Kelly has had in the past.  Plus, it is a bit of offshoot of our Stamp What Challenge! This one is called Double Duty! 

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 February, the company we are using is Hero Arts--a company  that has been around for a very long time and one that all of us have a few sets to chose from.  I picked a very cute stamp and die combo called Bunch of Balloons.   

For my first card-the black one, I embossed black cardstock with white embossing powder. I then die cut the image with the coordinating die. I then used my Karin Deco Brush Metallic Marker to color the balloons.  I will admit, it did not turn out the way I thought--looks a bit like a hot mess............  I added two layers behind the image for some dimension. The background patterned paper is from a pack of Party Brights from Our Memories for Life.  Some Stampin' Up rhinestones are the final touch.  

For my second card, the white one, I also embossed the image with white embossing powder.  I then used some Taylored Expressions inks along with my blending brushes to blend in rainbow colors.  I then die cut the image and layered it over a die cut panel that was embossed with my Stampin' Up Pinewood Planks embossing folder.  Again, I die cut addition images and placed them on top of each other.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set and was cut with 3 Stampin' Up punches.  Again, rhinestones were added for the final touch. 

I had a number of Double Duty elements on these cards. 

I hope you enjoyed my card for our group.  Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards.  Here is a link to  Jeanette's,  Darlene and Carol's blogs.    I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards.  Our friend Kelly might occasionally post a card for our challenge, but she could not commit to the entire year.  So, check her blog to see if she did play along this month!

Pinkfresh Studio is up for our our March challenge, so be sure to check out our cards on the 22nd!

Image/Sentiment:  Hero Arts Bunch of Balloons stamp and die set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Basic Black; The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Our Memories for Life Party Brights 

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Versamark; White Embossing Powder; Taylored Expressions Ink Cubes

Accessories:  Karin Deco Brush Metallic Markers; Stampin' Up Rhinestones

Surprise Image Swap Debuts

This is my card for a new swap called the SIS--Surprise Image Swap.   This is card number one and it is the same premise as before with the UIS or mystery image swap. The group will be a bi-monthly swap where we all use the same image, sent to us by the hostess.  The surprise part is that we are to not discuss the image at all until the day they are to be posted--the 18th of every other month.   The image for this first round was provided by me!  I will swap the cards and include the new image for round #2 that Sharon stamped in everyone's return envie. Then--we do it all again in April!

I sent everyone this pretty Gina K Designs and Simon Says Stamp Collaboration stamp set called Amazing Flowers.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and fussy cut the image.  I then die cut a Flirty Flamingo panel with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 and then embossed it with Stampin' Up's Basket Weave Embossing Folder. I backed the panel with Basic Black and the card base is Soft Seafoam.  The sentiment is from a Simon Says Sentiment package, also backed in black.  I added some pink enamel dots as the final touch.  

Here is the inside of my card:

If you check some of the other blogs listed on my sidebars, you may find some other swappers who have posted their creations--due date is today, the 18th--or they may post in the upcoming days. You can also check out SCS and use the keyword SIS01 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Gina K Designs and Simon Says Stamp Collaboration Amazing Flowers/Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips
 
Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White;  Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Soft Seafoam
 
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Stampin' Up Basket Weave Embossing Folder; Concord & 9th Enamel Dots

Shoebox Swap

Today I am showing you the card I made for a shoebox swap.  I was at a retreat last weekend that was set up by my demo Sarah and she calls it Galentines!  It was so much fun.  I attended back in 2019, but then could not attend in 2020 or 2021. I then lost my spot but I got a call a few weeks ago from Sarah that someone had to drop and asked if I wanted it.  YES!!!  It was 3 1/2 days of great fun and I was able to tackle many of the kits I had stacked from various companies.  And, we completed a dozen shoebox cards and every one was so different.  

My card uses the Stampin' Up Sailing Home stamp set along with the coordinating Smooth Sailing die set.   I stamped the sailboat and sentiment in Night of Navy and the anchor in Sahara Sand.  I then die cut each of the images with the coordinating dies.  I used the Seaside Embossing Folder to emboss the Balmy Blue layer under the images. The background paper is from the Come Sail Away Designer Series Paper Pack.  I added some linen thread to the anchor.

Here is the inside of my card, under the flap:

I really like this card as it is a fun masculine card.  I hope you too like it!

Image/Sentiment:  Stampin' Up Sailing Home Stamp Set and Smooth Sailing Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up Night of Navy; Balmy Blue, Come Sail Away Designer Series Paper

Ink: Stampin' Up Night of Navy; Sahara Sand

Accessories:   Stampin' Up Linen Thread

Library Lovers

Today is the 15th and that means the Dueling Darlings are back to post their fun cards!  This group was founded 10 years ago and there are a few of us that are the original members.  Kelly and Jeanette are still our team leaders and they try so hard to keep us all in line and going strong!  On team Kelly are Terry, Carol and me.  Team Jeanette consists of Lorraine, Darlene and Tracie.  And, we are all Dueling Darlings, part 2!  

Carol and Tracie sent out the February kits for our second challenge of 2022. The theme is Library Lovers!  Carol sent us some fun Dr. Seuss quotes she printed out along with few images.  She also included some sweet ephemera and  fun embellishments--all book and library related.   She also included some awesome  patterned papers, along with some cute ribbon and twine. There were so many things to pick from! 

I decided to pick one of the Dr. Seuss quotes that I love, along with one of the library cards that was printed on velum.  I picked a fun patterned paper of a dictionary page as the background.  I die cut the layer with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 and placed it on another piece of the patterned paper that Carol sent--the solid back side!    I thought the glasses were so dang cute!  I then added two of the Tim Holtz Quote Chips about travels--matching the Dr. Seuss quote!   I think they are the perfect touch for this card! This was fun card to make!

Here is the inside of my card, on a layer of another fun patterned paper, along with a post card!

I hope all of the Dueling Darlings enjoy my card this month. Please be sure to stop in to see what fun library creations are posted!  All of the blogs can be found on my left sidebar.  Our teammate Lorraine does not have a blogs, so please check out her card in her SCS gallery.   I am sure you will enjoy all of the wonderful creations this month!   Lorraine and I are up for March, so be sure to check back on the 15th to see all of our creations.

Image/Sentiment:  Dr. Seuss quote that Carol printed for us

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up Basic Black;  Tim Holtz Patterned Papers; 

Ink:  None

Accessories:  Black Glasses; Tim Holtz Quote Chips; Library Card; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; 

Hot Mess = Just Because

Today is the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.  This is card number 33 and we are well 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 a few backgrounds with my Tim Holtz alcohol inks.  I do love them and they are very messy!  I used three colors of purple on a piece of Yupo.  I also added Tim Holtz blending solution along with my hand blower.  I die cut the panel with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 and layered in on black.  The sentiment is a die cut and backer from Simon Says Stamp--I love words when they also come with a backer!  I added some black enamel dots as the final touch.   I really like the look of this card and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies liked it too!  I am sure I will be using the additional three panels I made too!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of washi tape:

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!   Be sure to check back to see what we are up to on March 12th.  

Image/Sentiment:  Simon Says Stamp Just Because Die

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Basic Black, Gorgeous Grape; Yupo

Ink:  Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks--shades of purple

Accessories:  Black Enamel Dots; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2

Dies to the Front

This is my February 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 68th month and the theme for February  "Dies to the Front--use a die as the focal point of your card" 

I picked a fun die from Memory Box called Gilia Flower Frame.  I thought and black and white theme would be fun, so the other layers of dies are from only those two colors.  I also used Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 for another frame as that is one of my favorite and most used die sets! I have been needing some cards to send to people who are injured and a get well sentiment does not work.  So I picked a very old Sparkle N' Sprinkle stamp called In The Shop and used a Stampin' Up Label Punch to cut it out.  I added some black shiny enamel dots, though they are bit hard to see on the black cardstock.  I think this is a fun card and will make a good card to send to someone who is recovering.

I hope Terry and the others swappers like my card this month too! Terry has posted all of the 2022 themes, so be sure to come back to see what we create!  

Image/Sentiment: Sparkle N' Sprinkle In The Shop

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

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Memory Box Gilia Flower Frame Die; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 die; Black Enamel Dots

Wood You!

It is time for another The Three Musketeers post. We are ready to showcase the card we all created with the cute images from the Avery Elle stamp set called Wood You I sent out for February card #90! That means we are in the middle of year number 7 with this fun challenge!  All three of us sure have enjoyed the challenges every month and we hope that it continues for a long time! 

I colored the cute woodchuck, tree stump and small hearts with my Copic Sketch Markers.  The background paper is from a 6x6 The Stamps of Life patterned paper pack called Sweetheart Creations. I thought a cute heart doily would be pretty behind the images. I used a banner punch for the sentiment and black layer.  I added three small hearts from the same stamp set on the doily.  I think this is such a sweet Valentine card--or one for any time of the year!   I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!

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

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!   Jeanette is up for our March challenge.  Please be sure to join us again.  

Image/Sentiment:   Avery Elle Wood You

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Real Red; The Stamps of Life Sweetheart Collection 6x6 paper pack

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Markers; White Heart Doily; Stampin' Up Banner Punch

Ducks in a Row!

This is my February 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 #7. 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. 

I am the hostess this month and gave everyone this challenge:

Scripture:  Jude 1:2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Challenge: Pease make a friendship card with three sets of three items-Examples 3 hearts, 3 animals in an image, 3 colors, 3 enamel dots, 3 layers, 3 patterned papers, etc.

I love Whipper Snapper Design images and I am so ready for spring.  Yes, I know it is still the first week in February, but I can dream of spring and sweet little baby ducks, splashing in the puddles!  I picked an image called Ducks in a Row.   I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.   The background paper and the 3 banners are from a sweet series called Hello Spring from Echo Park Paper. There are three layers of springy colors behind the patterned paper.   The final touch are 3 yellow enamel dots.   I really love the colors and like the look of this card! Bring On Spring!  And Puddles!

Here is the inside of my 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 Ducks in a Row

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up So Saffron, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz; Echo Park Paper Hello Soring--Happy Spring and Spring Showers Patterned Paper 

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Yellow Enamel Dots; Stampin' Up Banner Punch