Gus & Gertie

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 67th month of de-stash, so we are in the middle our 6th year of challenges. 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.

Maggie posted our JuLy challenge--Use Red, White and Blue on your card.

I love this color combo and decided to go with Gus & Gertie from Taylored Expressions. I think this is such a cute stamp set and I really like that the set comes with matching dies.   I colored the images with my Copic Sketch Markers and made sure the balloons were red and blue.  The background papers are from Our Memories for Life called Red, White and Beautiful. The sentiment is from the same set.    I then added a strip of red rhinestones for a bit of bling!

 

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

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 CYSJUL.  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 August, Sharon is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Gus & Gertie Stamps and Die

Cardstock: The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Real Red, Night of Navy; Our Memories For Life--Red, White and Beautiful Patterned Paper Pack

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Red Rhinestones

Unity is Double Duty

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 17th month, so we are into year #2.  This was a thought that I had in the middle of the night and it 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 July, the company we are using is Unity. I have quite a few of these beautiful stamp sets and decided to go with a Graciellie design called Simplicity!

For both cards, I went to my stash of backgrounds to see if there were two that I could use.  The blue card uses a background I made a bit ago using a leaf embossing folder that I inked the inside before running it though my Big Shot.  I added the vertical lines with my Scor-Buddy for additional texture.  The green and gold one uses a background from the Taylored Expressions Done For You Alcohol Ink Series 1.  I fussy cut the leaf image for both cards and added a twine bow at the bottom.  I stamped the coordinating sentiment from the same stamp set with the same color ink as I did the leaf.  I die cut the sentiment with a Stampin' Up die from the Tasteful Labels set.    I added some Gina K rhinestones to the green card and some Trinity Stamps Iridescent Gems to the blue card.

I had a number of Double Duty elements on these cards. I used a background from my stash.  I fussy cut both images and used the same die to cut the sentiment.  Gems were the final touch on both!

I hope you enjoyed my cards 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!

Penny Black Stamps is up for our our August challenge, so be sure to check out our cards on the 22nd!

Image/Sentiment:  Unity Graciellie Simplicity Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Mint Macaron, Pacific Point; The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Taylored Expressions Done For You Alcohol Ink Series 1

Ink:  Stampin' Up Mint Macaron, Pacific Point;

Accessories:   Embossing Folder; Stampin' Up Tasteful Labels Die; White and Green/White Twine; Gina K Rhinestones; Trinity Stamps Iridescent Embellishments; 

The Strength Behind Santa!

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!  

This month our kits are come from Carol and Tracie.  The theme is Mrs. Claus and is the strength behind Santa.  As we all know behind every really successful person there is a person of with strength working in the background. I personally think Mrs. Claus gets lost in the crowd every year but I bet she is right behind Santa urging him on to be the best person he can be. When Christmas arrives you hear alot about the elves, the angels, the reindeer and of course Santa but not too much about Mrs Santa. I am sure she is busy baking cookies, supervising the packing of the sleigh and of course making sure Santa has everything he needs as he gets ready to deliver all the goodies on Christmas Eve. So we are honoring Mrs. Santa this month, In addition to your kit creation we would like you to share your favorite Christmas treat recipe . Carol is one my "side" so she sent us this sweet CC Designs image called Mrs. Claus along with many fun sentiments.   She also included some very pretty Christmas patterned papers and a bunch of fun embellishments.  

I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I then die-cut image and the Real Red layer with my Stampin' Up Stitched Rectangles. I used the same die set to cut one of the sentiments.  The pretty red striped  paper background is from The Paper Studio.  I added one of the ribbons that Carol sent--red velvet and added a cute present to the ribbon.  This was fun card to make!

Now, the treat recipe. I do not have one---sorry.  I am not much of a baker and do not make any Christmas cookies.  Sad--but two of our best friends love to bake and give us a wonderful box of their awesome cookies every year.  Sadly, they are moving to Colorado next month.  So--do you think that the cookies will survive in the mail....................  Hoping Penny and Kathi give it a try!  My favorites--Peanut Butter Blossoms and Almond Crescent Cookies!

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope all of the Dueling Darlings enjoy my card this month and showcasing Mrs. Claus--the strength behind Santa!  Please be sure to stop in to see what fun Christmas cards are posted and to see if others have posted their sweet treat recipes.   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!   August has Lorraine and me up as hostesses, so be sure to check back on the 15th to see all of our creations.

Image/Sentiment:  CC Designs Mrs. Claus

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   White;  Stampin' Up Real Red, Basic Black; The Paper Studio Christmas Patterned Papers

Ink:   Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Stitched Rectangle Dies; Red Rhinestones; Red Velvet Ribbon

Sending Paper Hugs

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.  This is card number 38, so we are at the start of year #4. 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 used Ken Oliver Crafts Color Burst. The colors I picked are Violet, Ultramarine Blue and Pthalo Green.  These are some fun colors to use with Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock.  I spritzed the cardstock, added the color and then spritzed again.  I then picked up the panel to move the color.  I die cut the panel with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 and added the Granny Apple Green layer from the same die set.  The texture and color is so cool in real life!  I then die cut the Simon Says Stamp Paper Hugs Die three times in the same green. Green enamel dots are the final touch!  

I think the panel looks a bit like Northern Lights. It is on our bucket list to be in Alaska during the time they are most prevalent.  Wishing............

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the colorful paper that I cut off:

I really like the look of this card and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies liked it too!  

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 August 12th.  

Image/Sentiment:  Simon Says Stamp Paper Hugs Die

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock; Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape

Ink:  Ken Oliver Crafts Color Burst Violet, Ultramarine Blue and Pthalo Green.

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

Different but best of Friends!

It is time for another The Three Musketeers post. We are ready to showcase the card we all created with the fun image from Woodware Craft Collection called Gnome Friends that Kelly sent out for our July card, #95! 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 think this is the sweetest image.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I think these guys--or gals!, are so cute!!!  Three of them, just like the 3 of us making up the Three Musketeers!  I added the perfect sentiment and the background patterned paper reminds me of Kelly, living in Miami with the ocean by her!    I added some orange bakers twine along with the orange enamel dots for the final touch!   I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the colorful 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!   I am up for our August challenge, so I had better start thinking of what to send.........  Please be sure to join us again.  

Image/Sentiment:  Woodware Craft Collection Gnome Friends

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Recollections 110# White; Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy, Tangerine Tango; Bella Blvd Secrets of the Sea-Seashore Patterned Paper

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Orange Enamel Dots; Orange Bakers Twine

Patriotic Flowers

 

This is my July 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. 

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

Scripture:  Ecclesiastes 3:11a He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Challenge: In this month of July, create a card that shows something that is beautiful in/about the summer months. The second part of the verse says "He has put eternity into man's heart" so it would be wonderful if you would also include a heart on your card.

I really like this Whipper Snapper Designs image and use it often for 4th of July cards.  It also showcases pretty flowers that bloom in the summer!    I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut the image, plus the the navy layer, with my Cottagecutz Single Stitched Ovals  The background panel is embossed with the Taylored Expressions Fireworks folder.   I used my Stampin' Up mini banner punch to make some red, white and blue flags.  I also added some red enamel dots as the final touch!

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

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 Patriotic Flowers

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up Real Red, Night of Navy

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Mini Banner Punch; Copic Sketch Markers; Red Enamel Dots; Cottagecutz Single Stitched Ovals; Taylored Expressions Fireworks Embossing Folder

Striped Background

This is my One Plus Twelve card for July! We are to use just one stamp, to make a card every month and post on the 3rd of each month.  For 2022, I picked newer Stampin' Up set called Nature's Harvest.  I think this set is so pretty and I picked the largest coneflower or sunflower image to use each month.  There is also a coordinating die set called Harvest so I can use that some months too.

For my card this month, I went back to a purple coneflower and added a striped panel of green and purple!  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and then die cut the flower with the coordinating die.  I used my Simon Says Stamp Strip dies to cut the strips for the striped panel. The white background panel is embossed with my Stampin' Up Tin Tile Embossing folder.  I added some clear drops and the card is complete! 

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

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 each of our stamps for 2022 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: Stampin' Up Nature's Harvest Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock: The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque; Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Tin Tile Embossing Folder; Simon Says Stamp Strip Die; Clear Drops