Honey Bee Catch Up

 

Today is the last day of April and I am posting a set of cards for our newer challenge--Catch-up Club!  A few of my SCS and stamping friends, Darlene, Jeanette and Terry along with myself, have signed up for a number of virtual stamping events in the past 2 1/2 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 procrastinators that we are, to post cards we missed making.  So--here we are in our 6th month of The Catch Up Club!

These three cards are a bit of a stretch for The Catch Up Club, but they are cards that have been sitting in a bin next to my desk for almost a month.  About 4 weeks ago, I hosted the No Foolin' Retreat and we all did a shoebox swap among all of the participants. I made a few extra kits, so I decided to empty the bin and make the last 3 kits.  

The kit used the Stampin' Up Honey Bee Home stamp set and the coordinating Honey Bee Bloom die set. The background is a Taylored Expressions Honeycomb embossing folder and the hexagons are Gina Marie Designs Stitched Hexagon dies. I did change up the sentiments from the original kit--these are from a Gina K Designs stamp set.  Copic Markers were used to color the images and some Spectrum Noir Sparkle was used on the wings of each of the bees.   Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Black Rhinestones were the final touch!  One more bin emptied!

 

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:  Stampin' Up Honey Bee Home Stamp Set and Honey Bee Bloom Die Set

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Crush Curry, Sahara Sand

Ink:  Hero Ats Intense Black; 

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Black Rhinestones, Honeybee Embossing Folder; Copic Sketch Markers; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Hexagon Dies; Spectrum Noir Sparkle Marker

Celebrating a Birthday!

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 76th month of de-stash, so we are in the middle of our 7th year of challenges.  I cannot believe my thought about using what we have is now 6+ 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.

Tracie posted our April challenge--It is my pre-birthday month so let's make a card with balloons!

I wanted to use a Pinkfresh Studio stamp set that also has a coordinating die set, stencil set and a sweet roll of washi tape called Celebrate!  I picked the washi and die cut the balloons.   I have additional pieces left over that I am storing in the package to use for a future card.  I also used a Pinkfresh cover plate called Hearts & Stars for the background panel.  I then added a sentiment from a PFS Foiled Sentiment pack, with the balloon bundle along with a single balloon.  I added a few gold pearls around the card.   I hope Tracie likes my birthday card with balloons!  

 

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

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Celebrate Stamp Set, with coordinating washi and die, plus Foiled Sentiments 

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White

Ink: None

Accessories:   Pinkfresh Studio Gold Pearls, Hearts & Stars Cover Die

Another Pinkfresh Studio Card

Today I am showing off another Pinkfresh Studio stamp set that also has a coordinating stencil set called Miss Your Smile!  This set is designed to work the best as a slim-line card, so that is what I made! I stamped the corner floral image with Hero Arts Intense Black ink.  I then brush blended the 4 stencils with my Pinkfresh Fresh ink cubes.  They are so fun to use and add so much detail to the image elements.  The sentiment is from a Simon Says Stamp Sentiment pack.   I added a few green enamel dots around the card. 

 

I hope you enjoyed my card and I am sure I will be posting more and more PFS cards soon.  

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Miss Your Smile Stamp set and stencils/Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes

Accessories:   Green Enamel Dots

Inky Bouquet by PFS

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 28th month, so we are now in year #3

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 April, the company we showcasing is Pinkfresh Studio.  They have so many awesome stamp sets--plus so many have coordinating dies, stencils and even some hot foil plates along with rolls of large washi tape!!!!!!  Pinkfresh Studio has been one of my favorite companies over the past year or so as I have participated in all of their virtual Create & Connect events.  I have also had the pleasure to meet two of their designers who also do live FB events every week, Lea and Heather,  in person at a retreat last fall!  They are both so sweet and talented.  

The stamp combo I picked for April is Inky Bouquet.  This set does include a matching 6 piece stencil set and a die for the image.  For the first card, I stamped the image with my Hero Arts Intense Black ink and colored it with my Copic Sketch Markers. I die cut the image with the matching die.  I then die cut a panel for the background three times with my Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard die.  The sentiment is also a PFS sentiment from one of their foiled sentiments packs.  I added some Pinkfresh gold pearls in some of the squares.   

For the second card, I stamped the image with the same black ink and then used the stencils for color. I used Pinkfresh ink cubes along with my blender brushes, including some of my new PFS mini brushes!   I also die cut the image with the coordinating die.  The background panel this time is a Pinkfresh Simply Diamonds cover plate.  The sentiment is again from a PFS Foiled Sentiment package along with the gold pearls.

Both cards look very different, but using the same stamp set--one colored with Copic Markers and the other with brush blended colors over the stencil.  I used a cover plate on both cards, along with a Pinkfresh Foiled sentiment and gold pearls.

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’s  and  Carol's blogs.   I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards.  

Next month the company we are using is Taylored Expressions--another favorite of all of us!  So be sure to check out our cards on May 22nd!  

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Inky Bouquet Stamp Set, plus stencil set and die/Foilled Sentiments

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Calypso Coral, Merry Merlot 

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Pinkfresh Studio Fresh Pear, Coral Reef, Ocean Breeze, Lemon Whip, Peach Fuzz

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Simply Diamonds Cover Plate, Gold Pearls; Copic Sketch Markers; Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard Cover Plate

Sips & Stories

 

This is my card for a swap called the SIS--Surprise Image Swap.   This is card #8  for our group.  It is 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 round was provided by Kathi.  She will swap the cards and include the new image for round #9 that Lori stamps in everyone's return envie. Then--we do it all again in June!

Kathi sent everyone this sweet image by Newton's Nook called Sips & Stories. She also included some of the coordinating sentiments!  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.   The background is embossed with a very old DArice folder called Paw Print.  I also just happened to place a recent Newton's Nook order after Jen, the owner and illustrator, came to the No Foolin' Retreat a few weeks ago for a make 'n take.  This sweet coordinating paper is from a 6x6 pack called Coffee House Stories!  It fits perfectly with the image.  I added a flag of Mint Macaron woven ribbon along with some gold gems from The Ton for the final touch!

If you check some of the other blogs listed on my sidebars, you may find some other swappers who have posted their creations.  The due date is today, the 18th, or they may post in the upcoming days. You can also check out SCS and use the keyword SIS08 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment:  Newton's Nook Sips & Stories
 
Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Mint Macaron, So Saffron, Early Espresso; Newton's Nook Coffee House Stories 6x6 patterned paper pack
 
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Darice Paw Print Embossing Folder; Stampin' Up 1/2" Mint Macaron Woven Ribbon; The Ton Gems

African Queen

 

Today is the 15th and this is my card for our The Creative Crew!  We are a group of 7 and all one team--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.  This month Carol sent us all a sweet kit.   Well, actually 4 of the 7 of us received the kit hand delivered by Carol at the end of last month at the No Foolin' Retreat that I hosted!

Did you know that April 8th is National Zoo Lover Day?  I did not and I think most of us had no clue.   Carol then used that theme to send us a fun image she loved as soon as she saw it.  She sent everyone this cute giraffe image called African Queen from Artful Stamper.  She die cut the some of the camel images for us to use and that is one that I picked!   The kit had some very sweet papers along with fun ribbons and some bling!  And, some eyelashes!  More on that in a bit!

I ink blended over the giraffe that was die cut with my Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs Distress Oxide Ink.  I used one of the sweet papers Carol included for the layers along with the giraffe patterned paper.  I found a perfect sentiment on an older wood block stamp in my animal bin. I stamped it in black and punched out the sentiment and backer with my circle punches.  The die cut leaves were included in the kit from Carol, so I layered behind the giraffe. I added some bling round the card.  This was fun card to make!

Oops--forgot about the eyelashes.  Yes, there were eyelashes in the kit:

And, Carol asked us to say what our favorite zoo animal is.   I have been to the National Zoo in Washington DC and have been able to see the pandas.   They are so cute!

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 wonderful creations this month!   

We will be back in May with the kit Tracie is sending us.  Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun she has planned!

Image/Sentiment: Artful Stamper African Queen/Sentiment is on a wood block but no company is listed.

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White;  Stampin' Up Early Espresso; African Safari Patterned Paper; Bazzill black and cream

Ink:   Black; Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Gathered Twigs

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Circle Punches; Die Cut Leaves; Gems

Hello

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.   This is card number 47, so we are coming to and end of year #4. 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 this month's messiness, I picked a bottle of Creative Expressions Opal Polish in Golden Glow.  Darlene is the one who got me hooked on these a couple of years ago.  I then picked out a fun embossing folder from Spellbinders called Circle Illusion.  I rubbed the polish all over the embossing folder and then added a piece of black cardstock.  I then ran it through my Big Shot and it pressed the color into the embossed cardstock.  I did it on both sides to see which embossing I liked best.   I die cut the panel after it dried with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2--my absolute favorite die to use for a card front panel. I added a black layer behind the embossed panel, cut with the same die set.  I then die cut my Taylored Expressions Framed Script Hello Die three times from black and placed it in the center of the panel.   The sentiment is from a Gina K Designs Sentiment strip.  I added some Trinity Stamps Midnight Ball embellishments around the card!

I really like the look of my card and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies like it 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 to on May 12th.  

Image/Sentiment: Expressions Framed Script Hello Die and Gina K Designs Sentiment Strip

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Basic Black, Crumb Cake

Ink:  None

Accessories:   Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Creative Expressions Opal Polish-Golden Glow; Trinity Stamps Midnight Ball Embellishments; Spellbinders Circle Illusion Embossing Folder

Pinkfresh Simplest Gestures

I am a few days late, but it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. We are ready to showcase the card we all created with the Simplest Gestures image and various sentiments from Pinkfresh Studio that I sent out for our April card, #104! 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 such a pretty image!  I sent Kelly and Jeanette a few images stamped on a quarter sheet as well as one that I die cut.  I also included a number of the sentiments that are also in the same stamp set.  I love that it comes with a coordinating die and so many sweet sentiments.

I colored the die cut image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I die cut the sentiment with a Gina K Designs sentiment strips die.   The background panel is from Stampin' Up and is the Stitched Greenery Die--I really like the subtle stitching!    I die cut the image one more time from white for some added dimension.  I also die cut it also from Gold Mirricard cardstock and offset it for a bit of a gold shadow.  The same gold cardstock was used behind the background panel and as a gold strip for the sentiment.  I then added some clear drips drops around the image and on the gold strip.   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 great cards!  Please be sure to check back a few days on their blogs as my card is late. Jeanette is am up for our May challenge--please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Simplest Gestures

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White,  Gold Mirricard; Stampin' Up Mint Macaron

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black  

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Gina K Design Sentiment Strip Dies; Stampin' Up Stitched Greenery Die; Clear Drip Drops

Crumb Cake Card

 

This is my 4th One Plus Twelve card for 2023--this is year number 5.   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 2023, I picked a Taylored Expressions stamp and die set called Graceful Ferns.  I think this set is so versatile and I picked the largest fern image to use each month.  There is a With Sympathy sentiment and coordinating die in the same set, so that is what I used this month.  

For my card this month, I went with a muted card.  I inked the image and sentiment with Gina K Designs Warm Glow and die cut each one. I used my Spellbinders Circle Illusion Embossing Folder for the background.  I used a slashed rectangle frame over the top and added some foam underneath for dimension.  I added some enamel dots for the final touch.

 

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve cards to see what they picked for their stamp of the year for this challenge in 2023.  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will enjoy checking out each of our cards using the same stamp for 2023. I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card and that you might too! Be sure to come back on May 3rd to see our cards for the next month!

Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Graceful Ferns Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up Basic Black, Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Ink:  Gina K Designs Warm Glow

Accessories:  Spellbinders Circle Illusion Embossing Folder; Slashed Frames Rectangle Die; Enamel Dots