Thursday, February 29, 2024

Catch-up Club for February

 


Happy Leap Day!  Today is the last day of February and I am posting a set 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 3+ 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 15th month of The Catch Up Club!

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 again from Sarah and The Paper Cut in Appleton, WIS!

These cards are from a Fun Time Thursday in January called Guy and Nature Cards.  Sarah is like most crafters and admitted she too struggles with masculine cards.  The images are from Rubbernecker, who is now Brass & Bliss.  I have two more cards to make from this class.  All of the beautiful cardstock is also from The Paper Cut.  

 


Sarah offers many different kinds of classes through the year and kits can be ordered from their website.  I have a few other virtual classes from The Paper Cut that need to be completed.  And, I have a Pinkfresh Studio and Pretty Pink Posh virtual event that was last weekend, so I have a few cards to finish.   I also have parts of other virtual events and classes from 2023 that need to be completed.   I am already way behind, so more Catch Up 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 today or tomorrow, but we have all promised to post cards that we have missed the making along the way!


Image/Sentiment:  Guy and Nature Cards from The Paper Cut's Fun Time Thursday.  Stamps and some dies are from Rubbernecker--Brass & Bliss

Cardstock:  All included in kit--all are available from The Paper Cut

Ink:  Taylored Expressions inks for brush blending

Accessories: 
 Copic Sketch Markers;  

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Snowy Cardinal

 


Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 86th month of de-stash, so we are starting our 8th year of challenges.  I cannot believe my thought about using what we have is now 8+ 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.

I posted our February challenge--February is National Bird Feeding month. Create a card with a bird--any bird. Yes, this is a repeat of 2022, but a fun theme!

I picked a Gina K Designs set called Snowbirds and it also has a set of coordinating dies. I stamped the cardinal and colored with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I then die cut the image.  I then die cut one of the sentiment from the set with a banner die from Gina K's Master Layouts 2.  The background is a Honey Bee Stamps embossing folder called Snowy pines.  I die cut the panel and backer with the same Master Layouts 2.  I then added some Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels around the image.

 


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


Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs Snowbirds Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up BAsic Black, Real Red

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Honey Bee Stamps Snowy Pines Embossing Folder; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 Dies; Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels; Copic Sketch Markers

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Enduring Beauty Bundle

 


Today I am showing off a card I made with a newer Stampin' Up bundle called Enduring Beauty.  The bundle includes a sweet stamp set, a die set and a set of 5 stencils, that the company calls masks.

I stamped the main image and then ink blended it by using 4 of the 5 stencils.  The inks I picked were Taylored Expressions Cupcake and Rose Water for the flowers and Peapod with Mint Julep for the leaves.  I did not use the 5th stencil as it used for the middle of the flowers if you just ink blend without stamping first. I die cut the floral image with the coordinating die. I then dies cut a white and black panel using Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2. I then used a Stampin' Up Embossing folder called Exposed Brick for texture on the white panel. I added a strip of black cardstock over the embossed panel and then placed the image using foam tape.   The sentiment is from a Simon Says Stamp sentiment package and I added some Taylored Expressions Drip Drops around the image.  
 


I hope you enjoyed my card and I know I will use this fun bundle for more cards in the future.  


Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Enduring Beauty Stamp, Stencil and Die Set/ Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Package

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

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Cupcake, Rose Water, Peapod, Mint Julep

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Exposed Brick Embossing Folder; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Black Rhinestones

Thursday, February 22, 2024

One (Two) Little Lattes!

 





Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 38th month, so we are in our 4th year!  WOW--4 years of making two cards with the same stamp from different companies each month!



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 picked is Unity! They make such a variety of images and other stamping items.  They have some very fun sets with sweet sentiments.  I went this month with a cute set called One Little Latte that has 3 perfect sentiments.  I think this mug is so dang cute!




For the first card, I stamped the image and colored with my Copic Sketch Markers. I fussy cut the image and die cut one of the sentiments with a Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Tag Die. The background is called Perfect Blend, heart of coffee beans!  I decided I needed a grounding layer and die cut a heart from Gina K Designs Master Layouts 4.  I tied the tag on the mug handle with some brown baker's twine.    I added some gold enamel dots around the heart. 





For this card, I stamped the image and again, colored with my Copic Sketch Markers. Fussy cutting the image again and die cut another of the sentiments with a Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Tag Die. This background is filled with birthday party hats. I die cut a circle from a piece of vellum from a CottageCutz Double Stitched Circle die.  Once again, I tied the tag on the mug handle with some pink baker's twine. I added some pink enamel dots around the circle. 




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'sDarlene’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 we are doing something different for our challenge.  We are using jsut a stencil or a stencil with a sentiment alone.  So be sure to check out our cards on March 22nd!  


Image/Sentiment:   Unity One Little Latte

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Basic Black, Melon Mambo; Gina K Designs Sandy Beach; Vellum; Perfect Blend and Birthday Party Hat Patterned Paper

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Tag Dies; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; CottageCutz Double Stitched Circle Dies; Copic Sketch Markers;  Baker's Twine; Enamel Dots

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Happy Easter

 


This is my card for a swap called the SIS--Surprise Image Swap.   This is card #13 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 Me!  I will swap the cards and include the new image for round #14 that Sharon stamped in each return envie. Then--we do it all again in April!  We have completed one round and now are on to another one!

I sent everyone this sweet image from Colorado Craft Company called Happy Easter. I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I die cut the image with the matching die that I have along with the Happy Easter sentiment from the same set.  I then picked two coordinating patterned papers and die cut them and the backer with Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2. I die cut some additional pieces of the image and sentiment to layer for added dimension. I added a bit of Wink of Stella Clear Pen on each of the bunnies tails!  For the final touch, three rhinestones in the corner!





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 SIS13 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!


Image/Sentiment:  Colorado Craft Company Happy Easter Stamp Set
 
Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   Gina K Designs Artist Choice White; Taylored Expressions Dill Pickle; Photo Play Paper Sunday Best and Egg Hunt Patterned Paper

 
Ink:   Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Wink of Stella-Clear; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Rainbow Rhinestones

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Nice One!

  



Today is the 15th and this is my card this month 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, Jeanette is the hostess and sent out a kit with this sweet birthday image from Penny Black called Nice One.  She also included some fun birthday patterned paper from The Paper Studio along with some colorful Stampin' Up gems for bling!

I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and then fussy cut the image.  I then attached the image to a circle I cut out of vellum and popped the circle up with foam tape.  The patterned paper I picked for the background was a sheet of candles!  I die cut the sentiment Jeanette included with an oval die and popped it up on the top of the card.   I added some of the yellow gems around the circle. This was a very fun card to make!





I hope all of The Creative Crew Gals enjoy my cards 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 snowy creations this month!   

We will be back in March with the image Carol will be sending out.   Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun we  have planned!


Image/Sentiment:  Penny Black Nice One Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Real Red, Early Espresso, Vellum; The Paper Studio All Seasons 3 Patterned Paper

Ink:  Hero Arts Intensified Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Gems; Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle Die; Oval Die

Monday, February 12, 2024

Lush Leaves with Gus & Gertie!

 


Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is number 56, so we are into year #5. 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 decided to pick Simon Hurley's Lunar Paste.  I went with a tropical theme so I used Later Gator and Triple Berry. The stencil is from Gina K Designs called Lush Leaves.  Wishing I was someplace lush and warm!

I used my foam domed applicators for the Lunar Paste over the stencil on the leaves.  I thought Gus and Gertie from Taylored Expressions would make a fun birthday card with the colorful background.  I colored the images with my Copic Sketch Markers and used the coordinating die. I cut a vellum circle with a Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle and placed Gus & Getie on the circle.  I used foam tape under the circle for a bit of dimension.  The sentiment is from a Taylored Expressions sentiment strip set.  No bling was needed as there is a lot of sparkled on the background.  





I really like the look of this 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 in March as we will all be back for another round!

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Gus & Gertie stamp and matching die set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green; The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Vellum

Ink:  Simon Hurley Lunar Paste--Later Gator and Triple Berry

Accessories:  Gina K Designs Lush Leaves Stencil; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle Die; 

Friday, February 9, 2024

My Love

 


Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round Kelly was the hostess and she sent us a sweet My Love image by Penny Black for this month's theme of Love!  So for February,  this is card #114 and we are into year number 10!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 10 plus years!  




I colored the sweet bear image with my Copic Sketch Markers.   I die cut the image with a die from MFT called Mod Stitched Rectangles. I stamped a Valentine sentiment from a Stampin' Up set called Good Greetings and die cut it with a Gina K Designs banner from Master Layouts 2 die set.  The background paper is from a fun pack from The Stamps of Life called Sweetheart Collections. I flagged a piece of Real Red cardstock for a banner on the side of the image. For the final touch, I added some clay hearts from Taylored Expressions around the image.  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!  I am up for our March challenge.   Please be sure to join us again. 


Image/Sentiment: Penny Black My Love; Stampin; Up Good Greetings Sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Real Red; Taylored Expressions Sugar Cub; The Stamps of Life Sweetheart Collection

Ink:  Altenew Crisp Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Gina K Designs Master Layout 2; Taylored Expressions Clay Hearts; Stampin' Up Mini Pennant Punch; MFT-My Favorite Things Mod Stitched Rectangle

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Black and White Pinkfresh

 


Today is the day I post my 2nd card for our One Plus Twelve challenge in 2024.  This is year number 6.   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 Thankful for Friends.  The set includes the stamp set, matching die, coordinating stencils and a hot foil plate!   I think this set is so pretty and I will have many options each month. 

For my card this month, I went with black and white. I stamped the image with black ink and I die cut it out.  I picked a Pinkfresh Studio cutting plate called Geo Tiles and layered it three times for the background on black cardstock.  I stamped one of the sentiments and used my Taylored Expressions Sentiment strip die.  I added some Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels and placed them within the tiles.
 



Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve cards to see the the cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for February!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.   Be sure to come back on March 3rd to see our next set of cards.  

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Thankful for Friends stamp set and matching die

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

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels; Taylored Expressions Sentiment Strip Die; Pinkfresh Studio Geo Tiles Plate