Sunday, March 31, 2024

Stamp Joy Catch-Up

 




First--I want to wish you a very Happy Easter.  He is Risen Indeed!

Today is the last day of March 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 from Stamp Joy, a virtual event by Taylored Expressions.  This was a two day event that was held earlier this month when we were in Colorado.  

The first two pictures below are from Friday's class, which was an add on. The top one was called Stretch your Scraps.  We made the cards using strips of cardstock to form many different patterns.  The second picture was the afternoon class called Thrilling 3D.  We used two new embossing folders in unique ways!




 
The next photo shows the cards I made from Saturdays class.  I did skip one class in which 4 cards were made with a floral background we stamped.  I did not like my background, so I will use the pieces for another set of cards.   The toffee slimline on the top left was designed to be a calendar, but I made a card instead.




Taylored Expressions really knows how to do events--virtual and in person.  Love the classes and the teachers too!  And, my friend Jeanette also won an awesome door prize during the event.  Next time I hope it is me!  

I still have more events waiting in their zippered pouches for me! I am still 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: Taylored Expressions Virtual Stamp Joy Event

Cardstock:  All included in kit--all are available from Taylored Expressions

Ink:  Taylored Expressions inks 

Accessories: 
 All included in the kit

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Easter Cards

 


Today is the day I am posting my cards for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 87th 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.

Lisa posted our March challenge--Create anything you would like with an Easter theme.

I make cards every year for our Human Concerns committee from church when we sent gift cards to members of our sister church in Milwaukee.  This year we sent to 23 families and my stash of Easter cards is now low for 2025.  So, I decided to do a mass production of 8 cards using my new Gina K Designs die set called Elegant Cross.  I also recently bought the Taylored Expressions Joyful Joyful stamp, die and Foil It panels so I used those for the sentiments.  I die cut the cross and backer from gold and white shimmery cardstock from The Paper Cut.  I then used some of my new gold foil from Taylored Expressions and foiled the panels from the Joyful Joyful set and then die cut each of the sentiments.  The background paper is some fun and colorful pastel colors from Stampin' Up as are the enamel dots I added around the cross.

I now have a start on the cards I need for next Easter!

 




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 CYSMAR.  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 cards 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 April, Sharon is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!


Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Joyful Joyful Foil It Panels and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, White Lady and Antique Gold Shimmer Cardstock; Stampin' Up Pastel colors and patterned paper

Ink:  None, but Gold Taylored Expression Foil

Accessories:   Gina K Designs Elegant Cross Dies; Stampin' Up Enamel Dots

Friday, March 22, 2024

Double Duty Stencil








 

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 39th 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 March, we changed it up a bit. We decided to use a stencil from any company and then add only a sentiment to the card. I picked a stencil from Impression Obsession called Snowfall.  I also used a Simon Hurley paste by Ranger on both cards!




For the first card, I used three colors of Simon Hurley's Solar Paste.  I picked Later Gator, Midnight Snack plus Crown Me and added the colors on an angle across the white cardstock.  I realized later that I layered the panel upside down as the "lesser snowflakes" should be at the top.   I then picked a Simon Says Stamp Die Set called Chunky Thank you and die cut the words from Erin Lee Creative Rainbow Metallic cardstock.  I used the coordinating backer die to cut a piece of velum to go behind the words for more dimension.  I added a few Stampin' Up gems around the words.  




For this card, the background is the same stencil and I picked Solar Paste in Royal Flush on Misty Moonlight cardstock.  There really is lots of shine when you tip the card.  The words are from a Erin Lee Creative die set called Oh Happy Day and I used Opal Mirricard from The Paper Cut, layered twice.  I used the same bling from Stampin' Up, but this time in the blue/green color.  




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 back to our original challenge and will highlight Altenew Stamp Company.  So be sure to check out our cards on April 22nd!  


Image/Sentiment:  Erin Lee Creative Oh Happy Day Die; Simon Says Stamp Chunky Thankful Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Opal Mirricard; Eric Lee Creative Rainbow Metallic Cardstock; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Misty Moonlight, Night of Navy, Velum

Ink: None

Accessories: Stampin' Up Gems; Ranger/Simon Hurley Solar Paste--Later Gator, Midnight Snack, Crown Me, Royal Flush; Impression Obsession Snowfall Stencil

Friday, March 15, 2024

National Poultry Day!

 


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, Carol is the hostess and sent out a kit with this cute image from Stampin' Up set called Rustic Rooster.  She also included some fun patterned paper from The Paper Studio.  The theme is National Poultry Day as that is next week on the 19th. Did you know there was such a day?  I did not, nor did Carol and I am guessing, most of our Crew did not either!

I decided I wanted a white rooster, so I did not color the image at all! I die cut the image and the frame with my Circle Nestabilities. I wanted to highlight some of the sweet, rustic papers Carol sent, so I picked a layout from Gina K that I have used before to showcase three of them! I backed each piece in the same Smokey Slate. The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set that I have called Hey Chuck and was die cut with Taylored Expressions Modern Sentiment Labels.  I did not add any bling as I am sure it will be sent to a guy! 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 April with the image Terry will be sending out.   Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun we  have planned!


Image/Sentiment:  Stampin' Up Rustic Rooster/Hey Chuck for the sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Smokey Slate; The Paper Studio Country Road Patterned Paper

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle Dies; Taylored Expressions Modern Sentiment Labels

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Thank You

 


Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.  I am late today as I usually have my cards ready to post early in the morning.  However, this one was actually made today!   This card is number 57, so we are into year #6. 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 Tim Holtz alcohol inks.  Full Disclosure............  This panel was in my basket of UFO's--Unfinished Objects.  I have extra panels I have made in the past long with die cuts, sentiment, etc.  So, Yes I did cheat just a bit................. 

This panel is a piece of black Mirricard from the Paper Cut.  I used shades of teal and purple alcohol inks and moved the inks around with my blower.  I layered the colorful panel on silver Mirri-Sparkle, also from The Paper Cut.  I added a strip of the same silver on the bottom as a base for a black sentiment from Taylored Expressions.  The Thank You die is from Gina Marie Designs and is layered three times.  I added some Stampin' Up bling around the die cut.






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 April as we will all be back for another round!

Image/Sentiment:  Gina Marie Designs Thank You die; Taylored Expressions sentiment strip

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up Basic Black; The Paper Cut Black Mirricard, Silver Mirri-sparkle

Ink:  Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Silver bling

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Taylored Expressions Lily

 


Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, I was the hostess and sent out a pretty Big Blooms-Lily from Taylored Expressions!  I sent a couple images that I die cut with the coordinating die and a few on quarter sheets.    So for March, this is card #115 and we are into year number 10!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 10 plus years!  




I picked one of the die cut images and colored it with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I added two layers under the image for some dimension and strength. I picked a yellow gingham patterned paper from Echo Park paper for the background.  I added a strip of white cardstock on the side, where I stamped a Happy Easter sentiment from a Sweet 'N Sassy set called He Lives.  For the final touch, I added some Pinkfresh Studio clear gems with gold dust 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!  Jeanette will be up for our April challenge.   Please be sure to join us again. 


Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Big Blooms-Lily stamp and matching die; Sweet 'N Sassy He Lives Sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Daffodil Delight; Echo Park Paper Easter Wishes Patterned Paper

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Pinkfresh Studio Clear Gems with Gold Dust

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Today is Special

 


Today is the day I post my 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 first hot foiled the image in gold foil. I then used the 4 piece stencil and Taylored Expressions inks to ink blend the image in greens and purples.  I then die cut the floral cluster with the matching die and also backed it with two more layers.  I picked a Pinkfresh Studio plate called Stitched Octagons for the background.  I also picked the Pinkfresh Notched Corner Frames die set to make the frame from metallic gold.  I layered the frame three times for more dimension.  I picked a Pinkfresh gold foiled sentiment from one of the many sentiment packs I have.  I added some Pinkfresh Clear Gems with Gold Dust and placed them around the image.
 



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

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Thankful for Friends foil plate, 4-piece stencil and matching die; Gold Foiled Sentiment from Pinkfresh also

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Gold Mirricard Metallic; Hammermill White for foiled image

Ink: Spellbinders Gold Foil; Taylored Expressions Lavender Glaze, Dried Fig, Kiwi, Peapod 

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Clear Gems with Gold Dust, Notched Corner Frame Dies, Stitched Octagon Die