Sweet Spring

 

Today is the last day of April 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 the April LST--Let's Stamp Together, a virtual event by Scrapbook & Cards Today.  This is a bi-monthly subscription where we receive a kit from various companies and create the cards during an evening class that month.  I made these cards a few days later by watching the replay.  

 

These cards were made with a stamp set, matching dies and coordinating stencil called Sweet Spring.  I love the cute images that reminds me of springtime--bees, flowers, rain boot, birds and of course rainbows.  

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:  Scrapbook & Cards Let's Stamp Together--Taylored Expressions Sweet Spring Kit

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

Ink:  Taylored Expressions inks 

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Circle Dies and Scallop Frame

Use that DSP

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 88th month of de-stash, so we are into 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.

Sharon posted our April challenge--Use ignored DSP-Patterned Paper--for a card.

I have a box with quite a few 6x6 paper packs, so decided to randomly grab a paper pack to use.  I rarely use the packs, so this was a perfect challenge.  The pack is from Lawn Fawn and is called Watercolor Rainbow.  I picked three colors of purple for the layers.  I die cut the words "Happy Birthday" from a Taylored Expressions Bold Birthday and Backer set.  I added a vellum circle behind the words, which I layered three times.  I then added some Lavender Jewels from Pinkfresh Studio around the words.

 

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

Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Bold Birthday and Backer Die Set

Cardstock:  Lawn Fawn Watercolors Rainbow 6x6 patterned paper pack; Stampin' Up Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia, Gorgeous Grape, Vellum

Ink:  None

Accessories: Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle Die; Pinkfresh Studio Lavender Jewels; 

Feather Lilies

 

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 40th 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 April, the company is Altenew.   This company has such stunning florals and of course, that is what I picked!  The set is called Feathered Lilies and includes a stamp set, matching die, coordinating stencils and an embossing folder.  For my cards, I used a combination of all 4 of the items!

For the first card, I stamped the large lily image with black ink  I then used my blender brushes and Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes with the set of 3 stencils for pink lilies! I then die cut the image and layered on an embossed background where I used my favorite Stampin' Up folder called Subtle.  The sentiment is from the same set and I die cut with a Gina K Designs Master Layouts banner die.  I added a few Trinity Pearls around the colorful image.

For this card, I also stamped the image and ink blended with PFS cubes again, this time for yellow lilies.  I then ran it through the embossing folder, though you really cannot see the embossing.   I think I should have done the embossing on a piece of cardstock first, then ink blended with the stencil over the image, without stamping.  This image was layered directly on the card base, which I embossed the panel with a Stampin' Up folder called Exposed Brick. I also die cut one of the sentiments with a Taylored Expressions die.  A few yellow Pinkfresh jewels a placed around the image.

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 we will highlight Newton's Nook, a Wisconsin Stamp Company.  So be sure to check out our cards on May 22nd!  

Image/Sentiment:  Altenew Stamp Company Feather Lilies Stamp Set, Stencil Set, Embossing Folder and Die

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

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes for blending

Accessories: Stampin' Up Subtle and Exposed Brick Embossing Folders; Trinity Pink Pearls; Pinkfresh Studio Yellow Jewels

Enduring Beauty

 

This is my card for a swap called the SIS--Surprise Image Swap.   This is card #14 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 Sharon!  She will swap the cards and include the new image for round #15 that Darlene will have stamped in each return envie. Then--we do it all again in June!  We have completed one round and now in toanother one!

Sharon sent everyone this pretty floral image from Stampin' Up called Enduring Beauty.  I also happen to have the bundle, that includes the stamp set, coordinating dies and a set of 5 stencils that they call masks.  So--I was able to use Sharon's image with my die and stencils.

I 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 and added foam tape.  I then die cut a rectangle panel from the Perennial Postage die set and then used an Altenew Embossing folder called Crystal Wall for texture.  The patterned paper is from a Stampin' Up 6x6 pack called Silver and Gold.  I added an additional layer of gold metallic from The Paper Cut behind the paper as well as a strip on top of the rectangle.  The sentiment is from a Pink Fresh Studio Foiled Sentiment package and I added some Stampin' Up gold sequins around the image.  

 

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 SIS14 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Enduring Beauty Stamp, Stencil and Die Set/Pinkfresh Studio Foiled Sentiment Package

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Metallic Gold; Stampin' Up, Silver & Gold 6x6 Patterned Paper Pack

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

Accessories:  Altenew Crystal Wall Embossing Folder; Stampin' Up Perennial Postage Dies, Gold Sequins

It's Party Time

 

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, Terry is the hostess and she hand delivered the kit with this sweet image from Simon Says Stamp at the retreat last weekend.  She also included some fun patterned paper from Stampin' Up.  The theme is It's Party Time and I am sure all members of the Crew like to Party!

Terry included some images that she die cut along with some on full panels.  Of course, I went with a die cut one.  I colored the cute image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I really liked the fun patterned paper, so I picked one a the background and another as a strip with Pool Party Ribbon over the top.  The sentiment was included in the kit and is from the same set.  I die cut it with Pinkfresh Studio Fancy Label Frames and also added a Pool Party backer.  I added some bling from a Gina K Designs Pearl Mix. 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 May with the image Tracie will be sending out. Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun we  have planned!

Image/Sentiment:  Simon Says Stamp Festive Balloons

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Petal Pink; Pattern Party Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Pinkfresh Studio Fancy Label Frames; Stampin' Up Shimmer Pool Party Ribbon; Gina K Designs Pearl Mix

Getting Messy

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is number 58, 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. The base is Yupo and I was inspired by a make 'n take we did over weekend at a retreat.  Sarah from The Paper Cut in Appleton stopped in at  Gather House and we did two cards, one with Yupo, alcohol ink and a cover die.  I used shades of pink alcohol inks along with Silver Mixative plus Blending Solution and moved the inks around with my blower.  I then picked a cover plate die from Gina Marie Designs called Petal Flowers Background.  Since there is silver in the background, I decided to use Silver Glitter cardstock on one and Silver Mirricard on the other--both from The Paper Cut.  I layered the die cut panel right over the alcohol ink background.  The Hello die is from Gina K Designs and the Happy Birthday is from Taylored Expressions.  Both of the backers for the dies were cut from vellum.  I added some silver dots around each of the panels.

I really like the look of both of these cards and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies like them 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 May as we will all be back for another round!

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Hello die; Taylored Expressions Happy Birthday Die

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Yupo; The Paper Cut Silver Mirricard, Silver Mirri-Sparkle; Cougar Opaque White for card base

Ink:  Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks--Roewood, Gumball, Fiesta; Silver Mixatives, Blending Solution

Accessories:  Silver bling; Gina Marie Designs Petal Flower Background Die

Peaceful Florals

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, Jeanette is the hostess and sent us pretty floral image from Gina K Designs called Peaceful Florals.  She also included a sentiment, but I picked my own for this as I always need birthday cards.  So for April, this is card #116 and we are into year number 10!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 10 plus years!  

I colored the cute image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I then die cut the panel with a Gina Marie Stitched Rectangle die.   I also die cut a Flirty Flamingo Panel with a larger stitched die from the same set.  I then embossed the pink panel with Stampin' Up folder called Pinewood Planks.  I backed both panels with Basic Black and used a White cardbase.  I added some pink bakers twine around the image panel.  I used some Pink Pearls for the final touch!  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!  Kelly will be up for our May challenge.   Please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Peaceful Florals; Taylored Expressions Sentiment Strip

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Accent Opaque 120# White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Flirty Flamingo

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Rectangle Dies; Pink Baker's Twine; Pink Pearls; Stampin' Up Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder

Cheers

 

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 copper 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.  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 copper.  I picked a Pinkfresh gold foiled sentiment from one of the many sentiment packs I have.  I added some Pinkfresh Butterscotch Glitter Dots 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 April!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.   Be sure to come back on May 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, Copper Mirricard Metallic; Hammermill White for foiled image

Ink: Spellbinders Copper Foil; Taylored Expressions Plum Punch, Jelly Donut, Cilantro, Granny Smith Inks

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Butterscotch Glitter Dots, Notched Corner Frame Dies, Stitched Octagon Die