The Patriotic A2

 

Today is the last day of June 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 Jennifer at Stamplistic, called The Patriotic A2.

These cards are from class from a Crafters Classroom on June 8th.  It is a Saturday FB event that showcases maybe 8-10 companies once a month. I have participated with The Paper Cut classes, but this is the first time I have bought a kit from another company. This was a fun class that used just a 6x6 paper pack to make the cards--not one bit of stamping!  The Echo Park Paper Pack is called Stars and Stripes Forever.  It includes 8 pages of what Jennifer called "cut aparts" Those are the sentiments in the middle of each of the cards.  

I decided to order this kit as I have a family and friends 4th of July picnic at our house every year on the Sunday closest to the holiday.  July 4th was my dad's birthday and we always had a picnic/party at the farm.  I have been hosting for over 25 years and we usually have around 30 adults and kids come. I send handmade cards each year with the invitation inside and I used all I had for this year.  So--now I have a stash for 2025.  All of the cards are flat, other than a bit of bling, so they are easy to mail!  The cardbase and bling was included in the kit.  I added a layer of cardstock behind the sentiment and the patterned paper.

 

I enjoyed the simplicity of these cards and I also ordered the kit for July, which are Christmas cards, using a holiday 6x6 paper pack.  Maybe I will watch live--but I doubt it!   I have a few other virtual classes from Sarah and The Paper Cut that need to be completed. And,  I also have parts of other virtual events and classes from 2023 and earlier this year 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:  None!

Cardstock:   Card bases and patterned paper included in kit using Echo Park Paper Stars and Stripes Forever 6x6 Paper Pack; Stampin' Up Real Red, Night of Navy

Ink:  None

Accessories:  Silver Bling Included 

Bugs!

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 90th 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.

Jeanette posted our June challenge--Bugs!  Make a card with bugs on it or something that bugs you!

I picked a Unity stamp set called Let Your Wishes Fly. I love the dragonfly image!  I then found a metallic background panel in my basket of leftovers that is kind of brassy and is on a dark cardstock. I die cut the panel with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 and backed the panel with gray.   I used Hero Arts Brass Embossing Powder and heat embossed the image. I die cut the image with a CottageCutz Single Stitched Oval die.  I also embossed one of the sentiments, but I did not use it as it was too large and did not look good on the card front.  I added some brass dots around the image.   I now have a blank card to use for any occasion in my stash!

 

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

Image/Sentiment:  Unity Let Your Wishes Fly Stamp Set

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

Ink:  Versamark; Hero Arts Brass Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Brass Dots; CottageCutz Single Stitched Oval Die; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2

Time to Bloom Double Duty

 

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 42nd 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 June, the company is Taylored Expressions.  This is a favorite company of mine and I have attended Stamp Joy in person and virtual for the past 4 years!   This company has the best images and Taylored is the sweetest person!   The set I picked this month is from the Combo Club and is called Time to Bloom. The set is a 6x6 pop out stamp and coordinating stencil.   I also bought the matching die.  For my cards, I used the stamp and stencil on both cards and then die cut the wine colored one.

For both cards, I used Taylored Expressions inks with the 4-piece stencil set.  For the this purple card, I die cut the stenciled panel with a Taylored Expressions Stitched Frame Stacklet.  I actually thought it would die cut the entire panel, but it actually cut a frame.  Plan B!  I then die cut two more frames and layered them together over the colored panel.  You can see a bit of stamping on the frame!  The sentiment is from my stash and the bling is Taylored Expressions Purple Glimmer Drops. 

For this card, I picked two Taylored Expressions embossing folders.  The back panel is Dainty Diamonds and the arch which was cut from a Taylored Expressions Arched Stacklet die was embossed with Weathered folder.  I popped the arched frame over than panel for a bit of dimension.  I the placed the die cut image in and over the arched panel.  The bling is from Pinkfresh Studio called Glacier Bay and the sentiment is again from my stash.  

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 do something a bit different as we are picking any Christmas image to celebrate Christmas in July!  So be sure to check out our cards on July 22nd!  

Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Combo Club Time to Bloom Stamp and Stencil set and matching die/Sentiments from my Stash

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube, Dried Fig

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Raspberry Sorbet, Mulled Wine, Mango, Cilantro, Jalapeno, Macaron, Dried Fig, Brussels Sprouts, Green Tea, Honey

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Weathered and Dainty Dots Embossing Folders, Arched Stacklets and Stitched Frame Stacklet Dies, Purple Glimmer Dots; Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Bay Bling

Hello Cupcake

 

This is my card for a swap called the SIS--Surprise Image Swap.   This is card #15 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 Darlene!  She will swap the cards and include the new image for round #16 that Carol will have stamped in each return envie. Then--we do it all again in August!  We have completed one round and now in to another one!

Darlene sent everyone 9 die-cut cupcakes (THANKS BUNCHES!) from Becky Moore of Photoplay Paper and Say It With Stamps called Hello Cupcake. I colored each of the cupcakes I picked in shades of pink.  (sorry Darlene---as pink is not a favorite color of hers.......) I used a Stampin' Up Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder for the top part of the background.  I picked out some bold patterned paper for the bottom part from Recollections called Have a Cupcake--perfect!    I then die cut a circle from vellum from a Rubbernecker/Brass & Blass Nested Scalloped Circle to go behind the image to soften the look.   I put a strip of Melon Mambo Scallops Dots Ribbon where the patterned paper meets the embossed panel.  I did not use a sentiment but added some pink bling from The Ton 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 SIS15 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment: Hello Cupcake by Becky Moore of Photoplay Paper and Say It With Stamps 

Cardstock:  Spectrum Noir X-Press It White; Stampin' Up Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Vellum; Recollections Have a Cupcake Patterned Paper

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black;

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Melon Mambo Scallop Dots Ribbon; Brass & Bliss/Rubbernecker Nested Scallops Circles; The Ton Pink Bling

Sketch & Color Challenge

 

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 and I came up with a challenge for June as it is the last month of our first round with the new group!  We decided to do a combined sketch and color challenge.   Jeanette created a sweet sketch for this month and I randomly pick card #74 from my Color Cube. 

We are to use 3 of the 5 colors from the cube and create a card with the sketch from Jeanette.  I think this is a very fun challenge and from the chatter from some of the group before today, it seems like others also like it.  So--you might see more in the future!

I picked my Stampin' Up set called Sailing Home as I the colors are quite tropical or water related. I stamped the lighthouse with Taylored Expressions Mocha and the sentiment from the same set in Blue Raspberry--both colors are depicted on the card.  I die cut both items from the set's matching dies.  I used the same two cardstock colors and die cut the top layer from my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  I then used a stitched rectangle die and cut a piece of vellum to layer under the lighthouse.  I added a strip of Stampin' Up's Maritime Designer Series Paper that I cut at an angle after using ML2. The final step was adding 3 enamel dot.    This was a very fun card to make!

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 colorful creations this month!   

We will be back in July with another challenge that Jeanette and I will be creating!  Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun we  have planned!

Image/Sentiment:  Stampin' Up Sailing Home Stamp Set and Matching Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Taylored Expressions Mocha, Blue Raspberry, Toffee; Stampin' Up Maritime Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Mocha, Blue Raspberry

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

3-D Shine!

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #60, so we are now at the end of 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 grab some Creative Expressions Pastes.  Darlene got me hooked on these a few years ago and I enjoy using them.  This time I picked Glitzy Green Luster Polish, Golden Glow Opal Polish and Purple Mist Metallic Gilding Paste.  Yes, they are all different "mediums", but they all play well together.  I used Basic Black cardstock and embossed the panel with an Altenew Playful Circle 3-D Embossing Folder.  I then used the three colors of pastes with the attached brush from each container and gently added color over the embossed dots.  The middle of each "dot or circle" is higher, so the entire raised area is not frosted! I thought this looks like more of a masculine panel, so I picked the Taylored Expressions Bold Birthday and Backer.  I added a strip of the same Opal Metallic that die cut from a Scallop Border by The Paper Cut.  I added a strip of the same Gorgeous Grape strip for a bit more color.  I did not add any additional bling.

I really like the look of my card and hope you do too.  There is a lot of shine and shimmer that is not visible on the picture.    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 July as we will all be back for another round!

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Bold Birthday and Backer dies; 

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Opal Metallic: Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grape, Basic Black

Ink:  None

Accessories:  Creative Expressions Glitzy Green Luster Polish, Gold Glow Opal Polish, Purple Mist Metallic Gilding Polish; Altenew Playful Circles 3-D Embossing Folder; The Paper Cut Scallop Border Die

It's My Party!

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, I am the hostess and sent out the cute image from Hero Arts called Bunch of Balloons. I die cut a couple of images with the coordinating die and sent those, along with one on an A2 panel. I also included a number of sentiments from the same set.  So for June, this is card #118 and we are actually coming to the end of year number 10!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 10 plus years and looking to go to 11!

I first picked out a some Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper for the background panel, that I die cut with Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  I then colored the balloons with my Copic Sketch Markers to match the background, including a couple of black balloons!  The sentiment was cut with a Pinkfresh Studio FAncy Label Die and layered in black.  The Crushed Curry layer was embossed with my Stampin' Up Subtle Folder.    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 is up for our July challenge and we already have our image.   Please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:  Hero Arts Bunch of Balloons

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, It's My Party Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Subtle Embossing Folder; Pinkfresh Studio Fancy Labels Dies; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 

Pinkfresh Thankful for Friends

I am a few days late, but today is the day I am posting 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 black foil. I then used the 4 piece stencil and Taylored Expressions inks to ink blend the image in greens and pinks.  I then die cut the floral cluster with the matching die.  I picked a Pinkfresh Studio plate called Geo Floral Background for the white layer and it is die cut twice for depth.  I then added a Panel of Simon Says Stamp Color Blended Sheets behind the white layer.  I placed the die cut floral image and used a sentiment from my stash  I added some bling from The Ton and placed them around the image.  The cardbase is white cardstock.

 

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve cards to see the the cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for June!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  They probably posted on time, so please check back a day or so!  Be sure to come back on July 3rd to see our next set of cards.  

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Thankful for Friends foil plate, 4-piece stencil and matching die; Sentiment is from my stash

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Simon Says Stamp Color Blend; Hammermill White for foiled image

Ink:  Spellbinders Black Foil; Taylored Expressions Lime Zest, Cilantro, Strawberry Milkshake, Raspberry Sorbet

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Geo Floral Background Plate; The Ton Pink Bling