Sunday, August 31, 2025

Catch-Up Club

 


Today is the last day of August 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 4+ 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 16th 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!

Two of the cards, the top two, are from her February Fun Time Thursday called Flippin Fun.  The Raccoons Birthday card is a waterfall card and the Birthday Cake is a Flip It card.  The bottom card was from June and was is from the Sweet Summertime Treats class. It is a slider card and says "Make it a Triple Scoop Kind of Day"!   The products are from Brass & Bliss or The Paper Cut.    All of the beautiful cardstock and printed papers are 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 also have parts of other virtual events and classes from 2023 and 2024, 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 in the next few days but we have all promised to post cards that we have missed the making along the way!


Image/Sentiment:   Fun Time Thursday Flippin Fun and Sweet Summertime Treats Card Classes from The Paper Cut. The images are from
Brass & Bliss.  The sentiments were pre-stamped

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

Ink:   None

Accessories: 
 All included in the kit, Copic Sketch markers

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Singing in the Rain

 


Today as it is the 28th and the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS. This is our 104th 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.

I posted our August challenge----use water on your card, either an image or watercolor or spritz, or the word water.

I picked a cute image from Whipper Snapper Designs called Singing in the Rain--Perfect!  I stamped the image and colored the rainy scene with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I then die cut an oval from a Gina Marie Designs set called In & Out Double Stitched Ovals.  I trimmed the panel and then embossed with a Stampin' Up folder called Softly Falling.  I added foam tape behind the panel and added some Taylored Expressions Sparkle Party discs.  The sentiment is from 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 CYSAUG.  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 September, Sue is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!


Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Singing in the Rain Stamp;  Sentiment from stash

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; 

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black;

Accessories:  Gina Marie Designs In & Out Double Stitched Oval Dies; Stampin' Up Softly Falling Embossing Folder; Copic Sketch Markers; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Sparkle Party Discs

Monday, August 25, 2025

Birthday Balloons

 


Today I am posting my card for the The Encore Challenge!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 25th with a group of friends from my April Retreat.  Some may post on their blog and I will note those with blogs at the end of this post.  And, some might post on other social media. Darlene came up with this challenge and these are her words:  Go and grab a stamp set, stencil or dies--your choice, that you have used once before and have always wanted to revisit it and use it again.  However, despite your best intentions, you have yet to use it!  Now's your chance! Go dig it out and have fun with it once again.  Create anything you like, a card, gift card holder, decorate a gift bag, make a refrigerator magnet...whatever lights up your creative juices! So--Encore Challenge! 




My plan is to pick a different company each month to highlight and maybe even a different product than the month before.  For August,  I picked a stamp set and matching dies from Hero Arts called Bunch of Balloons.

I colored the die cut balloon image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I used primary colors for the balloons.  I embossed a panel with an older Sizzix folder called Birthday 5.  I die cut the panel with my My Favorite Things-MFT Blueprints 20 and layered on a white cardbase.  The sentiment is from the same set and I die cut with a Taylored Expressions sentiment die set. I added a few Taylored Expressions Clear Drip Drops.  This will be a fun birthday card to send!





I am not sure who will post each month on their blog, but this is a list of the other ladies who do have blogs.  JeanetteTerryDarlene Be sure to come back on September 25th to see another fun card for The Encore Challenge!


Image/Sentiment: Hero Arts Bunch of Balloons Stamp Set and Dies

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, 

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  MFT-My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 dies; Copic Sketch Markers; Sizzix Birthday 5 Embossing Folder; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Clear Drip Drops

Friday, August 22, 2025

Tulip Bouquet

 


Today is the 22nd so this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 56th month, so we are in to our 5th year!



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 August, the company we picked is Hero Arts!  They make so many products and probably is the company most of us bought our first wood mounted stamp from! I am sure I did!

I picked a stamp and die set called Tulip Bouquet along with the matching Color Layering Tulip Bouquet stencil. For the card on the right, I stamped the image and then added the 4-piece stencil layers. For the card on the left, I just used the stencils, so there is no outline, and a much softer image. I used the same colors of Taylored Expression inks on both cards.  I die cut the images with the matching die. I used oval dies on both cards along with embossing folders for the background behind the image as well as the top.   I also stamped two of the sentiments from the same set and used my Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strip dies.  I added some bling on both cards.





Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards. Here is a link to Jeanette's,  Darlene’s,  and Terry's blogs. I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards. 

Next month we will make cards with Stampin' Up. So be sure to check out our cards on September 22nd!    


Image/Sentiment: Hero Arts Tulip Bouquet Stamp Set and Die, Color Layering Tulip Bouquet Stencils

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; 

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black Ink; Taylored Expressions Pea Pod, Granny Smith, Sweet Corn, Lemon Meringue

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Subtle and Pinewood Planks Dynamic, Taylored Expressions Cross Stitch Embossing Folders; Pinkfresh Studio Elongated Oval Dies, Peach Fuzz Jewels; Gina Marie Designs Peekaboo Oval Die; Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strips; Yellow Enamel Dots

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Horizontal Cards

 


Today I am posting three cards that I recently made from another Fun Time Thursday by The Paper Cut in May called Horizontal Cards.  These are not my own designs!  The cards are the designs of Sarah from The Paper Cut. 

The products for all three of these cards are from Brass & Bliss or The Paper Cut. All of the beautiful cardstock is also from The Paper Cut. The top bee card is a Triple Slider card and pulls out from the side, instead of the traditional top.  The butterfly and flower card is a Horizontal Banded Z-Fold.  There are some butterflies that are attached with acetate, so they look like they are flying.  The Hello Sunshine card is a Fancy Label Z-Fold.  These were fun cards to make as they are all so colorful!
 


Sarah offers many different kinds of classes through the year and kits can be ordered from their website.  


Image/Sentiment:  Fun Time Thursday Horizontal Cards Class from The Paper Cut. Images and Sentiments are from Brass & Bliss or The Paper Cut

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

Ink:  None

Accessories: 
 All included in the kits

Monday, August 18, 2025

Hero Arts--All Planned Out

 


Today I am posting two cards I made with a Hero Arts stencil set and a Taylored Expressions Die set--but unused.  

I brush blended the Hero Arts Color Layering Tulip Pattern Stencils with 2 colors of purple and green inks from Taylored Expressions.  I then decided to use a Taylored Expressions Die set called All Planned Out 1 to make 2 cards!  I die cut the ink blended panel and another white panel that I had die cut using a Concord & 9th card front plate called Stitched Vines. I then added a strip of cardstock, cut with two of the dies in the same Taylored Expressions die set.  The sentiments were then cut with a circle die and a backer--same die set!  I added some bling on both cards.




Image/Sentiment: Hero Arts Color Layering Tulip Pattern Stencils

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Lemon Lime Twist, Highland Heather

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black Ink; Taylored Expressions Pea Pod, Lime Zest, Lavender Glaze, Jelly Donut

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions All Planned Out 1; Concord & 9th Stitched Vines Card Front Die; Taylored Expressions and Pinkfresh Studio Bling

Friday, August 15, 2025

My Favorite Color/s

 


Today is the 15th and this is my card this month for our The Creative Crew!  We are a group of 7--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 sent a kit with the theme of Add Your Favorite Color.  She sent us a Gina K Designs image called Smiling Blooms and the coordinating sentiment.  She also sent various white panels  and asked us to include our favorite color on our card.  Can you tell my favorite color?  I am a bit of a rebel, especially to Jeanette, but I do love rainbow as my color/s.  So, that is what I went for!

I first made the background with a package of Taylored Easy Strips Stack cardstock and die cut 6 colors with a Simon Says Stamp Strips 2 die.  I laid the strips in rainbow order on a panel of Sticky Sheets from TE. I then picked the Pinkfresh Studio Elongated Lattice white panel that Jeanette sent over the strips.  I then colored the floral image with my Copic Sketch Markers and picked subtle yellow and green colors to not dimmish from the background.   I added some Clear Drip Drops around the image.  This was a very fun card to make.  And, yes, I do love Rainbow Colors!





I hope all of The Creative Crew Gals enjoy my card this month.  Please be sure to stop in to see what fun colorful 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 fun cards! 

We will be back in September with another challenge that Terry will provide for us.  Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun is planned!


Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Smiling Blooms Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Gina K Base Weight White; Taylored Expressions Easy Strip Stack

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers; Pinkfresh Studio Elongated Lattice Die; Simon Says Stamp Strips 2; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Clear Drip Drops

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Getting Messy with Liquid Watercolors

 


Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #73, so we are starting year #8. 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 my messiness this month, I decided to use Taylored Expressions Liquid Watercolors on Yupo paper for die cut leaves.  I had recently did the same on watercolor cardstock in a TE class and loved the look.  I smooched the Yupo paper on the liquid watercolor that I placed on my glassboard.  I then die cut the leaves and the sentiment from the colorful paper with a Simon Hurley-Spellbinders die set called Foliage Hello. I also die cut a set of foliage from solid Blue Corn cardstock. I used two Pinkfresh Studio dies for the background.  The top is Diagonal Stripes layered three times over a Stitched Basket Weave Cover plate.  I add some Studio Katia Teal Ocean Pearls around the foliage.




I really like the look of this card 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: Darlene, Jeanette and TerryI 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 in September!


Image/Sentiment:  Simon Hurley-Spellbinders Foliage Hello Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Taylored Expression Blue Corn; Yupo

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Liquid Watercolors--Blue Corn, Brussel Sprouts

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Stitched Basket Weave and Diagonal Stripes Cover Plates; Studio Katia Teal Ocean Pearls


Sunday, August 10, 2025

Fun with Ink Cubes

 


Today I am posting two cards that I recently made from a virtual event by The Paper Cut back in February called Fun with Mini Ink Cubes.  These are not my own designs!  The cards are the designs of Sarah from The Paper Cut. 

The products for both of these cards are from Brass & Bliss or The Paper Cut. All of the beautiful cardstock is also from The Paper Cut. For the oval card, I used Gina K Designs Masking Magic and die cut an oval to ink blend.  The sentiment was from my stash.  The celebrate card was done by dragging 3 ink cubes along the debossed side of the panel to ink the background and leave the flowers white.   I added my own enamel dots on both cards.

 



Sarah offers many different kinds of classes through the year and kits can be ordered from their website.  


Image/Sentiment:   Birthday Week Class from The Paper Cut--all images or sentiments are from Brass & Bliss or The Paper Cut

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

Ink:  Taylored Expressions ink cubes

Accessories: 
 All included in the kit, my own enamel dots

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Thankful Magnolias

 


Today is the 9th of the month and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, I am the hostess and sent out a sweet floral image from Gina K Designs called Thankful Magnolia.  I included one image that was on a full panel and two additional images that were die cut.  I also included 2 die cut sentiments from the same set.   For August this is card #132 and we are now in year #12!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 12 strong years!  




I colored the pretty floral image with my Copic Sketch Markers.   I then picked Taylored Expressions Diagonal Stripes Cutting Plate for my background and die cut three panels to layer.  I added a panel that I embossed with a Stampin' Up folder called Subtle behind the die cuts.  I then die cut a Taylored Expressions Stitched Circle Frame three times and layered over another circle that I also embossed with the same folder. I added a sentiment from the set with foam tape and added some pink pearls around the image to complete my card.   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 cute cards!  Jeanette is up for our September challenge, so please be sure to join us again. 



Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Thankful Magnolia stamp and die set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Taylored Expressions Stitched Circle Frame Die, Diagonal Stripes Cutting Plate; Stampin' Up Subtle Embossing Folder;  Pink Pearls



Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Layered Eucalyptus

 


Today is the day I post a card for our challenge called Unused No More!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 6th with a group of friends from my No Foolin' Retreat.  Some may post on their blog and I will note those with blogs at the end of this post.  And, some might post on other social media.  Those that participate each month will send a picture in the text thread we have between us, showing our creation.  The premise is to use a stamp set, stencil die, hot foil plate or press plate that is new and has never been used.  So--Unused No More!  



My plan is to pick a different company each month to highlight and maybe even a different product than the month before.  For August, I picked a Gina K Designs Floral Stamp Set that I have not used called Layered Eucalyptus Mini.  I have a number of the mini sets from Gina K. 

For my card, I used three color companions ink cubes--Light, Medium and Dark Spruce from Gina K for the 3-piece layering stamp set. I die cut the panel and the backer with Gina's Master Layouts 2 die. I added a green panel behind the image that was embossed with a Stampin' Up folder called Subtle Dynamic--my favorite for a bit of texture!  The sentiment is from the same set.  I did not add anything else to this card--just a simple sympathy card.  
 



I am not sure who will post each month on their blog, but this is a list of the other ladies who do have blogs.  Links to the blogs of JeanetteCarolTerry, and Darlene Be sure to come back on September 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More.  


Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Layered Eucalyptus Stamp Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Mellow Moss

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Gina K Designs Light, Medium Dark Spruce

Accessories: Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Stampin' Up Subtle Embossing Folder

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Blooming Sunflower

 


Today is the day I am posting my card for our One Plus Twelve challenge in 2025.  This is year number 7.  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 Gina K Designs set called Blooming Sunflower.  The set includes a sweet stamp set and matching dies for the image and all four of the sentiments.  I am excited that I get to use this set every month for all of 2025. 

For my card this month, I stamped the image with Versamark and used Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder.  I colored the embossed panel with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I then die cut the image with the coordinating die.   I used a Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard Cover plate, which I cut from white and layered three times.  I added a panel of Gold Stardream Metallic Cardstock from The Paper Cut behind the panel for added shine.  I picked a gold sentiment from my stash this time.   I added some Lavender Jewels from Pinkfresh Studio around the image. 
 



Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve posts to see the the stamp set for the 2025 cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for August!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on September 3rd to see another fun card. 

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Blooming Sunflower stamp and die set/Sentiment from my stash

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Gold Stardream

Ink: Versamark; Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard Cover Plate; Pinkfresh Studio Lavender Jewels