Hello Spring!

 

First--this is a bit of a sad day as it is the last day of the No Foolin' Retreat.  I am sure we all had an amazing time, but we will all be packing up to head home this afternoon.  But, we get to do it all over again in 2026--YAY!!!!!!!!

But also, 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 April, I picked a Sweet Newton's Nook stamp that I have not gotten inky called Hello Spring.  I picked this company as they are only a few miles from the retreat house and a couple of year ago, Jen, the owner and designer of Newton's Nook, stopped for a make & take with us.  So Fun!

For my card,  I stamped the image with Hero Arts Intense Black ink. I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and used rainbow colors for the word Spring!  I die cut the image and backer with a MFT Die Set called Stitched Arch Stax.  I had planned to make a acetate card with a clear middle, but I got messed up in cutting the pretty patterned paper.  So, the raindrops are in the background and the Spring Umbrella pieces are connected with a strip of acetate, that is over the raindrops.    I added some Stampin' Up Dots around the image which has dimension over the paper and acetate.

 

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 Jeanette,   Carol,   Terry,   Darlene,  Shelly, and Rebekah.  Be sure to come back on May 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More.  

Image/Sentiment:  Newton's Nook Hello Spring Stamp

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Coastal Cabana; Taylored Expressions Candy Corn; Spring Patterned Paper; Acetate

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; My Favorite Things-MFT Stitched Arch Stax; Stampin' Up Dots; 

Happy Retreat Day

 

First--Happy Retreat Day.  Today is the start of the No Foolin' Retreat that I am hosting at Gather House in Waunakee.  I picked up Darlene at the airport yesterday.  This morning, we are meeting Terry at my house and caravanning the hour plus to meet Jeanette at the retreat house.  The 4 of us are going out for breakfast and then setting up for 3+ days of amazing fun, crafting, food, laughs and huge smiles with 11 sweet ladies. I am looking forward to a huge swag bag, sweet door prizes, a very funny and lively white elephant crafty game along with tons of giggles!  I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!  

But, then today is also the day I am posting my card for our first 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 ink and added Brutus Monroe Penny Embossing Powder.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut both the image and sentiment.   I then picked a Pinkfresh Studio Cover called Dotted Chevrons plate for the background and used Copper Mirricard to match the embossing.  I added a panel of white that was die cut and layer three times with another Pinkfresh Studio Cover Plate called Simply Diamonds.    I added some Pinkfresh Glacier Jewels around the image and sentiment.

 

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 April!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on May 3rd to see another fun card. 

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

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Copper Mirricard

Ink: Versamark; Brutus Monroe Penny Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Simply Diamonds Cover Plate, Dotted Chevron Cover Plate, Glacier Jewels; Copic Sketch Markers

Create & Connect

 

Today is the 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 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 17th 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 a recent Pinkfresh Studio Create and Connect event. 

These cards were created by Raquel Arribas and the class was called Thank You cards.  The set she used is called Majestic Swan and includes a stamp, stencils and die.  There also is a matching Press Plate. I also used a stencil called Diamond Background Builder along with a Stitched Pinwheels Background Die. The frame is from a new set called Double Stitched Fancy Frames.  We also received the purple glitter cardstock in our kit--so pretty. 

I wanted to highlight one of the cards with this fun fold.  It has three panels with images that we stamped, brush blended and die cut.  I backed the two sentiments with some of the purple glitter cardstock, off set a bit to show the shimmer.  Since this card is a bit narrower than a standard card, I also added a panel of the glitter cardstock behind the folded panels.

 

I have 2 more classes from this event and hope to finish them soon..........

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, but we have all promised to post cards that we have missed the making along the way!

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Majestic Swan Stamp/Stencil/Die, Hope You Are Smiling Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Pinkfresh Studio Glitter Cardstock

Ink: Many colors of Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes; Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder

Accessories: Pinkfresh Studio Diamond Builder Background Stencil, Double Stitched Fancy Frames, Stitched Pinwheel Dies

Happy Easter

 

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 98th 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 March challenge---Make a card with a fun fold and use the color green!

I decided it was a perfect time to make an Easter card.  I make about 25 cards each year for our church as send grocery gift cards to some families at our sister church in Milwaukee.  I first found the perfect paper.  I picked some green glitter cardstock from Recollections and jelly bean patterned paper from Photo Play Paper.  I used a die from The Greetery set called Easter Morning Sentiments. I am not sure what this fold is called, so I will say it is a Flap Fold!  I added some Trinity Stamps Aquamarine Ripple Mix 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 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 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 April, Tracie is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment:  The Greetery Easter Morning Sentiments Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Recollections Green Glitter 6x6 pack; Photo Play Paper Happy Easter Patterned Paper

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Trinity Stamps Aquamarine Ripple Mix

Seeds of Joy

 

Today I am posting my card for the newer The Encore Challenge!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 25th with a group of friends, also from the 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 March,  I picked a floral set that was a collerabation with Gina K Designs and Brutus Monroe called Seeds of Joy.  I believe it was from a virtual event the two did together a few years ago.  The set has a number of pretty floral images, a cute seed packet and a number of sentiments.

For my card, I stamped the image in Hero Arts Intense Black ink on a panel.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.   I then die cut the panel with a die from My Favorite Things called Blueprints 20, which added the scallop and stitched edge. The sentiment is from my stash.  I added some Pinkfresh Studio Lavender Jewels around the image.

 

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.  Jeanette, Carol, Terry, Darlene and Rebekah.  Be sure to come back on April 25th to see another fun card for The Encore Challenge!


Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs & Brutus Monroe Seeds of Joy stamp set/Sentiment from my stash

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Lavender Jewels; My Favorite Things-MFT-Blueprints 20 die; Copic Sketch Markers

Friendly Silhouettes

 

Today is the 22nd so this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 51st 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 March, we decided to use Gina K Designs, another of our favorite companies!  And, the company is less than a half hour from my house.   Too bad they no longer have a B&M store, as it was amazing!   The company has great stamps, dies, stencils, and so many other unique items.  Her monthly kits are so packed full of goodies and many times sell out within a few hours!  She also participates in a few of the virtual events I sign up for and her classes are so fun.  

For this month, I picked a sweet set called Friendly Silhouettes.  I think this was from one of the first SCT Crop & Create events that was started during the pandemic.  Ginma loves her silhouette stamps and I have a few other versions too.  She also likes to ink blend, so I did too!

For these cards, I decided on a design and used Gina K Masking Magic to mask off the area of the card to not be ink blended.  I die cut an oval from the middle of the making paper for the card on the left and used two wide strips for the card on the right.  I ink blended both cards with Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes and the one inch "magic" brushes.  The left was a yellow, green and blue while the card on the right was red, orange and yellow.  After ink blending and removing the masking paper, I then stamped the sweet silhouette image on the panels.  Both panels were die cut with Master Layouts 2 and backed with a black layer. Both of sentiments are rom my box of sentiments, so I am not sure where it is from.  

               

These were fun cards to make!

Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards. Here is a link to Jeanette's,  Darlene’s,  Carol'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 highlight another fun company, Pink and Main. So be sure to check out our cards on April 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs Friendly Silhouettes/Sentiments from Stash

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

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

Accessories:  Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 Dies, Masking Magic Paper

You Made My Day

  

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. Or in the case of this month and maybe next, we post a sketch and color challenge.  That is what Jeanette and I did for March-Jeanette came up with a sketch and I pulled a random card for my Color Cube.

 

First, you might notice my card is backwards from the sketch.  I actually printed out the sketch and when I copied it to my document, I must have hit flip as it printed backwards.  I did realize that as the word sentiment was also backwards.......... But, as I was thinking of my card, I decided I want to use my BetterPress Machine and picked a fun Pinkfresh Studio floral image.  The design of the image was better coming off of the right side instead of the left, so I went with a reverse image!  The Pinkfresh set is called Always Smiling and it comes with a stamp set, press plates, set of stencils and a die set.  I used The Paper Cuts 111#White Hammered Cardstock and 3 BetterPress inks on the plate.  I then trimmed if to be a card front panel and placed is on a white cardbase.  I stamped the sentiment with Hero Arts Black Intense Ink and die cut it three times for dimension.  I added 3 yellow flower sequins as shown in the sketch.  This was a very fun card to make and I like the colors of  the pressed image!

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 fun holiday cards!

We will be back in April with another challenge that Jeanette and I will pose to the group.   Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun is planned!

Image/Sentiment:   Pinkfresh Studio Always Smiling Set-Press Plate, Stamp Set Sentiment and Coordinating Die

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, 111# White Hammered Cardstock

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; BetterPress Inks Saffron, Leaf, Strawberry

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Yellow Flower Sequins

Messy Hello

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #69, so we are coming to the end of year #7. 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 grabbed some Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks in shades of purple.  I used Yupo paper and I really like how the colors move. I die cut the inked panel and a backer with Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  I also picked a Gina K Designs die set called Happy Hello and cut it from Antique Gold Metallic cardstock.  The sending smiles came from my sentiment box, so I am not sure what company it is.  I added some Gold Satin Baubles from Trinity Stamps around the card.  

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:   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 in April!

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Happy Hello Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Antique Gold Metallic; Yupo

Ink:  None, but Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks for background

Accessories:   Trinity Gold Satin Baubles

Happy Snowman

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, Jeanette is the hostess and she sent out this sweet image from Penny Black called Happy Snowman!  For March,  this is card #127 and we are now in year #12!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 11 strong years!  

I colored the snowman image with my Copic Sketch Markers  The pretty snowflake patterned paper is from a 6x6 paper pack from Mintay called Christmas Blessings.  I added some Lost Lagoon ribbon behind the image.  The sentiment is from my sentiment box, so I am not sure what company it is from.  I added some clay snowflakes from Taylored Expressions around the image. I  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!  Kelly is up for our April challenge, so please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:    Penny Black Happy Snowman

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  120# Accent Opaque White; Mintay Christmas Blessings 6x6 Paper Pack; Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon, Basic Black, Pebbled Path

Ink:  Pinkfresh Detail Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon Silky Taffeta Ribbon; Taylored Expressions Clay Snowflakes

Secret Stamp Challenge

 

Today I am showcasing a card made with a new to me stamp set that was gifted to me by Kelly.  AND--she sent a different stamp set to Jeanette and also kept a third set for herself.  So--the three of us, Jeanette, Kelly and me are posting cards from a new challenge called Secret Stamp Challenge.

The stamp set I received from Kelly is from Hanna Stamps and is Garden themed.  In the note Kelly sent along with the set, she taught of me as we have a greenhouse.  Every spring we start seeds in the house, under grow lights and then move the tiny plants to the greenhouse.  We usually start seeds around the end of March and move them to the greenhouse in early May.  The vegetables and flowers then get planted outside over Memorial Day Weekend.  Thanks for thinking of me and our gardens Kelly.

I first decided I would make a slim-line card so I can show off many of the sweet images. I picked out pre-cut slim-line items from The Paper Cut, a white cardbase, a green layer and a black 3 square overlay. I out foam tape under the black so there was some depth when adding the images.   I stamped the lady gardener (I wish I was that thin.................) along with many of her accessories with Hero Arts Intense Black ink.  I then colored all of the images with my Copic Sketch Markers.   I then fussy cut all of the images and placed them around the window squares. I picked a fun sentiment from my sentiment box and die cut it with a Waffle Flower Dotted Labels Die.  I added some lime green sequins in each of the squares.    I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card! 

I cannot wait to see the cards and the theme for the other two ladies!  Please check out the other blogs.   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 with fun themes.  Again--Thank You Kelly for sending me this fun stamp set.  AND--for a Secret Stamp Challenge.  Who Knows--maybe more to come in 2025!

Image/Sentiment:    Penny Hanna Stamps Garden/Sentiment from Stash

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Slim-line products.  White cardase, lime green layer and black 3 square overlay

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Lime Green Sequins