Christmas in July with Simon Hurley

 

Today is the 22nd so this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 55th 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 July, we decided to use any stamp company for Christmas in July!  

So,  I picked a stamp and die set from Simon Hurley called Sketch Santa.  I stamped the Santa and two presents for each card and colored them with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I also stamped two of the sentiments from the same set.   I die cut the images with the matching dies.  For the backgrounds I picked some fun Christmas patterned paper.  I die cut each of the panels and the backer with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  For the horizontal card on the left, I added some red enamel dots and on the vertical card, I added green bling from Buttons Galore.  Fun cards for Christmas in July! 

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 Hero Arts. So be sure to check out our cards on August 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment: Simon Hurley Sketched Santa Stamp Set and Die

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White;  Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow; Taylored Expressions Brussel Sprouts; K&C Company Hannah-Small Striped Flat Paper; Pebbles Welcome Christmas-Merry Christmas

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black Ink

Accessories:  Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Copic Sketch Markers; Red Enamel Dots; Buttons Galore Green Bling

Dimensional Die Cuts

 

Today I am posting 5 cards from a pouch on my shelf.  These are the creations from the Taylored Expressions Virtual Stamp Joy, held in March of this year.  These were from one of the Friday classes called Elevate Your Art--Dimensional Die Cuts. They were taught by Taylor, Susan, Lori and Heather.  Reminder--these are not my own designs!  The cards are the designs of the instructors from these classes.  I am just recreating the cards from the class. 

We received fun components to make cards with many die cuts. We ink blended some, used markers on some, used Liquid Watercolors on watercolor cardstock and then die cut, added splatter and left some white on a fun background.  I made two of the thank you cards in the upper left as I had additional leaves.  All of the cards are so sweet!

I am done with the Friday Classes and also completed the Saturday classes.  Those cards will be posted on the 31st for my Catch-Up Challenge.  On to get another pouch off of the shelf!

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Virtual Stamp Joy 2025-Elevate Your Art with Dimensional Die Cuts--various stamps and dies

Cardstock:  All Taylored Expressions that was provided in kits

Ink:   Taylored Expressions, along with liquid watercolors

Accessories:  All provided in the kit; Copic Sketch Markers

The Art of Interactive Cards

Today I am posting 4 cards from a pouch on my shelf.  These are the creations from the Taylored Expressions Virtual Stamp Joy, held in March of this year.  These were from one of the Friday classes called The Art of Interactive cards. They were taught by Taylor, Susan, Lori and Heather.  Reminder--these are not my own designs!  The cards are the designs of the instructors from these classes.  I am just recreating the cards from the class. 

We received fun components to make cards that move or shine.  The bee moves across the arch on the top left card.  The sun lights up when you touch the word push on the top right card.  When pulling the tab with the flowers on the bottom left card, it reveals the sentiment--Thanks a Bunch.  And, the bottom right card is the best in my opinion--when you pull the rip strip, it reveals "Celebrate, t's your day" on the card base!  All of the cards are so sweet!

I have 4 cards from the other Friday class to complete. I plan to be done with those in the next day or so!

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Virtual Stamp Joy 2025-The Art of Interactive Cards Class--various stamps and dies

Cardstock:  All Taylored Expressions that was provided in kits

Ink:   Taylored Expressions 

Accessories:  All provided in the kit

Crafty Friends are the Best

 

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 I sent a kit with a crafty theme. I stamped Taylored Expressions Gus & Gertie Get Crafty image on a panel and also die cut a few. I included the sentiments from the same set. I also sent some crafty patterned paper from an older Stampin' Up pack.

I colored Gus and Gertie with my Copic Sketch Markers. The background is decided to make was using 3 strips from the patterned paper, with a strip of Coastal Cabana in between.  I die cut a vellum square from a Sizzix-Tim Holtz set called Stitched Squares.  I glued the image to the square and then placed it wonky on the panel with foam squares. I picked one of the sentiments and layered it with Coastal Cabana. AND--this sentiment is perfect for my friends in this group!!!!!!  I added some Mirrored Mint bling from Trinity Stamps around the image.  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 fun cards! 

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

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Gus & Gertie Get Crafty Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Stampin' Up Coastal Cabana, Follow Your Art Designer Series Patterned Paper, Vellum

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories: Sizzix-Tim Holtz Stitched Square Dies; Copic Sketch Markers; Trinity Stamps Mirrored Mint Bling

Refined Copper

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #72, so we are at 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 picked a new color of Simon Hurley's Astro Paste called Refined Copper over an ivory cardstock panel.  I used it on a Brass & Bliss stencil called Circle Wave Pattern. After the panel dried, I layered it over a panel of Copper Mirricard.   I wanted a simple sentiment so the panel would shine, so I picked a die from Lawn Fawn called Giant Thank You. I die cut the word three times from The Paper Cut's Copper Mirricard. I add some Brown Bling from The Ton around the words.

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 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 August!

Image/Sentiment:  Lawn Fawn Giant Thank You Die 

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Ivory, Copper Mirricard; 

Ink:  None

Accessories:  Simon Hurley Refined Copper Astro Paste; Brass & Bliss Circle Wave Pattern Stencil; The Ton Brown Bling

Little Things

 

Today is the 9th of the month and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, Kelly is the hostess and sent each of us a sweet floral image from Crafty Meraki called Little Things.  She included one image that was die cut, which is the one I picked.  I also have two additional images on panels to use for future cards.   For July this is card #131 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 a Brass & Bliss Diamond with Holes Coverplate for my background and die cut three panels to layer. I picked a sentiment from my stash 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!  I am up for our August challenge, so please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:  Crafty Meraki Little Things stamp and die set/Sentiment from my stash

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

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Brass & Bliss Diamond with Holes Cover Plate; Pink Pearls

Wrapped Bouquet

 

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 July, I picked a Technique Tuesday Floral Stamp and Die Set that I have not used called Wrapped Bouquet.  I have a number of their small floral sets and picked this sweet one for July.  

For this card, I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and then die cut the bouquet with the matching die.  I was watching a Gina K Designs video while I was creating this card and decided to use a "grounding" technique she was demonstrating.  I die cut a panel and the backer with Gina's Master Layouts 2 die.  I then used a Hero Arts stencil called Circular Grid and ink blended with Taylored Expressions Oyster ink lightly in the middle of the panel.  I added a vellum circle die cut from a Gina Marie Stitched Circle die and added the bouquet over the top. I also went with an Oyster card base instead of a traditional white, also suggested by Gina in the video.  I picked a sentiment from my stash and added some Studio Katia Stormcloud Pearls 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.  Links to the blogs of Jeanette, Carol, Terry, and Darlene.  Be sure to come back on August 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More.  

Image/Sentiment:  Technique Tuesday Wrapped Bouquet Stamp Set and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Vellum; Taylored Expressions Oreo, Oyster

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Oyster

Accessories: Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Hero Arts Circular Grid Stencil; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle Die; Copic Sketch Markers; Studio Katia Stormcloud Pearls; 

Postal Collage Coastal

 

These cards are from a very recent virtual event sponsored by Firefly Farm called S'Mores Edition of the Creative Crates. These 2 cards are from the Waffle Flower class taught by Lea Lawson.  

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 class used a newer Postage Collage stamp set from Waffle Flower and it was so fun to use!   The stencil set we used is called Coastal and we also received some printed words.  We also got the Just a Note die and backer.  We also received all components to make 3 cards. But, somehow I got some water on the first card I made and I had to toss it.  So, here are the two remaining.  We did some a lot of ink blending with the fun postage stencil. 

 

That was my last class from the event. On to another!

Image/Sentiment:  Waffle Flower Postage Collage Coastal Stencil/Just a Note Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  All provided in the kit 

Ink:  Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes Various Colors

Accessories:  None

Silver 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 Rose Sterling Embossing Powder.  I decided this month to not color the image for more of monochromatic look.  I then die cut the image with the coordinating die.   I used a Brass & Bliss Wood Plank Panel cut from Silver Metallic Cardstock from The Paper Cut.  I added a circle from vellum from a Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle Die. I used the birthday sentiment from the same set, layered over a black cardstock strip.   I added some Silver Drip Drops from Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces 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 July!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on August 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, Metallic Silver; Vellum

Ink: Versamark; Brutus Monroe Rose Sterling Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle Die, Brass & Bliss Wood Plank Panel Die; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Silver Drip Drops

Summer Fun

 

These cards are from a very recent virtual event sponsored by Firefly Farm called S'Mores Edition of the Creative Crates. These 3 cards are from the Pretty Pink Posh class taught by Mindy Eggen.  

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 class used a newer bundle from Pretty Pink Posh and it screamed SUMMER!  The stamp set and matching dies we used is Seashells and the stencil is called Summer Words!   We also received all components to make these 3 cards.  We did some ink blending and Copic Coloring. We also made a shaker card with sand--so fun!

 

I have one more classes to go--hoping to do it today.

Image/Sentiment:  Pretty Pink Posh Seashells Stamp Set and Matching Dies; Summer Words Stencil

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  All provided in the kit 

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

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Sand; Twine; Bling

Keepsakes From the Heart

 

Today is the day of June and I am posting a card 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 the recent Firefly Farms Creative Crate S'Mores Edition!

This card were created by Melissa Miller and Pinkfresh Studio.  The bundle is called Keepsakes of the Heart and includes a stamp set, coordinating dies, a stencil and I also bought the set of matching press plates.  Melissa shared some ink blending tips and we made this sweet card.  I added a sentiment from my stash instead of using the one from the kit.

I have two more classes from this event and hope to finish them this week!

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 Keepsakes From the Heart Set/Sentiment from my stash

Cardstock:  All provided in kits

Ink:  Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes

Accessories:  All provided in the kit

Vintage Looks

 

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 102nd 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.

Vickie posted our June challenge---Make a card with a vintage style

I picked a cute set from The Project Bin called Classic Man.  I love the old car image and the set has some amazing sentiments too.  I stamped the image in black ink and die cut it, along with a black layer,  with my Pinkfresh Studio Fancy Labels Frames Dies. I stamped a sentiment from the set and die cut it with a Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strip Die.  I added some Stampin' Up black twine behind the sentiment.  The background panel is from Graphic 45.  I added some Stampin' Up black enamel dots around the card.

 

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

Image/Sentiment:  The Project Bin Classic Man Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Mossy Meadow; Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman-Dressed to the Nines

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Sizzix Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strip Dies; Pinkfresh Studio Fancy Label Frame Dies; Stampin' Up Black Twine, Black Enamel Dots