Wishing You All the Best

 

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.

Suzy posted our February challenge---Make a card with love or friendship!

I picked a Pinkfresh bundle called Chrysanthemum with a stamp set, matching die and one of the huge rolls of washi tape.  I love the colors of the flowers in the washi tape.  I laid the washi tape on white cardstock and die cut the entire panel.  I picked a couple of Pinkfresh Studio dies for the background.  The cover plate is called Simply Diamonds and I layered it two times.  I also used a Scalloped Circle over the top of the diamond panel.  I tucked various flowers from the washi in and over the circle. I stamped one of the sentiments from the same set and die cut it with the matching die.  I added some Pinkfresh Peach Fuzz on the circle around the flowers.     I added some silver stars 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 CYSFEB.  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 March, I up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Chrysanthemum Stamp, Washi and Die Bundle

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Sizzix Pinkfresh Studio Simply Diamonds Cover Plate, Scallop Circle Die, Peach Fuzz Jewels

Inlaid Background Cards

 

Today is the second-to-last day of February and I am posting a set of cards for our challenge-The Catch-up Club!  I have another challenge card to post tomorrow, so I am a day early..........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!

These cards are from her February Crafters Classroom called Inlaid Background Cards.  The products are from Brass & Bliss or The Paper Cut. The sweet die used on all four cards is called Clouds-Stained Glass and I bought it with my kit, so I can create more fun cards.   All of the beautiful cardstock is 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, and even one from last weekend that I did not finish! 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:  Crafters Classroom Inlaid Background Card Class from The Paper Cut. The die is Clouds-Stained Glass 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

Encore Challenge #2

 

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 February, I picked a Stampin' Up set that includes a stamp set, matching die set and a 5 piece stencil set too. It has a sweet large rose image, additional smaller images and some sweet sentiments.

For my card, I stamped the image and sentiment in Hero Arts Intense Black ink on a panel.  I then ink blended the image with my Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes an die cut the image.  I then used a Stampin' Up cover plate called Stitched Greenery for the back panel.  I then die cut the leafy panel with a die from My Favorite Things called Blueprints 20, which added the scallop and stitched edge. I die cut the sentiment with a Taylored Expressions label die.  I added some Pinkfresh Studio Ballet Slipper 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 March 25th  to see another fun card for The Encore Challenge!


Image/Sentiment:  Stampin' Up Layers of Beauty-stamps, dies and stencil set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black;  Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Ballet Slipper Jewels; My Favorite Things-MFT-Blueprints 20 die; Stampin' Up Stitched Greenery Cover Plate; Taylored Expressions Sentiment Label Die

Waffle Flower Sketch Iris

 

Today is the 22nd so this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 50th month, so we are starting 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 February, we decided to use Waffle Flower, another of our favorite companies! They have great stamps, dies, hot foil plates and stencils, and a great group of grip mats, which I use all the time! I have one in my mini and regular MISTI along with the largest one on a metal board, which I use for stenciling!  I used that one on this set of cards. 

For this month, I picked a sweet set called Stitched Iris.  The set includes a wonderful stamp set, matching die, a set of stencils and the hot foil plate.  I did use the plate on the white card. I used my Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes in various shades of purples for both of the cards.

For this card, as I said before, I used Gold Foil with the Hot Foil plate of the large iris image.  I then added shades of purple along with yellow for the iris and a couple of shades of green for the leaves.  The background is a Gina Marie Designs die called Cottage Lattice.  I layered it twice with white cardstock.  The sentiment is from a Pinkfresh Studio pack.  I added a few Pinkfresh Studio Gold Gems around the image.

For the second card, I used shades of purple and pink ink cubes.  I die cut an oval from Highland Heather cardstock with a Brass & Bliss Deckled Oval and added some foam tape when I layered it over a pink cardstock.  The purple bling around the image is from The Ton.  The sentiment is from my box of sentiments, so I am not sure where it is from.  It is backed with black.

               

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 favorite company of all of us, Gina K Designs. So be sure to check out our cards on March 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment: Waffle Flower Sketched Iris Stamp, Stencil, Hot Foil and Die Set

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

Ink: Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes

Accessories:  Gina Marie Designs Cottage Lattice Die; Brass & Bliss Deckled Oval Die; The Ton Purple Bling; Pinkfresh Studio Gold Bling; Therm-o-web Gold Foil; 

Briar Blooms from Altenew

 

This past weekend, I participated in another Pinkfresh Studio Event called Create and Connect.  I actually did some of the homework for a few of the 6 different classes and I was able to watch parts of 4 of the classes.  I posted the 2 cards I made from Yana's class yesterday.  These cards are from the guest company, Altenew.  Bridget Casey taught the class and she sure is a hoot.  

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 by Bridget was so fun and she had some good tips on using this sweet bundle called One Go Briar Blossoms.  The set includes the stamp set, matching die, a 5 piece stencil and an embossing folder.  We used all 4 of the components on the cards.   This sure is a fun set and it has 19 sentiments with the theme of Congrats and Cheers!   I know I will use this set more in the future!

 

Next up is the class with Heather Hoffman and she uses the Pinkfresh Set called Pretty Blooms.  Stay Tuned as I hope to finish those cards and post in the next few days.

Image/Sentiment:  Altenew One-Go Briar Blooms Bundle--Stamp Set, Coordinating Dies and Stencils plus Embossing Folder

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

Ink:  Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes

Accessories:  Sequins from the kit

Birthday Cards with PFS and Yana

 

This past weekend, I participated in another Pinkfresh Studio Event called Create and Connect.  I actually did some of the homework for a few of the 6 different classes and I was able to watch parts of 4 of the classes.  I did not create along with the classes, but I did complete the two birthday cards from Yana's class.  She is so creative and is an amazing teacher, living in Ukraine!

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 by Yana was so fun and she had some good tips on using this sweet bundle called Birthday Balloons.  The set includes the stamp set, matching die and a 5 piece stencil.  I did add on the Press Plate class, so I also have a coordinating press plate, which I have not used yet.  There are another 3 classes from that part that I also need to watch and create. I really like the colors Yana picked out for both cards.  And, the glitter cardstock from Pinkfresh is so pretty!  It makes a sweet background for the pink-yellow card.

 

Next up is the class with Bridget Casey and Altenew.  They were the guest company and I did watch most of her class live.  She is a hoot!  

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Birthday Balloons Stamp Set, Coordinating Dies and Stencils 

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: The Paper Cut 100#  Cougar Opaque White, Pinkfresh Studio Magenta glitter cardstock

Ink:  Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes

Accessories:  Sequins from the kit

Birthday Giraffe

 

This is my card for a swap called the SIS--Surprise Image Swap.   This is card #19 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.  This sweet image for this round was provided by Lori!  She will swap the cards and include the new image for round #20 that Jody will have stamped in each return envie. Then--we do it all again in April! 

Lori sent us this cute giraffe image from the Simon Says Stamp set called Birthday Giraffe.  I picked my background patterned paper first--Carta Bella It's a Celebration Balloons.  I then colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I die cut the panel with a Gina Marie Designs Slash Stitched Rectangle Die and backed it with a Mossy Meadow layer.  The sentiment from the same set was sent by Lori too and I die cut it with a Taylored Expressions sentiment label die. This was a fun card to make!

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 SIS19 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment:  Simon Says Stamp Birthday Giraffe

Cardstock: Neenah White; Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow, Crushed Cutty; Carta Bella It's a Celebration-Balloons

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Taylored Expressions Sentiment Label Die; Gina Marie Designs Slash Stitched Rectangle Die

Ethel in Swimsuit

 

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, Carol sent out two funny images from a retired Rubbernecker Stamps set called Ethel in Swimsuit, from the old characters collection.  She included some hilarious sentiments from a Dylusions set.  She included some beautiful black and gold patterned paper--Carol's signature colors!

I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers--yes, Ethel has been out in the sun a long time as she has quite a tan!  I had a hard time picking which of the 4 funny sentiments to use, but I thought this one was perfect for the purple and pink polka dotted bikini Ethel is modeling!  I picked two of the patterned papers for the background and a strip for a pop of gold and pink!   I added some Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces--Purple Glitter Dots as I am sure Ethel is the queen of bling!  This was a very fun card to make and I am imagining who I can send this to!

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 March 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:  Rubbernecker Ethel in Swimsuit Stamp from Old Characters Collection; Dylusions sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Highland Heather; The Paper Studio Pretty as a Poppy Patterned Paper

Ink: Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Purple Glimmer Dots

Hello

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #68, so we are in the middle 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 used Creative Expressions Metallic Gilding Pastes--Chocolate Bronze, Tarnished Gold and Enchanted Gold. I used a Gina K Designs Stencil called Fizzy and used the blending brushes that are attached to each of the pastes and pounced it over all of the dots.  I then picked some Mirricard Copper cardstock to use as a layer behind the dots and also for the die cut the word Hello from my Concord & 9th set called Everyday Sayings.  I die cut the backer from velum and added some copper bling from The Ton.   

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 March!

Image/Sentiment:  Concord & 9th Hello from Everyday Sayings Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Copper Metallic, Velum;

Ink:  None, but Creative Expressions Metallic Gilding Paste--Chocolate Bronze, Tarnished Gold, Enchanted Gold

Accessories:   The Ton Copper Rhinestones; Gina K Designs Fizzy Stencil

Sketchbook Bouquet

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, I am the hostess and sent out this pretty floral image from Taylored Expressions called Sketchbook Bouquet. I did not include a sentiment, so we can pick out own theme.  For February, this is card #126 and we are now in year #12!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 11 strong years!  

I colored the bouquet image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I decided to go with a purple theme. I then die cut the image with the matching die. I layered the image on a velum oval with a Cottage Cutz Double Stitched Oval die.  The background is Concord & 9th background plate called Stitched Vines and then I die cut that with my MFT-My Favorite Things-Blueprints 20. The sentiment strip is from my sentiment box, so I am not sure what company it is from.  I added some Studio Katia Color Burst Pearls for some bling on this card.   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!  Jeanette is up for our March challenge, so please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Sketchbook Bouquet/Sentiment Strip

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

Ink: Simon Says Stamp Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Cottage Cutz Double Stitched Oval Die; Studio Katia Color Burst Pearls; Concord & 9th Stitched Vines Cover Plate; MFT-My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 Die

Bee Young-Well Wishes

 

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 February, I picked a sweet Honey Bee stamp set that I have not gotten inky called Bee Young-Well Wishes.  It has a gardener image, a couple of flowers and grass, plus some sentiments. 

For my card,  I stamped the main image, a flower and grass, plus the Wishing You Well sentiment in Hero Arts Intense Black ink.  I colored the images with my Copic Sketch Markers and then die cut the matching dies. I die cut a panel and a black backer from my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 and then embossed the white panel with a Taylored Expressions folder called Burlap for a bit of texture. I placed the images and sentiment on the panel, then adding two grass strips.  

 

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 March 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More

Image/Sentiment:  Honey Bee Stamps Bee Young-Well Wishes

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

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; 

Accessories:  Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 Dies;  Copic Sketch Markers; Taylored Expressions Burlap Embossing Folder