Catch-Up Club

 

Today is the day of April and I am posting 2 sets 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 the recent Scrapbook & Cards Today Crop & Create Delivered.  

The set of 4 cards were created by Taylor of Taylored Expressions.  The set she used is a Crete-in-Quads called Flit & Flutter and includes the stencils and coordinating dies. I have also purchased some Foil-it panels that match.  The ink colors I used are my Taylored Expressions ink pads.

The second set of cards are from Gina of Gina K Designs.  The class was called Over The Edge Cards and we used the Hand-picked Flowers bunde with included a stamp set, coloring stencils and dies. I used Gina K ink cubes for all three of the cards.

 

I have a few 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:  SCT Crop & Create Delivered--Taylored Expressions and Gina K Designs Classes

Cardstock:  All provided in kits

Ink:  Taylored Expressions ink pads and Gina K Designs ink cubes

Accessories:  All provided in the kits

Triple Dog Dare

 

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 99th 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.

Tracie posted our April challenge---April 28th is National Pet Parents Day.  Make a card with your favorite pet.

I Love all dogs and we have pet-sat for various families in the past.  I pick a fun Whipper Snapper Designs image called Triple Dog Dare! I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut the image and backer with my Gina Marie Designs Rounded Stitched Square dies.  The background shows a Waffle Flower Paw Print Textured Die, though it is a bit hard to see in the picture.  I added some Stampin' Up linen thread behind the image along with some Swirl Dots around the image.  This was a fun card to make as I really live the image!

 

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

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Triple Dog Dare

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' U Linen Thread, Swirl Dots; Gina Marie Rounded Stitched Squares; Waffle Flower Paw Print Textured Die

Early Spring

 

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 April,  I picked a cute set from Gina K Designs called Early Spring. The set has a sweet corner tulip mages and a number of sentiments.  I always need Easter cards as our church sends about 25 families from our sister church in Milwaukee grocery gift cards for Easter.  I am working on my 2026 cards! 

For my card, I stamped the image in Hero Arts Intense Black ink in the corner of a panel.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.   I then die cut the panel and backer with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  I die cut the sentiment from a new to me die set from Stampin' Up called Greetings of the Season dies-- know I will use that set all year round!  I added some Stampin' Up pink twine on the stitched label.  I added some pink enamel dots 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 May 25th to see another fun card for The Encore Challenge!


Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs Early Spring

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 dies; Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Greetings of the Season Die, Pink Thread; Pink Enamel Dots

Double Bunny Ears

 

Today is the 22nd so this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 52nd 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 April, we decided to use Pink & Main, a fun and unique company.  The company has great stamps, dies, foiling, and so many other unique items.  Michelle, the owner and creative director,  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 cute stamp called Bunny Ears.  I will need about 25 Easter cards for next year as our Human Concerns Ministry Team from church sends grocery gift cards to members of our sister church in Milwaukee. I try to make some throughout the year.

For my these cards, I used ovals as a double duty theme.  I also used "dots" on both cards and colored the bunny with my Copic Sketch Markers.

For my first card, I die cut the image and the pink backer from ovals from The Sizzix Dotted Oval Die set.  I picked some spring patterned paper with fun pastel stripes for the background and added a strip of Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon behind the image.   I added a few pink Trinity Stamps pearls around the bunny!

For my second card, I die cut an oval from my Pinkfresh Studio Elongated Die set. I then embossed the panel with a very old Stampin' Up folder called Perfect Polka Dots. I added the bunny image inside the oval and then layered the white panel on the white card base.  I added a few pink enamel dots around the bunny!

 I think both of these cards are so cute and sweet!  Fun cards for this month' Double Duty---Dots, Ovals and Copics!

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 amazing company, Brass & Bliss. So be sure to check out our cards on May 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment: Pink & Main Bunny Ears

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink; Spring Striped Patterned Paper

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black Ink

Accessories:  Gina Copic Sketch Markers; Sizzix Dotted Oval Dies; Trinity Stamps Pink Pearl Embellishments; Pinkfresh Studio Elongated Oval Die; Stampin' Up Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Pretty in Pink 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon; Pink Enamel Dots

Jump for Joy

 

This is my card for a swap called the SIS--Surprise Image Swap.   This is card #20 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 Jody!  She will swap the cards and include the new image for round #21 that Janet will have stamped in each return envie. Then--we do it all again in June! 

Jody sent us this cute frog image from Penny Black called Jump for Joy.   Jody's word of the year is Joy and she mentioned she uses this image often.  I picked my background patterned paper called Spring is Calling--perfect for this card!  I then colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I die cut the panel with a MFT-My Favorite Things Stitched Tag Corner Rectangle Die.  I put a strip of Black Grosgrain Ribbon behind the image. I used Gina K Master Layouts 2 for the patterned paper and the backer. I added some Trinity Stamps Aquamarine Ripple Gems. 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 SIS20 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment:  Penny Black Jump for Joy

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Granny Apple Green; Spring is Calling Patterned Paper

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; MFT-My Favorite Things Stitched Tag Corner Rectangle Dies; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Stampin' Up 2/3" Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Trinity Stamps Aquamarine Ripple Gems

Favorite Company

 

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, Jeanette and I posted a challenge.  The challenge was to pick a random stamp from our favorite company.

I like a few companies, but probably the one at the top is Taylored Expressions.  I picked the first stamp set in the front of one of the four bins I have with their stamps.  The set I picked was Baroque Bouquet, which has a stamp and matching stencil.  I thought I had the coordinating die, but I do not.  It is now in my cart on their website. I stamped the large 6x6 image on Sugar Cube cardstock and then used the coordinating to add color to the image.  I then die cut the image with a TE die called Squiggle Stacklets.   I added a TE sentiment strip along with some clear Drip Drops.  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 holiday cards!

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

Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Baroque Bouquet Stamp and Matching Stencil

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Inks; Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Squiggle Stacklet Die; Clear Drip Drops

Congratulations!

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, Kelly is the hostess and she sent out this sweet image from Stamp Anniething called Jay & Maya!  Kelly's wedding anniversary is in April, so she sent this cute couple to us!  For April, this is card #128 and we are now in year #12!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 11 strong years!  

Kelly sent one die cut image of the cute couple along with two card fronts. I picked the die cut one and colored the snowman image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I then decided I wanted to use some purple glitter cardstock to coordinate with the dress and shirt.  I first thought it might be the background, but instead I die cut one of the Spellbinders Stylish Ovals from it so it will shimmer more! I added some foam tape behind the oval panel so it looks like a frame!  The sentiment was also sent from Kelly.   I added some purple glitter dots from Taylored Expressions around the image.  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 May challenge, so please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment: Stamp Anniething Jay & Maya

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut #100 Cougar Opaque White, Black, Purple Glitter; Recollections #100 White

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Purple Glitter Dots; Spellbinders Stylish Oval Dies

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