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, we 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:  Technique 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 mystash 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