Thursday, March 28, 2024

Easter Cards

 


Today is the day I am posting my cards for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 87th month of de-stash, so we are starting 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.

Lisa posted our March challenge--Create anything you would like with an Easter theme.

I make cards every year for our Human Concerns committee from church when we sent gift cards to members of our sister church in Milwaukee.  This year we sent to 23 families and my stash of Easter cards is now low for 2025.  So, I decided to do a mass production of 8 cards using my new Gina K Designs die set called Elegant Cross.  I also recently bought the Taylored Expressions Joyful Joyful stamp, die and Foil It panels so I used those for the sentiments.  I die cut the cross and backer from gold and white shimmery cardstock from The Paper Cut.  I then used some of my new gold foil from Taylored Expressions and foiled the panels from the Joyful Joyful set and then die cut each of the sentiments.  The background paper is some fun and colorful pastel colors from Stampin' Up as are the enamel dots I added around the cross.

I now have a start on the cards I need for next Easter!

 




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


Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Joyful Joyful Foil It Panels and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, White Lady and Antique Gold Shimmer Cardstock; Stampin' Up Pastel colors and patterned paper

Ink:  None, but Gold Taylored Expression Foil

Accessories:   Gina K Designs Elegant Cross Dies; Stampin' Up Enamel Dots

Friday, March 22, 2024

Double Duty Stencil








 

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 39th month, so we are in our 4th year!  WOW--4 years of making two cards with the same stamp from different companies each month!



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 changed it up a bit. We decided to use a stencil from any company and then add only a sentiment to the card. I picked a stencil from Impression Obsession called Snowfall.  I also used a Simon Hurley paste by Ranger on both cards!




For the first card, I used three colors of Simon Hurley's Solar Paste.  I picked Later Gator, Midnight Snack plus Crown Me and added the colors on an angle across the white cardstock.  I realized later that I layered the panel upside down as the "lesser snowflakes" should be at the top.   I then picked a Simon Says Stamp Die Set called Chunky Thank you and die cut the words from Erin Lee Creative Rainbow Metallic cardstock.  I used the coordinating backer die to cut a piece of velum to go behind the words for more dimension.  I added a few Stampin' Up gems around the words.  




For this card, the background is the same stencil and I picked Solar Paste in Royal Flush on Misty Moonlight cardstock.  There really is lots of shine when you tip the card.  The words are from a Erin Lee Creative die set called Oh Happy Day and I used Opal Mirricard from The Paper Cut, layered twice.  I used the same bling from Stampin' Up, but this time in the blue/green color.  




I hope you enjoyed my cards for our group.  Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards. Here is a link to Jeanette'sDarlene’s  and  Carol's blogs.   I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards.  

Next month we are back to our original challenge and will highlight Altenew Stamp Company.  So be sure to check out our cards on April 22nd!  


Image/Sentiment:  Erin Lee Creative Oh Happy Day Die; Simon Says Stamp Chunky Thankful Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Opal Mirricard; Eric Lee Creative Rainbow Metallic Cardstock; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Misty Moonlight, Night of Navy, Velum

Ink: None

Accessories: Stampin' Up Gems; Ranger/Simon Hurley Solar Paste--Later Gator, Midnight Snack, Crown Me, Royal Flush; Impression Obsession Snowfall Stencil

Friday, March 15, 2024

National Poultry Day!

 


Today is the 15th and this is my card this month for our The Creative Crew!  We are a group of 7 and all one team--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 is the hostess and sent out a kit with this cute image from Stampin' Up set called Rustic Rooster.  She also included some fun patterned paper from The Paper Studio.  The theme is National Poultry Day as that is next week on the 19th. Did you know there was such a day?  I did not, nor did Carol and I am guessing, most of our Crew did not either!

I decided I wanted a white rooster, so I did not color the image at all! I die cut the image and the frame with my Circle Nestabilities. I wanted to highlight some of the sweet, rustic papers Carol sent, so I picked a layout from Gina K that I have used before to showcase three of them! I backed each piece in the same Smokey Slate. The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set that I have called Hey Chuck and was die cut with Taylored Expressions Modern Sentiment Labels.  I did not add any bling as I am sure it will be sent to a guy! This was a very fun card to make!




I hope all of The Creative Crew Gals enjoy my cards 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 snowy creations this month!   

We will be back in April with the image Terry will be sending out.   Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun we  have planned!


Image/Sentiment:  Stampin' Up Rustic Rooster/Hey Chuck for the sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Smokey Slate; The Paper Studio Country Road Patterned Paper

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle Dies; Taylored Expressions Modern Sentiment Labels

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Thank You

 


Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.  I am late today as I usually have my cards ready to post early in the morning.  However, this one was actually made today!   This card is number 57, so we are into year #6. 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 this month's messiness, I decided to pick Tim Holtz alcohol inks.  Full Disclosure............  This panel was in my basket of UFO's--Unfinished Objects.  I have extra panels I have made in the past long with die cuts, sentiment, etc.  So, Yes I did cheat just a bit................. 

This panel is a piece of black Mirricard from the Paper Cut.  I used shades of teal and purple alcohol inks and moved the inks around with my blower.  I layered the colorful panel on silver Mirri-Sparkle, also from The Paper Cut.  I added a strip of the same silver on the bottom as a base for a black sentiment from Taylored Expressions.  The Thank You die is from Gina Marie Designs and is layered three times.  I added some Stampin' Up bling around the die cut.






I really like the look of this card and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies like it 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 to in April as we will all be back for another round!

Image/Sentiment:  Gina Marie Designs Thank You die; Taylored Expressions sentiment strip

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up Basic Black; The Paper Cut Black Mirricard, Silver Mirri-sparkle

Ink:  Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Silver bling

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Taylored Expressions Lily

 


Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, I was the hostess and sent out a pretty Big Blooms-Lily from Taylored Expressions!  I sent a couple images that I die cut with the coordinating die and a few on quarter sheets.    So for March, this is card #115 and we are into year number 10!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 10 plus years!  




I picked one of the die cut images and colored it with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I added two layers under the image for some dimension and strength. I picked a yellow gingham patterned paper from Echo Park paper for the background.  I added a strip of white cardstock on the side, where I stamped a Happy Easter sentiment from a Sweet 'N Sassy set called He Lives.  For the final touch, I added some Pinkfresh Studio clear gems with gold dust 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 great cards!  Jeanette will be up for our April challenge.   Please be sure to join us again. 


Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Big Blooms-Lily stamp and matching die; Sweet 'N Sassy He Lives Sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Daffodil Delight; Echo Park Paper Easter Wishes Patterned Paper

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Pinkfresh Studio Clear Gems with Gold Dust

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Today is Special

 


Today is the day I post my card for our One Plus Twelve challenge in 2024.  This is year number 6.   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 Pinkfresh Studio set called Thankful for Friends.  The set includes the stamp set, matching die, coordinating stencils and a hot foil plate!   I think this set is so pretty and I will have many options each month. 

For my card this month, I first hot foiled the image in gold foil. I then used the 4 piece stencil and Taylored Expressions inks to ink blend the image in greens and purples.  I then die cut the floral cluster with the matching die and also backed it with two more layers.  I picked a Pinkfresh Studio plate called Stitched Octagons for the background.  I also picked the Pinkfresh Notched Corner Frames die set to make the frame from metallic gold.  I layered the frame three times for more dimension.  I picked a Pinkfresh gold foiled sentiment from one of the many sentiment packs I have.  I added some Pinkfresh Clear Gems with Gold Dust and placed them around the image.
 



Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve cards to see the the cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for March!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.   Be sure to come back on April 3rd to see our next set of cards.  

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Thankful for Friends foil plate, 4-piece stencil and matching die; Gold Foiled Sentiment from Pinkfresh also

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Gold Mirricard Metallic; Hammermill White for foiled image

Ink: Spellbinders Gold Foil; Taylored Expressions Lavender Glaze, Dried Fig, Kiwi, Peapod 

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Clear Gems with Gold Dust, Notched Corner Frame Dies, Stitched Octagon Die

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Catch-up Club for February

 


Happy Leap Day!  Today is the last day of February 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 3+ 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 15th 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 a Fun Time Thursday in January called Guy and Nature Cards.  Sarah is like most crafters and admitted she too struggles with masculine cards.  The images are from Rubbernecker, who is now Brass & Bliss.  I have two more cards to make from this class.  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 have a Pinkfresh Studio and Pretty Pink Posh virtual event that was last weekend, so I have a few cards to finish.   I also have parts of other virtual events and classes from 2023 that need to be completed.   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:  Guy and Nature Cards from The Paper Cut's Fun Time Thursday.  Stamps and some dies are from Rubbernecker--Brass & Bliss

Cardstock:  All included in kit--all are available from The Paper Cut

Ink:  Taylored Expressions inks for brush blending

Accessories: 
 Copic Sketch Markers;  

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Snowy Cardinal

 


Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 86th month of de-stash, so we are starting 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 February challenge--February is National Bird Feeding month. Create a card with a bird--any bird. Yes, this is a repeat of 2022, but a fun theme!

I picked a Gina K Designs set called Snowbirds and it also has a set of coordinating dies. I stamped the cardinal and colored with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I then die cut the image.  I then die cut one of the sentiment from the set with a banner die from Gina K's Master Layouts 2.  The background is a Honey Bee Stamps embossing folder called Snowy pines.  I die cut the panel and backer with the same Master Layouts 2.  I then added some Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels around 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 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, Lisa is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!


Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs Snowbirds Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up BAsic Black, Real Red

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Honey Bee Stamps Snowy Pines Embossing Folder; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 Dies; Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels; Copic Sketch Markers

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Enduring Beauty Bundle

 


Today I am showing off a card I made with a newer Stampin' Up bundle called Enduring Beauty.  The bundle includes a sweet stamp set, a die set and a set of 5 stencils, that the company calls masks.

I stamped the main image and then ink blended it by using 4 of the 5 stencils.  The inks I picked were Taylored Expressions Cupcake and Rose Water for the flowers and Peapod with Mint Julep for the leaves.  I did not use the 5th stencil as it used for the middle of the flowers if you just ink blend without stamping first. I die cut the floral image with the coordinating die. I then dies cut a white and black panel using Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2. I then used a Stampin' Up Embossing folder called Exposed Brick for texture on the white panel. I added a strip of black cardstock over the embossed panel and then placed the image using foam tape.   The sentiment is from a Simon Says Stamp sentiment package and I added some Taylored Expressions Drip Drops around the image.  
 


I hope you enjoyed my card and I know I will use this fun bundle for more cards in the future.  


Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Enduring Beauty Stamp, Stencil and Die Set/ Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Package

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

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Cupcake, Rose Water, Peapod, Mint Julep

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Exposed Brick Embossing Folder; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Black Rhinestones

Thursday, February 22, 2024

One (Two) Little Lattes!

 





Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 38th month, so we are in our 4th year!  WOW--4 years of making two cards with the same stamp from different companies each month!



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, the company we picked is Unity! They make such a variety of images and other stamping items.  They have some very fun sets with sweet sentiments.  I went this month with a cute set called One Little Latte that has 3 perfect sentiments.  I think this mug is so dang cute!




For the first card, I stamped the image and colored with my Copic Sketch Markers. I fussy cut the image and die cut one of the sentiments with a Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Tag Die. The background is called Perfect Blend, heart of coffee beans!  I decided I needed a grounding layer and die cut a heart from Gina K Designs Master Layouts 4.  I tied the tag on the mug handle with some brown baker's twine.    I added some gold enamel dots around the heart. 





For this card, I stamped the image and again, colored with my Copic Sketch Markers. Fussy cutting the image again and die cut another of the sentiments with a Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Tag Die. This background is filled with birthday party hats. I die cut a circle from a piece of vellum from a CottageCutz Double Stitched Circle die.  Once again, I tied the tag on the mug handle with some pink baker's twine. I added some pink enamel dots around the circle. 




I hope you enjoyed my cards for our group.  Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards. Here is a link to Jeanette'sDarlene’s  and  Carol's blogs.   I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards.  

Next month we are doing something different for our challenge.  We are using jsut a stencil or a stencil with a sentiment alone.  So be sure to check out our cards on March 22nd!  


Image/Sentiment:   Unity One Little Latte

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Basic Black, Melon Mambo; Gina K Designs Sandy Beach; Vellum; Perfect Blend and Birthday Party Hat Patterned Paper

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Tag Dies; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; CottageCutz Double Stitched Circle Dies; Copic Sketch Markers;  Baker's Twine; Enamel Dots