Sip Sip Hooray

 

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 October, I picked an Avery Elle Stamp Set that I have not used called Sip Sip Hooray.  

For my card, I colored the stamped image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I decided to pick a circle die from Pinkfresh Studio called Inverted Stitched Scallop Circle to layer over the image and added foam tape behind it. I thought the  card could use a bit of color, so I added a layer of Cherry Cobbler between the circle layer and the card base.  The sentiment is from the same set and I used an older Stampin' Up punch with it.  I added some Black Rhinestones from Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces 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, Terry, and Darlene.  Be sure to come back on November 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More.  

Image/Sentiment:  Avery Elle Sip Sip Hooray Stamp Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; 

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Inverted Stitched Scallop Circle Die; Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Punch; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Black Rhinestones

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

Pretty Blooms by Pinkfresh Studio

 

This is the third class from my recent Pinkfresh Studio Create and Connect virtual event, taught by Heather Hoffman.

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 Heather used this pretty bundle called Pretty Blooms.  The set includes the stamp set, matching die, a 6 piece stencil and a roll of the wide washi tape. She used the Stitched Pinwheels cover plate along with some of the dies from the Double Stitched Fancy Frames Die set, which were also included in the event box.  I know I will use those often in the future!  The washi is so pretty and was used on the top and right right.  We ink blended for the card on the left with the stencil set.

 

Next up is the class with Rachel Arribs and another Pinkfresh bundle.  Coming Soon!

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Pretty Blooms Stamp Set, Coordinating Dies, Stencils and Washi

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

Ink:  Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Stitched Pinwheels Cover Plate, Double Stitched Fancy Frame Dies

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

SCT Celebrations Delivered #2

 

These are another set of cards from the Celebrations Delivered event that was held in February.  There were three classes along with a special class by Jennifer McGuire.  We received a pouch filled to the brim a sweet stamp set, 40 dies, 3 stencils and all of the needed cardstock. This kit included many items to celebrate milestones--like a new home, graduation, new baby, wedding, etc.  

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 was taught by the very talented Meghann Andrew.

This class by Meghann was very fun. The new home card had lots of die cutting and sweet colors for the houses!  The engagement/wedding card is so elegant with a soft gray background. And for the birthday card, we embossed the background with the balloon die.  I love the dimension on all of the cards!

 

I have one more class from this event to make.  I still have more pouches on the shelf, and a few virtual events in the next 6 weeks!

Image/Sentiment:  SCT Celebrations Delivered Stamp Set, Coordinating Dies and Stencils 

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White, Gold;  Concord & 9th cardstock

Ink:  Concord & 9th ink cubes

Accessories:  Sequins from the kit

Feather Lilies

 

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 40th 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 April, the company is Altenew.   This company has such stunning florals and of course, that is what I picked!  The set is called Feathered Lilies and includes a stamp set, matching die, coordinating stencils and an embossing folder.  For my cards, I used a combination of all 4 of the items!

For the first card, I stamped the large lily image with black ink  I then used my blender brushes and Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes with the set of 3 stencils for pink lilies! I then die cut the image and layered on an embossed background where I used my favorite Stampin' Up folder called Subtle.  The sentiment is from the same set and I die cut with a Gina K Designs Master Layouts banner die.  I added a few Trinity Pearls around the colorful image.

For this card, I also stamped the image and ink blended with PFS cubes again, this time for yellow lilies.  I then ran it through the embossing folder, though you really cannot see the embossing.   I think I should have done the embossing on a piece of cardstock first, then ink blended with the stencil over the image, without stamping.  This image was layered directly on the card base, which I embossed the panel with a Stampin' Up folder called Exposed Brick. I also die cut one of the sentiments with a Taylored Expressions die.  A few yellow Pinkfresh jewels a placed around the image.

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's, Darlene’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 will highlight Newton's Nook, a Wisconsin Stamp Company.  So be sure to check out our cards on May 22nd!  

Image/Sentiment:  Altenew Stamp Company Feather Lilies Stamp Set, Stencil Set, Embossing Folder and Die

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

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes for blending

Accessories: Stampin' Up Subtle and Exposed Brick Embossing Folders; Trinity Pink Pearls; Pinkfresh Studio Yellow Jewels

Paradiso Butterfly

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 66th month of de-stash, so we are in the middle our 6th year of challenges. 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 June challenge--Flowers are blooming, butterflies are everywhere so let's see a butterfly on your card.

I decided to go with an "only using dies" card and I really like the result.  The butterfly is a three part die, really 4 parts when including the body and antennae, from Birch Press called Paradiso Butterfly.  I die cut the bottom layer from some black watercolor cardstock so it has a bit of texture.  The middle and top layers were die cut from the panels I had previously made with some alcohol inks. There is not as much color variations as I thought, but there sure is some shine from the Yupo paper!  The background die is from Tutti Design and is called Oriental Screen, which I cut from black cardstock.  I layered it over a Gorgeous Grape panel and there is a thin layer of purple shimmer paper behind it--hard to see in the picture!  I then added some Stampin' Up Iridescent Jewels on the card.  The sentiment is from a CZ Designs/Simon Says Stamp Sentiment set about graduation called Yay You!

 

Here is the inside of my card with a strip of washi tape:

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

Image/Sentiment: Birch Press Paradiso Butterfly image and CZ Designs/Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips Reverse-Yay You!

Cardstock: Yupo Paper;  Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grape, Basic Black; The Paper Cut Purple Glimmer Paper

Ink:  Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Iridescent Jewels; Tutti Designs Oriental Screen Die

Lawn Fawn and Concord & 9th

 

Today I am showing you some cards I made  from the SCT-Scrapbook and Cards Today--Crop and Create Delivered.  I finished all of the classes this week--YAY!  This was an awesome virtual card making event that happened in March and I was not able to watch all of the classes from the three days.  These are my cards from Lawn Fawn and Concord & 9th.

These 3 cards are Concord & 9th and Cathy Zielske taught the class.  We received the Pop-up Par-Tay stamp and die set along with the Confetti Dots Turnabout Stencil--they are all so fun!  We ink blended the stencil on the card fronts and then added various sentiments along with die cuts. When you open the bottom Let's Eat Cake card, Hip Hip Hooray pops up inside!  These colorful cards were so fun to make.

These 3 glittery cards were taught by Jenn Shurkus and Lawn Fawn--Who Else!    We received the fun stamp set called Happy Birthday Deer along with the coordinating dies.  I colored with my Copic Sketch Markers with many tips from Jenn. We ink blended the words and added glitter on all three cards.  These sure are bright and cheery!

Thanks for stopping my my blog and checking out my cards!  I will post more class along with one of the Make 'n Takes tomorrow!

So Very Proud of You

It is time for another The Three Musketeers post. We are ready to showcase the card we all created with the fun image from Colorado Craft Company called Proud of You that I sent out for our May card #93! That means we are in the middle of year number 7 with this fun challenge! All three of us sure have enjoyed the challenges every month and we hope that it continues for a long time! 

I thought this would be a fun image for all of the spring and summer celebrations--especially graduations!  I colored the sweet image that was die cut with one of the coordinating dies (love this!) with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I was a bit short on time, so the background is from a colorful package of Taylored Expressions Done For You Panels that I just got a week ago.  These are so cool and I know I will use them often in the future.   The sentiment is from the same stamp set and I used one of the matching dies for it. I added some clear dots for the final touch!   I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the colorful paper, along with another sentiment from the stamp set:

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!  They may post today or tomorrow, so be sure to check out their blogs for their card!   Kelly is up for our June challenge.  Please be sure to join us again.  

Image/Sentiment:  Colorado Craft Company Proud of You Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight; Taylored Expressions Done For You Alcohol Ink Series 2

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Markers; Clear Dots

Say It Big!

This is my January card is for the monthly swap that Pam hosts on SCS.  Each month we make 8 cards and include a matching envelope.  They can be any theme for any month.  All of the swappers are wonderful and I have received awesome cards each and every month.  

I inked up one of my un-inked-until-today stamp sets from Unity Stamp Company called Say It Big! I inked up the Congrats with Island Indigo and die cut the sentiment and background with Sizzix Dotted Ovals.  I added a couple of mini banner flags on the side.  The background paper is from Stampin' Up called Noble Peacock Specialty Designer Series Paper--I love the shine and sparkle!  I think everyone can use a Congrats card.

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope Pam and the others swappers like my card this month!

Image/Sentiment:  Unity Stamp Company Say It Big

Cardstock:  Neenah Class Crest 110# Solar White; Stampin' Up Pretty Peacock, Island Indigo, Noble Peacock Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Stampin' Up Island Indigo

Accessories:  Sizzix Dotted Oval dies; Stampin' Up Mini Banner Punch

Stamping Sisters Mini Summer Camp-Day 2

Are you ready for Camp-Day 2?  Yes, we headed to camp yesterday--did you join us?  This summer camp is a virtual one and everyone is invited to attend. If you did not see what we are up to, please check my blog post from yesterday.  This is the brainchild of my good friend Kelly and when she asked three of us to join her at camp, we all said YES!  And, if you did not see Kelly's awesome tutorial yesterday as our first counselor, be sure to check out her blog!

Here are our blogs and the days we are going to be the camp counselor:

Monday/June 22 ~ Kelly @ Sandcastlestamper

Tuesday/June 23 ~ Darlene @ Accordingtobijou

Wednesday/June 24 ~ Jeanette @ Creativeplay

Thursday/June 25 ~ Barb (me!)  @ inkingintoretirement

Darlene's challenge for today can be found on her blog along with a tutorial for making card.  Each day one of us will provide the directions and photos for our card and we hope you will join us.  Please Play Along--and remember, it is free to attend our camp!  

Darlene asked us to go on a scavenger hunt and find something with texture for a background.  I used the bag that onions come in--the orange one and I also picked a piece of bubble wrap.  

I inked up both of them with shades of pink/red.  I used Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks Festive Berries, Candied Apple and Picked Raspberry.  I inked up both of my scavenged items with three rows of colors.  The left side is when I inked up the bubble wrap and laid my piece of cardstock right over the top to get inked.  The right piece was using the bag from onions and I taped it on the sides over the cardstock.  I then used my sponge dauber over the bag and inked the cardstock.  I carefully lifted the bag off to show the colored effect. Two different patterns applied two different ways.

I should have remembered the cardstock was going to be cut in half from side to side and made my rows of colors go the long way.  After I trimmed each piece to 4 1/2 by 7 1/2,  only two colors show on each piece.

Below are both of the cards that I made.  The top is from the onion bag and is a fun birthday card, using sentiments from the Birthday Girl stamp set from The Project Bin.  The bottom card is from the bubble wrap and would be a great congrats card, using the Stampin' Up Bravo Set.

 

Darlene gives awesome directions with pictures of how to cut out the middle and add the die cuts with the sentiments.  Her tutorial is So Good--be sure to check it out!  I used the Stampin' Up Deco Labels Dies for the middle of my card.

I really like this card and I hope you do too!

I hope you will join us at camp this week and play along.  It will be a great time--I promise wonderful weather, no mosquitoes and no sunburn!  Jeanette is up as our counselor tomorrow--be sure to check back!

Image/Sentiment:  The Project Bin-Birthday Girl and Stampin' Up Bravo stamp sets

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Recollections 110# White; Stampin' Up Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink

Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks Festive Berries, Candied Apple, Picked Raspberries; Stampin' Up Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Deco Labels Dies; Bubble Wrap, Onion Bag