One + Twelve

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our One Plus Twelve challenge in 2026.  This is year number 8.  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 Amazing Things.  The set includes a stamp set, matching dies, a 5-piece stencil set and a better press set. I am excited that I get to use this set every month for all of 2026 and have so many options.   

For my card this month, I used the press plate with blue hot foil for the image.  I then brush blended the image with the stencil set using shades of blues and greens with Taylored Expression inks. I then die cut the floral image with the matching die and layered twice. The background is a soft blue metallic cardstock, with a white frame cut from Taylored Expressions Frame in Frame Die Set.  The sentiment is from the same set.  I added some Shimmery Sky Bling from Trinity Stamps around the image.

 

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve posts to see the sweet cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for September!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on October 3rd to see another fun card. 

Image/Sentiment: Pinkfresh Studio Amazing Things press plate, stencil and die set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; The Paper Cut Blue Metallic cardstock

Ink:  Blue Hot Foil; Taylored Expressions Lime Zest, Pear, Gumball, Salt Water Taffy, Sprinkles, 

Accessories:  Trinity Stamps Shimmery Sky Bling; Taylored Expressions Frame in Frame

Cue The Cake

 

Today as it is the 28th and the day I am posting my cards for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS. This is our 116th month of de-stash, so we are into our 9th year of challenges.  I cannot believe my thought about using what we have is now 9+ 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.

Jeanette posted our August challenge--August is the only month of the year without a significant holiday so let's make up some crazy holiday and create cards for it. Remember, this is just for fun, so the crazier the holiday, the better. Also, tell us the holiday, but there's no need to put the holiday on the card since it's not a real holiday.

Sooooooo----I did a bit of research on the web, and I found the following crazy (well, maybe kind of) crazy holidays.  The 1st is National Sunflower Day, the 5th is National Underwear Day, the 15th is National Relaxation Day and the 31st is Eat Outside Day.  I looked for stamps for a couple of those--how could I not have an underwear stamp!  But, I decided to celebrate National Cat Day, celebrated on August 8th! 

I knew I bought a new Unity stamp set called Cue The Cake and really wanted to use it!  I stamped the image and colored it with my Copic Markers. I fussy cut the image and added foam tape, using a background embossed with a Taylored Expression folder called Party Parade.  I die cut one of the funny sentiments with a TE Sentiment Strip. I 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. They will all probably have chickens on their card!  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 CYSAUG.  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 September, Tracie is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment:  Unity Stamps Cue The Cake Stamp Set

Cardstock:  Taylored Expressions Tropical Punch, Mango; The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:   Copic Sketch Markers;  Taylored Expressions Party Parade Embossing Folder, Sentiment Strip Die; Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels

Floral Laurel

 

Today is the 22nd and it is Double Duty Day! This is the 67th month, so we are in the middle our 6th year!  More Doubling Up!

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, the company we picked was Altenew.  I have a number of Altenew floral sets as that is really what they are known for!

The set is called Floral Laurel.  There is a stamp set, matching dies, stencils along with a embossing folder.  I stamped the 2 laurel images two times and then ink blending with Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes.  I die cut all 4 sections and 4 different sentiments from the set with the coordinating dies.  I used the embossing folder on both white and Brussels Sprouts.  I die cut the each of the panels with a die from Taylored Expressions All-Planned Out 4 for a stitched edge. I placed both laurel images on the background to create a wreath.   

The images on the white panel are much lighter as I used whatever ink ws left on the brush from the other images. I picked Sending Peace for this card and layered it 3 times.  I added some white enamel dots around the image. 

For the Brussels Sprouts background, I ran my sanding block over the top of the  background panel and it took a bit of color off of some of the images.  I added green enamel dots around the image.  The Thinking of You sentiment is layered 3 times.

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 are going to use Unity Stamps as our featured company.  So be sure to check out our cards on September 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment:  Altenew Floral Laurel Stamp Set, 3-Piece Stencil Set, Coordinating Dies and matching Embossing Folder

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Taylored Expressions Brussels Sprout

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Various Colors of Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes

Accessories: Taylored Expressions All Planned Out 4 Die; Green and White Enamel Dots

Let It Snow

 

I made this snowy card when I had my a binder with holiday stencils on my craft desk.  I picked a Brass & Bliss stencil called Snowflake.  I ink blended 3 blue shades of Taylored Expressions colors, though it really does not photograph with the variety colors.  The sentiment is Lawn Fawn's Giant Let It Snow die, which was cut from The Paper Cut's Stardream Metallic Blue.  I added some Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels in the middle of some of the snowflakes.  

I like this snowy card and hope you do too.  Soon, it will be winter and time to send Christmas cards...............................

Image/Sentiment:  Lawn Fawn Giant Let It Snow Die

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Stardream Blue Metallic; 

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Salt Water Taffy, Bleu Cheese, Gumball

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels; Brass & Bliss Snowflake Stencil

Thank You

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our One Plus Twelve challenge in 2026.  This is year number 8.  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 Amazing Things.  The set includes a stamp set, matching dies, a 5-piece stencil set and a better press set. I am excited that I get to use this set every month for all of 2026 and have so many options.   

For my card this month, I used the press plate with hot foil for the image.  I then brush blended the image with the stencil set using shades of pinks and greens with Taylored Expression inks.    I then die cut the floral image with the matching die and layered twice. The background is a Simon Says Stamp Embossing Folder called Dotted Spiral. The sentiment is foiled from the same set.  I added some green Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Confetti Dots around the leaves.

 

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve posts to see the sweet cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for July!  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: Pinkfresh Studio Amazing Things press plate, stencil and die set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; 

Ink:  Pink Hot Foil; Taylored Expressions Key Lime, Mint Julep, Strawberry Milkshake, Pink Champagne, Rose Water

Accessories:  Simon Says Stamp Dotted Spiral Embossing Folder; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Confetti Dots

Christmas in July

 

Today is the last day of July and I am posting a group 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 38th month of The Catch Up Club!  So, we are now on year #4

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.

These Christmas cards from a Gold Trees parts & pieces kit that I recently bought at one of their Comment Sold Sales.  There were enough pieces for 15 cards and I also added a die cut tree in the inside of all of the cards.  There were 3 full kits, minus the sentiment, which was to be a gold embossed Christmas saying.  Then, there were enough parts to make 12 more cards--all of the background pieces, the trees and the gold strip.  I have many pieces left over that was die cut for the arch.  I used Christmas Sentiment pack from Pinkfresh Studio that were all gold foiled.    So, I finished the month with Christmas in July!

 

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 many previous classes!

On a side note, this past weekend was the final sale at The Paper Cut in Appleton.  Sarah has sold the business to Brass & Bliss, so everything is moving to Tennessee.  Sarah still hopes to offer monthly classes with kits, but is not sure yet how everything will go.  It is good that I still have a number of full kits still to complete and I recently got maybe a dozen parts and pieces kits to make also!  I will be busy for a few months and I do hope that Sarah will continue to create kits!

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 tomorrow or in the next few days but we have all promised to post cards that we have missed the making along the way!  Come back in August to see what else I am behind on!

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Christmas  Sentiment Pack

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

Ink:  None

Accessories:  Brass & Bliss Evergreen Trees Dies, Arch Die Set

Seasonal Sprig

 

Today is the 25th and I am posting 4 cards for the The Encore Challenge!  This is a monthly challenge with a group of friends from my 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 July,  I picked a bundle from Taylored Expressions called Seasonal Sprig. I used this set a few years ago for my swap cards at Stamp Joy--the event TE sponsors in the fall in Des Moines.  The set includes a stamp set, matching stencils, a set of dies and a coordinating cutting plate.

I decided to make 4 cards since I had the set out on my desk.  I first stamped the berry image and ink blended with Cherry Pop and Jalapeno.  I also stamped 3 of the sentiments a few times. I die cut two of the images with the matching die and the other two with the cutting plate, which made the frame too.  

For the white card below, the background is an Altenew embossing folder called Natural Wicker.  I also added some Glossy Accents over the red berries.  I added some green enamel dots around the image.  On the green card,  I added some TE silver glitter dots.   Both cards are glued flat.

For the Cherry Pop card below, the background is an Taylored Expressions embossing folder called Tweed. The frame has dimensionals for depth and I added some TE gold glitter dots.  The Peace on Earth card has a background embossed with Sizzix Pinewood Planks and some Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels.

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, Terry, Darlene.  Be sure to come back on August 25th to see another fun card for The Encore Challenge!


Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Seasonal Spring Stamp Set, Stencil Set, Matching Dies and the coordinating Cutting Plate.

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Taylored Expressions Cherry Pop, Japapeno

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Cherry Pop, Japapeno; Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Sizzix Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder; Altenew Natural Wicker Embossing Folder; Taylored Expressions Tweed Embossing Folder, Gold and Silver Glitter Dots; Pinkfresh Studio Glacier Jewels; Green Enamel Dots, Glossy Accents

Pinkfresh Studio Christmas

 

Today is the 22nd and it is Double Duty Day! This is the 66th month, so we are in the middle our 6th year!  More Doubling Up!

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 July we are going with a Christmas in July theme  Pick any company and make 2 Christmas cards.  I picked Pinkfresh Studio set to use this month!

The set is called Happy Holidays Circle Frame.  There is a stamp set, matching dies and stencils.  I stamped the holly images and then ink blending with Taylored Expression inks.  I die cut the image and the two sentiments with the coordinating dies.  I layered both the frame and sentiment three times.  I added some green enamel dots on both cards.

For the Happy Holidays card, I used Cilantro, Cherry Pop and Brussels Sprout for the ink blending with the 3-piece stencil set.  The colors of the cardstock backgrounds are Cherry Pop and Cilantro, on a white cardstock base.

For the Merriest Moments card, the background is Mulled Wine, cut with a Picket Fence Studio A2 Vintage Rectangle Die.  The image is ink blended with Mulled Wine, Key Lime and Granny Smith.  

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 are going to use Altenew as our featured company.  So be sure to check out our cards on August 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment: Pinkfresh Studio Happy Holidays Circle Frame Stamp Set, 3-Piece Stencil Set and Coordinating Dies

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Taylored Expressions Mulled Wine, Cherry Pop, Cilantro 

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Mulled Wine, Key Lime, Granny Smith, Cherry Pop, Cilantro, Brussels Sprout

Accessories: Picket Fence Studio A2 Vintage Rectangle; Green Enamel Dots

Getting Messy

 

Today is the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.   This card is #83, so we are into 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 cheated a bit and went to my stash of unused backgrounds and pieces.  This is a piece of watercolor cardstock that I made a few years ago with various shades of alcohol ink.  I also had two pieces of the Pinkfresh Studio Simple Diamond Cover Plate, so I glued those two together to layer on the top of thee colorful base.  I did cut the Pinkfresh Studio Curvy Leaves die set 3 times from Dill Pickle cardstock. I placed them around the cover plate and added a sentiment from my stash.  The bling is Taylored Expressions Black Rhinestones around the leaves.

I like this colorful 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 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 August!

Image/Sentiment: None; Sentiment from stash

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Taylored Expressions Black, Dill Pickle; Watercolored Cardstock

Ink:  Various shades of Tim Holtz alcohol ink

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Curvy Leaves, Simple Diamond Cover Plate; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Black Rhinestones