Birthday Balloons

 

Today I am posting my card for the The Encore Challenge!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 25th 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 August,  I picked a stamp set and matching dies from Hero Arts called Bunch of Balloons.

I colored the die cut balloon image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I used primary colors for the balloons.  I embossed a panel with an older Sizzix folder called Birthday 5.  I die cut the panel with my My Favorite Things-MFT Blueprints 20 and layered on a white cardbase.  The sentiment is from the same set and I die cut with a Taylored Expressions sentiment die set. I added a few Taylored Expressions Clear Drip Drops.  This will be a fun birthday card to send!

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 September 25th to see another fun card for The Encore Challenge!


Image/Sentiment: Hero Arts Bunch of Balloons Stamp Set and Dies

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, 

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  MFT-My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 dies; Copic Sketch Markers; Sizzix Birthday 5 Embossing Folder; Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Clear Drip Drops

Crafty Friends are the Best

 

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 I sent a kit with a crafty theme. I stamped Taylored Expressions Gus & Gertie Get Crafty image on a panel and also die cut a few. I included the sentiments from the same set. I also sent some crafty patterned paper from an older Stampin' Up pack.

I colored Gus and Gertie with my Copic Sketch Markers. The background is decided to make was using 3 strips from the patterned paper, with a strip of Coastal Cabana in between.  I die cut a vellum square from a Sizzix-Tim Holtz set called Stitched Squares.  I glued the image to the square and then placed it wonky on the panel with foam squares. I picked one of the sentiments and layered it with Coastal Cabana. AND--this sentiment is perfect for my friends in this group!!!!!!  I added some Mirrored Mint bling from Trinity Stamps around the image.  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 cards! 

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

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Gus & Gertie Get Crafty Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Stampin' Up Coastal Cabana, Follow Your Art Designer Series Patterned Paper, Vellum

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories: Sizzix-Tim Holtz Stitched Square Dies; Copic Sketch Markers; Trinity Stamps Mirrored Mint Bling

Late, but here!

 

I am very late as this is NOT 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 Darlene sent us a sweet kit with a masculine theme.  She included a boat load of Gina K Designs images and sentiments from a newer set called Mr. Fix It. They were all die cut--How Awesome! She also included some patterned paper and an embossed panel that she added ink--that is the one I picked for my background!

I colored a few of the tools and hardware with my Copic Sketch Markers. The background was sent by Darlene and it was embossed with a Sizzix woodgrain folder, brushed with Cinnamon Ink. I added a strip of the green patterned paper from the kit for a place to "lay" the tools and hardware! I added two of the sentiments that Darlene included.  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 cards!  AND--be sure to check back a few days as they probably were posted on time!

We will be back in July with another challenge that I will provide for us.  I better start to think of what to send.   Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun is planned!

Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs Mr. Fix It stamp set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: 80# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow, Early Espresso; Green Patterned Paper

Ink:   Versafine Clair Nocturn

Accessories: Sizzix Woodgrain Embossing Folder; Copic Sketch Markers;

Sweet Birthday

 

This is my card for a swap called the SIS--Surprise Image Swap.   This is card #21 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 Janet!  She will swap the cards and include the new image for round #22 that Terry will have stamped in each return envie. Then--we do it all again in August! 

Janet sent us this cute frog image from House Mouse called Sweet Birthday.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I die cut the panel and a gray backer with a new to me Stampin' Up die set called Textured Notes.  I picked a Celebrate die cut from a set by The Paper Cut called Balloon Layering Dies and used sticky dots to adhere it to the image panel.  The background was embossed with a Sizzix-Tim Holtz folder called Cobblestone 2.  I added some Pinkfresh Studio Sunshine Jewels around the image. 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 SIS21 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment:  House Mouse Sweet Birthday/Die Cut Sentiment from The Paper Cut Balloon Layering Dies

Cardstock:  Paper Studio White; Stampin' Up Basic Gray, Lemon Lolly

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Textured Notes Dies; Sizzix/Tim Holtz Cobblestone 2 Embossing Folder; Pinkfresh Studio Sunshine Jewels

Owl Birthday

 

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 101st 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.

Sue posted our May challenge---Make a card with a bird on it!

I picked a sweet Whipper Snapper Designs stamp called Owl Birthday.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut it with a My Favorite Things Stitched Mod Rectangle Stax Die.  I then die cut a white panel with the largest die from the same set and then embossed with a Sizzix folder called Birthday 5.  I added foam tape behind both panels.  I found the perfect sentiment in a Unity sentiment strip package.  Three green enamel dots complete the card.

 

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

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Owl Birthday

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Sizzix Birthday 5 Embossing Folder; MFT-My Favorite Things Stitched Mod Rectangles Stax Dies; Green Enamel Dots

It's Your Day

 

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 Brutus Monroe Sterling Silver Embossing Powder.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut both the image with the coordinating die.   I then die cut the back panel with a die from MFT-My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 and then used a Sizzix-Tim Holtz 3D Embossing Folder called Mosaic.  I love the texture and round design.  I picked a sentiment from my box and it is from a Pinkfresh Studio package.  I added some Taylored Expressions Silver Drip Drops 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 May!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on June 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; 

Ink: Versamark; Brutus Monroe Sterling Silver Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; MFT-My Favorite Things Blueprints 20; Sizzix-Tim Holtz Mosaic Embossing Folder; Taylored Expressions Silver Drip Drops

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

Hoppy Birthday

 

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 97th 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.

Lisa posted our January challenge---Make a Masculine Card!

I picked a very old Darcie's Stamp Set called Cheers.  I love the big mug of beer!  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and fussy cut the image.  I picked some masculine patterned paper that looks like paneling.  I added a piece of Basic Black cardstock that I embossed with a Sizzix folder called Woven. I used a very old Stampin' Up punch for the Hoppy sentiment.   I added some silver stars around the card.

 

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

Image/Sentiment:  Darcie's Cheers Stamp Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Gray Granite; My Mind's Eye Hello Patterned Paper

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Sizzix Woven Embossing Folder; Copic Sketch Markers; Silver Stars

Non-traditional Colors

 

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 96th 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.

I posted our December challenge---Make a Christmas Card with non-traditional colors!

I picked a Pink & Main bundle that needed some love. First I picked 3 shades of purple for the snowflakes that were cut with the Snowflake Emboss and Cut Folder.  I ran the folder through my Big Shot three times, once with each color of cardstock. I layered two or three colors of the snowflakes on a white panel I embossed with a Ellison Sizzix Snowflake Embossing Folder. I then picked a fun sentiment from the coordinating stamp and die set called Snowflake Sayings.  I added some white enamel dots in the middle of the snowflakes and along the sentiment. I do really like the colors on this card and know I can use this any time this winter as a thank you or hello card!

 

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

Image/Sentiment:  Pink & Main Snowflake Emboss and Cut Folder, Snowflake Sayings Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, Highland Heather

Ink:  Versamark; Brutus Monroe Alabaster White Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Ellison Sizzix Snowflake Embossing Folder; White Enamel Dots

Blooming Sunflower

 

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 45th month, so we are well 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 September, the company we decided on is Gina K Designs.  This is a favorite company of all of us I am sure--love her designs!   I picked a set called Blooming Sunflower that was a free with an order gift during a recent release.  I also purchased the coordinating die. And, it has perfect sentiments!

For both cards, I colored the sunflower image with my Copic Sketch markers and used the coordinating die to cut it out.  I also die cut 4 more pieces with the die and layered two behind each image for added dimension. The sentiments are from the same set and there are also matching dies.  These too are layered three times from added dimension and strength.  Both cards use an embossing folder in the background and another die behind the image.  I used Pinkfresh Studio Peach Fuzz Jewels as bling on both cards.

                           

For this yellow card, the background is a Sizzix-Tim Holtz Woven Embossing Folder.  I made the white window from Gina K Designs Master Layouts 5.  

                         

For the green card, I used another Sizzix-Tim Holtz Embossing Folder called Quilted.  I die cut the panel and backer with Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  The black oval was from Gina Marie Cross Stitched Die.

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 another favorite of all of us, Pinkfresh Studio.   So be sure to check out our cards on October 22nd!  

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Blooming Sunflower stamp set and matching Dies

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Peach Fuzz Jewels;  Gina K Designs Master  Layouts 2 and 5 Dies; Sizzix-Tim Holtz Woven and Quilted Embossing Folders;  Copic Sketch Markers;