Lake Sunset

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 103rd 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.

Jeanette posted our July challenge----Create a card with a theme of Summer Vacation!

I decided to use one my newer postage collage stamp, die and stencil sets from Waffle Flower.  I first used the Postage Collage Die to cut the background from white cardstock.  I then used the Postage Collage Blocks Stencil and ink blended the sky and water with Taylored Expression inks. I used Gina K Designs Masking Paper around the boxes while blending.   I then used the Postage Collage Lake Sunset stamp set in each of the boxes, while keeping the stencil in place so the white edges showed.  I also used the Postage Collage Stamps to add the postal elements.  I added a sentiment strip from my stash.

 

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 CYSJUL.  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 August, I am up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment:  The Waffle Flower Postage Collage Blocks Stencil, Lake Sunset and Postage Collage Stamp Sets; Sentiment Strip from stash

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

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Blue Cheese, Honey

Accessories:  Waffle Flower Postage Collage Die; Gina K Designs Masking Magic, 

Postal Collage Coastal

 

These cards are from a very recent virtual event sponsored by Firefly Farm called S'Mores Edition of the Creative Crates. These 2 cards are from the Waffle Flower class taught by Lea Lawson.  

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 used a newer Postage Collage stamp set from Waffle Flower and it was so fun to use!   The stencil set we used is called Coastal and we also received some printed words.  We also got the Just a Note die and backer.  We also received all components to make 3 cards. But, somehow I got some water on the first card I made and I had to toss it.  So, here are the two remaining.  We did some a lot of ink blending with the fun postage stencil. 

 

That was my last class from the event. On to another!

Image/Sentiment:  Waffle Flower Postage Collage Coastal Stencil/Just a Note Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  All provided in the kit 

Ink:  Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes Various Colors

Accessories:  None

Triple Dog Dare

 

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 99th 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.

Tracie posted our April challenge---April 28th is National Pet Parents Day.  Make a card with your favorite pet.

I Love all dogs and we have pet-sat for various families in the past.  I pick a fun Whipper Snapper Designs image called Triple Dog Dare! I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut the image and backer with my Gina Marie Designs Rounded Stitched Square dies.  The background shows a Waffle Flower Paw Print Textured Die, though it is a bit hard to see in the picture.  I added some Stampin' Up linen thread behind the image along with some Swirl Dots around the image.  This was a fun card to make as I really live 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 CYSAPR.  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 May, Sue is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Triple Dog Dare

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

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' U Linen Thread, Swirl Dots; Gina Marie Rounded Stitched Squares; Waffle Flower Paw Print Textured Die

Waffle Flower Sketch Iris

 

Today is the 22nd so this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 50th month, so we are starting 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 February, we decided to use Waffle Flower, another of our favorite companies! They have great stamps, dies, hot foil plates and stencils, and a great group of grip mats, which I use all the time! I have one in my mini and regular MISTI along with the largest one on a metal board, which I use for stenciling!  I used that one on this set of cards. 

For this month, I picked a sweet set called Stitched Iris.  The set includes a wonderful stamp set, matching die, a set of stencils and the hot foil plate.  I did use the plate on the white card. I used my Pinkfresh Studio ink cubes in various shades of purples for both of the cards.

For this card, as I said before, I used Gold Foil with the Hot Foil plate of the large iris image.  I then added shades of purple along with yellow for the iris and a couple of shades of green for the leaves.  The background is a Gina Marie Designs die called Cottage Lattice.  I layered it twice with white cardstock.  The sentiment is from a Pinkfresh Studio pack.  I added a few Pinkfresh Studio Gold Gems around the image.

For the second card, I used shades of purple and pink ink cubes.  I die cut an oval from Highland Heather cardstock with a Brass & Bliss Deckled Oval and added some foam tape when I layered it over a pink cardstock.  The purple bling around the image is from The Ton.  The sentiment is from my box of sentiments, so I am not sure where it is from.  It is backed with black.

               

These were fun cards to make!

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 favorite company of all of us, Gina K Designs. So be sure to check out our cards on March 22nd!    

Image/Sentiment: Waffle Flower Sketched Iris Stamp, Stencil, Hot Foil and Die Set

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

Ink: Pinkfresh Studio Ink Cubes

Accessories:  Gina Marie Designs Cottage Lattice Die; Brass & Bliss Deckled Oval Die; The Ton Purple Bling; Pinkfresh Studio Gold Bling; Therm-o-web Gold Foil; 

Newton's Book Club

 

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 41st 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 May, the company is Newton's Nook.  This is a favorite company of mine as it is based in Wisconsin, a little over an hour away from me.   This company has the cutest images, especially Newton the cat and that is what I picked!  The set is called Newton's Book Club and has matching dies. There is also a coordinating 6x6 patterned paper package called Coffee House Stories.  For my cards, I used all three items!

For both cards, I picked the sheet of patterned paper I wanted to use as the background.  I also used a die cut of vellum under the colored image using a Waffle Flower Dotted Labels siw set.  I also die cut a sentiment from the same set.

For this card, I colored the books with my Copic Sketch Markers in bold colors  to match the bold background. The highlights are in lighter colors and I colored Newton in gray. I die cut the sentiment with my Taylored Expressions Modern Sentiment Labels.  I added some black baker's twine and some Taylored Expressions Black Rhinestones.  

For this card, I did the reverse of the color combinations on the books, with the darker color as the highlights as if matched the softer colored background.  I die cut the background and backer with Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  The sentiment was cut with the same Waffle Flower set as the circle of vellum.   A few white enamel dots were added 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 Taylored Expression, a favorite of all of us!  So be sure to check out our cards on June 22nd!  

Image/Sentiment: Newton's Nook Newton's Book Club Stamp set and matching die set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Gorgeous Grape, Going Gray, Vellum; Newton's Nook Coffee House Stories 6x6 patterned paper pack

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; 

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Taylored Expressions Black Rhinestones, Modern Label Sentiments; Waffle Flower Dotted Labels;  Black/White Twine; Gina K. Designs Master Layouts 2

Merry & Bright

This is my October Crafters of Faith card.  This is a sweet group on SCS that Faye hosts.  We are on year #7. We will continue as we have in the past with each month a new hostess gives us a scripture and challenges us to make a card with that theme. 

Sharon is the hostess this month and gave everyone this challenge:

Scripture:  Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Challenge:  A color challenge to use silver and gold on your card, and bonus points if you use an apple. You can use other colors, too, not limited to gold and silver.

I tried to find a stamp set to get bonus points with an apple, but that failed.  So, I thought a Christmas Card using gold and silver would be fun.  I picked my Waffle Flower Oversize Merry stamp set and decided to do heat embossing with my metallic powders.  I stamped the words with Versamark and used gold embossing powder on Merry and silver on & bright.  I then die cut the word Merry with the coordinating die and layered it three times for dimension.  The background paper is Stampin' Up's Year of Cheer.   I used Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2 to cut the background and a silver layer.   I added some rhinestones in the middle of the large snowflakes for a bit of bling!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the silver cardstock.

I hope you and the others from the Crafters of Faith group like my card this month!  We are to post on the 7th of each month, so if you look on my sidebar, you may see other creations.  I know that there will be many posted in the COF thread on SCS too! 

Image/Sentiment:  Waffle Flower Oversize Merry Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Brushed Gold, Brush Silver, Year of Cheer Designer Series Paper

Ink:   Versamark; Silver and Gold Embossing Powders

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Rhinestones; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2

First Annual No Foolin' Retreat

 

Hello Friends!  I wanted to share some photos from my past 3 plus days at a stamping and crafting retreat that I organized called No Foolin' Retreat.  It was held at The Gather House in Waunakee, WI, a bit over an hour away.  I have attended Sarah's Galentine Retreat twice and was not sure if I would have a spot in the future as I did not go in 2020 and 2021.  So--I asked a few stamping friends if they wanted to join me and they said YES!  A couple ladies brought a friend, and in the end, two individuals could not make it, so we had 10 attendees.  The photo above shows us displaying a card we made along with one of the items from our goodie bag.

Here is a picture of my car packed to head up Thursday morning--the four large boxes in the front are the attendee gifts!

Here is a picture of the attendee gift items so generously donated to the retreat or offered at a great discount.  There are also some "sweet" tems that the EB-Easter Bunny-left on each craft space in the morning before everyone got to the stamp room!

Thanks so much to Marci Snee, Rubbernecker Stamps, Gina K Designs, Taylored Expressions, Pinkfresh Studio, Waffle Flower, Ink Blot Shop, The Paper Cut, The Rabbit Hole Designs, Thermoweb, The Project Bin and Newton's Nook!  

We did a shoebox swap and these are the cards that everyone made:

My mission for the weekend was to make 25 Easter cards.  Our church members donate money to buy grocery gift cards that we then send to families at our sister church in Milwaukee.  I made a few varieties of cards and delivered them today so they can be sent to the families with the gift cards this week.

Here are some pictures of the awesome crafting space:

We also did a white elephant exchange for a new or gently used stamping item that you knew someone else would use.  It was very fun and a hot Stampin' Up bundle was stolen three times!  

Susan is the owner and is so sweet and an absolute hoot!  She has all of her Stampin' Up items for us to use along with a number of make 'n takes if anyone wanted to purchase and make those too.  Each of the bedrooms--either a double or triple room--was responsible for one of the meals and we sure ate well!  We had a late breakfast, snacked and had wonderful appetizers during the day and then had dinner later.  

It was such a fun weekend and I am missing everyone already.  Everyone is in for 2023, so we have the same weekend booked. No Foolin' Retreat, part II.  Look Out!

Rainbow Bridge

Good Morning.  Blessed Good Friday!

These are two cards I made yesterday for a friend and her adult daughter who had to put their dog Jasper down last week.  We have dog sat for Jasper for many years while Jill traveled and he was a very sweet yellow lab.

I used a Waffle Flower stamp and die set I bought a year or so ago when I saw many sweet examples.  The stamp set is called Rainbow Bridge and there are two coordinating die sets--Rainbow Dog and Rainbow Cat-I have both!  I die cut the dog frame with white and then again 7 times with scraps of cardstock for the rainbow.  I cut two sets of everything as I was making 2 cards.  I then layered the frame over an piece of embossed cardstock from Darice, called Paw Prints.  I then laid in each of the rainbow colors in the white frame.  The sentiments on the bottom are so sweet and are from the same stamp set.  I added a punched out red heart as the final touch.

I am sure Jill and Jessica will like these cards......................

Image/Sentiment:  Waffle Flower Rainbow Bridge Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 110# White; Stampin' Up Bashful Blue, Basic Black, plus scraps of the 7 colors of the rainbow

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:   Stampin' Up Heart Punch; Waffle Flower Rainbow Bridge Dog Die; Darice Paw Prints Embossing Folder

Stamping Sisters Mini Winter Camp ~ Day 1

Hello friends and Stamping Sisters!  Welcome to our Stamping Sisters Mini Winter Camp 2021.  Yes, we are going winter camping.  There are four teachers who will be leading your classes this week from 4 different states.  Three are in the middle of winter as Jeanette lives in Illinois, Darlene is in Washington state and I live in Wisconsin.  Our 4th teacher Kelly lives in the sweet state of Florida where I believe winter does not exist!

The 4 of us participated in our first Stamping Sisters Mini Card Camp in June of 2020.  This was the brainchild of my good friend Kelly and when she asked three of us to join her at camp, we all jumped and said yes.  I volunteered at the end of camp last summer to organize another round and that is this week.  Wait--we had a June camp in Florida and now a winter 2021 camp in Wisconsin?  We sure are messed up. But, here we are again! Coincidently, three years ago, all 4 of us were at my house for a "real" stamp Camp-in-Oga weekend!  We still are heading to camp, though for 2020 and now in 2021, this is a virtual one and everyone is invited to attend.  Please join us--it sure will be fun!

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

Monday, January 25 ~  Barb (me!)  @ inkingintoretirement

Tuesday, January 26 ~ Darlene @ Accordingtobijou

Wednesday, January 27 ~ Kelly @ Sandcastlestamper

Thursday January 28 ~ Jeanette @ Creativeplay

Yes, I am up today as your first instructor.  My challenge for the day, along with a tutorial for making a card, is below.  Each day one of us will provide the directions and photos for our card.  The challenge will be posted on the teacher's blog in the morning.  We hope you will join us.  Please Play Along--and remember, it is free to attend our camp!  

For my card, these are the supplies you will need.  Various scraps or pieces of cardstock.  You can use a rainbow of colors—or various shades of one or two colors.  The pieces need to be as long or wide as your card-and will be cut in strips.  You will also need a word die—a large one if possible and a stamp that is a strip sentiment-one line of words or a single word. Then basics, adhesive, card base, die cut machine, ink, etc.

Here we go:

First, I think you should pick out your word die and the sentiment.  I went with  Waffle Flower Oversize Heart and made a second set of cards with Waffle Flower Oversize Hello.

Then, if you have a die set that cuts strips, you can use that.  I recently purchased Simon Says Stamp Strips 1 and 2 as I really like that they have a bit of an edge on the side of the strip.  Or, you can just cut strips in various widths with your paper trimmer.  Your Choice!  I used the dies and cut strips from all 4 of the dies for various widths (.15, .35, .6 and .8)

Now, you will need to decide on your color combo for the background and grab those scraps and strips of cardstock you have saved from past projects.  I went with shades of red:

Taking the various strips, come up with a pattern for placing the strips on your piece of cardstock.  You should start with a piece of A2 cardstock as it can be trimmed at the end for size you want to use for your card front.  You can also use a piece of cardstock that had been stamped on one side as it is going to be covered with strips or can be on the back, like you will see with mine below.  You can either use liquid glue or your tape runner and cover the front of your cardstock with the adhesive.  If using liquid glue, put in on half if the card front at a time so it does not dry out. For my first card, I placed one of the widest strips down the middle from corner to corner.  Then, add different colors and widths of strips as you wish to fill up the card front.  Any random pattern works!

When all of the strips are down, if you turn your cardstock over, it should look something like this:

 

Now, you can use a large scissors to trim them off along the 4 edges.  

Your completed front is now done and you can trim with a paper trimmer to the card front size you want to use.

I then die cut the word Heart three times from white cardstock and layered them on top of each other, using liquid glue.  I like the dimension the three layers give to word dies--especially the large ones.

I layered my striped background on a piece of black cardstock, then on a white card base.  I think a single sentiment strip looks best with the large die cut, so I picked one and heat embossed on black cardstock.  I added a few white sequins for the final touch.  My card is complete!  Your lesson for today is done.

I then grabbed a few shades of green cardstock and made another set of backgrounds. This time I laid them horizontally, vertically and again on an angle.

I picked another Waffle Flower Stamp and Die Set called Oversize Hello:

Here are the completed three cards I made, with some added bling:

It is now your turn.  Pick a color theme--use one or two colors--or maybe use all of the colors of the rainbow--ROYGBIV!  Cut the cardstock in various widths or use a strip die.  Find a large word die and a coordinating strip sentiment.  Create your striped background with strips, add your word die with the coordinating sentiment and your card is done.  So Now, go and have some fun!  

I hope you have enjoyed my cards and the tutorial for making this fun card.  It is not hard, but I think it looks so cool!  I invite you to join me by making your own card,  And, I do hope you are able to play along with us all week.  We will each post our lesson in the morning and then in the afternoon, we will post a card made from the day's lesson.  Darlene is up tomorrow morning with her class and I will be posting a card from her tutorial tomorrow afternoon.  I have no idea what the other three teachers will be making-I just know the supplies needed!  So, I will be playing along with all of you!

Image/Sentiment:  Waffle Flower Oversize Hello and Heart Stamp Sets and Matching Dies

Cardstock:  Neenah Class Crest 110# Solar White; Stampin' Up Black and shades of red and green 

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; White Embossing Powder

Accessories:  White Enamel Dots; White Sequins; Simon Says Stamp Strips 1 and 2 Die Sets; Stampin' Up Mini Banner Tag Punch;