Blooming Sunflower

 

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 used Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder.  I colored the embossed panel with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I then die cut the image with the coordinating die.   I used a Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard Cover plate, which I cut from white and layered three times.  I added a panel of Gold Stardream Metallic Cardstock from The Paper Cut behind the panel for added shine.  I picked a gold sentiment from my stash this time.   I added some Lavender Jewels from Pinkfresh Studio 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 August!  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:  Gina K Designs Blooming Sunflower stamp and die set/Sentiment from my stash

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Gold Stardream

Ink: Versamark; Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard Cover Plate; Pinkfresh Studio Lavender Jewels

Grillin' and Chillin'

 

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, Jeanette sent out a sweet kit to celebrate summer and grilling! The image and sentiment is from CC Designs and called BBQ.  She asked us to tell the best thing we like to grill and since I am Wisconsin I picked Brats!

I colored the cute image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I die cut the image and the kraft cardstock backer with a Whimsy Stamps die set called Stitched Squares.  I picked the fun cookout patterned paper Jeanette included for my background.  I added the sentiment and a black ribbon flag in the corner.   This was a very fun card to make!  Thanks for a fun kit Jeanette!

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 grilling cards and see what my teammates like on the grill!

We will be back in September with another challenge that I will sending out.  Be sure to check in with us on the 15th to see what fun is planned!

Image/Sentiment:  CC Designs BBQ

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Accent Opaque 120# White; SU Basic Black; Kraft Cardstock and Reminisce Camping Cookout patterned paper from Jeanette

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:   Whimsy Stamps Stitched Square Dies; Copic Sketch Markers; SU Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Poolside Floatie!

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 78th month of de-stash, so we are in the middle of our 7th year of challenges.  I cannot believe my thought about using what we have is now 6+ 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.

Shelly posted our June challenge--Let's do a boat or water scene!

I have a couple of fun Whipper Snapper Designs wood mounted rubber stamps that are water related.  I picked Poolside Chicken for this month!  I also picked a wave background die and I am not sure what company it is from.  And, I do think that somehow some of the waves are to come out of the background as a die cut--but it does not happen.  So--it looks like a cover plate with the waves.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch markers and fussy cut it.  I die cut a piece of vellum from a MFT Stitched Arch die and placed the floatie on the arch.  I used some foam tape behind the arch and layered on the wave background.  I die cut the Simon Says Stamp Cheers three times and layered on my 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 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, Pansy is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Poolside Chicken

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Night of Navy, Cool Caribbean, Vellum

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  MFT-My Favorite Things Stitched Arch Die; SSS-Simon Says Stamp Cheers Die; Copic Sketch Markers

Inky Bouquet by PFS

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 28th month, so we are now in year #3

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 we showcasing is Pinkfresh Studio.  They have so many awesome stamp sets--plus so many have coordinating dies, stencils and even some hot foil plates along with rolls of large washi tape!!!!!!  Pinkfresh Studio has been one of my favorite companies over the past year or so as I have participated in all of their virtual Create & Connect events.  I have also had the pleasure to meet two of their designers who also do live FB events every week, Lea and Heather,  in person at a retreat last fall!  They are both so sweet and talented.  

The stamp combo I picked for April is Inky Bouquet.  This set does include a matching 6 piece stencil set and a die for the image.  For the first card, I stamped the image with my Hero Arts Intense Black ink and colored it with my Copic Sketch Markers. I die cut the image with the matching die.  I then die cut a panel for the background three times with my Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard die.  The sentiment is also a PFS sentiment from one of their foiled sentiments packs.  I added some Pinkfresh gold pearls in some of the squares.   

For the second card, I stamped the image with the same black ink and then used the stencils for color. I used Pinkfresh ink cubes along with my blender brushes, including some of my new PFS mini brushes!   I also die cut the image with the coordinating die.  The background panel this time is a Pinkfresh Simply Diamonds cover plate.  The sentiment is again from a PFS Foiled Sentiment package along with the gold pearls.

Both cards look very different, but using the same stamp set--one colored with Copic Markers and the other with brush blended colors over the stencil.  I used a cover plate on both cards, along with a Pinkfresh Foiled sentiment and gold pearls.

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 the company we are using is Taylored Expressions--another favorite of all of us!  So be sure to check out our cards on May 22nd!  

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Inky Bouquet Stamp Set, plus stencil set and die/Foilled Sentiments

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Calypso Coral, Merry Merlot 

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Pinkfresh Studio Fresh Pear, Coral Reef, Ocean Breeze, Lemon Whip, Peach Fuzz

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Simply Diamonds Cover Plate, Gold Pearls; Copic Sketch Markers; Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard Cover Plate

Thankful

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.  This is card number 42, so we are into year #4. 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 again went back to one of my favorite and messy techniques--using Alcohol Inks on Yupo Cardstock!  I used an orange, red and yellow ink colors for all three cards-and I have a few leftover too!  For the two cards on the left, I die cut the inked panel with a Rubbernecker Stamp die called Diamond with Stitches Cover Plate.  I laid a piece of Press 'n Seal on the top of the panel and then applied liquid glue to the back inserts--the small pieces between the frame.    I then laid the panel on a piece of white cardstock and pressed the inlaid colorful pieces with glue in place.  That is the top card on the left.  I then glued the outside frame onto an orange panel. Both of these panels were then attached to a cardbase.  For the card on the right, I die cut a Whimsy Stamp checkerboard Cover Plate in white and then placed it over another inked panel.  I die cut Impression Obsessions Thankful a number of times from three different colors that I used on all three cards--each are also stacked three times for dimension.  I added some enamel dots on each card as the final touch.  

I now have three more cards to add to my stash of thank you cards that will be needed for our Stewardship Campaign at church as we will be starting to send them after pledge cards are due on the 20th.  I really like the look of both of these cards and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies liked them too!  

Here are the links to the other members of Hot Mess ~ Success.  Please be sure to check out Jeanette's, Terry's, Carol's and Darlene's blogs. I am sure you will enjoy seeing how everyone got messy and was successful in making some great cards!   Be sure to check back to see what we are up to on December 12th.  

Image/Sentiment:  Impression Obsession Thankful Die 

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Yupo Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Mango Melody

Ink:  Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks-red, orange, yellow

Accessories:  Rubbernecker Stamps Diamond with Stitches Cover Plate; Whimsy Stamps Checkerboard Cover Plate; Enamel Dots; Press 'N Seal

Halloween Cat

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 70th month of de-stash, so we are getting to the end of 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.

Suzy posted our October challenge--October 29 is National Cat Day. Make a card that has at least one cat on it. The "purr-fect" time to make a Halloween card!

I picked a very sweet Whipper Snapper Designs stamp called Gilley.  I love this image and it is perfect for Halloween and Suzy's challenge!  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut it along with a black layer with Gina Marie Designs Stitched Rounded Square dies.  The spider-web background paper is from Reminisce Such a Treat line.  I added a tag of  some Halloween striped paper and a pumpkin brad.  The black glitter enamel dots are the final touch!

 

Here is the inside of my card with a strip of the patterned paper:

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

Image/Sentiment:   Whipper Snapper Designs Gilley

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie; Reminisce Such A Treat--Spider Trap

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Halloween Striped Ribbon; Black Glitter Enamel Dots; Pumpkin Brad

Double Duty ~~ Year 2

Here we are!  This is the 13th month, so we are just starting year number 2 of this newest challenge.  This was a thought that I had in the middle of the night, similar to what Kelly has had in the past.  Plus, it is a bit of offshoot of our Stamp What Challenge! This one is called Double Duty! 

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 January, the company we are using is Stampin' Up-- company all of us have many sets to chose from.  I picked a very sweet wood mounted stamp that reminds me of Kelly.  I few years ago she was looking for this stamp and had contacted Sarah, my demo, to keep an eye out for it.  A few months later, at the rummage for Camp Stamp-in-Oga, Sarah shows me the stamp that someone had for sale.  Now, I was on a mission to find the same stamp as it sure is cute.  I found one on eBay for a a pretty decent price--score! 

For my first card-the yellow one, I colored the sweet bouquet image with my Copic Sketch Markers  I die cut the image with Gina Marie Designs Stitched Ovals and added a yellow layer behind it.  The sentiment is called Free Snow and I used a Stampin' Up Oval Punch to cut it out.  The background patterned paper is fun striped pattern that I recently got from Kelly in a kit.  Some green enamel dots are the final touch.  

For my second card, the pink one, I used my colored pencils and Gamsol.  I have not used those for a long time and I like the soft look.  I die cut the image and layer with Whimsy Stamps Zig Zag Rectangle dies.   The background paper is also from Kelly and was included in the same kit I got earlier this month.  This time a banner of pink satin ribbon and pink enamel dots finish the card.  

I had a number of Double Duty elements on these cards. First, I used some cute and colorful patterned paper that Kelly recently sent me.  I used dies to cut out the image and layers for both cards, along with enamel dots.

Here is the inside of my cards:

I hope you enjoyed my card for our group.  Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's, Darlene and Carol's blogs.    I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards.  Our friend Kelly might occasionally post a card for our challenge, but she could not commit to the entire year.  So, check her blog to see if she did play along this month!

Hero Arts is up for our our February challenge, so be sure to check out our cards on the 22nd!

Image/Sentiment:  Stampin' Up Love is Kindness

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Melon Mambo, Polished Pink; The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Recollections Patterned Paper 

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; 

Accessories:   Copic Sketch Markers; Colored Pencils-Gamsol; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Oval Dies; Whimsy Stamps Zig Zag Rectangle Dies; Pink Satin Ribbon; Pink and Green Enamel Dots

UIS #58!

This is my card for the 58th round of the UIS--Unidentified Image Swap on SCS.  Yes, the 58th round!  It is a group of ladies who are a part of a bi-monthly swap where we all use the same image, sent to us by the hostess.  The unidentified part is that we are to not discuss the image at all until the day they are to be posted.   The image for this round was provided by Janet!  She will swap the cards and include the next image that Darlene sent in our return envie. And then we get to do it all again--for round #59--in November! 

Janet sent everyone this sweet House Mouse image called Everything's Coming Up Roses. I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut it with a Whimsy Stamps Zig Zag Rectangle. I layered the image over a Fancy Pants Simplicity-Forum Patterned Paper.  I added some gray enamel does for the final touch!

Here is the inside of my card:

If you check some of the other blogs listed on my sidebars, you may find some other swappers who have posted their creations--due date is today, the 18th--or they may post in the upcoming days. You can also check out SCS and use the keyword UIS58 to see some posted there.  I hope everyone in the swap likes my card--and that you do too!

Image/Sentiment: House Mouse Everything's Coming Up Roses
 
Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   Recollection 110# White;  Stampin' Up Smokey Slate, Rocco Rose, Sea Foam Green; Fancy Pants Simplicity-Forum Patterned Paper
 
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Whimsy Stamps Zig Zag Rectangle Die; Gray Enamel Dots

Thank You Friends!

This is my June Crafters of Faith card.  This is a great group that my friend Kelly started on SCS.  She hosted for 5 years and now Faith has taken over for year #6. 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.  Faye is the hostess this month and gave everyone this challenge:

Scripture and Challenge:  Colossians 1:3-14 This is scripture that reminds me of abundance in my life of people who have encouraged me to grow in the LORD over the years, of the people who God has used to guide me, for them I am thankful. Do they know I am thankful? Some do, some don't. Make a card or project that you can mail to a person for whom you are thankful that God put into your life (so not biologically!) and let them know the importance God has used of their life for yours. Anything goes.

I am so thankful for many friends in my life and this sweet stamp by Stampendous called The Peanuts Gang is just perfect for this month's challenge!  This is a very old wooden stamp and the date on it is 2002.  I inked up the stamp with Simon Says Stamp Intense Black and colored it with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I die cut the image with a Whimsy Stamps Stitched Rectangles.  The sweet little sentiment is from Stamps by Judith and I used my retired Stampin' Up tag punches!  The background is a Stampin' Up Embossing Folder called Hammered Metal. I added some red enamel dots on the card.  I really like the look of this card! 

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:  Stampendous The Peanuts Gang/Stamps by Judith Thank You

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up Real Red, Night of Navy

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp Intense Black; 

Accessories:  Red Enamel Dots; Whimsy Stamps Stitched Rectangle Die; Stampin' Up Hammered Metal Embossing Folder, Tag Punches;  Copic Sketch Markers

Easter Gnome

Here is another card for my new monthly challenge for 2021--At Home With Gnomes. Each month I will create a card using one of my many gnome images.  I did miss posting a card for March, so this is my second one for April.  Now I am caught up!

For this card, I picked one of my gnome stamps from Whipper Snapper Designs called Easter Gnome. Isn't this a sweet gnome?  I colored this cute image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I cut the image with a Whimsy Stamps Stitched Rectangle die and layered it with a pink panel.  The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions. The patterned paper is from Bella Blvd Simply Spring called Hippity Hop. Some pink ribbon is the final touch!  I think this is a fun card.

Here is the inside of my card, with the backside of the same pattered paper:

I am sure I have more than enough gnome images to use a different one each month.  I will be back in May and will show you another gnome, so stay tuned!

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Easter Gnome/Taylored Expressions Easter Sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Melon Mambo, Blushing Bride; Bella Blvd Simply Spring-Hippity Hop Patterned Paper

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Whimsy Stamps Stitched Rectangles; Pink Ribbon