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

Floral Friday with Concord & 9th

Today is Friday and I have another set of cards for one of my new personal challenges for 2022--Floral Fridays.  At least once a month, I will be posting a floral card as I have many, many floral images!  

For the second time this month, I am highlighting two sets of cards that I made this week from the SCT-Scrapbook and Cards Today Crop and Create Delivered virtual event that was held in October.  I was not able to watch all of the classes live, so I am going through the videos to complete my cards.  That also means I get to empty the teal bin on the bookshelf  that has all of the items for the class--inks, stamps, dies, cardstock, embellishments, etc. It feels got to have an empty bin!  I think there are about 6 or 7 bins on the shelf, so I do have a few more classes from other events to also finish.  And--I get to add the new items to my stash.  Win-Win!

And, since I can stop the video to work, my plan is to make duplicates of each of the cards.  For these two, I decided since I was using my Misti and had the images ready to go, I would make 4 cards of one set and three of the second set.  The second set has paper piecing and it sure was a slow process, so I am happy I picked three to do!

Both of these sets of cards are from Cathy Z's Concord & 9th class. The stamp and die set is called Grateful Blooms. For the Grateful for you cards, I used two ink colors for the two parts to the image--the flowers and the leaves.  I then die cut the image with the included circle frame.  I also stamped additional leaves and layered them under the circle.  I stamped and heat embossed the word Grateful, then die cut it with the backer die.  The words For You were also heat embossed and die cut with the tiny rectangle die. I embossed the white layer with my Stampin' Up Subtle Folder and die cut the layer with Gina K Master Layouts 2.

The second set of three cards used the circle die, which was cut from white and three additional colors of cardstock. I then paper pierced each of the colors in the three circles--yes it was a long process!!!!  The words Thank You were also heat embossed and die cut with the backer.  I embossed the blue background layer with my Stampin' Up Subtle Folder and die cut the layer with my MFT-My Favorite Things Blueprints die.

Thanks for a fun class Cathy Z!  I have now completed all of my cards from your class and actually completed all of the Crop and Create Delivered Classes.  And, the next one is coming up the end of March, so I get to make more cards again!

Image/Sentiment:  Concord & 9th Grateful Blooms Stamp and Die Set--This came from the Scrapbook & Cards Today Crop and Create Virtual Event 10/2021

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Concord & 9th Honeysuckle, Sprout, Aqua Sky

Ink: Versamark and White Embossing Powder

Accessories:   None-yet

We Are Back!

The Dueling Darlings Are Back!  Yes, the name of the group that was founded 10 years ago is back and there are a few of us that are the original members.  We will still post on the 15th.  There are 8 of us now, so we will not have a card every single month of the year.  Kelly and Jeanette are still our team leaders and they try so hard to keep us all in line and going strong!  On team Kelly are Terry (welcome back!), Carol and me.  Team Jeanette consists of Lorraine (welcome to our newest member!), Darlene and Tracie.  And, we are all Dueling Darlings, part 2!  I cannot believe this has been going on for 10 years and still actively posting a card each month on the 15th!  Kelly and Jeanette sent out the January kits for our first challenge of 2022.  The theme this month reflects the first kits Kelly and Jeanette sent us all those years ago............................

10 years ago, the first challenge was ice cream.  Jeanette thought it would be fun this month to make it Strawberry Ice Cream!  Kelly sent us this sweet Colorado Craft Company image called Ice Cream Day.  She die cut one of the images and that is the one I picked.  She also included some fun and colorful patterned papers, along with some cute ribbon and bling.  

I colored the cute die cut mouse with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I thought he/she would look fun peaking out from a circle.  I die cut the panel with a Penny Black Stitched Circle and then embossed the panel with a Cuttlebug Folder called Wedding Suite Diamonds. I picked that folder as it reminded me of the ice cream cone! I used foam tape behind the pink panel, so the sweet mouse is peaking from behind the circle!  The sentiment was one of the three Kelly sent us and I die cut it with a Taylored Expressions banner die.  The ribbon I picked from the ones Kelly sent is a sweet pink gingham.  I added 3 pink buttons and this is one of Kelly's favorite embellishments to use on cards.  I think they are the perfect touch for this card!    This was fun card to make!

Here is the inside of my card, on a layer of the pretty patterned paper that Kelly sent:

I hope all of the Dueling Darlings enjoy my card this month. Please be sure to stop in to see what fun strawberry creations are posted!  All of the blogs can be found on my left sidebar.  Our teammate Lorraine does not have a blogs, so please check out her card in her SCS gallery.   I am sure you will enjoy all of the wonderful creations this month!  

Image/Sentiment:  Colorado Craft Company Ice Cream Day

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Polished Pink, Pale Papaya, Fresh Freesia; Assorted Patterned Papers

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Taylored Expressions Banner Die; Pink Gingham Ribbon;  Pink Buttons; Penny Black Stitched Circle Die; Cuttlebug Wedding Suite Diamond Embossing Folder

Hot Mess = Success

Today is the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.  This is card number 31 and we are well into year #3. The idea of Hot Mess ~ Success started with Kelly and the general theme 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 group of 6 and we will post a card each month on the 12th.  The links to the other 5 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 am using one of my backgrounds I made with my gel press.  I took a Lydia class as she is the queen of the gel press and I had a blast.  I am not sure of the colors of paint on this panel, but they are a bit beachy!  I wish I was at a beach this month instead of in temperatures below zero!   I then used a Taylored Expressions Framed Scrip Hello Die and cut three frames to stack for dimension.  I then added a sweet sentiment strip as it sure seems I am sending out lots of cards like this lately!  I added some enamel dots as the final touch.   I really like the look of this card and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies liked it too!

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

Here are the links to the other members of Hot Mess ~ Success.  Please be sure to check out Jeanette's, Terry's, Kelly'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 February 12th.  

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Framed Script Hello Die/Sentiment Strip 

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Cool Caribbean

Ink:  Acrylic Paints

Accessories:  Blue Enamel Dots

News Flash

This is my January card for the monthly themed swap that Terry is hosting on SCS. Each month she will post a theme and we make cards using any stamp set we believe follows that thought. This is our 67th month and the theme for January  "Use Your Words" 

I picked on of my many Stampin' Up sets and decided to go with a more masculine color theme. I picked the birthday themed set called Approaching Perfection--it has many fun sentiments and images!  I stamped the sentiment in Night of Navy and the candle in Pumpkin Pie.  I die cut that from Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4 dies--one of the first set of dies I think I ever purchased!  The background is Stampin' Up's Travel Journal Designer Series Paper. I added a strip of Pumpkin Pie 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon and some kraft colored enamel dots.  I think this is a fun card and a sweet birthday card.

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

I hope Terry and the others swappers like my card this month too! Terry has posted all of the 2022 themes, so be sure to come back to see what we create!  

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Approaching Perfection

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Travel Journal Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Stampin' Up Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories:  Stampin' Up 5/8" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4 Dies; Kraft Enamel Dots

Happy New Year!

It is time for another The Three Musketeers post. We are ready to showcase the card we all created with the sweet Stamp Anniething Annie-Happy New Year  image Kelly sent out for January 2022, card #89! 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 colored the sweet image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  The background paper is from a new Stampin' Up Designer Series pack called Peaceful place.  I love the shimmery stars or snowflakes in the paper.  I layered the DSP on a piece of pretty Silver Mirricard from The Paper Cut and then decided to add a silver foil snowflake behind Annie.  This is die cut from the rather large Impression Obsessions!  I did not add any bling or embellishments to the card as I love the expression on Annie and wanted that to shine!  I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the shiny background paper:

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!   I am up for our February challenge.  Please be sure to join us again.  

Image/Sentiment:   Stamp Anniething Annie-Happy New Year

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Recollections 110# White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Peaceful Place Designer Series Paper; The Paper Cut Silver Mirricard

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Markers; Impression Obsession Snowflake 6 Die

Floral Friday Debuts

Today is Friday and the start of one of my new personal challenges for 2022--Floral Fridays.  At least once a month, I will be posting a floral card as I have many, many floral images!  

This month, I am highlighting a set of cards that I made this week from the SCT-Scrapbook and Cards Today Crop and Create virtual event that was held in October.  I was not able to watch all of the classes live, so I am going through the videos to complete my cards.  That also means I get to empty the teal bin on the bookshelf  that has all of the items for the class--inks, stamps, dies, cardstock, embellishments, etc. It feels got to have an empty bin!  I think there are about 6 or 7 bins on the shelf, so I do have a few more classes from other events to also finish.  And--I get to add the new items to my stash.  Win-Win!

And, since I can stop the video to work, my plan is to make duplicates of each of the cards.  For this one, I decided since I was using my Misti and had the images ready to go, I would make 4 cards!  

These cards are from Cathy Z's Concord & 9th class.  She is such a good teacher and is a hoot!  The stamp and die set is called Grateful Blooms.  There are two parts to the image--the flowers are inked with Honeysuckle and the leaves are in Sprout.  I stamped and heat embossed the word Grateful, then die cut it with the backer die.  The words For You were also heat embossed and die cut with the tiny rectangle die.  I did not add any embellishments, but I am now thinking I might add a few rhinestones or enamel dots!

Thanks for a fun class Cathy Z!  I am on the second card and I am also making 4 of those.  They too are floral, so you might see them on a Friday, later this month!  

Image/Sentiment:  Concord & 9th Grateful Blooms Stamp and Die Set--This came from the Scrapbook & Cards Today Crop and Create Virtual Event 10/2021

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Concord & 9th Honeysuckle, Sprout

Ink: Versamark and White Embossing Powder

Accessories:   None-yet

2022 One Plus Twelve Returns

This is my One Plus Twelve card, first month of 2022!  This was the brainchild of Kelly and she asked Jeanette and me to join her in this challenge in 2019. We are to use just one stamp, to make a card every month and post on the 3rd of each month.  It was so much fun that the three of decided to continue for our fourth year and pick a new image to use.

For 2022, I picked newer Stampin' Up set called Nature's Harvest.  I think this set is so pretty and I picked the largest coneflower or sunflower image to use each month.  There is also a coordinating die set called Harvest so I can use that some months too.

For my first card, I stamped the image and then colored it with my Copic Sketch markers. I die cut the image and layered it on a dotted oval by Sizzix. The background was embossed with a sweet folder from Anna Griffin and Cricut-Cuttlebug called Matelassé.  The sentiment is from the same set and I used one of the dies to cut it out.  I added a few green enamel dots along with some linen thread for the final touch!

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog. I am sure you will enjoy checking out what stamp set each of them picked for 2022 and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card and that you might too! Be sure to check back every month on the 3rd to see our cards!

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Nature's Harvest 

Cardstock: The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque; Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Garden Green

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories: Copic Sketch Markers; Green Enamel Dots; Stampin' Up Linen Thread; Cricut-Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Matelassé Embossing Folder; Sizzix Dotted Oval Die

Word of the Year

Happy, Happy New Year!  Welcome to 2022!

For the past few years, I have had a word of the year.  I picked it and thought of it often in January.  I did not post it on my blog, but it was in my mind.  Usually, in February, I will have thoughts of it, but by May-June, it was typically a distant memory........

For 2022, My Word of the Year is Intentional!

Definition of intentional

1: done by intention or design : INTENDED

Be Intentional--in all aspects of my life!  Card making is a major part of who I am and I will be led by the word intentional for 2022!  It will be done by intention or design-how appropriate is that word?!

My word is posted on the top of my right sidebar, so it will be very visible to me. I will be my mantra and part of my plans for 2022.  If you read the end of my blog post yesterday, there will be some changes on my blog with card creations.

These groups and/or challenges will continue in 2022:

One Plus Twelve--posting on the 3rd

Crafters of Faith--posting on the 7th

 The 3 Musketeers--posting on the 9th, 

 Hot Mess Equals Success--posting on the 12th

Dueling Darlings 2--posting on the 15th

 Double Duty--posting on the 22nd

Challenge your Stash--posting on the 28th

 

I am adding a couple of personal stamping challenges for 2022 by highlighting some companies that I own a boatload of stamps. Stampin' Up Sundays and Taylored Expressions Tuesdays will debut along with Floral Fridays.   These posts will happen at least once a month--hoping for two times every month!  I will continue with my gnome challenge as I have more to use--they are so dang cute!

And, there will be a Mission Possible Challenge three times in 2022.  We have another Stamping Sisters Mini Winter Camp scheduled in January and I am sure we will camp at least one more time in 2022! 

I am in two swaps on SCS-Splitcoast Stampers this year.  One is a monthly themed swap and the other is a bimonthly surprise image swap.  And, for the first time since 2008, I am not hosting a current swap or two.  And, I am not sure they will be back later this year.

My plan for 2022 will also include Quilting!  I will be intentional in getting my sewing machine out and leaving it out in the family room to work on the stack of quilting projects on a shelf.  This is not a New Year Resolution--just a plan to Make Some Quilts!  Done By Intention or Design--Check!

So--this is my 2022 plan at a glance!  Be Intentional!  I can do it!  

Do you have a word for 2022?  What is in your plans?  What are your tips for succeeding?  Share them in the comments please.

I hope you had a great New Year's Day!  Bring on 2022!  It will be great--Plan on It!