SCS Sketch #SC1096

I have been part of the Sketch team on Splitcoaststampers for a few years now. Whether it's my week to create the sketch (the first Wednesday of each month) or I'm creating a sample card based on the sketch someone else created, I find that having a sketch to use can get my creative ideas flowing. 

There is a new sketch to work with every Wednesday. I encourage you to check them out.

I created this week's sketch - #SC1096:

My card:

I hope you'll use the sketch to make a card, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: CC Designs Puppers stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black and SU Soft Sky CS 

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, Mama Elephant In the Clouds MFT Stitched Rectangles

Ink (for blending): Taylored Expressions Confetti Cake

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Bling

Unused No More - January 2026

It's the 6th of the month - time for the Unused No More Challenge. Not sure what that is? Knowing we have stamps and other products we've not used, Barb created the idea for this challenge and invited others to join her in the fun.

The challenge each month is to pick a stamp set, stencil, die, hot foil or press plate (or maybe something else I have not thought of) that you have not used yet—still new in the package or your storage choice.

Make a card or another project, giftable, ATC, etc. with the new item and now it is used!

This challenge is exactly what I need! I'm not going to name how many unused stamps I have (not to mention dies, embossing folders, stencils, etc.) but I will tell you this - over 35% of the stamp sets I own are currently unused (at least by me - some of them I have purchased second-hand). That's ridiculous! I need an intervention and Barb has created it for me. It's called Unused No More.

I made a card this month using Unity's Douglas Rescue Tails stamp set.

There are several of us in this group, but these are the ones that have blogs if you'd like to check out their Unused No More cards/projects:

Barb

Darlene

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Unity Douglas Rescue Tailsstamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Sentiment Stamp/Die: Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Woof stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and Amazon 120# Black CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina Marie Big & Little Pierced Chain Squaqres and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

CAS880 Quiet Reflection

Each Monday there is a new CAS Challenge on SCS. It's always fun to see what others create using the CAS theme.

Pam is the host this week. She chose the theme...

Quiet Reflection

Here's my card:

I hope you'll check out the challenge - HERE - and play along, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Stampin' UP! In the Moment stamped with Hero Arts Jet Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Amazon 120# Black and SU Orchid Opulence CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, Impression Obsession Stitched Speech Border, and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

Using this ONE Stamp for Kicks in 2026 - January

The 3rd of each month is a special day here on my blog - it's the day that Kelly (the founder of this series), Barb, and I share our One Plus Twelve cards. The idea is to use the same ONE stamp (not a set) each month to create a card. Sentiments can be used, too, if we choose.

We started this series in 2019; it's hard to believe we've been doing it that long. 

My ONE stamp this year is a beautiful floral from the Pinkfresh Studio Amazing Things stamp set.

This month I used the coordinating stencil set to ink blend color onto the image, which I also die cut. I used one of the sentiments from the stamp set.

You can see Barb's and Kelly's cards on Instagram as well as their blogs...

Barb's blog

Kelly's blog

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die: Pinkfresh Studio Amazing Things stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and color blended with Taylored Expressions Bubblegum, Granny Smith, Lime Zest, Persimmon, and Strawberry Milkshake Inks

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and Amazon 120# Black CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

2026

January 1st. A new page on the calendar. A new year to explore. 

New goals. New challenges.

New beginnings. A fresh start.

Am I the only one who enjoys moving into a new year? I suspect I'm not.

For the past several years I've chosen a Word of the Year to shape its direction. This year the word came to me a few months before the new year was to begin. I was in a meeting and the speaker talked about how Christians are supposed to sparkle. She said the definition for Sparkle is to shine brightly because of reflected light. As believers the Light of Christ is to sparkle in our lives. I think that's the perfect word of the year. I want to Sparkle in 2026.

In addition to revealing my Word of the Year at the beginning of each year, I usually also share my crafting-related goals. Last year I had three goals. One of them I totally failed at so I'm making it a goal again for this year.

Here it is: In an effort to stretch myself and learn new skills I am going to commit to watching at least one crafting YouTube video each week - Jennifer McGuire, Gina K, Simon Hurley, or similar artists. I've never been one to watch YouTube videos, but I have some friends who watch them regularly and they speak so highly of the things they learn. 

Here are three other goals for 2026:

1. Finish setting up my inventory. Evernote rates increased so much that I've canceled that and began switching my inventory to One Note in November. I still have a lot to upload. My plan is to finish that in 2026.

2. Regularly upload pictures of my cards to Instagram (I used to do this, but have failed to do so with any regularity of late). I also want to get back in the habit of leaving comments on my friends blogs.

3. Begin the habit of commenting in stamp company blog hops. 

Here are the things you will find on my blog in 2026, most of them a continuation from 2025:

3rd - 1 + 12 series

6th - Unused No More series

9th - Three Musketeers series

12th - Hot Mess series

15th - The Creative Crew group

22nd - Double Duty series

25th - Encore series

28th - Challenge Your Stash series

Last Day of the Month - The on-going Catch Up Club

I plan to start a new monthly card series - my own Color Combo series, using randomly selected color schemes from my Color Cubes.

I continue to serve on the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps design team (every Friday).

I also remain on Splitcoaststamper's CAS Challenge team (on Mondays) and its Sketch Challenge team (on Wednesdays). 

SCS Sketch #SC1095

I have been part of the Sketch team on Splitcoaststampers for a few years now. Whether it's my week to create the sketch (the first Wednesday of each month) or I'm creating a sample card based on the sketch someone else created, I find that having a sketch to use can get my creative ideas flowing. 

There is a new sketch to work with every Wednesday. I encourage you to check them out.

I created this week's sketch - #SC1095:

My card:

I hope you'll use the sketch to make a card, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image: from a Crop & Create Virtual Event - colored with Olo Markers

Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Simple Strip in Reverse

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and Amazon 120# Black CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and SU Circles

Embellishments: Rhinestones from an unknown vendor

Favorites of 2025

For the past few years I've put together my Favorites post where I choose my personal favorite card of each month of the year and repost those here on my blog on (or very close to) December 31st. I hope you like re-visiting these with me.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!