Creative Crew 2025 - June

It's posting day for the Creative Crew. What exactly is the Creative Crew? We are a group of 7 card-making friends from various US locations who have a fun monthly creative adventure with a secretive twist. 

One of the group's members hosts each month. As host, she chooses a theme and then sends each of the group members a theme-appropriate image and some designer paper. The host can also include a sentiment and/or special item if she chooses to do so. The group members all receive the same items, but there is to be no conversation about what was received or the cards we're making. Then, on the 15th of the month, we all reveal our cards.

It's always fun to see how each person uses the image/papers.  

This month it was Darlene's turn to host. She chose the theme...

Masculine

Darlene sent us Images and Sentiments from Gina K Mr. Fix It and a variety of designer papers (the three I used on my card and one more that I didn't use).

THANK YOU, Darlene!

Here's my card:

Here's the inside:

Be sure to check out all of the Creative Crew cards:

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Jeanette - that's me

Lorraine - SCS Gallery

Terry

Tracie

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

I used the following things from my own stash (in addition to the items Darlene sent)...

Cardstock: Recollections White and SU Close to Cocoa

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Waffle Flower Postage Collage

Embellishments: Screw Brads from an unknown vendor

From a Kit Series (PP) - June 2025

I started a new series on my blog in July of 2021. The idea was born from the fact that I have a lot of unused card/stamping kits just waiting to have some attention. Sheesh! Seems as though I buy them and they just sit. That just shouldn't be so I'm going to commit to using a kit once a month for this "From a Kit" series.

As I mentioned in my May 2023 blog posts, the only "kits" I have left (after completing the first 21) are SEVERAL Stampin' UP! Paper Pumpkin kits. I also mentioned that I've discovered I'm not really very fond of the card designs found in the Paper Pumpkin kits... so I decided IF I'm going to use those Paper Pumpkin kits that I've invested in, I'll need to veer away from the designs as they appear in the kits. 

This month I made 3 cards using the March 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit - Here's To You. 

I only have one more kit left so be sure to check back next month for my last blog post in this series.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

In addition to the Paper Pumpkin kit I used the following items...

CS - Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Terracotta Tile

Dies - MFT Stitched Rectangles, Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strips, and Sizzix Squares

Hot Mess - June 2025

It's the 12th of June, time to get messy. (insert deer-in-the-headlight look) As you likely recall from previous 12ths, I am not one who likes messes. Not one bit. BUT a challenge is only a challenge if it stretches you, and I'm up for the Hot Mess Success Challenge. 

Barb, Carol, Darlene, Terry, and I create cards for the Hot Mess Success challenge each month and share them on the 12th. 

It's Anything Goes - as long as there is something messy involved.

This month I first embossed a piece of silver CS with the SU Tin Tile Embossing Folder. I then used my fingers to rub Luster Rub-ons (red, green, and yellow) onto the embossed piece. I kept the rest of the card simple to let the tin tile piece serve as the focal point.

Be sure to check out the other Hot Mess gals blogs, too, to see their cards (you'll be WOW'd!)... 

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Sentiment: Pink Fresh Ephemera Pack 

Papers: Recolllections Black and White CS and Other Papers from my scrap file

Embossing Folder: SU Tin Tile

Messy Medium: Luster Rub-Ons

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles and MFT Stitched Rectangle

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Pearls

CAS850 Summer Fruit

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

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

Summer Fruit

Here's my card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Sets: SU Apple Harvest and Gina K So Many Sentiments stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and Amazon 120# Black CS

Ink (for blending): Concord & 9th Wheat

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

3M Turtley Love

Kelly, Barb, and I have been creating together as the Three Musketeers every month since November 2014. We all three create a card using the same image. I always enjoy seeing how different our cards are, even though we use the same image. This is one of my favorite posts of the month. 

We take turns choosing what stamp will be used. This month it was my turn. I happened to have three sets of the Unity Turtley stamp set so I sent a stamp set to both Barb and Kelly and that's what we're using for this month's Three Musketeers cards.

Be sure to check out Barb's and Kelly's cards, too...

Barb

Kelly

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Unity Turtley - I colored it with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Poppy Parade CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strips, and SU Stitched Shapes (Squares)

Embellishment: Amazon Diamond Dots

Unused No More - June 2025

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 the Whimsy Panda Peekers stamp set.

Could you be any more awesome?

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

Carol

Darlene

Rebekah

Shelly

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die: Whimsy Panda Peekers stamp stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Basic Grey CS

Ink (for blending): Taylored Expressions Pink Champagne

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

SCS Sketch #SC1065

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 - #SC1065:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Sentiment: Pink Fresh Ephemera Pack

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

Dies: 88 & Clear Bold Burst, Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, and Stamp  Market Quick Strips

Embellishments: Pink Fresh Ombre Glitter Drop

Keeping One Plus Twelve Alive in '25 - June

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, so this is our 7th year. 

My ONE stamp this year is the bloom from the Gina K Modern Floral stamp set. 

Per the series guidelines, we can only use the ONE stamp, although sentiments are also allowed, but since I wanted to have a stem/leaves, too, I simply hand-drew them with a fine-point permanent marker. I then dabbed ink onto the two leaves using the tip of a Q-tip.

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: Gina K Modern Floral stamped and ink blended with Taylored Expressions Passion Fruit Ink 

Ink (for leaves): Concord & 9th Clover

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Shaded Spruce CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Glitter Baubles

CAS849 Fun in the Sun

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

I am the host this week. I chose the theme...

Fun in the Sun

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

Stencil/Ink: MFT Sun Rays Stencil and Concord & 9th Buttercup Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Daffodil Delight CS

Dies: MFT Stitched Mod Rectangles

Embellishments: Gina Marie Glitter Enamel Dots

Catch Up Club - May 2025

In a text conversation amongst friends in the fall of 2022, we agreed that we were all falling behind in creating with items from virtual events, kits, even groups we are in. From that conversation the idea of the Catch Up Club took formation. We decided it was time to work on those cardmaking projects that were waiting for our attention. 

On the last day of each month we've committed to sharing card/cards we have made from something we need to "catch up" on. 

You can view my original Catch Up Club post - HERE - for more details.

For this month's Catch Up Club post, I chose to complete the cards from 2 Paper Cut classes I signed up for in April.

Crafters Classroom Cards with Circles

Some Bunny Loves You

Hoppy Birthday

All Ears Circle Card

Don't Worry

Fun Time Thursday Floral Cards

Spring Greetings

Dainty Blooms

Floral Happy Birthday

Clementis Bloom

It should be noted that while most cards posted on my blog are my own designs (albeit sometimes inspired by others), these Catch Up Club cards are not my designs. I've completed cards designed by the class instructor, so while I've made the card, it is not original to me.

Please check out the blogs of my Catch Up Club friends, too...

Barb

Darlene

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

BK - Cloudy Sky Designer Paper

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

This week the design team's cards are featuring the newly released Cloudy Sky designer paper. You can check it out in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps item used:

Beached Row Boat Stamp Set

Card #2

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps items used:

Chickadee In the Woods Stamp Set

Chickadee in the Woods Die

* * * * * 

You can find each of today's featured stamps HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.

And... don't forget to join us at the Fan Group and YouTube Channel:

Fans of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps (Facebook group) is HERE

and the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps YouTube Channel is HERE

Jeanette Cloyd, Design Team Member

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!