Congratulations to GIU Winners

It's with great delight that I get to name the winners from my week as the Growing in Unity gal. Congratulations to Colleen Hammons Thesing and Pat Malsbury Rue!

Keeping One Plus Twelve Alive in '25 - November

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. 

This month I stamped the bloom on designer paper and then added a die-cut button to the center of the bloom.

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 with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink

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

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 4 and Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

Growing in Unity 2025 - Day 5

I love Unity stamps! My vast collection of them collaborates that statement. Some of my favorites are their various dog images, snowmen, flowers, people... oh the list goes on and on.

I was so excited the end of last year when I found out I would be one of the Growing in Unity gals in 2025. And then I had to wait and wait. And wait some more for my week to get here.  

This. is. my. week.

If you're not familiar with the Growing in Unity concept, each fall Unity posts (on Facebook) that it's time to put your name in the hat, so to speak, and then they randomly choose 52 people who will post a card using Unity stamps each day (Monday-Friday) on their specific week of the year. And at the end of the week two people will be chosen randomly to receive a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

All you have to do to have your name in the drawing is to comment on my cards - either here or in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group and/or the Growing in Unity Cardmaking-Rubberstamping Facebook group. 

For my fifth (and final) card of the week I decided to use the Frost and Feathers stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

Stamp Set: Unity Frost and Feathers stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Misty Moonlight CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Simon Says Sentiment Labels

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones and Snowflakes from an unknown vendor

BK - Northern Lights DP

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.

Throughout the month of October the design team's cards are featuring the newly released Northern Lights designer papers. You can check out these gorgeous papers in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps items used:

Pines and Deer Stamp Set

Flocks of Birds Stamp Set

Forest Animals Fox Stamp Set

Card #2

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps items used:

Pine Tree Trio Stamp Set

Star Gazing Deer Stamp Set

* * * * * 

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!

Growing in Unity 2025 - Day 4

I love Unity stamps! My vast collection of them collaborates that statement. Some of my favorites are their various dog images, snowmen, flowers, people... oh the list goes on and on.

I was so excited the end of last year when I found out I would be one of the Growing in Unity gals in 2025. And then I had to wait and wait. And wait some more for my week to get here.  

This. is. my. week.

If you're not familiar with the Growing in Unity concept, each fall Unity posts (on Facebook) that it's time to put your name in the hat, so to speak, and then they randomly choose 52 people who will post a card using Unity stamps each day (Monday-Friday) on their specific week of the year. And at the end of the week two people will be chosen randomly to receive a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

All you have to do to have your name in the drawing is to comment on my cards - either here or in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group and/or the Growing in Unity Cardmaking-Rubberstamping Facebook group. 

For my fourth card of the week I decided to use the Snugglebuck stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

Stamp Set: Unity Snugglebuck stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Cucumber Crush and Real Red CS and a piece of glitter paper from my scrap file

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and Stamp Market Quick Strips

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

Growing In Unity 2025 - Day 3

I love Unity stamps! My vast collection of them collaborates that statement. Some of my favorites are their various dog images, snowmen, flowers, people... oh the list goes on and on.

I was so excited the end of last year when I found out I would be one of the Growing in Unity gals in 2025. And then I had to wait and wait. And wait some more for my week to get here.  

This. is. my. week.

If you're not familiar with the Growing in Unity concept, each fall Unity posts (on Facebook) that it's time to put your name in the hat, so to speak, and then they randomly choose 52 people who will post a card using Unity stamps each day (Monday-Friday) on their specific week of the year. And at the end of the week two people will be chosen randomly to receive a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

All you have to do to have your name in the drawing is to comment on my cards - either here or in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group and/or the Growing in Unity Cardmaking-Rubberstamping Facebook group. 

For my third card of the week I decided to use the Flamingle Into Retirement stamp set.

I used a sentiment from the Unity Windowsill Woodlands stamp set on the inside of my card.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

Stamp Set: Unity Flamingle Into Retirement stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers and Unity Windowsill Woodlands (sentiment) stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and Fun Stampers Journey Watermelon Fusion CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Taylored Expressions All Planned Out 1 and Unity Scallops and Rectangles

Embellishments: Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor

SCS Sketch #SC1086

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.

Kim created this week's sketch - #SC1086:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Ink 'N Splatter Toasted Marshmallows stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Misty Moonlight and Night of Navy CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Sentiment Strip, MFT Square Peek-a-Boo Window, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and Sizzix Square

Growing in Unity 2025 - Day 2

I love Unity stamps! My vast collection of them collaborates that statement. Some of my favorites are their various dog images, snowmen, flowers, people... oh the list goes on and on.

I was so excited the end of last year when I found out I would be one of the Growing in Unity gals in 2025. And then I had to wait and wait. And wait some more for my week to get here.  

This. is. my. week.

If you're not familiar with the Growing in Unity concept, each fall Unity posts (on Facebook) that it's time to put your name in the hat, so to speak, and then they randomly choose 52 people who will post a card using Unity stamps each day (Monday-Friday) on their specific week of the year. And at the end of the week two people will be chosen randomly to receive a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

All you have to do to have your name in the drawing is to comment on my cards - either here or in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group and/or the Growing in Unity Cardmaking-Rubberstamping Facebook group. 

For my second card of the week I decided to use the Chip - Rescue Tales stamp set. They actually have so many adorable Rescue Tales stamps. If you love dogs, cats, bunnies, or other critters, I'd highly recommend you check them out - HERE.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

Stamp Set: Unity Chip - Rescue Tales stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and  SU Cinnamon Cider and Early Espresso CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Master Layout 1

Embellishments: Heart from an unknown vendor

CYS Non-Halloween

One of my favorite challenge groups is the Challenge Your Stash group on SCS, under the capable and organized leadership of my friend Barb. The idea is we can't shop for anything when making our monthly challenge card (which we post on the 28th of each month).

We take turns choosing the theme. This month it was my turn. I challenged the group to make non-Halloween cards using colors that are typically associated with Halloween.

I used the colors orange and black and a cute Unity stamp set.

I hope Barb and the other Challenge Your Stash gals like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Unity Little Rascal Love stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Mango Melody CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, MFT Stitched Tag-Corner, and Taylored Expressions Sentiment Strips

Embellishment: Amazon Diamond Dots

Growing in Unity 2025 - Day 1

I love Unity stamps! My vast collection of them collaborates that statement. Some of my favorites are their various dog images, snowmen, flowers, people... oh the list goes on and on.

I was so excited the end of last year when I found out I would be one of the Growing in Unity gals in 2025. And then I had to wait and wait. And wait some more for my week to get here.  

This. is. my. week.

If you're not familiar with the Growing in Unity concept, each fall Unity posts (on Facebook) that it's time to put your name in the hat, so to speak, and then they randomly choose 52 people who will post a card using Unity stamps each day (Monday-Friday) on their specific week of the year. And at the end of the week two people will be chosen randomly to receive a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

All you have to do to have your name in the drawing is to comment on my cards - either here or in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group and/or the Growing in Unity Cardmaking-Rubberstamping Facebook group. 

For my first card of the week I decided to use the Bot You a Present stamp set. 

Here's the Inside:

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a prize from Unity Stamp Co.

Stamp Set: Unity Bot You a Present stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and  SU Bermuda Bay CS 

Dies: Unity Zig Zag Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

Catch Up Club - October 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. I'm a few days early this month as these last days of October are very busy on my blog.

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 one of the cards from the Stamp Joy Go Bold with Backgrounds virtual event that took place in Fall of 2024.

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!

Encore Performance - October 2025

My friend Darlene developed the idea for this series and invited some of us to join her in the challenge. It's called Encore for a reason. We all have those stamps (or other card-making items) that we've only used once even though our intentions were to use them again - and again. After all, we invest a lot of money in our supplies for them only to be used once. So, this series is our opportunity to dust them off and use them a second time.

Challenge Description

Go and grab a stamp set, dies, stencil, etc - your choice, that you have used once before and have always wanted to revisit it and use it again.  However, despite your best intentions, you have yet to use it!  

Now's your chance! Go dig it out and have fun with it once again.  Create anything you like, a card, gift card holder, decorate a gift bag, make a refrigerator magnet...whatever lights up your creative juices!

We'll be posting these Encore cards on or around the 25th of each month.

This month I revisited the Dragonfly stamp set from Inky Stamper. This stamp first appeared on a card on my blog on July 5, 2021 - you can see it HERE. I think it's such a cute stamp and don't know why I never got around to using it again - until now.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Inky Stamper Dragonfly stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

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

Stencil/Ink: A Colorful Life Grunge Dots Stencil and Taylored Expressions Lavender Glaze Ink

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and Poppy Stamps Lucious Script Hello

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

BK - Northern Lights DP

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.

Throughout the month of October the design team's cards are featuring the newly released Northern Lights designer papers. You can check out these gorgeous papers in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps items used:

Seasonal Woodland Stamp Set

Blessing One Line Sentiments Stamp Set

Card #2

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps items used:

Silhouette Rocks and Trees Stamp Set

Birthday (clear) Stamp Set

* * * * * 

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!

SCS Sketch #SC1085

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.

Kim created this week's sketch - #SC1085:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Night of Navy CS and other papers from my scrap file

Dies: Gina Marie Geometric Square Double Frame, Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, and Paper Roses Layered Hello

Embellishments: Glitter Drops from an unknown vendor

Double Duty 2025 - October

In January of 2021, my stamping comrades Barb and Kelly and I debuted a new series/challenge. Double Duty was Barb's idea... and it is a GREAT idea! I've had so much fun with this series. Thanks for inviting me to play along, Barb!

This is Barb's description of the Double Duty concept...

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!  Post both cards on your blog on the same day—the 22^nd of each month.  See-Double Duty again!  Have fun getting doubly inky each month with a different stamp company.  Let’s have fun!

Things have changed a bit in who's participating over the years, but not in the instructions. This year's Double Duty crafters are Barb, Carol, Darlene, Terry and me.

This month's company is Taylored Expressions.

Card #1

Card #2

I think I cheated this month. oops! I used two stamped images from the stamp set - the dog and the dog house. I sure hope I don't get kicked out of the group.

The thing/s that are the same on both cards (as per the challenge specifications) are: yellow card bases, a strip to represent grass, and the bone brad.

Let's check out the other Double Duty cards, too...

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies Used

Stamp/Die Set: Taylored Expressions Tanner stamped with Pink Fresh Detail Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Pineapple Punch CS and other papers from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, Pink Fresh Basic Label Frames, and Stamp Market Quick Strips

Embellishments: Bone Brads from unknown vendor