Ecore Performance - April 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 (I'm a day early as I have another obligation on my blog tomorrow.

This month I revisited the Unity Paws for Thought stamp set. This stamp set first appeared on a card on my blog on January 21, 2025 - you can see it HERE. It is such a cute stamp set - the pup is adorable, even if he does look a little sad - but on that first card I was disappointed that I colored the pup in such dark colors. I decided to use the stamp set again, with lighter color choices. Alas, this time I think I went too light. Oh well.

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Stamp: Unity Paws for Thought stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Opaque Accent 120# White and SU  Mossy Meadow CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and MFT Stitched Tag-Corner Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

SCS Sketch #SC1059

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 - #SC1059:

My card:

As you can see, I flipped the sketch to make my card vertical instead of horizontal.

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

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Stamps: Unity A Little Ruffled stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Pumpkin Pie CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: CC Designs Banners and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

Double Duty 2025 - April

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 Pink & Main.

Card #1

Card #2

The thing/s that are the same on both cards (as per the challenge specifications) are: the same 3 rhinestone embellishments and the same color of card base.

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

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Terry

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Supplies Used

Stamp/Die Set: Pink & Main Merry and Bright stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Real Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles 

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

CAS843 - Butterflies

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

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

Butterflies

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: Gina K Friendly Silhouettes stamped with Versa Fine Clair Nocturne Ink

Ink (for Blending): Taylored Expressions Key Lime and Mint Julep

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black, and SU Green Galore CS

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 1

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

Thank You for the Swag

One of the amazing things about the retreat I attended earlier this month was the amazing SWAG bag we received. WOW! I can't begin to explain how much we felt spoiled. There were dozens of companies who donated items to give to us. It was so fun to open that bulging bag and see all the great items.

The participants of the retreat each created thank you cards for 3 of the companies so we could send them a handmade thank you. These are the three cards I made (pardon the poor photographs).

Brass & Bliss

Taylored Expressions

Honey Bee

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From a Kit Series (PP) - April 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 4 cards using the May 2019 Paper Pumpkin kit - Hugs from Shelli.

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

CS - SU Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Pretty Peacock, Rococo Rose, and Very Vanilla

Dies -MFT Stitched Rectangles, Pink Fresh Basic Label Frames and Simon Says Sentiment Labels

BK - Land and Sea 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 Land and Sea designer paper. You can check it out in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps items used:

Bare Trees and Mountains Stamp Set

Flocks of Birds Stamp Set

Card #2

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps item used:

Better Things Ahead 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

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The Paper Cut Make & Take

Sarah of The Paper Cut came to the retreat I attended and did a Make & Take session with us. These are the two cards we made.

Swinging Birthday Card

Card with Fun Interior

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SCS Sketch #SC1058

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.

Marion created this week's sketch - #SC1058:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Unity Thanks, Thanks, & Thanks stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Olo Markers

Papers: SU Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, and Very Vanilla CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Tag-Corner Squares

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

Creative Crew 2025 - April

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. 

With the exception of the first month and the last month of every round 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.  

The first month of each round Barb and I choose a challenge and post it, but everyone uses their own supplies. The last month of each round Barb chooses a color combination and I create a sketch for our challenge.

This is the first month of this round. Barb and I challenged the Crew to randomly select a stamp set from their favorite stamp company. Okay, that's kind of rough - so let's say "ONE" of their favorite stamp companies, because if they are like me, they can't choose just one favorite.

Unity is definitely one of my favorites though so I randomly selected one of the stamps from my vast stash of their stamps. My random method? I closed my eyes and reached in four of the bins of stamps and pulled out a stamp set. Then I tossed those four stamp sets in a pile, closed my eyes and stirred it up a bit before pulling the ONE - Wild Surprises. I was really excited, as this stamp set had not seen ink yet.

Here's my card:

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

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Jeanette - that's me

Lorraine - SCS Gallery

Terry

Tracie

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

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Chocolate Chip and Lemon Lime Twist CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 2, Gina K Sentiment Strips, Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, and Paper Roses Stitched Circles

Embellishments:Gina Marie Enamel Dots 

CAS842 Friendship

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...

Friendship

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: Unity Grey Skies Ahead stamped with Pink Fresh Detail Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Real Red and Summer Splash CS

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Enamel Heart from an unknown vendor

No Foolin' Shoebox Cards

I shared a card I created/made for a shoebox swap at a retreat I attended earlier this month. If you missed that post you can check it out HERE.

Today I'm going to share the cards I made from the other participants' kits. They were so creative and fun!

Barb's Card:

Shelly's Card:

Susan's Card:

Carol's Card:

Angela's Card:

April's Card:

LJ's Card:

Kathy's Card:

Rebekah's Card:

Terry's Card:

Annette's Card:

Darlene's Two Cards:

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