From a Kit Series (PP) - July 2025

I started a new series on my blog in July of 2021 - AND THIS IS MY LAST POST IN THIS SERIES. The idea was born from the fact that I have had 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 made a commitment to use a kit once a month for this "From a Kit" series.

I am happy to say that I used my last kit from my collection of kits for the cards in this blog post. YAY me!

This month I made 4 cards using the March 2024 Paper Pumpkin kit - Memorable Meadows.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

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

CS - SU Orchid Opulence

Dies - MFT Stitched Rectangles and Sizzix Squares

Ink - Taylored Expressions Peapod

Hot Mess - July 2025

It's the 12th of July, 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  created the background piece by first ink smooshing two colors of Distress ink onto white cardstock, drying it between each color. Then when it was completely dry, I added some bits of Ken Oliver Color Burst granules and gave it a spritz of water to activate them.

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!

Stamp: Unity Still Peckin' Fabulous stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Pumpkin Pie CS 

Messy Medium: Ranger Distress Inks (Mustard Seed and Spice Marmalade) and Ken Oliver Color Burst (Marigold)

Dies: Altenew Featured Sentiments and MFT Stitched Rectangle

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

Catch Up Club - June 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 (or close to it) 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 The Paper Cut's Splatter Stamping Crafters Classroom (May 18, 2025).

Celebrate - Candles (Flip Card)

Love & Laughter

B-Day Balloons

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!

Double Duty 2025 - June

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 Brass & Bliss.

Card #1

Card #2

The thing/s that are the same on both cards (as per the challenge specifications) are: the embellishments and the overall design.

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: Brass & Bliss Watercolor Hydrangea stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Amazon 120# Black and SU Balmy Blue and Fresh Freshia CS 

Taylored Expressions Inks (for blending): Lavender Glaze and Sprinkles

Dies: Rubbernecker Nested Rectangles with Square Holes and Rubbernecker Rectangle with Pierce 

Embellishments: Studio Katia Iridescent Snow Crystals

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

From a Kit Series (PP) - May 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 April 2019 Paper Pumpkin kit - Sentimental Rose.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

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

CS - Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black and SU Cameo Coral, So Saffron, and Wild Wasabi

Dies - Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangles, Paper Roses Stitched Circles, Pink Fresh Basic Label Frames, and Taylored Expressions Sentimental Strips

Ink - VersaFine Clair Nocturne

Hot Mess - May 2025

It's the 12th of May, 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.

I do have to confess. I sort of cheated this month. I was out of time and needed to get this card made quickly. (What's a girl to do?) I went to my scrap files and found a stamped image and stamped and die cut sentiment. I also found some scraps of paper that I had embossed. So I colored the image (no mess there) and I used an ink cube to add ink directly to the teal colored embossed piece (my fingers are still smeared with the ink so that qualifies for a mess). Easy peasy.

I'll try my best not to cheat next month.

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!

Stamp/Die: Simon Says Festive Balloons and a Pink Fresh Sentiment stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

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

Messy Medium: Taylored Expressions Poblano Pepper Ink

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

3M Kite Flying

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 Barb's turn. She chose the Newton's Kite image/sentiments from Newton's Nook.

Thank you, Barb!

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

Barb

Kelly

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment (provided by Barb): Newton's Kite from Newton's Nook - I colored it with Olo Markers

Stencils/Ink: MFT Mini Cloud Edger Stencil, MFT Square Extraordinaire Stencil, and TE Sprinkles Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Balmy Blue CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and Simon Says Sentiment Labels

SCS Sketch #SC1060

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.

Lisa created this week's sketch - #SC1060:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Taylored Expressions Through the Year colored with Olo Markers

Papers: Amazon 120# Black CS and all other papers from my scrap file

Dies: Firefly Nested Hears and Spellbinders Precision Layering A2

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

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Catch Up Club - February 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 because this is going to be a busy week 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 the four cards from the Thrilling 3D Stamp Joy Virtual 2024 Class.

Class 1 - Dimension

Class 2 - Distressing

Class 3 - Debossing

Class 4 - Burnishing

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!