Double Duty 2025 - August

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 (I'm a day late this month as I had a DT post here on my blog yesterday).  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 Hero Arts.

Card #1

Card #2

The thing that is the same on both cards (as per the challenge specifications) is the use of three diamond dots embellishments

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: Hero Arts September 2021 KOTM stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink - one colored with Copic and Olo Markers and the other color blended with Taylored Expressions Candy Corn, Hot Fudge, Lime Zest, Mango, and Peapod Inks

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Chocolate Chip and Pecan Pie CS 

Dies: Altenew Bold Thanks, Pink Fresh Elongated Lattice, Pink Fresh Sparkling Diamonds, and Simon Says Simply Thanks 

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

CAS845 Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 

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...

Cinco de Mayo

(or any kind of Celebration)

Here's my card:

The sentiment inside - It's Fiesta Time

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Hero Arts It's Fiesta Time stamped with Pink Fresh Detail Black Ink and colored with Copic and Olo Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Fun Stampers Journey Tangerine Fusion, Recollections Black and SU Cherry Cobbler, Lemon Lime Twist, and Tempting Turquoise CS 

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 1 and Simon Says Sentiment Labels

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

Favorites of 2024

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! 

I'll see you again next year.

Hot Mess - December 2024

It's the 12th of January, 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. Some months are messier than others. AND some months turn out better than others.

This month's just a mess. I'm not at all pleased with it.

I started out by stamping the Technique Junkies Zen Trees Background (on sale at TJ right now for 30% off plus an additional 10% off with my discount code - TJ10JEANETTE) on white CS. I then tried out my new toys - Ranger Distress Spritz in two colors. I am not at all impressed. I thought they would give a smooth cover, but instead they are spotty. UGH! They do have a lot of shimmer and shine though.

One thing for sure - I did make a mess. ;)

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!

Stamps: Hero Arts Holly Berries and Technique Junkies Zen Trees Background stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink 

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

Messy Medium: Ranger Distress Spritz (Fired Brick and Fossilized Amber)

Dies: CC Designs Large Banners, Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, and MFT Stitched Rectangle

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

Hope Your Birthday Is Poppin'

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 fun image from the Hero Arts Bunch of Balloons, as well as the coordinating sentiments from the same set.

Thank you, Barb!

Using one of Barb's extra images, I colored five balloons (blue striped, bright pink heart, yellow star, green with orange shapes, and purple) and fussy cut them. I used foam tape to lift them off the diecut image, giving my bunch of balloons some dimension.

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): Hero Arts Bunch of Balloons - I colored it with Olo Markers

Ink (for blending): Taylored Expressions Sprinkles

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

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, Pink and Main Extra Large Sentiment Strips, and Pink Fresh Sparkling Diamonds

Embellishment: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

SCS Sketch #SC1009

I find that having a sketch to use can get my creative ideas flowing, so I love being part of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge team. There is a new sketch to work with every Wednesday. I encourage you to check them out.

Here's this week's sketch - SC1009:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Sets: Taylored Expressions On Repeat Christmas and On the Block Merry stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink 

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black and Cardstock Warehouse Stardream Red CS and Glitter Papers from my scrap file

Dies: Hero Arts Sweet Stack Rectangles and MFT Stitched Rectangles

SCS Sketch #SC1006

I find that having a sketch to use can get my creative ideas flowing, so I love being part of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge team. There is a new sketch to work with every Wednesday. I encourage you to check them out.

Here's this week's sketch - SC1006:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Hero Arts Hello There stamped with Hero Arts Intense Black Ink 

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

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, Stamp Market Quick Strips, The Greetery Fit to Be Tied, and Your Next Stamp Wonky Scallop Edge

SCS Sketch #SC997

I find that having a sketch to use can get my creative ideas flowing, so I love being part of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge team. There is a new sketch to work with every Wednesday. I encourage you to check them out.

Here's this week's sketch - SC997:

My card:

It's always acceptable to tweak the sketch a wee bit and make it your own (there are no SCS police), so that's what I did.

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Hero Arts Hello There stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and SU Magenta Madness, Pixie Pink, and Very Vanilla CS and DP from my scrap file

Ink (for color blending): Taylored Expressions Lollipop

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangles, Simon Says Sentiment Labels, and Unity Dashes and Frills Hearts

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

From a Kit Series - Take 21

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.

This month I used the Hero Arts Monthly Kit from December 2020.

There is so much to love about this kit - the stamps create a beautiful layered effect, the dies are amazing. There are reactive inks, too.

What grabbed my attention in addition to the kit itself was the packaging. I really wish I'd taken a picture of it BEFORE I cut it to use it on my card. Oops! There was a beautiful cloudy sky with the hint of sunshine, too.

Here's a wee glimpse of it:

It was just too pretty not to use it.

This has been an interesting series and I'm glad to say that I've used 21 kits now. That is the last of my kits, other than several - okay LOTS of - SU Paper Pumpkin kits. I've looked at several each month, and then bypassed them for other kits. For the most part I do not like the card designs of the Paper Pumpkin kits. I'm not sure why I've invested in so many. Time will tell how much longer I'll continue this series before giving up on all of my remaining Paper Pumpkin kits.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

In addition to the Hero Arts Monthly Kit, I used CS (Hamilco 120# White and SU Pale Papaya) and a Brad from Eyelet Outlet.

SCS Sketch #SC952

I find that having a sketch to use can get my creative ideas flowing, so I love being part of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge team. There is a new sketch to work with every Wednesday. I encourage you to check them out.

Here's this week's sketch - SC952:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Hero Arts Hello Stamp & Cut stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: Hammermill 110# White and other cardstock from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 6, Gina K Sentiment Strips, and Rubbernecker Rectangle with Pierce