August 2026 Card Chain Reveal

Hey there everyone - time to reveal cards that went around the world for the August 2026 Card Chain Challenge! Twenty-six people participated and you can see the full reveal HERE. My card stayed closer to home this month, going to Linda G in Michigan:

Supplies: Paper - Anchor Paper linen A2 card;

Recollections black cardstock; 

Momenta Gemstone & Tim Holtz Menagerie 8x8" papers

Dies - Waffle Flower Sweet Friend;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Recollections Puffy Sticker

TH Hickory Smoke Distress Ink;

Honey Bee gems

We had the following options when creating our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Elephants and/or Mice / Baking / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Lace / Collage

The colors intrigued me so I tried them - a bit darker than my usual card but I love how it turned out! Thankfully Linda G doesn't hate it - lol. I also went with the sketch, substituting other shapes for the circles & the usual theme of friendship. 

I pulled out a Tim Holtz paper pad for the outline layer to the "Sweet Friend" sentiment and spotted another page with some printed vintage ads in rectangles. I left one as a rectangle and cut the other two down to a small square and diamond shape. The stone (light grey to me) is the card base & pewter is the background layer which I matted in black after inking the edges with Hickory Smoke Distress Ink. 

I die cut the "Sweet Friend" from the pewter paper and also from black to give a shadow. Added this to the tan outline layer. Added the sentiment to the pewter layer with foam tape after gluing the shapes directly to the card. Added some tan gems and a puffy sticker Hello.

I got this detailed and adorable elephant shaped card from the sweet & talented, Julia (Create with Me) in MA. She hasn't been my sender in the chain since March 2025 so I was delighted to receive her adorable Clarence! She also sent some lovely papers to use on future projects. Thanks Julia!!

Wonder how I got that purplish glow in the photo? There was a Zevo bug trap plugged into the wall behind my end table - lol.

Want to join in the Card Chain? You just make and mail one card! Go HERE by Sept. 6th for details on the September chain. Loads of fun and you get a fabulous piece of happy mail in the process!!

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!!

Oh What Fun - Part One

Hello! Thought I'd pop in with the projects I've made so far from Spellbinders' Oh What Fun event held last weekend. I did the virtual version which was much less (only one day & only 3 classes) than their in-person event. 

First up - a make & take lead by Kim & Josie using ephemera from the class kit:

Supplies: Spellbinders Oh What Fun 

Layered Cardstock Die Cuts;

Wooden dowel; ribbon from stash;

foam tape; Copics for edging

The banner is two pieces, with foam tape behind the T area of "Oh What" to add the "Fun" section. It's about 12" long when finished. To the right of the "Oh", the panel had an extended area with score marks. This made it easy to roll the banner onto the wooden dowel. Spellbinders requested a 1/4" one but I could only find 3/8" which was close enough. 

Then we could decorate as desired with other bits from the ephemera pack. I kept it simple with the holly. Next we added ribbon from our stash - the suggestion was to gather a bunch of ribbon and tie them together first, then add to the bottom of the banner. This worked much better than tying each ribbon separately to the dowel. 

Next we had a prerecorded class from Yana Smakula with her adorable pull tab card. Here's my version:

Supplies: Spellbinders cardstock, Top it Off Deer & 

New Heights Ladder from Oh What Fun!

Pear Blossom Press Stamp & Die Bundle;

foam tape

The ladder is glued to a panel behind an acetate pull mechanism - surprisingly easy to create. I stamped the word PULL on the tab - this wasn't part of the project but I had a stamp for it! The reindeer is popped onto the acetate using foam tape. Here's a view of the card after pulling up the acetate:

Isn't that just the cutest?! The little circle dots are meant to be used as tree decor but Yana added bows to the tree and used the dots as snow. I love her non-traditional color palette too! I will say, Yana's pace was fast and, since it was pre-recorded, there were no check-ins to see how people were doing. While I'm fairly fast, I fell behind because I didn't always do things in the same order Yana did. I caught up to her though & she explained everything thoroughly!

Next they had a demo of the upcoming new Glimmer system & a little quiz show, then they broke for a two hour lunch. This felt too long for the virtual people, especially given the prerecorded segments. Then Kim and Josie did another Make & Take using a package of rub-ons from the class kit. I made this card patterned after Kim's:

Supplies: Spellbinders Oh What Fun Rub-ons,

cardstock & Banner dies;

Hero Arts Pool A2 card & Infinity Circle Dies;

Simon Says Stamps Starshine Dots; foam tape

I applied the rub-on Santa to white cardstock and die cut with a circle. Matted to a red circle. I cut strips of cardstock and glued to an A2 card, then popped the circle onto it with foam tape. Some dots and a banner sentiment finished the card.

That's all I've made so far. I watched Channin's class but didn't craft along. The rest of the event fell during Craft Roulette so I'll have to catch it on replay. I'll share those cards when I've made them - all very cute! Sorry I can't remember what Spellbinders said about when/if the class kit products will be sold in their store. I was also sucked in to buying some add-on sets - they should arrive by next week...

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day! I'll be back tomorrow with the August Card Chain reveal. If you want to check out the September Chain, go HERE by Sep 6th.

Final Day for a Splash of Color at Die Cut Divas!

Hi there! It's the last day for Die Cut Divas' August Challenge - white with a splash of one color. You can see end-of-month Diva inspiration HERE. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders Rainforest

Dies - Birch Press Design Loop Stitch Frames

& Piped Icing Star (c2021, retired)

Other - Hero Arts Key Lime ink;

Spellbinders green gems; Recollections puffy sticker

We have the wonderful Birch Press Design as our August sponsor. They have generously donated a $20 prize to their online store for our random August winner.

I formed a top fold A2 card from Neenah Solar White cardstock. I inked the edges with a lime green ink. Next, I took another piece of white cardstock and die cut all the frames in the BPD Loop Stitch Frames set, a newly acquired item, getting first play here. I die cut all the frames again, this time from Rainforest cardstock, then mixed and matched for a stack. I put the smallest one with a horizontal orientation & added a puffy sticker for the sentiment. When I was making my bonus card, I found the perfect little "flowers" (center of the cookie) to embellish the frames. I added a gem to the center of each flower - very quick and easy!!

I'll add this card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #89 since the frame set was newly used here.

How about a bonus? I did another Christmas card with a splash of red. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections Cardstock

Dies - Birch Press Design Loop Stitch Frames &

Piped Icing Star (c2021, retired)

Other - Spellbinders puffy sticker (old kit);

foam tape

I added a red die cut frame to a white A2 card formed from Neenah Solar White cardstock. I die cut the star cookie and white snowflake icing from Neenah & then cut the star center from red and inlaid it. Assembled the cookie and popped onto the frame with foam tape. A puffy sticker sentiment from an old Spellbinders kit (unk which) completed the card. 

Sadly, the star cookie is retired at BPD but I think the Pinpoint Snowflake would make a great alternate!

That's it for today, friends. I hope we'll see you in the August Die Cut Diva gallery if you haven't already maxed out on 4 entries - deadline is 9pm Pacific today. Oh, and remember to use a die cut &/or embossing folder in your design!

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

An ATC on a Christmas Card!

Happy Sunday - I hope you're enjoying the weekend! I'm slow to post my Craft Roulette card but I was able to complete it and upload during the LIVE on Friday night. This was after a day of crafting with Spellbinders Oh What Fun virtual event (more on that in another post!),

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Elizabeth Craft Designs Joyous Christmas;

Paper Studio colored cardstock; 

scrap of glitter paper; Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Slimline ATC Windows;

Birch Press Design Block Print Evergreen Trees;

Hero Arts Circle Infinity Dies;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plates w/dies - Spellbinders Merry Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - Simon Says Stamp Starshine dots;

Color Box Robin's Egg ink

For Craft Roulette Episode #334, host Mary Gunn had Shilo Miles (‪@shilomiles4739‬) as her guest. Shilo made her first appearance and handled it like a pro. Here's what the crafty roulette wheel spun for our four must-use parameters (anything extra is totally welcome):

• Project - Include an ATC: I added an ATC to an A2 card. 
• Colors - Produce Aisle: I used red/green for vegetables. 
• Element - Tree(S): I added a trio of trees. 
• Random - Use 3 Circles: I added 3 die cut circles. 

When I went to the Craft Roulette in-person event a few weeks ago, I had die cut a stack of ATCs for my table - just in case... That parameter didn't come up then but I was ready for this episode!! I used the die to also cut down a piece of glitter paper for the snow, then die cut three pines. Added them to the ATC, along with a Betterpressed sentiment, and inked the edges of the "sky". 

Next I die cut a rectangle of plaid and added it to an A2 card. I die cut three red circles and added them with the ATC to the card. Embellished with a few Starshine dots - done!

That's it for today! I did manage to do a couple cards from the Spellbinders event but there are more to go - just ran out of steam... I'll be back tomorrow with last day inspiration for Die Cut Divas August Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Birdie friends!

Hey everyone! I'm back with my card for last night's Craft Roulette Episode #333. I was able to watch live and get a card made during the show. However, this morning I made some additions to the card so I'll share the updated version: 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections cardstock; Paper Studio patterned;

Scrapbook.com Watercolor print

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Santa's Door Accessories (retired)

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Bird Bunch;

Spellbinders Tiki Toucan (Weekender 2026 exclusive)

Other - Snowflakes from the stash;

SSS Starshine dots; white gel pen;

Hero Arts Sparkle lacquer

Host Mary Gunn FUNN was supposed to have Irene Smith (from Card Chaos) as her guest but Irene had a power outtage from last week's storms in her area. Poor dear; that was the third time in recent weeks! Instead, Chelsea Comer from Inky Stamper filled in and they had a great time with the four parameters spun on the crafty wheel:

• Project - 4'x6": I formed that sized card from a piece of cardstock. 
• Colors - Buffet: There was a lot of discussion - buffet is a piece of furniture as well as a food line. We had buffet meals at our Craft Roulette event last weekend so I did brown for beef and red for strawberry sauce (on cheesecake - yum!!). Extra colors are allowed so I used blue for the sky. 
• Element - Holiday: I went with Christmas because I wanted to do a card for Christmas Kickstart #113.
• Random - Bark: My tree branch has bark. Other people thought of barking dogs!

As you can see from my submission photo showing the parameters, I had fewer snowflakes and no Starshine dots. I also added a bunch of hand-drawn dots as added snow and white gel to the branch since the glitter lacquer didn't show up that well. I think it looks much better with the additions - what do you think? Too much?

After forming the card and adding the mat layers, I grabbed a Spellbinders set from this year's Weekender. There was a branch already cut in the package - yay - a time saver! While it's a meant to be a jungle branch, I didn't think it mattered... I also had two birdies left from a batch I had made last month. You can see another card with them HERE. The sentiment sign and snowflakes also came from the bits box. 

The theme at the current CKC is A Friend is for Life, not just Christmas so I thought a birdie pair would fit perfectly! I popped them onto an embellished branch and hung the sentiment sign from the branch.

That's all for today. Still haven't had a chance to blog about our live Craft Roulette event last weekend but I managed to unpack, sort of...

Thanks for stopping & have a crafty weekend!!

A Splash of Color for Christmas

Hey everyone - I have a post up at Die Cut Divas today, sharing inspiration for our August Challenge - white with a splash of one color. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio red cardstock; scrap of a red Christmas patterned;

Hero Arts black glitter

Dies - Birch Press Design Block Print Cardinal Duo,

Wavy Hillside, Block Print Birch Trees

& Merry Christmas Confection Script (retired)

Other - foam tape; white & black gel pen; R22 Copic

We have the wonderful Birch Press Design as our August sponsor. They have generously donated a $20 prize to their online store for our random August winner.

I do a lot of crafting on Zoom calls, sitting and assembling what my friends call "fiddly bits". I had fun one day assembling a bunch of birds including the sweet BPD Block Print Cardinal Duo. They are small but easy to put together! I thought red would be a great splash of color on some white trees.

I die cut the birch trees and glued them to an A2 top folding card formed from Neenah. Added a snowy hill to the bottom, then popped the cardinals onto the trees with foam tape. Die cut the sentiment and shadow, assembled and glued to the card. I left it simple with no further embellishments.

How about another Christmas card for my bonus? 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Hero Arts A2 card (long retired); scrap of vellum & silver

Dies - Birch Press Design Block Print Wave Ornament &

String Art Corner (c2020, retired) ;

Memory Box Peace Love Joy Stylish Script

Other - Simon Say Stamp Starshine dots;

Paper Studio gem string

I was inspired by teamie Robbie's gorgeous card to pull out one of my BPD string art dies. Sadly, this corner die is retired but the one Robbie used is still available. Die cut the corner twice from Neenah and added to an aqua A2 card. Next I die cut the ornament in white, the side add-on in vellum and the hanger in silver, then assembled. Added to the card with foam tape.

Next I die cut the sentiment (from one of BPD's sister companies) in white and black (for a shadow). I die cut the outline from silver and from black (for a shadow). Assembled and glued to the ornament. Some SSS Starshine dots and a hanger string of gems finished the card.

That's it for today, friends. I'm so glad you stopped by & I hope we'll see you in the August Die Cut Diva gallery!

Happy crafting!

Oh La La!

Hey everyone! I'm back from Kansas City where I spent a long weekend to attend Craft Roulette Live 2026. We were able to watch Episode #332 on Friday night after a full day of card making FUNN!! I made my card during the show as did many people in the room. 

The event room contained 6 tables of 8 plus there were instructors, Mary & her crew and a vendor corner - about 140 people total in person. Then there was a bunch with a virtual event ticket, plus the general public online to watch just the episode. Here's my card (photographed from home with better lighting in my Shotbox):

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card;

Recollections cardstock

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Stickers gifted to me; glittery hearts from 

a Trinity Stamps shaker mix

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Bitty Penny (‪@BittyPenny‬) as a cohost for the entire CRL26 event. They were very entertaining as they interacted with each other and the live audience. The crafty roulette wheel had no guest's choice on any of the four parameters, nor were there any chances to veto! I don't have a graphic of the four spins this time but they were:

• Project - Square Card: Like many people I cut down an A2 to be 4.25" square. 
• Colors - Excited: We just had those last week! I knew red was consider excited so used it along with white and blue to fit another parameter. 
• Element - Country: I went with an actual county - France; red/white/blue & themed stickers.
• Random - Frame(s): I die cut two stitched rectangles while nested to get a frame.

We decorated our table with a Cardmakers Cafe theme, including wearing black berets like in France. I received a sticker sheet from a woman at our table with the French cafe theme & used those. I added glitter hearts to my frame corners. Very quick and easy card!

Here's what my card looked like as submitted from the event direct from my phone (except for this post I added the text box at the bottom). I staged the card atop the sticker sheet and wrote my name using my fingernail in the phone's edit mode.

That's all for today. I just wanted to get my Craft Roulette card summarized. I'll try to blog more about the event, along with the cards we made, later in the week. We drove to the event (about 6.5 hours plus pit stops) so that plus the event made me very tired! I'll also try to catch up on blog commenting as soon as possible!

Thanks for stopping & have a crafty day! !