Some Ombré Cards

Hey there - hope you're having a great week! Last night I watched Card Chaos Episode #32 where Irene Smith and a guest took turns making a card in 15 minutes. The theme was ombré & I had to play along! Here's my first card - made it in just under 15:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio pastel A2 card

Stamps w/dies - Inky Stamper Dragonfly & Butterfly;

Stamps - Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar Day 2

Dies - Hero Arts Tag Frames Infinity Dies

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers;

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink;

Broken China & Faded Jeans Distress Inks

I started with a pale blue A2 card and applied a medium and a darker blue ink to form an ombré background. I already had the dragonfly and butterfly stamped in the stash. Same with the sentiment label which, by the way, is from the 2024 Spellbinders Advent calendar. I'm making each daily item from 12/2024 during February & had stamped it earlier in the day yesterday. I'm really trying to use that NBUS!! The bugs are also used for the first time here.

I colored the previously stamped images very quickly since I was under the time crunch. After deciding where the bugs would go, I stamped the dashed trails & popped the bugs onto the card with foam tape, then added the sentiment.

Card two went a lot quicker:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Stamps - Hero Arts CL402 Valentine Sayings (retired)

Stencil - TCW Texture Love (retired)

Dies - Hero Arts Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies;

Poppystamps Vintage Scalloped Heart

(retired at PS but still HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Other - foam tape; Worn Lipstick, Barn Door 

& Fired Brick Distress Inks; EKSuccess puffy hearts

For this one, I started with a pink ombré card base, then stenciled over it with ombré reds. Next I die cut an ombré pink heart and a dark pink scalloped heart and layered them. Stamped the sentiment in red and added some red puffy hearts. Popped the heart onto the card with foam tape and trimmed the overhang. Only took 10 minutes to create!

Card one will go Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 & also followed her IDEAS project (I for inks this week) since I made the inky background. Card two was made with Color Hues Challenge #126 in mind - Red and Pink.

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

January 2026 Card Chain Reveal

Hey there - time for another Card Chain reveal as we do on the 2nd of every month! In January, twenty-six people participated and you can see the full reveal HERE. My card went to Daja in Germany:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders Terracotta cardstock;

My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing &

Sunny Studio Rainbow Bright patterned; scraps

Stamps - Hero Arts Wild Columbine

Dies - Altenew Garden Picks 3D Die;

MFT Blueprints 27 (NIB); 

Hero Arts Window on Love Confetti Die;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Pink and Main enamel hearts

We had the following options when creating our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Feet / Doily / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: All I Got For Christmas Was..... / Layers

I went with the colors, sketch & theme of friendship this time. Plus there are layers from the technique option since I used a layered flower. 

First I formed an A2 card from Terracotta cardstock, then found a peachy patterned rose paper for the background. Die cut some banners from pineapple patterned papers, then added them to the card. Die cut a layered rose from scraps, assembled and adhered to the banners. Die cut a couple hearts from terracotta cardstock and added pineapple colored enamel hearts to finish off the sketch.

I received this beautiful card from Brenda in the UK (Floral Fantasies). The linky dropped her from the list for some reason but she was, in fact, my sender for January! I just love her take on the colors and sketch with the cheery sunflowers! 

You can still sign up for February - go HERE by the 6th. You only need to make and send one card - it's fun!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day!!

Card Making Stash Summit and Craft Roulette

Hi everyone - here's a change of pace from my Advent Calendar and Die Cut Diva posts... I participated in Justine Hovey's Create with Your Stash Cardmaking Summit this past week. I had a paid ticket so there were pre-event sessions plus open crops and chats on Zoom - very fun! There were also over 30 classes Thursday - Saturday with various inspiring instructors, including Ardyth & Therese Calvird who I've seen on Craft Roulette. This event was all about using stuff in your stash without buying more stuff - something I've been trying (and failing) to do!

First - a couple of cards I made in a Zoom session with Justine Hovey to help us cut into those horded patterned papers:

Supplies: Paper - Elizabeth Craft Design Joyous Christmas;

Park Lane ivory A2 card; Paper Studio Cardstock;

musical note paper by unk

Dies - Sizzix Big Tidings

Embossing Folder - Altenew Organic Linen

Other - SSS gold sequins

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane ivory A2 card; 

Paper Studio Cardstock; Basic Grey Carte Postale 6x6

Dies - SSS Festive Tags (Stamptember-sold out);

Kat Scrappiness Stitched Strips

Embossing Folder - Altenew Organic Linen

Other - Spellbinders Nov23 Card kit (Ephemera fox 

& enamel dots); SSS printed sentiment strip; raffia

For the first one, we cut into a 12x12" paper & trimmed off a 3x4.25" piece (I cut it a bit smaller), matted it & added some texture behind using a solid cardstock. Added it to an A2 card. A sentiment, a fussy cut flower (from the same paper) and some sequins completed my card. Very quick and easy! Oh and by the way, I'm up to 15 Christmas cards in the stash already (haven't blogged all of them...).

I'll add this card to Merry Little Christmas #66 where Anything Goes (my fourth entry).

For the second one we took a 6x6" paper pad and pulled out 3 coordinating papers. Cut the papers into 3/4" strips and arranged in a pattern on an A2 panel leaving a bit of space and turning some at a different angle. I trimmed my completed background, matted it and added to an A2 card. Justine used a tag for her focal point so I did the same. I embellished it with a strip of the background I'd trimmed off, a strip of embossing that I trimmed off card one, and a die cut strip. Added a printed sentiment, an ephemera fox, some enamel dots and a bit of raffia. More time consuming to create, but still fun! I was proud of myself for pulling out an old Spellbinders kit from when they had stickers and ephemera.

Next up I have my Craft Roulette card from Friday night's Episode #304 with host Mary and guest Ardyth.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Astro Designs cardstock; scraps

Dies - Poppystamps Winter Porch Pop Up Easel Set

and Whittle Racing Giraffe Kit (retired)

Other - Hero Arts enamel dot; white gel pen;

Spellbinders sentiment strip from an old club kit

As usual, the crafty roulette wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters:

• Project - Drop Down: I made an easel card since the front drops down to close. 
• Colors - Mahjong: My Mahjong colors were red/black/green/white. 
• Element - Go Wild: The giraffe is a wild animal, plus my sentiment has "wild". 
• Random - Hand Drawn Border: I squiggled some white gel pen on the triangle above the door. Pitiful, I know. 

Loads of die cutting, then assembling. I finished before the show ended but couldn't get my photos taken & uploaded until afterward. No problem since there's a nice window for submitting, especially for members. Here's a photo of the card popped open:

I made the stopper out of strips of black so it looks like a door mat. The sentiment strip was from another one of those old Spellbinders card kits that was full of flimsy ephemera. I'm trying to use them up!! This package didn't have a date on it but it was named Wild Hello.

That's it for today! Justine offered her paid ticket holders a 24 hour open crop on Zoom today so I might pop in there between home chores. Oh, and by the way, I decided to work with the Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar in February, using the 1st - 24th items on the corresponding day. I think I've only used one set from that calendar so time to get busy!! Plus I still have cards to finish using the 2025 Advent Calendar items I made.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a crafty day!!

Last Day for Die Cut Divas January Challenge!

Hey friends - if you haven't entered four projects in Die Cut Divas January Challenge, you can still play up until 9pm Pacific Time today. We're using our new stuff so join us - any new item works; just remember to use a die cut &/or embossing folder in your design. You can see inspiration from the end-of-month part of the Diva team HERE.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Astro Designs black; scraps of green

Digi stamps - Sunbird Spark Garden Fairy

Dies - Poppystamps Scalloped Pinpoint Frames

Memory Box Little Dragonflies (retired)

Other - SSS sentiment strip; Recollections gems;

Copic markers; Hero Arts Sparkle lacquer

Sunbird Spark is giving a $20 CAD gift card as the prize for our random winner.

I printed off the fairy image (a new digi file for me) and trimmed to a rectangle. Colored with Copics and added sparkle to the fairy wings. Blended some blue ink around the edges of the "sky". Next I die cut a black pierced mat (the scalloped frames set cuts inner mats) and adhered it behind the fairy panel. Added it to an ombre A2 card. I did cut a trio of dragonflies from a scrap of green, added a gem to each head and sparkle to the wings. Adhered them around the fairy scene. A printed sentiment finished the card.

Since my digi stamps are newly used, I'll add this card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge #82.

For my bonus I used another new Sunbird Spark digi, also printed and colored with Copics.

The file comes with the girl image plus 3 items for her to hold & some sentiments. I printed them all then chose the bouquet and "just for you" sentiment. I fussy cut the girl and the bouquet image then layered onto a die cut oval. Used a sketch I spotted recently at Card Chaos CAS(E) where side panels are torn & added to an A2 card leaving a space down the center. The patterned paper is from BoBunny's Love Letter 6x6" pad that I've had for years.

That's it for today, friends! I'll be busily watching Justine Hovey's Summit - enjoyed the Thursday & Friday sessions that I could finish. Will do more later...

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day.

A Great Pair and a Spaceship

Yikes - Day 6 of Spellbinders Advent Calendar posts! Today I'm sharing a card that features the die set from Day 10 (see Crafty Al's short video HERE).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; Lawn Fawn patterned;

Betterpress Porcelain; Recollections A2 card

Stamps - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 11

Dies - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 10;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plates w/dies - Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments

Other - foam tape

Die cut and assembled two bread slices and made one covered with jelly & the other with peanut butter. Added them to a heart patterned paper die cut with a stitched rectangle. Adhered to a purple mat, then to an A2 card. Took another of the Day 11 sentiments I had stamped and cut it into 3 pieces. Added to the card along with a Betterpressed anniversary sentiment from the stash.

I'll add this card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge #82 since the bread dies were newly used. She will get a kick out of that since she & her hubby got this card for their anniversary (she says he's the jelly).

Next, I have a card using the space ship from Day 20 (Crafty Al's video HERE) & a sentiment from Day 19 (Crafty Al's video HERE).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

scraps

Stamps - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 19

Dies - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 20;

Trinity Stamps Tiny Alien

Stencil - Hero Arts Star Cluster

Other - foam tape; inks as in photo;

Hero Arts shimmer spray

First I die cut the spaceship from scraps and assembled. I had stamped all the sentiments from Day 19 - chose the one to match the spaceship. Next I die cut an alien; isn't he cute?! 

Ink blended a background and then spritzed with shimmer spray. Then I stenciled the galaxy in a couple colors. Assembled onto an A2 card. I'll be stamping a Valentine sentiment inside and sending this to my brother who loves science fiction.

That's it for today. I still have the rest of the elements created from the calendar - just haven't turned them into cards yet. I'll try to remember to share when I do. I'm still participating today at Justine Hovey's card summit - very inspiring! Then I'll be posting tomorrow for the last day of the Die Cut Divas January Challenge. Hope to see you there! 

Thanks for visiting & have a crafty weekend!!

Call Me!

Sick of me yet? I'm on Day 5 of consecutive posting using the 2025 Spellbinders Advent calendar items. Today I have two cards made with the cute old fashioned telephone die set from Day 12 & a sentiment from Day 11 (see Crafty Al's short videos HERE & HERE).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card; scrap of gray;

BoBunny Black Tie Affair

Stamps - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 11

Dies - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 12;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape

I die cut the telephone pieces from black/white/silver cardstock and assembled. Added it to a small stitched rectangle then to a larger patterned mat, then to an A2 card. I had stamped all of the sentiments from Day 11 and used one of them here. This one will go to a guy so I kept it simple.

I'll send this card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge #82 since the telephone dies were newly used.

Next I did a girlier version for my friend Linda. She, another friend Lynn & I all get together for lunch to celebrate our February birthdays. Patterned paper is from Doodlebug Designs & ombre card is Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby). Some SSS printed sentiment strips finished this card.

That's it for today. It's a busy day today with friends, plus I'm signed up for Justine Hovey's Card Making Stash Summit. The summit runs today through Saturday; get a free ticket HERE. Note that the free ticket only gives access for 24 hours so Thursday's classes go away on Friday, etc. You can get a paid ticket which gives longer access; I got the paid since I couldn't possibly do all the great classes in that short a time!

I have finished a couple more Advent Calendar projects that I'll post tomorrow. Thanks for stopping & Happy crafting!!

Thanks and Hello with Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar

Hey there, friends! Crazy, I know - I'm back for a fourth consecutive day with items from the 2025 Spellbinders Advent calendar. I've been having a lot of fun with the items behind the calendar windows! Here's a thanks card using two of the stamps in the Day 2 mini stamp set:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Stamps - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar (Day 2)

Dies - Poppystamps Flower and Leaf Sprinkles;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; Sharpie fineliner;

Hero Arts inks

I'm very accustomed to stamping with a MISTI and these Advent calendar stamps don't do well with it. I tried stamping later using a stamping block and the impression was much better. On this one, after I colored the image with Copics, I did a lot of outlining with a fineliner. The bitty stamped flowers didn't fare so well with that so I covered them up with various bitty die cut flowers. I ink blended the ground and sky then die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle. Added it to an A2 card - done! You can see Crafty Al's short video on this set HERE.

I'll send this card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge #82 since the stamps were newly used.

Next, I made a hello card with the strip embossing folder from Day 6 (Crafty Al's video HERE).

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio ombre card;

Spellbinders Terracotta card stock; scraps

Embossing strip - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar (Day 6)

Dies - Spellbinders Faux Stitched Sentiments & Floss (DOM-Apr24 retired)

Other - SSS printed sentiment strip & Starshine dots

I embossed a scrap of orange cardstock. Added to an A2 ombre card along with some scrap patterned strips. I had a HELLO die cut sitting on the table so die cut a white shadow and layered them for dimension. Added to the card along with a printed subsentiment strip and some Starshine dots.

That's it for today, my friends. Thanks for continuing to stop by & for commenting when you can! Have a crafty day!!