September 2026 Card Chain Reveal

Hi all - once again it's time to reveal cards that went around the world for the Card Chain! Twenty-nine people participated in September and you can see the full reveal HERE. My card traveled across The Pond to Dagmara in Poland:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; Doodlebug Design Plaid Polka Dot

Dies - Pink and Main Circle Flip Card Dies;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set &

Mini Slimline Frame

Embossing Folder - Simon Says Stamp Tiny Flora

Other - Recollections Puffy Sticker;

Simon Says Stamp Starshine Dots

We had the following options when creating our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Cute and Funny / The Great Outdoors / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Stencils / Tone-on-Tone inking

I die cut a plaid stitched rectangle and added it to an A2 card. Next I embossed a strip of peony colored cardstock, trimmed it and added to the card. I die cut a white circle, some foliage and a flower. Assembled and added to the card. 

Next I die cut HELLO from scarlet and black, layered with an offset of the black & glued to the card. Finally, I added some Starshine Dots and a puffy sticker Friend. The foliage, flower and HELLO all came from the Pink and Main set. I love how their sets contain dies that can be used in multiple designs!

I got this gorgeous stenciled square card from the amazing Brenda (Floral Fantasies) in the UK. Thanks Brenda!!

Want to join in the Card Chain? You just need to make and mail one card! Go HERE by Oct. 6th, if desired, for details on the October Chain. It's great fun and you get lovely happy mail in the process!!

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

Final Day for our September Die Cut Diva Challenge!

Hi friends - it's the last day of the month and I'm here with some inspiration for our September Die Cut Diva Challenge. You can see the team post HERE. We're recycling, reusing or repurposing items on our projects; here's my latest effort:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Art Impressions Winter Woodland 6x6"

Stamps w/dies - Art Impressions Woodland Critters (sentiment)

Dies - Art Impressions Large Snowflake Dies

Other - piece of a paper towel box

Art Impressions is our wonderful sponsor this month!

I used the inside portion of a paper towel box to die cut the snowflakes; here's a photo:

I started using these boxed paper towels during Covid and always have some handy. I've been tossing the boxes into recycling when empty but I then spotted the pristine white insides and decided to die cut snowflakes from them!! It's a nice sturdy cardboard, not too thick, but I still needed a metal shim and a few passes in the Vagabond to cut the intricate snowflakes. I'll probably always cut snowflakes from this material now!! I didn't cut apart the dies so could cut all the snowflakes together - very handy!

I covered an A2 card with patterned papers and adhered the snowflakes with a stamped sentiment - so quick and easy!!

How about a bonus? I made a birthday card using some newly used Art Impressions stamps. The little Piñata really makes me smile and I love the chubby font of the sentiment!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Art Impressions Mini Birthday Journal 6x6"

Stamps - Art Impressions Birthday Wishes

Dies - Art Impressions Mini Journal Template (butterfly)

& Portfolio Template Die Set (heart);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - pieces of a chocolate bar wrapper;

Copic Markers; white gel pen;

SSS Starshine dots

For this one, I used the cardboard wrapper to a luxury brand candy bar. I was sampling the chocolate (yummy!) when I noticed the pretty colors of the wrapper. I decided to die cut some items that fit in spots with no text. Here's a photo:

I die cut the butterflies from pinkish colors, including a raspberry, and brown. I cut them a second time to use the body portion, trimming off the wings and layering onto the other die cuts. Then I cut three hearts.

I formed an A2 card from Neenah and added a stitched rectangle and patterned strip to it. Next I stamped, colored and fussy cut the Piñata & sentiment. Die cut a label and arranged everything on the card with some Starshine dots. I will add this card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #90 since the Piñata stamp set got first play here.

Thanks for stopping by &, if you haven't maxed out on four entries, we'd love to see your project in the September Diva Gallery today by 9pm Pacific Time! Happy crafting!!

Woodland Bunny

Hey crafty friends - hope your week is off to a great start! I'm back with another woodland critter card for the September CAS Christmas Challenge; this is my third entry & I just realized we can enter as often as we wish!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders A2 card

Stamps w/dies - Art Impressions Woodland Critters 

& Woodland Bears

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; Color Box Robin's Egg Ink;

Memento Tuxedo Black & Versafine Clair Nocturne inks;

Hero Arts Bermuda ink; white gel pen

I die cut a stitched rectangle and sketched a small hill. Stamped the tree and the sentiment. Inked around the upper area for a sky. The bunny was already stamped and die cut so I gave him a quick color with Copics. Added him to the scene & glued it to an A2 card - done!

Tonight I was playing at Card Chaos (15 minute cards) where the theme was Fur or Furry. Sweet little bunny has lots of warm fur and the guest host, Amanda (from Pear Blossom Press), loves bunnies!! You can see the YouTube episode HERE. I made this card in about 13 minutes & deliberately made it to fit CAS Christmas.

I'll also join in at We Love Stamping September Challenge - Trees and Leaves.

That's all for now. I'll be back on Wednesday for our last day of the month reminder for Die Cut Divas. We've been using Art Impressions products so I had them handy for tonight's card.

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!! 

A Cute Koala for Starts with a "K"!!

Hey crafty friends - I'm watching Craft Roulette Episode #338 tonight & just uploaded my card during the LIVE. I had a bunch of spare pieces from a class last Saturday so used those!

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 cards (old kit);

Uniquely Creative paper and ephemera

Host Mary Gunn had Therese Calvird (‪@lostinpaper‬) as her guest, making her 5th appearance. I've seen Therese on previous CR appearances as well as teaching class at Card Summits. Here's what the crafty roulette wheel spun for our four must-use parameters:

• Project - Joyfold card: I used two A2 cards, trimming one down to a 3.75" square and adding it to the right to form the Joyfold.
• Colors - Dusty Hues: I used dusty rose.
• Element - Starts with "K": I used a koala ephemera piece.
• Random - Torn Paper: I added torn paper to the A2 card portion & on the inside of it (not photographed).

I had papers and ephemera left over from last Saturday's Festive Little Things class with Inky Stamper. We made 10 cards that day! Then I made an 11th card on Monday night for Card Chaos - will share those later. Here's a photo of the Joy portion opened to reveal the front of the A2:

That's it for today! I actually finished another card from the Spellbinders Oh What Fun event - will share that when I complete another.

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Recycling Security Envelopes with Art Impressions!

Hey everyone - I'm posting the first card below as inspiration at Die Cut Divas today. Our September Challenge involves recycling, reusing or repurposing materials on our cards. Knowing this was our theme, I've been saving security envelopes - some have amazing patterns that can be used in place of patterned paper!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps w/dies - Art Impressions Woodland Critters

Dies - Art Impressions Story Tile Template;

Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders

Other - Copic Markers; white gel pen;

recycled security envelope

We have Art Impressions as sponsor, donating a 

$25 gift card for our random winner.

Here's a photo of some security envelopes I've gathered over recent weeks for recycling:

I decided I wanted to do a grid style card using one of the patterns as the background. I die cut two white Story Tile Templates and reserved the blocks that cut out. I used one to stamp the sentiment and trimmed others down to serve as snowbanks. I shaded the snowbank & sentiment edges with a B0000 Copic. For my background, I selected the plaid envelope piece and trimmed it to fit behind the frame. Before adhering it, I sponged Robin's Egg ink all over it. 

Next I glued the sentiment and snowbanks into their windows, then glued a second frame atop the first for dimension. I had a stack of stamped and die cut critters from a previous project so colored them with Copics and added gel pen details. Popped 5 of them into their windows & done!

I'll add this card as my fourth entry at Merry Little Christmas Challenge #70 where Anything Christmas Goes. Since I have a reindeer on the card, I will also share it at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114 Reindeer Games as my third and final entry.

For my bonus, I made some matchbook envelopes and a mini-card. First the mini with its envelope:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps w/dies - Art Impressions Woodland Critters

Dies - Art Impressions Matchbook Envelope Dies

Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders

Other - Copic Markers; printed sentiment strip;

recycled security envelope

I used the circle grid security envelope to die cut the matchbook envelope. I used the dotted grey envelope as the "sky" background on the mini card. It reminded me of falling snow! I formed a 1.75x2" mini card and trimmed the dotted paper to a mat layer. Added a snowbank and another woodland critter. A printed sentiment strip (probably from Simon Says Stamp) finished the card.

The matchbook envelope was designed to match Art Impressions Matchbook series. It has score lines in such a way to make more of a pouch since the matchbooks get thick. For my mini card's envelope, I didn't need the thicker format so just used one scoreline of thickness. I made a second matchbook envelope using the plaid security envelope from card one, sizing to fit a completed matchbook. Here's a photo of the two envelopes side by side:

And here's a photo of the envelopes from the side to see the difference in thickness:

I have a bunch of sets from the Art Impressions Matchbook series. You can see the Matchbook card I put inside the plaid envelope HERE, if desired. I made it last year but never made it an envelope until now! Since my Matchbook envelope die got first play here, I'll share at Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #90.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll check out the September Diva Challenge!

Chilly Penguin Pair!

Hey crafty friends - I'm watching Craft Roulette Episode #337 tonight & was able to finish/upload during the LIVE - show started at 6:30 and my card was already posted by 7:47p!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections cardstock; Art Impressions gingham;

Paper Studio glitter

Dies - Simon Hurley Flip the Penguin;

Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders;

Memory Box Merry Christmas Jolly Script (retired)

Birch Press Design Block Print Pine Trees;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Host Mary Gunn had Irene "Hattrick" Smith (‪@IreneSmith_ArtemisMade1‬) as her guest, making her 3rd appearance. Irene hosts Card Chaos (15 minute cards) on Monday nights where I'm a frequent player. Mary calls Irene "Hattrick" because she had Covid 3 times back in the pandemic. I met Irene in person at both Craft Roulette in-person events; she's a bubbly, positive person & talented crafter.

Here's what the crafty roulette wheel spun for our four must-use parameters:

• Project - A2 card: I formed a top-fold A2 from Neenah.
• Colors - Pool: I used blue for pool water; other colors could be on swimsuits or toys.
• Element - Cold or Chilly: I did a snowy scene with penguins who are chilly.
• Random - Check(S): I used blue gingham paper.

I already had the two penguins cut and assembled on the "mesk" (messy desk) along with the stitched snowbank. Everything else I die cut and assembled. The penguin was an add-on to Simon Hurley's SBC class kit. Since Flip the Penguin got first play today, I'll add my card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #90. I'll also share at Merry Little Christmas #70 where Anything Christmas Goes (entry #3) & at Creative Crafters Challenge #104 where Anything Goes.

That's it for today! Nothing new to report on the unfinished Spellbinders and SBC Fest events. I keep trying to get back to them, oh well...

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

A Happy Birthday Cruise Ship!!

Happy Saturday - sad and happy day yesterday since, besides being Patriot Day, it was my baby sister's birthday. Always a hard one since 2001 & I send prayers to anyone affected that day and since!

I watched SBC Fest yesterday and crafted along for part of it, then got behind since I hadn't done the homework. Then I watched Craft Roulette Episode #336 last night & was able to finish/upload during the LIVE.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders cardstock & Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes

Stamps & Dies - Spellbinders Weekender 2025

Other - Hero Arts glitter; SSS Starshine dots;

Color Box Robin's Egg ink; Hero Arts glitter glue

Host Mary Gunn had Sharon Luska (@SharonLuska) as her guest, making her second appearance. Sharon is the woman who uses hand sanitizer w/her alcohol inks for cool effects. Here's what the crafty roulette wheel spun for our four must-use parameters:

• Project - Birthday Card: I formed an A2 card and stamped a birthday sentiment. 
• Colors - Happy Colors: I Googled and it said orange, yellow & red are happy so I used them. Other colors are allowed.
• Element - Ship(S)/Shipping: I formed a ship using Spellbinders dies. 
• Random - Sparkles: I put glitter glue along the top edge of my waves.

I die cut the waves from a scrap of blue LF paper, stamped the sentiment and added to an A2 card with foam tape. Die cut and assembled the ship & added to the card. Had to cover a glue mark with a Starshine dot so added some more around. Added glitter glue to the edge of the waves and done!

I will join in at Seize the Birthday #334 using the Anything Goes option. I'm thinking the ocean is too large to be considered a sentiment "strip" since that's the main theme...

That's it for today! Now I not only have a Spellbinders event to finish from a few weeks ago, I also have a bunch of pieces for SBC Fest cards sitting all over. Hope to finish the cards someday....

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!