Textures and Techniques

Hey everyone - yesterday I enjoyed the lastest (and totally free) online Simon Says Stamp Create Together Class - Master Textures & Techniques with Jennifer McGuire. Fabulous, and quite long, class!! I had purchased the class kit (great value) which is sold out but many of the products are available individually. Plus SSS has them on sale right now! 

I'll share a class card next but first, a card I made for Just Us Girls Challenge #809 where it's die week with the theme of hearts.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Dies - Simon Says Stamp Falling Hearts &

CZ Design With Love;

Hero Arts Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies

Embossing Folder - Simon Says Stamp Tiny Flora

Other - foam tape

During class Jennifer had us cut the heart coverplate twice - once from vellum (I haven't done mine yet) and once from white cardstock. She only used the heart confetti from the white cut. I decided to use this coverplate for my JUGS entry. I decided to give it some texture and used one of the class kit embossing folders - love it! I adhered it to an ombré A2 card from Hobby Lobby. Next I die cut a sentiment (also used in the class) from scraps of pink, black & silver metallic. I assembled it and popped it onto a die cut heart, then onto the card with foam tape. To finish it, I added one of the hearts cut from the coverplate to the O of LOVE.

I will also add this card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 since the coverplate got first use here. Next, I share the second card we completed in class. I took a quick break and missed making card one which included cutting the coverplate in vellum! Oops!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

SSS heavyweight vellum, metallic silver & glossy white cardstock

Dies - Simon Says Stamp CZ Design With Love

Embossing Folder - Simon Says Stamp Tiny Flora

Other - foam tape; SSS pigment inks

For this one we embossed an A2 panel of vellum, lightly inked it with SSS Tide Pool and folded in half. Mine cracked - oh well. As Jennifer often says of class cards - this was our "practice pancake" - lol. 

Next we embossed an A2 panel of the glossy cardstock and inked with three colors of choice (the kit included 6 SSS pigment inks); I used Heather, Cadette and Pearfection. The glossy cardstock makes it easy to move the ink - I got some spotches, oh well... We cut this panel on a diagonal along with 3 panels of white. Sandwiched the vellum between these panels to form a card with a vellum top - crazy, right? Then added some scrap strips and a sentiment die cut. Hard to see in the photo but I added a black shadow layer to my words.

I'll have to go back and watch the replay to finish the rest of the class cards. We made a bunch of panels with inking and embossing folders - so I have a ways to go to finish!

Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with the card I made for last night's Craft Roulette. Hope you're having a crafty weekend!

Silent Night

Hey there - Today I'm playing along at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #107 where the theme is "A Christmas Sing-Along". In other words, use something calling to mind a Christmas carol; I went with Silent Night:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane Gold A7 card;

Paper Studio Star of Bethlehem; 

Simple Stories Silent Night

Dies - Poppystamps Little Bow and String;

Birch Press Design Block Print Wave Ornament 

Other - Stars from the stash; sentiment strips

from Waffleflower Subsentiments Fa La La;

Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink

When Jo announced this month's CKC, my mind went to a certain stamp set. However, I was shuffling through my 12x12 paper stash yesterday and found a piece containing repeating Silent Night sheet music. Right away I jumped on that idea (saving the stamps for later...). There were also some prints of the Nativity in this Simple Stories paper pack but they were too large for my card. Instead I fussy cut an ornament from a Hobby Lobby patterned paper pad; the sky background paper comes from there too. I die cut the ornament topper from a BPD set and added a bow with string from a Poppystamps set. Added some Waffleflower sentiment strips and some stars left over from a unicorn pop up card. 

I also add my card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge 66 where Anything Goes. This is my 5th of eight possible entries there.

Thanks for stopping by & Happy Crafting!!

Lots of pink!

Hi everyone! Since I had Valentine supplies from yesterday's post still out, I decided to make a card for Inkspirational Challenge #360 where the theme is XOXO (Hugs and Kisses).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; scraps

Stencil - TCW Texture Love (retired)

Dies - Poppystamps Vintage Scalloped Heart

(retired at PS but still HERE at Frantic Stamper);

My Favorite Things In Stitches Alphabet (retired but one left

HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Other - foam tape; Hero Arts Ultra Pink ink

For this one I masked off all but the hearts on the stencil background I used on yesterday's card. Stenciled them in the upper left and lower right corners of a white A2 card panel using Ultra Pink ink. Trimmed it and added to an A2 card. Next I die cut the vintage heart from a scrap of pink and the scalloped mat layer from metallic silver. Layered them and popped onto the card with foam tape. Then I die cut stitched letters X and O from silver glitter scraps and also from white. Layered and adhered to the heart. Done!

I'm also sharing another card I made during last week's Card Making Stash Summit. Justine Hovey made a challenge to use colored cardstock/a diagonal/textured on a card. Here's my take:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock

Embossing Folder - Altenew Lace 3D

Die - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape, SSS printed sentiment and Starshine dots

I die cut a stitched rectangle of pink cardstock and embossed it with the 3D lace (texture) which is on a diagonal. Matted in black and added to an A2 card. A printed sentiment strip and silver dots finished the card. Very quick and easy but results in quite the impact. I think my aunt will love this for her birthday next month!

That's it for today, friends - thanks for stopping! Hope you're having a great week & happy crafting!!

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.