Birthday Bash fun with Pink and Main - day two

Hey there - I'm back sharing my cards from day two of Pink and Main's Birthday Bash event held online April 18 & 19 (go HERE for day one). First up, a pop-up box card taught by Nichol Spohr:

Mostly die cutting on this one. The box is a narrow one but you could fit two shelves in there, I think. The layering panel for the back was embossed with the cupcake folder we used often on day one. I liked how she had us color the candle wicks with a black marker and put the flame die cut behind them. I used various scraps for my candles & cut the flames from orange and yellow parts of the kit paper.

Oh, and speaking of the kit, I took a photograph:

Lots of fun products in there! Love the stamps and dies and isn't that marbled paper gorgeous?! I can see using the cupcake embossing folder often!

Caitlin Anthony taught the second class of day two, focusing on her style of coloring with Olo markers. I just did a quick color on mine with Copics. I neglected to say it on my previous post that Angie Blom designed the cupcake stamp. I love Angie's art and have a bunch of her digi designs.

Cathy Zielske taught class 3 of day two; here's my take on her card:

We embossed a white panel and splattered it. I just used some Hero Arts reactive inks I had on hand. We provided our own card bases; this textured one came from an old Spellbinders kit. We ink blended on the cupcake; Cathy's was much darker so I call mine underbaked!

Libby Hickson taught the final class of the day. She likes purple as much as I do; her card was loaded with purples:

Some of the stamps in the large stamp set coordinate for a layered look - the presents with bow and the cake slice. They are a bit tricky for me to line up, then Libby took it further by embossing a layer. I skipped that part and just added Stickles. We embossed a white panel with the purple glitter ep, then die cut hearts from it. I did a lot better at heat setting it than I did on day one. I find glitter powders tricky!

Pink and Main has a new line of Twinkle Inks which were used in the classes. I hadn't ordered any ahead of time but afterwards decided to try them - they looked like fun with loads of shimmer.

That's it as far as the event classes went. Hopefully I'll be creating more with this kit. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!

Birthday Bash fun with Pink and Main - day one

Hi everyone! I mentioned in Friday's post that I'd be attending the virtual Birthday Bash event put on by Pink and Main last weekend. What a fabulous event and today I'm sharing the cards I made on Saturday. There were four live classes and then a bonus video from Jennifer McGuire. The kit included:

• 6x8 Stamp Set with Coordinating Dies
• 3x4 Stamp Set with Coordinating Dies
• Standalone Dies
• Embossing Folder
• Patterned Paper
• Embossing Powder
• Embellishments

It still seems to be available for purchase HERE which would include access to the private YouTube videos, I imagine. At this time, the materials aren't in the store's regular inventory & there wasn't a photo of the kit. I supposed I could take one - maybe later...

The lovely Michelle Currie, Pink and Main owner, taught class one:

Isn't her slimline design gorgeous? I used the marbled paper from the class kit, plus the heart & candle dies and stamped sentiment. I used the class kit's sparkly embossing powder on the sentiment but it was my first go with it. It started to flake off so I traced the letters with Stickles. I die cut the candles and hearts from scraps. I used baker's twine from Doodlebug.

Next instructor was Caly Person, teaching a cupcake card. This was her first time teaching a class of her own at an event and she did great! I had time to make two versions. 

The card on the left was closer to Caly's design. She used a different sentiment & didn't mat the ink-blended panel. Many instructors used "Make a Wish" so I used it here too. That way I could batch stamp a bunch of sentiments. The cupcake, candle, star & streamer dies were all part of the kit, as was the cupcake embossing folder. We ink blended on the embossed panel and the cupcake.

The third class featured Meghann Andrew - I've taken classes from her at other events. She is a lot of fun and always decorates her studio with the event theme.

We used the cupcake embossing folder again & Meghann's design was for the panel to be white with just the cupcake outlines inked by direct to paper. My ink got everywhere so I made the best of it. Her design had the focal panel on the right side; I put it on the left to cover the worst of my messy inking. The balloons, cupcake and present were part of the kit's large stamp set. The kit also had the notched label dies in 3 sizes.

Saturday's final class was taught by Jenn Shirkus. I'm sure I've taken a class from her along the way - she is also a lot of fun. Her dad even logged in to the chat to support her - so sweet!

Jenn's version contained a watercolored cupcake. I just did a quick Copic color on it instead. Will try her watercoloring tips later. The big stitched label die is part of a box card die set. You'll see that project from Sunday's session.

Such a fun day and the classes were very relaxed and informative because the instructors were given a full 90 minutes to teach one card step by step & to share tips. Then we had 30 minute breaks and a longer lunch. That was helpful for someone like me who neglected to do the homework! I just whipped it out during the breaks!!

The bonus on Saturday was Jennifer McGuire's pre-recorded video of her Mix-It-Up ideas. She takes event kits and finds different ways to repurpose the supplies - so fun. This wasn't a class with formal instructions but you can utilise her ideas on future projects. I haven't had the chance yet but will soon - genius ideas, as usual by Jennifer the GOAT.

Thanks it for today, friends. I'll try to share Sunday's projects tomorrow. Thanks for stopping and have a crafty day!!

Gladiolus - Flower of the Gladiator

Hi crafty friends - I'm here with inspiration for our April Die Cut Diva Challenge - Anniversary or Birthday Cards. You can see my Diva post HERE but the card details and bonuses are below. First up, a card filled with Gladiolus flowers - I didn't know before Googling but they are called the flower of gladiators for their sword-like leaves.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock and Ombré A2 card; scraps

Stamps - Altenew Floral Frame (c2016 retired)

Dies - Altenew Craft-A-Flower Gladiolus

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots; foam tape

The wonderful Altenew is our sponsor this month,

donating a $30 gift card to our random winner!

Altenew's Gladiolus set falls into the Key Hole system of dies. It makes the die cuts much easier to assemble, although a lot of pieces cut at once were bewildering at first glance. Despite there being a printed assembly guide, watching an Altenew video definitely helped since this was my first use of the set!

I die cut the flower/bud pieces and leaves/stems from various scraps and assembled. This is easier if you keep the flowers separate (all petals for each flower come on the same plate; 3 plates for three flowers). I cut in 5 different colors so I could mix and match. Each flower has a different shaped key hole which helps. Arranged them on an ombré printed card. Stamped and fussy cut a sentiment. Popped the sentiment on with foam tape and added some pink clear enamel dots. I love, love, love how this card turned out!

I will add this card to The Creative Crafters Challenge #99 where Anything Goes and to Darnell's April NBUS Challenge #85 since the gladiolus dies got first play here.

How about a bonus? I couldn't resist pulling out some fave Altenew sets. First, another birthday card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White'

Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Stamps w/dies - Altenew Floral Sprig (c2016 retired)

Dies - Altenew Mix and Match Frames &

Garden Picks

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers;

white gel pen

I love this sprig and used it back in 2020 HERE. Stamped, die cut and colored with Copics then added to the layers of Mix and Match Frames, then to an A2 card. Added some die cut leafy sprigs from the Garden Picks set. Stamped and fussy cut a sentiment. Since there was a lot of interest from the layered frames, I left off any additional embellishments. The orange layer of the frames was cut from a patterned paper so there's a look of texture.

Threefer? Here's an anniversary card for my neighbors, Brenda & Al.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White'

Paper Studio cardstock; Spellbinders A2 card

Stamps - Taylored Expressions Inside Scoop - Anniversary

Stamps w/dies - Altenew Floral Sprig (c2016 retired)

Dies - Vintage label from Lea Lawson's SBC Fest kit

Embossing Folder - Altenew Dynamic Blossoms Bundle

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers;

white gel pen; Hero Arts enamel dots

I stamped and colored three floral sprigs in all. This yellow one went on top of an embossed panel that I'd sanded for texture. Added to an A2 card with a sentiment and enamel dots. Quick and easy but so pretty, I think! The 3rd floral sprig will make an appearance in future.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see your anniversary or birthday card in the Diva gallery!!

Hello Friend!

TGIFF friends - Happy Funn Friday with Craft Roulette Episode #315!

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Authentique;

Violet Studio patterned; Paper Studio cardstock

Stamps - Hero Arts Adorable Baby (retired)

Dies - Spellbinders How Does Your Garden Grow (DOML-Jul20);

Scrapbook.com Laura Graf SBC Fest kit;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape; Pink and Main gem;

Recollections puffy sticker

Mary Gunn Funn had Donna Mack (‪@purplepinkypromises202mainA‬) as her guest. Donna owns a store in the Kansas City area & many Paperganza attendees found their way there last year. I didn't get to go but maybe this year?! The wheel was kind and I quickly made a card within an hour.

• Project - Hello: I made an A2 card with a Hello Friend sentiment. 
• Colors - Strawberry Fields: I used red/green/white for strawberries and blue for sky. 
• Element - Hop(S)/Hopping: I added a bunny to my O. 
• Random - Big Letter(S): My HELLO is die cut from the biggest letters in my stash.

I die cut the letters, flower & butterfly and 3 stitched rectangles. Stamped, colored and fussy cut the bunny. Assembled and added a gem to the flower center. Quick and easy!

That's it for tonight! This weekend I'm doing the Pink and Main birthday card event. Hopefully I'll have something to share from that, although I haven't done the homework...

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty weekend!! 

Masculine Birthday Cards with Flair

Hi all - I haven't been blogging as much lately but I wanted to share the birthday cards I made for my brother. He had his birthday last Thursday but we celebrated early on Easter. Why cards, plural? I made one for me to give Junior and one for my dad to give him. Both were made using the new Hero Arts Friends with Flair Bundle. I'll let you try to guess which one Dad selected. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio Cardstock; Authentique Natural patterned paper;

scraps of metallic & kraft

Stamps/Dies/Stencils - Hero Arts Friends with Flair Bundle

Other - various Hero Arts inks & VersaFine Clair Nocturne

Stamped and die cut two of the birthday sentiments. Die cut the shirt parts for both, plus the icons, then assembled. The button-up shirt was stenciled with the coordinating stencil. Added to an A2 card. The first shirt was assembled right onto a blue card. The second shirt is designed to be at the angle so I added a piece of patterned paper behind it to fill the card.

Did you guess? So, my dad and brother both like suspenders; Dad chose card one. I liked both cards so it didn't matter which one I used. Junior loved them both! I will add card one to The Creative Crafters Challenge #99 where Anything Goes and card two to Darnell's April NBUS Challenge #85 since the bundle I used got first play here.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!!

Another Zoyfold!

Hey crafty friends - I've been busy helping my dad but still making time for cards! Tonight I watched Craft Roulette Episode #314 live and crafted along. Here's my take:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; various pattern scraps

Stamps w/dies - Scrapbook.com Laura Graf SPC Fest kit

Other - Spellbinders ephemera; 

Hero Arts enamel dots

Host Mary Gunn had Emily Moore (‪@emilymooredesigns‬) who I'd not met before. She was making her first appearance and did great! She has a line of stamps, dies and stencils at her store HERE; I see her stuff at Simon Says Stamp & Scrapbook.com too, if you shop there. I must confess; I popped over there after the show to place an order! Watching CR can be dangerous for enablement! The wheel was spun four times, as usual, for the necessary parameters:

• Project - Zoyfold: A fun fold combining a Z-fold with a Joyfold; I crafted one with cardstock. 
• Colors - Easter Eggs: I chose common pastels used for Easter eggs (and Easter M&Ms which I consumed to heartily this season!). 
• Element - Seal(S)(Ing): I used an ephemera seal from an old Spellbinders card kit. 
• Random - 4 Squares: I trimmed scraps into four 1.25" squares and added to the Joyfold part of the card. 

I found an ephemera seal like you would put on the back of an envelope so built my card around that. I formed a Z fold by folding back the front of an A2 card, then added the mini card to fold over from the right (the Joyfold part). I chose some soft patterned papers for my squares, matted in white and added to the Joyfold part of the card. Covered where I glued it on the inside with a piece of the blue pattern. Added a stamped/die cut sentiment from the stash to the inside. Any personal message will go on the back of the pink card.

Here's a view from the top:

Oh, and the big news at CR is there's a continuous slide show running HERE with all the episodes playing one after the other! I estimate it'll take about a week to get to the present, then they'll start it all over again. It's a fun way to help encourage people as we try to get to 100,000 cards submitted (so far over 74,000). It's free to submit and if you'd like to try it, you can list me as a reference using code 62R (link HERE with info). Some big names are coming up as guests, including Kelly Marie from Lawn Fawn!

That's it for today - hope you're having a crafty weekend! Thanks for stopping by!!

Happy Easter 2026!

Hey friends - If you're celebrating Easter, I hope it's a happy one!! My dad wants to go to Hubbell House, a historic restaurant in Mantorville MN, for Easter dinner so that's where we're headed later today.

I made a few Easter cards this year, some of which I've already shared. Here's the first of three favorites I made. This one's a mash-up of Spellbinders and Poppystamps:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock

Dies - Spellbinders Simon Hurley Bunny Buddies;

Poppystamps Nordic Basket, Nordic Border Set,

Nordic Lavish Border Set, Grosgrain Bow &

Folk Decorated Eggs (both retired);

Sunny Studio Slimline Nature Borders

Stencils - Spellbinders Mar 2026

Other - Hero Arts Irrisdescent Shimmer Spray;

foam tape; Copic Markers for shading

Lots of die cutting & assembling on this one, plus some stenciling. The bunnies and sentiment came from the Simon Hurley set & everything else was Poppystamps, except the grass in the basket (Sunny Studio). The ray sky was made with three of the stencil layers from Spellbinders' March stencil, then spritzed with shimmer spray. This one went to my friend Cat (Cat Luvs Paper). Since the bunnies, basket and borders were newly used, I'll add this card to Darnell's April NBUS Challenge #85.

Next I have a card with Simon Hurley's jumbo Easter egg die:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; striped by unk

Stamps - Spellbinders Feb 2023 club (retired)

Dies - Spellbinders Simon Hurley In Bloom Egg;

Birch Press Design Foliage Bunch

Other - Pink and Main gems; foam tape

I crafted the egg during a Card Chaos episode where we were tasked to add loads of bling. I think I did it! Because it was timed, I didn't inlay all the bits - just backed the purple piece with a white solid egg. Added it to an A7 card with some striped paper. It looked empty so I added the leafy bits. An Easter sentiment finished it off. This one went to my friend Darnell (djkardkreations) & her hubby. Darnell reported that the bling arrived intact - yay!

Finally, a sweet egg image designed by Angie Blom for Pink and Main:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card

Stamps - Pink and Main Coloring Eggs

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers

Stamped the image and colored with Copics, then die cut with a stitched rectangle. Stamped a sentiment from the same set & added the panel to an A2 card. I kept it simple for overseas mailing to my friend Gundi (papierelle) who received it last week. I also stamped one on watercolor paper but haven't tried painting it yet...

That's it for today - enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!!