Party Donkey!

Hey crafty friends - TGIF and I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend if you're celebrating in the USA!! Two hundred fifty years - quite a milestone!!

I watched Craft Roulette Episode #326 tonight, featuring host Mary Gunn and guest, Jay Thomas (‪@craftbyjay‬) making his 3rd appearance. Jay is live on YouTube on Sunday nights and he loves cats!!

Here's my card (sorry Jay, no cat):

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card & black cardstock; dotted by unk

Stamps - Unity Still Kickin'

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - printed sentiment strip (brand unk);

Copic Markers; TH Black Soot Distress Ink;

Black and white gel pens

As usual, the roulette wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters. Mary and Jay created their cards on camera - so fun to listen to their banter while I was crafting along. Like last week, I was able to complete & upload my card before they finished.

• Project - A Dude's Card: - I made a card for a man, a former coworker.
• Colors - Sleigh Ride: I used red/black/grey.
• Element - Farm Critter(s): I used a donkey image.
• Random - Pen: I used both black and white gel pens.

You may remember I ordered a bunch of Unity stamps recently. The donkey image was another fun find - I thought it would make a great birthday card for a man friend with whom I worked in two different offices over the years. Isn't Party Donkey just the cutest?!

I stamped the image, colored with Copics and cut the panel with a stitched rectangle. Inked around the edges with Black Soot DI. Matted the panel in black and added to a dotted paper & a red A2 card. Added details with a white and a black gel pen - done!

I will add my card to Seize the Birthday #329 using the Anything Goes option. I will also share at Darnell's July NBUS Challenge #88 since my donkey stamp got first play today. Oh and btw - Darnell has some sponsors this month and Unity is one of them!!

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

June 2026 Card Chain Reveal

Hi everyone - time again to reveal the cards we sent round the world in June for the Card Chain! Twenty-five people participated and you can see the full reveal HERE. And by the way, we have exchanged over 5,000 cards in this exchange - what a milestone!!

My card went way to the East to Majda in Slovenija.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders & Tim Holtz Kraft Classic cardstock;

My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing patterned

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Cozy Cup

& Nordic Border Set;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Hero Arts Enamel dots; 

Creative Expressions Wordies - Friendship

We had the following options in creating our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Tea or Coffee / Safari / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Embossing / Shaped Card

Clearly I skipped the color palette and embraced the sketch, plus the tea/coffee theme. I modified the sketch to an A2 card since since square cards aren't easy to mail from here. I die cut the cup and lace panels, plus a stitched rectangle, then assembled. Added a printed friendship sentiment and some enamel dots.

I received this beautiful card from dear friend Hilary in the UK. It's been four years since I had her as my sender in the Chain and I was very happy! I also shamelessly begged for some cuts of the sweet lilies of the valley that Hilary used for her March card. Thanks Hilary!!

That's it for today, friends. Want to join in for July? You only have to make & send one card. Go here for details by July 6th.

Last Day for our June 2026 Divas Anything Goes Challenge

Hey there - I'm part of the last day inspiration post at Die Cut Divas today. Our Anything Goes Challenge (with die cuts &/or embossing folders, of course) ends at 9p Pacific Time. Get in those final entries if you haven't already maxed out at 4! Here's the project I shared there:

ATC Front

ATC Back

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps - Whimsy Stamps ATC Frames and Signatures

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Slimline ATC Windows

Stencils - Lisa Horton Crafts Stencil Deck

Other - Nuvo paste; printed sentiment strip;

various Hero Arts inks

Once again, I went with something other than a card and made an ATC! I started by die cutting the ATC. The Whimsy set cuts two at a time so I usually use the second one as a backer (and did so here). For the front, I did some stenciling using a new product to me - Lisa Horton's Stencil Deck. I learned of it through Chelsea, owner of Inky Stamper, so I bought my set from her (link above is to her store). I don't get anything for referrals but I like to support smaller companies & Chelsea's price is cheaper than other sources I've seen. 

I started by stenciling the wavy background, then used a dotted one and finally the feather. Since the stencils fit perfectly onto an ATC, this was very eary to do! After doing the feather in a dark teal, I stenciled the shimmery paste over it. The Whimsy ATC stamp set was used on the back panel for all the ATC details. I popped this into the bday card I sent to Jo (Jo's Blogs); she celebrated earlier this month.

As usual, I have a bonus; today it's a birthday card for my cousin's 3 year old grandson. You may remember his sister Addy coming to my house last year and making him a card.

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card;

Paper Studio cardstock;  scrap of patterned

Dies - Spellbinders Sir Spelly - Party Time Dragon,

Essential Arches, Color Block Accent Arches;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

DoCrafts Serif Numbers (retired)

Embossing Folder - Pink & Main from Birthday Bash kit

Other - Recollections puffy stickers; gel pens

The sweet dragon came with a Spellbinders order - love him!! First I die cut all the dragon pieces and the ballon. I sat on a Zoom call with crafty friends on Saturday & assembled it. Since it was for a young child I went with mostly bright colors. Next I die cut a blue panel with a stitched rectangle, embossed with the birthday text and added to an A2 card. 

To hold the dragon, I decided on an arch. I die cut two essential arches and one color block accent arch and assembled. Added it to the card with a patterned strip behind. Popped the dragon onto the arch along with a puffy sticker sentiment. Doodled some details with gel pens - done!

Since Sir Spelly is getting first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #87. I also link up to Seize the Birthday #329 using the Anything Goes options (my 2nd entry there).

The Divas have no sponsor this month but one Diva offers a $25 gift card to Whimsy as our June prize. We will award it by random draw from eligible June entries so get those last entries in by 9p Pacific Time today! Hope to see you in the June Gallery!

Thanks for stopping and have a crafty day!!

A Birthday Flip Card for Craft Roulette!

Happy Saturday - I hope you're having a wonderful weekend! I watched Craft Roulette Episode #325 last night, featuring host Mary Gunn and guest, the very talented Justine Dvorak (‪@JustineDvorak‬) making her 2nd appearance. Justine teaches kindergarden here in Minnesota, a ways west of me. She serves as the Design Team Coordinator at Pajama Crafter Stamps, in addition to other DT roles. Justine also designed a line of farm themed press plates at Spellbinders, some still available HERE.

Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; Spellbinders patterned &

Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Sizzix Circle Flip-Its #2 (retired);

Memory Box Tiny Bow (retired)

Press Plate - Spellbinders Always You Timeless Sentiments

Stamps - Hero Arts Pocket Watch (retired)

Other - printed sentiment strip (brand unk)

As usual, the roulette wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters. Mary and Justine created on camera and made adorable cards! I was able to complete & upload my card before they finished - love doing that!

• Project - Flip Fold Card: - I used a flip card die set. 
• Colors - Tartan: I googled and used the Gordon family colors of navy blue/green/yellow & white.
• Element - Time or Clock: I put a stamped pocket watch on the back side of the flip element, plus my inside sentiment refers to party time!
• Random - Add a Bow: I found some bow patterned paper for the card front, plus I put a die cut bow on my pocket watch.

I die cut the card pieces I wanted to use and assembled. Stamped and fussy cut the pocket watch. Die cut and assembled the bow. Die cut the Betterpressed sentiment I had on a panel of sentiment done last week. A sentiment striped went on the inside. I put heart patterned paper on the back sides. Here's a view of the card flipped open:

Easy peasy with the dies! I will add my card to Seize the Birthday #329 using the Anything Goes option.

Oh and good news - I found the dragonfly die that went missing during last week's Craft Roulette - yay!! I spent many hours looking for it this past week. Finally on Thursday night I found it had been stuck to the bottom of an embossing folder package that I had on the mesk (messy desk). I was giving this folder to my sister-in-law because, in typical fashion, I'd ordered something already in my stash!! I was about to put it in a box with some other items for Donna when the die came falling out - I jumped for joy, let me tell you! 

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

Sweet Snowman on a Snowflake

Hi everyone - TGIF! I'm here with my second card for the June Christmas Kickstart Challenge #111 Snow Day where Jo and elf Caroline want snow.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Scrapbook.com Gelato; glitter cardstock by unk;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain; scrap of holiday patterned

Stamps w/dies - SSS/Memory Box Good Cheer (retired)

Dies - Elizabeth Craft Design Holday Special Kit (retired)

Press Plate w/dies - Spellbinders Seasons Greetings Evergreens (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

I was doing some crafty clean-up and, of course, got distracted by a card idea. Plus I wanted to use a Stamptember Memory Box stamp/die set that I just received from a blogging friend. I had admired it on her post last year but the set sold out too quickly for me to get one. I was thrilled to receive this gift! Thanks again (you know who you are) & isn't that snowman the cutest?! 

Formed an A2 card from a large scrap of glitter cardstock - no idea which brand but it's a nice weight and non-shedding. Next I die cut the layering panel and the snowflake from an ECD journaling set. Then I stamped/colored and die cut the snowman. Assembled and added a Betterpressed sentiment from the stash.

Since the snowman, snowflake and layering panel are getting first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #87. Will also link to Creative Crafters #101 where Anything Goes (3rd of a possible 3 entries).

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll have a crafty weekend! I'll be back tomorrow with whatever Craft Roulette card I end up making tonight after the wheel spins - check out Episode #325 live if you're free at 6:30 CST.

Happy Father's Day & Diva Inspiration!

Happy Father's Day if you're celebrating in the USA! Plus I'm here with inspiration for our June Die Cut Diva Challenge - Anything Goes with a die &/or embossing folder. First I'll share my Father's Day card using some Spellbinders March 2026 Club items:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio card stock

Dies - Spellbinders #1 Fan;

My Favorite Things In Stitches Alphabet (retired);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stencils - Spellbinders Burst Mode (SOM-Mar26)

Other - Hero Arts Irridescent Shimmer Spray 

& various inks; foam tape

I made this one during a Card Chaos episode - theme was shades of blue. I used two layers of the Spellbinders burst and two different shades of blue ink (not sure of the names but they were Hero Arts). Die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle and sprayed with shimmer mist. Once dry I added it to a blue A2 card. Used more of the blue cardstock to die cut DAD and the outine of the foam finger. The backing was cut from a lighter blue. The foam finger die set came as a gift to Spellbinders All Clubs Crate subscribers in March.

And now for my Diva inspiration... Since the theme is Anything Goes with dies &/or embossing folders, I decided to do something other than a card. I made a little paper purse!

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane Ivory cardstock;

Paper Studio Bright Vintage 6x6" pad

Dies - Elizabeth Craft Design Delicate Fancy Purse

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots; 

double sided tape & liquid glue

I did a bunch of die cutting with purse pieces using vintage papers and ivory cardstock. Assembled the purse using double sided tape and liquid glue, then added some enamel dots for accents. To hold the purse flap closed I used a die cut that is intended to be a detail for the strap if you attach it to the front. 

I saw photos at ECD with one strap on the purse top so I wanted mine that way. To do it, I cut a second flap layer and trimmed off all but the top. I used the score line already there to adhere the two pieces together so the top had a width enough for the strap; the top is basically doubled. The short back of the flap went inside the back top of the purse. I should've take a process photo, oh well... Here's a side view; you can see the size compared to my hand:

Isn't it just the cutest? You could definitely leave off the scrolly layering pieces for a totally different look. Or leave the flap over part off and make it a tote style bag. I will add my purse to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #87 since the die set is newly used. And since I created it after the 15th, I'll also link to Creative Crafters #101 where Anything Goes (2nd of a possible 3 entries).

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you in the June Diva Challenge gallery!

Pop-up for Craft Roulette

Happy Saturday - hope you're enjoying the weekend! I watched Craft Roulette Episode #324 with host Mary Gunn and guest, Chelsea Comer (Inky Stamper) making her 5th appearance. Chelsea owns Inky Stamper which has many adorable stamp sets; she also carries some Lisa Horton products which I've purchased. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio Cardstock; TH Kraft Metallic

Dies - Poppystamps Corner Shoppe Pop Up Easel Set,

Corner Shoppe Wooden Cart (retired), 

& Flower and Leaf Sprinkles;

Memory Box Little Dragonflies (retired)

Other - gold gel pen

Once again, the roulette wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters. Mary and Chelsea created on camera and made adorable cards! I had a lot of pieces to assemble so finished & uploaded after the show. The parameter photo below shows my card popped up. I put the sentiment on the inside to view after popping up. It's an Insider from Taylored Expressions - love those inside panels for A2 cards; I trimmed this one to fit.

• Project - Easel Card: I made a pop-up easel using a die set. 
• Colors - Craft Store: Basically any color - all came from a craft store! 
• Element - Table: I added a die cut table. 
• Random - Add A Bug(s) or Insect(s): I added die cut dragonflies. 

I did a previous version with this shoppe set - see it HERE if desired. I was using the wooden card set for the first time. For the cart you have a leg and a wheel. To make the table, I just cut four legs! The canopy here is the reverse of my previous card - the die cuts two pieces so I could mix and match. I cut the trio of dragonflies (one die cuts all three) and added gold gel pen to the wings. Sadly, I couldn't find the die after the show! Oh well, I'll keep looking...

I will add this card to Creative Crafters #101 where Anything Goes.

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a crafty day! I'll be back tomorrow with inspiration for our Die Cut Diva June Challenge - hope to see you then!