Out of the Woods and Bee Happy!

Hey all - once again, Monday night found me doing some Card Chaos! For Episode #37, Irene Smith and Sandy LeDoux each made a card with texture in about 15 minutes. I played along for both rounds. First, I made a card specifically intended for Christmas Kickstart Challenge #108 - Out of the Woods.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

glitter cardstock; Recollections navy cardstock;

Spellbinders Betterpress Pebble

Press Plates w/dies - Spellbinders Home for 

Christmas Sentiments (retired)

Stamps w/dies - Art Impressions Winter Woodland Bundle

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz/Sizzix Birch Trees (retired)

Other - Hero Arts Unicorn Ink; Copic Markers; 

foam tape; white gel pen

I gathered all supplies in advance, including a birch tree embossing folder for my texture and some pre-stamped critters left over from a previous card. After embossing the blue card, I swiped it with unicorn ink. Die cut some glittery hills and added to the blue panel, then adhered to an A2 card formed from Neenah. Colored the critters with Copics and added to the scene along with a Betterpressed sentiment from the stash.

The card done in 15 minutes just included the owl and hedgie with bauble. It looked empty, so I later colored the sledding critters and added another hill for them. Then I added more shading & definition to the trees. I'll add this card to Merry Little Christmas #67 where Anything Goes.

My second Chaos card was made in just under 15 minutes. The only item from the stash was the center to the orange flower; everything else was die cut, embossed and assembled in the alloted time. 

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio & Recollections;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Embossing Folder/Die set - Momenta Bee Happy (retired)

Dies - Hero Arts Hexagon Infinity Dies;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape; Hero Arts enamel dots

I embossed a stitched rectangle with the honeycomb folder, then swipped TE Sweet Corn ink over it. Matted in black and added to an A2 card. Die cut the elements from the set: sentiment, bee, flowers and leaves. Glued vellum behind the wings and yellow behind the body of the bee. The set comes with a hexagon die but I wanted larger ones so used some from a Hero Arts set. Layered two hexagons and arranged the flowers, bee & sentiment on it, then added to the card. Adhered enamel dots to the white flowers and a flower center from the bits box to the orange flower. Done!

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

Baking this World a Better Place!

Hey crafty friends - I've been busy crafting, including the latest Hero Arts Stamp Along today. Fun but draining - I didn't finish all the cards so I'm not ready to share them yet. Instead I'll share the card from last night's Craft Roulette Episode #309 where I completed my 100th card! The occasion, called Mug Club, nets me a stamp set courtesy of Craft Roulette - woo hoo! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio, Hero Arts & Spellbinders cardstock

Stamps w/dies - Taylored Expressions Seasons Sweetings (dies)

Dies - Waffle Flower Just Mitts;

Kat Scrappiness Mini Slimline Postage 

Stamp Edge dies (retired);

Other - foam tape; SSS Starshine Embellishments;

Hero Arts ink

CR host Mary Gunn had the very talented Sara Lihz Staroska (‪@sassysllc‬) as her guest, making her 6th appearance on the show. Sara Lihz has hundreds of videos on her channel and also some free ephemera downloads. The wheel was kind to us for my 100th card.

• Project - Mini Slimline: I made a mini slim card base using mini slim dies. 
• Colors - Jolly Colors: In the chat, someone remarked on Jolly Rancher candy so I went that route with red/blue/green/purple. 
• Element - In the Kitchen: I used baking mitts or what we call pot holders around here. 
• Random - Mask(S)/Masking: I masked the green panel to put darker ink around the edges. 

We had mini slimline a few weeks ago and some weren't excited about seeing it come up again. I was!! I die cut two red mini slimline panels, scored the back one and adhered to the front to form a shaped card. Next I die cut the next smaller layer out of green, then the next smaller from copy paper to use as a mask. I put the copy paper one centered on the green and inked the edges in a darker green. I loved how the postage pattern emerged. Adhered the green panel to the red card.

Next I die cut two baking mitts and their top edging, assembled and added to the card using foam tape. I pulled a sentiment from the stash, perfect for a baking theme & added it to the card. Some SSS Starshine dots finished it off.

I had just purchased my baking mitts die set at Anchor Paper on Thursday so I was glad to give them a play so quickly. Since newly used, I'll add this card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #84.

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to get over to your blogs soon! Happy crafting!!

February 2026 Card Chain Reveal

Hi crafty friends - the 2nd of the month has arrived! We're revealing cards that went round the world for the Card Chain Challenge. Twenty-four people participated in February and you can find the full reveal HERE. My card went to Joanne (Slices of Life) in CT USA who has been my lovely sender several times. I was glad to return the favor!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio glitter; Lawn Fawn & BoBunny patterned

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

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Hero Arts ephemera; SSS sentiment strip;

lace & silver cord from stash; Park Lane gems

We had the following options for creating our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Clouds / On The Farm / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Dies / Fussy Cutting

As you can see, I skipped the colors and sketch this time. I used the Friendship theme and the dies technique.

I've previously mentioned doing the Cardmaking Stash Summit at the end January. One of the challenge themes was friendship so I took the opportunity to make my CCC card! You also had to use something shiny & something you've avoided. My shiny was the glitter paper and the avoided item was the ephemera pack I used. It's been on the desk for a while and I didn't have inspiration for it until the Summit. I found the butterfly a home on a tag from last year's Tim Holtz class along with a strip of glitter paper and a printed sentiment from SSS. Assembled the tag and added it to a stitched rectangle on an A2 card. Some lace and silver cord, plus gems on the butterfly finished it off.

I received this beautiful card from Daja in Germany. I just love her sweet bunny and fancy fold!! Also, I was delighted that the card arrived so quickly - a Christmas card from Gundi took over a month!

Want to join the challenge? You only need to make and mail one card - easy peasy!! You can still sign up for the March Challenge until the 6th - go HERE for details. 

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

Card with a Bookmark!

Hey everyone - hope you're enjoying the weekend! Friday night I had a chance to watch Craft Roulette Episode #308 & craft along. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders A2 card; Paper Studio cardstock;

My Favorite Things Christmas Cheer

Stamps - AJVD Coffee and Books (retired);

Hero Arts Truly Appreciated (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Minnie Pearl Bookmark;

Poppystamps Nordic Resting Cardinal

Elizabeth Craft Designs Home Jungle (retired)

Other - EKSuccess heart stickers;

Doodlebug Designs bakers twine

CR host Mary Gunn had Lea Lawson (‪@LeaLawsonCreates‬) as her guest. Lea will be a presenter at the upcoming SBC Fest offered by Scrapbooks.com. It's coming up quickly and I'll be a participant this year! Anyway, the roulette wheel was spun four times for our card parameters:

• Project - Card with a Bookmark: I made an A2 card with a pocket to insert a die cut bookmark. 
• Colors - Circus Colors: I used red/blue white. 
• Element - Hug(S): I included "hugs" in my sentiment. 
• Random - Feather(S)(Ed): I added a bird which is feathered. 

First I die cut a stitched rectangle from a striped paper. Added it to an A2 card. In the discussion of the parameters, someone mentioned a pocket so I pulled out an ECD pocket die. I was going through stamp sets to find a sentiment with hugs and also spotted a A Jillian Vance Design stamp set for her bookmark die. Bingo - went to the die drawers and found it quickly! Stamped the cup with books from that same set and fussy cut it, then colored with Copics. Assembled, added baker's twine to the bookmark, plus an assembled cardinal that I had in the stash. Stamped the sentiment and added it to the pocket along with some enamel hearts. Here's another view with the bookmark out of the pocket:

That's it for today, friends. I'll be back tomorrow with the Card Chain reveal. Until then, thanks for the visit and happy crafting!!

 

Final Day for Diva Red and/or Pink

Hey friends - we have final day inspiration at Die Cut Divas for our February Challenge. We're asking everyone to use primarily pink &/or red in your creation. You have until 9pm Pacific Time today to link up for a chance to win a $25 gift card from our fabulous sponsor, Hero Arts!

All my card details and a bonus can be found below:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 cards &

glitter cardstock; Paper Studio cardstock;

My Favorite Things Watercolor Wash

Stamps - Hero Arts Ode to Andy Warhol Script Bold Prints

Dies - Hero Arts Stamp & Cut Love You XL

(retired at HA but still HERE at Frantic Stamper)

& Box of Chocolates (retired)

Other - SSS sentiment strip (you);

EK Success heart stickers;

Hero Arts inks - Red Royal & Cotton Candy

Loads of red and pink here!! I cut down a red A2 card to a 4.25" square. Stamped a pink watercolor print with the Andy Warhol text using red ink. Trimmed to a mat and adhered to the card. Took a darker red A2 card and die cut the chocolate box. Cut the bow from pink glitter paper, doing an extra cut of the loops and center, trimmed any excess, added some inking and layered for more dimension. Adhered the box and bow to the card.

Next I die cut the love from pink and stamped the text on it with pink ink. Made a second cut from black and layered. Added a small "you" sentiment strip. Glued to the card, then added some heart stickers.

For my bonus I used an adorable truck die set that I've had a while that I'd never used until now.

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 cards &

cardstock; Paper Studio cardstock;

My Mind's Eye Happy Day; scraps

Stamps - Hero Arts Ode to Andy Warhol Script Bold Prints

& Tulip Bouquet (sentiment);

Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar Day 19

Dies - Hero Arts Farmers Market Truck

& Hearts Infinity Dies;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - EK Success heart stickers;

Hero Arts inks - Red Royal & Cotton Candy;

Copic Markers; foam tape

The truck is one piece except for the tailgate panel. I die cut those two pieces from the deep red A2 card pieces left from card one. I then die cut parts of the main truck - tail lights, tires, bumper from scraps and layered onto the dark red truck base. Next I die cut 5 hearts of varying sizes & papers, then filled the truck bed. I die cut a second tailgate panel in pink and trimmed it down for layering. Stamped the sentiment in red. Die cut the dog once in white and then the scarf portion in pink; trimmed the latter and layered onto the white. Colored the dog's nose with Copic markers and shaded the body.

I die cut two patterned papers for the background, matted in black and added to a red A2 card. Added the assembled truck and dog with foam tape. A sentiment strip stamped from a Spellbinders set, plus a couple enamel hearts finished the card. I'll add this card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 since the truck die set was newly used. 

That's all for today. Thanks for visiting and we hope to see you in the February Die Cut Diva Challenge. Happy crafting!!

A Couple of Quick Cards

Hey there - last night I watched Irene Smith's Card Chaos Episode #35 and crafted along. The goal is to make cards in 15 minutes with a theme known ahead of time. You can gather supplies and use prepared card bases & things we usually have on hand (like leftover die cuts and sentiments). Everything else should be done during the timeframe (or thereabouts). I played in both rounds - the theme was Use Grey instead of Black. First up, a quick & easy card where I let patterned paper do the heavy lifting:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane Ivory A2 card;

Simple Stories Silent Night;

Astro Designs grey

Stamps - Hero Arts Merry Christmas Messages (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Altenew Mix and Match Frames;

Hero Arts Tag Frames Infinity Dies

Other - foam tape; Honey Bee gems

When I do these 15 minute challenges, I usually just look around at the mess that's on the desk or table. I still have pieces of the Simple Stories paper I used for a Kickstart card earlier this month so I grabbed a couple. Perfect because they were greyscale rather than black for the print. I die cut them and then matted in grey. Next I stamped a sentiment in grey ink and die cut it with a label then inked the edges. Added everything to an A2 ivory card. The papers were an offwhite so they looked odd when I tried a white card; I went with ivory. Not sure I love the ivory either, oh well. I added some gems to the sentiment but left off any other bling.

 

Next, I thought I'd go ahead and use Day 23's die set from the 2024 Spellbinders Advent Calendar. I've been faithfully using each day from December 2024 in February (in January I did 2025's). Usually I just use the item but don't get a card made; yesterday I finished a card!

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane Ivory A2 card;

Authentique patterned;

Astro Designs grey; Paper Studio pink

Stamps w/dies- Simon Says Stamp CZ Design Good Greetings 1 Set

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar (Day 23)

Other - foam tape; Hobby Lobby hearts

I had a vellum oval in the stash - left over from cutting a frame w/scalloped interior. Die cut and assembled the kitty with heart, then added some details with a warm grey Copic and a white gel pen. Die cut a piece of ivory paper with grey bows, matted in grey and added to an ivory card. Stamped happy birthday in grey ink and die cut. Assembled onto the card and added some enamel heart stickers. The stickers were added after the show - I knew it needed something more... What do you think - good addition?

I'll add my birthday card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 since the kitty die set was newly used. 

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for stopping and happy crafting!!

A Sweet Santa Mug and More!

Hey crafty friends - the past two weeks I watched quite a bit of the Winter Olympics, including USA's hockey wins for gold (sorry, my Canadian friends). And, of course, curling with a lot of Minnesotans playing for Team USA!! Sad to see it all end for another four years!

I had some time yesterday after watching the closing ceremony & made a card for Just Us Girls Challenge #811 where Lisa (My Paper Tales) from their DT has chosen a wonderful inspiration photo. I loved Lisa's sweet Nordic cup & thought I'd pull out a Spellbinders cup die set I got on sale in AZ during the Christmas holidays.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; MFT Christmas Cheer;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Spellbinders Cocoa Wonderland;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plates w/dies - Spellbinders Home for 

Christmas Sentiments (retired)

Other - Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar 

(Day 22) sequins; foam tape; Copics for shading

I die cut the mug pieces and assembled. Added some shading to the beard and whipped cream with Copics. Adhered some pink sequins instead of the sprinkles in the inspiration photo. Matted 2 patterns of paper with pink and added to a white card. Added the mug & a Betterpressed sentiment with foam tape. 

I'll also add my cup to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 since the die set was newly used. 

Saturday morning I watched Put the CASE in Chaos Episode #3. Each month, host Irene Smith and a guest (this time the amazing Ardyth) each CASE the other's card. This month they used stencils. I crafted along, creating a card inspired by each; Irene has a Facebook gallery for any submissions. First up, I made another Christmas card for the stash, taking inspiration from Irene's geometric stencil with shimmer spray:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Stencils - Hero Arts Geometric Holiday

& Script (retired)

Dies - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 18

Press Plates w/dies - Spellbinders Home for 

Christmas Sentiments (retired)

Other - various Hero Arts & SSS inks &

HA Irridescent Shimmer Spray

Irene used Ardyth's favorite card format of a 4.25" square card; I simply trimmed down an A2 to card to be square. Next I took a white panel and stenciled the geometric pattern, masking off for the different colors since it's only a one layer. I must say, it was a pain but it made adding the shimmer spray at the end quick! After drying with a heat tool, I stenciled a script layer over top in Key Lime ink. Also blended ink around the edges and into the piece so it wasn't stark white. Trimmed it and added to a blue mat, then added a "tree" die cut and a Betterpressed sentiment.

Yes, I've been keeping up with my idea of using my SB Advent Calendars each day (did 2025 in January and am doing 2024 in February). I don't always make a full card that day but I do have a lot of bits ready! So I was able to grab a little tree for this card and a sentiment for the card below. The "tree" was actually a set of corner waves that I thought would make a cute pine tree! You can see Crafty Al's video with this set HERE.

I had cut the dies in green and layered the pieces onto white card stock leaving a space for "snow". Then I'd trimmed around it & added a short brown strip for the trunk. It was sitting on the table when I was looking for a die cut to add as Irene had. It's a different style of tree than the geometric ones but I thought it would work with the bigger sentiment. What do you think? Cute or should I have gone with a triangle tree?

Next I used Ardyth's sketch, again with her fave 4.25" square card but this time she'd trimmed the front smaller, then added a circle sentiment. When she trimmed off a panel for the shortened front, she added it to the inside. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock

Stamps - Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar Day 13

Dies - Hero Arts Circle Infinity Dies;

Poppystamps Scallop Pinpoint Rings

Stencils - Hero Arts but can't find the name

(maybe from a kit of theirs)

Other - various Hero Arts inks

I started by stenciling a full panel with alternating inks on a diagonal (no shimmer spray this time). Trimmed and matted then added to the card. The strip on the right is adhered to the inside so, when open, the circle hangs off the front. Die cut 3 circles (top blue is the pinpoint one), then layered and added the sentiment strip. Done!

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting & have a crafty week!!