Blue Snowflakes and a poinsettia!

Hi all - not much left of 2025; hope you're doing well in the run up to the new year! I decided to make something for Craftlandia Challenge 25 - Snowflakes after I saw Hilary's lovely inspiration card. It's her final card as a DT member so I wanted to make the effort to play. Her card used a gorgeous snowflake print with some rich blues; I decided to go with blues too. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; 

Paper Studio patterned paper; Spellbinders A2 card

Embossing Folder - Echo Park Snowflake #3 (retired)

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Dies - Sunny Studio Layered Snowflake Frame (retired)

Tim Holtz Sizzix Stitched Rectangles (retired)

Other - Recollections gems; foam tape;

Hero Arts felt snowflake; blue inks (retired brand)

I started by die cutting a stitched rectangle from a blue patterned paper flecked with copper. I embossed the rectangle with the snowflake folder, then rubbed various blue inks over the raised bits. Adhered the panel to an A2 card. Die cut a bunch of white snowflakes from a Sunny Studio set I gave my sister last year; just used one here - layered it atop a felt snowflake. Added the sentiment with foam tape, plus some gems. Easy peasy.

I'll also add my card to Inkspirational Challenge #357 where the theme is Cold - snow is definitely cold in my neck of the woods!!

Next, I have a holiday thank you card made with a poinsettia I built at home and brought to AZ with me. This went to my sister to say thanks for her hospitality over Christmas.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card; scrap of black;

Taylored Expressions White Glitter Cardstock

Dies - Taylored Expressions Garden Variety Die Set - Poinsettia;

Doodlebug Designs Many Thanks

Other - Recollections

I got the glitter paper and poinsettia after Taylor from TE showed it off at an online card event. So pretty!! Inked it with pink & green - can't remember which brand I used. I adhered the poinsettia to an A2 card & finished it off simply with a die cut thanks & some gems.

I'll add this card to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #81 since the poinsettia got first play here.

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day!!

Winter Birdies Again!

Hey everyone - hope you're enjoying the holidays! We had a lovely Christmas dinner with tamales from The Tamale Store. Two of my sister's friends joined Dad, my sisters & me. My brother and sister-in-law celebrated with Donna's family. 

On Friday, sister Tami & I made a few brief shopping stops then it was time to watch Craft Roulette Episode #299. Tami makes cards but was too busy working on a puzzle to play at CR. I crafted along but waited until today to finish my card and get a daytime photo.

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill & Tim Holtz browns;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; scraps of red

Stamps w/dies - My Favorite Things Winter Birds

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 12;

Other - colored pencils; sentiment from 

a scrap of patterned paper; circle punches;

Recollections gems

Host Mary had Bitty Penny (‪@BittyPenny‬), making her 11th appearance. If you remember, she filled in a couple weeks ago when Mary had technical difficulties with another guest. The wheel was spun four times as usual for the the necessary parameters. They were ok - I managed to make it work:

• Project - Double Z/Double Zed: I formed a Double Z card with cardstock.
• Colors - Rudulph: I used browns, reds and a bit of green (his collar?).
• Element - Optimistic: I used a sentiment with the word Believe which is optimistic.
• Random - Plain Circle(s): I die cut or punched 4 plain circles and one stitched one.

Since still visiting my sister, I had limited supplies again. I used cardstock from her stash along with more stamped/die cut winter birds & some foliage that I brought with me. I colored them with pencils & popped them onto the card with foam tape. A few gems finished it off. I wasn't too excited to do a Double Z but this turned out better than expected with the addition of the birds! Here's a view of the card folded flat - fits in an A2 envelope.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting during this busy season! And just a reminder, we're still doing Christmas/Winter for our December Die Cut Diva Challenge. Join us by 9pm Pacific time on the 31st.

Happy crafting!

Merry Christmas 2025!!

Ho ho ho friends & Merry Christmas if you're celebrating!! I typically pop in on Christmas day to share my holiday decor. So here you go:

Living Room Trees

Hallmark designer tree atop a pedestal at top of my entry

Foyer wreath (Hallmark mini mice)

Hallmark North Pole tree on my dresser

Hallmark Snoopy tree in upstairs guestroom

Christmas pots outside the front door

Wishing you all the best during this holiday season! I'll probably be back tomorrow or Saturday with a Craft Roulette card; Episode #299 airs tomorrow night!

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy your day!

Some Christmas Postage Stamp Cards

Hey everyone - I had time during all my holiday preparations to make cards for my usual Die Cut Diva post today! Only the first card below is shared there; the bonus and details for both cards can only be found here.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; 

Paper Studio green card stock; Recollections A2 card

Stencils - Waffle Flower Postage Collage Vertical Tree

Stamps - Waffle Flower Postage Collage & 

Postage Collage North Pole

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Dies - Waffle Flower Sweet Plaid Texture Die 

& Postage Collage;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Various inks; foam tape; SSS star embellishments

We have the wonderful Waffle Flower as our December sponsor, furnishing a $15 gift card to their online store. We'll award it by random drawn on 1/3/2026 from eligible December entries.

I started with a piece of Neenah and stenciled each of the tree's 5 layers using various inks. Next I die cut it with the Postage Collage. Die cut a stitched rectangle with the plaid texture & adhered to an A2 card.

Next, I started stamping the postal details. Paper shifted and the stamping went wonky so I trimmed the postage collage into its 6 separate postage stamps. With artful layering, I knew I could still use all 6 of the cut stamps. Used 3 here and saved the other 3. Added a sentiment from the stash & some Simon Says Stamps stars.

I'll add this card to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #81 since my tree stencil set got first play here. 

For my bonus, I used the remaining postage stamps created above. Added them to a snowflake coverplate that was adhered to an A2 card, along with another sentiment from the same sentiment set as above.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; 

Paper Studio sunflower card stock

Stencils - Waffle Flower Postage Collage Vertical Tree

Stamps - Waffle Flower Postage Collage

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Dies - Waffle Flower Dashed Snowflake Panel Die

& Postage Collage

Other - Various inks; foam tape; SSS star embellishments

Do you have a favorite? I love the elf peeking out on card one and the bright sunny yellow on card two. Such fun to make!

I hope your holiday preparations are going well &, if you get a chance, can link up to our Die Cut Divas December Challenge using die cuts &/or an embossing folder, plus the theme of Christmas/Winter. You have until 9pm Pacific Time on 12/31 to upload at the link shown.

I will be back on Christmas Day sharing my holiday trees, as usual. Thanks for stopping by during this busy season!

A Birdie Thanks!

Hey everyone - less than a week until Christmas - yikes! I still had time to watch Craft Roulette Episode #298 tonight and craft along.

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A6 card;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; scraps

Stamps w/dies - My Favorite Things Winter Birds

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 12;

Doodlebug Designs Many Thanks

Other - colored pencils

Host Mary was replaced by her alter ego Merry Claus for this holiday episode. Her guest was Merry Gary, a North Pole elf, making his second annual appearance. Everything was decorated for the holidays and both Merry and Gary made holiday cards. The wheel was nice, not naughty, this year:

• Project - A6: I used a pre-formed A6 card from Michaels.
• Colors - Gummi Bears: I used blue raspberry, red and green.
• Element - Rhymes With "-Ack": I used a black sentiment die cut.
• Random - Tearing: I tore the dotted paper on the left edge.

Visiting my sister tonight so I had limited supplies with me; still managed to finish a card. I had brought some stamped/die cut winter birds so just did a quick color with pencils. No Copics available. A pre-formed A6 card from Michael's and some scrap papers (brands unk), plus a circle & sentiment die cut completed the card - very quick and easy!! Note: I updated the card photo with a daytime one - much better!

I will be back on Sunday with my usual 21st Die Cut Divas post. We're doing Christmas/Winter for our December Challenge so I hope you'll pop over by 12/31 at 9pm Pacific Time!

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Reminder for Christmas/Winter at Die Cut Divas!

Hey everyone - just popping in to remind you that Die Cut Divas has Christmas/Winter as the theme for our December Challenge. You have until 9pm Pacific Time on 12/31/2025 to enter a project using the theme, plus a die cut &/or embossing folder. Here's my inspiration card:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane gold A2 card; 

Graphic 45 Merry & Bright; BoBunny Merry & Bright;

Paper Studio green cardstock; TH kraft metallic;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Dies - Waffle Flower Poinsettia Cluster &

Elegant Oval Frame;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape; orange pen

We have the wonderful Waffle Flower as our sponsor this month. They have donated a $15 gift card to their online store; we'll award it on 1/3/2026 to a random pick from eligible December entries.

This was a super simple card, fun to make! I die cut the poinsettia layers, some greens and the oval frame with background layer. Assembled everything & added to an A2 card with a texty print mat layer. A Waffle Flower sentiment from the stash completed the card.

I'll add my poinsettia to Christmas Kickstart #105 where we can link any cards (up to 3 max) that are Christmas-y. This is my third & final entry.

And for my bonus - I used Waffle Flower's sweet Birdie Friends; first time using these cuties!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; Deja Views Blue Raspberry (aqua pattern)

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Dies - Waffle Flower Birdie Friends in Winter &

Dashed Snowflake Panel Die

Stencils - Birdie Friends in Winter

Other - Paper Studio note stickers; foam tape;

Stickles; white gel pen; various inks

I die cut the birdies from white and stenciled with the coordinating stencil set. Added a few details with a white gel pen. Die cut the branch 3 times from brown and stacked for dimension. Stenciled the snow onto the branch, then added stickles for sparkle. Sadly, my "snow" looks a bit grey in the photo, oh well... Die cut the snowflake coverplate from a subtle patterned paper and added it to an A2 card, along with the branch and birdies. A WF sentiment and some musical note stickers completed the card. If you missed it, teamie Sue also used the Birdie Friends for a card - see it on her blog HERE. I loved her bright colors!

I'm adding my birdies to Inkspirational Challenge #356 to use stencils (snowflakes optional which I guess I also meet given the coverplate!). I'll also add them to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #81 since my birdies got first play here. 

I hope to see your Christmas/Winter creation at Die Cut Divas! That's it from me for today - chorus Christmas party tonight so that'll be fun!

Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!!

Scandinavian Icons on a Mini-slimline!

Hey everyone! I traveled to Northern Minnesota this week to visit my brother and his wife but returned home in time to watch Craft Roulette #297 live tonight. I crafted along; here's my card (my 88th!):

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain; Paper Studio cardstock;

Lawn Fawn All the Sparkles Petite; America Crafts plaid 6x6

Stamps - Hero Arts Scandinavian Holiday by Lia (retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Mini Slimline 

(NIB but a few HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Press Plate w/die - Spellbinders Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - foam tape; Gina K Dark Cranberry Ink;

Spellbinders Betterpress Leaf Ink

Host Mary Gunn had Sandy LeDoux (‪@LeDouxDesigns‬) as her guest, making her second appearance on the show. Sandy is the owner of LeDoux Designs. She carries both physical and digital stamps - very cute!

As usual, the wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters:

• Project - Holiday Card: I made a mini-slimline Christmas Card. 
• Colors - Forest Colors: I used green (trees) & red (leaves in the fall). 
• Element - Toy(s): I'm calling my dala horses toys. 
• Random - Wonky (which was guest's choice!): I used wonky slimline rectangles. 

I formed a mini-slim from a 6x6 sheet of plaid paper. Die cut two wonky rectangles & added to the card. Stamped and fussy cut the Scandinavian elements and popped onto the card with foam tape. Added a pressed sentiment with foam tape - done!!

I'll add my card to Christmas Kickstart #105 - Christmas-y cards; this is my second entry.

Thanks for stopping by & I'll be back on Monday with a Die Cut Divas reminder post for our December Challenge (Christmas/Winter). Happy crafting!!

If It's Christmassy!

Hi all - I've been MIA much of the week, busily decorating for the holidays and mailing out my Christmas cards. Pretty much done, except for last minute stuff. A Simon Says Stamp order arrived and I just had to use a cute sweater die to play along at Christmas Kickstart #105. The theme is anything Christmassy for December - easy peasy!!

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card; Paper Studio cardstock;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Simon Says Stamp Winter Sweater;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Embossing Folder - Sunny Studio Cable Knit

Press Plate w/die - Spellbinders Merry and Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - foam tape

I die cut 6 sweaters and took the time to run them back through the die cut machine, the second time with a rubber mat to deepen the details. Next I die cut an aqua panel with a stitched rectangle and embossed it with a sweater pattern. Added the panel to an A2 card and arranged the sweaters on top, adhering with foam tape. Added a pressed sentiment and that was it - quick and easy!!

I'll also link my card to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #81 since my sweater die is new.

Next, I watched Craft Roulette Episode #296 live tonight & crafted along. Due to technical difficulties, the planned guest didn't appear so Bitty Penny (@Bitty Penny) came to the rescue as a last minute guest. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; 

Recollections A2 card

Digi - Whimsy Lounge Lizard 

Stamps - Hero Arts Merry Cactus to You (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts Sparkle Lacquer; Glossy Accents

The crafty roulette wheel was spun 4 times as usual to find the necessary parameters.

• Project - A2 card: I used a pre-formed A2 card base. 
• Colors - Fresh & Clean: I found a color palette HERE using Turquoise, Papaya Whip, White, Light Moss Green & Pearl Aqua. 
• Element - From the Desert: Lizard and cacti are from the desert.
• Random - Edge Distress: I used a scissors edge to distress the edges of my white panel; couldn't find my TH distressing tool anywhere!

I printed the same Whimsy digi lizard that I used on a previous card but this color palette is so different! Kind of fun! I used Copic markers, then distressed the edges of the panel (trimmed to 3.75x5") & added to an A2 card. Stamped the cactus sentiment & done!

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by & I'll try to visit blogs later this weekend. Chorus has a holiday show tomorrow so I'll be busy there. Happy crafting!!

November 2025 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Hey crafty friends - it time to share cards that went around the world for the November Card Chain Challenge. Twenty-five people participated & you can see the full reveal HERE. My card went to the amazing Jo (Jo Blogs) in the UK. Jo & Gail (Crafty Nomad) handle the administration at the CCC & do an excellent job, I might add!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

BoBunny Dotted; Lawn Fawn Let's Polka;

Recollections Jewel Toned Inks;

Spellbinders A2 card

Stamps - Hero Arts Wild Columbine (sentiment) & 

September Card Kit (pumpkins)

Dies - Hero Arts Morning Glory;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 23

Other - Copic Markers, SSS Starshine Dots

We had the following options for making our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Feathers / Vintage / Friendship

 

Product / Technique Options: Buttons / Abstract

I used the colors, the sketch & the theme of friendship. I was getting supplies ready for Thanksgiving cards and decided to put a trio of pumpkins in place of the circles on the sketch. Interesting in the November color palette, aren't they? They needed some vines, I thought, so I die cut a morning glory and trimmed bits of vines off of it. Added them here & there around the pumpkins. Stamped a sentiment strip & added it, plus some dots - done! The red looks orange in the photo but it matches the ruby palette better in real life!!

Sweet Chris from IL sent me the card below - I just love her arched pop-up frame for the beautiful cardinal - such dimension! Thanks, Chris!!

If you want to participate for the December chain, go HERE for details by Dec. 6th. It's so easy & fun - just make and send one card!

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting and happy crafting!!

Die Cut Divas in December - Winter or Christmas!

Hi all - you're probably surprised to see me posting with Die Cut Divas today but we're doing a December schedule where we'll post to start the challenge and then do a mid-month reminder post on the 15th. I might still do my normal day on the 21st - depends on how the month goes... 

Our December Die Cut Divas Challenge theme is Christmas/Winter so we hope it helps you get those last minute cards done!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders A2 card; Paper Studio green

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Stencils w/dies - Waffle Flower Fa La La Llama

Dies - Waffle Flower Dashed Snowflake Panel Die

Other - Various inks; foam tape; Stickles;

Glossy Accents; SSS Starshine dots;

Creatology googly eyes

Waffle Flower has sponsored the Divas this month and donated a $15 gift card to their store. Thanks Waffle Flower!! 

I couldn't resist the adorable WF llama die/stencil set which I found at my fave local store Anchor Paper. They offered 20% off the entire purchase for their Black Friday event. Woo Hoo - I picked up "a few" things.

Simply stenciled the llama, then die cut the outline and face details. Assembled and added googly eyes, glossy accents and Stickles. Stamped and die cut the sentiment. Die cut the wonderful WF snowflake background panel & adhered to an A2 card. Added the llama and sentiment with foam tape.

I'm adding my card to Just Us Girls #803 where they're doing Anything Goes with Stencils. I'll also add to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #81 since my llama set got first play here.

For a bonus, I went with another stencil, also picked up locally. This time it's a postage collage set called Snowy.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio A2 card & glitter cardstock

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Stamps - Waffle Flower Postage Collage

Dies - Waffle Flower Postage Collage

Stencils - Waffle Flower Postage Collage Snowy

Other - Various inks

While I love the WF postage collage series, I'm not that great at aligning these multiple step collage stencils. Oh well, I made it work! In future, I plan to use a piece of card stock the exact size of the stencil. Then I don't have to try to see the etched lines! 

Stenciled, then die cut the collage. Matted onto glitter cardstock, then to an A2 card. A different sentiment from the same stamp set as above finished the card. I did two while I was at it!

I hope you'll join us at Die Cut Divas this month as you prepare for the holidays! Thanks for visiting and happy crafting!

More Kitties and Books!

Hi everyone - today's the last day to enter a critter project for Die Cut Divas November Challenge. I'm sharing my kitty card as inspiration with the end-of-month team at Diva Cut Divas HERE. I also have a bonus card below, found only on my blog.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card; Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Winter Petite

& Watercolor Wishes Petite

Stamps with Dies - Lawn Fawn Cozy Cats Stamp + Die Bundle &

Simply Celebrate Hangouts Stamp + Die Bundle

Stamps - Lawn Fawn Sophie's Sentiments (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; white gel pen; 

Memento ink; SSS Starshine dots

Our fabulous sponsor this month is Lawn Fawn. They donated a $25 gift card for our random November winner to be awarded on December 3rd. Thanks Lawn Fawn!

I stamped and die cut all the images, then colored with Copics. The extra books were trimmed off a piece of a hangout used on a previous card. Stamped the sentiment on a banner from the stash (brand unk). I die cut a plaid rectangle and a small blue rectangle, then added to an A2 card. Arranged my kitties and books on the blue rectangle, then added some starshine dots.

For my bonus, I made a winter scene:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Winter Petite; scrap of green

Stamps - Lawn Fawn Magic Holiday Messages

Stamps with Dies - Toboggan Together Stamp + Die Bundle

Dies - Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders,

Forest Border

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape;

Hero Arts and Memento inks

Adhered a plaid A2 layer to an A2 card. Die cut a stitched hillside from an A2 panel of white. Added a die cut tree border behind the hill and glued atop the plaid layer. Stamped, die cut and colored the sleigh, gifts (3) and reindeer (2). Assembled and added to the card. Thanks to teamie Arlene for sending me the sentiment she'd already cut with a circle from her stash. I colored the elements with Copics & popped it onto the card with foam tape.

That's it for today. I hope to see you in the November Diva gallery with any brand of critter; just be sure to include die cuts &/or embossing folders in your design.

I will add the bonus card as a last minute entry to the November Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 to Just Add Antlers. And to Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #209 where critters celebrate the holidays.

Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!!

A Turkish Map Fold Interior!

Hey crafty friends - if you celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, I hope it was fabulous! I enjoyed my day with friends and ate waaaay too much! Today I started my holiday decorating but curtailed it to watch Craft Roulette Episode #295 live.

Supplies: Paper - Astro Designs cardstock

Graphic 45 Merry & Bright; 

Park Lane A7 gold card (cut up);

Printed Taylored Expression Insider 

(for the inside sentiment)

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Caitlin Anthony (‪@CaitlinAnnaleeCards‬) as her guest. Caitlin was making her 6th appearance on the show and also participated in the CR World Cardmaking Day event. Caitlin is on the team at Pink and Main so you may have seen her on their videos. The wheel had some interesting parameters tonight!

• Project - Map Fold: I did a Turkish Map Fold pop-out interior
• Colors - Planter: I used colors from my new Christmas planters. 
• Element - From the Sky: Paper on card front has a star.
• Random - Three in a Row: Paper on card front has 3 bells in a row. Interior has many sets of three in a row. 

I tell you, the map fold parameter nearly drove me crazy! I started doing an actual brochure style fold, then folded in half. Very bulky already (even starting with 65lb paper), then I added mat layers to every side (16!). Was debating decor & an hour into it when I switched gears! Needless to say I didn't finish during the show but that's ok - plenty of time to submit to the gallery afterward. Check it out HERE if desired.

I found a video from the Gentleman Crafter on a Turkish Map Fold format that pops out when you open the card. Much quicker to put together, I tell you! His video shows how he did it using a software program but I just copied down the measurements, then watched how he folded the physical paper once he got it out of his machine. 

Based on the first photo - looks like a normal card, right? It's a 5" square card with some patterned paper mats. But check out the inside!

It's pretty easy - basically take a 9" piece of paper & fold in half, then on the diagonals, then score little 2.25" squares in the four corners. Then you press those little squares in. I absolutely had to watch the video to be sure how to fold it! I did the sentiment in the center of the folds like the instructor did. Other cards I've seen had the sentiment on the large area on the bottom. I'd do it that way next time but, hey, I thought this turned out pretty great for a first time at this fancy fold!

That's it for today! Snow expected here tomorrow so I'll probably stay home and continue my decorating. Thanks for stopping & have a crafty weekend!!