Purple for Christmas!

Hey there - I hope you're having a great week! We got nearly a foot of snow overnight - what a perfect time to stay in & craft!! My thoughtful neighbor cleared my driveway for me so I didn't have to go outdoors at all today. 

Thought I'd make a card for the March Christmas Kickstart Challenge where Jo & elf Arlene (a sister Die Cut Diva) are doing non-traditional Christmas colors (no red, green, or gold). Arlene made a gorgeous postage collage using purple which is my favorite color. Decided to jump in with purple combined with pink.

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card; 

Lawn Fawn Petite Watercolor Wishes; 

My Favorite Things Orange Sherbet;

Spellbinders Betterpress Pebble; scraps

Dies - Spellbinders 2024 12 Days of Stitchmas (Day 11);

Waffleflower Dashed Snowflake Panel;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Hero Arts Nesting Oval Infinity Dies

Press plate w/die - Spellbinders Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips;

Other - foam tape; DMC floss 327 & 210

I decided it was past time to pull out something from the 2024 Spellbinders 12 Days of Stitchmas. Cindy (Escape to Stamping) enabled me to purchase this bundle after I saw her gorgeous cards. See her take on day 11 HERE. Note: I linked to Spellbinders in the supply list but I bought mine from Frantic Stamper at a nice discount; they still have two left HERE as of this post date. Sadly, FS is going out of business so check them out (uncompensated endorsement; I'll miss them!). 

I opened all the Stitchmas windows in order and "processed" the contents into storage bags before Christmas. Just hadn't had time to use anything until now... I die cut the wreath with the stitching plate & stitched with DMC floss. Cut a second wreath with no stitching to back it. Then I die cut and assembled a double bow. The center of the bow was cut with an oval die. Added it to the wreath.

Next, I die cut a pale pink stitched rectangle, then ran it though the Vagabond with the WF stitched snowflake plate for a lovely texture. Hard to see in the photo. Added it to an A2 plaid panel that I'd glued to an A2 card. Popped the stitched wreath on with foam tape. Then I added a pressed sentiment from the stash.

I'll also add this card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #72 since the wreath die is newly used. And to the current Merry Little Christmas Challenge #61 where Anything Goes!

Here's a bonus - another Christmas card, this one with some upcycling: 

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A7 card;

Neenah white; Betterpress Porcelain;

scrap of red glitter paper;

Penny Black Holiday Trimmings

Dies - Poppystamps Merry Christmas Moonlight Script

(retired at PS but HERE at Frantic Stamper);

Hero Arts Nesting Circle Infinity Dies 

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

Other - Copic Y26; Park Lane & Honey Bee gems;

Black Soot Distress Ink; Upcycled invitation

Last year I received an invitation to an annual Hallmark ornament event. I love to save parts of these invitations as they're so gorgeous. I thought it was finally time to use this one!! It featured a round bauble surrounded by foliage. The event information took up the center of the bauble so I simple covered it with a die cut circle (edged with Black Soot). I used a soft PB holiday pattern that I thought worked well with the background. Added some shading to the printed topper using a gold Copic and a hanger string of gems. Cut the panel down & inked the edges, then matted on an A7 gold card. 

I die cut a sentiment using a new-to-me die set from Poppystamps. It was new holiday last year but already gone at PS. I got it at an overstock sale at my local store - yay for me - love, love, love this sentiment! I die cut the words in red glitter paper and the outline in white, then added an outline shadow cut from part of an A7 gold card. Also added some gold gems to the centers of the flowers on the patterned bauble, plus a pressed sub-sentiment strip.

For the card's inside, I used a Taylored Expressions holiday Insider, adding a strip of the foliage pattern that the invitation had on its inside. The Insiders are for A2 cards so anytime I repurpose them for A7 cards, I add a patterned strip.

That's it for today - thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

February 2025 Card Chain Reveal

Hey there - time for another Card Chain reveal! Twenty-five people played in February; see the full reveal HERE. My card went to Carol G (Crafty Stamper) in the UK:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio Vintage Valentine 6x6";

Ivory & Pinks heavyweight cardstock

Stamps with Dies - Lawn Fawn Bannerific (retired);

Hero Arts Wild Columbine Bundle (sentiment)

Dies - Poppystamps Vintage Scalloped Heart;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

SCT With Love event kit - Heart Confetti

Other - Copic Markers C02, C00;

TH Black Soot Distress Ink

This was another card that came together just as envisioned - it doesn't happen all that much & excites me when it does!! I followed the sketch, used the themes of flowers (in patterned paper) & hearts, plus friendship, and technique of die-cutting. Here are all the options we had available:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Celestial / Hearts and Flowers / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Embossing Powder / Die Cutting

I didn't feel the colors this month since I wanted to be more Valentine-y. I had just bought a new 6x6 pad with vintage Valentine papers & decided to use it with the sketch. Ended up making an A7 card to get all the elements in, given the dies I used. The heart die was bought locally on clearance & is getting first play here. I also thought it was time to finally use a December Spellbinders 3D embossing folder which gave a nice texture to my background. I used a retired Lawn Fawn banner set but they have a similar one (Bannertastic) available.

I received this beautiful card from Joanne (Slices of Life) in CT USA. I just love the pretty embossed leafy background combined with the die cut leaves!

If you want to join us for March (you only make and mail one card), check it out HERE by March 6th. We'd love to see you in the chain!!

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!!

Island Breezes!

Happy weekend, everyone! I'm here with the Craft Roulette card I just finished. During last night's LIVE for Episode #256, I was at a fundraising dinner so I couldn't watch until later. I did check in on my phone and showed my fellow diners where I'd normally be on a Friday night - LOL! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections Citrus;

Neenah White; Betterpress Porcelain;

Core'dinations kraft; Authentique patterned

Dies - Hero Arts Beach Frame &

Tag Frame Infinity Dies (retired);

Spellbinders Nativity Scene

Other - computer generated sentiment;

various Hero Arts inks; foam tape

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Aussie Therese Calvird (‪@lostinpaper‬) as her guest. This was Therese's third appearance on the show & the wheel was considerably kinder to her than previously, even though it didn't land on her preferred flower options. 

• Project - A7: I formed a standard A7 card base from cardstock.
• Colors - Hippie: I found colors at Piktochart's The 15 Best Hippie Color Palette Combinations - I drew from several but heavy on orange/yellow.
• Element - Island(s): I used the word in a sentiment.
• Random - Wood: Palm tree trunk is wood.

After the parameters got revealed, I left the episode playing while I grabbed stuff. I ended up going with a die set I used HERE for an A2 shaker card. Today I die cut the scene along with the outline die using kraft, then cut a white outline as a backer. On the white, I blended soft teal for sea & sky, then oranges and yellow for a sunset. I had planned to use a stamp set with a palm tree for the wood element but spotted a Nativity add-on to Simon Hurley's snow globe series. It has two cute palm tree die cuts that I also cut in kraft. I tucked them behind the fence before gluing the scene to the blended background.

I trimmed an 8.5x11" piece of medium orange cardstock down to 7x10" & scored the long side at 5" to form an A7 card. Since a lot of my patterned papers are 6x6" pads, I ended up using the kind that has an extra 1/2" border at the top - perfect to get a 4.5 x 6.5 mat layer. Added a dark orange mat layer, then glued to the card. Adhered the beach scene oval.

Since the beach doesn't equal island, I made a sentiment with the word "island" using MSWord; the font is called PN Best of Anything (might've been from Silhouette). I printed it on a piece of dark yellow cardstock & die cut with a label die. Inked the edges with orange & added to the card. Also added a pressed sentiment banner from the stash; I think it was made from a Spellbinders hot foil plate - couldn't find it in their store anymore. The card could be used for a move to the islands, a retirement or honeymoon trip, etc.!

I will add my card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge 72 since my palm trees are newly used. Had to have them when they came out in 2023 but waited until now to use them - oh well....

Thanks for visiting & have a crafty day!!

Last Day to Shake it Up with Die Cut Divas

Hi everyone - my goodness, February is passing so quickly!! At Die Cut Divas today the end of month team is providing inspiration on the last day of our February Shaker Challenge. Card one below is my part of that inspiration post; details & a bonus card follow only here.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

Park Lane A2 card; Recollections yellow;

Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes Petite

Stamps - Hero Arts Togetherness Flower Bouquet

Dies - Hero Arts Secret Garden Fancy Die

Other - Recollections Gemstone shaker mix;

Kat Scrappiness A2 Full Front Shaker Card Pockets

Our fabulous sponsor is Hero Arts, an inspiration to the crafting community! They've donated a $25 credit to their online store for our randomly drawn challenge winner - thanks Hero Arts!!

I die cut the cover plate, including the free standing flowers in the center. Took an A2 purple panel from LF's Watercolor Wishes and formed the shaker pouch with a mix from Michael's. Adhered the cover plate and the other flowers over top, then glued to an A2 card. Stamped and fussy cut a sentiment then added to the card with foam tape. Glued some of the shaker mix gemstones to the flower centers for some extra interest - done!

Ready for a bonus? This time I've watercolored a gorgeous cover plate & made a shaker!

Supplies: Paper - TH Distress Watercolor; Neenah Solar White; 

Park Lane A2 card; Poptone Blue Raspberry; 

Lawn Fawn Rainbow Ever After Petite

Stamps w/Dies - Hero Arts Message Strips Stamp & Cut XL

Dies - Hero Arts Birds and Flowers Cover Plate &

Wood Frames Infinity Dies

Other - Hero Arts Liquid Watercolors & reinkers;

Distress reinkers; Recollections shaker mix;

Kat Scrappiness A2 Full Front Shaker Card Pockets;

Hero Arts White Iridescent Shimmer Mist

The process was same as for card one, except on the bonus I used watercolor paper & painted the scene with various liquids. Once dry I gave it a liberal overall spritz with shimmer mist - so pretty in real life!!

I'll add card one to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #71 since the flower cover plate is getting first play here. I'll add the bonus card to the February Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge where they're doing floral projects.

Thanks for visiting and we hope to see you in the February Diva gallery by 9pm Pacific time today!!

Basic Ornament Pop Up

Hey there - just popping in with a quick card for the February Christmas Kickstart Challenge #95 to have a fancy fold. For me, an easy fancy fold is the pop up card. I love the Birch Press series of ornaments that start with a basic pop up.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; many scraps;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Birch Press Design Ornament Basics&

Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel

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

Other - Hero Arts pearl

I just did some die cutting & assembling, then added a pressed sentiment from the stash. Since I have everything out, I might as well do more of these - they are so easy & fun. You can see a different BP ornament pop up HERE.

That's it for today. I'll be back early tomorrow with a Die Cut Diva post to encourage you to wrap up February with a shaker card!

Thanks for stopping!

Celebrating American Heart Month

Happy Saturday! I'm here with a card I made last night during Craft Roulette Episode #255.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; 

Paper Studio pastel A2 card;

Paper Studio Pink; TH Jewel Kraft Metallic;

Doodlebug Sweet Things 6x6"

Dies - Hero Arts Hero Studio Jan'25 kit &

Love & Hearts Fancy Dies

Other - Paper Studio enamel hearts

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Amy Schrock (@amyswares‬) as her guest. Amy loves stencils and does 3 regular weekly YouTube videos. Check her channel out at the link furnished, if desired. The wheel was particularly nice to us, including landing on the fave A2 card format that Amy was hoping for!! Mary & Amy made some really cute toaster cards using products from Trinity Stamps (for National Toast Day, celebrated the last Thursday in February).

• Project - A2: I used a premade A2 card base.
• Colors - Valentines: I did red & pink, plus neutral white & a Valentine pattern.
• Element - February: I went the "celebration of the month"* route.
• Random - Metallic or Foil: I used metallic cardstock on a heart & sentiment die cut.

I still have loads of Valentine stuff laying around & decided on hearts, given February is *American Heart Month. Of course, anyone who knows me has heard how much I love hearts!! I used the same Hero Studio kit from the birthday card I shared on my Valentine's Day post; I just skipped the shaker part. Definitely no time for that during the show, given how slow I am with my foam tape!!

I die cut a metallic red heart to put atop the ray textured background (instead of using it to die cut a window). Then I added a patterned die cut heart & a solid pink (same as background) die cut heart. Added the panel to a premade mint A2 card. Next I die cut a metallic With Love sentiment, plus two white ones (for dimension & shadow) & the white hearts from the same set. Added to the card - done!! Very quick and easy. Guess I could've shown some love to one of the other sentiments in the set - "Love You" or "Be Mine" - oh well....

I'm curious which card you like better - this one or the shaker? Feel free to let me know in the comments!! And if you like the shaker - what are you waiting for?? Get your shaker card (including use of a die cut or embossing folder) into our February Die Cut Diva Challenge!! We'd love to see you in the gallery!!

That's it for today - have a crafty weekend!!

Shaking it Up with Hero Arts!

Hey friends - I'm posting at Die Cut Divas today with card one below. A bonus card follows only here.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

Park Lane A2 card; scrap of purple; acetate

Stamps w/Dies - Hero Arts Message Strips Stamp & Cut XL

Dies - Hero Arts Bee Florals Window

Stencils - Hero Arts Color Layering Bee Florals 

Inks - Hero Arts Grape Slush, Amethyst, Key Lime, Moss,

Cup O'Joe & Pitch Black;

Memento Dandelion & Tangelo;

Tumbled Glass & Spiced Marmalade Distress

Other - Shaker mix from a retired Hero Arts MMH kit;

Hero Arts Sparkle Clear Lacquer; iCraft foam

We're doing shaker cards for our February Die Cut Divas Challenge. Our wonderful sponsor is Hero Arts, an inspiration to the crafting community! They're donating a $25 credit to their online store for our randomly drawn challenge winner - thanks Hero Arts!!

I die cut the bee window into an A2 panel of Neenah white, then stenciled the image with the coordinating 5 piece stencil set. I inked the corners with Tumbled Glass DI. Next, I backed the panel with acetate then applied 3mm foam around the edges. Filled it with a shaker mix from an old HA kit. Adhered an A2 card. Added sparkle lacquer to the bee wings. Stamped and die cut a sentiment strip & adhered it to the card.

For a bonus, I used a fave coverplate die:

Supplies: Paper - My Favorite Things red; scrap of white;

Paper Studio Pink; Hero Arts black 

Dies - Hero Arts Window on Love Confetti

Stamps w/Dies - Hero Arts Message Strips Stamp & Cut XL 

Other - Hobby Lobby Valentine Crafts clay chips;

Kat Scrappiness A2 Full Front Shaker Card Pockets

I've tried full front A2 shaker panels before - they work really well when you use a coverplate with a lot of open area. I found a fun shaker mix in the Valentine section at Hobby Lobby - little clay hearts, envelopes and sprinkles. Wrapped the filled shaker panel around a pink A2 panel to form a pouch. Then  I die cut the heart confetti panel and adhered atop the shaker pouch, then glued to an A2 card. Next I stamped/die cut another sentiment from the Message Strip stamp & cut set. I added a couple of the clay hearts to finish the card.

I'm sending my bee florals window card to the February Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero where they're doing floral projects.

** Based on Trina's (Phamtastic Design) reminder, I will add my bonus card to the current Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge where they want red or pink. Also to the February Colorful Options Challenge where they have a lovely mood board with loads of red, pink & hearts!

We look forward to seeing your shaker card (including a die cut &/or embossing folder) in our February Diva gallery! Thanks for visiting!!

Thanks for visiting & have a crafty day!

Rainboot bouquet thanks

Happy Tuesday to you! 

I'm popping in with a couple thank you cards I made for birthday gifts. To start, I thought I'd play along with Darnell's (djkardkreations) IDEAS program; this week it's E for Embossing. You can see her gorgeous embossed card HERE. And I can also fit my card at her February NBUS Challenge #71 since I'm using a 2024 Spellbinders Small Die of the Month set that hadn't seen the light of day until now!!

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; scraps

Dies - Spellbinders Rainboot Bouquet (DOM-Feb24) &

Thanks Enclosed Sentiments

Other - plaid embossed panel from a make 'n take;

foam tape

I die cut all the pieces of the boot set and assembled. I considered a patterned paper for the background but ended up choosing an embossed panel. It came from a make 'n take set I got in Arizona. I mentioned a bit about my trip to Arizona for two weeks over Christmas/New Year. I stayed with my sister Tami, the quilting maniac who also makes cards occasionally. I contributed a bunch of stuff to her stash & she didn't mind, as long as it fit in the allotted storage! Anyway, we visited my favorite crafting store down there - Scraps of Love in Peoria. They have make 'n takes on Thursdays & will keep the leftover sets for additional purchase. I bought one of these from a previous week's session & used the embossed plaid background here. I have no clue what brand it is. Then I used the string of flowers from that make 'n take set on my next card:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; scraps;

Lawn Fawn Pint Sized Patterns Summertime

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Frantic Stamper Giant Layered Thanks

Other - flower die cut from a make 'n take; 

Simple Stories enamel dots

No clue which brand makes the flower chain die cut. Here, I used the patterned paper I'd considered for card one. I think I put the right backgrounds on the right cards - what do you think? 

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

A Nativity Z-fold

Happy Sunday everyone - hope you're enjoying the weekend! I was reminded yesterday about the February Christmas Kickstart Challenge #95 where Jo & elf Leslie are doing Fancy Folds. Jo used a Z-fold for her reminder card so I decided to go that route with a new-to-me Nativity die set.

Supplies: Paper - My Favorite Things gray cardstock;

Hobby Lobby Star of Bethlehem;

Spellbinders Betterpress Pebble; Neenah white

Dies - Cottage Cutz Nativity w/Wisemen Slimline

Press Plates w/Dies - Spellbinders Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips

Hot Foil Plate w/Dies - Lawn Fawn Winter Big Scripty Words (dies HERE)

Other - enamel star from an old Hero Arts kit; gold foil

Back in November CKC had a Wise Men challenge. I didn't have much in that department so I ordered a few things from Frantic Stamper, including the Nativity die set. Just didn't have time to use them on that other challenge, oh well... The link I used above for the Nativity die is to Cottage Cutz but as of today FS still has two HERE. Sadly, FS is going out of business so if you want to get some hard-to-find older products, as well as some new releases of many brands, check them out! They've been a wonderful sponsor at Die Cut Divas over the years & I'll miss them!!

The slimline die cuts to a length of 9" so I knew I could trim it down & do a portrait style A2 Z-card with it. I wanted to score the die so the Holy Family was in one panel. This meant my dimensions weren't standard and the card actually folds down from the right. The height is still 5.5" and the starting length is still 8.5". I backed the die cut with a strip of patterned paper from Star of Bethlehem and used other papers on the panels. I put the sentiment panel on the back of the left side cardstock piece. 

The two sentiments on the front panels were in my stash - the "Joy' actually foiled as "Oh Joy" but I snipped off the "Oh". Can you believe it? I'd actually foiled a Hot Foil plate! That was back went I first got it and didn't have a Betterpress yet. I'm sure to press it at some point!! The enamel star fell out of the package and has been sitting on the table for ages; finally found the perfect home for it.

Since my Nativity die got first play, I'll add my card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #71. I'm also playing at The Creative Crafters Challenge #85 where sister Diva Arlene (A Bit of This and That) is a DT member. This challenge is always anything goes.

Thanks for visiting & have a crafty day!!

Frogs for Craft Roulette

Hi all - hope you're having a wonderful weekend! We got hit with a bunch of snow last night, so you can guess what I'll be doing today!

I watched Craft Roulette #254 live last night. Fun Valentine episode with a faithful CR member Jay Thomas (@Craft by Jay) as our "date" - LOL! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - My Favorite Things purple & plaid;

Sunny Studio Flirty Flowers; Neenah white; scraps

Dies - Waffleflower Open Book, Small Frog &

Pond with Lily Pads

Hero Arts retired alphabet

Stencils - Waffleflower Open Book Coloring Stencil

Inks - Tumbled Glass & Salty Ocean DI; Hero Arts purple

Other - Copic Markers (for pussy willows);

Recollections metallic stickers

Here's what the wheel spun for host Mary Gunn FUNN, Jay, and all players:

• Project - Book Binding Card: I did the standard format, as demonstrated by Mary.
• Colors - Candy: I did jelly bean colors plus blues a la M&Ms.
• Element - Rhymes with "Ogg": I used frog die cuts
• Random - Letter(s)(ing): Sentiment was made from individual letter die cuts.

Re: book binding, I made my left side score a bit smaller than usual since I wanted my book die cut to fit. The typical space to the right is 4.25 square but I made it a bit longer. Card overall is still A2 size. To emphasize the left side, I added some metallic embellishments. 

I wanted to use some new Waffleflower stuff I bought locally. The clerk said she thought this would be their new craze like the postage collage was. I bought just a few of this line, then I bought a couple frog sets too. The bigger frog is actually the "small" frog set. The bitty frog came from the lily pond set. Since this is all new, I'll add my card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #71.

Thanks for stopping & have a crafty weekend!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

💖 Happy Valentine's Day if you're celebrating!! Or maybe it's Single Awareness Day where you are - LOL. Whatever it is, enjoy!!

I'm celebrating today along with my birthday twin, Lynn so I'll share the card I made her:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Park Lane mint;

Paper Studio watercolor print

Stamps - Hero Arts retired Valentine set;

Sunny Studio Inside Greetings

Stencil - Hero Arts Floral Patterns

Dies - Hero Arts Hero Studio Jan'25 kit &

Love & Hearts Fancy Dies

Other - clay heart mix from Michaels

Lynn, our friend Linda & I all have February birthdays & we'll celebrate together next week. I made Lynn a shaker card since we're doing that format for our February Die Cut Diva Challenge sponsored by Hero Arts. I made the shaker window using one of the Hero Studio kit dies, plus cut an extra heart (stenciled) for the die cut sentiment (a January Hero Studio add-on). The red hearts were also from the add-on. I added a fussy cut combined Valentine's Day and birthday stamped sentiment. Since the dies are getting first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's February NBUS #71 Challenge. I'll also share at Seize the Birthday #299 where we're to add a heart - yay!! Finally, I'll share at Tic Tac Toe #264 with the diagonal lower left to top right Heart - Die Cut - Love Sentiment.

My long-time cardmaking friend/almost birthday twin Greta (GG Creations) had her birthday on Wednesday; here's the card I sent her:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card; 

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain & Pebble

Hot Foil plate w/Stencils - Pinkfresh Studio Peony Print

stencils HERE

Press plates with dies - Spellbinders A Little Message Sentiments

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Hero Arts Tag Frame Infinity Dies (retired)

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots, inks & shimmer spray

As usual, I letterpressed the hot foil plate; I love doing that! After some simple stenciling, I die cut with a stitched rectangle and spritz the whole panel with shimmer spray - so pretty in real life! 

Still with me? Here's the final Valentine I made for this year - a quick & easy one that I sent to my auntie we call Tia.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 cards; scrap of aqua;

BoBunny Love Letters 6x6

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Hero Arts Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies

Other - Recollections gems;

Taylored Expressions sentiment strip

Here are the birthday cards I've received to date; thanks to everyone who sent a card!!

And here's a photo of yesterday's lunch with my former quartet (with me in my favorite pink sweater) & our coach, plus a friend who went to New Zealand with us (both at left):

Totally forgot to take a photo of today's lunch with friend/almost sister Connie & her hubby. They treated me to lunch at our favorite spot called Doolittle's about 1/2 way between us. We ate early to try & beat the incoming snow; I did fine. They went home to the southwest & were already getting white out conditions! It's just started to snow here!! 

Looking forward to Craft Roulette tonight since I'll be staying off the snowy roads!

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty weekend!!

With Love event Class Four Cards

Hi everyone - Final day of cards I made in the fourth class of the online With Love event offered by Scrapbook & Cards Today (SCT) last Saturday. You can see a group photo of the batch of cards, what the session kit contained, plus the class one cards with Meghann Andrew HERE. You can see class two cards with Cathy Zielske HERE and class three cards with Dana Joy HERE. 

Anyone who knows Jennifer McGuire (the crafting GOAT) has heard of her "Share Handmade Kindness" mantra. SCT thought that would be a great collaboration for this event. Jennifer described how it all began & shared some stories of cards she's donated - very inspiring!

Card one is an interactive card - the white page pulls up from inside the typewriter to reveal the hidden message. Amazingly easy to put together - we did a lot of homework on this one! Jennifer mentioned she loves to inlay so would probably inlay all the typewriter keys - yikes!! For the class we just backed the keyboard die cut with silver.

Jennifer had us trim "so very" off the die cut sentiment for a different look. The typewriter is stamped with the bouquet stamp for some interest; you could also cut it in a patterned paper. I didn't photograph the card with the pull-out tucked in. Oh, Jennifer also trimmed her card to shorter than A2 so it would fit into an A2 envelope. Not me - I'll just pop it into a larger envelope!

Card two is a window card, different that Meghann's in that it's interactive. Putting it together gave me many problems. I'm still trying to decide if it's useable. 

Jennifer wanted the shutters to close over the window so when you take the card out of the envelope (with shutters closed), the shutters pop open. When assembled there was a gap in the center so they didn't look closed. Jennifer used solid color cardstock & cut a second set of shutters, trimmed off the tabs (that go behind the window assembly) & "cheated" in a bit when gluing atop the existing shutters. That way, they closed perfectly.

I had die cut my shutters with white backed cardstock. I didn't like the white on the inside so I cut a third set of shutters to glue over the white. Made a very thick stack and I don't like the look from the side, oh well. You can see in the photo how I tried to cover the white edge with a grey Copic.

The other element Jennifer did that I skipped was to have the window peek into the card's inside. She glued the bouquet panel to the inside where you'd write your message. Her inside message was a strip hidden by the Hello Friend on the front.

When I cut the hole for the window into the card front, my opening seemed too large. I ended up gluing the bouquet-stamped panel directly behind the window. Of course, detail loving Jennifer would've sandwiched acetate in the window but she left that step out in the instructions. I was just glad to finish this during class!

Jennifer did a bonus session called "Mix It Up". She turned the window box greenery and flowers into a wreath & the window curtains became a bow - so clever!! I don't have her engineer brain but I know I'll get a lot of use from this kit!!

To wrap up, SCT announced two more of these one-day events coming up in 2025. One will take place in July (holiday cards) and one in September (Halloween cards). Registrations will open to the general public on Feb. 14th; With Love participants could register now so I did! Products and instruction are first class - well worth your time and money!

Thanks for checking out my class cards & happy crafting!!