Last Day for the Diva Critter Challenge

Hi everyone - I have some last minute inspiration for the March Die Cut Diva Challenge to use Critters. You can see the team reminder post HERE. Entries due by 9pm Pacific time today!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Sunny Studio Stamps Joyful Holiday & All is Bright 

Stamps w/dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Christmas Critters

(coordinating dies HERE)

Dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Wonky Windows 

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape;

Taylored Expressions sentiment strip

Sunny Studio Stamps sponsored us this month. We thank them for the $30 gift card to their online shop which we'll award on April 3rd by random draw.

For my inspiration card I used the same critter set as I did for my March 21st bonus card (go HERE if you missed it). This time I stamped, die cut and colored three stockings for the critters to peek from. I formed a mini slimline card and added a snowflake paper. Next I die cut the wonky windows from a dotted paper & added it to the card with foam tape. Shaded the dotted paper edges and around the windows with a BG01 Copic. Added a stocking to each window with foam tape. A printed sentiment strip completed my card.

For my bonus, I revisited the penguins from my March 21st post. This time I used two of them along with a snowflake frame set. I used the sentiment die from that set in a previous post.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

My Favorite Things Colorful Christmas Text

Stamps w/dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Roly Poly Penguins

(coordinating dies) 

Dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Layered Snowflake Frame

(sold out at Sunny but still HERE at Frantic Stamper);

trio of snowflakes from stash

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape;

Spellbinders Joyful Christmas word sticker

When I made my other penguin card, I stamped extra penguins so this card came together quickly! I die cut the frame in Arizona when I bought the set to keep at my sister's house. Thought it worked well with the penguins! Some snowflakes from the stash - brands unknown - and a puffy sticker sentiment completed the card.

I'll share my card at Merry Little Christmas #61 where Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for visiting and we hope to see you in the March Diva gallery!

All I Want for Christmas Envelope Card

Hey there - glad you stopped by! I'm here with a card for Craft Roulette Episode #260 which aired tonight. Once again I was able to submit my card during the LIVE:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio red

Stamps w/dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Roly Poly Penguins;

(coordinating dies HERE);

Taylored Expressions - Seasons Sweetings

(coordinating dies HERE);

Hero Arts Christmas List Stamp & Cut (retired);

Simon Says Stamp Ornamental Christmas 

Dies - Envelope from the SCT With Love set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Libby Hickson (@stampinlibby) as her guest. Like many, Libby got her start in card making with Stampin' Up. I got to know her years ago via the Hero Arts group; she worked there at the time. Now she works for Pink & Main. The wheel spun some fun parameters for us:

• Project - Envelope: I created a card using an envelope die.
• Colors - Toys: I used Pick-up-Sticks colors - black, red & blue (plus white as neutral).
• Element - Children's story: I found an All I Want for Christmas story featuring penguins.
• Random - List(s): I used a die cut and stamps to create a scroll list.

I relied on some stuff from the bits box that was already prepared (penguin left over from my March 21st post & a Be Merry sentiment). All the rest I did during the show. First I die cut two envelopes and scored the back one near the top, then glued together. There's a slit in them so I glued a white panel over it on the insides, leaving the one on the front's inside open to having the list be able to slide in.

Next I die cut the scroll list and stamped on it with items from the Stamp & Cut set, plus the "Peace, Love & Joy" from a Cathy Zielske Stamptember set. Added some blue Copic for shading on the scroll and then the check marks using a fineliner. Slid it into the front slot. Added the penguin and sentiment with foam tape - done! Here's a standing view:

That's it for tonight. I'll add my card to Merry Little Christmas #61 where Anything Christmas Goes. Thanks for visiting and have a crafty weekend!

Another Easter card

Hi everyone - I have a quick post today. I wanted to play at a few challenges and made an Easter card before chorus last night. Just didn't have a chance to blog it until now.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Spring; scraps

Stamps - Hero Arts Easter Set for Archivers (retired);

My Favorite Things August 2018 Freebie

Dies - Hero Arts Happy Easter Stamp Cut XL;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; Park Lane gem;

flowers from the bits box

It's been a while since I've played at Just Us Girls and Lisa (My Paper Tales) is hosting; thought I'd have a go at her gorgeous moodboard:

I purchased the new Hero Arts Easter Stamp & Cut from their February release - just using it here for the first time. I die cut the Happy Easter words twice and layered with one as a shadow. Next I cut the outline twice. Used one outline for the words and the other as a shadow. Adhered them overlapping a bit onto a stitched rectangle cut from a green plaid & added to an A2 card. Next I stamped and fussy cut a bunny and a lamb from old Hero Arts and MFT. Colored them with neutral Copics. Grabbed some bitty flowers (probably from Poppystamps &/or Spellbinders) from my bits box & layered them. Added those three elements, evoking some of the inspiration photo squares, around the sentiment. A small gem to the flower center finished the card.

I'm linking up to Just Us Girls Challenge #767 and to Color Hues #106 Lemon and Lime (was thinking of them when I die cut my sentiment). Also joining at Darnell's March IDEAS project where Anything Goes this week and to NBUS Challenge #72 since my sentiment dies were newly used.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you're having a crafty week!!

 

 

Z-fold Birthday Card

Happy weekend everyone! I'm here with the card I made for last night's Craft Roulette Episode 259 - my 50th!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Dies - Poppystamps Brilliant Birthday Balloons

& Happy Birthday Streamer Script;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 26 (out of stock

but available HERE at Frantic Stamper);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stencil - Taylored Expressions Sprinkles Rotating Stencil

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape;

various Hero Arts inks

I forgot to mention on my previous Craft Roulette post that the show was celebrating 5 years on March 14th - wow & congrats! Just think of television shows that don't last that long!! Anyway, I've been playing for nearly a year but missed a couple of weeks after I first started. That means card 52 hasn't arrived yet, oh well.

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Alison Heikkila (‪@AlisonHeikkila) as her guest. Alison focuses on paper crafting with techniques over specific products. She loves mixed media, but also has a silversmithing and sculpting degree. How cool is that?! 

Here's what the wheel spun for us:

• Project - Card with 2 Folds: I made a Z-fold.
• Colors - Jelly Beans: I used the Classics - Red, Orange, Yellow, White, Pink, Purple, Green, Blue & Black
• Element - Math: Sprinkles are minus signs for subtraction!
• Random - Marker(s): I colored my sentiment with Copic Markers.

I must say, the element threw me at first. I thought I had an embossing folder with math stuff - no luck finding it. Then I thought of using the plus sign or an X for multiplication. Couldn't find that set either (turned up later by my Vagabond!). Next I thought of a Tim Holtz stencil with plus signs - didn't own that one but I found a TE sprinkle set. Minus signs, right? And my birthday card was launched.

Created a Z-fold card by scoring half of an A2 card at 2 1/8", then folding back over. I reversed a colored card with white insides. Next I stenciled a white panel using the sprinkles, rotating it for 4 different colors, then repositioned it randomly to get a 5th color in. Die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle & adhered to the card.

I wanted to use a couple new Poppystamps die sets I bought recently. First, I die cut a balloon and string & added to the front Z panel so it extended over the sprinkles panel. Then I die cut the sentiment and outline from white cardstock and colored the words into a rainbow pattern using Copic Markers (R46/YR04/ Y15/G05/B04/B63/V17). Tip - I left them in the negative so I could see better where I wanted to color; I did no blending. Assembled and added to the balloon with foam tape. Die cut a little bow from the MFT set and added it - done! Here's a view of the card standing up:

Since my Poppystamps dies got first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #72. My card also works at the current Seize the Birthday Challenge #301 using their "topping" since I have a balloon (something that flies!).

Finally, I realized I didn't photograph the birthday cards that arrived just after my birthday back in February. So here they are & thanks again to everyone who sent a card!

Thanks for stopping by & I hope you have a crafty day!!

Roly Poly Penguin Trio

Hi friends - I have an inspiration post up today at Die Cut Divas. We have a fun theme for our March Challenge - Critters. You can use real or imaginary ones; I chose penguins!

Supplies: Paper - Sunny Studio Stamps Joyful Holiday 6x6;

Neenah Solar White; Hero Arts Glitter Basics; scrap of black

Stamps w/dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Roly Poly Penguins

(coordinating dies) 

Stamps - Sunny Studio Stamps Inside Greetings Holiday

Dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Icing Border Dies & 

Slimline Scalloped Frame (word die)

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape; Versamark ink;

Ranger Sea Foam White embossing powder

We're delighted to have Sunny Studio Stamps as our March sponsor. They generously donated a $30 gift certificate to their online store for our random winner - thanks!

I love penguin stuff & picked up the Roly Poly Penguins last year. I'm using them for the first time here. I stamped, die cut & colored 3 of the penguins, plus a couple of wrapped gifts & a Santa hat. The hat on the right hand penguin was part of the image. 

Next I trimmed a snowflake patterned paper to A2 size and adhered to an A2 card. Added a panel of white to the bottom, trimmed with glitter "icing". Added the penguins and gifts using foam tape. 

Next I die cut a glittery "greetings" plus a black shadow layer. Stamped and white embossed the word "holiday" and fussy cut. Added both to the card - done! Note - the stamp was "holidays" plural - I masked off the S to get the word I needed.

Since my penguins are newly used, I'll add my card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #72. I'll also play at Merry Little Christmas #61 where Anything Christmas Goes.

Ready for a bonus? Here's another Christmas card - this time featuring some peeking critters! Very quick and easy.

Supplies: Paper - Sunny Studio Stamps Joyful Holiday 6x6;

Neenah Solar White; MFT pink

Stamps w/dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Christmas Critters

(coordinating dies) 

Dies - Sunny Studio Stamps Frilly Frames Eyelet Lace &

Santa's Stocking (bow);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape; Hero Arts ink

I used a different patterned paper from the same pad - love the bright colors. I die cut just the scalloped outline of the frilly frame set, plus some AJVD rectangles to go on top. Stamped, die cut & colored the kitties, plus the box with lid. Added the critters & box to the A2 panel with a "ground" of grey Copics. Stamped a sentiment from the critter stamp set. Die cut & assembled the bow & added everything to an A2 card.

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting & I hope you'll add your critters to our March Diva gallery!

More Easter digis

Hey there - I'm playing along with Darnell's IDEAS project today; see her gorgeous cards and find the linky HERE. This week E is for embossing. I just got my March Spellbinders box on Monday & found a gorgeous 3D folder to use!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; 

Paper Studio A2 card; Pink cardstock by unk

Digi - Angie Blom Digital Designs

Sending Love Bunny (Easter) 

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Background Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

I dry embossed a pink A2 panel and adhered it to an A2 card. Rubbed the embossing with a pink ink pad to bring out the design. Next I used a digi image from the set of four I printed last Friday. Colored it with Copics and die cut with a stitched rectangle. Added it to the card with foam tape.

Since my embossing folder got first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #72. I'll also play at Tic Tac Toe #266 using either the diagonal column Bright Colors, Spring, Free or center vertical column Flowers, Spring, 3D. 

Bonus - here's a quick and easy card. 

I colored another digi panel with Copics & die cut it. This bunny runs off the page and has a different sentiment from the panel (colored with pencils) that I used HERE for Craft Roulette. I simply added this panel to an A2 card without anything else. I'll share this card to the March We Love Stamping Challenge which allows digi stamps.

That's it for today, friends! I'm back tomorrow with inspiration for the March Die Cut Diva Challenge - hope to see you then! Thanks for stopping!

Christmas & Easter?

Happy Saturday! I have one more entry (3rd of 3 max) for the March Christmas Kickstart Challenge. Jo & elf Arlene (a sister Die Cut Diva) are doing non-traditional Christmas colors (no red, green, or gold). I leaned into the purples again!

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card;

Neenah white; scrap of purple; vellum;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Stamps w/dies - My Favorite Things BB Holiday Penguins

(retired at MFT but HERE at Frantic Stamper; dies HERE)

Press plate w/die - Spellbinders Poinsettia Corner

Embossing Folder - Honey Bee Snowflakes 3D

Other - Recollections gems; foam tape

I embossed vellum with the snowflake patterned. A smaller purple panel was adhered behind it & onto a pale lilac card. I had a leftover stamped penguin from 2024 Christmas projects so I colored him with purple accessories. A pressed sentiment and gems finished the card.

I'll add my card to Darnell's 2nd week of March IDEAS linky - D is for dies. Both the penguin and sentiment were die cut with their coordinating dies - love those!!

I played at Craft Roulette #258 last night and finished a card during the show again! Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Maymay Helm (Maymay Made It Crafts) as her guest. Maymay is a self-described Georgia peach who has YouTubed papercrafts for 15 years. She also recently started a channel for her sewing which she considers a hobby; papercrafting being more of a job. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; 

Lawn Fawn Spring Perfectly Plaid

Digi - Angie Blom Digital Designs

Sending Love Bunny (Easter) 

Stamps - Your Next Stamp Hey Chickie (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - various pencils

Can you guess what the wheel spun?

• Project - Card for Someone Special: I made an Easter card for my sister.
• Colors - Fruit: I used yellow/orange/blue/red/purple for the obvious fruits & avocado green.
• Element - Critters: I started w/a digi bunny image, then added two stamped chicks.
• Random - Use Pencil: I colored all images with pencils.

During the With Love event, I became of fan of Angie Blom's designs. She offered a discount to her digi shop so I selected several files. I especially loved her new bunnies. I printed out a full sheet containing 4 A2 panels. Die cut one with a stitched rectangle & colored with Copics. As I'm coloring, I hear the host mention that the chat pointed to the plural on critters. I hurriedly stamped a couple of chicks, then fussy cut and colored them too. Assembled on an A2 card covered with plaid, a fave of Maymay.

I hadn't colored with pencils in ages & was in a hurry to get my card on the LIVE. I liked how it turned out, though. The other three images will be covered with Copics!

That's it for today, friends - I'm off to color more panels between loads of laundry... Thanks for visiting and happy crafting!!

Penguin Pals

Hi there & TGIF! Thought I'd make another 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).

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts glitter;

Neenah white; scraps

Stamps w/dies - Hero Arts Holiday Cheer Nov2024 kit

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Penguin Pals;

Photoplay Frosty Snowflake;

Sunny Studio Slimline Nature Borders;

Waffle Flower Dashed Snowflake Panel

Other - Paper Studio star gem

I did a bunch of die cutting and assembling for this one. Stamped and die cut the sentiment. Added everything to an A2 card & done! I bought the jumbo stitched snowflake locally when I was in Arizona for Christmas & it's getting first play here. I linked in the supply list to Simon Says Stamp since they carry it online.

Since the snowflake got first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge 72 & also to her 2nd week of March IDEAS linky - D is for dies.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

A Trio of Birthday Cards

Hi all - busy week! I'm here with three birthday cards, starting with those sent to the two Diva sisters who had birthdays on February 21. First up, the card for Arlene (A Bit of This and That):

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane pastel A2 card;

My Favorite Things Orange Sherbet plaid; 

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain; scrap of black

Stamp w/die - SCT With Love kit

Die - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plate w/die - Spellbinders A Little Message Sentiments

Other - Copic Markers; upcycled card; foam tape

I had an extra stamped floral image left after the With Love online event I did in February. You can see other cards from the event HERE if desired. I colored the image with Copics, including red which is Arlene's fave. I die cut it with the coordinating die and cut it in half. 

Next I die cut a plaid stitched rectangle and adhered it to an A2 card. Glued an embossed panel trimmed from an upcycled thank you card I received. Sorry, the texture doesn't show in the photo. I glued 1/2 of the floral image on either side of the embossed panel and popped on a Betterpressed birthday sentiment.

Next, the card for Cindy (Escape to Stamping):

I had some leftover floral bits trimmed off a With Love event card & was determined to use one. I added it to a soft grey panel matted in black. Another pastel A2 card with a smaller plaid panel (same MFT pad), a BoBunny dotted strip, & Betterpressed sentiment (from the same set as above) finished the card.

Did you wonder where my Craft Roulette card from last Friday went? Well, here it is! I created it during the show & managed to get it into the LIVE - love doing that!

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; scraps

Stamps - Divinity Designs Mini Tag Sentiments

Dies - My Favorite Things Ride the Wave (retired),

Warm & Fuzzy (retired), & Coffee Cup

For Craft Roulette 257, host Mary Gunn FUNN had the owner of Riley and Company, 

Tanya Kostynuk (‪@rileyandcompanyonline‬) who started out as a Stampin' Up demonstrator 25 years ago. The wheel gave us some easy parameters:

• Project - Birthday Card: I made a bday card for a friend.
• Colors - Succulent Garden: I found colors online HERE.
• Element - Wave: I used a wave die set.
• Random - Add a Mug: I used a die cut mug.

I find it easiest to grab die sets if I want to get my card made and uploaded during the show. I pulled out an MFT set I bought quite a while ago but had never used before and it's already retired!! Perfect for the wave element. I also had an MFT set with a mug & found a third set with a little heart to put on the cup. Stamped a birthday sentiment & done!! I kept it simple since this will go to a guy. The wave dies were newly used so I'll add this card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #72. I made it last week so it doesn't fit into her IDEAS project but I'll have one to share tomorrow.

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

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!!