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!!

Red and Pink with Hero Arts!

Hey everyone - it's time for my regular monthly post at Die Cut Divas. The card details and a bonus are only shared here though. We have the wonderful Hero Arts as our sponsor who has donated a $25 gift card for our random winner.

First up a tulip card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card;

My Mind's Eye patterned

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts Tulip Bouquet

(dies retired)

Dies - Poppystamps Cute Bow;

Hero Arts Oval Infinity Dies;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stencils - Hero Arts Color Layering Tulip Bouquet

Embossing Folder - Stampin' Up Subtle (retired)

Other - SSS Starshine dots; foam tape;

Hero Arts & Memento inks; white gel pen;

Copic Markers C00 & C3 for shading

I'd had the tulip stamp and die set for a few years, then picked up the coordinating stencils more recently. They make a card go very quickly. I tend to add more color with Copics and some gel pen details but the stencils are handy to start! I went with grey for the stems and leaves so as not to detract from the red/pink theme.

I added a patterned stitched rectangle to a ruby A2 card then used part of a second card to die cut an oval. Embossed the oval and adhered to the patterned layer, then added my bouquet. Stamped a sentiment from the tulip set and die cut with a smaller oval. Added both to the card. Die cut a bow & adhered to the bouquet, then added some Starshine dots.

For my bonus I used my fave Hero Arts heart coverplate die. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio A2 card & red card stock

Dies - Hero Arts Window on Love Confetti Fancy Die

Other - SSS printed sentiment; glossy accents;

Hero Arts Ultra Pink ink & Irridescent Shimmer Spray;

Paper Studio enamel hearts; Glossy Accents

I shared a card with this coverplate on Valentine's Day but you couldn't see the fabulous heart detail. I cut this one from Neenah, then swiped Ultra Pink ink over it direct to paper. Then I spritzed it liberally with shimmer spray. Once dry, I adhered it to an ombré pink card. I also die cut the coverplate from red cardstock and inlaid 3 of the hearts, saving the rest for future projects. Covered them in Glossy Accents for nice dimension and shine. A couple enamel hearts and a printed sentiment finished the card.

That's it for today friends. We hope you'll pop over to Die Cut Divas and enter a project using primarily red &/or pink into our February Gallery by 9p Pacific Time on Feb 28.

Thanks for visiting and happy crafting!!

A Lemony Mini-slim

Hi crafty friends - quick post; I've been busy with my cousin visiting from Wisconsin. Had time, though, to watch Craft Roulette Episode #307 live tonight. I crafted along & finished my card during the show.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock scraps; Lawn Fawn Fruit Salad (gingham)

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

Dies - Spellbinders Citrus Spritz Etched Dies

Other - SSS Starshine Dots; foam tape

Host Mary had Lori Craig of Olo marker fame as her guest. Lori will be one of the presenters at the CR in-person event this summer. The wheel was very kind, including landing on Lori's top choice of mini-slim.

• Project - Mini-slim: I typically make mine by folding a 6x6" cardstock in half. 
• Colors - Fungi: Loads of options here! I used yellow/white/blue/green. 
• Element - Fruit: I grabbed a lemon die set 
• Random - Two-toned: I inked my yellow lemons with a darker yellow ink towards the bottom edge.

As usual, I craft more quickly with dies. When fruit came up as a parameter, I knew where I could find my fave Spellbinders lemon. Quickly die cut and assembled onto a mini-slim formed from a piece of Lawn Fawn paper. Added a sentiment that I stamped in the recent SSS class with Jennifer McGuire - done!

I will add my card to Creative Crafters #97 where Anything Goes. I'm also playing at Seize the Birthday #320 using the Anything Goes Option. I used dies but don't really think of this as CAS to meet the topping....

That's it for today! Thanks for visiting and I'll be back tomorrow with a Die Cut Diva post. Hope to see you then & happy crafting!!

String Art Nativity Star

Hey there - thought I'd pop in with my third and final card for Christmas Kickstart Challenge #107 where the theme is "A Christmas Sing-Along". Once again I used "Joy to the World" as my song - I've sung it more times than I can count! My favorite arrangement was an 8-part chart done by a local Barbershopper that my chorus did with our brothers in harmony.

Supplies: Paper - Anchor Paper Cardstock;

Recollections Glitter Cardstock;

Momenta watercolor printed paper

Dies - Birch Press Design String Art Nativity Star (retired)

Other - Spellbinders puffy sticker sentiment

Big thanks to Diva sister Arlene (A Bit of This and That) who sent me the BPD star die set. Thought it was the perfect time to use it & die cut it from glitter cardstock. I had made a Nativity card last week with a steel blue card base and decided to use another one here. 

This die cuts out a lot of bits! Didn't care to inlay all of them but thought it would look pretty to die cut the halo portion from some yellow cardstock and inlay those bits. A puffy sentiment sticker from a Spellbinders card kit finished the card. Quick and easy & I love the look! Sadly this die is retired, nor could I find it at my favorite spots for finding older products.

That's it for today, friends. I hope you're having a crafty week and thanks for visiting!!

Add water!

Hey friends - I made a quick trip to Northern MN Sunday to extend my birthday celebrations with my brother and sister-in-law. They have two new kitties so it was fun to meet them too! I came home today in time for Card Chaos Episode #34 where Irene & a guest take turns making a card in 15 minutes (or thereabouts). You can design your card & pull out supplies ahead of time. I also have "stations" for different processes - embossing, die cutting, ink, assembling.

Here's my first card:

Supplies: Paper - Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Paper;

Paper Studio Ombré A2 card; scraps

Embossing folder - Spellbinders Shady Leaves (3EOM-Feb26)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Birch Press Design Abundant Branch;

Poppystamps Fresh Happy Easter

Other - Hero Arts Reactive Inks - Key Lime and Green Apple;

Hero Arts enamel dots

I embossed a stitched rectangle of watercolor paper, inked it, then spritzed it with plain water. Also added some splatter in a different color green ink mixed with water. Dried with a heat tool and added to an A2 card. Added a die cut oval, branch, flowers & sentiment. Finished the flowers with enamel dots. This one took 14 minutes and I was rushing!! Wanted my sentiment lower but I put the branch at the wrong angle - oh well... I also die cut only the small flowers from the die set, not the ones that have a few layers. Might add those later!

My second card used same background technique, just a different embossing folder (the 2D one from the February Spellbinders crate). Finished it with a BPD die cut heart/flower set that I cut from scraps, plus a sentiment from the stash. Added an enamel dot for the flower center. This one went a bit quicker since the ef was 2D and took ink more easily. You can see the water spots better too.

Supplies: Paper - Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Paper;

Recollections A2 card; scraps

Embossing folder - Spellbinders Spring Stripes (EOM-Feb26)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Birch Press Design Block Print Garden Heart

Other - Hero Arts Reactive Inks - Key Lime and Green Apple;

enamel dot; Betterpressed sentiment

I'll add this card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 since both the heart and embossing folder are newly used. 

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

A Stitched Sunflower!

Hey there - hope you're having a wonderful day! I had a low key birthday yesterday but am looking forward to dinner with family today. 

Here's my card for Friday's Craft Roulette Episode #306 with host Mary Gunn & her fabulous guest Carissa Wiley (‪@carissawiley‬).

Supplies: Paper - Hunkydory A7 card;

American Crafts Valentine paper;

MFT Watercolor Wash; scraps

Dies - Spellbinders Stitched Sunflower 

(DOMST-Sep24; retired)

Other - DMC floss 444 & 702;

foam tape; chalkboard sentiment by unk

The crafty wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters:

• Project - A7: I used a Hunkydory stitched topfold A7. 
• Colors - Summer Desserts: I used a strawberry lemon pie - red/yellow/kraft. 
• Element - Chalkboard: My sentiment is a piece of chalkboard paper. 
• Random - Bottom Border: My mat layer features a bottom border of hearts. 

I knew I had a chalkboard sentiment in the scrap bin so found that first. I thought to use a sun die cut but couldn't find it. Instead I came across the sunflower set which I'd yet to use. Note to self: do not select a stitching die set if you want to finish during the show. You don't have to finish then but it's a game of mine. Oh well, I finished within 30 minutes after the episode ended.

Die cut the sunflower & leaves with stitching lines and without. Stitched and layered together. I didn't stitch the flower center to save time. Added to a mat of yellow that I'd adhered to a red mat that had a pre-cut heart border. Adhered to an A7 card along with the sentiment.

Sad that once again I'm using for the first time something that Spellbinders already retired! Oh well...I'll add my card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 since the sunflowers finally got used.

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Hi everyone - hope you're enjoying your Valentine's Day! I'm popping in with a few cards and a photo from one of my many birthday celebrations this past week. 

First up, a card I made a couple weeks ago during Card Chaos Episode #31 with Irene Smith and her guest Brian Dickey. The theme was HEARTS so I thought it was the perfect time to get some Valentines made! I decided to save sharing them until Vday.

Supplies: Paper - Astro Designs black cardstock;

American Crafts patterned; scraps

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Heart

& Vintage Scalloped Heart

(retired at PS but still HERE at Frantic Stamper);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Taylored Expressions printed sentiment strip

I used one of my "go-to" sketches: A2 card with a background, coordinating strip and a focal point. For the focal point I combined two Poppystamps sets to make a layered heart. I was delighted to find that the scalloped outline for the PS Vintage Heart fit the Nordic Heart perfectly!! A printed sentiment strip from the bits box finished the card which I sent to friend Cat (Cat Luvs Paper).

I mentioned in an earlier post that when I do Card Chaos (15 minute cards), I make a prototype to see if I can make the card in 15 minutes. Here's the one I made for the above card prior to the show; I sent it to my sister Kari. Which version do you like better?

My second Chaos card was even easier. I took a printed card, die cut the front panel with an edger die then backed it with Lawn Fawn paper. Some of the hearts that cut out of the panel were adhered to the right. I finished it with some Starshine dots and a printed sentiment.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio watercolor print A2 card;

Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes

Dies - Poppystamps Wild at Heart Border

(retired at PS but one left HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Other - printed sentiment strip

Next I'll share the card that went to my birthday twin, Lynn. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio A2 watercolor print cards & 

purple cardstock

Dies - Hero Arts Window on Love Confetti;

Poppystamps Scalloped Pinpoint Frames

Pink & Main Truck Pop Up (license plate)

Stamps - Pink & Main License Sayings;

Hero Arts Everyday Sentiment Strips (retired)

Other - Hero Art shimmer spray

I made a shaker card for an earlier episode of Card Chaos which I haven't shared. When I die cut the hearts panel for the shaker, I didn't realize I had stacked two pieces of purple cardstock. The bottom piece didn't cut through (except for the big center heart) so I thought I'd use it that way! I spritzed it liberally with shimmer spray. Once dry I adhered it to a pink watercolor print A2 card. The pink shows through where the center heart cut out. You can't see the hearts that didn't cut very well in the photo but it gives a nice texture in real life. 

I added a couple pierced scalloped frames and some hearts left from a second cut I had made of the heart edger above. Stamped a Happy Valentine's Day sentiment, cut it into strips and added to one heart. Added a bday sentiment license plate left over from a previous card. Thanks to Lisa (My Paper Tales) who enabled me on those frame dies - love them!!

So far the February bday girls haven't had our usual lunch but I'm sure we'll get one in soon. Meanwhile, I had lunch out with two different sets of friends this past week & got free desserts at both! Here I am with a large slab of delicious carrot cake that was shared with the group:

Today I'm just getting my free birthday coffee from various shops and enjoying a Zoom Valentine party. My brother and sister-in-law are treating me to dinner tomorrow & more friends want to get together next week. Then I'll need a break from partying!! 

Thanks for bearing with the long post! Hope you have a wonderful weekend & happy crafting!

Christmas Card Chaos

Hi everyone - I'm back with a couple Christmas cards created Monday night during Irene Smith's Card Chaos Episode #33. The Chaos group voted "Out of Season" as the theme ahead of time. You have 15 minutes as the goal to create your card during the show and there are two rounds. I chose Christmas for my out of season cards. First up an ornament card:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane Ivory A2 card; 

Paper Studio cardstock; 

American Crafts red Valentine paper;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain; scraps

Dies - Birch Press Design Little Poinsettia Flowers

& Block Print Petal Ornament;

Poppystamps Little Bow and String;

Brass and Bliss Greenery #2

Hero Arts Wood Frame Infinity Dies

Lawn Fawn Quilted Diamond Backdrop

Press Plate w/die - Spellbinders Home for 

Christmas Sentiments (retired)

Other - foam tape

I made a previous card which included the ornament & background I used here. To keep it quick, I only die cut one ornament for my Chaos card; the previous card had three different ones. I die cut the background and adhered to an ivory card. I die cut two woodgrain frames from a second ivory card and stacked for dimension, then added to the background. When I die cut the ornament pieces, I also die cut the flower pieces and pines so it all happened in one pass. Assembled and added to the card. 

The only thing done in advance was the Betterpressed sentiment from the stash. I had spent an afternoon doing some Betterpressing & had a bunch of Christmas sentiments. My card took about 10 minutes, including all the die cutting & assembly. The key to the 15 minute cards is to have your supplies ready. That's what usually takes me the longest! Once designed and products assembled, I sometimes also do a practice run of the card (since we know the theme in advance). I time myself so I know if I can make it during the Chaos. I used different papers & sentiment for the practice card and, since first of this design, it took a couple minutes longer.

I will add this card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #66 where Anything Christmas Goes. This is my 6th of eight possible entries there. Plus I'll send it to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 since my press plate set got first play here.

By the second round of Chaos I'm tired so I try to keep it quick and simple - this one only took 7 minutes!

Supplies: Paper - Recollections gray A2 card;

Anchor Paper cardstock; Authentique patterned;

scrap of glitter; Betterpress Peeble

Dies - Taylored Expressions Arched Nativity;

Birch Press Design Starry Night Scene

Press Plate w/die - Spellbinders Home for 

Christmas Sentiments (retired)

Other - foam tape

I die cut the coverplate from a steel blue textured cardstock and backed it with Authentique patterned paper. Added it to an A2 card. Die cut a star from glitter paper and added it along with a Betterpressed sentiment from the same set as card one. I designed this card to work at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #107 where the theme is "A Christmas Sing-Along". This is my second entry & I used "Joy to the World", a song we sang in my chorus many times.

That's it for today, friends. Hope you're enjoying your week - it's been one celebration after another for me, leading up to my birthday on Saturday!

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Hello Friend Joyfold

Hey friends - hope you're having a wonderful day! Since the Olympics have started, a lot of my time goes toward watching the various events - love the Olympics!! I still make time to craft though!. 

Today I'm sharing the card I made during Craft Roulette Episode #305 where host Mary Gunn spun a wheel four times for necessary parameters. Her guest was Caitlin Anthony (‪@CaitlinAnnaleeCards‬) who's on the team at Pink & Main.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Astro Design cardstock; Sunny Studio patterned

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

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Embossing Folder - Simon Says Stamp Tiny Flora

Other - foam tape; Hero Arts & SSS inks

The wheel gave us fairly easy parameters this time:

• Project - Joyfold: I did an A2 diagonal Joyfold. 
• Colors - Cartoon: I used a bunch of bright primary colors - many cartoons use them. 
• Element - Starts with "I": I used ink - very creative, ha ha. 
• Random - Include A Scrap(s): I used a scrap of red to shadow my sentiment.

First I took a white side folding A2 card formed from Neenah. I cut the front on the diagonal. I added a layering pattern on the front and a red stitched rectangle to the inside. Since I had just done Jennifer McGuire's SSS class (see yesterday's post), I had all the supplies still out. I grabbed a 3x4" piece of Neenah and embossed it with one of the class folders, then inked it with yellow, orange & blue.

Next I took a piece of 3.25 x 8.5" piece of Neenah and folded it in 1/2 on the long edge to make a smaller top folding card for the "Joyfold" portion. Adhered the back of it atop the red panel after I had stamped a sentiment & a heart on the inside (used the class stamp set). I added a strip of the rick-rack pattern to the bottom of the inside panel. Before the class I had stamped and die cut a bunch of the sentiments so I'd be ready to make quick cards. I chose Hello Friend from the stack and added a red shadow using a scrap. Done! Here are a couple more views:

This was the first Joyfold I'd made this way, with a diagonal front. Although I used class supplies, this wasn't a class card designed by Jennifer. Since this was my first use of the class stamp set, though, I'll add my card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83.

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!!