Recycling Security Envelopes with Art Impressions!

Hey everyone - I'm posting the first card below as inspiration at Die Cut Divas today. Our September Challenge involves recycling, reusing or repurposing materials on our cards. Knowing this was our theme, I've been saving security envelopes - some have amazing patterns that can be used in place of patterned paper!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps w/dies - Art Impressions Woodland Critters

Dies - Art Impressions Story Tile Template;

Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders

Other - Copic Markers; white gel pen;

recycled security envelope

We have Art Impressions as sponsor, donating a 

$25 gift card for our random winner.

Here's a photo of some security envelopes I've gathered over recent weeks for recycling:

I decided I wanted to do a grid style card using one of the patterns as the background. I die cut two white Story Tile Templates and reserved the blocks that cut out. I used one to stamp the sentiment and trimmed others down to serve as snowbanks. I shaded the snowbank & sentiment edges with a B0000 Copic. For my background, I selected the plaid envelope piece and trimmed it to fit behind the frame. Before adhering it, I sponged Robin's Egg ink all over it. 

Next I glued the sentiment and snowbanks into their windows, then glued a second frame atop the first for dimension. I had a stack of stamped and die cut critters from a previous project so colored them with Copics and added gel pen details. Popped 5 of them into their windows & done!

I'll add this card as my fourth entry at Merry Little Christmas Challenge #70 where Anything Christmas Goes. Since I have a reindeer on the card, I will also share it at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114 Reindeer Games as my third and final entry.

For my bonus, I made some matchbook envelopes and a mini-card. First the mini with its envelope:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps w/dies - Art Impressions Woodland Critters

Dies - Art Impressions Matchbook Envelope Dies

Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders

Other - Copic Markers; printed sentiment strip;

recycled security envelope

I used the circle grid security envelope to die cut the matchbook envelope. I used the dotted grey envelope as the "sky" background on the mini card. It reminded me of falling snow! I formed a 1.75x2" mini card and trimmed the dotted paper to a mat layer. Added a snowbank and another woodland critter. A printed sentiment strip (probably from Simon Says Stamp) finished the card.

The matchbook envelope was designed to match Art Impressions Matchbook series. It has score lines in such a way to make more of a pouch since the matchbooks get thick. For my mini card's envelope, I didn't need the thicker format so just used one scoreline of thickness. I made a second matchbook envelope using the plaid security envelope from card one, sizing to fit a completed matchbook. Here's a photo of the two envelopes side by side:

And here's a photo of the envelopes from the side to see the difference in thickness:

I have a bunch of sets from the Art Impressions Matchbook series. You can see the Matchbook card I put inside the plaid envelope HERE, if desired. I made it last year but never made it an envelope until now! Since my Matchbook envelope die got first play here, I'll share at Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #90.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll check out the September Diva Challenge!

A Reindeer Bauble

Hey crafty friends & Happy Sunday! Labor Day holiday tomorrow in the USA - in Minnesota it signals the final day of the Minnesota State Fair. Still not planning to attend - our weather has been sweltering for this time of year!! Instead, I'm back with another reindeer card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio Snow Pine patterned paper; cardstock scraps

Dies - Penny Black Moonlit;

Hero Arts Circle & Wood Frame Infinity Dies;

Impression Obsession Pine Branch;

Birch Press Design Block Print Petal Ornament

Other - B0000, Y00 & E18 Copic; 

Spellbinders puffy sticker sentiment

& Berry gems

I die cut the deer from a scrap of cardstock and colored the antlers with a darker brown Copic. Added a gem to the nose. Next I die cut the two bauble layers. The scalloped one has a large tree but I removed it by rotating the die cut to get scallops all around the interior. This operation also cut off the bauble hanger so I die cut a silver one from a BPD set. I also die cut a circle of pine paper to back the bauble. Shaded the snow edge with a pale blue Copic & the moon with a yellow one. Assembled the bauble and added the deer.

Next I die cut two wood frames and stacked for dimension. Added the frame to a top folding A2 card. I die cut a branch and added it to the frame along with the bauble. A little puffy stitcker NOEL from an old Spellbinders kit completed the card.

This is my second entry for the September CAS Christmas Challenge (Woodland Critters) & at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114 (Reindeer Games). I will also send my reindeer to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #70 (also entry #2) where Anything Christmas Goes. I'm also playing at Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #90 since my reindeer bauble die set got first use here. I didn't buy it when it first came out in 2020 but I have had it for quite a while! Excited to finally use it!!

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy the long weekend!! 

Sweet Reindeer

Hello and TGIF, everyone! The Minnesota State Fair is in full swing but I avoid it - too hot & humid with huge crowds. Instead, I stay home and craft - lol. My card today fits a few challenges:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders A2 card & Betterpress Pebble; scraps

Pressplate w/dies - Spellbinders Home for Christmas Sentiments

Dies - Memory Box Festive Fawn;

Poppystamps Scandinavian Snowflake Plate (retired);

Birch Press Design Wavy Hillside (retired)

Other - B0000 Copic; foam tape; white gel pen

I was excited to see that the September CAS Christmas Challenge has Woodland Critters as the theme. Then I popped over to Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114 where I found that Jo and her elf Loll are doing Reindeer Games. Wow - a perfect pairing for a new Memory Box die I ordered in August!

I die cut the deer from scraps of cardstock and assembled. I die cut a snowflake coverplate and snowy hill (lined with a Copic) & added to an A2 card. Popped the deer onto the card with foam tape (just behind the head). Added a Betterpressed sentiment from the stash and some gel pen details to the deer. Done!

I will also send my reindeer to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #70 where anything Christmas Goes. I'm also playing at Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #90 since my reindeer die set got first use here.

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty weekend!! I'm sure to be back with my entry to Craft Roulette Episode #335 which airs tonight at 6:30pm (slideshow from last week starts at about 6:10pm).

Birdie friends!

Hey everyone! I'm back with my card for last night's Craft Roulette Episode #333. I was able to watch live and get a card made during the show. However, this morning I made some additions to the card so I'll share the updated version: 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections cardstock; Paper Studio patterned;

Scrapbook.com Watercolor print

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Santa's Door Accessories (retired)

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Bird Bunch;

Spellbinders Tiki Toucan (Weekender 2026 exclusive)

Other - Snowflakes from the stash;

SSS Starshine dots; white gel pen;

Hero Arts Sparkle lacquer

Host Mary Gunn FUNN was supposed to have Irene Smith (from Card Chaos) as her guest but Irene had a power outtage from last week's storms in her area. Poor dear; that was the third time in recent weeks! Instead, Chelsea Comer from Inky Stamper filled in and they had a great time with the four parameters spun on the crafty wheel:

• Project - 4'x6": I formed that sized card from a piece of cardstock. 
• Colors - Buffet: There was a lot of discussion - buffet is a piece of furniture as well as a food line. We had buffet meals at our Craft Roulette event last weekend so I did brown for beef and red for strawberry sauce (on cheesecake - yum!!). Extra colors are allowed so I used blue for the sky. 
• Element - Holiday: I went with Christmas because I wanted to do a card for Christmas Kickstart #113.
• Random - Bark: My tree branch has bark. Other people thought of barking dogs!

As you can see from my submission photo showing the parameters, I had fewer snowflakes and no Starshine dots. I also added a bunch of hand-drawn dots as added snow and white gel to the branch since the glitter lacquer didn't show up that well. I think it looks much better with the additions - what do you think? Too much?

After forming the card and adding the mat layers, I grabbed a Spellbinders set from this year's Weekender. There was a branch already cut in the package - yay - a time saver! While it's a meant to be a jungle branch, I didn't think it mattered... I also had two birdies left from a batch I had made last month. You can see another card with them HERE. The sentiment sign and snowflakes also came from the bits box. 

The theme at the current CKC is A Friend is for Life, not just Christmas so I thought a birdie pair would fit perfectly! I popped them onto an embellished branch and hung the sentiment sign from the branch.

That's all for today. Still haven't had a chance to blog about our live Craft Roulette event last weekend but I managed to unpack, sort of...

Thanks for stopping & have a crafty weekend!!

Scooter Elf!

Hey crafty friends - hope you've enjoying the week! I recently received the July My Monthly Hero kit and decided to use it to create a second card for the July Christmas Kickstart Challenge #112 - theme "Grace us with your Presents"; in other words include gifts!

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio Ombré A2 card;

Paper Studio cardstock; Authentique, 

Basic Grey & BoBunny patterned papers 

Stamps - Hero Arts (for Archivers) Christmas Joy (retired)

Dies - Hero Arts Let's Ride (Jul26 MMH);

Spellbinders Sweater Weather Friend (DOMST-Jul26),

Snow Much Fun (DOM-Jul26) & Under the Sun

Other - white gel pens; snowflakes brand unk;

Recollections clear gems; foam tape

I was inspired by a card I saw in the Craft Roulette #327 gallery. Member Beth had turned the July 2026 Hero Arts scooter girl into a bride. She left off the sidecar on her card but I decided to include the sidecar and fill it with gifts. Loads of die cutting here & I supplemented the scooter girl set with a hat and gift die from two July Spellbinders sets. Added a strip of white "snow" to a pink ombré A2 card - I was still thinking of CR#328's parameters of tutti fruitti colors with an unusual color. A totally pink sky definitely qualifies as unusual, right?!

I will also share at Darnell's July NBUS Challenge #88 since my Let's Ride die set got first play today. Plus I'll play at the July Creative Crafters #102 where Anything Goes & Merry Little Christmas Challenge #69 where Anything Christmas Goes.

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

Reindeer with Gift!

Hey crafty friends - I'm not blogging too much lately as I've had a sister visiting. Had to do some intense crafty cleanup before she arrived too!!

I watched Craft Roulette Episode #328 tonight, featuring host Mary Gunn and guest, Caitlin Anthony (‪@CaitlinAnnaleeCards‬) making her 8th appearance. Caitlin is on the team at Pink & Main, among other things. Plus she'll be the host for Craft Roulette Live 2026's virtual option. Such a talented lady! Show is still going on at this moment but I had done some die cutting in advance in hopes I could fit it into the parameters!! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane Ivory A2 card;

Paper Studio cardstock; Authentique & BoBunny paper 

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Spellbinders Sweater Weather Friend (DOMST-Jul26)

Embossing Folders - Spellbinders

Festive Greetings (3EOM-Jul26) &

Snuggly Knit (EOM-Jul26)

Other - printed sentiment strip (brand unk);

Brown, green & white gel pens

As usual, the roulette wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters. Mary and Caitlin created their cards on camera & I crafted along. Again, I was able to complete & upload my card before they finished.

• Project - A2: - I used a packed ivory A2 card.
• Colors - Tutti Fruiti: I used cherry red/lemon yellow/lime green, plus neutrals.
• Element - Container(s): I used a gift box.
• Random - Unusual Color: I used bright yellow on the scarf which isn't a common Christmas color.

I made this card with the July Christmas Kickstart Challenge #112 in mind. Jo and Elf Linby have "Grace us with your Presents" as the theme - gifts being the idea! I just received my July Spellbinders box and the cute stitching die of the month had a reindeer who could hold a gift box - perfect!!

I die cut and assembled the reindeer and gifts, doing faux stitching where the dies called for it. Oh & I skipped the stitching die piece on the scarf. I don't recommend stitching if you want to finish quickly, so I didn't! Members have until the following Thursday (general public til Sunday) to submit a card at CR but I like to get it done b4 I forget!! 

I used the July 3D embossing folder of the month, a texty design, to serve as a background & the regular ef, a sweater knit to create a strip to ground my reindeer. A printed sentiment strip and some gel pen details finished the card.

I will also share at Darnell's July NBUS Challenge #88 since my die set got first play today. And at the July Creative Crafters #102 where Anything Goes.

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

Sweet Snowman on a Snowflake

Hi everyone - TGIF! I'm here with my second card for the June Christmas Kickstart Challenge #111 Snow Day where Jo and elf Caroline want snow.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Scrapbook.com Gelato; glitter cardstock by unk;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain; scrap of holiday patterned

Stamps w/dies - SSS/Memory Box Good Cheer (retired)

Dies - Elizabeth Craft Design Holday Special Kit (retired)

Press Plate w/dies - Spellbinders Seasons Greetings Evergreens (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

I was doing some crafty clean-up and, of course, got distracted by a card idea. Plus I wanted to use a Stamptember Memory Box stamp/die set that I just received from a blogging friend. I had admired it on her post last year but the set sold out too quickly for me to get one. I was thrilled to receive this gift! Thanks again (you know who you are) & isn't that snowman the cutest?! 

Formed an A2 card from a large scrap of glitter cardstock - no idea which brand but it's a nice weight and non-shedding. Next I die cut the layering panel and the snowflake from an ECD journaling set. Then I stamped/colored and die cut the snowman. Assembled and added a Betterpressed sentiment from the stash.

Since the snowman, snowflake and layering panel are getting first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #87. Will also link to Creative Crafters #101 where Anything Goes (3rd of a possible 3 entries).

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll have a crafty weekend! I'll be back tomorrow with whatever Craft Roulette card I end up making tonight after the wheel spins - check out Episode #325 live if you're free at 6:30 CST.

Snowflake duo

Hey there crafty friends - hope you're enjoying this week! Crazy weather here - one day hot and humid, then cool and rainy... Perfect time - ha, ha - to play in the June Christmas Kickstart Challenge #111 Snow Day where Jo and elf Caroline want snow. I used a snowflake die and made two cards; I'll enter card one at CKC:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders A2 card; textured glitter cardstock 

(Core'dination brand, I think)

Dies - Memory Box Gloriette Snowflake Collage (retired)

TH Distress Inks - Mermaid Lagoon, 

Speckled Egg & Tumbled Glass

Other - Spellbinders puffy sticker sentiments;

Hero Arts clear enamel dots & 

Irridescent Shimmer Spray

On Card Chaos Episode #50 Monday night, the theme was ink-blending so I started by blending a diagonal swath on a textured A2 card. I spritzed a bit of shimmer spray on the inked area. Next I die cut the snowflake and coordinating background layer, plus a second background. This die cuts two snowflakes in one pass which you can use separately or inlay them. Given Chaos does 15 minute cards, this is the perfect way to conserve time and get pieces for the second round! 

For card one I used the inner snowflake and one background. I ink-blended the snowflake using the same inks as the background & assembled with the shadow layer. I added enamel dots to the areas where dots die cut on the other piece. A puffy sentiment sticker finished the card. 

For round two I used the outline portion of the snowflake atop a vellum background layer, along with crystal gems for the dot areas. I saved the die cut dots since they will make nice flower centers, I think. My background inking went the opposite diagonal and I oriented this snowflake differently for variety. I love how the purple background showed through the vellum. A printed sentiment strip finished the card; I left off the shimmer spray. I'll enter card two as my 3rd entry (of 8 max) at Merry Little Christmas #68 where Anything Christmas Goes.

Additional supplies: Paper Studio vellum

Waffle Flower Subsentiments Fa La La;

Dusty Concord & Shaded Lilac Distress Inks;

Recollections gems

That's it for today. I'm excited to be up to 42 Christmas cards in the stash but still need more to be on track. That's why I'm delighted to see CAS Christmas back in operation (June theme is birds) - I'm sure to play along with Loll and friends!! 

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

Last Day for our May Diva Celebrations Challenge!

Hey friends, I'm posting today at Die Cut Divas with the end-of-month crew. We have last minute inspiration for our May Celebrations Challenge; you have til 9pm Pacific Time today to get your entries in (max of four) using the theme, plus a die cut &/or embossing folder. 

Here's the card I shared there, plus bonuses follow only here:

Supplies: Paper - BoBunny Merry & Bright 6x6;

Paper Studio cardstock; scraps

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Perched Cardinal,

Nordic Resting Cardinal,

Nordic Lavish Border Set;

Birch Press Designs Warm Wishes Dapper Script

Other - Recollections gems; pine die cuts

from the stash (brand unk); white gel pen; 

black Sharpie fineliner; foam tape

We have the wonderful Poppystamps as our Diva sponsor this month!

They've donated a $20 gift card prize; USA address only.

I thought I'd add a Christmas card to the stash. This was a fun one - lots of die cutting which I love! I had the idea to put die cut pieces of the Nordic borders top and bottom, leaving an open patterned window for my cardinal pair to sit. I didn't use the third die in the border set.

Pulled a BPD (a PS sister company) sentiment out of the stash along with some pines & gems. Assembled and done! This one will be my third and final entry for Christmas Kickstart #110 - Season's Tweetings.

Here's a bonus - a birthday bouquet:

 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Scrapbook.com Gelato; Pressed Petals Woven Paper

Stamps - Emily Moore Birthday Sentiments

Dies - Poppystamps Floral Vase Pop Up Easel Set

(retired, but a few left HERE at Frantic Stamper),

Bunches O'Butterflies (retired) &

Flower and Leaf Sprinkles

Other - foam tape; W1 Copic

This one started as a card for Card Chaos, the 15 minute card challenge (you can find it on Irene Smith's YouTube channel HERE). I finished most of it but felt I needed to add more. I continued adding until it felt ready to share here, mainly more flowers, a butterfly, and a stopper for the pop-up. This set is one of my absolute faves from Poppystamps; you can see other versions HERE and HERE, if desired. If you check the previous version, you can see that I'm very partial to a blue background! Sorry I didn't realize the set was retired at PS but I did find a few left at Frantic Stamper if you're interested - no affiliation there, they have just been a good source for older products, plus new stuff too. Sadly, Frantic is in a retirement sale so we won't have them much longer....

Here's a view popped up - the stopper is a double layered Betterpressed Sentiment from Spellbinders A Little Message Sentiments.

My second bonus card also started out at Card Chaos & then got additional finishing touches for this post. I'll just show the popped up view; you can see another version with this set that I shared HERE if desired. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white & kraft; Bazzill brown; 

BoBunny patterned

Dies - Poppystamps Bird House Pop Up Easel Set

 & Nordic Resting Cardinal

Other - Recollections gems; Copic Markers;

Spellbinders ephemera (old kit); foam tape

I had to pull out my pop-up birdhouse again; this time I used the cardinal that came in the set. To get the details of the neck/beak, I first die cut a full red cardinal and trimmed out the neck/beak (clearly marked with an etch line). Next I die cut the head in white, colored the neck/beak with a black & a yellow Copic, trimmed it and adhered behind the red. I also decided to give the cardinal a layered wing using dies from a Nordic birdie set. This time I used the pine dies that cut a wreath to go around the outside of the bird house entry. Added some red gems as berries and some ephemera for the sentiment and the stopper.

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

Let's Celebrate!!

Hi crafty friends! I'm posting at Die Cut Divas today with inspiration for our May Challenge:

 🎉 🎉 🎉CELEBRATIONS 🎉 🎉 🎉

We celebrate so many things - Birthdays, Anniversarys, Weddings, many holidays - I could go on forever! For my first card, I chose birthday as my celebration. I always need birthday cards, especially since I joined the Craft Roulette birthday card exchange!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Scrapbook.com Jellybean A2 layers

scraps of black

Dies - Poppystamps Brilliant Birthday Balloons

& Happy Birthday Streamer Script

Other - white gel pen; foam tape

We have the wonderful Poppystamps as this month's sponsor. They will be giving our randomly selected winner a $20 gift card (sorry - only those with US addresses are eligible).

Simple die cutting on this one! I love Poppy's streamer scripts because you can get multiple sentiments quickly. I popped up just the green balloon, the others were adhered right to the blue panel & excess trimmed off. Added to an A2 card base along with the sentiment. I doodled some lines with a white gel pen and left off any further embellishments.

For my first bonus, I celebrated Christmas:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card; 

various cardstock scraps and Paper Studio Vintage Christmas

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Bird Bunch

Other - white & black gel pens; foam tape;

Spellbinders ephemers (retired)

I grabbed more of the Nordic birds I crafted while making a previous card. This time I drew a "wire" across the card then popped a quintet of birdies on it. Because I only used 2 birds of the 18 I made (die set makes 6 birds and I mixed/matched three cardstocks), I went ahead and made two more of this design. Each had a different sentiment from an old Spellbinders kit. Still have one birdie left for a future project...

Update - thanks to Joanne for the reminder; I meant to add this to Christmas Kickstart #110 Season's Tweetings. I've added it now.

Second bonus - back to birthdays:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Scrapbook.com Jellybean A2 layers

scraps of black; Spellbinders A2 card;

Pink and Main Birthday Bash rainbow paper

Dies - Poppystamps Brilliant Birthday Balloons

& Happy Birthday Streamer Script;

Emily Moore Shaker Frame - The Doily

Other - white gel pen; foam tape

I had die cut a frame from the rainbow paper for a previous card. Decided to cut a second one from the green paper, then inlay the rainbow window piece. Die cut the balloons and added to the card along with the sentiment. This sentiment has the black outline portion that cut when I made the first sentiment. Just cut a second outline and it frames the white - very easy! Added some white gel pen details to the balloons & black to the sentiment - done!

We Divas hope to see you in our May Gallery by 9pm Pacific Time on May 31st. Be sure to use the Celebrations theme, plus include a die cut &/or embossing folder in your design. All brands are welcome but the team is loving our Poppystamps!!

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day!!