Happy Easter 2026!

Hey friends - If you're celebrating Easter, I hope it's a happy one!! My dad wants to go to Hubbell House, a historic restaurant in Mantorville MN, for Easter dinner so that's where we're headed later today.

I made a few Easter cards this year, some of which I've already shared. Here's the first of three favorites I made. This one's a mash-up of Spellbinders and Poppystamps:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock

Dies - Spellbinders Simon Hurley Bunny Buddies;

Poppystamps Nordic Basket, Nordic Border Set,

Nordic Lavish Border Set, Grosgrain Bow &

Folk Decorated Eggs (both retired);

Sunny Studio Slimline Nature Borders

Stencils - Spellbinders Mar 2026

Other - Hero Arts Irrisdescent Shimmer Spray;

foam tape; Copic Markers for shading

Lots of die cutting & assembling on this one, plus some stenciling. The bunnies and sentiment came from the Simon Hurley set & everything else was Poppystamps, except the grass in the basket (Sunny Studio). The ray sky was made with three of the stencil layers from Spellbinders' March stencil, then spritzed with shimmer spray. This one went to my friend Cat (Cat Luvs Paper). Since the bunnies, basket and borders were newly used, I'll add this card to Darnell's April NBUS Challenge #85.

Next I have a card with Simon Hurley's jumbo Easter egg die:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; striped by unk

Stamps - Spellbinders Feb 2023 club (retired)

Dies - Spellbinders Simon Hurley In Bloom Egg;

Birch Press Design Foliage Bunch

Other - Pink and Main gems; foam tape

I crafted the egg during a Card Chaos episode where we were tasked to add loads of bling. I think I did it! Because it was timed, I didn't inlay all the bits - just backed the purple piece with a white solid egg. Added it to an A7 card with some striped paper. It looked empty so I added the leafy bits. An Easter sentiment finished it off. This one went to my friend Darnell (djkardkreations) & her hubby. Darnell reported that the bling arrived intact - yay!

Finally, a sweet egg image designed by Angie Blom for Pink and Main:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card

Stamps - Pink and Main Coloring Eggs

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers

Stamped the image and colored with Copics, then die cut with a stitched rectangle. Stamped a sentiment from the same set & added the panel to an A2 card. I kept it simple for overseas mailing to my friend Gundi (papierelle) who received it last week. I also stamped one on watercolor paper but haven't tried painting it yet...

That's it for today - enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!!

Easter's Coming!

Happy weekend everyone! I watched Craft Roulette Episode #312 last night and completed my card during the show. If you watch the replay, you can see it pop onto the screen towards the end of the crafting time. Prize drawings and announcements follow that segment.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders cardstock; Momenta Gemstones patterned

Stamps w/dies - Pink and Main 18 Carrot Friendship (dies)

Dies - AJVD Slimline Rectangle Window & Words Cover Plate;

Poppystamps Fresh Happy Easter;

Gina K. Designs Spring Forest 

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers

Host Mary Gunn had Von Marie (‪@vonmariedesign‬) as her guest. Von Marie is a Craft Roulette member & was making her 1st appearance as a guest - she did great! She is on the Design Team for Not2Shabby, a company unfamiliar to me. Of course I checked them out - they have cute papers with coordinating ephemera, among other products.

The wheel gave us nice and easy parameters.

• Project - Slimline Card: I formed a standard slimline from Neenah. 
• Colors - Insects: I used butterfly colors - white/blue/green/orange/yellow/purple. 
• Element - April: Easter is in April this year, so made an Easter card. 
• Random - In the Corner: I put a die cut in the upper left window. 

I recently ordered a Pink and Main Easter set and it was sitting on the table begging to be used. I thought the bunnies were so adorable and the set has sweet chick images too!

Stamped & die cut the basket & bunnies, then colored using Copics. Die cut a slimline panel with three windows & backed it with purple textured paper, then added to a slimline card. Popped the bunnies and basket in their windows with foam tape. Die cut the sentiment words and shadow, then assembled and added to the middle window. Finished things off with a die cut sun. I added some more details with a white gel pen after the show. 

I will add this card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #84 since the stamps were newly used here. I will also join in at We Love Stamping using the Anything Goes option (or the wildlife option, I guess, since bunnies can be wild!); this is my second entry. I'm also sharing at the Stamping Sensations March Challenge Spring or Anything Goes - my second entry there too. Finally, I link up at the current Double D Challenge where they have a beautiful mood board with Easter items!

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day!!

Spring Hugs

Hey everyone - I'm here with inspiration for Die Cut Diva's March Challenge - Spring is Coming! See my Diva post HERE. Nothing says Spring to me more than soft colors and new leaves! 

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card & black cardstock;

Scrapbook.com White Mixed Media Paper

Stamps w/dies - Scrapbooks.com SBC Fest Gina K. class kit 

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Creative Expressions Wordies: Hello Spring;

Hero Arts Spring Enamel stickers & various inks

We Divas are delighted to have Gina K. Designs as our March sponsor. They have furnished a $25 gift card to their store as our March 2026 challenge prize, to be awarded randomly from eligible March entries. Thanks, Gina K. Designs!!

I mentioned previously that I participated in Scrapbook.com SBC Fest last Friday. I still haven't finished all the sessions, including Gina K.'s class! I used her class kit for my Diva card, though, since I couldn't find any other spring-y Gina K. in my stash. 

I started the Spring Hugs card with a piece of mixed media paper. Stenciled the left edge with soft yellow, pink and lime green inks using Gina K.'s Elegant Ovals stencil from the class kit. I angled the stencil different ways for each color. Then I used the dot texture stamp curled in my hand (some call this "taco stamping") for some random dot stamping over the stenciling. Next I spritzed the area with water and once dry, stamped the large leafy sprig three times with green ink. 

I die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle, matted in black (as Gina K. likes to do) and added to an A2 card. Popped a printed sentiment strip on the card using foam tape. Stamped & die cut 3 small leafy sprigs from Gina's class kit to glue around the sentiment. Added two small enamel hearts and 3 dots. Done!

I have two bonus cards today! First I'm sharing a card made based on Gina K.'s class from Scrapbook.com SBC Fest which I started watching after I made the card above. The class is available free at the link shown - Gina's was the last class of the day. Due to other commitments that day, I'm watching most of the Fest on replay & so far have gotten through just the first of Gina's three cards.

Gina had us mask a white panel and create a background with the class kit stamp set. When I peeled off the masking tape, some card stock tore. I pivoted and cut it down with a stitched rectangle & then matted on white panel die cut with the next bigger stitched rectangle, then matted with black. Adhered to an A2 card base. My center leafy sprig wasn't stamped well so I covered it with a label (from another class kit) and then added a stamped/die cut sentiment from Gina's kit. Some Hero Arts black enamel dots finished the card.

For my second bonus, I have an Easter card made using some adorable Spring critters. I ordered some of Gina K.'s Spring themed products & they arrived in time for a second bonus card - yay! Thanks for the quick processing, Gina K.!! I whipped this card up Thursday night...

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Hero Arts and Paper Studio cardstock;

BoBunny Cottontail; Lawn Fawn Gleeful Gradients

Stamps w/dies - Gina K. Designs Spring Joy Mini (dies)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Poppystamps Folk Decorated Eggs (retired)

Other - Copic markers; foam tape

You may think of Gina K. as having gorgeous florals, which she does. She also has some stamps in the "cute" category & I couldn't resist this set on clearance! I stamped and die cut the three critters and arranged on a blue stitched rectangle, then matted in pink. Adhered to a patterned rectangle and then to an A2 card. The stamped sentiment is from the same set. To finish off the card, I added some die cut Easter eggs.

I'll add this card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #84 since my critters are newly used.

That's it for today, friends! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you in the March Diva Gallery!!

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!

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!!

 

 

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!!

Last Day for Die Cut Divas January 2025 Challenge!

Hi everyone - here's some last minute inspiration for the January 2025 Die Cut Divas Challenge to use something new. You can see more on today's Diva post. The challenge ends today at 9pm Pacific so link up for a chance to win a $15 gift card to Whimsy Stamps!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

Recollections orange; BoBunny dotted;

Authentique plaid; scrap of green

Digital - Whimsy Stamps One Year Wiser

Stamps with dies - Lawn Fawn All the Party Hats (dies HERE)

Dies - Hero Arts Tag Frame & Square Infinity Dies 

(both retired but squares HERE at Frantic Stamper)

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; Glossy Accents; 

Hero Arts enamel dots

Once again, I'm leading with a new digi I purchased this month. I couldn't resist the expression on that sweet owl &, of course, the book he's sitting on. Printed the digi, dried thoroughly then colored with Copics. Die cut the panel with a square die & matted in the same orange as the card base. Added glossy accents to the owl's glasses. Printed the digi sentiment from the One Year Wiser file & die cut with a label die, plus a shadow layer. I wanted something to fill the white space to the right so added a die cut banner. 

Next I die cut a stitched rectangle from a plaid paper that complimented the card and image. Adhered everything to an A2 card formed from orange cardstock. I found the perfect Happy Birthday sentiment on a Lawn Fawn set & stamped it on a scrap of green. Added an enamel dot on either side and glued to the card. The LF set with the sentiment is filled with party hats & I thought the owl would look cute with one! Stamped and die cut a hat & colored it with Copics. Trimmed the white border at the bottom of the hat so it would blend with the owl & glued it to the card - done!

Still with me? Here's a bonus:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; Neenah Solar White;

My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing (pattern); scraps;

Carta Bella It's a Celebration (green & blue/green)

Stamps - Lawn Fawn Happy Easter

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Penguin Pals;

Poppystamps Folk Decorated Eggs &

Scallop Tall Curve Border (both retired)

Other - Copic Markers for shading; foam tape

I forgot to mention when I shared my Whimsy penguin projects (here & here) that the set contains dies to turn the penguins into chicks! So versatile and cute!! I assembled the chicks and added to an A2 card with patterned paper & some Poppy borders (getting first play here too). I cut the borders from both white and colored papers, then pieced the colored parts into the main openings. You could leave them open but I wanted to cover part of the busy patterned paper. Decided some eggs would be cute so die cut 5 white ones with a Poppy die. Stamped a Lawn Fawn Easter sentiment and fussy cut it; added to the card with foam tape.

I'll add my chicks to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge #70 since the chicks and borders are newly used.

That's it for today. Hope to see you in our Die Cut Divas January Challenge gallery! Thanks for stopping and happy crafting!!

Any Holiday at Die Cut Divas

Hey there - I'm sharing the card below at Die Cut Divas today, inspiration for our November Challenge: Any Holiday in the Year. We're delighted to have Birch Press Design as our fabulous sponsor this month!! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card;

Neenah white; Tim Holtz kraft metallic;

Momenta watercolor print

Dies - Birch Press Design Floral Cross Layer Set; 

Poppystamps Fresh Happy Easter; 

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape; Paper studio gold pearls

I know we're all busily making Christmas cards at this time of year but I picked up a beautiful cross at BPD recently. Just had to make an Easter card for today's inspiration; our challenge is ANY holiday, after all...

Besides the 3 layers of the cross, the set comes with foliage and flowers - such a great value!! First I die cut the cross layers from gold metallic, variegated purple & green. Next I die cut the foliage in green and the flowers in white & yellow. Die cut a rectangle and added to an A2 card. Assembled the cross and added to the card with foam tape. Die cut and assembled the sentiment, then added to the cross & arranged foliage & flowers around it.

Ready for a bonus? OK, I just had to add another Christmas card to the stash :)

Supplies: Paper - Anchor Paper grey linen;

Neenah white; Tim Holtz kraft metallic;

scraps of red, teal and glitter

Dies - Birch Press Design Meridian Ornament Layer Set 

& Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel 

Stamps with dies - Poppystamps Holiday Banners

Other - foam tape; Park Lane gems

Another quick and easy card, thanks to BPD dies! Instead of the ornament that comes with the pop-up, I used another BPD layered ornament (I have a fair few!). Assembled everything and added a stamped/die cut Poppystamps sentiment & some gems. Here are a couple other views; when flat, the card fits in an A2 envelope.

 

I think this was my first use of this lovely Meridian ornament which is on deep discount right now at BPD! But I know my cross is newly used so I'll add that card to Darnell's November NBUS Challenge #68. Don't know what I'd do without that challenge - really makes me use my new stuff!! I'll add my ornament card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #59 (6th of 8 possible).

Hope to see you in the November Diva gallery by 9pm Pacific time on the 30th! Thanks for visiting & I appreciate your kind comments in this busy season!!

A fun Easter Platform Pop-Up!

Hey everyone - I'm sharing at Die Cut Divas today but am also posting here with a bonus. It's Anything Goes for this month at the Divas - just remember to use a die cut &/or embossing folder.

Here's my platform pop-up card combining new and older supplies 

from our fabulous March sponsor, Lawn Fawn! 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb;

Lawn Fawn Petite Rainbow Plaid & Dotted; Paper Studio green card;

Scraps of pink/yellow/orange

Dies - Lawn Fawn Platform Pop-Up,

Platform Pop-Up Picket Fence Wrap Around,

& Grassy Border

Stamps with Dies - Lawn Fawn Hay There, Hayrides!

(coordinating dies HERE),

Carrot 'bout You (coordinating dies HERE),

Carrot 'bout You Banner Add-On (coordinating dies HERE), &

Hay There, Hayrides! Bunny Add-On (coordinating dies HERE)

Other - Copic markers, Memento Tuxedo Black ink;

Hero Arts Ultra Pink & Green Apple inks

Lawn Fawn has generously donated a $25 gift card to their online store 

for our random winner. Thanks, Lawn Fawn!

I had loads of fun putting this pop-up card together on Tuesday. I have to admit, it was a long process - what I like to call one of my masterpieces - LOL. Just did simple stamping, coloring and die-cutting, then assembled but it took several hours! Oh, and I masked off the fence and sponged green on the lower part of the wrap-around. The platform was released in 2022 but the fence add-on just came out this spring. Kelly Marie has a great tutorial video on the platform's product page - so easy to assemble!

Here are a couple more views - from top & flattened (fits an A2 envelope):

You can see a Christmas version of the platform pop-up with a different add-on HERE. And if you're still with me, here's a bonus project - a little thanks treat box using Lawn Fawn's Fancy Box set. Very quick & easy to die cut and assemble. I probably could've done a dozen of these in the time it took to make the platform card!

That's it for today. Hope to see you in the March Diva gallery - you have until 9pm Pacific time on 3/31/24 to join us! I'll add my pop-up to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge since the Easter stuff is all new. I'll also join the current Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #169 where the theme is to be inspired by a favorite book, movie or song - my book is Peter Rabbit, of course. My farmer looks a bit happier than the one in the book, though, & that's Peter driving the carrot car!

Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!