Creating Artsy Backgrounds with Justin Adkins

Happy Sunday, friends - we have about 10 inches of snow so far from last night's storm but it hasn't stopped yet! We're advised to keep off the roads which is fine with me - I have everything I need at home. I mentioned yesterday that I did part of Scrapbook.com's March 2026 SBC Fest on Friday. It's a free event on YouTube if you want to check it out. You could purchase curated products for it which I did. I bought the full event bundle even though one class revolved around scrapbooking which I don't do as much anymore. Those products can easily be used for cardmaking.

I had a chance to make some backgrounds as shown in Justin Adkins' SBC Fest class. One of them reminded me of the lower right part of the inspiration photo at Inkspirational Challenge #363. So, I made a card for that challenge! It's a bit of a mash-up of products from three online events - SSS Create Together with Jennifer McGuire, Hero Arts Spring 2026 Stamp Along & SBC Fest.

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 cards;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio & Spellbinders cardstock;

Scrapbook.com White Mixed Media Paper

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

Stencil w/coordinating coverplate - Hero Arts Stamp Along Kit

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Scrapbook.com Heirloom Butterflies (from Lea 

Lawson's class kit); 

Hero Arts Squiggly Rectangle Frames (from the

Stamp Along kit)

Other - SSS Starshine embellishments; 

Hero Arts enamel dot; foam tape; white gel pen

I started with the background which was made with mini ink cubes of water reactive ink. Justin used 8 mini Distress Oxides but I have no minis. I used mini Hero Arts Reactive Inks and one Distress ink (came in some kit or another). You create a grid pattern by stamping the inks onto a glass board (I have the Tim Holtz one). Then you spray with water and smoosh Mixed Media paper into the ink. Pull up the paper and you can spray it more to move the ink. Here was the first pull I got (along with the inks used):

You can see the block-ish look of this first pull. I left it that way deliberately & will make it into a card later. I then added more water and sometimes more ink to get two more pulls. I just photographed those two in the finished cards. The first card I shared was made with the third pull.

I die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle, matted in lime green and added it to a shimmery peach card. It went wonky so I trimmed it down and added to a turquoise card. I had an extra squiggly frame from the Hero Arts Stamp Along so added it to the background panel for my focal elements. Die cut and assembled an heirloom butterfly from SBC Fest (haven't done that class yet...) & a sentiment from the JM/SSS class. Arranged some little flowers & leaves left over from the Stamp Along around the sentiment. These were created with a layered stencil set and coverplate die to cut them. Flowers centers went wonky on a few of the big flowers so I covered up the stenciled center with a die cut one from the stash (brand unk). I really liked the pop of the bright butterfly with the softer background and flowers.

I will also add this card to Darnell's March NBUS Challenge #84 since the butterfly was newly used.

Bonus: Here's the card I made with the second background pull - it's mainly Justin's design but he made a big "Cheers to You" sentiment with a die set for his card. I just used a birthday sentiment on hand - lazy, I guess....

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Scrapbook.com White Mixed Media Paper;

Paper Studio & Recollections cardstock

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

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Scrapbook.com Justin Adkin class kit (also embossing folder)

Other - Trinity Stamps dot embellishments

After drying the background, I cut it with a stitched rectangle & embossed it (as Justin did) with the banner 3D folder that came with his class kit. Die cut the balloons from his kit and adhered to the card, trimming off any overhang. Matted the panel in green and added to an A2 card made from Neenah. Popped an extra sentiment from the JM/SSS class and some Trinity embellishments onto the card - done!

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

Lots of pink!

Hi everyone! Since I had Valentine supplies from yesterday's post still out, I decided to make a card for Inkspirational Challenge #360 where the theme is XOXO (Hugs and Kisses).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; scraps

Stencil - TCW Texture Love (retired)

Dies - Poppystamps Vintage Scalloped Heart

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

My Favorite Things In Stitches Alphabet (retired but one left

HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Other - foam tape; Hero Arts Ultra Pink ink

For this one I masked off all but the hearts on the stencil background I used on yesterday's card. Stenciled them in the upper left and lower right corners of a white A2 card panel using Ultra Pink ink. Trimmed it and added to an A2 card. Next I die cut the vintage heart from a scrap of pink and the scalloped mat layer from metallic silver. Layered them and popped onto the card with foam tape. Then I die cut stitched letters X and O from silver glitter scraps and also from white. Layered and adhered to the heart. Done!

I'm also sharing another card I made during last week's Card Making Stash Summit. Justine Hovey made a challenge to use colored cardstock/a diagonal/textured on a card. Here's my take:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock

Embossing Folder - Altenew Lace 3D

Die - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape, SSS printed sentiment and Starshine dots

I die cut a stitched rectangle of pink cardstock and embossed it with the 3D lace (texture) which is on a diagonal. Matted in black and added to an A2 card. A printed sentiment strip and silver dots finished the card. Very quick and easy but results in quite the impact. I think my aunt will love this for her birthday next month!

That's it for today, friends - thanks for stopping! Hope you're having a great week & happy crafting!!

Blue Snowflakes and a poinsettia!

Hi all - not much left of 2025; hope you're doing well in the run up to the new year! I decided to make something for Craftlandia Challenge 25 - Snowflakes after I saw Hilary's lovely inspiration card. It's her final card as a DT member so I wanted to make the effort to play. Her card used a gorgeous snowflake print with some rich blues; I decided to go with blues too. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; 

Paper Studio patterned paper; Spellbinders A2 card

Embossing Folder - Echo Park Snowflake #3 (retired)

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Dies - Sunny Studio Layered Snowflake Frame (retired)

Tim Holtz Sizzix Stitched Rectangles (retired)

Other - Recollections gems; foam tape;

Hero Arts felt snowflake; blue inks (retired brand)

I started by die cutting a stitched rectangle from a blue patterned paper flecked with copper. I embossed the rectangle with the snowflake folder, then rubbed various blue inks over the raised bits. Adhered the panel to an A2 card. Die cut a bunch of white snowflakes from a Sunny Studio set I gave my sister last year; just used one here - layered it atop a felt snowflake. Added the sentiment with foam tape, plus some gems. Easy peasy.

I'll also add my card to Inkspirational Challenge #357 where the theme is Cold - snow is definitely cold in my neck of the woods!!

Next, I have a holiday thank you card made with a poinsettia I built at home and brought to AZ with me. This went to my sister to say thanks for her hospitality over Christmas.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card; scrap of black;

Taylored Expressions White Glitter Cardstock

Dies - Taylored Expressions Garden Variety Die Set - Poinsettia;

Doodlebug Designs Many Thanks

Other - Recollections

I got the glitter paper and poinsettia after Taylor from TE showed it off at an online card event. So pretty!! Inked it with pink & green - can't remember which brand I used. I adhered the poinsettia to an A2 card & finished it off simply with a die cut thanks & some gems.

I'll add this card to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #81 since the poinsettia got first play here.

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day!!

Reminder for Christmas/Winter at Die Cut Divas!

Hey everyone - just popping in to remind you that Die Cut Divas has Christmas/Winter as the theme for our December Challenge. You have until 9pm Pacific Time on 12/31/2025 to enter a project using the theme, plus a die cut &/or embossing folder. Here's my inspiration card:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane gold A2 card; 

Graphic 45 Merry & Bright; BoBunny Merry & Bright;

Paper Studio green cardstock; TH kraft metallic;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Dies - Waffle Flower Poinsettia Cluster &

Elegant Oval Frame;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape; orange pen

We have the wonderful Waffle Flower as our sponsor this month. They have donated a $15 gift card to their online store; we'll award it on 1/3/2026 to a random pick from eligible December entries.

This was a super simple card, fun to make! I die cut the poinsettia layers, some greens and the oval frame with background layer. Assembled everything & added to an A2 card with a texty print mat layer. A Waffle Flower sentiment from the stash completed the card.

I'll add my poinsettia to Christmas Kickstart #105 where we can link any cards (up to 3 max) that are Christmas-y. This is my third & final entry.

And for my bonus - I used Waffle Flower's sweet Birdie Friends; first time using these cuties!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; Deja Views Blue Raspberry (aqua pattern)

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Dies - Waffle Flower Birdie Friends in Winter &

Dashed Snowflake Panel Die

Stencils - Birdie Friends in Winter

Other - Paper Studio note stickers; foam tape;

Stickles; white gel pen; various inks

I die cut the birdies from white and stenciled with the coordinating stencil set. Added a few details with a white gel pen. Die cut the branch 3 times from brown and stacked for dimension. Stenciled the snow onto the branch, then added stickles for sparkle. Sadly, my "snow" looks a bit grey in the photo, oh well... Die cut the snowflake coverplate from a subtle patterned paper and added it to an A2 card, along with the branch and birdies. A WF sentiment and some musical note stickers completed the card. If you missed it, teamie Sue also used the Birdie Friends for a card - see it on her blog HERE. I loved her bright colors!

I'm adding my birdies to Inkspirational Challenge #356 to use stencils (snowflakes optional which I guess I also meet given the coverplate!). I'll also add them to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #81 since my birdies got first play here. 

I hope to see your Christmas/Winter creation at Die Cut Divas! That's it from me for today - chorus Christmas party tonight so that'll be fun!

Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!!

Pine Trees with Star

Hey crafters - blog friend Julia (Create with Me) has the designer's choice for the current Inkspirational Challenge #353 - Seeing Stars. I thought I'd play along with some new Birch Press Design holiday stuff that arrived last week.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Paper Studio A2 card and assorted cardstock, including glitter;

Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes Petite

Dies - Birch Press Design Block Print Pine Trees

& Block Print Starry Night Scene

Other - foam tape; Stickles; Hero Arts ink;

Spellbinders puffy sentiment stickers

I die cut an A2 sized piece of Neenah white with a stitched rectangle & then cut the hillside with trio of trees from it. The sky pops out so I cut just that portion of the die from blue for a sky, inked the edges, then inlaid it with the white panel onto an A2 card. Added Stickles to the hill. 

Next I die cut two of the block print pines. Adhered one into the open area on the hill and added the second with foam tape into the "snow". Next I die cut the star from glitter card stock and added to the sky. A puffy sticker sentiment from an old Spellbinders kit finished the card.

Since my BPD items are newly used, I'll add my card to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #80. Poor old Mount NBUS isn't getting much love since I am using some new items before they even hit the mountain - so proud of myself - LOL. I will also play at Merry Little Christmas #65 where Anything Goes Christmas.

Hope you're having a crafty week & thanks for visiting!

Stenciled Snowflakes!

Hi all - Happy April Fool's Day! Did anyone have tricks played on them? For me, right away, the game Wordle had an ancient country for the solution. I didn't get it! Oh well, on to cards!

This week, Darnell's IDEAS program (see her inspiration HERE) is doing S for Stenciling. Thought I'd have a go:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card; Neenah Solar White

Stencil - Simon Says Stamp Snow Flurries 

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprint 20 (retired)

Other - gifted die cut; printed sentiment strip;

Park Lane gems

I was doing some crafty clean-up and came upon the Simon Says Stamp 2023 Wintermas Wonder Box. Poor thing - still unopened! Pulled out the contents to find a little stencil, blending tool & silver ink among them. Perfect for this week's IDEAS, plus Just Us Girls has a stencil week too with Anything Goes Stencil Week #768. I'll also share at Darnell's April NBUS Challenge #73 since the stencil was newly used.

Simply stenciled the upper left and lower right corners of a Neenah panel, then die cut with a stitched rectangle. Added to an A2 card. I looked through my bits box and found a jumbo SEASON die cut gifted from a friend (sorry, can't remember which one but thanks again!) along with the "Tis The" flag. Also added a subsentiment strip so I could play along at Inkspirational #338 where you need two or more sentiments on your card. Some pink gems finished the card.

Here's a twofer with the same stencil, this time inspired by Darnell to stencil down the left edge:

Additional supplies:

Paper - Spellbinders A2 card; scrap of black;

Recollections grey A2 card cut in half

Stamps - SSS Winter Wonderland

Other - printed ephemera (sweater) free from SCT magazine;

various snowflakes from the bits box; Hero Arts gems

The sentiment came from another Wintermas stamp set. A lot of the box items are available for individual purchase now so I've linked to them where possible. After stenciling down the side, I die cut the panel with the same stitched MFT rectangle. Die cut the scalloped mat using another die from the same Blueprints set. This time I gave the white panel a narrow black mat before adhering to the scalloped one. Added the fussy cut ephemera with foam tape, plus a couple die cut snowflakes. Stamped the sentiment and gave the white snowflakes some gems - done.

That's it for today, friends! I'll be back tomorrow early with our March Card Chain reveal. Thanks for visiting!!

 

More Christmas cards!

Happy Saturday everyone! I have a couple of Christmas cards today. First up a vintage Santa for Inkspirational #329 where the word is SANTA.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts red; Neenah white

Stampendous Jolly Santa (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stamps w/dies - Taylored Expressions Season's Sweetings (dies HERE)

Other - foam tape; white gel pen; Copic Markers; 

Glossy Accents; Hero Arts Sparkle Lacquer

I wanted to feature Santa so I went to a cling stamp set I haven't used in 5 years (see previous HERE). Thanks again to Jean (Right as Rain) for gifting me this sweetie!! Stamped and colored him with Copics, then die cut with a stitched rectangle. Blended some blue ink at the top and stamped the banner across his beard. Adhered the panel to a red A2 card and popped up a TE sentiment with foam tape. Added Glossy Accents to the berries and sparkle lacquer to the holly leaves. Done!

 

Next up, a gatefold I did for Craft Roulette #242 which I watched LIVE last night. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio glitter;

cardstock from Hero Arts, Lawn Fawn & Spellbinders;

vellum & TH kraft metallic

Dies - Birch Press Design Ornament Basics &

Marisol Frames Layer Set;

fence from Hero Arts MMH kit Mar17

Other - Recollections gems

Mary Gunn FUNN had Alicia (Call Me Crafty Al) as her guest. Alicia is known for her free printables with Sheetloads of Cards. In December Alicia plans to do daily videos from the 1st to the 24th using crafty advent calendars (like Spellbinders) so check her out! The wheel spun some fun parameters, perfect for a holiday card I thought:

• Project - Gatefold Card: I formed an A2 gatefold card by scoring 8.5x11 paper at 2 1/8" from both edges to fold in.
• Colors - Produce Aisle: Used greens, reds and white for lettuc, peppers & onions.
• Element - Fence: Used a die cut fence cut in half for the two sides of the gatefold.
• Random - Crumple Paper: I crumpled some lightweight vellum, then die cut into an ornament.

After forming my gatefold card, I cut the three layers of the BPD for the gate panels using sparkle green, white and pine green. Next I cut an ornament from red & the accents from glitter red and the hanger from a scrap of silver. I crumpled some vellum and smoothed it out then die cut with the ornament die & layered onto the red one. Added the accent pieces, the hanger & some gems, then glued just to the left side of the gate. Popped on a sentiment from the stash using foam tape. Die cut the fence, cut in half and glued to each half of the gate. Here's a view of the card standing:

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for visiting &, just a reminder, we're doing Any Holiday with BPD as our sponsor over at Die Cut Divas - gallery HERE for you to link up. Just remember to use a die cut &/or embossing folder.

Happy crafting!!

A Stamped Floral Wreath

Hi all - busy Sunday but I managed to finish a card for some challenges:

Supplies: Paper - Poptone Blue Raspberry;

Paper Studio orange A2 card; Neenah white;

Spellbinders Betterpress porcelain; dotted by unk

Stamps with Dies - Pinkfresh Studio English Garden (retired)

Dies - Folk Edge Rectangles (retired)

Press Plate w/dies - Spellbinders A Little Message Sentiments

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape;

Park Lane gems

I die cut 2 layers of the PFS Folk Edge Rectangles set (love!) & adhered to an A2 card. I stamped and die cut the PFS English Garden image which results in many pieces. I colored them with Copics (G00,02,05,09/Y08,18/YR09,16) and arranged the wreath along with one flower cluster, the leafy stem, & butterfly atop. Added a pressed sentiment and some gems - done! The orange paper with white dots came wrapped around as packaging when I ordered some Birch Press woodgrain paper - I always save it; comes in handy!!

Above I tried my hand at a more artful photo with some supplies, as many people do. What do you think? Here's a view from closer up:

It's been a while, so I decided to make this card for The Flower Challenge #95 where we're to include a stamped flower. It also works for the September Pinkfresh Studio Challenge where they're doing Leaves & Wreaths. Also for the We Love Stamping September Challenge to hand color an image & Inkspirational #324 where they're using markers. Thanks for the fun challenges!!

That's it for today - thanks for stopping by!

Many Thanks Lemons

Happy Monday everyone! Time to play with Darnell (djkardkreations) and her IDEAS program; see her fabulous inspiration HERE. This week I=inks but, since last month didn't have an S week, I also pulled out a stencil and blended away. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White:

Paper Studio pastel A2 card; Poptone Black

Stamps - Momenta Lemons (retired)

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stencil - Frantic Stamper Old Brick Wall

Other - Copic Markers; Park Lane gems; black gel pen

Hero Arts Sand Stone & Key Lime Fizz inks

I die cut a piece of Neenah with a stitched rectangle & stamped the lemon branch. Rotated the panel and stamped a second one, then a sentiment from the same set. Colored the lemon branches with Copics. Stenciled some partial brick in opposite corners (I was inspired by someone's card from a while back but can't find it - sorry). Matted the panel in black and added to a yellow A2 card. Some lemon yellow gems finished the card. My sentiment looked blah just stamped; tried shading it with a grey Copic - still blah. Then I added some black dots and lines, echoing the dots on the lemons - much better (in my mind). What do you think?

On Saturday my former quartet lead singer Heidi had a birthday. She and her boyfriend hosted a small dinner party to celebrate; I was delighted to attend. For dessert Heidi (we call her "Martha Stewart") served a luscious lemon triffle. That inspired my thank you card. I got the lemon stamp set on clearance at Hobby Lobby ages ago - only $2.24!! Crazy!! It got first play with this card so I'll add it to Darnell's July NBUS Challenge #64. I'll also link my card to Just Us Girls Challenge #733 where Anything Goes with Stencils & to Inkspirational Challenge #319 where they're using stencils too (with option of paste).

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Spring! Happy Mother's Day!

Hi everyone - hope you're enjoying Mother's Day if you're celebrating today! My mom's been gone two years already so it's a low key day; Dad & I are watching baseball - no surprise.

Today I'm playing along at the current Day of the Month Card Club Challenge #63 where they're celebrating Vappu, the Finnish version of May Day. So, that means spring flowers and I was lucky enough to find a UK magazine the other day with freebie stamps featuring daffodils. I love daffodils and fondly remember the Cancer Society fundraiser selling bunches of those sweet flowers. The stems would be bundled up by the dozen - just buds which would gradually open to a gorgeous bouquet. Before I retired, we'd go out of the office on our lunch break & come back with several bunches for our desktop. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Poptone oatmeal & black; 

Authentique plaid; Paper Studio A2 cqrd

Stamps - Crafter's Companion Springtime Wishes

(freebie with Issue 132 of Creative Stamping magazine)

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Creative Expressions Wordies Sentiment Sheets Hello Spring;

Copic Markers; foam tape

I stamped the daffodil swag twice and colored with Copics. Trimmed the panel with a stitched rectangle and matted in black; added to a panel of plaid, then to an A2 card. I stamped a couple extra single flowers from the set and used them to cover up Easter eggs within the daffodil swag. Colored the eggs green so anything peeking out would look like a leaf. Popped a pre-printed sentiment onto the center with foam tape - done!

I'll also add my card to Darnell's May NBUS Challenge #62 since the stamps are newly used and to Inkspirational #315 where they're celebrating Seasonal. This makes my first time playing at the latter, although I have been inspired by their DT members, especially Pia (Pias Papir og Perler) and Julia (Create with Me). Also, my friend Hilary (Fiddling About) has inspired me to play at the We Love Stamping May Challenge; theme is Vintage or Anything Goes (I chose the latter).

Remembering Mom on Mother's Day: My mom had quite the green thumb and her garden still has some beautiful flowers. We've always had bleeding hearts and lilacs at our family homes; sadly, I have a brown thumb and can't grow either! Here's a couple of photos I took at Dad's this afternoon:

That's it for today, friends! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!!