More Christmas Chaos!

Hey friends - hope you're staying cool and natural disaster free! Normally I would've watched Card Chaos last night but the host Irene didn't have power. Luckily those awful storms yesterday didn't affect her too badly! Irene's up and running again today and invited us to share our No Stamping cards made in 15 minutes. I timed myself and made the two cards I would've done last night. Of course, regular card bases and embellishments can be used. For me, if there's no stamping, I go for die cutting!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Border Set

Birch Press Designs Block Print Festive Joy

Memory Box Blooming Poinsettias

Other - SSS Starshine embellishments

For this one, I die cut the plaid texture directly into a red A2 card base. Next I die cut JOY from lime green and white & layered. In the white die cutting pass, I also die cut the Nordic border. Note: the Joy die set comes with extra pieces to embellish the word but I just cut the base layer here.

Glued the border directly to the card base and popped the JOY on with foam tape. Added a preassembled die cut flower to the center of the JOY's O with foam tape. Added a few Starshine embellishments and done in under 15 minutes. We can use prepared bits from the stash and I'd made the poinsettia after last week's Chaos - die cut during but assembled later.

I'll add card one to Merry Little Christmas #69 where Anything Christmas Goes. This is my 4th entry (max 8). I will also share at Darnell's July NBUS Challenge #88 since my Joy die got first play here.

For the second card I used layered MERRY CHRISTMAS die cuts & added to a horizonal yellow A2 card base. Too bright? I wanted to bring out the poinsettia centers and give some contrast for my sentiment. I added a trio of leftover poinsettias & more Starshine dots. Done in under 15 minutes.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio cardstock & A2 card

Dies - Spellbinders Merry Christmas (retired);

Memory Box Blooming Poinsettias

Other - SSS Starshine embellishments

That's it for now - thanks for visiting & have a crafty day!! Oh and remember, Die Cut Divas is doing Christmas in July - check it out if you have a Christmas project with die cuts &/or embossing folders.

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!! 

Poinsettia on Elegant Frame

Hey friends - I'm providing inspiration at Die Cut Divas today. For our July Challenge we're celebrating Christmas in July - right up my alley!! 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Authentique Joyous; scraps

Stamps with dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2 (dies)

Dies - Waffle Flower Poinsettia Cluster,

Elegant Oval Frame & Dashed Snowflake Panel

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers; white & orange pens;

SSS Starshine dots

We have the amazing Waffle Flower as our sponsor.

They've furnished a $15 gift card to their online store as our prize. Thanks!!

Bunches of die cutting for this one! I grabbed an Authentique paper pad I've had since 2013 and used papers from it for almost everything. I die cut a texty paper with the snowflake coverplate and added to an A2 card. Next I die cut the two layers of the frame and adhered to the background. 

I die cut the larger poinsettia layer from a pattern, plus from a solid green. The smaller poinsettia layer was cut from a solid red. I grabbed some yellow scraps for the flower center & assembled. I cut apart the green layer to add the leaves wherever I wanted them. Next I die cut a berry sprig and the pine cones & shaded with Copics. Die cut a couple pine branches and tucked everything around the poinsettia. Added a stamped sentiment from the stash along with some crystal dots.

Here's a close-up of the snowflake texture which is hard to see on the texty paper - very subtle but so pretty:

I'll add this card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #69 where Anything Christmas Goes.

How about a bonus with more die cutting? I bought the open book die when Waffle Flower released it (if desired, go HERE to see another play with it). I later bought the poinsettia stencil for the open book set. Hadn't had a chance to try the stencil until now.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card; Paper Studio red & green cardstock

Dies - Waffle Flower Open Book, Open Book Bookmark,

Sweet Plaid Texture & Poinsettia Cluster;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stencils - Waffle Flower Open Book Poinsettia

& Open Book Coloring Stencil

Other - Waffle Flower Fa La La Sentiment Strip;

white & black pens; Gina K cranberry trio & spruce inks;

Altenew bamboo ink; grey pencil

I die cut the book and placed on a WF sticky mat to stencil the poinsettia design and the book edging. Added some pen and pencil details, then die cut with the scripty die that comes with the book set. Added a sentiment strip with foam tape.

Next I die cut a stitched rectangle from red cardstock and die cut the plaid texture into it. Added to an A2 card along with the book. Die cut a couple pines from the poinsettia set I used on card one and added them behind the book. Die cut and assembled a bookmark and adhered to the book.

Since my poinsettia stencil got first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's July NBUS Challenge #88.

That's all for today - hope to see you in the July Diva Gallery!! 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! 

A Wedding Slider!

Happy Saturday - I'm here with a wedding card today, made for Craft Roulette Episode #327 which aired live last night. I crafted along and finished during the show which I enjoy doing.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Park Lane A2 card

Stamps w/dies - Colorado Craft Happily Ever After (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Lawn Fawn Slide On Over

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

Robin's Egg and Key Lime inks

Host Mary Gunn had Brennan Keane (‪@bdk_creations‬) as a guest, making his 2nd appearance. Last time he was on the show, he was only 17 and still in high school. Now he has graduated and will attend college with less time for crafting. 

The roulette wheel was spun four times for our parameters; Brennan even got one of his picks!

• Project - Interactive Card: I made a slider. 
• Colors - Summer: Blue, green & pink say summer to me. 
• Element - Here Comes The Bride: I made a wedding card w/bride & groom.
• Random - Ink Edging: I edged the white background panel with blue & green inks. 

Given the bride element, I pulled out a stamp set I got at Paperganza last year - first time using it! I stamped the mouse couple, colored with Copics and die cut the image. Added some white gel pen details. Next I stamped the tree image directly onto an A2 panel of Neenah, then colored with Copics. I die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle & inked the edges. Die cut the slider and reserved the cut piece. Stamped the sentiment.

Added foam tape to the back of my panel, figured out (badly) where to add the cut-out piece. Adhered the cut-out piece directly to the A2 card. Put the mouse couple in the slider and adhered the panel to the card. Given the height of the image, this probably needed two sliders - they tend to tip and spin a bit - lol. Notice anything else? I forgot to color the tree below the mice children - oh well, I fixed that this morning! 

Here's another view with the couple slid over:

Thats it for today. Since my wedding set got first play, I'll add my card to Darnell's July NBUS Challenge #88.

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty weekend!!

Party Donkey!

Hey crafty friends - TGIF and I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend if you're celebrating in the USA!! Two hundred fifty years - quite a milestone!!

I watched Craft Roulette Episode #326 tonight, featuring host Mary Gunn and guest, Jay Thomas (‪@craftbyjay‬) making his 3rd appearance. Jay is live on YouTube on Sunday nights and he loves cats!!

Here's my card (sorry Jay, no cat):

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card & black cardstock; dotted by unk

Stamps - Unity Still Kickin'

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - printed sentiment strip (brand unk);

Copic Markers; TH Black Soot Distress Ink;

Black and white gel pens

As usual, the roulette wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters. Mary and Jay created their cards on camera - so fun to listen to their banter while I was crafting along. Like last week, I was able to complete & upload my card before they finished.

• Project - A Dude's Card: - I made a card for a man, a former coworker.
• Colors - Sleigh Ride: I used red/black/grey.
• Element - Farm Critter(s): I used a donkey image.
• Random - Pen: I used both black and white gel pens.

You may remember I ordered a bunch of Unity stamps recently. The donkey image was another fun find - I thought it would make a great birthday card for a man friend with whom I worked in two different offices over the years. Isn't Party Donkey just the cutest?!

I stamped the image, colored with Copics and cut the panel with a stitched rectangle. Inked around the edges with Black Soot DI. Matted the panel in black and added to a dotted paper & a red A2 card. Added details with a white and a black gel pen - done!

I will add my card to Seize the Birthday #329 using the Anything Goes option. I will also share at Darnell's July NBUS Challenge #88 since my donkey stamp got first play today. Oh and btw - Darnell has some sponsors this month and Unity is one of them!!

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

Last Day for our June 2026 Divas Anything Goes Challenge

Hey there - I'm part of the last day inspiration post at Die Cut Divas today. Our Anything Goes Challenge (with die cuts &/or embossing folders, of course) ends at 9p Pacific Time. Get in those final entries if you haven't already maxed out at 4! Here's the project I shared there:

ATC Front

ATC Back

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps - Whimsy Stamps ATC Frames and Signatures

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Slimline ATC Windows

Stencils - Lisa Horton Crafts Stencil Deck

Other - Nuvo paste; printed sentiment strip;

various Hero Arts inks

Once again, I went with something other than a card and made an ATC! I started by die cutting the ATC. The Whimsy set cuts two at a time so I usually use the second one as a backer (and did so here). For the front, I did some stenciling using a new product to me - Lisa Horton's Stencil Deck. I learned of it through Chelsea, owner of Inky Stamper, so I bought my set from her (link above is to her store). I don't get anything for referrals but I like to support smaller companies & Chelsea's price is cheaper than other sources I've seen. 

I started by stenciling the wavy background, then used a dotted one and finally the feather. Since the stencils fit perfectly onto an ATC, this was very eary to do! After doing the feather in a dark teal, I stenciled the shimmery paste over it. The Whimsy ATC stamp set was used on the back panel for all the ATC details. I popped this into the bday card I sent to Jo (Jo's Blogs); she celebrated earlier this month.

As usual, I have a bonus; today it's a birthday card for my cousin's 3 year old grandson. You may remember his sister Addy coming to my house last year and making him a card.

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card;

Paper Studio cardstock;  scrap of patterned

Dies - Spellbinders Sir Spelly - Party Time Dragon,

Essential Arches, Color Block Accent Arches;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

DoCrafts Serif Numbers (retired)

Embossing Folder - Pink & Main from Birthday Bash kit

Other - Recollections puffy stickers; gel pens

The sweet dragon came with a Spellbinders order - love him!! First I die cut all the dragon pieces and the ballon. I sat on a Zoom call with crafty friends on Saturday & assembled it. Since it was for a young child I went with mostly bright colors. Next I die cut a blue panel with a stitched rectangle, embossed with the birthday text and added to an A2 card. 

To hold the dragon, I decided on an arch. I die cut two essential arches and one color block accent arch and assembled. Added it to the card with a patterned strip behind. Popped the dragon onto the arch along with a puffy sticker sentiment. Doodled some details with gel pens - done!

Since Sir Spelly is getting first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #87. I also link up to Seize the Birthday #329 using the Anything Goes options (my 2nd entry there).

The Divas have no sponsor this month but one Diva offers a $25 gift card to Whimsy as our June prize. We will award it by random draw from eligible June entries so get those last entries in by 9p Pacific Time today! Hope to see you in the June Gallery!

Thanks for stopping and 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.

Happy Father's Day & Diva Inspiration!

Happy Father's Day if you're celebrating in the USA! Plus I'm here with inspiration for our June Die Cut Diva Challenge - Anything Goes with a die &/or embossing folder. First I'll share my Father's Day card using some Spellbinders March 2026 Club items:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio card stock

Dies - Spellbinders #1 Fan;

My Favorite Things In Stitches Alphabet (retired);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stencils - Spellbinders Burst Mode (SOM-Mar26)

Other - Hero Arts Irridescent Shimmer Spray 

& various inks; foam tape

I made this one during a Card Chaos episode - theme was shades of blue. I used two layers of the Spellbinders burst and two different shades of blue ink (not sure of the names but they were Hero Arts). Die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle and sprayed with shimmer mist. Once dry I added it to a blue A2 card. Used more of the blue cardstock to die cut DAD and the outine of the foam finger. The backing was cut from a lighter blue. The foam finger die set came as a gift to Spellbinders All Clubs Crate subscribers in March.

And now for my Diva inspiration... Since the theme is Anything Goes with dies &/or embossing folders, I decided to do something other than a card. I made a little paper purse!

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane Ivory cardstock;

Paper Studio Bright Vintage 6x6" pad

Dies - Elizabeth Craft Design Delicate Fancy Purse

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots; 

double sided tape & liquid glue

I did a bunch of die cutting with purse pieces using vintage papers and ivory cardstock. Assembled the purse using double sided tape and liquid glue, then added some enamel dots for accents. To hold the purse flap closed I used a die cut that is intended to be a detail for the strap if you attach it to the front. 

I saw photos at ECD with one strap on the purse top so I wanted mine that way. To do it, I cut a second flap layer and trimmed off all but the top. I used the score line already there to adhere the two pieces together so the top had a width enough for the strap; the top is basically doubled. The short back of the flap went inside the back top of the purse. I should've take a process photo, oh well... Here's a side view; you can see the size compared to my hand:

Isn't it just the cutest? You could definitely leave off the scrolly layering pieces for a totally different look. Or leave the flap over part off and make it a tote style bag. I will add my purse to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #87 since the die set is newly used. And since I created it after the 15th, I'll also link to Creative Crafters #101 where Anything Goes (2nd of a possible 3 entries).

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you in the June Diva Challenge gallery!

A7 Time at Craft Roulette

Hey there crafty friends - hope you enjoyed the weekend! I'm back with my card for Friday night's Craft Roulette Episode #323 with host Mary Gunn & guest Sejr Andersen (‪@SejrAndersen‬) making his 5th appearance. I was on the road for part of the show but watched the rest live. I finally finished my card today...

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections (Michael's) Cardstock Essentials;

Core'dinations patterned

Stamps - Hero Arts Dress Up Stamp & Cut, 

Looks Good and Long Borders (all retired)

Dies - Recollections (Michael's) Film Frames

Other - foam tape; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink;

Copic Markers; Hero Arts Thistle Ink;

Martha Stewart (EK Success) Vintage Acrylic Flowers

As usual, the roulette wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters:

• Project - A7: I formed an A7 card from a piece of Neenah white.
• Colors - Pretty: Pink and Purple are pretty to me; plus other colors are allowed.
• Element - Photo Booth: I used film strip dies & stamps to do a little photo strip.
• Random - Geometric Shape(s): Loads of rectangles here but I also stamped circles on my floral patterned paper.

I was at my dad's using limited supplies but I had to make a run to Michael's for something else yesterday. I found the film strip die set and my design flowed from there. After forming the A7 card, I cut a patterned mat layer to 4.75 x 6.75". I stamped a circle border from a 2008 Hero Arts stamp set developed for scrapbookers. The three border stamps are 12" long so I did some surgery on the one I used - needed it to fit in the MISTI that's only 8" tall (my scrapbooking MISTI was at home...). I ink blended the edges with the same Thistle ink, then adhered the panel to the card base.

Next I die cut the large frame & the film strip from black. I cut the small frame from lilac. I also cut the latter two from white so I could inlay the "photos" and sentiment after stamping them. Colored the girl images with Copics, assembled the elements onto the card, trimming off any overhang, then finished with some ancient acrylic flower gems. 

I'm calling it a "friendship" card since there will be a friendship sentiment inside. Since the film frames are newly used, I'll add my card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #87.

That's it from me today. Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Oh Baby!

Hey there - hope you're enjoying the day! I still haven't finish any cards from the Spellbinders Weekender event from last weekend but one is nearly there! Meantime, I needed two baby cards & made them with a set newly ordered from Unity. First the little girl card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card; Lawn Fawn Blissful Blossoms;

dotted paper by unk

Stamps - Unity Oh Baby;

Hero Arts Adorable Baby Girl (retired)

Dies - Poppystamps Scalloped Pinpoint Frames

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

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

A chorus friend had her first baby on April 29th, a little girl named Zoey. I couldn't go to the shower since I was helping my dad but spotted a darling Unity stamp set which I promptly ordered for my card. I stamped the baby girl image on Neenah and colored with Copics, then trimmed to a small rectangle and matted in peach. Die cut a patterned paper with the Poppy die and the frame portion from peach. Added an A2 patterned layer to an A2 card and assembled. I had stamped, colored and fussy cut a bunch of icons from an old Hero Arts baby girl clear set. Added some around the focal image & done!

I'll add this card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #87 since the baby set is new.

The host of Craft Roulette got another grandson, little Johnny, in May so I did a boy version:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Lawn Fawn Blissful Blossoms

Stamps - Unity Oh Baby;

Hero Arts Precious Baby Boy (c2009 retired)

Dies - Poppystamps Scalloped Pinpoint Frames

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

Memento Tuxedo Black ink; enamel stars (brand unk)

This time I left off the scalloped frame and kept it a bit simpler, though I did add some holographic enamel stars. The boy icons, also stamped/colored/fussy cut, came from another old Hero Arts set.

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