Happy World Card Making Day 2026!!

Hi crafty friends & Happy WCMD!! Today at Craft Roulette's YouTube Channel, they have a WCMD event with 13 guests! It started at 11:45 Central Time and will run for several hours; check it out HERE if interested. It's hosted by Mary Gunn and Amanda Stevens (‪@PearBlossomPress‬) who were also on Episode #339 last night. The parameters for the episode & for the WCMD event are the same - only one regular entry per person. It's free to submit - go to Craft Roulette.Live for info. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 cards (navy & yellow);

various cardstock scraps

Dies - My Favorite Things Yellow Submarine;

Lawn Fawn Build-A-Wheelbarrow &

Build-An-Aquarium;

Birch Press Design Corner Waves

(retired at BPD but available HERE at SSS)

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stencils - Emily Moore Confetti

Other - white, silver & gold gel pens;

various inks for stenciling

I wasn't able to watch the Live last night since I was helping my dad & sister. When I got home this morning, though, I checked the parameters. Here's what the roulette wheel spun for us; four parameters are mandatory but anything goes for additions! 

• Project - Card On A Card: I added a mini-card to an A2.
• Colors - Celebration: I used bright blue, pink, orange & yellow which are celebratory, according to Google.
• Element - Water(s)(ing): I used die cut waves.
• Random - Confetti: I stenciled confetti to the upper portion of the A2.

I quickly made my card - just a bunch of die cutting & assembling. When I saw the water parameter, I pulled out a BPD wave die set and cut from several colors. Added the waves to a stitched rectangle. 

Next I die cut some foliage and added to the card bottom. Adhered the card to an A2 navy card base. Next I die cut the submarine, leaving the top above the fold of a yellow card base. This formed my submarine mini- card. Die cut the details & added to the submarine.

Next I die cut some fish, adding the mini fish behind the submarine card & the bigger one to a wave. Hand wrote a sentiment inside the sub, then will finish off the A2 card inside later. Glued the sub to the card & done! Here's a photo of the sub mini-card open:

I will add this card to Darnell's October NBUS Challenge #91 since the sub & fish are getting first play here. I've had both sets for a loooong time so I'm glad to use them finally!

Hope this card brings a smile! Thanks for visiting & have a crafty WCMD!!

Final Day for our September Die Cut Diva Challenge!

Hi friends - it's the last day of the month and I'm here with some inspiration for our September Die Cut Diva Challenge. You can see the team post HERE. We're recycling, reusing or repurposing items on our projects; here's my latest effort:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Art Impressions Winter Woodland 6x6"

Stamps w/dies - Art Impressions Woodland Critters (sentiment)

Dies - Art Impressions Large Snowflake Dies

Other - piece of a paper towel box

Art Impressions is our wonderful sponsor this month!

I used the inside portion of a paper towel box to die cut the snowflakes; here's a photo:

I started using these boxed paper towels during Covid and always have some handy. I've been tossing the boxes into recycling when empty but I then spotted the pristine white insides and decided to die cut snowflakes from them!! It's a nice sturdy cardboard, not too thick, but I still needed a metal shim and a few passes in the Vagabond to cut the intricate snowflakes. I'll probably always cut snowflakes from this material now!! I didn't cut apart the dies so could cut all the snowflakes together - very handy!

I covered an A2 card with patterned papers and adhered the snowflakes with a stamped sentiment - so quick and easy!!

How about a bonus? I made a birthday card using some newly used Art Impressions stamps. The little Piñata really makes me smile and I love the chubby font of the sentiment!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Art Impressions Mini Birthday Journal 6x6"

Stamps - Art Impressions Birthday Wishes

Dies - Art Impressions Mini Journal Template (butterfly)

& Portfolio Template Die Set (heart);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - pieces of a chocolate bar wrapper;

Copic Markers; white gel pen;

SSS Starshine dots

For this one, I used the cardboard wrapper to a luxury brand candy bar. I was sampling the chocolate (yummy!) when I noticed the pretty colors of the wrapper. I decided to die cut some items that fit in spots with no text. Here's a photo:

I die cut the butterflies from pinkish colors, including a raspberry, and brown. I cut them a second time to use the body portion, trimming off the wings and layering onto the other die cuts. Then I cut three hearts.

I formed an A2 card from Neenah and added a stitched rectangle and patterned strip to it. Next I stamped, colored and fussy cut the Piñata & sentiment. Die cut a label and arranged everything on the card with some Starshine dots. I will add this card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #90 since the Piñata stamp set got first play here.

Thanks for stopping by &, if you haven't maxed out on four entries, we'd love to see your project in the September Diva Gallery today by 9pm Pacific Time! Happy crafting!!

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!

Chilly Penguin Pair!

Hey crafty friends - I'm watching Craft Roulette Episode #337 tonight & was able to finish/upload during the LIVE - show started at 6:30 and my card was already posted by 7:47p!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections cardstock; Art Impressions gingham;

Paper Studio glitter

Dies - Simon Hurley Flip the Penguin;

Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders;

Memory Box Merry Christmas Jolly Script (retired)

Birch Press Design Block Print Pine Trees;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Host Mary Gunn had Irene "Hattrick" Smith (‪@IreneSmith_ArtemisMade1‬) as her guest, making her 3rd appearance. Irene hosts Card Chaos (15 minute cards) on Monday nights where I'm a frequent player. Mary calls Irene "Hattrick" because she had Covid 3 times back in the pandemic. I met Irene in person at both Craft Roulette in-person events; she's a bubbly, positive person & talented crafter.

Here's what the crafty roulette wheel spun for our four must-use parameters:

• Project - A2 card: I formed a top-fold A2 from Neenah.
• Colors - Pool: I used blue for pool water; other colors could be on swimsuits or toys.
• Element - Cold or Chilly: I did a snowy scene with penguins who are chilly.
• Random - Check(S): I used blue gingham paper.

I already had the two penguins cut and assembled on the "mesk" (messy desk) along with the stitched snowbank. Everything else I die cut and assembled. The penguin was an add-on to Simon Hurley's SBC class kit. Since Flip the Penguin got first play today, I'll add my card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #90. I'll also share at Merry Little Christmas #70 where Anything Christmas Goes (entry #3) & at Creative Crafters Challenge #104 where Anything Goes.

That's it for today! Nothing new to report on the unfinished Spellbinders and SBC Fest events. I keep trying to get back to them, oh well...

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

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).

Final Day for a Splash of Color at Die Cut Divas!

Hi there! It's the last day for Die Cut Divas' August Challenge - white with a splash of one color. You can see end-of-month Diva inspiration HERE. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders Rainforest

Dies - Birch Press Design Loop Stitch Frames

& Piped Icing Star (c2021, retired)

Other - Hero Arts Key Lime ink;

Spellbinders green gems; Recollections puffy sticker

We have the wonderful Birch Press Design as our August sponsor. They have generously donated a $20 prize to their online store for our random August winner.

I formed a top fold A2 card from Neenah Solar White cardstock. I inked the edges with a lime green ink. Next, I took another piece of white cardstock and die cut all the frames in the BPD Loop Stitch Frames set, a newly acquired item, getting first play here. I die cut all the frames again, this time from Rainforest cardstock, then mixed and matched for a stack. I put the smallest one with a horizontal orientation & added a puffy sticker for the sentiment. When I was making my bonus card, I found the perfect little "flowers" (center of the cookie) to embellish the frames. I added a gem to the center of each flower - very quick and easy!!

I'll add this card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #89 since the frame set was newly used here.

How about a bonus? I did another Christmas card with a splash of red. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections Cardstock

Dies - Birch Press Design Loop Stitch Frames &

Piped Icing Star (c2021, retired)

Other - Spellbinders puffy sticker (old kit);

foam tape

I added a red die cut frame to a white A2 card formed from Neenah Solar White cardstock. I die cut the star cookie and white snowflake icing from Neenah & then cut the star center from red and inlaid it. Assembled the cookie and popped onto the frame with foam tape. A puffy sticker sentiment from an old Spellbinders kit (unk which) completed the card. 

Sadly, the star cookie is retired at BPD but I think the Pinpoint Snowflake would make a great alternate!

That's it for today, friends. I hope we'll see you in the August Die Cut Diva gallery if you haven't already maxed out on 4 entries - deadline is 9pm Pacific today. Oh, and remember to use a die cut &/or embossing folder in your design!

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

A Sleigh with Mice!

Hi friends! I was so delighted that CAS Christmas returned as a monthly card-making challenge! I missed the first one in June but managed to get a card done for the second in July. Was even a top pick - woo hoo! Crafty friend Julia (Create with Me) is hosting the August CAS Christmas Challenge with the theme of Santa's Sleigh & I knew just which die set to use!! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders A2 card; Paper Studio cardstock;

TH kraft metallic

Stamps w/dies - Lawn Fawn Simply Celebrate Critters 

(dies) & Say What? Holiday Critters (dies)

Dies - Poppystamps Luxury Sleigh;

Sunny Studio Slimline Nature Borders

Other - Hero Arts white enamel dots;

white gel pen; foam tape; B000 Copic;

Memento Tuxedo Black & 

Color Box Robin's Egg inks

I ordered the sleigh die set from Poppystamps & received it recently. Last night I did an initial cut of it (except for the bow) and assembled it. It was sitting on the craft table wanting a home & I decided to use it for Card Chaos (15 minute cards - a show on YouTube). It's ok to use stuff from the bits box. 

I took a white textured A2 card from an old Spellbinders kit and inked just the edges. I'm not sure why it looks so blue in the photo! Added a die cut hill and then popped the assembled sleigh on with foam tape. For Card Chaos we were to use tiny critters so I stamped & die cut the quintet of Lawn Fawn mice from Simply Celebrate Critters. I only colored the left 3 w/some quick Copic coloring and trimmed them to be three separate items. Glued them onto the sleigh. Stamped a speech bubble & sentiment, then die cut. Added it above one of the mice. After my 15 minute card session ended, I realized I forgot the sleigh's bow! I had it ready to cut in green so die cut it, assembled and added it to the sleigh. I also added a couple enamel dots to the sleigh's flowers. 

Do you often "finish" a card only to have to go back and really finish it?? I hope this is CAS enough for the challenge. I just have the one focal point with a sentiment, even if it has a lot of pieces :)

I will also add my card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #89 since my sleigh got first play here. And to Just Us Girls Challenge #835 where it's die week!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you're having a crafty week!!

Stitched Thanks

Hey there - happy Saturday! I watched Craft Roulette Episode #331 last night and made a card during the show:

Supplies: Paper - Tim Holtz, Momenta &

Paper Studio cardstock;

Dies - Concord & 9th Sew Scripty Thanks

 (c2019 - retired);

Other - Little Birdie Sunshine & Lemonade ephemera

foam tape; DMC floss; Hero Arts Creamsicle ink

Host Mary Gunn had Maymay Helms (‪@MaymayMadeIt‬), a popular crafty YouTuber as her guest. The wheel was spun 4 times, as usual, for our parameters & we were well satisfied with the spins.

• Project - 4" x 8": I formed a 4x8" card from cardstock. 
• Colors - Excited: I googled & found Red/Orange/Yellow as excited colors. 
• Element - Cold or Chilly: I used some ice cold lemonade ephemera. 
• Random - Stitch(Es): I used a stitching die, stitched with floss. 

When I saw stitching as a parameter, I decided to pull out a C9 "thanks" sewing die that I hadn't used yet. I die cut it into a scrap of yellow cardstock & stitched the word using DMC floss. Inked the panel edges with creamsicle ink. 

Next I pulled out a piece  of Tim Holtz 8x8" peachy orange card stock and scored at 4" to form my 4x8" card. I trimmed a mat layer of red for a piece of Momenta watercolor printed paper. Added to the card along with the stitched strip. I had a bunch of left over ephemera from an Inky Stamper Saturday Morning Crafting session so pulled some out to finish my card.

I'll add this card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #89 since the thanks die is getting first play here. Seven years since it came out and finally the die is off Mt NBUS - woo hoo!! This card is going to my niece who took my sister Tami & I out for lunch on Wednesday.

Tami has been staying with me most of the week while helping our cousin with her grandchildren who live close to me. And yes, little A (soon to turn 6) insisted on coming over to make a card. We stopped at their house and she dragged me to her room where she still displays the pop-up unicorn card I made for her 5th birthday last summer. It really made my heart happy!!

She's coloring some old Hero Arts animal images here. She lost interest and was having fun pushing a child-sized Target grocery cart around the living room. She made me finish her two cards so I didn't photograph them.

Oh, and speaking of NBUS - Darnell had some sponsors in July and I won a gift card from Lawn Fawn - yay!! Thanks Darnell and Lawn Fawn!!

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting & have a crafty weekend!!

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.