A Strawberry Birthday!

Hey there - happy Saturday! I watched Craft Roulette Episode #329 last night and made a card during the show:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Lawn Fawn & American Crafts patterned; Paper Studio A2 card

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Sweet Strawberry (sold out)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; Recollections puffy stickers;

SSS Starshine dots; May Arts String Twine

Host Mary Gunn had Donna Mack (‪@purplepinkypromises202mainA‬), owner of a Kansas City area craft store, as her guest. Purple Pinky Promises will be invaded by a bunch of us when we go to KC later this summer! The wheel was spun 4 times for our parameters - not my fave project but oh well...

• Project - Book Binding Card: I formed one from a printed A2 card. 
• Colors - Roadside Market: I used yellow, green and red for corn and peppers. 
• Element - Plant(S): I used a strawberry plant image. 
• Random - Grid: I used some grid patterned paper. 

I pulled out a yellow ombré portrait A2 card and scored the left edge at .5" and glued it on the inside for the book binding part. Next I added a strip of grid paper and string twine to the front of that binding. Also die cut two rectangles and added to the right side. Stamped, die cut and colored the strawberry image. Popped onto the card with foam tape and added a puffy birthday sentiment & dots. Very quick - I think it took me about 45 minutes.

I'll send this card to Seize the Birthday #331 using the Anything Goes Option.

That's it for today. I hope you have a crafty weekend!! I'm off to a Hallmark event and then doing Saturday Morning Crafting with Inky Stamper.

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!!

A Birthday Flip Card for Craft Roulette!

Happy Saturday - I hope you're having a wonderful weekend! I watched Craft Roulette Episode #325 last night, featuring host Mary Gunn and guest, the very talented Justine Dvorak (‪@JustineDvorak‬) making her 2nd appearance. Justine teaches kindergarden here in Minnesota, a ways west of me. She serves as the Design Team Coordinator at Pajama Crafter Stamps, in addition to other DT roles. Justine also designed a line of farm themed press plates at Spellbinders, some still available HERE.

Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; Spellbinders patterned &

Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Sizzix Circle Flip-Its #2 (retired);

Memory Box Tiny Bow (retired)

Press Plate - Spellbinders Always You Timeless Sentiments

Stamps - Hero Arts Pocket Watch (retired)

Other - printed sentiment strip (brand unk)

As usual, the roulette wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters. Mary and Justine created on camera and made adorable cards! I was able to complete & upload my card before they finished - love doing that!

• Project - Flip Fold Card: - I used a flip card die set. 
• Colors - Tartan: I googled and used the Gordon family colors of navy blue/green/yellow & white.
• Element - Time or Clock: I put a stamped pocket watch on the back side of the flip element, plus my inside sentiment refers to party time!
• Random - Add a Bow: I found some bow patterned paper for the card front, plus I put a die cut bow on my pocket watch.

I die cut the card pieces I wanted to use and assembled. Stamped and fussy cut the pocket watch. Die cut and assembled the bow. Die cut the Betterpressed sentiment I had on a panel of sentiment done last week. A sentiment striped went on the inside. I put heart patterned paper on the back sides. Here's a view of the card flipped open:

Easy peasy with the dies! I will add my card to Seize the Birthday #329 using the Anything Goes option.

Oh and good news - I found the dragonfly die that went missing during last week's Craft Roulette - yay!! I spent many hours looking for it this past week. Finally on Thursday night I found it had been stuck to the bottom of an embossing folder package that I had on the mesk (messy desk). I was giving this folder to my sister-in-law because, in typical fashion, I'd ordered something already in my stash!! I was about to put it in a box with some other items for Donna when the die came falling out - I jumped for joy, let me tell you! 

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

Rocktrumpet A9 Birthday Card!

Hi crafty friends - I'm here with a card for Craft Roulette Episode #317 with host Mary Gunn and guest Kristina Werner (‪‪@kwernerdesign‬).

Supplies: Paper - Gina K. green;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; scraps

Stamps - Memory Box (freebie from a UK magazine);

 Stamps w/stencils - Altenew Rocktrumpet

Dies - Scrapbook.com Heirloom Butterflies

Other - Hero Arts inks;

Memento Tuxedo Black ink;

Memory Box gems 

I was very excited to see Kristina as a guest. She and Jennifer McGuire announced a new Online Card Classes offering the other day - Brighter Days. It will run May 25-29 & the fabulous instructors will use products Kristina designed!! They're offering a reduced price of $26 on the class if you sign up by May 6th. Of course, I signed up right away (love those OCC events) & ordered the kit! Still need to complete the previous class, oh well.... You can read Jennifer's blog post about this event HERE, if desired.

Once again, the crafty roulette wheel was spun four times for the parameters to use on our project.

• Project - A9: The dreaded (by some players) A9 - just an 8.5x11" cardstock folded in half!
• Colors - Florist Shop: I used greens and pinks; very common at a florist! 
• Element - Birthday(s): I stamped a birthday sentiment. 
• Random - Something from Your Mesk!: Mesk is a messy desk; I have tons of stuff on there, including a box with the inks I used and the butterfly die set.  

Such an easy wheel! I pulled out a jumbo Altenew stamp, stamped it & stenciled it with the coordinating stencil. Stamped a freebie sentiment in black ink. Formed an A9 card, trimmed my flower panel and adhered it. Die cut a trio of butterflies from a scrap of patterned paper. Added to the card along with some gems - done!

I'll add my card to Seize the Birthday #325 using the Anything Goes option. I'll also play in the Altenew May 2026 Inspiration Challenge.

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

Final Day for Anniversary or Birthday with Die Cut Divas

Hey everyone - you can still enter a card for Die Cut Divas April Challenge - Anniversary or Birthday. You have until 9pm Pacific Time today; just remember to use a die cut &/or embossing folder along with the theme. The end-of-month team has inspiration here so check it out. I'm sharing card one below but you'll only find details here, plus bonuses.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card and cardstock;

DCWV Pastel Patterns; various scraps

Stamps w/die - Altenew Tiny Sentiments: Wishing bundle

Dies - Altenew Garden Picks &

Layered Plaid Cover Die B

Other - Spellbinders Ephemera (retired);

Stickles; foam tape

Our wonderful sponsor Altenew has given us a $30 gift card for our random April winner. Altenew celebrates their 12th anniversary this month - big congrats!!

My card came together quickly with wonderful Altenew dies. I started by die cutting a plaid coverplate, backing it with a gingham paper and adding it to an A2 card. Next I die cut the Wishing, then stamped one of the sentiment strips and added it to the long strip that cuts below the word. Assembled and added to the card. Then I die cut the large rose and 2 leafy sprigs from the Garden Picks set & assembled then added to the card. I found a couple ephemera bees in an old Spellbinders card kit. Shaded the wings with a grey Copic and added stickles then popped them onto the card with foam tape.

I will add this card to Seize the Birthday #325 using the Anything Goes option.

I have a couple bonuses today. First a quick Clean & Simple, almost one layer, card using a fave Altenew set which is sadly retired:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card &

Betterpress Porcelain

Stamps w/stencils - Altenew Inky Bouquet (c2021 retired)

Press Plates w/Dies - Spellbinders A Little Message Sentiments

Other - various Hero Arts inks & Memento Tuxedo Black ink

I stamped the floral bouquet directly onto a textured white A2 card with Memento ink then stenciled with the coordinating stencil using four inks. I stamped the dots in the same soft blue as the lower left flower. A Betterpressed sentiment finished the card. This one was created earlier this month for Episode #42 of Card Chaos (15 minute cards) where the theme was Clean & Simple (CAS).

Second bonus: I used the third sprig left over from my previous April DCD post; I colored these flowers with pinks. I started with the same textured card as above but, this time, I swiped the soft blue ink onto it for my sprig to land. Also stamped the dots from the Inky Bouquet set, this time in black. A bit stark for my taste so I added a few enamel dots among them.

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card &

Betterpress Porcelain; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps w/dies - Altenew Floral Sprig (c2016 retired)

Press Plates w/Dies - Spellbinders A Little Message Sentiments

Other - Hero Arts & Memento Tuxedo Black inks;

Copic Markers; foam tape; Hero Arts enamel dots

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by and, if you can, upload a card (limit four) to the April Diva Challenge by 9p Pacific tonight! As always, happy crafting!!

A Lemony Mini-slim

Hi crafty friends - quick post; I've been busy with my cousin visiting from Wisconsin. Had time, though, to watch Craft Roulette Episode #307 live tonight. I crafted along & finished my card during the show.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock scraps; Lawn Fawn Fruit Salad (gingham)

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

Dies - Spellbinders Citrus Spritz Etched Dies

Other - SSS Starshine Dots; foam tape

Host Mary had Lori Craig of Olo marker fame as her guest. Lori will be one of the presenters at the CR in-person event this summer. The wheel was very kind, including landing on Lori's top choice of mini-slim.

• Project - Mini-slim: I typically make mine by folding a 6x6" cardstock in half. 
• Colors - Fungi: Loads of options here! I used yellow/white/blue/green. 
• Element - Fruit: I grabbed a lemon die set 
• Random - Two-toned: I inked my yellow lemons with a darker yellow ink towards the bottom edge.

As usual, I craft more quickly with dies. When fruit came up as a parameter, I knew where I could find my fave Spellbinders lemon. Quickly die cut and assembled onto a mini-slim formed from a piece of Lawn Fawn paper. Added a sentiment that I stamped in the recent SSS class with Jennifer McGuire - done!

I will add my card to Creative Crafters #97 where Anything Goes. I'm also playing at Seize the Birthday #320 using the Anything Goes Option. I used dies but don't really think of this as CAS to meet the topping....

That's it for today! Thanks for visiting and I'll be back tomorrow with a Die Cut Diva post. Hope to see you then & happy crafting!!

Another Rock Trumpet Birthday Card

Hi everyone - hope you're having a great weekend!! I played at Craft Roulette Episode #290 tonight, finishing my card just before the show ended. Didn't have time to upload during the LIVE but no worries. There's plenty of time for submission (go to CraftRoulette.live for details).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card

Stamps w/dies - Altenew Rock Trumpet (sold out)

Other - Copic Markers; SSS sentiment strips

and Starshine dots

Host Mary Gunn had Sara Lihz Staroska (‪@sassysllc‬) as her guest. I just saw Sara Lihz last weekend; she presented a session during an online Stress Free Cardmaking Summit. As usual, the crafty wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters:

• Project - Card for Friend(s): I created a birthday card for a friend. 
• Colors - Bright Colors: I chose bright pink/green/yellow/aqua. 
• Element - Happy: Sentiment has "happy" in it. 
• Random - Partial image: The stamped flower image is about 8x5.5" so I used only part of it on this A2 card.

I had a stamped Rock Trumpet panel sitting on top of a stack of stuff - decided to use it. I colored just part of it with Copics, die cut it and then trimmed off the excess to fit on an A2 card. Some printed sentiment strips and Starshine dots finished it off. I didn't pop anything with foam tape, just adhered directly to the card. Nice & flat for mailing. Here's a view of the whole image, partially colored:

You can see another card with the Rock Trumpet HERE. I used the coordinating stencils to color that one. It's such a large image, it easily filled an A9 sized card!

I will play at Seize the Birthday #316 using the Anything Goes Option. Sorry STB friends, I rarely seem to do the topping... It's a good one this week, though, so maybe I'll try again later. Oh, and by the way, my Lawn Fawn party mice card won for Challenge #315 - so exciting - thanks!!

That's it friends! If I haven't commented on your blogs, it's because I've been busy watching the Sweet Adelines International convention via webcast. They've been in Columbus Ohio all week with loads of singing contests, quartet and chorus. The chorus finals are tomorrow & I can't wait to see who wins!!

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!!

Birthday Party Mice!

Hey crafty friends - thought I'd play with some new Lawn Fawn and enter Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #206 There's No Place Like Home.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio Assorted Cardstock;

Lawn Fawn All the Sparkles Petite (grey stripe); 

Fancy Pants Park Bench (grey)

Stamps w/dies - Lawn Fawn Birthday Mice,

Simply Celebrate Critters (dies HERE),

Simply Celebrate Hangouts (dies HERE),

 All the Speech Bubbles (dies not used but HERE), & 

Toboggan Together (dies HERE)

Dies - Lawn Fawn Heart Garland Backdrop Portrait &

Scalloped Box Card Pop-Up

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape; white gel pen

On Tuesday, Lawn Fawn announced a special freebie stamp set, Birthday Mice, only available in local participating stores. Lucky for me, my local bestie Anchor Paper is participating! I headed over there & added more Lawn Fawn to my stash, including the dies to match the freebie stamps. I decided to combine them with some older products to create a homey birthday party scene - just like the ones we had when I was a child!

First I stamped, die cut & colored all scene elements. I wanted to give them a party frame but the one in my stash was for Valentine's Day. No problem - I die cut it (three times for dimension) & trimmed off the top of the hearts. Next I die cut banners from a LF box card die set & added them in place of the hearts. Backed the frame with some patterned paper & adhered to an A2 card. Added the table, mice and speech bubbles. It needed something else so I stamped a trio of presents from a Christmas set. Die cut and colored them with Copics to match the scene. Some white gel pen details finished the card.

I'll also add my card to Darnell's October NBUS Challenge #79 since the birthday mice are new. I'm also playing at the October We Love Stamping Challenge using the Anything Goes Option & Seize the Birthday #315 also using Anything Goes.

That's it for today friends! I'll be watching Craft Roulette in a few hours and will probably share that card tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Couple of Birthday Cards

Happy weekend - hope it's going well for you! I made a couple birthday cards needed for next month, starting with my Craft Roulette #288 submission.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card and cardstock;

Graphic 45 patterned

Dies - Birch Press Design Large Cosmos 

(retired but still available HERE at Frantic Stamper) 

& Foliage Bunch

Other - SSS sentiment strips

Host Mary Gunn had Michelle Lupton (‪@mllupton73‬) as her guest. Michelle moderates the Hero Arts Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero, among many other things. The crafty wheel was spun 4 times for the parameters to use:

• Project - Celebration Card: I made a Birthday card & included "celebration" inside and out. 
• Colors - On the Ground: I used green (grass), brown (dirt) & orange (fall leaves). 
• Element - Goes Well Together: Flowers and leaves go together. 
• Random - Block(s): My background is blocks of patterned paper. 

I trimmed 2 pieces of patterned paper to A2 size. Added the dotted to an A2 card base. I cut the second piece into 4ths and used two of them over top of the dotted. Die cut and assembled the flower then added to the card with some foliage left from a previous card. Printed sentiment strips finished the card. Want to play along? Check it out HERE.

I'll add my card to Seize the Birthday #315 using the Anything Goes Option. Oh & by the way, I was excited to see my strawberry basket card get honorable mention in their previous challenge! 

Next, I made a flowery card with the new Birch Press Block Print Tapestry Blooms set that just came in the mail:

Simply die cut 4 stems and a bunch of flowers, then assembled. Added them to an A2 card with a printed sentiment strip from Simon Says Stamp. Finished with some SSS starshine dots. Very quick and easy! I'll add this to Darnell's October NBUS Challenge #79 since my blooms are new.

Pink Strawberries?

Hey everyone - happy Monday! It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month & the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Think Pink. Their team created with Pink & Main products so I thought I would too! 

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card;

Paper Studio basic cardstock; Lawn Fawn Plaid;

Core'dinations kraft; Neenah Solar White

Stamps - Pink & Main Berry Happy

Dies - Pink & Main Berry Pop Up;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - foam tape; scrap of ribbon;

various Hero Arts inks for shading; white gel pen

Have you ever heard of pink strawberries? I hadn't until I googled them and found Pineberries; how cute are these?? So I went for my Pink and Main strawberry basket set. It makes a pop-up but with some trimming, you can use the  pieces without the interior walls for a flat A2 card. If you want to see it as a pop-up, please go HERE - I made one at Paperganza this summer.

Simply die cut and assembled the basket, then added it to an A2 card with a plaid mat. Stamped a sentiment from the coordinating stamp set and die cut it with the tag included with the basket set. Added a pink ribbon to the tag and adhered it to the basket with foam tape - done! This card will go to my niece who has a birthday later this month.

I will also add my card to Seize the Birthday #314 using the Anything Goes option.

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day!!

Birthday card for a dude!

Hi all - I watched Craft Roulette #286 tonight and created along. In fact it was still going in the background when I wrote this - lol. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card;

Tim Holtz patterned paper; Neenah white;

Authentique Collection (blue wood plank)

Stamps - Hero Arts Happy Birthday Scroll &

What a Guy (both retired);

Waffle Flower Postage Collage

Dies - Waffle Flower Postage Collage;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Black Soot DOI; foam tape; 

Copics for shading; Hero Arts enamel dots

Host Mary had Chelsea Comer (‪@InkyStamper‬) as her guest for the 4th time. I remember her previous appearance because I created my first Dutch door card for that episode. They spun the wheel four times for the parameters to use:

• Project - A Dude's Card: I made a birthday card for my nephew. 
• Colors - Sunflower Field: Blue for sky; yellow, green & brown for the flower. 
• Element - Bird(s): Two postage stamps have birds.
• Random - Soot: I inked the edges of all patterned paper with Black Soot Distress Oxide ink. 

I pulled out some Tim Holtz patterned paper that had a nature theme & found some birds. Die cut the paper with a Waffle Flower postage collage. Cut the stamps apart and stamped on them, then inked the edges. Stamped sentiments from two different HA sets and trimmed. Added everything to an A2 card, plus some enamel dots - done!

I will share my card at Seize the Birthday #314 using the Anything Goes option.

Speaking of Tim Holtz, I'm doing his Stamptember online class with SSS on Sunday - can't wait!

That's it for today - thanks for stopping by & have a crafty weekend!!