Kitty with Books

Hi everyone - I'm back home from my dad's so my photos will be better, hopefully! I watched Craft Roulette Episode #320 tonight and crafted along. I finished after the show, though - I wasted too much time looking for specific items (never found them).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders cardstock; Lawn Fawn & BoBunny patterned

Stamps - Pink and Main April Cat (dies HERE);

Hero Arts Oh Baby (retired);

Scrapbook.com Gina K. SBC Fest kit

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

Host Mary Gunn had Amanda Stevens (‪@PearBlossomPress‬). Amanda & her hubby own Pear Blossom Press, famous for their light-up products. Amanda was making her 9th appearance on the show and she also collaborates on the summer in-person Craft Roulette events. The wheel wasn't too bad, although I was thrown for a bit on the game element.

• Project - Z-fold Card: I took an A2 card and folded back the front to form a Z.
• Colors - Summer Vacation: I used blues for water, greens for grass, and browns for sand. 
• Element - Game(s): Crossword puzzle paper. 
• Random - Add a Cat: I used a stamped cat. 

I was going to use a Simon Says Stamp playing card stamp - couldn't find it. Then I thought I had some Scrabble tile ephemera - couldn't find them. Finally remembered some crossword puzzle paper so grabbed that. I had a kitty stamp out from another crafting session so decided to use it. Stamped it, die cut it and colored with Copics. I had stamped a bunch of elements from an old Hero Arts baby girl set & thought the butterfly would be cute on the top book. Colored & fussy cut it. The sentiment was in the stash so I assembled it all and called it done. Here's a standing view:

And here's the card I made with this set on Saturday; it was for Put the CASE in Chaos Episode 5, also featuring Amanda Stevens. I CASE'd both Amanda's & Irene's cards that day. This one was based on Irene's - she had an inkblended background with some sparkle.

Additional supplies: KC & Co cupcake sticker;

Emily Moore Confetti Layered Stencil

Since this was my first play with the kitty stamp, I'll add this card to Darnell's May NBUS Challenge #86.

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

Another Zoyfold!

Hey crafty friends - I've been busy helping my dad but still making time for cards! Tonight I watched Craft Roulette Episode #314 live and crafted along. Here's my take:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; various pattern scraps

Stamps w/dies - Scrapbook.com Laura Graf SPC Fest kit

Other - Spellbinders ephemera; 

Hero Arts enamel dots

Host Mary Gunn had Emily Moore (‪@emilymooredesigns‬) who I'd not met before. She was making her first appearance and did great! She has a line of stamps, dies and stencils at her store HERE; I see her stuff at Simon Says Stamp & Scrapbook.com too, if you shop there. I must confess; I popped over there after the show to place an order! Watching CR can be dangerous for enablement! The wheel was spun four times, as usual, for the necessary parameters:

• Project - Zoyfold: A fun fold combining a Z-fold with a Joyfold; I crafted one with cardstock. 
• Colors - Easter Eggs: I chose common pastels used for Easter eggs (and Easter M&Ms which I consumed to heartily this season!). 
• Element - Seal(S)(Ing): I used an ephemera seal from an old Spellbinders card kit. 
• Random - 4 Squares: I trimmed scraps into four 1.25" squares and added to the Joyfold part of the card. 

I found an ephemera seal like you would put on the back of an envelope so built my card around that. I formed a Z fold by folding back the front of an A2 card, then added the mini card to fold over from the right (the Joyfold part). I chose some soft patterned papers for my squares, matted in white and added to the Joyfold part of the card. Covered where I glued it on the inside with a piece of the blue pattern. Added a stamped/die cut sentiment from the stash to the inside. Any personal message will go on the back of the pink card.

Here's a view from the top:

Oh, and the big news at CR is there's a continuous slide show running HERE with all the episodes playing one after the other! I estimate it'll take about a week to get to the present, then they'll start it all over again. It's a fun way to help encourage people as we try to get to 100,000 cards submitted (so far over 74,000). It's free to submit and if you'd like to try it, you can list me as a reference using code 62R (link HERE with info). Some big names are coming up as guests, including Kelly Marie from Lawn Fawn!

That's it for today - hope you're having a crafty weekend! Thanks for stopping by!!

Spring Hugs

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

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card & black cardstock;

Scrapbook.com White Mixed Media Paper

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

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Creative Expressions Wordies: Hello Spring;

Hero Arts Spring Enamel stickers & various inks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Hero Arts and Paper Studio cardstock;

BoBunny Cottontail; Lawn Fawn Gleeful Gradients

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

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Poppystamps Folk Decorated Eggs (retired)

Other - Copic markers; foam tape

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

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

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

Winter Bird Trio in Wreath and more...

Hi everyone - hope you're having a great weekend! I'm popping in with my third and final entry for Christmas Kickstart #101 Let's Wreath it Up! Busy week and weekend but more on that later...

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card;

Recollections Wood Textures; Neenah Solar White

Stamps - Recollections Mini Bows

Stamps with Dies - MFT Winter Wreath 

& Winter Songbird (retired/NIB)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - digi sentiment strip (Hero Arts);

Recollections gems; foam tape; Copics

This one involved stamping, coloring, die cutting and assembling. The coloring took the longest, otherwise it wasn't too laborious. Love those Winter Birds and have used them a few times. You can see a couple earlier versions Here & Here if desired.

Next, I'll share my card for Craft Roulette Episode #280 which aired Friday night:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah grey linen A2 card;

Neenah Solar White; BoBunny Banner Year;

Authentique Irresistible; scrap of black

Stamps - Raisin Boat Drinks Anyone (retired);

MFT Uncorked (retired/NIB)

Stamps with Dies - MFT Something for Everything (retired/NIB)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

Host Mary had Carrie Giletto (‪@carriegiletto9662‬) who was making her 2nd appearance. She's also a Craft Roulette member who loves sharing paper crafting tips on her YouTube Channel. As usual, the wheel was spun four times for the parameters to use on our cards:

• Project - Thinking of You: I used a Thinking of You sentiment.
• Colors - Hometown: Used maroon & gray - colors of my hometown university.
• Element - Cup or Glass: I used a pair of wine glasses.
• Random - Add a Doodle: I doodled the corners of my maroon panel.

I quickly decided on wine glasses for my element (you'll see why in a sec), then found a thinking of you sentiment & a wine related subsentiment for my glasses to rest on. The wine glass stamp also has a squiggle stamp to represent wine but I added some Copic shading.

This card will go to our friend Maureen who organized an outing for this past Wednesday. We traveled north of the Twin Cities to Panola Gardens - a gorgeous spot that offers lunches and teas, among other things. Check the gallery on their website for photos of the grounds, if desired - they are far more professional than the ones I took! I will share the photo of our group - my former quartet, our coach/mom (seated in center) & our friend Maureen (seated at right):

As if tea wasn't enough, we repaired to Rustic Roots winery for more frivolity (the Gardens doesn't serve wine). I don't have any photos from there but they also have amazing grounds (owned by a nursery). 

Next I'll share a photo of two friends and me at the Minnesota Lynx basketball game yesterday (we won!). It's hard to tell but the cap is the team mascot - they gave them away to celebrate the mascot's birthday & there was a lot of craziness between quarters.

Chorus was invited to sing the National Anthem before the game and it was amazing! Here's a shot of the big screen above the court; I'm not visible but our director is standing a foot away from the starters hugging it out before the game. 

Behind the chorus is a group of sweet Girl Scouts displaying the colors. They were enthused about the music; some had already earned that scout badge. My friends and I took the train from Mall of America to Target Center in downtown Minneapolis - my first time making that trip! So quick and cheap - only $2! There was quite a crowd of Vikings and Lynx fans all headed downtown; luckily the Twins didn't play until the evening!

That's it for today, friends! With all the activity this past week, I'm lucky I got some cards made! Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!!

Amazing Things Floral Spray

Hi all - thought I'd play along at Just Us Girls #781 where it's Stencil Week. It's also S is for Stencil at Darnell's IDEAS program - 5th Monday of June yesterday. I pulled out a Pinkfresh Studio press plate with coordinating stencils:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections cardstock;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain; scrap of grey

Press Plate w/Stencils & Dies - Pinkfresh Studio 

Amazing Things (Stencils HERE/Dies HERE)

Additional stencil - Frantic Stamper Old Brick Wall

Inks - Taylored Expressions; Hero Arts; MFT; 

Altenew; Betterpress Thunder

Other - gems by unk; foam tape

I pressed the floral spray and sentiment, then stenciled and die cut. Formed an A2 card from cardstock and stenciled a partial brick wall to the left side. Added the spray with some foam tape and adhered the sentiment backed with a shadow. Some gems finished the card.

I'll also play at the Pinkfresh Studio July Challenge which has a mood board for inspiration but is always Anything Goes with PFS as the focal point.

That's it for today, friends! Yes, it's 1:30 am here - vampire hours as friend Cat (Cat Loves Paper) calls them. I came home from chorus practice and was too energized to sleep so decided to make a card!

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day!!

More Nordic Flowers & a Heart!

Hey everyone - it's the last day for the June Die Cut Diva Color Challenge! You can see today's Diva post here which includes the required color palette.  Below you'll see the card I made for our final day inspiration with all the card details, plus a bonus! You have until 9pm Pacific time today to enter your creation.

Supplies: Paper - My Mind's Eye Lavender;

DCWV A2 card; scraps

Dies - Poppystamps Simple Floral Bundle,

Nordic Drifting Flowers, Nordic Majestic Bloom

(retired at PS but HERE at Frantic Stamper) & 

Teardrop Butterflies (retired but still HERE at Frantic Stamper);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Altenew enamel dot; foam tape

Our sponsor is Poppystamps who has generously offered a $20 gift card for our randomly selected June winner.

I used a preformed A2 card in the darker reddish color. Added a texty pattern over the lightest palette color that I'd die cut with a stitched rectangle. Added a brown scrap strip. I had leftover Nordic flowers from my previous June Diva cards. I added them to stems & foliage from the Simple Floral set. I also had a leftover Teardrop butterfly so added it. A sentiment strip from the bits box finished the card - the stamp is from an old Hero Arts set & the stitched banner might be from a retired MFT set. It's been in the bits box forever!

Since my Simple Floral set is newly used, I'll add my card to Darnell's June NBUS #75.

Ready for a bonus? Here's a quick and easy card with more simple die cutting, plus some embossing.

Supplies: Paper - DCWV A2 card; 

Neenah Solar White; scraps

Dies - Poppystamps Happy Birthday Streamer Script

& Vintage Scalloped Heart

(retired at PS but HERE at Frantic Stamper); 

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Embossing Folder - Pink and Main Birthday Wishes

Other - Altenew enamel dots; foam tape

Frantic Stamper is having a going-out-of-business sale & has loads of hard to find items. I don't get anything from them for saying this - I just like Fran & have ordered there many times over the years. Sorry to see them leaving the biz!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day! 

A Trio of Nordic Flower Pots

Hey everyone - it's my day to provide inspiration for the June Die Cut Diva Color Challenge! You can see today's Diva post here which includes the required color palette.  Below you'll see all the card details plus a bonus.

Supplies: Paper - Recollections Coffee & Cream;

Momenta Gemstones; scraps

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Flower Pots and Stems, 

Nordic Drifting Flowers, Cortina Pinpoint Plate, 

Teardrop Butterflies (retired but still HERE at Frantic Stamper) 

& Basic Ovals

Other - Altenew enamel dots

Our sponsor is Poppystamps who has generously offered a $20 gift card for our randomly selected June winner.

I formed an A2 card from brown card stock that I thought resembled the brown in the palette photo. I cut the Nordic flower pots and leaves from the same brown & assembled. Added die cut flowers. Die cut the cover plate from the light taupe/cream color, trimmed a bit off and added to the card. 

Next I die cut an oval and trimmed off the bottom to make a little hill for my pots. Arranged them on the card and let one tip over. Die cut three butterflies and added them to the card with some enamel dots for the bodies. I left off the sentiment since I wasn't sure how I'd use this card yet.

Since my Nordic pots and flowers are newly used, I'll add my card to Darnell's June NBUS #75.

Ready for a bonus? I'd already started making a card with the Majestic Bloom set when I realized it wasn't available at Poppystamps anymore. Decided to use it for my bonus card since it can still be found HERE at Frantic Stamper! Still used the color palette, this time I included the medium peachy color too (from MFT's Colorful Canvas paper pad).

Simple die cutting and assembly then I added a printed sentiment strip from the stash. I doubled the leaves and curled the added layer for dimension.

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to everyone celebrating today! I'm here to share the card I made for my Dad; we'll be heading to his favorite restaurant, Hubbell House in Mantorville MN for lunch. We just dined there for Easter but, hey, it's his special day!

Supplies: Paper Wishes Steampunk Surprise Workshop

Paper - Spellbinders A2 card; Paper Studio glitter

Stamps - Taylored Expressions Many Minis - Holiday (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Hero Arts Nesting Oval Infinity Dies

Other - Black Soot Distress ink

Dad loves trains so I die cut one of the Steampunk workshop panels with a stitched rectangle & added some of the other paper, along with some gears die cut from glitter paper. A sentiment oval completed the card.

While I was at it, I used a motorcycle panel and made a card for a friend's hubby who had surgery. He loves riding his motorcycle and will soon be cleared to ride again! I added the Steampunk panel to a blue A2 card along with some distressed gold gears & a sentiment flag from the stash.

That's it for today. Hope you're having a lovely day and thanks for visiting!

Watercolored Morning Glories

Hi all - I've been doing some crafty clean-up and, of course, started playing with things I found! Isn't that why we never truly finish our clean-ups??!

Here's a card I made this morning using Darnell's IDEAS program - this week D is for Dies. You can see her gorgeous inspiration HERE. I also designed my card around my friend Betty's (created by bjk) Tic-Tac-Toe board for TTTC272.

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card;

Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Paper;

My Favorite Things Colorful Canvas (on

notify at MFT but HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Dies - Hero Arts Morning Glory Fancy Die &

Trellis Window (sold out);

Simon Says Stamp Whirl Bay Leaves;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Altenew 24 Pan Watercolors; foam tape

I used the bottom horizontal row - Ink Blending, Floral/Foliage, & Enamel Dots/Sequins - as well as the bottom left to upper right diagonal row - Ink Blending, Free, Die Cuts.

First I die cut a soft blue rectangle & ink blended the bottom with green and the upper portion with blue. Added this to a white A2 card. Next I die cut the trellis and the green leaves. Then I die cut the morning glories and watercolored them with Altenew's 24 pan watercolors, then spritzed with shimmer spray. Dried with a heat tool and stacked with a plain white die cut for stability. Assembled on the card, popping up some flowers with foam tape.

I took a sentiment out of the bits box; I think it's from a Hero Studio kit but can't be sure. Since I'm doing some crafty clean-up, all my Hero Arts kits went to the satellite studio at my Dad's house to give me some breathing room. I tried tucking the sentiment among the flowers but it got a bit lost. Since I didn't have the die here to cut a shadow, I simply glued the die cut sentiment to a scrap piece of pink and fussy cut it. Shows up much better that way!

Some Altenew enamel dots finished the card. This one is going to a chorus friend who's battling breast cancer - too much of that happening within the chorus! The morning glory die, the trellis and the whirl leaves are all getting first play here so I'll also add my card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #75.

That's all for today, friends! Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day!!

Thinking of You & Birthday Cards

Hi everyone - still working with limited supplies but I needed a get well card for my sister & a birthday card for a card drive. First, the card for Kari:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio A2 card

Stamps - Hero Arts Wish You Were Here (c2011) &

Sending Happy Thoughts (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

I was at JoAnn Crafts the other day to pick up a few Copics; discovered they were on deep discount ($2.97!!). So I went back today and picked up a few more for the satellite studio. Stamped the chair, table & lamp, then colored as necessary. Stamped the sentiment and adhered the panel to an A2 card. Decided there was too much open space towards the top so I added the dotted panel. A heart gem covered up an ink blob. Hopefully the bunny will remind her of a childhood stuffed animal & bring some comfort.

I'm sending this card to the September We Love Stamping Challenge to hand color an image; in this case - chair, bunny & lamp.

Over at Craft Roulette Mary Gunn FUNN is hosting a birthday card drive for a little girl Addi turning four. Addi lost her 2 yr old brother to a drunk driver recently so we want to shower her with cards for her 4th bday. She loves Barbies and mermaids so I tried to replicate a Barbie doll. I picked up a sticker sheet at JoAnn's for the sentiment and cupcakes.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Dove;

American Crafts & Core'dinations patterns

Stamps w/dies - Hero Arts Dress Up Stamp & Cut

Other - Copic and Artist's Loft Markers;

K & Company Sweetie Birthday stickers

I stamped the girl's head, then the face detail and legs. Colored then fussy cut and added a die cut skirt. Adhered a panel of flowered paper to an A2 card, then the dotted strip. Glue malfunction due to thin paper so I covered as much up as I could with the sentiment & cupcake stickers. Also gave Miss Barbie a cupcake sticker to hold. Had to laugh - went to mail it and the postal clerk shook her head - needs extra postage says she, even though it was under 1 ounce. Whatever....

This card has a hand colored image but not much coloring needed so I opted to add card one to WLS.

That's all for today. Hope all is well with you & thanks for stopping by!

Inspired by Bobby at Just Us Girls!

TGIF everyone! Just a quick post this morning with a card I finished for the current Just Us Girls Challenge #742 to CASE one of the design team members. Here's my card inspired by Bobby's beautiful card!

Supplies: Paper - Tim Holtz watercolor; Poptone Black;

Spellbinders A2 card & Betterpress porcelain

Stamps - Hero Arts Elegant Weeds (c2011 retired)

Press plate w/dies - Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Faded Jeans & Blueprint Sketch Distress Stains; 

Betterpress Costal Ink; foam tape; 

Ranger Seafoam white ep; Versamark ink

I was drawn to the white embossed weeds and deep blues on Bobby's card. I stamped and white embossed using a retired Hero Arts weeds set onto watercolor paper. My weeds didn't emboss as crisply as I would've liked, oh well.

Next I swiped Distress Stains over the paper - loved this look! Spritzed it a bit for some water droplets, dried it & then die cut with a stitched rectangle. Adhered to an A2 card & finished it off with a Betterpressed sentiment from the bits box. Quick & easy!

That's it for today. I'll be back tomorrow with the last-of-the-month post for Die Cut Divas. We have embossing for our August Challenge & would love to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Floral Celebration Threefer

Hey everyone - hope all is well with you! I'm back with my second entry of three allowed at Just Us Girls Challenge #741 (Anything Goes Stencil Week) and third of three at Color Hues #93 (Orange and Yellow), plus I have a couple bonus cards.

Supplies: Paper - Recollections yellow glitter;

Paper Studio pastel A2 card; scraps;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Press Plate with Stencils - Spellbinders Floral Celebration and Stencil Bundle 

Press Plate with Dies - Spellbinders A Little Message Sentiments 

Dies - Hero Arts Tag Frames Infinity Dies;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Park Lane gems; various inks; foam tape

I pressed the new-to-me Floral Celebration plate using Bark ink & colored in orange/yellow/brown (neutrals allowed) using the coordinating stencils. It's a 6 step process and I have a photo of step 6 along with the inks I used (lower right ink is a Hero Arts gold):

There was room at the top of my 5x7" panel to press a couple of sentiments which I did using Saffron ink. I die cut both plus some shadow layers. I die cut the floral panel with three different stitched rectangles from the same AJVD set so I had two extras for bonus cards:

Additional supplies: Scrappy Tails dies from Bloom Trio Bundle;

My Favorite Things plaid paper & scraps

Additional supplies: Elizabeth Craft Designs retired stencil

Spellbinders All You Need Sentiments

That's it for today! I'll also send card one to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #65 since my press plate bundle is newly used here.

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!