Thursday, October 30, 2025

Happy 26th Birthday, Jon!

 


I have twin sons who just turned 26. I posted Greg's card the other day. This is Jon's card. He lives across the Hudson River from New York City. I am so in love with this Window Trio die set from SSS, and the La La La Land city themed papers work so perfectly with them. This is right up Jon's alley. Wishing him a very good year ahead with all of my love.

Project Details
Stamps/DiesSSS Window Trio Dies
SSS Through The Window Stamps & Dies
Waffle Flower A2 Rectangles
Cardstock    Gina K. Pure Luxury Card - Pure Ivory
PTI Ocean Tides Card
La La Land In The City 6x6 Patterned Paper
Pack
Gina K Base Weight Black Onyx Card
 Ink VersaMark
Embellishments SSS Stellar Embellishment Mix
Other Acetate
Ranger Queens's Gold EP
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tool
We R Memory Keepers Layer Guides
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
Scor-Pal 1/8" Double Sided Tape
Waffle Flower Foam Strips

I'm playing at:



Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Happy 26th Birthday, Greg!


It's Stencil Week at Just Us Girls. That inspired me to use stenciling on this card that I made for my son's Birthday. Inside is a hand written birthday greeting. I have always made cards for my sons. This year I cut it very close and considered buying a card, but I just could not neglect this tradition. So here it is. I am very pleased with the way it came out.

Project Details
Stamps/DiesPinkfresh Studio Aviary Stamps & Dies
PTI Love Lives Here Dies
Spellbinders Circle Nestabilities
Altenew Dotted Starburst  Debossing Cover Die
Pink & Main Sentiment Strip Dies
Cardstock    110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
80lb. Neenah Solar Crest
SU Real Red
 Ink VersaMark
Salty Ocean DO Ink
Copic Markers
Embellishments
Other SSS Circular Lace Stencil
WOW Dual Speed Heat Tool
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tool
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
Waffle Flower foam Strips
Spellbinders Foam Squares

I am also playing at:






Thursday, October 23, 2025

Day Of The Dead


It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. Challenge #300 opens today and runs through November 5th. This time it is a Theme where we are to create a project inspired by Autumn Celebrations around the world, for example: Halloween, Thanksgiving (USA), Oktoberfest (Germany), Day of the Dead (Mexico), Diwali (India), Moon Festival (China), La Merce Festival (Spain), Loy Krathong Lantern Festival (Thailand), Nuit Blanche (France)... You get the picture. The celebration you choose can be, but does not have to be, one that you celebrate yourself. It can be ANY autumn celebration anywhere in the world. In your post, please describe your choice of Autumn Celebration for your project. 


 We are joined by the wonderful, lovely, talented and witty Jaydee of Stampin! with Jaydee as our Guest DesignerWe are so excited to have her with us for this challenge. You can check out her fabulous card On the Time Out Challenges BLOG where you can also link to Jaydee's own blog post. 

We are generously sponsored by Doodlebugs WA. Challenge Winner as chosen by the Design Team will receive a $25.00 Store Credit and an invitation to join the Time Out Design Team as Guest Designer for a future challenge.

For my project I chose Day of The Dead which is a joyous celebration. It has ancient Indigenous roots with its origins in the rituals of Indigenous peoples in what is now Mexico, particularly the Aztecs, and was later merged with Catholic traditions, such as All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, during the Spanish Conquest.

It is a time to celebrate and remember loved ones, making it a festive occasion filled with music, dancing, and colorful decorations. Families build altars in their homes or gravesites called "ofrendas" (offerings) to honor and welcome the spirits of the deceased. These altars are decorated with candles, flowers, and the favorite foods, drinks, and personal items of those who have passed.

Marigolds guide the spirits. Known as "cempasĂșchil" or "flowers of the dead," their strong scent and bright orange and yellow color are believed to help guide the souls of the dead back to their altars.

Sugar skulls are for decoration. Despite being made of sugar paste, sugar skulls are typically meant for decoration, given as gifts, or placed on ofrendas. They symbolize the festive nature of the holiday and the cycle of life and death.

I used the Dia del los Muertos Card Kit from Vera Lane Studio Digital Designs. I am not a frequent Digital Design user, but it's great when you can find exactly what you are looking for and download it for immediate use. I had so much fun coloring these images and putting this card together. The background paper is from the set as well. I had one big mishap while coloring the face - a huge blop of ink just flowed out of the marker I was using. I did my best to blend it out as I was not going to redo the whole image! 

Please head on over to the Time Out Challenge Blog where you can see what Jaydee and the Design Team have created for your inspiration. Come play with us and share your Autumn Celebration creation in the gallery! 


Project Details
Stamps/DiesVera Lane Studio Dia del los Muertos Card Kit
Simon Says Stamp Postage Stamp Edge Frames
Cardstock    80lb. Neenah Solar Crest
Gina K. Base Weight - Onyx Black
 Ink Copic markers
Embellishments
Other Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
Spellbinders Foam Squares
Black Fun Foam

I'm also playing at:


Vera Lane Studio Dia del los Muertos Card Kit
Simon Says Stamp Postage Stamp Edge Frames

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Spooky Hugs



It's Word Week at Just Us Girls where the word is "Halloween". There are several littles in my family. This one is for a very special pair of brothers who LOVE everything Halloween and have been wearing their Halloween tees and PJ's for weeks now. I used some fun papers from my Halloween stash, a perfect BetterPress image and sentiment from Spellbinders, a cool frame and some twine and my card was complete.

Project Details
Stamps/DiesBetterPress Halloween Icons
Paper Smooches Frame 2 Wise Dies
Cardstock    90 lb. Neenah Solar Crest
100 lb. Gina K Base Neenah Solar Crest
SU 6x6 Cute Halloween DSP
 Ink VersaFine Onyx Black
Embellishments Lawn Fawn  Spooky Hemp Cord
Other BetterPress System
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
Waffle Flower 1/16" Foam Strips

I'm also playing at:

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Flock Star Birthday


 This card is for my son Greg's girlfriend's birthday. "She loves plants with big green leaves", says Greg. So I went tropical, added a fun flamingo and voila! Happy Birthday Quynh!

Project Details
Stamps/DiesEssentials By Ellen Flock Star, Inner Flamingo
Echo Park Palm Leaves
Simon Says Stamp Nested Domes Arches Dies
Cardstock    110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
80lb. Neenah Solar Crest
SU Sage Shadow, Blush Blossom
PTI Pinefeather
Studio Calico Atlantic 6x6 Paper Pad
 Ink DO Ripe Persimmon, Dried Marigold, Kitsch
Flamingo
VersaFine Onyx Black
VersaMark
Embellishments Kaiser Self Adhesive Pearls
Other WOW Clear Embossing Powder
WOW Dual Speed Heat Tool
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tool
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press


I'm playing at:


Anything Goes with Critters
ends10/23

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Start Each Day with A Song


It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. Challenge #298 opens today and runs through October 8th. This time it is a Pick Two challenge, The idea of this challenge is very simple: we give you 6 word prompts and you pick at least 2 for your project!  To be clear, you can pick more than 2 if you like - you can include all 6 if you really want to challenge yourself but just make sure to pick at least 2!


We are joined by the wonderful, lovely, talented and witty Jaydee of Stampin! with JaydeeWe are so excited to have her as our Guest Designer for this challenge. You can check out her fabulous card On the Time Out Challenges BLOG

We are sponsored by Lawn Fawn. Challenge Winner as chosen byt the Design Team will receive a $25.00 Store Credit and an invitation to join the Time Out Design Team as Guest Designer for a future challenge.

I have chosen Music, Spatter, Metallic and Edge. You can't see it in the photo, but the bird cage is heat embossed with silver EP (metallic).

 Please head on over to the Time Out Challenge Blog where you can see what Jaydee and the Design Team have created for your inspiration. Come play with us and share your Pick 2 creation in the gallery! 

Project Details
Stamps/DiesPinkfresh Studio Aviary Stamps & Dies
The Greetery Nordic Frames
Cardstock    110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
80lb. Neenah Solar Crest
 Ink VersaMark
Versafine Onyx Black
PTI Blueberry Sky, Melon Berry, Mint Julep,
Smokey Shadow
Embellishments
Other WOW Dual Speed Heat Tool
WOW Clear EP
SU Silver EP
Twinkling H2O Blue Ice
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tool
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
Spellbinders Foam Squares

I'm Also playing at:

PFS Aviary Stamps & Dies



PFS Aviary Stamps & Dies

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Congrats On Your New Digs


I made this card for my son who just moved in to his own apartment in Philadelphia last week. I remember how excited I was when I finally had my own living space all to myself. The red building in the window looks very much like the building he is in. Supplies are from the July 2025 Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. I followed THIS tutorial by Tina Smith of Cards & Coffee Time. She added some extra detail that I did not, but I really love the way mine turned out.


This card stock from La-La Land Crafts is fabulous. It's double sided with different city scenes on both the front and back of the window. This is what you see when you open the card from right to left.


This is what you have when you open the card completely. There's plenty of room to write your message to the recipient here. I can't wait 'til Greg gets this. He will love it and he will get all the love that went into making it.

Project Details
Stamps/DiesSSS Through The Window Stamp Set
SSS Windows Trio Dies
Cardstock    La-La Land Crafts In the City 6x6"
 patterned paper sheets 
Neenah Solar White 80# Card
Taylored Expressions Choice Buttercream Card
 Ink Scorched Timber Distress ink cube
Embellishments SSS Stellar Embellishment Mix
Other Acetate Sheet
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tool
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
SSS Pawsitively Perfect Craft Glue
SSS White Adhesive Foam Strips 

I'm playing at:




Thursday, September 11, 2025

The Season Of Color

 


It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. Challenge #297 opens today and runs through September 24th. We are looking for cards that reflect your favorite season.


We are joined by the wonderful, lovely, talented and witty Darnell Knauss of djkardkreations and of NBUS - never Before Used Schtuff fame. We are so excited to have her as our Guest Designer for this challenge.

We are sponsored by Waffle Flower Crafts. Challenge Winner as chosen byt the Design Team will receive a $25.00 Store Credit and an invitation to join the Time Out Design Team as Guest Designer for a future challenge.

I have been struggling with a creative slump lately and waited until the last minute to create my challenge card. Fall is by far my favorite season. I love the warm days and cool nights. I love the beach at this time of year - "local summer" as we call it here in NJ. I was looking through my autumn themed stamps for inspiration, and ran across these wonderful Penpattern Leaves. One thing led to another and I dug out my alcohol inks, created a panel using fall colors, and used Alcohol Lift Ink to create the pattern from the stamp on the leaf die cuts. In the end, I love the way the leaves came out. It was so much fun playing with the Alcohol Inks. I really should dust them off more often.

 Please head on over to the Time Out Challenge Blog where you can see what Darnell and the Design Team have created for your inspiration. What is your favorite season?? Come play with us and share your favorite season creation in the gallery!  

Project Details
Stamps/DiesStampendous Cling Penpattern Leaves
Paper Smooches Fall Sampler
Pinkfresh Studio Basic Label Frames
The Greetery Nordic Frames
Cardstock    Gina K Pure Luxury Chocolate Brown & Ivory
Heavyweight Card Stock
Ranger Alcohol Ink White Yupo
 Ink Various Alcohol Inks
Ranger Alcohol Lift Ink
Versafine Vintage Sepia
Embellishments
Other WOW Clear Embossing Powder
WOW Dual Speed Heat Tool
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tool
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
Spellbinders Foam Squares

I'm also Playing at:


Top left to bottom right - Rectangle, Three or More Colors, Embossing 
(the sentiment is heat embossed)


Thursday, August 28, 2025

Always Lifting You Up

 



Time Out #296 opens today at Time Out and runs through September 10th. It's a theme challenge where the theme is Friend/Encouragement/Support.

Our sponsor is Claire Brennan of Claire Brennan Art & Design and former owner of Waltzingmouse Stamps. The prize is this wonderful clear stamp set which is so perfect for cards of friendship!


We are joined by LeeAnne Pugliese of weeinklings as Guest Designer for this challenge. LeAnne is such a lovely person and talented paper crafter. You can check out her card on the Time Out Challenges Blog where the link to all of the details of her creation.

For my card, I used some of the fuchsia flowers that I had stamped for another card and saved for a future creation. I love these flowers and decided to put them on a gray background for a dramatic effect.

Project Details
Stamps/DiesHero Arts Color Layering Fuchsia Stamps 7 Dies
PinkFresh Studio Always Uplifting Stamps
Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangles
Cardstock    110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
80lb. Neenah Solar Crest
SU Basic Gray
 Ink DO Spun Sugar, Abandoned Coral, Villanous
Poison, Wilted Violet
VersaMark
Embellishments
Other Filigree Fine Art Embossing Powder
Windsor & Newton Gouache Permanent White
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tool
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press


I'm also playing at:


Thursday, August 14, 2025

Fuchsia Happy Birthday


 I dug out this Hero Arts stamp set to make a birthday card for a dear friend and found myself making many, many of these flowers today. I stink at getting layering stamps right in less than 100 tries, especially older ones. It took me a long time to get them right. I used a regular and Mini MISTI and made a little assembly line to make multiple images of these flowers in 4 stampings to die cut and tuck away in the storage envelope for future use. I love this plant, and it has special meaning for my birthday friend and me.

Project Details
Stamps/DiesHero Arts Fuchsia
Cardstock    110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
80lb. Neenah Solar Crest
SU Melon Mambo
LCI Cotton Paper for BetterPress
 Ink BetterPress Black
DO Dried Marigold, Abandoned Coral
PTI Raspberry Fizz, New Leaf, Pine Feather
Embellishments
Other BetterPress System and A Little Message
Sentiments Press Plates & Dies
Sizzix Honeycomb 3D EF 
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tools
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
Scor-Pal Score Tape-3/4"
Waffle Flower Foam Strips


sitting here, thinking of you

 


It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. Time Out #295 is a photo inspiration challenge that opens today and runs through August 13


You can see the details better with this enlargement of the photo.

Photo credit: Jenny Martin,  Queenscliff Harbour, Victoria, Australia - July 2024

The photo was taken by Time Out Design Team Member, Jenny Martin. I would love to be there, sipping on that lovely coffee drink and nibbling on that pastry! Wouldn't you?

We are generously sponsored by lawn fawn with a $25.00 Store Credit for our Challenge winner as chosen by the Design Team.

Our awesome Guest Designer is Kathy Schweinfurth of Stamps at Play. Check out her fabulous project on the Time Out Challenge Blog. Her take on the photo is absolutely fantastic! Kathy's blog is also chock full of wonderful inspiration. You can check it out HERE. Get ready to be inspired!

When I saw Jenny's photo, the Greetery's Cozy Cup Stamps and Dies immediately came to mind and I knew I would build my card around them. I kept it very simple. I used Altenew's From Land to Sea Embossing Folder to mimic the water and sky in the photo, though I left it white for simplicity. The sentiments in the stamp set are all rounded, but I straightened the one I used by sticking it to my MISTI so I could create the sentiment strip. I am very happy with the way it turned out.

 Please head on over to the Time Out Challenge Blog where you can see what Kathy and the Design Team have cleverly created for your inspiration. Come play with us! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Project Details
Stamps/DiesThe Greetery Cozy Cup stamps and Dies, Cozy 
Cup Coaster Dies
Cardstock    110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
80lb. Neenah Solar Crest
SU Bordering Blue
 Ink VersaFine Onyx Black
Altenew Sand Dunes, Mocha & Espresso
PTI Ripe Avocado, Simply Chartreuse & Berry
Sorbet
Distress Oxide Lost Shadow & Hickory Smoke
Embellishments
Other Altenew From Land to Sea EF
WOW Clear Embossing Powder
WOW Dual Speed Heat Tool
Spellbinders Platinum Plus
Scor-Pal Score Board
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer
MISTI Stamping Tool
My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press
Scor-Pal Score Tape-1/4"
Waffle Flower Adhesive Foam Strips

I'm also playing at:


Top left to bottom right diagonal - friendship, free, embossing