Bittersweet Endings, Exciting Beginnings

Happy New Year!

Today we kick off the first Time Out Challenge of 2025 with a fitting Theme of Beginnings!

Speaking of new beginnings, we are so pleased to welcome a new Design Team Member to our Time Out crafty family: Carol McFadden of Saw it. Had to Make It. Carol is a wonderfully creative person and her cards are a joy and an inspiration. Please join us in welcoming her to the team.

We are generously sponsored by DoodlebugsWA with a $25.00 store credit as a prize for our challenge winner as chosen by the Design Team.

We welcome Ellen Coats of georgia_jayhawk on Instagram, Stamping Sans Souci blog and winner of Time Out #274 as Guest Designer.

In thinking about the card I would make for this challenge, I was trying to come up with something a bit off the beaten path. I decided to use this opportunity to make a card for a special young woman who is quite dear to me and just graduated from college in December from my own alma mater. She is sad to leave her college life, especially her roommates, but she is ready to hit the ground running. I am excited for her, and wish her every good thing as she begins her new chapter. We will celebrate her accomplishments right after New Years. The sentiment is perfect for her.

 Please head on over to the Time Out Challenge Blog where you can see what Ellen and the rest of the Design Team has created for your inspiration. Oh, and speaking of beginnings, with this first challenge of 2025, we are thrilled to welcome Carol McFarland to the Time Out Design Team Family! Come play with us!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Unity stamp Company Bittersweet Graduation Cling Stamp My Favorite Things Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-namics
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock Magnolia Dreams Patterned Paper
Ink	Altenew Obsidian Black
Embellishments
Other	Spellbinders Platinum Plus Die Cutting & Embossing Machine Scor-Pal Score Board Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer MISTI Stamping Tool Scrapbook.com Craft Glue Altenew  Watercolor Essentials 12 pan set Ranger Artist Brushes

I am also playing at:

Just Us Girls #756 - Use a Die A/G

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Something New

Seagull With A Fry

Carol McFarland is our host for this weeks Just Us Girls Challenge where it is Color Week. Carol has chosen a wonderful summery color combination of pink and aqua. This is a great palette to work with!   As this is our firts challenge of a new month, we welcome CAS Queen, Jane Taylor, as our super talented Guest Designer for June.

I just received my Waffle Flower haul that was loaded with summer fun including lots of seagulls. These birds can be a menace, especially if people nearby are feeding them (they love to drop presents from the sky). That said, I love to watch them as they are really very funny creatures. They are brazen enough to swipe a sandwich right out of your hand, or stick their beaks into a temporarily abandoned beach bag in search of some snacks... so I went with Waffle Flower Beach Tote stamp & die combo,  Inquisitive Seagulls dies and lots of lots of shades of the challenge colors to create my card. 

Please head over to the Just Us Girls Challenge Blog and check out the wonderful creations by Jane and the Design Team. Get crafty with your stash and join us in the gallery! I can't wait to see how our players are inspired by the colors.

Please note: we have created a longer timeframe for our challenges! Wednesdays at 6:00 pm EST will be our new ending time in order to give you another day to get your cards in the gallery! The Winner of the Week will be announced now on Thursdays, an hour before the new challenges open.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies/Stencils	Waffle Flower Beach Tote stamp & die combo, Inquisitive Seagulls dies, Beach Umbrella die & stencil and     Wave Texture Die My Favorite Things Drift & Hills and Perfect Pool Water     stencils Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle dies
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest 80lb. Neenah Solar Crest My Mind's Eye Darling Dots 6x6 paper Sizzix Iridescent Opulent Cardstock
Ink	VersaFine Onyx Black Distress Oxide Antique linen & Salty Ocean PTI Aqua Mist, Hawaiin Shores, Raspberry Fizz, Berry Sorbet
Embellishments
Other	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-1/2" SU Dimensionals

I'm also playing at:

Little Red Wagon #759 - So Cute!

Triple B June Challenge

Bird

Krafty Chicks #719 - Stamps

Die Cut Divas June Challenge

Your Favorite Die Cut Shapes

Make My Monday #227 - B is for...

Beach Bag!

Cut It Up #305 - Anything Goes

Crafty Friends

Hello and Happy Thursday! Time Out Challenge #261 starts today. It is an "Inspired By Words" Challenge which means we are to create a card inspired by the words in the challenge quote, which is:

"I'm a romantic! I live for long, dreamy walks down the craft aisle." ~ Scrapbook.com

There are so many ways to go with this. You can zero in on one word like "romantic" or "aisle" or part of the quote like "long, dreamy walks", etc.

We are generously sponsored by Doodlebugs.

The challenge winner as chosen by the Design Team will receive a $25.00 Doodlebugs store credit. The winner will also receive an invitation to Guest Design with us for a future challenge.

We welcome Milla of Mustesormi, and winner of Time Out #257 as Guest Designer. Milla is a very talented crafter and a frequent player at Time Out. You can view her challenge card and link to her blog from the Time Out Challenge Blog. She has a great take on the inspiration words.

.I went with a "craft" theme for my mini slimline card using Spellbinders Paint Your World Collection. I created a background using strips of cardstock in pink and red hues and stamped splatters on it. I assembled a paintbrush of tulips and bristles, popped it up on the background and added the sentiment "Crafty friends are the best." I love these dies, and it was fun to put this together.

Please head over to the Time Out Challenge blog to see what Milla and the Design Team have created to inspire you. Think about the quote, and see how it inspires you. Then grab some supplies and start creating. I can't wait to see your project in the gallery. 

Remember, we allow links to a total of 5 challenges including ours. We also need you to tell us in your post, how you were inspired by the quote. Check out the rules in "how to play" on the sidebar of the challenge blog. See you in the gallery!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Spellbinders Artful Tulip Spellbinders Butterfly Burst Dies Spellbinders Paint Your World Stamps My Favorite Things Distressed Patterns Stamps My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags Die-namics Pinkfresh Studio Mini Slimline Essentials Bundle
Cardstock	110lb. & 80lb.Neenah Solar Crest Various strips of pink & red cardstock. Ranger Distress Woodgrain cardstock SSS Matte Silver cardstock Essentials By Ellen Ebony Black cardstock
Ink	VerssFine Onyx Black VersaMark Ink 3 Fleurette's Atelier Ink - Shark Tooth White
Embellishments	Hero Arts Metallic Decor Silver Dot Stickers
Other	WOW Clear Embossing Powder Spellbinders Platinum Plus Die Cutting & Embossing Machine 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" & 1/8" SU Dimensionals

I'm also playing at:

The Flower Challenge #90 - Add Layers

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Spring Flowers

A Walk In The Rain

 

It's Word Week at Just Us Girls. We are hosted by Lisa and joined by Colleen Begley, our Guest Designer for the month of April. 

For my card, I dug out PTI's Scattered Showers which I haven't used in eons. I have a friend going through a tremendously difficult time. Though there is little I can do, I want her to know I am with her. I love the sentiment I chose (Altenew). Also love that Dibble Tile EF in the background. Raindrops (PTI Feathered Finery) were stamped in 3 blues and finished it off with clear drops.

Please head over to the Just Us Girls Challenge Blog and check out the wonderful creations by Colleen and the rest of the Design Team. Get crafty with your craft stash and join us in the gallery!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies, Embossing Folder	Papertrey Ink Scattered Showers Stamps & Dies, Feather Finery Stamps, Cloud Dies Altenew Precious Moments Stamps My Favorite Things Blueprints 27 Die-namics Simon Says Stamp Dibble Tile EF
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest 80lb. Neenah Solar Crest Neenah Desert Storm Recollections Glitter Paper
Ink	Papertrey Ink Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Spring Rain VersaMark Memento London Fog
Embellishments	Little Things by Lucy's Cards - Raindrops
Other	Wink Of Stella Clear Altenew Detail Blending Brush Brutus Monroe Alabaster EP Spellbinders Platinum Plus Die Cutting & Embossing Machine 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" 3M foam tape Waffle Flower 1/16" Foam Strips

I'm playing at:

The Paper Players #684 - Sunshine and Rainbows or Rainy Day Theme

The Sistrehood of Crafters - Showers or Flowers

Stenciled Happy Birthday

It's time for a new challenge at Just Us Girls. Thanks to all who played in our fun Collaboration Challenge with Time Out. The gallery was "bird-sting" with fabulous creativity!

This week at Just Us Girls, we are hosted by Sue for Stencil Week. Tracey McNeely returns as our fabulous Guest Designer for the month of March. Please head over to the Just Us Girls Challenge Blog and check out the wonderful creations by Tracey and the Design Team. Get crafty with your stencils and join us in the gallery!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies/Stencils	CZ Design Happy Birthday Wafer Dies Pretty Pink Posh Layered Leaves & Flowers Stencil My Favorite things Blueprint Sketch Dies
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest 80 lb Neenah Solar Crest SU Elegant Eggplant
Ink	Various Distress Oxide Inks
Embellishments	Recollections adhesive rhinestone stickers
Other	Spellbinders Platinum Plus Die Cutting & Embossing Machine Scor-Pal Score Board Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer Waffle Flower Grip Mat My Sweet Petunia Precision Glue Press Assorted stencil brushes

I'm also playing at:

Seize The Birthday #280 - Spring Floral

All You Need Is Love

Time for a new challenge at Just Us Girls. It's Color Week this week, and Sue is our host. 

I am knee deep into Valentines right now, so I decided to go that route with my card. I arranged strips of varying sizes in reds, pinks and grays on a piece of white cardstock, trimmed it down, then die cut it with a scalloped edge die. I cut a heart in the center, created a shaker, and finished it off with a sentiment that is perfect for my Beatle-lovin' Valentine...

It's a new month, and we have a new Guest Designer, Denise Morgans. Please head on over to the Just Us Girls Challenge Blog to see what Denise and the rest of the Design Team have made to spark your creativity. Come play with us!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Simon Says Stamp LOVE Shadow Wafer Die Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Hearts My Favorite Things Blueprints 27 Die-Namics Waffle Flower Slimline Strips Die
Cardstock	110 lb. & 80 lb. Neenah Solar Crest Various SU colored cardstock Echo Park Love Notes 6x6 Paper Pad
Ink	Versamark
Embellishments	Sequins (unknown origin)
Other	Waffle Fower 1/16"  Spellbinders Platinum Plus Die Cutting & Embossing Machine Scor-Pal Score Board Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer MISTI Stamping Tool Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M foam tape

I'm also playing at:

The Color Hues Challenge #80

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #239 

Middle Horzintal Row

Cards 4 Galz - Red and/or Pink Hearts Galore

TGIF #457

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Have a Heart

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge 

Anything Goes

Together

 

It's time for a new and very special challenge at Time Out. October is typically Breast Cancer awareness month, at least here in the US, where there are pink ribbons everywhere... and pink everything else from socks to pasta to blenders and dishes... you name it. While as a breast cancer survivor myself I am very grateful for the fundraising for research, there are so many other cancers and illnesses that need attention, awareness and research as well. Our challenge is to create cards of encouragement, friendship and support for those we know and love who are dealing with any illness.

We are sponsored by Jane Beljo of Jane's Doodles who created a digital image for our Design Team and our challenge participants to use for their projects if they so wish. This is not mandatory by any means. 

To use Jane's digi, all you have to do is click, save and resize as you wish for your creation. It would be wonderful to see how our players use Jane's wonderful image. Please feel free to share your story as it relates to our challenge as well.

Challenge winner will have a choice of 3 digital images from Jane's website.

We are so pleased to welcome Jaydee of Stampin! with Jaydee as our Guest Designer. Like most of us, Jaydee has several loved ones who have been affected by cancer, and her card for this challenge reflects them. Please stop by Jaydee's blog and see the wonderful card she created with Jane's digi for this challenge. Her story is so beautifully expressed as well.

My card is in honor and memory of my mother, father, two sisters, a niece three aunts and several close friends, and in support of another sister and friends who are still here. Together, we have endured breast, ovarian, lung, pancreatic, colon, brain cancer and lymphoma in addition to fibromyalgia, epilepsy and mental illness.  There are not enough colors in the rainbow for all the health issues that people struggle with. For me and for those I have walked beside, cards of friendship, encouragement, love and support are welcome - not words of advice, or assurances like "everything will be OK" because it isn't always. Less is more when it comes to that.

I hope you will consider playing with Jane's digi, and if not, that you will take Time Out to play with us and help to fill our gallery with love.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Jane's Beljo's Custom Digi Image for Time Out Essentials By Ellen You Should Know stamp set Simon Says Stamp Chunky A2 Scalloped Rectangles
Cardstock	80# Neenah Solar Crest Gina K Ocean Mist base weight card stock
Ink	VersaFine Onyx Black Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean DO Inks Copic markers
Embellishments
Other	A  Colorful Life Design Cloud Edger Stencil My Favorite Things Drifts & Hills Stencil Spellbinders Platinum Plus Die Cutting & Embossing Machine Scor-Pal Score Board Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer MISTI Stamping Tool Bearly Art Precision Glue Adhesive-backed Fun Foam

I'm also playing at:

Krafty Chicks #683 - All Occasions

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Stencil Fun Challenge - Optional Theme of Fall

MIUCB #67 - AG + Optional Make Your Own Background

Have a PAR-fect Day

Today is the start of CAS Week at Just Us Girls. It is also my last week to be with The JUGs Design Team as Guest Designer. What a wonderful group of crafters to work with! They have been so warm and welcoming and I have really enjoyed my time with them. Thank you all from the bottom of my art for having me!!

With regard to my card, though my stash seems as deep as the deep blue sea, it does not contain anything sports-oriented... well, that is not entirely true. There's that fabulous swimmer/diver die. Hmmmm - I forgot about her. Anyway, one of my sons has recently fallen in love with golf and his birthday is coming, so I decided to make my sports-themed card for him. Since I now know how to use them, I went in search of a golf-themed digital stamp. I found this little Golf Gnomie on Etsy at PinkGemDesigns, printed him out, colored him with Copics, then set him in a CAS design with a strip of Tartan Plaid paper. I made my  sentiment strip on my computer and popped up on the right side... and it's a wrap! Thanks so much for coming by today!

Now please head over the Just Us Girls Challenge Blog to see what the DT has created for your inspiration. Get sportive and creative and play with us!

I'm also playing at:

Krafty Chicks #682

Inkspirational #299

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Golf Gnome Digital stamp by PinkGemDesigns
Cardstock	110# and 80# Neenah Solar Crest Night of Navy BasicGrey june bug 6x6 patterned paper
Ink	Mowed Lawn and Tumbled Glass DO Inks Copic markers
Embellishments
Other	A Colorful Life Designs Cloud Edger Stencil My Favorite Things Drifts & Hills Stencil My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Circle Stax Die Various Blending Brushes Spellbinders Platinum Plus Die Cutting & Embossing Machine Scor-Pal Score Board Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer Bearly Art Precision Glue Waffle Flower Double Sided 1/16" Foam Strips Black adhesive backed fun foam

You Are The Author

 It's Time for a new challenge at Time Out. This time, we are inspired by the words: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

To me, this quote speaks of not wasting time with regret. If you didn't do it before, it's never too late to do it now. With Inspired By Words challenges, you can interpret the quote, or choose words or images for inspiration like "tree" or "plant"... it's up to you. The canvas is yours. 

We are generously sponsored by Varada Sharma. There will be 2 challenge winners - one drawn at random, and one chosen by the Time Out Design Team. Each will get a $15.00 gift voucher to spend at Varada Sharma's store. Our winner chosen by the Design Team will also be invited to Guest Design with us for a future challenge.

We welcome Jennifer K Elliot of LIVE.CRAFT.REPEAT and kraftercises on Instagram as our Guest Designer. Jennifer is a very talented crafter who uses lots of critters in her designs, has fab coloring skills, and loves to play challenges. Click the links above to visit her blog or Instagram. You are sure to be inspired!

Our quote immediately brought the wonderful tree image from the March 2021 Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit to mind. I had not yet inked it up (shame on me), so it was a carpe diem opportunity. I thought the sentiment (from the same kit) worked perfectly with the words.

Please head on over to the Time Out Challenge Blog to see the wonderful creations that Jennifer and our Design Team came up with to inspire you. Come play with us!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Hero Arts MMH March 2021 Stamps & Dies Pinkfresh Studio Essentials Stitched Scallop Rectangle Dies
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Gina K Pure Luxury heavy base weight card stock
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Copic markers
Embellishments
Other	A Colorful Life Designs Cloud Edger Stencils My Favorite Things Drifts & Hills Stencil Blending brushes Spellbinders Platinum Plus Die Cutting & Embossing Machine Scor-Pal Score Board Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer MISTI Stamping Tool Bearly Art Precision Glue Scor-Pal Score Tape-1/8" 3M foam tape

I'm also playing at:

Krafty Chicks #679 - Anything Goes

NBUS #53

My Time To Craft #515 - Use Die Cuts

The Sisterhood of Crafters #515 - Make A Scene