Penny Black Saturday Challenge May 2025

Hello friends. Playing along with the Penny Black Saturday Challenge that is an "anything goes" challenge, with the option this month of using a monochromatic theme...I did not use the optional monochromatic theme.

I used a new (to me) little stamp and die set called handpicked and came up with 2 cards.

The water pitcher and flowers were stamped and colored with my Copics before die cutting and then placed over a background I made using a mask and PB's classy frames dies. I ink blended the masked background using residual ink on my turquoise blending brush and then stamped over it using a Heidi Swapp background stamp from 2013 before removing my mask.

I finished with my sentiment, a twine bow and some flat sparkly silver dots that my sweet friend TK gifted me (great for not adding bulk and mailing!!).  After I finished I realized I forgot to add the classy frame die cut around the masked background, so I decided to make a 2nd card.

I changed up the colors a bit on this one, but otherwise it's the same as the first, and does have the frame attached!

 Two pretty simple cards and I'm very happy with the way they turned out!  And YAY for 2 more cards for the birthday stash...I was running seriously low!!

Lots of inspiration from the DT that you can find right HERE, so check it out and play along if you're a Penny Black lover like me!  This challenge is open till Friday, June 6th @ 8:00PM.

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

The Flower Challenge #102 - Add Spots or Stripes

Hello friends.  It's time for a new challenge here at The Flower Challenge and this month we're looking for you to add SPOTS or STRIPES to your FLORAL cards.

I went with DOTS and here's what I came up with...

Have you ever heard of Perforated Paper?  I hadn't until Taylored Expressions showcased it with stenciling and I just had to try it!  It looks a lot like counted cross stitch material except that it's a heavier weight paper.  Amazon offers it in a few different colors, but it's twice the cost than it is at TE.  TE offers it for 2 sheets (8 1/2 x 11) for $6 (Amazon is $12.29 for 2 sheets).  Anyway, I cut my piece down to a quarter sheet (4 1/4 x 5 1/2) and put it on my grip mat and then stenciled just like I normally would with a Gina K stencil called Bold Bouquet.  You do have to use a bit more pressure to get the color to show up, but I tend to be more heavy handed when I stencil anyway, so it wasn't a problem for me.

Here's a closer up so you can see all the dots better.  I also framed out the outer edge and in the center using Kristina Werner's A2 Thin Frames Dies in black cs to add a bit of definition to my card.  The sentiment strip is from Waffle Flower and was adhered with foam tape.

We have lots of wonderful inspiration from the DT to get you started, and you can check it all out right HERE.  We look forward to seeing what you create using DOTS or STRIPES along with your florals!  This challenge is open till Sunday, May 25th @ 5:00PM. 

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

Color Hues Challenge # 109 - BLUE & YELLOW

Hello friends.  Time for a new challenge here at Color Hues and I am the hostess for the next 2 weeks and have chosen the color pairing of BLUE & YELLOW.

Hard to believe there was a time in my life where I wasn't too thrilled with the color blue, but the past couple years have changed my tune and I just love BLUE paired with YELLOW!  I hope you'll all have fun with this color pairing and remember too that any hue of BLUE or YELLOW works for this challenge.  

I used an older PTI set called Prominent Petals and Night of Navy, Boho Blue, Seaside Spray, Mango Melody & Daffodill Delight inks (all SU!) to create this card...

 I stamped the outlines of the flowers and leaves in Night of Navy and then filled in with the lighter blues.  There is also a stamp to add dots to the flowers and I used white pigment ink to do that...I love the playful look the dots give!  I left the leaves white and added the yellow dots that are part of this stamp set (the dots have WOS and then a layer of glossy accents over the top of them and foam tape underneath for added dimension.

For my white on white background I used PTI's Bold Borders: Polka Dots Die, which also comes with the "hugs" die which I die cut 3 times from Night of Navy cardstock and adhered towards the bottom.

Because I still had everything laying out, I decided to do a bit bolder card using Night of Navy for the card base and the polka dots die.

When I was looking for a flower stamp to use on this card, I ran across an Altenew/PFS collaboration set called Celebrate Us that I had never used and who knows how long I've had it?!  Back of the package says 2020...I think I might have too many stamps!  But anyway, I used the same SU! inks that I used on my first card for the flower and added it with foam tape to the card base.  The sentiment was embossed in white from PTI's Choose Joy stamp set.

This was a pretty simple card to make and I like how it turned out, but I still like my first card best!  How about you??

The DT and our Special GD Nance all have wonderful inspiration to share with you right HERE, so check it out and play along with us...we'd love to see all of YOU in our gallery!!  This challenge is open till Wednesday, May 14th @ 9:00AM.
  

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

Peace On Earth Christmas Challenge #86

Hello friends.  Guess who hasn't made a Christmas card in months?!!  I have always made 1 or 2 a week in the past so that I don't have to scramble and do assembly line cards come December, but for many reasons I have slacked off this year and it's time to get back at it!  The Peace On Earth challenge has a beautiful and very colorful mood board to inspire us...

I love all the non traditional colors and ornaments in these photos and had to play along using a new set from PFS's that I had received as a gift at Christmas.  It's called Deck The Halls and is a collaboration with Dawn from WPlus9.  I actually have 2 cards to share with you and here's the first one...

I started by stamping the wreath and then using the 6 coordinating stencils to fill in all the leaves and berries.  The picture on the back of the packaging showed the design done in reds and greens, but I went for a more non-traditional look using pinks, aqua's and greens. I did not get the dies with this set (although I think I really need them!) and had to fussy cut the wreath which took a bit of time and carefulness, but I think I did ok. 

I added foam to the back of the wreath and attached to PFS's Diagonal Stitched Circles dies in white, before attaching to a panel of white that I embossed using SSS's Holiday Greenery EF.  At the top of the wreath I added a bow from The Greetery's Fit to Be Tied dies in turquoise blue cs to match with some of the leaves and the ornament.  The sentiment is also from the Deck The Halls stamp set.

  I finished with a few turquoise gems (PFS), a white gel pen over the berries and ornaments, and a white card base.  Really LOVE the way this card turned out!!

 My 2nd card is very CAS and uses one of the accent pieces from the Deck The Halls stamp set.  I colored the branch and ornaments in the same colors as the 1st card and then added to a panel that I used MFT's Rectangle Peek-a-Boo Window die.  I used foam tape behind the branch and ornaments for a little dimension in the window cutout and then finished simply with a sentiment that comes with the Deck The Halls stamp set.

I may have to make a few more of this 2nd card as it was so simple to do and will help to ramp up my Christmas stash a bit!  Maybe change up the colors a bit...hmmm.  All I know is I'm not ready to put this set away yet...too much fun!!

The DT has some incredibly beautiful and colorful cards for inspiration, and you can check it all out right  HERE.  This challenge is open till Thursday, May 1st @ 8:00PM. 

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

Double D Challenge - Springtime Flowers

Hello friends.  Playing along with the gals over at the Double D Challenge again where they have a beautiful mood board to inspire us.

I was inspired by the mood board, but also by DT Member Barbara who had the most beautiful card (HERE).  I just loved the addition of the Pussy Willows to the colorful Crocuses and the Market Basket...all of which I have in my stash!  I didn't want to completely copy Barbara, so I added tulips instead of crocuses.  Here's what I came up with...

I die cut my tulips using The Greetery's BotaniCuts: Tulips with white cardstock and then ink blended them with yellow, red, & coral inks.  I die cut my pussy willows (The Greetery - BotaniCuts: Pussy Willow) from kraft cs and then used white pigment ink for the little buds. 

The Market Basket (also The Greetery) was die cut from silver matte cs and lined with printed wax paper (from a roll I've had for years that is supposed to make die cutting intricate details release from the die easier...not sure it really works, but I like the vintage look to the paper and keep it around for different projects.).  My background panel was die cut with an oval die and then I used SSS's Floral Butterfly Bouquet embossing folder, and then attached to a white card base.

 To finish this card I added a small two layer butterfly from Poppystamps Butterfly Buttons and then a bunch of glitter to the Pussy Willow buds and tulip leaves.  Thanks so much Barbara for the inspiration and helping me to use some dies that hadn't seen the light of day in quite awhile!!

The rest of the DT has some absolutely beautiful cards for inspiration too, and you can find them all right HERE.  This challenge is open till Sunday, May 4th @ 8:00PM.

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

Easter Blessings

Hello friends.  Just wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a most blessed Easter today!  He is risen!  He is risen indeed!!

 Card Ingredients: 

The Greetery: Bitty Botanicals, Diamond Ribbons, Empty Grave, & BotaniCuts: Palm Dies

Papertrey Ink: Psalm Reflections: July

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

Color Hues Challenge #108 - LILAC & AQUA

Hello friends.  Welcome back to another challenge, and here at Color Hues, our sweet hostess Nancy would like us to play with LILAC & AQUA.  

Isn't this such a pretty color combination?!!  Totally makes me think Spring and Easter, and I went with Easter.  Here's what I came up with...

 
  I fell in LOVE with the Floral Butterfly Bouquets ef and the sweet little Peeking Lamb die from SSS and made an Easter card for my youngest granddaughter.  I used Aqua Mist cs (PTI) for the background panel that I embossed, and then die cut a small circle opening in which to place the lamb.  I used Lilac Grace cs (PTI) for the lambs ears and also the skinny frame (A2 Thin Frame Dies by Kristina Werner) and sentiment (SSS's Easter).

I added packing tape over the Lilac Grace cs before die cutting the Easter sentiment to give it that shiny look...you sure have me hooked on this technique Leslie!!  I finished with a few no hole sequins in aqua and called it good.

The DT and our Special GD have some FABULOUS inspiration to get you started, so check it all out right HERE and then play along with us!  We'd love to see YOU in the gallery!!  This challenge is open till Tuesday, April 29th @ 9:00AM.

 

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

The Flower Challenge #101 Reminder - USE SPRING COLORS

Hello friends.  Just a friendly reminder that there's still time to play with us at The Flower Challenge where we are looking for you to use SPRING COLORS with your florals. (Think pinks, yellows, purples, greens, etc.)

I've had Spring Crocus's on the brain lately (like my fellow teammate Bobby!)  and came up with this card using The Greetery's BotaniCuts Crocus dies...

I die cut my crocus's from white cs and then inked them up using DOX inks.  I also die cut The Greetery's Garden Tub Die from Smokey Slate cs and then did a bit of ink blending around the edges with white pigment ink and black to make it look a bit more aged.  After placing my blooms in the tub, I felt like it needed more filler (greenery), so I die cut the Garden Tub Filler Die from a piece of green cs and added it behind the Crocus's.  Much better!!

  I added a sentiment from The Greetery's Little Labels stamp & die set and also a small butterfly from Waffleflower (silver sparkle cs and vellum) before attaching it all to a panel that I embossed using SB's Hand Drawn Lines.  Sure looks like Spring to me!!

Check out all the inspiration we have for you right HERE and then play along with us...we really would LOVE to see YOU in our gallery!!  This challenge is open till Friday, April 25th @ 5:00PM.
  

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

Double D Challenge - Easter

Hello friends.  Playing with the gals over at the Double D Challenge where they have a wonderful mood board depicting all things Eater.

I've had bunnies on the brain since my latest Greetery order came, most specifically the Bunny Tales stamp and die set.  I ended up making two cards because, well, I had everything out already, so why not?!  Here's the 1st one...

I started by stamping the wreath and bunnies, and then die cut them both several times for a bit of dimension.  My background was made using the Bitty Botanicals (stamp & stencil set) and the Diamond Ribbons stencil (both are also new from The Greetery) and attached the panel to a white card base.  I also used the Frosted Frames die set (also The Greetery) with a light yellow cardstock to frame out my little bunny scene.

I finished this one with a sentiment from the Bunny Tales stamp set and also added a bow from the It's a Wrap: Posy Pocket die set to the bottom of the wreath.  I also stamped and die cut a few of the Bitty Botanicals to add to the wreath. Somewhere in my craft room I have teeny tiny white pompoms that I want to add to the bunny's tails...

My 2nd card was basically made the same as the first except for color changes and instead of the frame around the outside of the card, I used a PTI die cut (Reflections: April) over my background with foam tape and then added the wreath and bunny's over the top of that.

The sentiment, the extra flowers on the wreath, and the bow were all added just like on the first card.  I don't send out lots of Easter cards each year, but a few and I definitely had fun making these two!!

There is lots of wonderful inspiration from the team over at the DD and you can find it all right HERE.  This challenge is open till Sunday, April 13th @ 8:00PM.

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

The Flower Challenge #101 - USE SPRING COLORS

Hello friends and happy April!  We have a fun and simple challenge for you this month at The Flower Challenge...USE SPRING COLORS!!

I used PTI's Wild Blooms Stencil and came up with this colorful card...

After stenciling the blooms I used the largest PB Classy Frames Die and cut over the stenciled layer.  I die cut the frame two more times for some dimension and then stacked them and added them over the stenciled image being careful to line everything up, including the middle inside layer of the frame.  After securing everything down I realized I wanted to add my sentiment that I had embossed in silver on vellum flat against the middle layer, so I carefully lifted everything up and luckily didn't tear anything...phew!!

To finish off the card I stenciled just the pink flower and fussy cut it out and then added it over the vellum with foam tape.  I also added a few silver gems and then called it good.

We're excited to see our gallery filled with colorful Springtime colors and flowers of course.  Check out all the lovely inspiration from the rest of the DT right HERE and then play along with us!  This challenge is open till Friday, April 25th @ 5:00PM. 

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!

Color Hues Challenge #107 - ORANGE & TEAL

Hello friends.  Welcome to April and another Color Hues Challenge!  Jules is our hostess for the next two weeks and she would like us to use ORANGE & TEAL on our cards.

I had fun with this color combo and made a birthday card for my oldest grandson who will be 8 in May, and am congratulating myself for getting a birthday card done so far in advance!  Haha! (Usually it's a day or two only ahead, and sometimes even late!!)  But anyway, here's what I came up with...

My card base and #8 are from Tropical Teal cs (Gina K), but my photos are showing up more blue than teal...trust me, there's a lot more green in the cs than is showing up!!  I started with a white panel that I ink blended Tropical Teal & Tangerine Twist on and then die cut it with The Greetery's Bold Numbers Die and attached it to my Tropical Teal card base.  Next I stamped and colored with my Copics the Viking image from MFT stamps and fussy cut him out before attaching him to a Crimped Circle Die in Tropical Teal cs.

  I die cut a smaller Crimped Circle Die in Pumpkin Pie cs (SU!) and added the #8 die cut from the Tropical Teal (number is also from The Greetery). Both the number and the Viking have foam tape behind them for a little dimension.  As much as I wanted to add some bling, I held myself back and only added one teal gem to the center of his shield.  

Now it's your turn and we'd love to see what YOU come up with using this color combo in our gallery!  Check out what our Special GD Renate and DT have come up with to inspire you right HERE and then play along with us!  This challenge is open till Monday, April 14th @ 9:00AM. 

Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!