Favorites of 2022

For the past few years I've put together my Favorites post where I choose my personal favorite card of each month of the year and repost those here on my blog on (or very close to) December 31st. I hope you like re-visiting these with me.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August 1 and 2

(I couldn't decide between the two)

September

October

November

December

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! 

I'll see you again next year.

Catch Up Club - December 2022

In a text conversation amongst friends in the fall of 2022, we agreed that we were all falling behind in creating with items from virtual events, kits, even groups we are in. From that conversation the idea of the Catch Up Club took formation. We decided it was time to work on those cardmaking projects that were waiting for our attention. 

On the last day of each month we've committed to sharing card/cards we have made from something we need to "catch up" on. (This month, I'm posting a day early as I have my Year in Review post tomorrow.)

You can view my original Catch Up Club post - HERE - for more details.

For this month's Catch Up Club post, I chose to use complete the cards from the first Let's Stamp Together event of 2022, which was in reality the first one ever. The kit was from Gina K Designs and she designed the cards and taught the class.

The kit included a stamp set, coordinating die set, a stencil, and some masking magic. I used my own papers, inks, and embellishments.

It should be noted that while most cards posted on my blog are my own designs (albeit sometimes inspired by others), these Catch Up Club cards are not my designs. I've completed cards designed by the class instructor, so while I've made the card, it is not original to me.

Please check out the blogs of my Catch Up Club friends, too...

Barb

Darlene

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Sketch #SC938

I checked out the weekly sketch challenge on SCS yesterday. Did you see it? As you likely know, there is a new sketch challenge each Wednesday. This week's challenge had several layers - 5 to be exact. 

I love layers!

Sketch #SC938 

Of course I had to make a card. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Whimsy Moose You stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Hammermill 110# White and SU Basic Black CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Honey Bee Sentiment Banners, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and Paper Roses Stitched Circles

Gingerbread Man & Other Sweets

One of my favorite challenge groups is the Challenge Your Stash group on SCS, under the capable and organized leadership of my friend Barb. The idea is we can't shop for anything when making our monthly challenge card (which we post on the 28th of each month).

We take turns choosing the theme. This month it was Lorraine's turn. She challenged us to make a card or other project with a gingerbread man/woman image or sentiment. I searched and searched and could not find a gingerbread stamp in my collection. I'm sure I must have one, but just can't find it. I did have some designer paper with gingerbread men on it though so I'm good.

I hope Lorraine, Barb and the other Challenge Your Stash gals like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Stampin' UP! Sassy Salutations stamped with Taylored Expressions Watermelon Ink

Papers: Hammermill 110# White and SU Real Red CS, DP from the Recollections Noel Paper Pad, and Glitter Paper from an unknown vendor

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles. Simon Says Sentiment Labels, and Stamp Market Quick Strips

Embellishment: Paper Studio Mini Brads and a Peppermint Brad from an unknown vendor

CAS722 Many Thanks

I think Lisa (Shoe Girl on SCS) read my mind. I was needing to get a thank you note in the mail and guess what? She chose the theme Many Thanks for this week's CAS Challenge. Perfect. CAS meant I was able to get the card made quickly. Win/win.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Silhouette Corner Foliage stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: SU Basic Black CS and Other Papers from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Taylored Expressions Thanks

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

Unity Advent Calendar 2022 - Part #3

I decided to try to stretch myself this year by creating a card each day leading up to Christmas by using an Advent Calendar from Unity Stamp Company. This is in addition to my nearly daily card/project posted on my blog, hence the stretch.

I have shared these cards in three posts - the first one can be seen HERE; the second one can be seen HERE; and this is the last one. 

December 17

Papers: Hammermill and SU CS

DP Scraps

Sentiment: Unity Warm Inside

Dies: MFT

Embellishments: Buttons Galore Rhinestones

December 18

Papers: Hammermill & SU CS

DP Scraps

Sentiment: Unity One of a Kind Winter

Dies: MFT & SU

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

December 19

Papers: Hammermill & SU CS

DP Scraps

Sentiment: Unity Thanks Thanks Thanks

Dies: Gina K, MFT, Paper Roses & Simon Says

Embellishments: Enamel Dots (vendor unknown)

December 20

Papers: Hammermill & SU CS

DP Scraps

Sentiment: Unity One of Those People

Dies: MFT & Sizzix

Embellishments: Kat Scrappiness Glass Bubbles

December 21

Papers: Hammermill & SU CS

DP from Unity

Sentiment: Unity Panda Bundle Pack

Dies: Paper Roses, Simon Says & Unity

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

December 22

Papers: Hammermill & SU CS

DP Scraps

Dies: Gina K, Sizzix & SU

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Hammer Brad

December 23

Papers: Hammermill & SU CS

DP Scraps

Sentiment: Unity Colorful Day

Dies: MFT

Embellishments: Taylored Expressions Enamel Heart & Enamel Dots (vendors unnknown)

December 24

Papers: Hammermill & SU CS

DP Scraps

Sentiment: Unity Warm Inside

Dies: MFT & Paper Roses

Embellishments: Enamel Dots (unknown vendor)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Silent Night, Holy Night

Merry Christmas! I hope you are all enjoying the blessings of the season!

My husband is what is called an Association Mission Strategist. Ours is an association of 25 churches, each one autonomous. As an association, the churches unite for training, ministry, and more. My husband's job in part is to help oversee that. 

At Christmastime we always send a handmade (by me) and poem (written by my husband) to each ministry family in our association. As is my norm, I'm sharing the card I made for them here on my blog on Christmas Day.

You can see my previous six cards via these links if you're interested...

Jesus Is the Reason - 2016

A Bethlehem Night that Changed the World - 2017

Joy to the World - 2018

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him - 2019

Merry Christmas Poinsettia - 2020

Love Was Born in a Manger - 2021

Here is this year's card:

Here's the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Stampin' UP! Peace to You and My Sentiments Exactly Christmas Spirit stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: Fun Stampers Journey Summer Days, Hammermill 110# White and SU Basic Black CS

Dies: Gina Marie Big & Little Chain Rectangle

Embellishment: Studio Katia Pineapple Delight Crystal

It's a Fan Club Christmas - December

It is no secret that I am a fan of Splitcoaststampers. I joined in January of 2008 and it soon became a place that I loved. Many friendships have been made there, I've gained inspiration and been challenged to try new things, I've participated in swaps and challenges and special events. Many of you totally understand what I mean when I say SCS is my happy place because it's your happy place, too. 

I didn't know there was such a thing as an SCS Fan Club in those days, but when I heard about it, I decided to join, thinking I could give back a little bit to the site that means so much to me. Little did I know that I get much more as a fan club member than I ever give. There are just so many fun perks, the monthly Fan Club Christmas/Winter Challenge, being one of them.

Each month you'll find a card here on my blog that I've made with for that month's challenge... but of course, I can't share what the theme is. If you are an SCS fan club member, you can learn all the details there. If you're not, I hope you'll enjoy my card anyway.

Here's this month's card...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Whipper Snapper Snowman Lookout stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Hammermill 110# White, Recollections Black and Kraft, and SU Real Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Birch Press Big Hello Sugar Script, MFT Stitched Rectangles, MFT Stitched Tag-Corner Squares, and Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Strips

Embellishments: Gina Marie Enamel Dots

BK - Seasonal Woodland

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

For today's card I used the Seasonal Woodland stamp set today.

You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE. I added a family of deer to the scene using the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Buck, Doe & Fawn stamp set.

I first stamped the image with Memento Ink onto white cardstock, not caring so much what it looked like. I left the stamp in my stamping platform, then masked the ground and blended a variety of colors onto the sky. Once I was satisfied, I used a falling snow stencil (from A Colorful Life) and blended some white ink onto the sky to create the snow in the air.

After it had dried completely, I put the piece back in the stamping platform and stamped repeatedly until I got a good crisp image. I then stamped the deer family onto the scene.

* * * * * 

You can find each of today's featured stamps HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.

And... don't forget to join us at the Fan Group and YouTube Channel:

Fans of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps (Facebook group) is HERE

and the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps YouTube Channel is HERE

Jeanette Cloyd, Design Team Member

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!