Catch Up Club - January 2023

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. 

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 March 2022 Let's Stamp Together.

Becky Moore designed the kit and created a video showing how to make three cards with the stamps, dies, and stencil included in the kit. Becky is the Art Director at Photoplay Paper and the creator of Say it With Stamps.

The first card was a fun design. It included a peek-through with the image on the inside. There was supposed to be a stamped and embossed piece of acetate over the opening - but I cheated. That just seemed way too challenging for me.

I also messed up my measurements a bit... so I just went with my card, tweaks and all.

I did add some Stickles Glitter Glue to add a bit of sparkle to the dots on the cupcake.

The second card was a gate fold card.

The third card was s slimline with stenciled balloons. 

The class was fun and I learned some things along the way, too. That always makes me happy.

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!

CAS727 Bubbles

It's Monday, which means there is a new CAS Challenge on SCS. I've been on the CAS team since the beginning of this month, but this is my first time hosting one of the challenges. I'm a bit nervous about that,but also really excited to see the cards created this week.

In celebration of Celebrate Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day which apparently occurs on January 30th each year (who even knew there was such a day, right?) the theme is... 

Bubbles

I have three different kinds of bubbles on my card.

1. A conversation bubble

2. Bubbles from a stencil

3. Glass bubbles embellishments

I hope you'll check out the challenge - HERE - and play along, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Your Next Stamp Whatnot Sentiment 3 stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: Hammermill 110# White and SU Marina Mist CS and DP from my scrap file

Stencil/Ink: Stamp Anniething Bubble Stencil and Taylored Expressions Banana Cream Pie Ink

Dies: Impression Obsession Stitched Speech Border and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Kat Scrappiness Blue Glass Bubble Mix

Happily Ever After

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 Barb's turn. Here's her challenge: Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary for 6 years of this group. Make a celebration card that has metallic on it.

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Background stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

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

Stencil/Ink: LDRS Waffle Cone Stencil and Taylored Expressions Macaron Ink

Dies: Hero Arts Love You and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishment: Crafty Meraki Gold Pearls

BK - Bare Tree with Stream

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 Bare Tree with Stream stamp set today.

You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

I used the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Cloud Stencil to create the sky on my first card. I also used the "leaves" stamp to add leaves to the tree.

Card #2

On this second card I used paper piecing, which was such fun!

* * * * * 

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!

Fan Club Christmas 2023 - January

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: Hero Arts Snowpeople Border stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

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

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 2 and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Brads from unknown vendors and Stickles Glitter Glue

SCS Sketch #SC942

I find that having a sketch to use can get my creative ideas flowing, so I love being part of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge team. There is a new sketch to work with every Wednesday. I encourage you to check them out.

Here's this week's sketch - SC942:

I tweaked the sketch a bit - instead of having a slimline design, mine is A2 size.

My card:

Here's the inside of my card:

I hope you'll use the sketch to make a card, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Your Next Stamp Photo Booth stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers and Your Next Stamp Cheeky Monkey stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: Hammermill 110# White and SU Basic Black, Lemon Lime Twist, and Only Orange CS 

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles, Paper Roses Stitched Circles, and Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics

Embellishments: Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor

Bouquet in Watercolor

If you follow my blog somewhat regularly, you know that I create a lot of floral cards. I have so many stamps of flowers that I could probably create a card for weeks and not repeat the same stamp. Hmmmm... can a person own too many stamps? Please don't answer that.

Today's card features the Vintage Flowers stamp set from Concord & 9th. Instead of coloring with Copic Markers as I usually do, I used a watercolor technique using Karin Brushmarker Pro Markers mixed with water. I love the soft look this gives the image.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Concord & 9th Vintage Flowers colored with Karin Brushmaker Pro Markers and a Zig Wink of Stella Marker

Papers: Canson Watercolor Paper, Hammermill 110# White (inside) and SU Basic Black CS and a piece of Gold CS from my scrap file

Dies: Elizabeth Craft Stitched Indented Rectangles and Simon Says Handwritten Hello

Embellishments: Stickles Glitter Glue and Taylored Expressions Pastel Tiny Diamonds

CAS726 Numbers

It's Monday, which means there is a new CAS Challenge on SCS. 

Lisa is hosting and she's given us a great theme. It's going to be fun to see what others create this week.

The theme is...

Numbers

Here's my card:

I need to explain  my numbers. When I was in college, for some unknown reason I started telling my mom 1-4-3, which stands for I love you. (I= 1 letter, Love = 4 letters, You = 3 letters) Fast forward to married life with three children... I continued this tradition, especially with my youngest, a daughter. I will be sending this card to her... but Shhhh! Don't tell her.

I hope you'll check out the challenge - HERE - and play along, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Numbers: Hello Bluebird By the Numbers die and SU Basic Black CS

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

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 2, MFT Stitched Rectangle, Sizzix Geo Stitched Frames, and Stamp Market Quick Strips

Embellishments: Puffy Heart from an unknown vendor

Double Duty 2023 - Gina K

In January of 2021, my stamping comrades Barb and Kelly and I debuted a new series/challenge. Double Duty was Barb's idea... and it is a GREAT idea! I've had so much fun with this series. Thanks for inviting me to play along, Barb!

This is Barb's description of the Double Duty concept...

Each month, we get to pick a stamp set from a predetermined company. Then, we will use that one stamp set and make two cards from the set.  Different images and sentiments from the same set can be used, or use the same image two different ways—Double Duty either way!  But, as an added challenge, one item must be used on both cards—same color cardstock, same ribbon, same stencil, same something.  Double Duty Again!  Post both cards on your blog on the same day—the 22^nd of each month.  See-Double Duty again!  Have fun getting doubly inky each month with a different stamp company.  Let’s have fun!

Over time, things have changed a bit in who's participating, but not in the instructions. This year's Double Duty crafters are Barb, Carol, Darlene, and me.

This month's company is Gina K. I had not yet inked up my Fancy Feathers stamp set, though I have owned it for a while, so this was the perfect excuse to do so.

There are actually several thing/s that are the same on both of my cards (as per the challenge specifications there must be at least one thing that's the same). I used stencils and ink blending in the background on both cards. I used the same designer paper. I used the same dies - My Favorite Things Stitched Rectangles and the Feather Die from the Gina K set (even though they were two different stamps from the set, they both used the same die), and the same embellishments.

Let's check out the other Double Duty cards, too...

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies Used

Stamp/Die Set: stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Sentiments: Gina K Perfect Posy (You make life so lovely) and Painted Blossom Mini (hello friend) stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Stencils/Blending: MFT Square Extraordinaire (TE Cupcake Ink), AALL & Create Lotza Diamondz (TE Strawberry Milkshake Ink), and Miss Inks In & Out Hollywood (TE Toffee Ink)

Papers: Hammermill 110# White, Recollections Kraft, and SU Basic Black CS and MFT Black/White Stripes DP 

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Strips

Embellishments: Pretty Pink Posh Onyx Pearls

How Well Do You Know Me?

How about a trivia question today? Let's see how well you know me...

What's something I use often on my cards, admire when other people have the actual item, but you'll not find it at my house?

The answer: flowers.

Did you know that about me?

I do love Love LOVE flower stamps and own many different ones. Flowers to color, silhouette flowers, big flowers, little flowers. 

BUT we don't grow any flowers at all. My husband is a gardener, but his theory is if you can't eat it; don't grow it. I, on the other hand, enjoy seeing flowers in yards, but on the rare occasions when I've tried to have them, I forget to water them and they quickly die. Sad story, I know. So I stick to flower stamps; since I can't kill them.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die: LDRS Lily stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Sentiment: Concord & 9th Bo Ho Butterfly stamped with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink

Papers: Hammermill 110# White and SU Basic Black and Powder Blue CS, DP from my scrap file, and a tag (a gift with order from Unity)

Ink (for blending on tag): Taylored Expressions Lime Zest

Dies: Unity Scallop & Rectangles

Embellishments: Offray Crochet Thread and Studio Katia Tri Bubbles Tiny