Favorites of 2023

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

September

October

November

December

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! 

I'll see you again next year.

Looking Ahead to 2024

As has been my practice for many years, I look forward to the new year - with it comes new plans (I love a new calendar) and a new Word of the Year to help me stay focused.

Most years, a word finds me - usually by the end of November or at the latest early December. This year it seemed to be a bit slower in coming to me. In retrospect, I think that might be because my 2023 Word of the Year served me so well. Gratitude. It helped me to focus on what I was thankful for even on the rough days. I definitely needed that in 2023.

I even considered having More Gratitude as my Word of the Year for 2024. Then I paused. Isn't life to be more than just Gratitude? Shouldn't it be a Celebration, too?

So, for 2024 my Word of the Year is...

It is my desire to celebrate each day! Special events, of course. But also the minute things that happen in life and everything in between, too. Sounds big, doesn't it? 

Catch Up Club - December 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.

FYI - I am a couple of days early this month, as I have other things on my blog the next two days. 

For this month's Catch Up Club post, I chose to complete a card from the March 2023 Crop & Create Delivered virtual event. It was a Taylored Expressions class, led by Taylor herself. I did veer from her plan quite a bit with my card, but that's okay.

The background is a stamp/stencil combination. Isn't it fun?

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!

From the Kit: Taylored Expressions Buds and Blossoms Stamp and Stencil Combo, Taylored Expressions Sentiment Staples Stamp and Die, and papers

In addition to the items in the kit, I used the following items when making my card: Honey Bee Sweet Stacks Rectangles Dies, Taylored Expressions Inks (Mint Julep, Mulled Wine, Pink Champagne, Raspberry Sorbet, and Toffee) and Taylored Expressions Clear Drip Drops

Chocolate Ice Cream

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 Lisa's turn. Today is National Chocolate Day so she has challenged us to use chocolate or chocolate color as the main theme of our cards.

I still have some long-retired Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip carstock so I used it... and, as you can see, Emery's favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate.

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Whipper Snapper Emery stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Chocolate Chip CS

Dies: Waffle Flower A2 Lacy Layers

Embellishment: Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots

SCS Sketch #SC990

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 - SC990:

My card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Taylored Expressions Wheatfield Dreams stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturne Black Ink and colored with Lindy's Magicals

Sentiment: Pinkfresh Studio Ephmera Pack

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Rose Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Hello Bluebird Nesting Half Circle and Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

CAS774 Presents

I hope you had a merry Christmas - time with family, good food, and maybe even a gift that brought you joy.

Yesterday was Monday, but it was a BUSY day here on my blog so I waited until today to share my card for this week's CAS Challenge on SCS.

The theme is...

Presents

Here's my card:

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

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Taylored Expressios Merry and On Repeat Christmas and Whipper Snapper Bear and Present stamped with Memento Ladybug and Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers 

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Real Red CS 

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Stamplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

A Technique Junkies Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas! 

This is my regularly scheduled Monday to post as a design team member for Technique Junkies. What better way to do that than with a Christmas card? 

Technique Junkies - Winter Borders

Technique Junkies - Scripted Merry Christmas

I invite you to use my affiliate code - TJ10JEANETTE - when placing an order at Technique Junkies. It will save you 10% on your purchase.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Technique Junkies Winter Borders stamped with Taylored Expressions Jalapeno Ink and colored with Colored Pencils and Technique Junkies Scripted Merry Christmas stamped with Taylored Expressions Cherry Pop Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Real Red and Shaded Spruce CS and Love from Lizzy Gold Glitter Strips

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and SU Stitched Shapes (Ovals)

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

The Lord Has Come

Happy Christmas Eve!

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...

Missing Things - 2015

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

Silent Night, Holy Night - 2022

Here is this year's card:

Here's the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Sweet N Sassy O Holy Night and Make Forte Oh Holy Night stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black, and SU Blushing Bride CS and SU Brushed Gold Cards and Envelopes

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and Paper Cut Stitched Circles

Embellishments: Amazon Varigated Diamond Dots, Pink Fresh Gold Pearls, and SU Metallic Ribbon

Double Duty 2023 - My Favorite Things

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 the past year, 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. 

Oh, and yes, I am a day late this month, since yesterday was dedicated to a design team post here on my blog.

This month's company is My Favorite Things.

Card #1

Card #2

The thing/s that are the same on both cards (as per the challenge specifications) are: the Stampin' UP! Exposed Brick Embossing Folder was used for the background and I used pearls as embellishments on both cards.

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: My Favorite Things Magnolia Blossoms stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Brown, and SU Blushed Blossom and Lemon Lime Twist CS

Embossing Folder: SU Exposed Brick

Dies: CC Designs Tags Galore, Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, Simon Says Sentiment Labels, and Sunny Studio Fancy Frames Rectangles 

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Pearls

BK - Through the Woods

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.

This week I am featuring the Through the Woods stamp. You can check it out in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

The image was stamped on BKRS Designer Paper Day and color was added using alcohol markers (Copics and Olo).

Card #2

The image was stamped on white CS and colored with alcohol markers (Copics and Olo).

* * * * * 

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!