February 2026 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 Today's the day they reveal all the cards sent out for the February Card Chain Challenge over at the Card Chain Challenge Blog!

For February, I sent a card to Wendy in Ireland and received a card from Joanne in CT.

This month I used one of the suggested Themes - On The Farm!

This adorable Highland Cow is an 'already colored' DIGI I purchased on line by Hetty Clare called Cute Cow (I found her on Etsy a few years ago but it appears she is no longer selling there)

I actually met some of these beautiful Highland Cows when my son and I went on a tour of Great Britain way back in 1995- finding them on a farm in Scotland!

  

I checked on line that they are also in Ireland since I was sending my card to Wendy in Ireland!

I added the clay flowers from The Greetery between the horns and on the grass, as well as the sentiment that I made up and printed on my computer.

Now's the time to sign up for the March Card Chain Challenge!  You'll find the challenge and the sign up with instructions on 'how to'  here at The Card Chain Challenge.

Sign up ends March 6th!

Also sending my card to:

NBUS

first time using the Cute Cow

Critter Crazy Challenge

Anything goes with a featured critter - ends 3/25

Four Seasons: Spring

ends 3/25

Paper:  White - PTI

Other Supplies:  Digi Image -  Cute Cow: Hetty Claire, computer generated sentiment, Garden Bits Clay Flowers - The Greetery.

Well Done, Graduate!

I needed a card for a friend's son who is graduating from High School next week.  I only have a few graduation stamps and was trying to think of a good design when I  remembered a free digital graduation cap pattern I found from The Toymaker and I made this!
You can print it in black like below - or in white and add your own school colors.

I printed the digital cap on white cardstock, cut it out and quickly assembled it. The top measures 3 3/4" x 3 3/4".  The bottom of the box is 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" graduating in a bit to the top.

 The cap opens so you can put a gift inside.  I rolled up some cash and tied it with a piece of wrinkled seam tape.

All the stamps I used are from two retired Waltzingmouse sets, Free Spirit Boy and Free Spirit Sentiments.

I added the tassel using a large brad through the top of the cap.  There is a paper tassel with the digi image pattern.

I'm linking my graduation card to:

Always Fun Challenges

Graduation

Words 2 Craft By

The Influence of a Good Teacher can never be erased. 

(a student can't graduate without having had good teachers!)

Stamps:  Free Spirit Boy, Free Spirit Sentiments - Waltzingmouse (retired)
Paper:  White, Summer Sunrise - PTI
Ink:  True Black - PTI
Accessories:  Free digital pattern images -  The Toymaker, tassel, large brad, oval punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Word Window Punch - SU, Tombow Glue

CELEBRATE - Coffee Lovers Spring Summer Blog Hop

Here's my third card for the Spring Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!  

For today's card, I used this lovely digital image that Shery, owner of STAMPlorations, offered for free for the blog hop.

I printed the image off my computer, sizing it to fit on an A2 card.  I colored it with various Copics, trying to limit the number of colors I used, and using soft spring/summer colors!  

I brushed over the blue flowers as well as the cupcake paper with a Clear Glitter Wink of Stella - so they sparkle in the light!  Hopefully you can see some of the shimmer on the close ups below.

I also added a Tiny Twinkle to the center of each flower.

I used Birthday Top Edges die from Impression Obsession to die cut the sentiment, using the same patterned paper that I used behind my image panel.

Tomorrow's the last day of the hop -  so if you're thinking of creating a summer/spring coffee/tea themed card you better link it up soon!  There are hundreds of prizes to be one for randomly chosen creations! 

Paper:  White - PTI, DP Spring Fling 6x6 Paper Pad - Lawn Fawn.
Accessories:  free digital image - STAMPlorations, Birthday Top Edges die - Impression Obsession, Copics: R00, R20, BG10, BG11, YG03, YG05, E59, E35, R29, Clear Glitter Wink of Stella, Tombow Glue, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions (no longer available).

Happy St. Patrick's Day Coloring Book

I have a quick and simple St. Patrick's Day Coloring book to share that I made for the grands.  They are 2,4 5 and 6 years old and they LOVE to get mail so I send them cards for every holiday.

First I made 4 covers out of green card measuring 5 1/2" x  8 1/2".  I folded them in half and then scored a line 1/2" in from the fold on the front so the cover will fold back easily when the kids open it to color the pages. (they need it to be opened flat right?!)

I printed some free digi images for the coloring pages.  The digi images are from Claire Brennan and you'll find them here.  She has individual digi images as well as colored papers.  She also has a PDF file that has the 4 images  that print on one 8 1/2" x 11" paper.  I printed this file onto regular computer paper. Then I just cut the pages into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" sections and used one of each of the 4 images in each book.

I placed the image sheets into the folded cover and stapled the edge.

I decorated the cover with some St Patrick's Day stamps from My Sentiments Exactly.  I added a sparkly foam shamrock and printed their names using my Brother Label maker.

Here are two of the 4  digi images - so fun for them to color, right?!!

I'll pop these into the mail soon to be sure they arrive before St. Patrick's Day!

I'm linking my books to:

Happy Little Stampers

Stamps:  Free Digi Images from Claire Brennan,  Irish Blessings - My Sentiments
Paper:  New Leaf  - PTI,  white computer paper
Ink:  WV Archival Fern Green
Accessories:  foam shamrock - Michaels, stapler, ScorPal, Brother Label Maker.

Swimming for Katie Renz

"From October 10th -12th some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer.  If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year.  This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight.  A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer.  Her first post about it is here.  The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

The exclusive digi image used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers, is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digi or a digi and SVG cut file.  100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family.  

In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale. 

Direct donations are also being accepted.  Information central is HERE.  This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

 

Here are all the items available for sale.

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation.  The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today.  I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate. 

If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:
Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Please also keep Katie and her family in your prayers....     Thank you!

AJ Otto

Beate

Carolyn Mustopa

Dawn Burnworth

Deb Felts

Gretchen Belknap

Heather Jensen

Jen del Muro

Julie Ranae

Kate - i {heart} papers

Kendra Wietstock

Lisa Johnson

Loretta Lock

Lori Tecler

Lynn Mercurio

Marianne Walker

Michele Gross

Stacy aka Twinshappy

Tracy Schultz

Debbie Olson

Cindy Lawrence

Cindy Haffner 

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Tammy Hershberger

Danielle Kennedy

Barbara Anders

Makiko Jones

Ashley N Newell

Shannan Teubner

Taylor Usry

Jen Tapler

Jenn Balcer

Jenny Chesnick

Jess Larsen

Jessica Knutsen

Jimmi Mayo

Joan Bardee

Joan Ervin

Julia Aston  Me!

Julie Day

Julie Ebersole

Paper:  white, Dark Chocolate, Lavender Moon, Text Style Happy Spots - PTI

Ink:  Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass

Accessories:  ScorTape, foam tape, glue dots, Acetate Bullion Fringe - Joann's, vintage button - PTI, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, circle and lacey circle Nestabilities, Copics - RV11, RV21, RV32, R20, YR23