March 2026 Card Chain Challenge Reveal!

 Today is the day we see all of the cards exchanged for the March Card Chain Challenge!  

25 people participated this month from all over the world!

I sent my card to Lucille in NJ and I received a lovely card from Jeanne in MN!

Each month we are given suggestions for colors, sketch, theme options, and product/technique Options.  You only need to use one of the suggestions or you can use as many as you feel creative about!

This month I just went with one of the theme options - Home.  ETA - also technique patchwork and stamps! 

My card is 5" x 5" but the bird will fit on 4 1/4"x 5 1/2"

I made the bird by layering thin strips of DP (1/4" or less x 4 1/2")  over a  4 1/2" square panel of white card (I save all the little strips of DP that I cut off when making cards!)

Then I die cut the panel using Bird Silhouette Bigz Die from Tim Holtz/Sizzix (there are a few available on Ebay) I layered it over a panel of Untamed Meadow DP from Unity.  I stamped the sentiment from Backyard Friends (Ellen Hutson/Retired - there's one set available on Ebay!) on a piece of white card cut with a 1 1/2" circle punch.  I added a black bead for it's eye, colored the beak with a black Copic and added 3 yellow acrylic dots to the sentiment!

We'd love to have you join us for the April Challenge, you'll find the challenge and all the details on how to sign up and join in over at The Card Chain Challenge Blog.  

Sign up for April ends on 4/6.

Also sending my card to:

Allsorts Challenge

Spring time or anything goes   Ends 4/10

The Paper Players

Die cut, flowers, Layers diagonal  

Could also be diagonal  sentiment, Flowers, Circle!

or - circle, patterned paper, layers!  Trifecta!  ends 4/3

Snippets Playground

I used left over strips of DP for my die cut bird  ends 4/11

Just Us Girls

Stamps: Backyard Friends - Ellen Hutson - retired (1 available on Ebay)
Ink: Nocturne Versafine Clair
Paper: White PTI, strips of various DP from stash.
Other Supplies: Bird Silhouette Bigz Die - Tim Holtz/Sizzix retired (a few on Ebay), 1 1/2" circle punch - SU, enamel dots - Altenew.

August 2025 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 Today's the day all of the cards exchanged through the Card Chain Challenge  for August are being revealed over at the blog.  I sent my card to Carol in the UK and received a card from Arlene in California!

We are always given several options to inspire our card designs - but we only have to use one.  

This month I used the colors (which I rarely do as I hate being told what colors to use!), I "sort of" used the Sketch, the themes of Tropical and Friendship and the technique of Stenciling! 

Phew!  I got a lot of the suggestions in this month - I think this might be the most ever for me!

I used a Pool Water Stencil on my background which is white hammered cardstock. I die cut the squares and the cool summer drink is a rub-on from Taperlogy!

Instead of making a card that opens - I used a die cut easel on the back so the panel stands up for display!

Please pop over to the Card Chain Challenge Blog to see all the cards exchanged and to join us next month if you are so inspired - you'll find all the details for signing up here!  

Also sending my card to:

Dragonfly Dreams

Lots of Layers - ends 9/6

Paper Players

Center Horizonal line

Bright Colors   Free  Enamel Dots 

ends 9/5

Stamps:  Just Sentiments: Summer - Papertrey Ink.

Ink:  Soft Lilac - Altenew, Nocturne Versafine Clair.

Paper:  Hammered White - Amazon, Amethyst Allure, Summer Sunrise, and Raspberry Fizz - Papertrey Ink.

Other Supplies:  Square Nestability dies - Sizzix, Pool Water Stencil - Papertrey Ink, Summer Vacation Collection Rub Ons - Taperlogy, enamel dots - Altenew, foam dots, Blender Brush, Small Easel  Bigz Die - Sizzix.

March 2025 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 Today is the day all of the cards sent around the world for the March Card Chain Challenge are revealed!  I sent my card to Linda in Minnesota and I received a card from Imke in Germany!

This month I used the theme: Stripes and Friendship and the Technique - Layers (layers of die cuts)

Would you like to join in on this fun monthly challenge?  Check out the details over at The Card Chain Challenge blog.

You need to sign up by April 6th for the April Challenge!

FYI -  I had surgery on my right shoulder for a torn rotator cuff on March 26th and I'm 6 weeks in a sling so can't stamp or leave lengthy comments on your blogs for a bit!  I have done all of my DT posts ahead for the next two months so I will have posts on my blog!

I'm also sending my card to:

NBUS

first time using this lovely Little Blooms die set from Spellbinders.

The Paper Players

vertical line on left - flowers, diecut, lavender

Paper:  white, Aqua Mist, Lilac Grace, Green Parakeet, Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush, True Black - PTI, DP Bitty Big Smokey Shadow - PTI.

Other Supplies:  Little Blooms Dies - Spellbinders, Mid Century Frame Die - Altenew, Label Stickers: Thoughts - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology, enamel dots - Altenew.

Seize the Birthday - with Fruit, the Calories Don't Count!

 There's a new challenge over at Seize the Birthday today - as I continue my participation as Surprise Party Guest!

The challenge is always Birthday and there is always a design option - which this week is Fruits.

   

And here's my card where I used the option of Fruit!

My charcuterie board is loaded with strawberries, cherries and slices of pineapple along with a round of brie and a few crackers.

And, although my sentiment says "the calories don't count on your birthday" - the fruit on the board is all good for you so you can eat it without guilt!  

But the birthday cake and ice cream for dessert might be an issue??!!

The board and food items are stamps and dies from Avery Elle, the coaster die is from The Greetery and the sentiment is from a retired set from Papertrey Ink. 

So please join in and show us your birthday cards and maybe use the option of Fruits in your design?!  You'll find lots of inspiration from the talented Design Team as well as Mr. Linky over at Seize the Birthday!

Also linking my card to:

Just Us Girls

A fruit charcuterie board for a picnic or lunch on the deck  ends 7/17

Little Red Wagon

Something you love -  I love layering die cut sets   ends 7/17

The Paper Players

inspired by summertime fruits   ends 7/13

Stamps:  Char-cute-rie - Avery Elle, Foodie Fun - Papertrey Ink (retired)

Ink:  Nocturne - Versafine Clair.

Paper:  Pure Poppy, New Leaf, Pine Feather, Scarlet Jewel, Fine Linen, Lemon Tart and White - PTI, Water color paper - Canson Cold Press (for the board), striped black/white sticky back vinyl sheet from stash,

Accessories: Char-cute-rie dies - Avery Elle, Coaster Die - The Greetery,  circle punch, Tuxedo Hearts - Honey Bee, Copics YR00, E11, E12.

Inkspirational #307 - Layered Tulips

 Happy New Year everyone!  It's time for the next Inkspirational Challenge which is Stencils with the option of using more than one stencil or layering stencils!

I knew I was going to use my beautiful tulip layering stencil from Unity Stamps.  I also purchased the die that goes with the stencils (there's a stamp set also if you don't want to stencil but I didn't purchase that.)  

My card is a slimline size - 3 1/2" x 8". 

I used a Gold Gelly Roll Pen to outline all the edges and rubbed a Gold Pigment ink on the edges of the die cut and background piece of DP for a little glimmer in the light.

So please get out those stencils and show us some pretty cards over at Inkspirational!

You'll find lots of DT inspiration as well as Mr. Linky here.

You have up to 1/26 to link up!

Also linking my card to:

Seize the Birthday

Anything goes

ends 1/23

Stencil Fun

Anything goes

ends 1/31

Stamps: Mini Strips- Carried Away - Taylored Expressions.
Ink: Olive, Fresh Leaf, Maple Yellow, Orange Cream - Altenew, Gold Pigment Ink - Colorbox.
Paper: White - PTI, DP Modern Metallic 12x12 paper pad - DCWV.
Accessories: Layering Slimline Tulip Stencils, Tulip Die - Unity Stamps, blender brushes, Mini Strip Die - Taylored Expressions, Gold Gelly Roll Pen, foam dots.

A White Candle Birthday

 I made this all white slimline clean and simple Birthday card for four different challenges today!

It's a 8 1/4" x 3 1/4 inch slimline card.  The candles and sentiment are die cut out of Distress White Woodgrain Paper from Ranger which gives them some texture against the plain white card base while still being white!  

I also brushed Clear Glitter Wink of Stella over the die cuts so there is a little shimmer when the light hits the card - MAYBE you can see the glittery shine on the candles above?   It's hard to photograph.

I'm linking my card to the following challenges:

AAA Cards

White on White

Paper Players

Sketch

Seize the Birthday

Candles

Just Us Girls

CAS Birthday

Paper:  White - PTI, Distress White Woodgrain Paper - Tim Holtz/Ranger

Accessories:  Candle Die from Candle Light set - Altenew, It's Your Birthday Die - Simon Says Stamp, Slimline Nested Stitch die - Rubbernecker, Clear Glitter Wink of Stella Brush.

Tree of Dreams Birthday

 I have such a big stash of Lavinia stamps I decided to sit down and use some today!

First, I laid a large circle mask over the 5"x5" panel and used a blender brush to color inside it with Distress Dried Marigold.  I removed that mask and laid down a smaller circle mask over the bottom edge of the big circle and used the same blender brush to color it again with Dried Marigold making it a little darker for contrast.

I stamped the Tree of Dreams off the bottom and side edges a bit.  I stamped the Fairy Charm heart off a branch and the Orchard Grass around the bottom of the tree.

Then I laid the Swiss Dot Stencil over the panel and used a blender brush to add Dried Marigold.  

To finish my card, I stamped the happy birthday.

I'm linking my card to:

The Paper Players

Seize the Birthday

fav technique - stenciling

Stamps: Tree of Dreams, Orchard Grass, Fairy Charms - Lavina, Sentiment Suite: Birthday - The Greetery
Paper: Mulitfarious Smooth - Lavinia
Ink: Obsidian - Altenew, Ranger Distress Dried Marigold
Accessories: Circle Masks - Lavinia, blending brush, Swiss Dot Stencil - Frantic Stamper, stamp positioner.

April Card Chain Challenge Reveal Post

 Today's the Reveal Post for the April Card Chain Challenge.  This month I made and sent my card to Hilary in Great Britain and I received a card from Linda in Michigan!

We are given options to choose for our card design each month.   I chose to use the color palette, and two of the themes - Wild and Friendship.

Here's my card

I first die cut the honeycomb corner on a water color paper panel using Mixed Media Thinlits from Tim Holtz/Sizzix.  Then I stenciled over the right side of the panel with one of Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Mini Stencils using a blender brush and Limeade Ink.

I marked my white card base to show where the die cutout part on the panel was and sponged over that area on the card base using a blender brush and Maple Yellow Ink. Then I adhered the die cut panel onto the card base so the yellow showed through the honeycomb.

I made 3 little bees using the Fire Flies Die from The Greetery (coloring them with Copics to look like bees!) and adhered them to the panel with foam dots.  

I stamped the sentiment, a wood mounted stamp from Memory Box, over the stenciled area with Obsidian Ink.

To finish off my design, I added 3 clear sequins for a little sparkle!

If you are interested in making a card and receiving a card any month - please check out The Card Chain Challenge to see how fun and easy it is!  You can just do it one month, or come back and sign up for another!

Also joining in on:

The Paper Players

Stamps:  What's the Buzz? - Wood mount stamp/Memory Box

Ink:  Limeade, Maple Yellow, Obsidian - Altenew

Paper:  Water Color Paper - Canson Cold Press, White - Papertrey Ink.

Accessories:  Mixed Media Thinlits Die - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Fire Flies Die - The Greetery, Mini Stencil - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, foam dots, orange and black Copics, clear sequins, blender brushes.

The Promised Spring

 Looking ahead to the promised spring and working on my Easter/Spring cards! 

I've had this lovely Magnolium Die from Aexandra Renke for over a year and felt it was time to finally get it out and use it. 

 I also added a bow from Fit to be Tied from the Greetery. I layered it over an oval die cut that I embossed with a Spring Leaves A2 Pierced Cover Plate from Honey Bee. (the piercing doesn't show up too well in the photo , you can see it mostly in the center).  

I layered the oval to a panel I embossed with the Weathered Embossing Folder from Taylored Expressions. 

 I die cut that panel with Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frames from MFT. The sentiment is from an older Papertrey Ink set - Mega Mixed Messages.  

I went over the die cut stems with gray and pink watercolor pencils just a bit to add a little depth.

I'm linking my card to:

The Paper Players

NBUS

Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages - Papertrey Ink
Paper: White, Soft Stone, Lovely Lady - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Obsidian - Altenew
Accessories: Magnolium Die - Alexandra Renke, Fit to be Tied Dies - The Greetery, Pierced Feature Ovals - PTI, Spring Leaves A2 Pierced Cover Plate - Honey Bee Stamps, Weathered Embossing Folder - Taylored Expressions, foam dots.