January 2026 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 Today is reveal day over at The Card Chain Challenge - when we see all the cards that were exchanged for the January Challenge!   I sent my card to Hilary in the UK and I received a card from Joanne in CT.

We are always given options for our card designs - we can use all the options or as little as one!

This month I used the colors, the theme of friendship and the technique of layers!

These are not colors I would usually choose to use together - so it was a good creative challenge for me to use them! 

 

I used two different die sets - Infinity Punch and Pierce Plate from Sizzix for the background and Stylish Oval Hello You Floral from Spellbinders for the flowers and leaves.

  

The sentiment is from A Little Message Sentiments Press Plate and die set from Better Press.

I sponged the edges of the lighter petals with ink matching the darker petals.  I inked the edges of the leaves with ink matching the lighter petals and I added some acrylic dots!  The one largest flower is up on foam dots.

We'd love to have you join us for the February Card Chain Challenge you'll find all you need to know about signing up and options for your card design there!

Sign up ends on Feb 6th

Paper:  Terracotta Tile, Melon Berry, Harvest Gold, White - Papertrey Ink, Porcelin - Better Press.

Ink:  Terracotta Tile, Harvest Gold, Melon Berry - Papertrey Ink, Better Press Black.

Other Supplies:  Stylish Oval Hello You Floral Dies - Spellbinders, Infinity Punch and Pierce Plate - Sizzix,  A Little Message Sentiments Press Plate and Die Set - Better Press, foam dots, yellow acrylic dots - Altenew.

Inkspirational Challenge #352 - Seasonal

 Today I'm sharing my DT card for the newest Inkspirational Challenge debuting today.

I chose Halloween as my Season.  

(also could be Fall since Oct 31 is in that season!)

You can see the glittery black gate better in the photo below.

I stamped a piece of grey card with a grid stamp and used it to ground The Count standing at the gate of the graveyard.

I'm on a mission to use more of the neglected supplies in my craft room -  I've only used this iron gate die once before - and this is the first time using The Count die despite my purchase of it several years ago!   The gravestone die and sentiment are from an older PTI set - that I have used but not for a few years!  Even the star paper is from a retired Halloween Print pad from PTI.

We'd love to see what you create for the theme: Seasonal!  

You'll find inspiration from the rest of the DT and Mr. Linky for this challenge over at Inkspirational.

I'm also sending my card to:

NBUS

1st time using The Count

Two Old Bats

ends 10/31

Craft Rocket

Halloween  ends 10/31

Die Cut Divas

Anything Goes  ends 10/31

Stamps: Haunted Head Stones - Papertrey Ink (retired), Distressed Grid Cover Stamp - Cornish Heritage Farms (retired).
Paper: Pure Poppy, Weathervane, White, True Black, Summer Sunrise, Dark Indigo - PTI, Glitter Black - Coredinations, Halloween Print - PTI (retired)
Ink: Old Paper - Ranger Distress (on moon), Nocturne - Versafine Clair.
Accessories: The Count Colorize Die, Gatekeeper Die - Sizzix, Haunted Head Stones Dies - PTI (retired), foam dots,

Card Chain Challenge - September 2025 Reveal

 Today all of the cards exchanged for the September Card Chain Challenge are revealed over at the blog.

This month I sent a card to Ellie in Illinois and I received a card from Greta in Oregon.

For my card this month - I used the suggested colors and the theme option Flamingo.

I have about 10 of Tim Holtz Colorize dies of wonderful animals.  Some of them I've used a lot and a few haven't been used yet - including this wonderful flamingo Gladys!

I embossed the teal background card using Monstera Frame Embossing Folder from Altenew and I die cut the Monstera leaf using a die set from The Greetery.  The sentiment is preprinted from a set by Waffle Flower.

I die cut an easel to attach to the back of the panel so it can stand up for display.

We hope you will join us for the October Card exchange - you'll find all the instructions and the sign up for October here.

The link closes on 10/6

Also linking my card to:

NBUS

first time using Gladys

Just Us Girls

ends 10/8

Critter Crazy Challenge

Anything Goes with Critters

ends10/23

Paper:  Tropical Teal, True Black, Pale Peony, White, Lemon Tart, dotted vellum - Papertrey Ink, metallic gold from stash.

Other Supplies:  Gladys Colorize Thinlit die - TH/Sizzix, Large Leaves Monstera Die - The Greetery, Monstera Frame Embossing Folder - Altenew, glue dots, foam dots, enamel dots - Altenew, printed sentiment - Waffle Flower.  Small Easel Die - Sizzix (retired).

Inkspirational #343 - June Mood Board

 There's a new challenge up at Inkspirational today!  

It's Challenge #343 and it's a colorful, summery Moodboard!

I was inspired by the colors and the flowers and the mix of patterns!

How will you be inspired by this Moodboard!  Please show us by linking your card over at the Inkspirational Blog!

Challenge ends on June 20th!

Also sending my card to:

Just Us Girls

ends 6/12

Time Out Challenges

Pick two -  repeat - 3 flowers, bold - colors, place - garden, weather - spring  ends 6/18

I.D.E.A.S

Week one - Ink or color mediums

I used Copics to color by daisies

Paper:  White - PTI, Hammered White (on flowers) - Amazon, DP - Hello Sunshine - Taylored Expressions.

Ink:  Better Press Black - Spellbinders, Ranger Distress Carved Pumpkin, Squeezed Lemonade and Mowed Lawn.

Other Supplies:  Thinlits Wild Flower Stems #1 dies - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Love to Layer Scalloped Ovals - Papertrey Ink,  Press Plate and Die Set - You Are Everything (sentiment) -  Better Press: Spellbinders, Copics - YR09, N10, YG03, foam dots, Enamel Dots - Altenew

January 2025 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 Today's the day we can see all of the cards that were exchanged all over the world for the January Card Chain Challenge!    I sent a card to Carol in England and I received a card from Hilary - also in England!

Every month there are suggestions of colors, sketch, theme, product and technique options to inspired us.  

This month I just went with the theme of Friendship.

I used a recently purchased Gate Fold X Fence die from Mama Elephant along with the Dandelion Wish Embossing folder from Sizzix.  The stamps are from Dandelion Wishes Sentiments from Papertrey Ink (on sale!)

I embossed the dandelions onto a white panel and then rubbed over the panel with  Ranger Distress Ink - Scattered Straw ink pad to color the raised bits.  I adhered the fence tabs to the back of the panel

Since the fence will stand the card up I embossed and inked another white panel and adhered it to the back of the card panel which also covers the tabs from the fence.  I added a die cut scalloped trim and a white panel for the sentiment and message!

I adhered the oval sentiment to just one side of the fence and 3 yellow enamel dots on each side of the fence.

Have you been thinking of joining this fun monthly card exchange challenge?  You sign up each month - so you can just do it once and see if you enjoy it!  You'll find all the info you need to know about joining in over at The Card Chain Challenge!

I'm also sending my card to:

NBUS

First time using the fence and the sentiment stamps.

Time Out Challenge

layer, warm, love

Can You Handle the Pressure?

Anything goes with embossing

Stamps:  Dandelion Wishes Sentiments Mini Stamp Set - Papertrey Ink.

Paper:  White, Summer Sunrise - Papertrey Ink.

Ink:  Scattered Straw - Ranger Distress Ink, Nocturne - Versafine Clair.

Other Supplies:  Gatefold X Fence die - Mama Elephant, Scalloped Edge Die - unbranded, Oval and Scalloped Oval Punches - Stampin'Up, Zutter Corner Rounder, Yellow enamel dots - Altenew.

Inkspirational #332 - Pretty Quilts Jan 2025

 Welcome to the first challenge of 2025 at Inkspirational - this month the challenge is Designer Choice and I'm the designer to choose!  

My challenge is Pretty Quilts and here are some suggestions to help you start designing.

Show us something pretty using squares or strips of different patterned papers.  

 

Cut squares out of several different patterned papers and arrange them to make a larger 'quilt', check out YouTube quilt card tutorials.

 Here's a link : https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=quilt+card+tutorial

Use a blanket or beach towel stamp or die - color with several colors or stamp flowers etc on it?

 I have two samples to share with you today.

To create my 'quilted' birds - I took a piece of computer paper and adhered some 1/4" to 1/2" strips of scrap DP over it, just a random mix of patterns and colors.  You can see all thestrips in the bowl - I save them when I trim DP for other projects.  I laid the thinlit bird dies over the paper and ran them through my machine.

 (note - if you have a Bigz die you can adhere the DP strips onto a piece of card stock as Bigz Dies will cut through thicker paper)

Here is my 2nd sample of a Pretty Quilt.

I used the Coaster Die from The Greetery to cut the base out of white card.  Then I cut two pieces of patterned Soft Stone paper into 2 3/4" squares (one dotted, one stripes).  

I placed each square (one at a time) over the center square of the die and ran it through my machine so it would imprint the quilted dots.   

Then I put both squares together (one on top of the other) and cut them into approximately 1/4" to 1/2" wide strips.  

I laid the strips out, alternating stripes and dots and then adhered them over the coaster base.  The coffee mug is from Paper Cut Cafe Thinlit dies.

So I hope I have inspired you to think about creating some kind of a pretty quilt and to join us over at Inkspirational - you will find inspiration from the rest of the DT as well as Mr. Linky -  which closes on Jan 17th.

I'm also sending my Birds card to:

Cut it Up Challenge - Anything Goes using die cuts 

ends 1/6

I'm sending my Espresso card to:

Inspired by Challenge

Warmth, blue mug and tan coaster  ends 1/8

Where Your Birds Sing

Stamps:  Backyard Bird Friends Stamps - Ellen Hutson (retired)

Paper: White, Soft Stone, Grey - PTI, DP - Make it Merry -Honey Bee Stamps, scraps of mixed patterned paper.

Ink:  Nocturne - Versafine Clair.

Other Supplies:  Feathered Friends Thinlits Dies - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, 2" circle punch - SU, enamel dots - Altenew.

An Espresso of My Thanks

Stamps:  Coffee Set - Waltzingmouse (retired)

Paper:  White, Hawaiian Shores, Enchanted Evening, Blueberry Sky, Dark Chocolate - PTI, White and Grey Cordinations, DP - Bitty Big Patterned Paper Collection Soft Stone - PTI

Ink:  Portabello Versarine Clair.

Other Supplies:  Coaster Die - The Greetery, Paper Cut Cafe Thinlit dies - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, foam dots.

October 2024 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 Today's the day that we see all the cards exchanged for October over at the Card Chain Challenge.  Twenty eight people participated this time.

I received a card from Robyn in Australia and I sent a card to Daja in Germany!

For this months card I used one of the suggested Themes of bears and the Product - Plaid.

I made a little plaid vest for Theodore the bear to wear as he flew over  to Germany!

I cut a second piece of the base for Theodore and attached it to the back of him around the head, scoring the back piece, so he can stand up on his own!

on the inside                                                 from the back

We hope you will check out the challenge and join in with us!  All the details are over at the Card Chain Challenge blog.

You have to sign up by Nov 6 to join in for November!

I'm also sending Theodore to:

Cardz 4 Guyz: #359 A Taste of Autumn

Theodore has his fall vest on!  ends 11/11

Paper:  several shades of brown and pink - Bazzill, True Black, Dark Chocolate, White - Papertrey Ink, DP Tarten - Waffle Flower.

Ink:  Ranger Distress Brushed Corduroy (rubbed on edges)

Accessories:  Theodore Colorize Die - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, glue.  Sentiment Strips - Waffle Flower

Group of Seven Cardmakers - October 2024 - Glitter Painting on Acetate

 It's time for the October Group of Seven Cardmakers post and this month we are playing with glitter and clear acetate.

We have two techniques to try with Acetate and Glitter over at the Group of Seven blog.

I watched this YouTube video for my first two cards. Glittery Acetate Cards by Crafi Potential

  This technique uses frame dies with acetate, glitter & glue.  You use regular acetate for this technique. 

Close up to show shine!

My second card using the same technique.

Steps to create this card

Choose a die and cut it out of a piece of card - I used black  for this card base.  Layer this to a panel of clear acetate with glue.

I chose 3 colors to use - an orange, a red, and a green - wanting a fall theme.  I decided where I wanted to have the first color (Fire Opal) (rather randomly!) and filled in those spaces with glue.  (I really filled the spaces with glue -  it can pull away from the edges if it's not filling the space.)

                                                                 Glue added below

I spooned the glitter over the glue -  you can see it covered the whole cut out but will pretty much only stick to the areas with glue.  Tap off the glitter and return it to the jar.

I applied glue to the areas I wanted the 2nd color in (Garnet).  Then spooned  the glitter over the glue. And tapped it off.

I added glue to the rest of the areas with no color yet and spooned on green Ensalada Glitter.  Then tapped it off.

I let the panel dry for a few hours (or overnight).  (You want it dry so the 2nd die cut doesn't squish wet glue/glitter!)  I cut a second black panel with the same die (line it up carefully to match the first panel!) and glued it over the glittered panel - this covers up any overlapped glitter application - defining the design again!  I brushed off any glitter on the black card, added the die cut sentiment and glittery green dots.

I used score tape on the back of the acetate to adhere the panel to my card base.

I used the second technique:  How to use Thermo Acetate with Glitter by tjaniga  for the card below.  

I don't have thermo acetate so I just used regular acetate, stamped my image with Ranger Archival Jet Black ink (which I let dry overnight - the stamping NOT embossed) - flipped the panel over and applied glue and glitter inside the lines of the imageand outside background - one color at a time.

  

I die cut the smallest frame out of the light blue embossed card base panel.  Then I taped the glitter image on the back of the panel centering it on the cut out.  

I die cut a white frame using the same die and glued it over the front of the image which hides the edges of the acetate.  I  die cut the next size frame die from cream and adhered it with glue dots. I die cut the largest size frame die from darker blue and glued it onto the base. I stamped the sentiment on a white strip and adhered it to the cream frame.

Close up - you can see some red glitter in the blue and green due to the static, it's impossible to get all the glitter off the acetate -  so I just embraced the look!

   

I added Black Nuvo drops around the center of the poppy on the front of  the acetate after the card was put together.

A few creation photos.  Since it was a smaller image I could stamp two on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" panel of vellum.  I cut the panel in half and added the glitter to each one.  On the right are both images all glued and glittered - left to dry overnight!  You can see how much glitter is 'static-ly' attached on the clear frame areas! When the panels were dry - I brushed off as much as I could with a slightly damp paper towel, but the edges don't show when I adhered the image to the back of the front panel 

On the left below,  I turned over one panel to the front (NOT laid down!) to  show you how it looks from the front before the glue dries - pretty much all you see is the glue! 

I left them both overnight to dry - glitter side up!

We hope you will join us and link up your acetate and glitter creations over at the Group of Seven Blog so we all can see which technique you used!

  

I cannot lie - it's kind of messy - but both techniques create really sparkly card fronts!  And it made me use a lot of the ignored glitter I have in my craft room! 

I'm also sending my cards to:

NBUS

first time using the Martha Stewart glitters that I've had for 10 or so years??

Sending my birthday card to:

Seize the Birthday

ends 11/5

Sending my Thanksgiving card to:

Krafty Chicks Challenge

ends 10/30

Birthday Card

Paper: White, clear cardstock (acetate) - PTI, Kraft Metallic Gold - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology.
Other Supplies: Decorative Circles Coverplate Die - PTI, Happy Birthday Die - Charlie and Paulchen, Bearly Art Precision Art Glue, ScorTape, Goldenrod Art Glitter, Lime Sherbet Sparklers Glitter - Denami Design, Pink Pastel Glitter - Stampendous.

Thankful Card

Paper: clear acetate, True Black - PTI, metalic brass from stash.
Other Supplies: Mixed Media thinlit die - Tim Holtz/Alterations, Thankful die from Counting my Blessings die set - PTI, Glitter - Ensalada (green) - Art Glitter, Garnet and Fire Opal - Martha Stewart. Glitter gems - Michaels, Bearly Art Precision Art Glue, ScorTape.

Sympathy Card

Stamps - Botanical Blocks III - PTI (retired), Casual Comfort - Casual Fridays (company no longer in business)

Paper:  Clear Cardstock (acetate), Blueberry Sky, white, Vintage Cream, Spring Rain - Papertrey Ink.

Ink:  Archival Jet Black - Ranger

Other Supplies:   Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frames dies - MFT, Embossing Folder (Older) - SU, Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue, Fire Opal, Garnet, Blue Topaz, Emerald Glitter - Martha Stewart, foam dots, Gloss Ebony Black -  Nuvo Crystal Drops