1st Inkspirational Challenge of 2026! Word Prompt: Shiny/Shine

 The 1st Challenge of 2026 is up over at Inkspirational.  We're changing up our challenges a bit so be sure to check out the blog.  Our first challenge is a Word Prompt - chosen by DT Marlena.

I went with Shine:Star  AND Shiny:Gold Foiled Paper.  

I just happened to have an undecorated pine wreath to display my shiny paper star!

I found a video on how to make this lovely star on Pinterest/Instagram by FloralFlairStudio.

 I used 6  4"x 4" squares of foiled paper for my star.  It measures ~8" point to point.  Use smaller squares for a smaller star. It folds cleaner with thinner papers.

The gold is really shiny IRL. I tied a sheer gold ribbon at the top.  The center circle is made from two floral dies cut from metallic paper and a gold gem added to the center

You can watch the video to see how she folded each square - but I took some photos as I made each fold so I'd hopefully remember what I did!    This might seem clearer to you after you watch the video!

So, we hope you will join us for the 1st Inkspirational Challenge for 2026!  Link up your Shine/Shiny creation over at Inkspirational where you'll also find how the rest of the DT interpreted this challenge! 

This challenge ends on Jan 16th!

Also sending my star to:

Anything but a Card

ends 1/31/26

NBUS

First time using this pack of metallic papers 

First time using the pattern for the star  

Creative Inspiration Challenges

Anything Goes

ends 1/31/26

Crafts Galore

Anything Goes

ends 1/31/26

Paper:  Foiled Fundamentals 12"x12" Paper Pad - Recollections (Michaels), Kraft Stock Metallic Paper - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology.

Other Supplies:  star instructional video, Tombow Glue (she used a glue gun), Stitchy Flowers and Leaf Dies (for star center) - Eileen Hull/Sizzix, Gold Gem - Parklane, sheer gold ribbon - from stash.

Inkspirational Challenge #357 - Designer Choice: Cold

 Inkspirational Challenge #357 is up over at the blog - It's Designer Choice this time and Marlena has chosen COLD!

I went with 'snow' as it certainly needs to be cold to snow!  AND I got to use my recently purchased Holiday Moose die and stencil set from Waffle Flower -   he cracks me up just being shown from the snout up - SO clever!!  And he's so easy to color using the stencils.

I layered him over a panel of a dark snowy sky DP and I added Glitter Dust to his antlers just to show how REALLY cold out it is!  The sentiment is from a retired set by PTI.

We'd love to see what you create using COLD!  Please link up your creation over at the Inspirational Blog where you will also find inspiration from the rest of the team!

This challenge ends January 2nd!

Also sending my card to:

NBUS

1st time using the Moose die and stencil set.

Christmas Kick Start

ends 12/31

Four Seasons: Winter

Die Cut Divas

Christmas/Winter

Stamps:  Christmas Cheer - Papertrey Ink (retired)

Ink:  Nocturne - Versafine Clair, Ranger Distress Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint.

Paper:  White, True Black - Papertrey Ink, DP Winter 6"x6" Paper Pad - Echo Park.

Other Supplies:  Holiday Moose Die and Stencil Set - Waffle Flower, Glossy White Snow Flakes - This Calls for Confetti, Glitter Duster - Stampers Anonymous.

November 2025 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 Today is the day we see all of the cards exchanged for the November Card Chain Challenge.  This month I sent my card to Gundi in Germany and received a card from Arlene in California.

Options for card design and theme are given each month, but you only have to use one of the options. 

 This month I (sort of) used the colors  (in my DP) and the theme of Friendship!

Here's my card:

 

The window and curtain pieces are all from the Window With Curtains Die set  from Amy Design.  I used two recently purchased 6x6 Paper Pads - Mix and Match Neutrals and Colonial Americana - both from Whimsy Stamps.  The stamp is from an older set by Wendy Vecchi/Stampers Anonymous.

Have you been wanting to try out this fun card exchange challenge?  It's easy to sign up each month -  you'll find all the instructions here to sign up for the December Challenge.

Sign up for Dec ends 12/6

Also sending my card to:

NBUS

New papers and Die set used

Stamps: Busy Making Art - Wendy Vecchi/Stampers Anonymous.
Ink: Nocturne - Versafine Clair
Paper: White, True Black - Papertrey Ink, DP Mix N Match Neutrals,  Colonial Americana 6 x 6 pads - Whimsy Stamps.

Other Supplies:  Window With Curtains Die - Amy Design, twine - Papertrey Ink, Acrylic heart and dots - Altenew, foam dots.

Inkspirational #333 - Word Prompt - Snow

 Here is my DT card for today's Inkspirational Challenge - Snow!   We just had a lovely 4" snow fall in MA last Saturday - falling on freezing bare ground.  That small amount is enough for me to feel warm and cozy when I look out the window!

I just received these snowflake dies from a sale over at The Greetery - So I made two cards using different snowflakes.  The snowflake below is from Snipped Showflakes #3.  The DP is from Charlie and Paulchen on both cards and I also added snowflake sequins from This Calls for Confetti on both cards.   The sentiment is from Paper Artsy Alison Bomber EAB05 set.

The snowflake below is from Snipped Snowflakes #2 from the Greetery.

I brushed Clear Glitter Wink of Stella over both of the large snowflakes - so they are shiny IRL but it doesn't show up in the photo.

Here's a close up where maybe you can see the sparkle a little bit?

So we hope you will join us and show us 'SNOW'!  You will find Mr. Linky and some beautiful inspiration from the rest of our talented team over at Inkspirational.

Link up by 1/31!

I'm also sending my card to:

NBUS

First time using the die cut snowflakes and the DP

Christmas Crafts all year Round  ends 1/31

The Christmas Song -  Line: Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Love Those Pretty Papers

ends 1/31

Four Seasons Challenge: Winter

ends 1/25

Stamps:   Alison Bomber EAB05 set - Paper Artsy

Paper:  White - Papertrey Ink, Alpaca - Bazzill, DP - Charlie and Paulchen.

Ink:  Stormy Sea - Papertrey Ink

Other Supplies:  Snipped Snowflakes #3, Snipped Snowflakes #2 - The Greetery, snowflake sequins - This Calls for Confetti, foam dots, Clear Glitter Wink of Stella.

Dec Card Chain Challenge Reveal - Tic Tac Toe

 Today's the reveal of all the cards exchanged in December over at the Card Chain Challenge!  

This month it was a doozy - a 5 block Tic Tac Toe with all S words - ugh.  

I sent my card to Gail in Canada (not sure she received it yet due to the postal strike) and I received a lovely card from Arlene in California.   You will find all the cards exchanged here.

After reading each column over and over, trying to think about what I would do with the row of words,  I finally settled on the 4th vertical column from the left -  Squirrel, Sassy, Snow, Sparkle and Shrubbery.

I decided on that column after looking through a booklet I  have of 3" x 4" patterned paper from Kawaii Pen Shop.  

As you can see below - the patterned paper scene includes Snow and Shrubbery.   

Then I added a Rub-On Sassy Squirrel - from Rub On Christmas Collection from Taperlogy.   

I framed the patterned paper with two layers of Sparkle glitter card stock in black and silver, then layered it all over a hammered white card base. 

Easy Peasy Tic Tac Toe, right?   I was in a panic until I found that patterned paper!

So we hope you will come join us for the January Card Chain Challenge - you have until Jan 6th to sign up.  You'll find all the info on how to sign up over at The Card Chain Challenge!  

I'm also sending my card to:

Little Red Wagon

Something new - fresh falling snow ends 1/7

Make My Monday

Your fav challenge for 2024

challenge #218 Use your Patterned paper ends 1/12

Paper:  Hammered White - Amazon, Metallic Glitter Card (black and silver) - Recollections (Michaels), Snowy Night Papers - Kawaii Pen Shop.

Accessories:  squirrel from Christmas Collection Rub-Ons - Taperlogy

Group of Seven Cardmakers - December Technique Ombre

 For December, the Group of Seven Cardmakers are playing with the technique of Ombre - using shades of the same color in our stampings or die cuts.  There are links to YouTube videos on this technique over at the Group of Seven blog.

Today we are excited to welcome Pat (Colourful Card Creations) as our newest member at Group of Seven Cardmakers.  Pat is a talented card maker who loves to experiment with techniques. Welcome to the group Pat!!  We are all so happy you are here!!

I used 3 shades of tan on my die cut deer and 3 shades of brown inks on my stamped background.

For my second ombre technique card - I used a layered stencil with 4 shades of blue ink starting with the lightest blue ink on the first layer and the darkest on the 4th layer!  This is a slim line card measuring 7" x 4".

A friend asked me to make an Anniversary card for her son and DIL.  Their anniversary is 12/31 so I thought blue colors on the poinsettias was good for a winter card!

If you'd like to play along with us using Ombre - you can link your card up over at the GO7 blog so we can all come see!

Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season and we'll see you in the New Year!

I'm also sending my card to:

NBUS

first time using both the die cut deer and the background stamp as well as the layered poinsettia stencil!

Christmas Kickstart Challenge

my deer card -   ends 12/31

Tan Deer Card

Stamps:  sentiment from - Winter Cheer and Deer: Unity, background stamp from - Frosted Fauna: Unity.

Paper:  3 shades of tan paper pack - Michaels, white - PTI

Ink:  Chamomile, Sunkissed, Caramel Toffee, Espresso - Altenew.

Other Supplies:  Nordic Deer die - Poppy Stamps, foam dots.

Blue Poinsettia Card

Paper:  White, Tropical Teal - PTI, Robins Egg - Bazzill

Ink:  Sea Glass - Altenew, Teal Topaz - Spellbinders, Azure - Spellbinders, Teal Cave - Altenew.

Other Supplies:  computer generated sentiment, Holly Holiday Triple Slim Layering Stencil - Taylored Expressions, foam dots, enamel dots and hearts - Altenew.

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Stencil Monoprinting - Sept 2024

 It's time for the Group Of Seven Cardmakers September post.  This month we are playing with the technique of Stencil Monoprinting.  You will find links to how to videos over at The Group of Seven Cardmakers blog.

You can create beautiful backgrounds or focal points for your cards, depending on the design of the stencil.  Basically you are using the background of the stencil to create your panel.  You can leave it as is on your card, or you can place the stencil back over top to add different ink colors or embossing paste to fill in the design.

Due to the larger/longer sizes of the stencils I used, I made all my cards Mini Slimline size - 3" x 6".

Rosette Stencil from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous - Salty Ocean Ranger Distress Ink

Gondola dies are Alexandra Renke

Illusion Twist Stencil from Altenew - Scorched Timber Ranger Distress Ink

Succulent Stencil from Stencil Girl - Mowed Lawn and Forest Moss Ranger Distress Inks

A few photos of how I made my backgrounds.

  

Rub water reactive ink (like Ranger Distress inks) over stencil and spritz liberally with water. For this panel I used two colors - Mowed Lawn and Forest Moss.  

This stencil is  6"x6" so I was able to make 2 mini slim line cards from it (3"x6")

Flip the stencil over onto a panel of watercolor paper and press over the stencil to help the watery ink absorb into the paper.

Remove the stencil and again press over the panel with paper towel or cloth to absorb any pools of watery ink.

We hope you'll give this stenciling technique a try!  We have a Mr. linky over at The Group of Seven blog so you can share your card with everyone.  We'd love to see what you create!

I'm linking my Halloween card to:

Stencil Fun Challenge

Fall Frenzy - anything Fall ends 9/28

 NBUS

First time using the ghost dog die

Linking my Gondola card to:

Peace on Earth Christmas  ends 10/3

red and blue colors

Addicted to Stamps and More

ends 10/1

Linking my plant card to:

Just Us Girls

ends 10/2

Gondola Ski Christmas Card

Stamps: Two Feet Deep - PTI (retired)
Paper: Watercolor - Canson Cold Press, White, Pure Poppy, True Black - PTI
Ink: Salty Ocean - Ranger Distress, Nocturne- Versarine Clair
Accessories: Rosette Stencil - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, Die - Small Cable Car - Alexander Renke, foam dots, twine, paper towels or cloth, water mister.

Dog Ghost Halloween Card

Paper: Watercolor - Canson Cold Press, Olive Twist, True Black - PTI, hammered white (on ghost) - Amazon.
Ink: Scorched Timber - Ranger Distress.
Accessories: Illusion Twist Stencil - Altenew, Ghost Dog die - Amazon, Halloween Shadows - Tim Holtz/Alterations, orange Copic, foam dots, tiny gold gems - Gina Marie Designs, white enamel dots - Altenew, Black sharpie pen (pupil on eye), water mister, paper towels or cloth.


Succulent Cards

Stamps: Plant Kindness - Stampotique, Way to Grow - The Greetery.
Paper: Water color - Canson Cold Press.
Ink: Mowed Lawn, Forest Moss - Ranger Distress, Nocturne - Versafine Clair
Accessories: Succulents Stencil - Stencil Girl, Dimensional Plant Stickers - Recollections, water mister, paper towels or cloth.