Daffodil Trio

Hello, and welcome to a new week at my happy place!

While spring is still fresh and young I thought I'd color some daffodils.  Those in my garden have long since come and gone, but Penny Black's not-yet-used Flower Scoops from last year will work nicely for a friend's birthday later this month.

The SSS Teardrop Pinpoint Frames on the pretty designer paper provided an extra feminine starting point for the base.  The additional mat was measured and cut with my paper trimmer, and the corners punched with an oldie but goodie decorative corner rounder.  I brushed the edges with Stampin' Up Mellow Moss ink and stamped a sentiment from another PB set.  Off to a good start!

The daffodil bouquet was colored with Tombow markers and blender on watercolor paper, then hand cut and shaped from the backside with a roller ball type stylus.  It's popped up on foam tape, plump in the middle with the edges curled back.  Three iridescent sequins finish the card.

Speaking of springtime and happy place...

Ridley's happy place is anywhere with a ball.  You can probably guess that on this April day he'd been chasing it quite a bit.  It can be hard to get any work done out there, but he's worth it.  The forsythia has now dropped a lot more blooms as the green leaves push them out of the way to have their turn in the garden.

Challenges today:

Triple B Challenge:  Birds, Butterflies, Blooms  -- Today I have blooms.
NBUS Challenge #85 -- My never before used schtuffs are Penny Black Flower Scoops and Simon Says Stamp Teardrop Pinpoint Frames.  I feel like a broken record as many times as I've linked to this challenge.

 

That's all for today, friends.  Wishing you peace and happiness and plenty of crafty time.  Thank you for visiting!

Stamps:  Penny Black Flower Scoops, Super Day  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, Paper Rose Flower Shoppe designer paper  Ink:  Memento Toffee Crunch for image outline, Memento Tuxedo Black sentiment, SU Mellow Moss shading on mat  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender  Other:  Simon Says Stamp Teardrop Pinpoint Frames, Marvy decorative corner rounder, iridescent sequins, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Seize the Birthday Challenge -- Add a Tag

Hi there!  It's my pleasure to be guest designing with the amazing team at Seize the Birthday for their current challenge.

The topping for this go around is "Add a Tag", but anything goes as long as it's a birthday theme.  I love to play the toppings!

Looks like I got my seasons mixed up but, hey, the tag was already embossed and waiting for me to color it.  I chose some Mintay Golden Days designer paper which was gifted to me at Christmastime for one of my favorite go-to layouts, in this case using Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangles.

The tag is from the Spellbinders Mushrooms from Me to You 3D cut and emboss folder.  The folder makes three arched panels at once.  I used one last fall, and still have a mid-sized panel yet to design with.  Fall seems such a short card-making season with Christmas so close on its heels, so it's probably not a bad idea for me to occasionally enjoy it ahead of time.

The tag is cut from watercolor paper and colored with Tombow markers and blender.  The enamel dots are 1/4" and 1/8" burgundy cardstock coated with Diamond Glaze.

We all need birthday cards, and tags are fun, so play along with us at Seize the Birthday and enjoy yourself!  Thanks so much for your time today.  Take care!

Stamps:  Retired Stampin' Up birthday greeting  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico 140 lb hot press watercolor, Hammermill 100 lb premium white, scrap burgundy, Mintay Golden Days designer paper  Ink:  Retired SU Baroque Burgundy  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  Spellbinders Mushrooms from Me to You 3D cut and emboss folder, Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangles, 1/4" & 1/8" hole punches for dots, burgundy string, rectangle die from stash (for sentiment), JudiKins Diamond Glaze

Micey Nice

Hello and welcome to Monday!

Big surprise, more never-been-used crafty goodies came out to play today.  At Can You Handle the Pressure the optional theme is sewing or sewing related, and wouldn't you know I just happened to have a brand new-to-me Stitching Sampler embossing folder from SSS, and a nearly vintage but never-been-used Penny Black Especially Micey stamp set.  I think they were just waiting for each other!

As always, the supporting players get used over and over again, and so everything else on the card has been with me for a good long while.

I used Tombow markers and homemade blender solution for coloring.  It looks like watercolor because the blank Copic marker filled with solution is similar to using a water brush.  The recipe and a picture can be found on this post.

Circle punches, designer paper layered on cardstock, and glossy glaze made the buttons.  Much more mail friendly than real buttons.

You know I love my Penny Black critters.  There's a lot more yet to use in this set so it's still in the PB NBUS basket.

Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything goes or Four-legged Friends

Can You Handle the Pressure -- Anything goes with a twist of sewing or sewing related.
NBUS Challenge #84 -- My never before used schtuff is the Penny Black Especially Micey stamp set, and the Simon Says Stamp Stitching Sampler 3D embossing folder.

 

I'm so glad you dropped in.  Have a mice day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Especially Micey  Paper:  Fabriano Extra White 140 lb watercolor, Hammermill 100 lb premium white, pink Bazzill base, designer paper from The Vast Hoard for buttons  Ink:  Ranger Archival Jet Black, Ranger distress Antique Linen  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  Memory Box Cross Stitched Frame Borders, Precious Marieke Flower Border, SSS Stitching Sampler 3D embossing folder, 3/4", 1/2", 1/4" circle punches for faux buttons, Judikins Diamond Glaze, linen thread

Flowers and Fronds

Hello friends!

I made a mostly green card for two challenges today.  This one was quick seeing as how the SSS Feathery Fronds background was already embossed and brushed with green ink.  I'd accidently smudged a spot on the very edge of the card and that's how the sentiment flag came to be there.  With that simple design being my basic layout it needed some flowers against the fronds, and a birthday sentiment for Seize the Birthday, and I found both, plus the butterfly, in my SSS Butterfly Blooms stamp set.  It's only been in the not-yet-used basket for about a year, I believe.  It's still there because I won't put it away until I've used every flower and butterfly.

Say it with me now, "What was I waiting for?!"  The flowers in this stamp set are all so pretty and very easy to color.  I did this with a few simple strokes of Tombow markers, not aiming for perfection, but a loose and simple look.  The flowers and butterfly are hand cut.

As for the challenges:

1. I cannot resist the Triple B Challenge -- Birds, blooms, butterflies.  They always have such a beautiful inspiration board.
2. Seize the Birthday is asking to see green as your main color.  Optional anything goes.
3. Of course, I have to share in Darnell's NBUS Challenge #84 again.  My never before used schtuff today is the Simon Says Stamp Feathery Fronds 3D embossing folder (brand new) and the Butterfly Blooms stamp set.

 

That's all for today!  I'm glad you dropped in.  Take care and have a perfect day!

Stamps:  SSS Butterfly Blooms  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb watercolor, Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, green Bazzill  Ink:  Ranger Archival Jet Black, Stampin' Up Certainly Celery  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Other:  Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Simon Says Stamp Feather Fronds 3D embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Double D Challenge: Signs of Love

Hello crafty friends!  A new Double D Challenge starts today with the theme of "Signs of Love".  The possibilities are infinite when it comes to love and I know you can imagine all sorts, subjects, and occasions, not limited to the awesome mood board prepared for you:

The DDs have a pretty great prize for a random winner.  As always, creative winners are by team vote.

It's just past Valentine's Day, but as I prepared ahead for this challenge I took the opportunity to make my Rich's Valentine.  I purchased the Penny Black I'm So Cute stamp in December and it didn't wait long to find its way onto a card.

Lots of sunshine on picture day made the dimension show up like crazy!

It's colored with Tombows and blender, cut out and popped up with all the good Valentine elements added around it.  The papers are older Echo Park Love Notes, including the sentiment panel.  It's packed full of joyful love!

I know it will remind him of our Wally dog.  I hope that doesn't make him feel sad.  Sophie and Ridley have worked so hard to win his heart, and I'm pretty sure it's working.  Here's a pic of our Wally in which you can see the resemblance to the stamp:

He was such a special guy.

There are two additional challenges I simply have to link to:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything goes or optional "romance"
NBUS Challenge #83 -- My never before used schtuff is the Penny Black I'm So Cute woodblock stamp.

 

Now it's time to visit Double D if you haven't already done so.  The team has a lot of love to share with you today, and I hope you'll share some love with us in the player's gallery.

Take care, and have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Penny Black I'm So Cute  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, black cardstock, Echo Park Love Notes designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  Precious Marieke Flower Border, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Poppystamps Prim and Proper Bow, Stampin' Up 3 in 1 heart punch, twill ribbon

Double D Challenge: Friends 2026

Hello again!  Another Double D challenge begins today and it's all about friendship.  I cannot fully express how important my friends are to me.  Whether girlfriends, guy friends, dog friends... I love them all.  Check out our cute inspiration board:

Creative favorites are by team vote, and the DDs have a fun prize for a random winner:

I chose Art Impressions Laughing Set for my card today.  I've used this set so much I'm afraid I'll start sending it to the same people over again.  In the past I would keep a list with a stamp set as to the card recipients, but somehow that practice fell by the wayside, tsk.  At any rate, here they are again:

What fun!  I stamped in Ranger Archival Jet Black on watercolor paper and colored with Tombow markers and blender.  The Panalisa Honey Flower paper has been sitting not yet used in my overflowing paper cupboard too long, but here it is looking just right with the ladies.  I even had a daisy die to bring in for enhancement.  It's very old, but it still does the trick.  Lastly, I added punched circles coated with Diamond Glaze.  Can't help but smile!

The team has made some delightful friendship cards, so head over to Double D and have a look, then share yours with us.

Have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Art Impressions Laughing Set  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb watercolor, Neenah white for card base and die cut, Panalisa Honey Flower designer paper  Ink:  Ranger Archival Jet Black  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, die-namites Daisy Bunch, 1/4" and 1/8" hole punches, Scotch brand foam mounting tape to pop up image panel

Penny Black Christmas

Hello and welcome, friends!  Five more Christmas cards are in the box now that I've finished a batch with a set from my Penny Black collection.  Wintertime Cheer goes back to 2016, but it's new to me this year.  I colored and cut out all the images -- Tombow markers & blender on watercolor paper -- and then assembled into cards.

To begin, I'm playing along with Jo and Elf Loll at the Christmas Kickstart Challenge where this month's theme is "Snow Alert".  My furry friend is determined to deliver his presents so he loaded up his trailer and is trundling through the white stuff with more flakes falling as he goes.

Taylored Expression Jingle all the Way, Memory Box Bauble Snowflake,
Impression Obsession Small Snowflake Set, white acrylic paint,
Simple Stories Fresh Snow designer paper

There is Diamond Stickles for sparkle, glaze on the jingle bells, a background from my stash behind the sentiment panel.

The next card is the simplest and my favorite of the bunch.  You'd think I'd learn.  I'm trying.

Penny Black Joy Edger and Graceful Holly
stash sentiment

From dogs to cat and mouse... I used some ages old designer paper on the sentiment and scattered die cut poinsettias and snowflakes below.  Pine branches lightly texture the white space overhead.

Penny Black Jolly Edger, Memory Box Seraphine Laurel (poinsettias)
Impression Obsession Small Snowflake Set
Tim Holtz Sizzix Pine Branches embossing folder

Finally, two cards, one photo.  

Penny Black Joy & Warmth sentiments, Penny Black Wood Floor
Impression Obsession Birch Tree Rectangle and Small Snowflake Set
Memory Box Seraphine Laurel, Poppystamps Prim and Proper Bow
MFT Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Frames

That wraps it up!  How about some challenges?

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #103 - Snow Alert -- Sending my first card along for that.
Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #98 -- The team has amazing samples following an inspiring mood board.  I'm sending my humble tractor & dog to join the convoy.
NBUS Challenge #79 -- Never before used schtuff.  Today my PB Wintertime Cheer, Jolly Edger, Joy Edger, and Graceful Holly are all being used for the first time

 

 

All my remaining Christmas cards will be made with never before used supplies as I have managed to gather quite a collection this year through sales, gifts, and just plain love of the craft.  Not sorry.

Thank you for coming to say "hi"!  I appreciate you and wish you a happy day!

Mushrooms for Autumn

Hello everyone!  I'm happy to share my first fall card of the (almost) season.  We still have a few days of summer left so I'm not letting it go yet, but I do love fall cards.

I've had this Spellbinders Mushrooms From Me To You 3D emboss & cut folder for approximately a year.  I bought the Scallop Labels and Tag dies at the same time and have used them quite a lot, but this is the first time for the mushrooms.  I don't have a good excuse for why I waited so long.  It's so cool how it works!  The dies go right into the folder with the paper so it literally cuts and embosses at the same time.  I guess I was under a rock again because I did not expect that.

So this is my result after simultaneously cutting and embossing, then "painting" with Tombow markers and blender, and embossing again just for good measure.  After all that I decided to smoosh it all over with Versamark ink and emboss with ultra-thick embossing enamel.  Loved it.  Slipped it into the folder and embossed again.

I embossed the entire folded grocer's kraft card base with my Tim Holtz Lumber 3D embossing folder.  Lined the inside with vanilla cardstock and will save the sentiment for later.

With all this embossing going on I naturally want to share in the Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge.  It's plain to see I did not go with the optional "Balloons" twist.

I'm also sharing in the following challenges:

The Four Seasons Challenge -- Fall
NBUS Challenge #78 -- Never before used schtuff -- Mushrooms From Me To You 3D emboss & cut folder

  

Thanks so much for visiting.  It's been busy as ever here, especially now that Ridley has joined the family.  Two Golden Retrievers are definitely better than one!  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  None  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Stampin' Up Old Olive, grocers kraft, Cougar Vanilla  Ink:  Versamark for wet embossing  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  Spellbinders Mushrooms From Me To You 3D emboss and cut folder, Tim Holtz Sizzix Lumber 3D embossing folder, Spellbinders Scallop Labels and Tag dies, Ranger Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel