*Spring Into Christmas Linky Party*

 Another card to share with you today for the Spring Into Christmas Linky Party!  I just got this fun die in the mail and wanted to use it!  To create the snow, I used a chunky embossing powder and sprinkled it on to the blue panel.  I then applied heat to it with my heat tool from under the paper (instead of on top).  It just melts in to place.  Just be careful that you don't scorch your cardstock!@

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Spellbinders Windy; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Picket Fence Studio Fancy Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Santa's Sleigh

*Etc:  Stampendous Deep Impression Embossing Enamel

*Challenges:  Spring Into Christmas Holiday Linky Party

*My Favourite Instagram Hop*

 This week for the My Favourite Instagram Hop, we are playing with the theme of "my favourite pet"...  I don't know how you expect me to choose!!  We've had cats or dogs or both for the last 36 years and while they all have their faults, I have loved (and do love) them all!

So I cheated and used a stamp with both a cat and a dog on it.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  MFT Picture Perfect

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*CASE It Instagram Hop*

I absolutely LOVE using Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration for the cards I make.  There are so many very talented creators out there!!!!

Today I decided to play with a card by Denise Morgans for the CASE It Instagram Hop...

First, let me show you her fabulous creation!

What did I love about it?  The wonderfully colourful letters, the clean and simple design... even the ink spatter caught my eye!  How did I change it?  I used a plaid pattern paper for my die cut letter and spelled a different word... I made my card a regular sized card instead of a square one.  And my ink spatter is gold instead of black...  I made a Christmas Card to playing along with the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Spring Into Christmas Linky Party!

Card Info

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Plaid Tidings

*Stamps:  Alex Syberia Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Kuretake Gambai Starry Colours

*Dies:  MFT Impact Alphabet
*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Linky Party

*{BYSHC} Sketch #68 Take 2*

 I'm back with my second card using the April Sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers.  

I grabbed some of the smaller scraps of my favourite Christmas themed paper and used both sides of it (even some of the ones I don't really like).  I glued them on to a white panel and then trimmed it down to square up the edges.  I didn't want to cover up the papers too much so I used a circle of vellum under my gold tree.  Sadly, the tree doesn't stand out nearly as much as I'd like it to.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler; Spellbinders gold foil; vellum

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday; Spellbinders Bottle Brush Trees; Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers #68: BYSHCardmakers Linky Party

*Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop*

 Each month, I join a group of paper crafters on Instagram and we share uplifting cards to try to encourage someone who might have found themselves in a rough spot.  We call it the Sending Sunshing Instagram Hop.  For my card today, I used some soft spring colours, highlighted with some gold...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown gold mirror;  Stampin' Up! Sage Shado, Pale Plum

*Stamps:  LDRS My Wish For You
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Circles; Spellbinders Floral Spray

*Build Your Stash Holiday Card Makers Spring Into Christmas Linky Party*

Wow!  That title is a mouthful!  

It's time for the Spring Into Christmas Holiday Linky Party, your chance to win one of MANY prizes for simply creating and sharing holiday cards over the next week!  We are so excited to watch you grow your stash of holiday cards!

I was happy to dig in to the favourite part of my creative stash to make some Christmas cards!  I was inspired by a similar card that I saw in Pinterest... 

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Granny Apple Green, Cherry Cobbler; vellum

*Stamps:  Concord & 9th Winter Greenery

*Ink:  Versamark

*Embossing:  Wow! White Detail powder; Tonic Studio Bountiful Baubles

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Alphabet Al A Mode

*Clean and Simple Instagram Hop

 This month for the Clean and Simple Instagram Hop, we are playing with the theme of Slimline. Of course, you know I had to go for a mini slimline!  I was inspired by a card I saw by Cecile Ribon a while back... I still love hers more than this one... but I appreciated the inspiration!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Soft Sage

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions; MFT Distressed Patternes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Splendid Stems

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 Our choices for the This or That Instagram Hop were Rainbow or Black & White.  And to surprise you all, I went with a black and white card!  You KNOW I love rainbows... but I also love black and white cards, especially when they are a little unexpected.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Heather's Essential Circles by Ellen Hutson; Spellbinders Floral Spray; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Challenges:  All About

*White on White Instagram Hop*

 This month for the White on White Instagram Hop, we are playing with the theme of "humour"... I had fun with a BIG alphabet to make my card today...

Card Info

*Stamps:  Sassy Pants Stamps Best Friends

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Stitched Rectangles, Impact Alphabet

*Try A Sketch on Tuesday #692*

  This has been a wonderfully creative weekend for me.  My office doesn't close for long weekends as our usual office hours are Tuesday through Saturday.  Easter is the only guaranteed long weekend that we take off.  I'm lucky enough to have 5 days off in a row as I go back to work on Wednesday.

It's been so fun spending some time in my creative space, working on some design team obligations as well as playing with some other challenges!

Today I played along with the latest sketch at Try A Sketch on Tuesday.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Soft Waves
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  TSOT #692

*Freshly Made Sketches Take 2*

 I finished off the card I shared yesterday using the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and I wasn't thrilled with it... so I decided to play with the sketch again.  I'm also playing along with the April challenge at All About Paper Craft Challenges!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown brushed bold; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Paper Rose Studio Daisy Bouquet; Studio Katia Birthday Greetings

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics
*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies
*Dies: Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies; Waffle Flower Nesting Squares

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  FMS #730; All About 

*Freshly Made Sketches #730*

 With a few extra days off this week, I was able to play along with the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  When I saw the sketch, this black and white card popped in to my head...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  MFT Black & White Stripes

*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Floral Spray

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Soft Waves
*Embellishments:  Soft Pearls

*Challenges:  FMS #730

*Addicted to CAS #305*

 We have a wonderful new clean and simple challenge at Addicted to CAS...

I don't have a lot of family themed stamps or dies...  but I was able to make a card for someone's Mom (since mine has passed).  I started with a stencil and three colours of Distress Oxide Ink and did a little partial blending.  I stamped this gorgeous butterfly on top of it and finished it off with the simple sentiment.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Paper Rose Studio Cleo Floral Butterfly; MFT All About Mom

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Salty Ocean, Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry

*Stencil:  Paper Rose Studio Big Drops

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  ATCAS #305; Addicted to Stamps & More #514

*Build Your Stash Instagram Hop*

 This month for the Build Your Stash Instagram Hop, we are making "gifts"...  I chose to do a couple of gift card holders, trying to bust through a little of my stash of patterned paper.

For my first card, I created a postcard style card, in that the main card doesn't open.  Instead, the small part on the front opens (when you untie the ribbon) and you'll find a small pocket inside where you'd put the gift card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler

*Paper:  MFT Party Time
*Stamps:  Waffle Flower Sweet Birthday Sentiments

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Sweet Birthday Sentiments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  ribbon from my stash

My second card also doesn't open like a regular card.  Instead, the floral centre panel flips up to expose a pocket where you'd put the gift card...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Flirty Flamingo; Daffodil Delight

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Flower & Field

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions; Stampin' Up! Pierced Blooms

*CAS on Friday #331*

 The challenge at CAS on Friday is Botanical.... I paired these pretty Washi Tape leaves with a wood grain embossed black strip to create this simple card

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi Tape:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies
*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Embossing:  Altenew Deck Planks

*Etc:  foam adhesives

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #331

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 I had a tough choice for the This or That Instagram Hop this week... until I couldn't find the die I thought I had for the other choice.  Our choices were Ladybug or Butterfly... and for the life of me, I couldn't find my ladybug die!

So butterflies it is!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Uniko Birthday Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Time Out Challenges #310*

 There's a fun new challenge at Time Out Challenges that starts today...

Honestly, I was going to skip this challenge.  I don't have much for food or drink stamps and dies... I was looking for something else in my stash and came across this stamp set with this line of fun frozen treats.  I was NOT in the mood to colour them, so I paired the stamp with a scrap of pattern paper that reminded me of a beach towel... so quick and easy!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  Cocoa Vanilla Sunkissed

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp So Cool
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Time Out #310

*Card Clubhouse Instagram Hop*

 Hello friends...  I'm back with my card for the current Card Clubhouse Instagram Hop... our theme for this week is "humour".  I have some funny sentiments but not a lot to go with them.  For my card today I didn't have either a cake stamp or die nor candles.  So I improvised!

I used pattern paper and cut some strips about the size of candles.  I used a black marker to create the wicks and my Copics to create the flames.  And my sentiment didn't have a die so I <gasp> fussy cut it!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Pattern Party

*Stamps:  Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Birthday Bash Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Mini Slimline Instagram Hop*

 Such a quick mini slimline card for you today, made for the Mini Slimline Instagram Hop.  I used a scrap of pattern paper that is like 15+ years old.  I cut the front of my card a little smaller to create a little interest... 

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  Imganisce Chatty Cake Chatty Cake

*Stamps:  Catherine Pooler Yay Gifts!

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies: Waffle Flower Nesting Circles, Additional Circles

*{BYSHC} Sketch #68*

 Happy April, creative friends!  A new months means there's a new sketch to inspire your Christmas Cards at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers!

I cheated a bit with my first card...  I saw this patterned paper in my stash and I thought it fit the sketch absolutely perfectly!  And honestly, I wasn't sure what I'd ever use it for!  I added some navy blue element to the card and a simple stamped and die cut sentiment to finish it off.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Night of Navy

*Paper:  Siple Stories Winter Wonder

*Stamps:  Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Laying Ovals:  Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCMakers #68

*CAS Colours & Sketches #582*

 There's a fun new colour challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches... I can't wait to see what you create with it!

I will admit that I was creating this card while in a bit of an emotional slump... which meant I was also struggling creatively.  When I struggle with a colour challenge, I usually end up doing something of a more graphic nature, which is what you are getting today.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo, Summer Splash, Shy Shamrock

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Dies:  Spellbinders Colorblock Mini Diamonds; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Just One Layer Instagram Hop*

 As a girl who loves her die cuts, a just one layer card is difficult for me.  Others may not agree, but in my line of thinking, a one layer card means there is nothing raised up from your card front... so that leaves stamps and inks and not much else.  So why on earth did I join this Just One Layer Instagram Hop?  LOL!

For this month, our common theme is Masking... so I used some ripped low tack tape to mask off an area where I did some pretty ink blending... and added a huge floral image on top of it.

Card Info

*Stamps:  Altenew Bouquet of Love; MFT Something for Everything.

*Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Distress Oxide in Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean, Mustard Seed

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #675*

I just LOVE this sketch over at Atlantic Hearts!!  There are so many thing you could do with the panel at the top.  

My first thought was to use some paper scraps to create my card, but then I had the idea of the brick work pattern put on a diagonal.  All of the flowers were from my bin of extras... some Stampin' Up!, some Spellbinders... all bright and happy!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  assorted Stampin' Up! and Basic Black

*Stamps:  Waffle Flower Sweet Birthday Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  assorted Spellbinders and Stampin' Up!

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Brick & Mortar

*Embellishments:  gems from my stash

*Tools:  Perfect Layers