*{BYSHC} Sketch #72

 How on earth is it August already??!!!??  Why do the summer months fly by so fast and winter seems to last forever?

Anyway, there's a fabulous new sketch for you to use to get going on your Christmas cards over at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers.

When I saw this sketch, I immediately had this idea ..,. and while it's not exactly the sketch, I think it's pretty darn close.  I LOVE how clean and simple this is!  This die was just absolutely perfect for this sketch!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; silver mirror

*Stamps:  Alex Syberia Christmas Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Birch Press Drifting Snowflake

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Sketch #72; Addicted to Stamps & More; Just Add Ink

*CAS on Friday #335*

 Challenge #335 at CAS on Friday has a RAINBOW theme...  I love playing with rainbow colours and I love this rainbow die set from my stash as well.  I love playing with the colours of the rainbow and today I made them pastels.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Petal Pink, So Saffron, Pear Pizazz, Pool Party, Purple Posy

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Ink:  Verasfine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Sunshine Vibes; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenge;  CAS on Friday #335; Addicted to Stamps & More #518

*Addicted to CAS #306*

Good morning friends... it's time for a new clean and simple challenge at Addicted to CAS...

I don't have much for postage related items in my crafty stash, but I did recently purchase some Waffle Flower postage themed items.  I played with some soft colours with the stencil and used one of the "stamp" die cuts to create my card.  To add a little extra interest, I used an embossing folder on a white strip.  I used a lot of newer stuff (to me) on this card... always good to use the new stuff you buy instead of ignoring it!

Card Info

*Stamps:  Concord & 9th Big Day Birthday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Shaded Lilac, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocent
*Stencils:  Waffle Flower Collage Peony Stencil

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Postage Collage

*Embossing:  Altenew Ribbon Waves

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #306; Addicted to Stamps & More #515

*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

*Freshly Made Sketches #724*

 Just a fly by from me before I head off to start my work week... I had a little time this morning while I watched the end of the Canadian Olympic Men's Hockey Team win their quarter final game and I was intrigued with the new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  I used a huge stamped image that also qualifies for the "make your mark" challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Altenew Graceful Gardenias; Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

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

*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Freshly Made Sketches #724; Addicted to Stamps and More #511

*Card Clubhouse Instagram Hop*

 This week for the Card Clubhouse Instagram Hop, our theme is "Unexpected Valentine"...a challenge to use unexpected colours for a Valentine's card.  I chose to go with black, white and gold as I find it elegant.  I was really tempted to add just a little pop of red, but decided that was too traditional.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Bazzill gold foil; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Paper:  MFT Black & White Stripes
*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Something for Everything; Hero Arts Infinity Hearts

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges: The Paper Players #771; Inkpirational #360 Addicted to Stamps & More #310

   

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch #667*

 There's a wonderful new sketch at Atlantic Hearts this week...  

I didn't make it completely clean and simple in the true sense of the style, but it's pretty close.  My big white layer just screamed for some embossing on it!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Lucky Limeade

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

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies: Waffle Flower Sweet Birthday Sentiments

*Embossing:  Spellbinders Floating Balloons

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Atlantic Hearts #667; Addicted to Stamps and More #509

*Happy Birthday Kati!*

Today we are celebrating Kati's birthday with an Instagram Hop to help make it a little more special.  Since she loves all things colourful, she chose a rainbow theme for her hop!

I started with this gorgeous pattern paper and went with a design I used on a Christmas card a few months ago.  I went shopping at my favourite local stamp store last week to use the gift card I got for Christmas (and a little more than that too!) and I bought those gorgeous leaves and a great new sentiment stamp and die set.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  MFT Party Time

*Stamps:  Waffle Flower Sweet Birthday Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Prism Studio Essential Greenery; Waffle Flower Sweet Birthday Sentiments

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  All About #1; Addicted to Stamps & More #509

 

*CASE It Instagram Hop*

 This morning I am sharing a card that was inspired by a talented creator on Instagram for the CASE It Instagram Hop.  I feel in love with her card (that you'll see below) and knew in an instant I'd be playing with it.  

First, here's Milla's card...

Isn't it gorgeous?!  I love how rich her colours are!  And I love how the rest of the floral spray are in black and white on the front of the card.  Such a great interpretation of the spotlight technique.

My card didn't turn out as gorgeous as hers... but I tried to do something similar without copying directly.  I did the spotlight technique but with a smaller floral image.  Instead of a rectangular highlight, I went with a circular one. I kept my sentiment offset, but went to the other side of the card for it.  I hope you can see how my card was inspired by hers...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Altenew Graceful Gardenias; Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Altenew Baby Pink, Fuchsia, Magenta, Limeade, Lime

*Stencil:  Altenew Graceful Gardenias

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nessting Circles, Additional Circles; Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

*Challenges:  Addicted to Stamps & More

*Addicted to CAS Challenge #299*

 It's time for the first challenge of 2026 with the team at Addicted to CAS...

I struggled with this theme!  I was crafting with my friends Heidi and Bonnie and they will confirm that I almost decided to skip this challenge.  I didn't want to go with a drinking glass because I find them difficult to work with and get looking the way I want them to.  And then I had my AH-HA moment!  I have Pair Eyewear, those glasses with the removeable toppers.  For a while, I thought I was going to make my own toppers (and I did make a few) so I purchased a cut file to be used with my Silhouette.  I pulled out the Silhouette, resized the cut file and cut myself a pair of glasses!!!  I added some Glossy Accents to the frames and some funky flowers and a sentiment that really worked!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  MFT Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings 2

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Embellishments:  HAI Supply flowers and black pearls; Glossy Accents

*Tools:  Perfect Layers: Silhouette

*Challenges:  ATCAS #299; Addicted to Stamps & More

*Clean and Simple Instagram Hop*

 This month, the creators playing along with the Clean and Simple Instagram Hop are working with the theme of BLUES.  Think the colour, the music genre, the winter blues... 

I decided to play with the colour and chose some smokey blues to create my card today.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Secret Seas

*Stamps:  unknown stripes; MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Catherine Pooler Stone Blue, Cover Blue

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Big Happy

*Challenges:  Addicted to Stamps and More

*Mini Slimline Instagram Hop*

 Hello creative friends... it's time for the Mini Slimline Instagram Hop!  Each month, a group of my creative friends join me in sharing a mini slimline card.  There are no rules other than the card has to be a mini slimline.

Of course, I am sharing another Christmas card today (it is going to be SO hard to get out of Christmas card mode!).  I used a new to me die set to create my card for today.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler; Bazzill gold mirror

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Vintage Layered Ornaments; The Ton Easy Expressions Holidays

*Challenges:  Addicted to Stamps & More #507

*CASE It Instagram*

 This month, for the CASE It Instagram Hop, I chose to CASE a beautiful card by Kim Fee.  First, let me show you her card...

I was drawn to this card because of the colours... I love those gold and black and white stripes, the black accents and the white die cuts.  I changed my card up by flipping the layout, using a square instead of a circle, using a black mat intstead of stamping on a black piece and finally, by making mine a Christmas card with fir branches instead of leaves.

I love how this card turned out!  Thanks for the inspiration, Kim!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Bazzil Gold Foil

*Paper;  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  Mama Elephant Jingle Greetings
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Christmas Blooms

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #800; Simply Clean and Simple; Addicted to Stamps & More #505

*This or That Instagram Hop*

The choices for the This or That Instagram Hop this week are Soft or Bright... I went for bright!  And I decided to play with a little bit of a black to really make the colours pop!  I don't have any colour or die info for you as I once again used a bunch of items from my bin of extras for the card today.

Challenges:  Addicted to Stamps & More #503

*Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop*

 The theme for September for the Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop is Shimmer and Shine... so I played with a beautiful snowflake die and some glitter paper.  Super clean and simple!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown white sparkle

*Stamps:  Paper Trey Ink Signature Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Hero Arts Snowflake Cluster; MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Challenges:  Addicted to Stamps and More

*Believe in the Magic of Christmas*

 I sure hope you're not tired of the Christmas in July posts yet... because I am LOVING them!  I am using a different Kraftin' Kimmie stamp set today... one of our fabulous sponsors for the Christmas in July Linky Party!

Another card today, using a lot of patterned paper.  I have a lot in my stash and I really should be working harder to use it!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  gold mirror; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  DCWV December 25th

*Stamps:  Kraftin' Kimmie Magic of Christmas

*Ink:  Versfine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Slim Strips; Scrapbook.com Nested Hexagons

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Addicted to Stamps and More; BYSHC Christmas in July Linky Party: Just Add Ink #761

 

*Holly Jolly Christmas*

 Good morning, creative friends... I am back with another Christmas card this morning.  I wanted to see what this embossing folder would look like with coloured cardstock... and I love it!

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Sage Shado, Cherry Cobbler, Evening Evergreen

*Stamps:  Poppy Stamps Art Deco Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies: Spellbinders Christmas Blooms
*Embossing:  Spellbinders Notched Corner Pointsettie

*Embellishments:  HAI Supply Gems

*Challenges:  Addicted to Stamps & More #497; BYSHC Christmas in July