*Rainbow Connection Instagram Hop*

 I am combing the Rainbow Connection Instagram Hop with a card for the BYSHCardmakers Linky Party today...  What's better that some rainbow snowflakes?!  I cut the snowflakes out of pattern paper and am in love with how they turned out.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Granny Apple Green

*Paper:  Paper Rose Studio Rainbow Twirl 2.0

*Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Simply Winter Sentiments

*Ink:  Verafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Small Snowflakes, Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 This week, the participants in the This or That Instagram Hop had to choose between RAIN or SNOW. At this time of the year, I choose snow.  I don't love snow, but here in Calgary, the cold weather often results in sunny skies.  I'd take a day of snow and sunny skies for the rest of the week over a week of gloomy cloudy days because of rain.  Besides, snow is bright and white and fun (unless you have to try to drive to work in it!).  I complain about the snow, but honestly, I think it's pretty!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Seaside Spray

*Stamps:  Honeybee Best of Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*White on White Instagram Hop*

 For January, the theme for the White on White Instagram Hop is Winter... so of course I had to play with some snowflakes!  This could be a Christmas card or simply a card you send someone during the winter months... even a birthday card.

Card Info

*Stamps:  Gina K Doodled Snowflakes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Be Bold Alphabet; Impression Obsession Small Snowflakes

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Challenges:  AAA Birthday

*Addicted to CAS #298*

 It's time for the last challenge of 2025 at Addicted to CAS...

I am going to be so sad to leave my Christmas card making supplies in their containers instead of playing with this for every card I make...  I will still be making some Christmas cards throughout the year, but I really enjoy the time that I spend focussing only on Christmas cards.  

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, unknown glitter

*Stamps:  MFT Christmas Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; Small Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenge:  ATCAS #298

*Addicted to CAS #297*

 This week, I am hosting the challenge at Addicted to CAS....  this is the prompt that I chose...

Of course, metallics, to me, are perfect at Christmas, but I know that some of my design team friends went a completely different way!  I can't wait to see what you create!

I decided on a metallic snowflake... backed with a little black to make it pop!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up Basic Black; Lawn Fawn Holographic

*Stamps:  Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #297

*The Paper Players #764*

 I actually created three cards in the last two days just for the sake of playing,  I struggle to make cards other than my design team requirements because I seem to rely on a prompt of some sort.  And with a design team obligation, I can't just say "nah, doesn't speak to me" so I have to force myself to figure out that prompt.  And when I'm behind on design team duties, I don't even have time to look at other challenges.  Christmas cards come easily to me so my design team obligations for this month were knocked out pretty darn quickly!

So I decided to play with a clean and simple challenge at The Paper Players... Their prompt is your favourite holiday image so I pulled out my favourite snowflake to make my card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Night of Navy; Lawn Fawn Holographic

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Embossing:  Sizzix

*Embellishments:  Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Clear Drops

*Challenges:  The Paper Players #764

*My Favorite Instagram Hop*

 This week, the prompt for the My Favorite Instagram Hop is favourite shape.  I couldn't chose a basic shape for myself... but my favourite shape is snowflake.  I think they are absolutely beautiful both in nature and in my creativity.  I don't like the cold weather that comes with snowflakes, but I sure do think they are pretty!

Card Info

*Paper: Unknown silver sparkle

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impressions Obsession Snowflakes; MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHC Falling For The Holidays; Inkspirational #352

*White on White Christmas Card*

 My friend Claire hosts a monthly Christmas card challenge on Instagram... this month her theme is "white on white".  She and I were joking around a few days ago because she didn't know why she chose that theme as she struggles with white and white.  I figured that since I gave her a little advice, I should play along as well...

White on White isn't easy... you need layers, texture and dimension.

Card Info

*Stamps:  MFT Christmas Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; MFT Christmas Wishes

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Spring Into Christmas 2025 {BYSHC} Linky Party Take 7*

I went back and forth between clean and simple cards and not clean and simple cards for my creations for the Build Your Stash Holiday Card Makers Spring Into Christmas Linky Party... today you get clean and simple.  I tried so hard to make it just one layer but I just felt like this card needed a layer...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Lawn Fawn Iridescent

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; The Ton Easy Expressions Christmas

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Challenges:  BYSH Cardmakers Spring Into Christmas Holiday Linky Party

*{BYSHC} Sketch #54 Take 2*

This is my second post using the February sketch from Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers. 

I decided to try something a little less busy for my second card... I embossed a white panel and then cut it in to strips.  On two of the panels, I swiped some metallic silver ink along the piece to add a little definition.

Card Info
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, unknown silver sparkle
*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Ink: Catherine Pooler Silver; Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Embossing:  Sizzix Christmas Tree Pattern
*Tools:  Perfect Layers
*Challenges:  Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers

*White on White Instagram Hop*

 I joined the White on White Instagram Hop, a brand new monthly hop where we make white on white cards (we can use a hint of another colour) following a theme.  For January, our theme is winter snow and ice.  I chose to make a snowflake themed card, using lots of texture (which is, to me, the key to making white on white cards).

Card Info

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsessions Snowflakes; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Embossing:  Simon Says Snowflake Visiions

*Embellishments:  ribbon from my stash

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 We've changed the name of the "Is It Fall or Is It Winter" Instagram Hop to "This or That"... each week, we will have two themes to choose from... a this or that, if you will.

This week, our choice was between sand and snow.  While in my real life, I much prefer sand (think beach!), I do love snowflakes and snow in my creative world.  I played with a lot of different snowy items from my stash for my card today...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Not Quite Navy; unknown silver sparkle

*Stamps:  Mama Elephant Little Snowmen

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Dies:  Mama Elephant Little Snowmen; Poppy Stamps Snowscape; Penny Black Christmas Wonderland; Impression Obsession Small Snowflakes

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Tools:  Perfect Layers; Brother Scan 'n Cut

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #605*

 Happy Monday, creative friends...  it's time for a new sketch challenge at Atlantic Hearts!

I decided to do a super clean and simple card following the sketch.  I clusted up soe snowflakes, added some sparkler and a sentiment and called it done.

Card Info

*Cardstock:   assorted sparkle and shimmer; Lawn Fawn Holographic

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas; Impression Obsession Snowflakes, Small Snowflakes

*Challenges:  Atlantic Hearts #605

*CAS Colours & Sketches #549*

 It's time for a new sketch at the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge blog....  This would be a great sketch for putting together a batch of cards for a gift or to donate somewhere.

I saw the sketch and knew exactly what I wanted to do...  snowflakes, of course!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown blue shimmer; Lawn Fawn Holographic

*Stamps:  Mama Elephant Merry Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CC&S #549

*Paper Craft Crew #595*

Another card from my weekend in the creative space... this time following the sketch at Paper Craft Crew!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown shimmer; Lawn Fawn Iridescent

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Small Snowflakes; Picket Fence Studio Winter Snowflakes; Ellen Hutson Essential Circles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges: Paper Craft Crew #595

*Christmas in July Holiday Linky Party*

 Today marks the start of the Build Your Stash Holiday Card Makers Chistmas in July Linky Party!  What is that?  Well, share your newly created Christmas (and winter holiday) cards on the {BYSHC} Blog and you'll be entered in to the draw to win some WONDERFUL prizes!!!  There is no sketch, no theme, no parameters... just newly made Christmas or winter holiday cards!  It's really just that easy!!

Just look at this list of sponsors!!!

Tawny Owl Paperie

Unity Stamp Co

Not 2 Shabby

Angie Blom Digital Designs

Lawn Fawn

Twiddler's Nook

Therm O Web

RAM Stamps

Gina K Designs

Waffle Flower

Colorado Craft Company

Newton's Nook Designs

A Colorful Life Designs

Jaded Blossom

Paink & Main

Gina Marie Designs

I used a little Lawn Fawn and some adhesives from Therm O Web for my card... 

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Lawn Fawn Iridescent, unknown silver sparkle

*Images:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflake Backdrop, Impression Obsession Snowflakes; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Challenges:  {BYSHC} Christmas in July Holiday Linky Party; Addicted to Stamps and More

*Spring Into Christmas Linky Party*

I have another card to share for the {BYSHC} Spring Into Christmas Linky Party!  I had a lot of fun playing with some different small and medium snowflake dies as well as that beautiful Lawn Fawn Iridescent cardstock.  

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Lawn Fawn Metallic - Iridescent

*Images:  MFT Christmas WIshes

*Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Small Snowflake Set; Picket Fence Studio Winter Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHC Spring in to Christmas Linky Party

*{BYSHC} Sketch #42 Take 2*

I'm back with my second card for the February sketch at Build Your Stash!  I love that Crystal takes the time to include measurements on these sketches... it makes them so much easier!!

By now I'm sure you all now that I have a thing for snowflakes.  I have a great mixture of them for you on this card.  To make the iridescent snowflake pop, I layered it on a few layers of white cardstock to give it a little more dimension.

Card Info
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Night of Navy; Lawn Fawn Iridescent

*Paper:  unknown

*Images:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Embossing:  Simion Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Challenges:  Build Your Stash Holiday Card Makers #42

*CAS on Fiday #275*

It's a winter themed challenge at CAS on Friday!  I created a card that could be used for Christmas or a winter birthday or even just a winter hello.  I just love the fancy word stamps in this GinaK stamp set!  To get the snowflake to really stand out (since it's white on white), I cut a few of the snowflakes and layered them together before putting them on the card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown glitter

*Images:  Gina K Doodled Snowflakes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CAS on Friady #275

*Running Out*

 Well crafty friends... I am slowly running out of cards to share with you.  Since getting back from our tropical vacation, I have been busy trying to get ready for Christmas in between work and other life things... so very little time has been spent in my creative space.  I miss it, but I just don't know when I'll have the time to get back in there.  Maybe I can power through my list on my next series of days off...  or even give some of it (like the wrapping) to my husband!

I had an idea in my head and am so pleased with how this card turned out...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Real Red, Basic Grey

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Small Snowflakes, Snowflakes; MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  clear half pearls from my stash