*{BYSHC} #72 Take 2*

 I'm here today to share with you my second and final card using the August Sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers.

First, here's the sketch...

My first card was SUPER clean and simple...  this card is totally not LOL!  But it does use my favourite Christmas themed pattern paper!  It's a little too busy for my personal taste, but I do still like it.  Maybe I should have done the die cut word in black?

Card Info

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

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Dies:  Hero Arts Joy Stamp n Cut

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers #72

*{BYSHC} Sketch #71

 Happy July everyone, and a Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians!  

I am here with my first design team card using the July sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Card Makers...  I look forward to seeing how this sketch inspires your holiday card making...

I have been trying to use some more of the pattern papers that I tend to ignore, inspired by our very own Crystal Minkler who uses pattern paper so effectively!  I wonder though, if the buffalo plaid was too bold of a choice for this sketch...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  Echo Park My Favorite Christmas

*Stamps:  Alex Syberia Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Alex Syberia Christmas Sentiments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers #71

*CAS on Friday #334*

 It's time for a new clean and simple challenge at CAS on Friday...  for challenge #334, we are playing with the theme of "envelopes".  I have this Stampin' Up! stamp and die set in my garage sale bin so I pulled it out to create the card I'm sharing today...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper;  Stampin' Up! Full of Life

*Stamps:  Stampin' Up! Snailed It

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Snail Dies

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Clear Drops

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #334

*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

*Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop*

 Today, I am participating in the Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop.  Each month, we share cards of encouragement that we could send to someone who needs a little extra sunshine.   As I'm still deep in Christmas card mode, I made a Christmas card that might bring a little extra love to the person who gets it.  I used mirror cardstock for my light bulbs to make it extra cheery!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  assorted mirror carddstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  MFT Merry & Bright

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Christmas Lights

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Build Your Stash Instagram Hop*

 Each month, I play along with a group on Instagram as we try to build up our stash of cards.  Each month we have a theme to work with and we are encouraged to make at least 2 cards that fit that theme.  For October, we are playing with "get well soon"... 

I decided to play with a super huge floral, cut it in half and get two for the price of one...  I made one small change to one of the cards by adding the 1/16" black mat around it... which one do you prefer?

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Altenew Gracious Peonies; MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Gina K Jelly Bean Green, Grass Green, Wild Lilac, Lovely Lavender

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Wedding Card*

 A friend of mine asked me to make a card for her to give to a newly married couple.  I search Pinterest for some ideas to get my mojo going and I came across a card with this saying on it.  I decided to play with the Silhouette Design Studio software to try to get a fun layout for it... and then sent it off to my printer.  I had to print on printer paper as my printer doesn't print on cardstock so I adhered the printed paper to a scrap of cardstock before cutting it out.

Card Info

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

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses; Waffle Flower Nesting Circles; Essential Circles by Ellen Hutson

*Tools:  Perfect Layer; Silhouette Studio software

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 I'm participating in the This or That Instagram Hop today... we had to choose between clean and simple or intricate... and guess what?  I did both!

Now, to most, both of my cards would be considered clean and simple, but the card with the embossed background is not clean and simple because of that embossing.

Which one do you prefer?

First... the clean and simple...  I kept the elements pretty tight to reduce how much of my card front was covered.  But I couldn't resist my black mat.

And now the intricate...  I did an embossed background, made the card a landscape orientation and left the butterflies a little further away from the card centre.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Honey Bee Stamps Best of Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies
*Dies:  Pinkfresh Atudio Fluttering Butterflies; Honey Bee Stamps Best of Everyting

*Embossing:  Spellbinders Leafy

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*December 2023 Sheetload of Cards*

 My stash of cards to share is slowly dwindling... the last week or two I haven't really been in my craft room at all.  Christmas prep has taken my attention (and trying to finish a baby blanket for a baby that arrived almost two months early... I'm almost done!).  

My work week had a mix up this week and I am hopeful that now that my Christmas prep is done that I will find at least a little more time in my craft room over the next week or so.  I am off to work in a few hours and work tomorrow... and then I'm off until the 27th.  We have no real holiday plans so I'm guessing I'll have some time to myself if I want it.

Anyway... a card for you today, not for a challenge or anything... just wanting to use some stuff from my Christmas stash!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Real Red

*Paper:  Doodlebug Home For The Holidays

*Stamps:  Doodlebug Christmas Magic; Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas

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

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Circles, Additional Circles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Design:  December 2023 Sheetload of Cards

*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

*Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop*

 Each month, a group of us gather together on Instagram to share cards of encouragement.  We have no themes, we have no rules.  We are just posting cards that might catch your eye and give you the little boost you need today.

I went with a more graphic looking card for my creation to share today...  no flowers to be found LOL!  Although my sentiment comes from a floral set of stamps!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Marina Mist, Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Basic Black

*Stamps:  Altenew Graceful Gardenias

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Playful Alphabet; Pinkfresh Studio Slim Strips

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*More Christmas in July*

I was inspired to play a little more with my Christmas supplies this past weekend while avoiding the extreme heat outside.  I am so thankful for air conditioning!  

I truly do LOVE making Christmas cards, and up until a few years ago I left all of my favourite supplies alone for about 10 months of the year.  It has been so much fun making a few each month instead!

Card Information

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Christmas Blessings

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Christmas Blessings
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Catherine Pooler Jolly Trees; Simon Says Stamp Christmas Blessings

*Embossing:  Gina K Holiday Flora

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #711; The Color Hues Challenge #91; BYSHC Christmas in July

  

*{BYSHC} Sketch #47*

Another month means another new sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Card Makers!  I had no idea how much I would enjoy playing with my Christmas stash each month until I started on this design team.  I love the sketches that Crystal comes up with!!

I had some fun with patterned papers for my card for you today.  My focal point is just a square of a beautiful paper from Stampin' Up! (retired).  I like how the gold and red work together in this card.

Card Info

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

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! All is Bright, Tidings of Christmas

*Images:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers #47

*Sending Birthday Wishes*

I am absolutely in love with the sentiments in this floral stamp set by Spellbinders... I just wish that there were dies for the florals (and the sentiments of course!).  I looked and didn't see them but will probably go have another look just in case.  I love the mix of fonts on these sentiments... especially the more scripty one.

I don't have card info for this as I created this card at a crop I was at a few weeks ago.  I can tell you that the stamp set is Spellbinders Stylish Oval Birthday Wishes and that I used Copics to colour the image.

*{BYSH}Cardmakers #32*

Out with the old and in with the new.... I was here yesterday with my second card for the March sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers and I'm here today with the first card I made for the April sketch!  Are you playing along with us each month?

Here is the sketch for April...

And here is my card...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Garden Green

*Paper:  Photoplay Gnome for the Holidays, Tulla & Norbet's Christmas Party

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  {BYSH}Cardmakers #32

*Merry & Bright Trees*

Yesterday I was out doing my running around in just a bunnyhug (a hoodie for those who aren't from Saskatchewan)... last night I met friends for dinner and while I had a jacket in the car, I just had my bunnyhug.  This morning I woke up to the temperature outside at -15, feeling like -27 (this is -26F, feels like -33).  What a difference!  I am so glad I got the majority of my running around done yesterday!

I feel like the further in to Christmas card making season I got, the less clean and simple my cards became.  I honestly think it takes me longer to put together a clean and simple card... getting the the right amount of "stuff" on the card, making sure it's all placed just right, making sure it's enough without being too much.  Some people think clean and simple = easy... I think they're wrong.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  MFT Christmas Cheer; Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Images:  Mama Elephant Jingle Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Simple Jingle*

Have you ever stamped something, coloured it up and then thought "now what?"  Well, that was me with this jingle word from Simon Says Stamp.  I loved how it coloured up in an ombre feel but I didn't know what to do with it.  Then I saw a sketch on FB (Tawny Owl Paperie) and decided to use my die cut word.

I love the simplicity of this card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Granny Apple Green

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Good Cheer

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Good Cheer

*Embossing Folder:  Spellbinders Loops

*Embellishments:  Nuvo Aqua Shimmer

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Tawny Owl Paperie #6

*Happy Thoughts*

Last year I bought this Simon Says Stamp set (part of a card kit I think) and I don't think I've ever used it.  This is my first ever card made with it.  

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up!  Shaded Spruce

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Warmest Wishes

*Ink:  Verafine Clair Nocturne, Green Oasis

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Addicted to CAS #219*

Let me tell you how long it takes me type up a blog post using only my left hand!  Most of my jobs over the years have been keyboard-centric so I am a fast typer... in fact, I enjoy typing... but this one handed thing is frustrating!!!

If only I had a dictation app on my laptop...

Anyway, it's time for a new clean and simple challenge with the team ay Addicted to CAS.  Our code word for challenge #219 is "friendship".

My very good friend Bonnie celebrated her birthday last week so she was the inspiration for my card for this challenge.  We are two peas in a pod so this snarky card was absolutely perfect!

*March Christmas Craft Creations*

It's the end of March which means it's time for my monthly design team commitment with Christmas Craft Creations.  While it's fun to play with my Christmas stash a little bit all year long, it still feels a little strange for me simply because in 25 years of creating, Christmas cards have all been created in the fall and early winter.  I really need to play with that stash more often!

The theme for this month is a slimline card... and I really love these mini slimline cards.  It was the absolute perfect size for this gorgeous snowflake die I have had for a few years.

Card Info:
*Cardstock:  blue Stardream; unknown brushed silver foil

*Images:  Simon Says Stamps Warmest Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Birch Press Drifting Snowflake

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Christmas Craft Creations

I hope you'll play along with us this month!  Share your creations with us before April 12th for your chance to WIN a great prize!  Just share your slimline Christmas creations HERE!