*CAS on Friday Challenge #338*

There's a fabulous new challenge at CAS on Friday that starts today... and it's totally up my alley!  The challenge is to use dies only with the only stamping allowed on our sentiment.  I think most of my cards are like this!

I cut some flowers in bright colours as well as a fun stem and layered it all together in the middle of my card front.   I layered the stamped and die cut sentiment across the middle of it, keeping everything together in a tight design

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Prism Studio Essential Greenery; Spellbinders Be Bold Blooms; The Ton Easy Expressions
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #338; Simply Clean and Simple

*Build Your Stash Instagram Hop*

 This month we are building up our stash of appreciation style cards for the Build Your Stash Instagram Hop.  Some of my friends did some cards to thanks the nurses or teachers or fire fighters in their lives.  I don't have a need for anything like that, so I went with a simple thank you card.  I used the exact same things on these two cards... even the same layout.  I love double sided pattern paper!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Granny Apple Green

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Pattern Party

*Stamps:  Hunkydory Elegant Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Prism Studios Essential Greenery

*Challenges: Simply Clean and Simple February 2026

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 This week on the This or That Instagram Hop, we had to choose between Left or Right.  I tend to make most of my cards with a left sided focus, so I did a right handed one for my card today.  A few scraps of pattern paper and some shiny gone and I am in LOVE with this card!

I'm also entering it in to the challenge at The Paper Players... not an image, but I am using my new favourite Christmas pattern paper for this one!

Card Info

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

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Memory Box Knotted Circle Wreaths; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  The Paper Players#764; Simply Clean and Simple

*CAS Colours & Sketches #573*

 There's a very holiday inspired colour challenge this week at CAS Colours & Sketches... although you could choose to do something completely different with these colours if you wanted to!

I chose to use these colours in sparkle cardstock.  I found three different shaped tree dies in my stash and made a super simple card.  

Card Info

*Paper:  assorted glitter papers

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Catherine Pooler Jolly Trees; MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Tools:  Misti

*Challenges:  CAS Colours & Sketches #573; Just Us Girls #800; Simply Clean and Simple

*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

*My Favourite Instagram Hop*

 This week on the My Favourite Instagram Hop we playing with our favourite thing about fall.  I will admit, I don't like much about fall.  I like the colours in the leaves (although here in Calgary we don't get a lot of colours) and I like wearing hoodies.

Since I don't have a hoodie stamp or die, I played with some colourful leaves...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie Mango Melody

*Stamps:  Visible Image Best Birthday Every

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Be Bold Blooms, Floral Spray

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Simply Clean and Simple

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch #647*

 It's time for a new sketch at Atlantic Hearts... while you only see my cards once every two weeks, this is a weekly challenge with new and fabulous sketches every week!

First... the sketch for this week...

I kept my card somewhat clean and simple for this sketch... the added layers take me out of the running for a truly clean and simple card (as per clean and simple design rules) but there is plenty of white space to make it very close to being clean and simple.  I used some gold accents on this card to highlight the gold in the washi tape I used.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Bazzill gold mirror

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses; The Ton Easy Expressions; MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  gold cord; foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Atlantic Hearts #647; Simply Clean and Simple

*My Favourite Instagram Hop*

 I'm playing along with another week of the My Favourite Instagram Hop... this week our challenge was to make a card featuring our favourite sea creature.  I love dolphins, and have since I was a kid and watched the show "Flipper"... they seem so smart and if I could, I'd cuddle one.

I don't have a lot of water themed stuff, so I had to improvise...  I chose some water coloured cardstock and used a fun embossing folder on the strips to create the feeling of waves.  I cut the dolphin out of white cardstock and coloured up the majority of it with a grey Copic

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Spellbinders Seaside, Breeze, Windy

*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Noturne; Copics

*Dies:  Poppy Stamps Whittle Dolphin; MFT Something for Everything

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Soft Waves
*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #783; Simply Clean and Simple

*AAA Colourful #16*

 It's time for a new colourboard challenge at AAA Colourful.  This one was fun for me as I love cards with just a hint of colour.  

When I look at this colourboard, I see black, white, purple and a little bit of gold... I had some fun with some concentric circles and a pop of purple!  Although I will admit, my purple is a little too bright and maybe a little too prominent.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Spellbinders gold foil
*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Dies:  Essentials By Ellen Essentials Circles; A Jillian Vance Design Daisies; The Ton Easy Expressions
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  Kaiser Pearls

*Challenges:  AAAColourful #16; Simply Clean and Simple

*My Favourite Instagram Hop*

 This week on the My Favourite Instagram Hop, we are celebrating Mom.  We each have used a favourite Mom themed stamp or die set.

I have been LOVING all of the Pinkfresh Studio washi tape that I have in my stash. I use the washi with the dies way more often than I use the stamps!  So that's what I went with today...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Photoplay Mom & Dad Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses; Photoplay Mom & Dad Sentiments
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges: Simply Clean and Simple

*Freshly Made Sketches #677*

 I had some fun in my creative space this afternoon, playing with the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  I love the subtle look of this brick embossing folder on white cardstock...  I'm also entering the challenges at Just Us Girls and Simply Clean and Simple

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

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

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Brick & Mortar
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Freshly Made Sketches #677; Just Us Girls #766; Simply Clean and Simple

*My Favorite Instagram Hop*

The My Favorite Instagram Hop has us playing with our favourite shades of green.... I pulled out these fabulous leaf die cuts (thanks Pinkfresh Washi Tape!!) to make a quick and easy card...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown gold foil
*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Verafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterlies

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions; Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies; Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #766; Simply Clean and Simple 

*CAS on Friday #302*

 The challenge at CAS on Friday is Valentine.  Of course it is LOL!  Which challenge isn't a Valentine or Love challenge right now?  I don't send Valentine's so I don't have a lot of stuff that works for it... so I hope my cards aren't all looking the same!

I know this one is different...  I cut a row of hearts out of a piece of black cardstock and layered it on top of a piece of rainbow paper to create a quick clean and simple Valentine.

Card Info
*Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Basic Black
*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Full of Life
*Stamps:  MFT Essential Sentiements
*Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Hero Arts Infinity Hearts
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenge: CAS on Friday #302; Just Us Girls #761; Simply Clean and Simple February 2025

*Merry Christmas*

 While I found a little time in the last few days to create, I didn't find a lot of drive to actually create.  I think that means that my binge of making Christmas Cards has run it's course for 2024.

Good timing since I have one Christmas Card to share with you today...  oh wait, there is another Christmas card coming on Friday.

This is a sincere wish, from me to you, for a wonderful Christmas filled with whatever it is that brings you joy.  I am spending today with my little family of four... we will open stockings together in my bedroom when the boys are up (they are adults who still live at home), have a little snack of home made donuts and banana bread and will then unwrap the presents that are under the tree.  My brother in law will join us this afternoon and we'll play some cards and other games, eat junk food and finish the afternoon off with the big turkey dinner.  It is a small celebration for us, but it doesn't mean it's not special.  Time with my husband and sons is always precious.  Five years ago I wasn't sure how many more Christmas' I'd have, so I am thankful for each and every one.

A super simple card for you for today...  sending you wishes of peace and joy.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Evening Evergreen

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Verdant Ornaments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  SImply Clean and Simple

*2024 Spellbinders Advent Hop - Day 15*

 It's Day 15 of the Spellbinders Advent Calendar... I used the slim embossing folder to create a clean and simple Christmas card...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Grey, Cherry Cobbler

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday; Simon Says Stamp Lea Snowflake

*Embossing:  Spellbinders Advent Day 15

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Simply Clean and Simple

*CASE It Hop*

 Welcome to the first in a monthly series... an Instagram Hop with a few online friends where we each find a paper crafting project on Instagram and we CASE it.  Wait... you don't know that that means?  CASE stands for Copy and Share Everything.  Basically, we are going to take a creation by someone else and make our own creation that is inspired by that original.  We don't want to copy it exactly, but we want to put our own little twist on it to make it our own idea.

First, this is the card I was inspired by... It's made by the owner of Uniko (go check out their Instagram!)

And now for the card I made, inspired by this card.  You can see that I took the idea of the card, changed the colours, changed the word, changed the graphic... and added my signature coloured mat.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown shimmer; unknown glitter; Lawn Fawn Iridescent

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Joyful Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Playful Alpha; Picket Fence Studio Winter Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Simply Clean and Simple November; Word Power #11

*Addicted to CAS #271*

It's a snowy challenge at Addicted to CAS, and I was excited to play with it!  You know me and love of all things snowflake (unless it's actually snowing... then not so much!)

There are a lot of ways I could have gone with this theme, but I settled on a mostly monochromatic card.  I had to add a little sparkle, of course!

Card Info

*Cardstock: unknown silver glitter

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

*Embossing:  Sizzix/Tim Holtz

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #271; Simply Clean and Simple

*AAA Colourful #8*

 There's a new moodboard colour challenge at AAA Colourful...  another opportunity to pull out some of those warm right colours!

I had an idea for my creation pop in to my head one night before falling to sleep.  Thankfully it was the night before a day off from work so I was able to head to my craft space the next morning to play.  I chose a simple floral image and some Copics to colour it with.

Card Info

*Stamps:  Spellbinders Stylish Oval Birthday Wishes; MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics' white gel pen

*Etc:  clear embossing powder

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges: AAA Colourful #8; Inkspirational #324; Simply Clean and Simple

*Every Step Matters*

I pulled out some items from my craft stash that hadn't been used before for my card today.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Pinkfresh Studio Rainbow Floral

*Stencil:  Simon Says Stamp Autumn Cascade

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Catherine Pooler Peppermint Scrub, Mandarin Spice, Saua

*Dies:  MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Challenges: Simply Clean and Simple

*Addicted to CAS #259*

 It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS... and it's the same challenge as the one from yesterday!  If you usually play at one, be sure to enter at both!

If you've been here for any length of time, you know I make a lot of cards with flowers... so this was not a difficult challenge for me!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Images:  Pink Fresh Studio Happy for You; The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Dies:  Pink Fresh Studio Happy for You; The Ton Easy Expressions

*Etc:  WOW clear embossing powder; white gel pen

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #259; Just us Girls #726; Simply Clean and Simple, Flower Challenge #91; Pinkfresh Studio May Challenge