Christmas Mail

 Hello and welcome back, crafty Friends! I had enough time to create another fun card designed from various blog challenges and a couple from Splitcoast Stampers. If you haven't checked out SCS, please check them out! So many challenges, tutorials, project galleries, supportive community, and so much more for any paper crafter to enjoy!

This is my first card using my new Color Cube #4. I picked the first color sample, number 751, as my inspiration sample.

I stamped out the images from Momma Elephant's "You've Got Mail" on watercolor paper, and chose watercolor the images in with Spectrum Noir's "Aqua" watercolor markers and my Kuretake watercolor paints. I chose to use Hello Blue Bird's Deckle Edge dies to cut out the main image. I fussy cut out the little bunny after watercoloring him in, and place pop dots under him to give him some dimension off the paper. I placed popdots under the main image diecut with foam tape for stability and dimension, then matted it with 49 & Market's "Little Dreamers" design paper. Under the design paper, I added a gray scalloped cardstock from Bazzil in "Ash", die cut with Taylored Expressions Petit Scallop Mini Slim Stacklets.

I'm submitting my card to the following blogs & challenges :

Addicted to Stamps & More - Christmas (my card shows a bunny receiving a Christmas card)

A Cut Above - Anything Goes w/ a Die Cut

A Place to Start - Anything Goes w/ Opt. Twist Winter Things 

Cupcake Inspirations - Challenge Image - Let It Snow & the color Blue

Path of Positivity - Anything Goes w/ Opt. Twist of Unexpected Animal

Polkadoodles - Anything Goes

Simon Says (Monday Challenge) - Use Dies

Sweet Birthday Wishes

 Hello, Friends! I'm back with a card I made during Thanksgiving vacation, that I'm going to submit to a few online challenges. I Miss joining online challenges, but you know, working two jobs really takes all my extra free time away. So this is a nice and welcome bit of extra time I had to just play around with my little crafty treasures for a bit.

I created this card out of a "new-to-me" stamp set from Momma Elephant.

I stamped out Momma Elephant's "Yay A Party" and colored it in with Copics, then cut it out the main image with a stitched die from Paper Trey that has been long retired. I matted a yellow cardstock from Bazzil under it, called "French Vanilla", then matted that with a yellow chevron design paper, again cut from the Paper Trey dies from the same stitched rectangle set, but this one has scallops on the edges. There is no name on the Paper Trey dies, so I cannot name the set.

I kept everything simple and clean. I wish the lighting caught how soft the colors on the bunnies and the rest of the scene, are.

I'm submitting my card to the following online blog challenges :

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Pattie's Creations Challenge - Anything Goes

Just Add Ink - Add Dies

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

All Sorts Challenge - Anything Goes

Polkadoodles - Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin Challenge - Birthday

Color Throwdown - Color Challenge (chose to feature only Yellow)

June Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : A Little Hello

 Hi Friends! Welcome back to my little blog, I'm glad you're here!

It's actually June, can you believe it?! The year is half over! And it's time for another monthly blog challenge. This month's photo is my favorite so far. So patriotic :)

I was so inspired by the Red, White & Blue, I made so many card attempts. I just couldn't get the right shades of reds and blues for my card without it looking so strongly garish. I really wanted it to be soft but distinctly Red, White & Blue.

I chose a stamp that I picked up at a local scrapbook store's stamping Garage Sale event. After I stamped out my image and colored it in, I diecut out the image with the corresponding die. I cut out some light blue background paper with a stitched rectangle die from MFT, and put it on some white cardstock cut out with MFT's Mini Scalloped die. I put some popdots under the image and placed it over the design paper and base. I cut out an oval piece of white cardstock and stamped out the sentiment.

I like how the card lightly touches on the red, white, and blue color requirements, but without it being so strong. My favorite kind of cards are the clean and simple kind :)

Thank you for joining us at Beautiful Blossoms this month and we can't wait to see you next time for a new challenge!!

Classic Design Team Challenge : Seas the Day

 Hi again, Friends! I am thrilled to announce that I have been accepted onto another monthly design challenge team! I'm so excited!! This Design Team works with various digital stamp creators. I have dabbled once or twice in digi images, but am not very familiar with using them creatively, and it's been an adventure figuring this whole thing out. But as you know, I like a good challenge, and I'm enjoying both the stamps and the process!

This month, we are featuring Angie Blom Digital Designs. Angie a wide assortment of designs to choose from and I couldn't decide which one I wanted to try for a digi card. I decided to start small for my first one.

For my first ever Classic Challenge, I chose Seas the Day, featuring a sea gull, a pillar, and a heart! 

I chose it because as a first foray into digital stamping again, and it's a good place to start. Especially since I don't have a laser printer and need to be careful about how much shading and alcohol ink I use when coloring the image.

I cut out the main image with MFT's Stitched Rectangles, and colored it in with Copics, keeping it simple. I put popdots under the main image just to give it some lift off of the diecut beneath it, for visual interest. I layered my main image over a Penny Black Simple Stackers die cut in Bazzil Navy, then placed popdots under that, over my card base. Again, keeping things Clean and Simple.
 

I think the card turned out pretty good looking for my first digital card attempt in years. Many years ago I received a couple to play with and they were nice, but haven't used them since. So it's like learning it all over again like it's new! 

I hope you check out her designs. She has so many, I'm sure you'll find something you love! 

I'll see you next month for another Classic Design Team Challenge!

Beautiful Blossoms Blog Challenge : A Happy Hello

Welcome back to my little blog, I'm happy that you visited!

This month, the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge is another beautiful and inspiring bouquet photo.

Isn't it lovely? I know I'd love to receive a bouquet of those cheery, happy flowers!

I chose to use Flourishes Heartfelt Thanks stamp set, colored in with Copics. I stitched along the photos edge, and matted it with some leftover design paper. Then I cut a banner strip with MFT's Skinny Strips die, stamped with a sentiment from Flourishes Taglines stamp set.

I kept it very, very clean and simple so the colors stand out and speak for themselves. I love how it turned out, all colorful and cheery!

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you have some inspiration to join us in the BB challenge. I can't wait to see what you create!

Hello Friend

 Hello again and welcome back, Friends!

How is the weather where you are? It's -1 here today and definitely a snug, tucked in, and cozy day to make a card!

I chose a new stamp set I had yet to try, from China. It doesn't have a name, though I got it from Amazon. It's silicone, and I don't care for it as it makes terrible impressions and doesn't like the ink I normally use. This might be the only time I ever use this set, so..

I stamped out my background image and colored it in with Touch alcohol markers, then used MFT's Stitched Scalloped Squares dienamics to cut out the scene.
I cut another Stitched Square piece out from Echo Park's Designer Dies using Kraft cardstock, and matted that, yet again, with Gina K's white cardstock, cut with MFT's Scalloped Stitched Squares dienamics. I layered all the diecuts together to create my layered layout for the card.
Then I stamped out the chickens from the stamp set, fussy cut them out, and popped them up on popdots. After that, I stamped my sentiment from Honey Bee Stamps Farm Fresh Flowers stamp set.

I created this card with a couple challenges in mind :

Inspired By... Sketch

Polkadoodles - Friends

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Sending Smiles

 Hello and welcome back crafty Friends! I'm back with another fun blog challenge card. But first, I have some fun news. I joined Donna and the rest of the talented Beautiful Blossoms Blog Challenge Team! I'm so thrilled!

If you haven't heard of the Beautiful Blossoms blog challenges before, on the 15th of every month they offer a Floral Focused challenge. Easy Peasy, right? Exactly! Who doesn't love a good flower focus? I know I do :)

Here is the DT's February 2025 design challenge photo.

Beautiful, isn't it? I know I was inspired by it!

I chose Gina K's Poppy Garden Stamp that I colored in with Copics. After that, I cut out the image using Pink Fresh's Stitched Rectangles. I matted the main diecut image out onto some design paper from Simple Stories called Simple Vintage Life in Bloom. Then I used Lawn Fawn's Stitched Sentiment Banner's to cut out a banner out of vellum and stamped my sentiment from Flourishes (a beloved but now closed stamp company) Tulips stamp set.

Honestly, I took forever to find the perfect design paper for that card! I was obsessed with finding the perfect, but not too distracting, background color and print! 

Thank you for visiting my blog today, and don't forget to join us over at the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge. I love to see your creations there and for you to see the other DT's inspirations, too!

Love to You

 Welcome back to my little blog!

Today I have a card that is combining a couple of the following blog challenges :

Polkadoodles - Anything Goes ..w/ Love (theme)

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes .. w/ Sentiment (feature a sentiment)

Inspired By...  - Puffy Hearts ... (theme : Valentine's Day)

Addicted to CAS - Friends

I stamped out Colorado Craft Company's Hedgehog Day stamp set and cut it out using the coordinating dies, then colored it in with Copics. I did fussy cut out a few areas so that there was very little white edge showing, to clean it up. 

To make my background, I used MFT's Slimline Cloud Edges, using Mermaid Lagoon and Prized Ribbon Distress Inks to make my clouds. After sponging the clouds in, I taped off a section and sponging in Peeled Paint and some Distress Oxide in Rustic Wilderness. I matted the background on top of MFT's Stitched Mini Scallop Square in Kraft cardstock, then added the diecut image that I popped up on popdots, so it would offer dimension off the card. Then I stamped my sentiment from Memory Bound Scrapbooking from their Care and Concerned stamp set.

I don't usually make Valentine's Day cards, but this one turned out really sweet!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I can't wait to see you next time you pop by!

Hope Your Day is Sweet

 Good morning, Friends!

I have another card created from a challenge today. 

Color Throwdown : Pink, Brown & White

I chose to use Colorado Craft's Coffee House stamp and the coordinating dies, placed over a Distress Ink sponged background in Old Paper and Antique Linen.
I matted the main piece over some Kraft paper that I stitched together with Simple Stories Textured Cardstock in Mauve. Then I cut a banner using MFT's Skinny Strips die, and added my sentiment from Honey Bee Stamps "Mini Messages : Sweet" set.

I enjoyed the color challenge and I have a couple other ideas I might try with it.

But that is all I have for today. Until the next blog post, I hope you have a marvelous craft day!

Happy Birthday

 Hello and welcome back crafty Friends! I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! I don't know about you, but I look forward to my weekends of crafting :)

Today I have a card that combined a few blog challenges :

Addicted To CAS : Center Focus

Word Art Wednesday : Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Blog : Anything Goes w/ Spellbinders

A Cherry On Top : Sketch

Just Add Ink : A Touch of Bling

I didn't want to combine too many challenges together, because I wanted to keep my card as clean and simple as possible this time. I usually have clean designs, but I really wanted this card to be clean and simple so the design would speak for itself and keep the focus front and center.

I chose to use Spellbinders Scalloped Symphony Notecard die set, on Tim Holtz's Metallic Cardstock in Rose Gold. I chose a close matching pink paper cardstock from The Paper Boutique's Moon Meadows cardstock collection. I stamped my sentiment from Crafter's Companion in a set called Gemini. After stamping my sentiment and placing it in the center of my card, I added a couple of gem stickers from Honey Bee Stamps from their Log Cabin gem collection.

Again, I felt it would look better if I made it as clean and simple as possible and I'm glad I did. I generally don't work with shimmery cardstock for many reasons, but mainly because I feel it's difficult to photograph well. I had to close some blinds and shades to keep from the high reflection on this card, but the darker room, I feel dulls it out. So it's tricky if you want to take photos with it, but in real life it just sparkles in such a lovely, eye catching, way!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a happy, crafty weekend!

Friends

 Hi Friends! I wanted to share with you another card I created for a blog challenge.

Over on Addicted to CAS, they're code word this week is : Center Focus .

I chose to use Colorado Stamp Company's "Bunny & Ducking" stamps with dies, and coloring them in with Copics. I masked off a border and sponged in Mermaid Lagoon & Prize Ribbon Distress Inks, then embossed a single line around the sponging with my Scor-Pal, to frame my images. I matted the scored and sponged paper with Kraft cardstock, to keep everything clean and non-fussy looking, then placed popdots under my bunny, to further give it depth, so it wouldn't feel "flat" and further reenforce the size difference, then added the duckling.

I love how it came out! So simple, gentle and clean!  I almost stamped a sentiment on the card but felt it would detract from the clean lines and the images. 

Thanks for joining me in my little craft corner. Until we meet again, have a great crafting day!

Father's Day

 Hello and welcome back, Friends!

I have another blog challenged card to share with you, and as you can see, it's a Father's Day card. I know it is rather early to even think about Father's Day, but it fit in so well with some other blog challenges, it was too perfect to pass up.

I chose Flourishes "In Nature" stamp set that I colored in with Copics - choosing to predominantly use mainly blues and greens to keep it masculine. I cut out the image with My Favorite Thing's Double Stitched Rectangles, and then cut the paper under it with the same die. I added a small die cut and stamped out my sentiment from Crafter's Companion called "Sentiments" set. I then took Simple Stories "Teal" and used my Scor-Pal and embossed a "frame" a 1/4" from the edge, all around my cardstock. Then I put popdots under my darker green paper with my image, and centered it over my blue Simple Stories cardstock, for added interest and dimension. 

I love how this turned out. I kept it as CAS and masculine as I possibly could. My only wish is that I had a "Father's Day" stamp with a little less "fuss and frill" to it, so it really would be completely masculine.

I created this card for the following blog challenges :

~ A Cherry on Top (using their Card Sketch) : Card Sketch

~ Freshly Made Sketches : Card Sketch

~ Inspired By : Boys Room (Masculine/Blues/Greens)

~ Word Art Wednesday : Anything Goes

~ Krafty Chicks : Masculine

~ DL.Art : Anything Goes

~ Paper Funday Challenges : Anything Goes w/ Optional Monochrome Twist

That's all I have today Friends, but I hope to see you for another card post from blog challenges, soon!

Have a great Crafting Day!

Peace on Earth

 Ok, I'm back again with a new card I made from a challenge I found online that I'm pretty excited about! I have never heard of this challenge, but I stumbled across it while looking for online paper craft shops. It's called Addicted to CAS. CAS means Clean And Simple. I love that!

So the theme is : BRRR!

I chose a stamp set that I found at a crafter's Garage Sale. It's a cute stamp without a name, but I think it's from a UK company called Lily of the Valley. I watercolored it in with Letraset Watercolor markers.

Then I used Spellbinders "Scalloped Symphony Notecard" die set to create the card base, with Kraft paper. I cut out a banner for my sentiment with MFT's "Skinny Strips", and stamped a sentiment from Power Poppy's "Heavenly Peace Dove" stamp set.

I kept everything CAS and though the card feels a little naked, it's nice to keep the focal point on the stamped images and the message.

I'm looking forward to their next challenge! :)

You've Been On My Mind

 Ever had a card that you had all these great ideas for but nothing actually worked? Yep. That's this card, for me. I must have remade this card 3 times before it actually came together smoothly! 

Splitcoast Stampers Monday CAS challenge this week is : What brings you JOY?

For me, it's Family, Friends, Coffee/Tea, and Crafting.

I stamped out my image using MFT's "Latte Love" set and used the coordinating MFT die. Then I colored the image in, keeping it very light. Then I created a background using Taylored Expressions Fanfare Cutting Plate and MFT's Stitched Rectangles. I used scrap pieces of Kraft and Bazzil "Teal" design paper. I used the discard piece of Teal paper I had used MFT's Stitched Pinking Rectangle on, stitching it with my sewing machine, to the Kraft cardstock. Then I used some scrap black cardstock to cut a banner out with MFT's "Skinny Strips", and stamped it with Honey Bee Stamps sentiment from their "Latte" set.

I love how fresh, clean, and uncluttered it looks. Sometimes I think I add too much to cards, so it's nice to see a clean and streamlined card, even if it did take some effort! 

God Gives Me a New Song

 Life has gotten so busy lately!! Hopefully, it will start to slow down soon. Winter is coming and with that, a slower way of life.... I hope. That's my intentions anyway! 😄

My good friend, Rebekah, has the sweetest parents, whom I met over the summer and have gotten close to.  Joy, Rebekah's Mom, sends me random beautiful handmade cards she's made on the computer. I wanted to send her a simple card that would make it through the postal system with minimal damage, but still look pretty.

I chose to use Power Poppy's "Helping Hands" stamp, featuring a sweet bird, chirping a melody.

I stamped out my image and colored it in with Copics, then cut it out with Mama Elephant's "Framed Tags : Union Square" die. 

Then I picked a background design paper from Mintay Papers "Peony Garden" collection, and adhered it to a diecut scalloped edges card, that I cut from Kat Scrappiness "Stitched Frame" die.

After that, I added popdots under the main image and centered it on the card, then I added some green pearls from Honey Bee's "Pastel" collection. Inside I stamped a Bible verse about how God gives us a new song.

I think it turned out nice. I love how CAS it looks :) 

May Your Blessings Abound

 Have you ever had a card come together so quickly that it hardly took any effort? Yep! That's this card.

I stamped out some Peas from the Garden Fresh set and colored them in with Copics.

I picked a green polka dot paper from Mintay Papers for a little interest, and pop off of the forest green cardstock. I used a punch to punch out a scalloped border to make it fancy.

Everything came together so quickly and easily! My only regret is that I didn't stitch along my card to add that little "extra" something to elevate it. But hey, it is what it is. I still like how it turned out.

Have A Sweet Day

 I've been sick for the past week, but I finally felt well enough to sit down and create a card last night. Fascinatingly, it came together in about an hour. I don't know about you, but cards usually take a day or two for me to create from start to finish. But this one was just so easy breasy.

I stamped out the image in Versafine and heat set it, then colored it in with Copics. I very, very lightly sponged the background behind the girl with Broken Glass and Speckled Egg Distress Inks and matted the image over some Bazzil polka dotted blue paper. After that I cut the back of the card using MFT's Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frames Die-namics, then added the sentiment stamped on an old Spellbinders pennant die.

I'd decided to break out the stamp set and practice coloring skin and hair while I recovered and suddenly a card was spontaneously created. Sometimes you just never know when things will gel and just come together with little to no effort!

Flourishes: Happy Father's Day!

Good morning friends, today I am showing you a card I made for Father's Day coming up.

 

I used In Nature and Mountain View, stamped out on Flourishes Classic White cardstock. I colored them in with my Copics, and fussy cut out the majestic buck. For my back ground image I created a twilight scene using Distress Inks and a blending sponge, and stars by flicking paint on my sponged background. After that, I placed popdots under my fussy cut buck image, and placed it in front of my stamped background.

I wanted to create a card that was both masculine and bold. Masculine cards can be hard to create, because sometimes I like ribbon and lace on my cards. But when making a masculine card,  you can go bolder on the coloring and really make it pop or stand out. This way, you don't feel as though you have to add extra embellishments to make it look nice, because it already does!

 I'll be back soon with another Flourishes card. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog, that way you won't miss out on another card!

Moonlight Merry Christmas

Hello, I'm back! I know I've been on a looong hiatus! Life has gotten the better of me and is in the way of my card creating! I'm trying to "right the ship" as they say and get back on board! So speaking of getting right back into it, I've made a card!! I know, you're thinking big deal :) It is, since I haven't even touched my card materials for a few months so I'm really enjoying it all over again!

I had a request from someone I know to make a masculine Christmas card for their husband. I have made many Christmas card but never a manly one and not for a couple, so that was a complete challenge for me.
I used Flourishes "Country Time Christmas" stamp set because it really spoke to me about Christmas time and yet it was still manly, too.

I stamped out the image on Classic White cardstock, then colored it in with Copics. After coloring it in, I masked off my moon and my horizon line and sponged the sky in with blue Distress Inks. After removing my masks, I cut my cardstock down to size and fitted it over my background cardstock, I stamped my sentiment from Flourishes "Start of Bethlehem" set and heat embossed that in. I popped my image up on foam popdots for depth and interest (off my background) and added some pearls near my sentiment to complete my card. 

I also have my card on Splitcoast Stampers if you'd like to follow my link and see it there : Moonlight Merry Christmas

I really love how it turned out and I really enjoyed getting my hands inky! I think I'm going to set aside some time after the kids are in bed every night and get back to doing what I love - Cards :)
Thank you for stopping by and Merry Christmas to you!!
~ Amanda

Free For All Friday!!

Hi all! Just like we do every Friday after our release, our designers pick up their favorite new sets and let their creativity go crazy with a "Free for All Friday!" The goal is to show off those new images and give you even more ideas on how to use them!

This is just a taste of what you'll see when you hop around and see what the design team has to offer today! Also, time is running out for our New Release Bundle Bargain! Today is the last day to get all of our new sets at 10% off when you purchase them in a bundle. If you want to know more, just click HERE  to see the bundle in the Flourishes store!

 I chose to keep my card simple and as if you were looking out a window.

I used Flourishes new "Bees and Blooms" stamp set that I stamped onto Classic White cardstock, in Memento Angel Pink. I stamped out my sentiment, also from Bees and Blooms, in Versafine Onyx Black, then I added Kaiser Kraft pearls in Blush. I framed the card with Color Made Easy Candy Pink cardstock and popped it up on popdots to make it seem like you were looking out a window at the Bees and Blooms.

Ok, now it's time to hop on over and see.....

   Amanda Havon
  Christine Okken
  Cindy Lawrence
  Danielle Kennedy
  Heather Jensen
  Julie Koerber 
  Maki Jones
  Silke Ledlow
  Stacy Morgan

Hope you have a fabulous weekend and we’ll see you all back here soon!