{BYSHC} Spring Into Christmas Linky Party - Day 4

Back with a card for Day 4 of the BYSHC Linky Party.  It's been fun to see the creativity on the gallery.  Using one of our older sketches inspired today's card for me.  I knew I wanted to use some supplies I had in my stash from sponsor, Gina K Designs on my card, and looked at the album of sketches in our FB Group and settled on Sketch #19 (from 2022!).

Once I settles on the sketch, I got to work.  I had the strand of lights from Gina K Designs Let Your Light Shine suite of stamps, dies, and stencils already die cut and colored from a different project, so I decided to use it as the diagonal line in the sketch.  As opposed to other cards I have been making for this Linky Party - I ended up cutting a fresh sheet of 12x12 paper for the bottom half of this card!! The top was a leftover scrap.  I put the card front together, die cut a scalloped circle, and used one of the bold sentiments from the same stamp set inside of it as a focal point. I decided to inset the circle by using foam strips on the card front panel. In the end, the dimension was a little hard to see, so I die-cut a gold foil broder and placed it on the green portion of the card front.  I added a few red sequins and a second foiled sentiment to give some visual interest to the green plaid layer.

{BYSHC} Spring Into Christmas Linky Party - Day 3

Day 3 of the {BYSHC} Linky Party is here, and today’s card was inspired by DT member Nancy Elrick, whose beautiful designs always feature stunning white space. I wanted to let this gorgeous Angie Blom Digital Designs Santa from the Let’s Be Merry Collection truly shine as the focal point. (As a Party sponsor, Angie's Shop is running 40% off sale right now!!)

I began by creating a clean white card base using the Poinsettia and Pine embossing folder from our sponsor, Taylored Expressions and rounded all four corners. The Santa image was printed with toner ink and foiled in gold using my Mini Minc machine for a touch of elegance. To add detail, I used DecoFoil’s Champagne Mist Metallix Gel with an Echo Park stencil to create a subtle pattern on his robe, and also applied the gel directly to his hat for extra texture and shine.

I colored his face with Copics and tried to reconstitute a dried-out E81 marker to softly shade his beard, giving it a bit of depth without overpowering the white. The sentiment is also foiled, and I finished the card by adding two small scraps from a leftover foiled image along with three Pinkfresh gems for a hint of sparkle. Lots of shine and texture on this gold and white card!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Hope to see you in the Linky Party gallery!

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSHC} Spring Into Christmas April Linky Party - Day 2

It’s Day 2 of the {BYSHC} Spring Into Christmas Linky Party!

For my card today, I used this month’s sketch as the base and featured a candle die cut from Memory Box’s Merry and Bright Candles set as my focal point. The photo actually does a nice job of capturing the subtle patterned paper I chose for the outer layer of the candle.

Continuing with my goal of using partially finished items from my stash for this Linky Party, several elements were already on hand—the red foil outer circle, the vellum circle behind the candle, the sprig of greenery, and even the “peace” die-cut sentiment.

I wasn’t quite sure how to approach this sketch at first, so I followed the suggestion of using longer paper strips on a half sheet and then cutting it in half to create two cards—and it turned out to be a brilliant idea! With my collection of paper scraps, it was easy to pull together a mix of traditional Christmas colors that coordinated beautifully. Each card base ended up slightly different thanks to the random placement of the strips, which made the process even more fun.

If you ever find yourself stuck for Christmas card inspiration, be sure to check out the sketch gallery in the BYSHC Facebook group. There’s so much creativity there—I’m sure something will spark your imagination!

I hope to see your card in the Linky Party gallery. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSHC} Spring Into Christmas 2026 - April Linky Party

Welcome to the first {BYSHC} Linky Party of 2026!  

For those of you who are new to the Build Your Stash Blog, in addition to the monthly Sketch Challenges, we have three Linky Parties throughout the year with PRIZES.  All you have to do is link up your card in the gallery on the blog during the party week. Playing along is such a fun and motivating way to build up your stash of holiday cards. 

The design of my card was inspired by this month’s {BYSHC} sketch, which encourages us to dig into those paper scraps we all tend to collect. I really embraced that idea for this card! Every component was either previously made for another project or left over from experimenting with a technique.

The background is one of those technique “adventures,” created using platinum-colored paste with two different stencils. The main image had been partially colored during a creative play session with Blessings Poinsettia digital image from sponsor Angie Blom Digital Designs—I think it had been sitting in my stash for over three years!

Staying true to the “use what you have” theme, the red foiled sentiment was already fussy cut and waiting, and the small “Christmas” word was foiled using sponsor, Gina K Designs’ O Christmas Tree Poly Glaze sheets. Even the red strip was a pre-cut scrap!

I finished the card with gold pearls, Ruby Glitter Drops, and a touch of Stickles for some extra sparkle. It feels so good to give these forgotten elements new life on a fresh, festive card!

Hope you will join us for the Spring into Christmas Linky Party!  You have until April 17th to get crafty!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge Blog - April's Theme is CAS

Back with Dragonfly Dreams April’s Challenge, and this month’s theme is all about Clean and Simple (CAS)!

I started my card by inking up a rectangle masking stencil from my stash, creating a focal area. Within that inked space, I layered a few stamped images to mimic a subtle mixed media look while still keeping things clean and uncluttered and then added water droplet splatter.

For the focal point, I added a die-cut butterfly from Waffle Flower’s Mix-n-Match Butterfly Collection, which brings just the right amount of dimension and detail. To finish the card, I included a foiled sentiment from Taylored Expressions for a touch of shine.

I love how this design balances a hint of mixed media with a CAS aesthetic—perfect for this month’s challenge!

Hope you will make time to join our CAS challenge this month.  I am looking forward to seeing your creations in the gallery!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #514 - Any Occasion

Welcome to Challenge #514 over on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog! The theme for this challenge is “Any Occasion.”

Do you remember when layering stamps were all the rage nearly 10 years ago? I absolutely loved using Altenew’s Oriental Orchid set—it was one of those must-have stamps! While it’s been part of my collection since 2017, it doesn’t get as much attention these days with layering stencils being a newer (and often quicker) option. For today’s card, I decided it was time to give it some love again.

My daughter-in-law is truly a miracle worker with Phalaenopsis orchids. She has several plants in her windows that are absolutely dripping with blooms, and they were the perfect inspiration for this card. Because of the size and number of flowers, I opted for a slimline-style card to give everything enough space to shine.

I stamped one layer of blooms directly onto the card front, then created a second set that I fussy cut and popped up with foam adhesive for added dimension. Since the orchid set didn’t include a pot, I turned to one of my Papertrey Vase Collection sets to ground the arrangement. I finished the design with a die-cut “hugs” sentiment and a touch of bling for some extra sparkle.

I hope you’ll join us for the challenge over the next two weeks! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #513 - Birthday

Details take center stage in this Birthday Card–themed challenge over on the Addicted to Stamps & More blog. This card, for Challenge #513, is full of them, used in small, subtle ways to add texture and depth.

The stars of the card are Papertrey Ink’s Into the Blooms: Fun Flowers dies and the Vases 13 Mini Stamp set. I borrowed the flower dies from my SIL and die cut a whole bunch from white cardstock, then went back in with inks to add color and soft shading to each bloom.

The vase stamp was easy to fussy cut, and then came the fun part—assembling all of those pieces together. It took a bit of time, but the result is so pretty and full of dimension!

For the background, I used a script die to add detail to the scalloped frame behind the vase. I also inked up a Pinkfresh plate (originally meant for foiling) to create a softly colored background with the texture and feel of an embossing folder.

To finish it off, I added a few sequins and a sentiment before popping it in the mail to another SIL on the west coast. And guess what—it might have actually arrived on time for her March 1st birthday this year!

I hope you’ll join our newest ATS&M challenge. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #512 - Christmas

It’s time for Challenge #512 over on the Addicted to Stamps and More Blog, and this one is all about Christmas!  I hope you’ll take some crafty time to join us.

I created a 5x5 card for this one, and I absolutely love how the texture turned out!

The background was made using the Poinsettia and Pine 3D Embossing Folder from Taylored Expressions. To achieve this look, I inked up the raised side of the folder with aqua ink before running it through my die-cutting machine. This technique gives such beautiful depth and really makes the design pop.

Once embossed, I may have gone a little splatter happy! I added diluted white paint, a darker aqua ink, some water splatters, and finished it off with a touch of mica spray for subtle shimmer and dimension.

The focal image is a die cut from an oldie but goodie — Chilly the Gnome from Picket Fence Studios. He adds the perfect whimsical winter touch.

To finish the card, I added a die cut sentiment from Cathy Zielske’s collection at Simon Says Stamp, which ties everything together beautifully.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge Blog - March Theme: Butterflies

 The theme for March on the Dragonfly Dream Challenge Blog is Butterflies. I don't have many butterfly stamps in my collection, but luckily I remembered this Wings & Petals Ledger Background Stamp from Unity Stamps. I seriously need to pull this one out more often because I absolutely loved working with it!

I started by stamping the image onto white cardstock. Then I reached for my much-neglected Copics and had so much fun coloring in the flowers and butterflies. There’s something so relaxing about bringing a detailed background like this to life with color.

Next, I pulled out a stencil and lightly inked over the entire image with a soft, pale blue. This added just the right touch of texture without overwhelming the stamped design.

To finish things off, I inked around the edges with brown ink to give the card an aged look. I love how the brown blending softened the pale blue stenciling and gave it more of a gentle green tone. Such a happy accident!

I completed the card with a simple Happy Birthday sentiment to let the background really shine.

I hope you’ll find time to join us this month! I’m so excited to see all of the beautiful butterflies fluttering into the Dragonfly Dreams gallery. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #511 - Make Your Mark

Back with another fun challenge on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog! This time the theme is “Mark Your Mark” — and the idea is simple: pull out those inks, markers, watercolors, or any favorite coloring medium and make your mark! Whether you love bold Copic blends, soft watercolor washes, or vibrant ink smooshing, this challenge is all about getting inky and creative.

For my card, I went digging through some older stamp sets and rediscovered Cup of Friendship from Reverse Confetti. It’s definitely an oldie, but still such a sweet floral set — perfect for coloring.  I stamped the florals and pulled out my Copics — which, I’ll admit, have been seriously neglected lately. Some of them are even starting to feel a little dry (oops!). But once I got blending, it reminded me why I love them so much. There’s just something so satisfying about building depth with layered color and smooth shading.

To create a soft focal backdrop, I used the Nested Elongated Ovals layering dies from Pinkfresh Studios. I cut an oval from vellum and ran it through an embossing folder to add a bit of subtle texture. The embossed vellum gives just enough interest without competing with the colored florals. To frame everything, I used two of the dies to cut a frame from patterned paper. I love how the frame helps anchor the design and draw your eye straight to the bouquet.

For the sentiment, I chose the Kristina Werner's Written Words 2 Stamp and Die sets. The clean, modern font pairs beautifully with the soft florals and adds just the right finishing touch.

This card was such a good reminder to:

• Pull out those older stamp sets

• Use the supplies that have been sitting too long

• And most importantly — make your mark!

Now it’s your turn! What medium will you reach for — Copics, watercolors, distress inks, or something else entirely?

I can’t wait to see what you create for this challenge! Thanks for stopping by my blog.  

In kindness, Cathy

ATS&M Challenge #510 - Die Cuts or Stencils

 We are asking you to show off your die cuts or stencils for Challenge #510 

on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog.   

Today’s card features the Papertrey Ink Into the Blooms – Fun Flowers dies, and I have to say—I absolutely love the shape of these blooms. One of my favorite things about this set is how easy it is to create completely different looks with just a bit of ink blending. Same dies, fresh results every time!

Truth be told, the flower centers can be a little fiddly. I did use one of the die-cut centers on the pink flower, but for the rest I grabbed my Copic markers and kept things simple. Sometimes crafty shortcuts are the best shortcuts 😉

To finish off the card, I added a Pinkfresh Studio bow die cut that was already sitting on my desktop (don’t you love when that happens?) and paired it with a sentiment from Taylored Expressions.

Now it’s your turn—break out those dies and stencils and join us! You’ll have two weeks to link up your card, and I can’t wait to see what you create.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. In kindness, Cathy