Color Dare Challenge #726

 It's time for a new challenge on the Color Dare Blog!  

These are not typical colors for me, but I loved using them!  Luckily my paper stash and inks came to the rescue along with a new-to-me die set, called Weekend Market Dies from Concord & 9th!  It is a darling set and can be so versatile!

I started with an older embossing folder to created the background and inked around the edges for a little extra dimension. I used my Copics to add stripes to the top, helping to tie the pink and blue together.  

All three of this weeks colors were perfect for a cute little scene.  I paired it with a foiled sentiment to finish off the design, and am ready to get this card in the mail for my SIL!  

Hope you will join the Color Dare Challenge this week!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSHC} 2026 Fall for the Holidays Linky Party

It's finally here! The first day of the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Falling for the Holidays 2026 Linky Party! If you have been with us before you know we are in for a week of inspiration, sponsors, and prizes to give away.  

All of the elements on my Christmas card were created using die cuts! For the focal point, I layered arch dies from Altenew to create a lovely backdrop for the adorable Christmas Robin die set from Lisa Horton. This fun set includes the branch, the robin, his Santa hat, and the holly—perfect for adding a festive touch to my design. The sentiment is also from Altenew, completing the card with a simple layered holiday greeting.

I hope you’ll break out your holiday supplies and join us for this week’s challenge! Be sure to check out our wonderful sponsors and the fabulous prizes they’re offering. It’s a great opportunity to get creative, have some fun, and add a few more cards to your holiday stash. I can’t wait to see what you create! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Color Dare Challenge #724

The color palette for this week's Color Dare Challenge made me think about the big beautiful sunflowers I see in the fall at Farmer's Markets, so I pulled out my Kristina Werner floral stencil set and got to work!

My card uses shades of yellow and my free choice color is green. After I finished stenciling, I ran it through an Taylored Expressions embossing folder for texture, added the sentiments and some gold embellishments and popped the card in the mail for a friend who is having some health issues.  Hoping this brings a little sunshine to her day!

Hope you will break out your yellows and play along with Color Dare's Challenge #722!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Dragonfly Dreams October Challenge - Sentiment as the Focus

This month’s theme on the Dragonfly Dreams Challenge Blog is to keep focus on the sentiment, and I had so much fun creating this birthday card for my brother, who is one year younger than me!

I wanted to keep the card simple and let lots of white space be part of the design. I used an Altenew embossing folder for the background, along with a combination of products that have been in my stash for quite a while. The sentiment is from the Taylored Expressions Big Grumpy Birthday stamp set, paired with the Hero Arts Tiny Star Background stamp and the Whimsy Stamps “Ugh” Word and Shadow die.

I’m pretty sure my black embossing powder is at least 15 years old! It’s always fun to pull out those well-loved supplies and give them another chance to shine.

I added a few black rhinestones for a little sparkle, along with a Pool Party-colored die-cut frame that had been sitting in my “pile” for several months. Sometimes those bits and pieces just need the right card to come along!

I love how this card turned out, and I’m hoping my brother gets a good chuckle out of it! After all, what are younger brothers for? 😊

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll join us for this month’s Dragonfly Dreams Challenge! Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

In kindness, Cathy