Addicted to Stamps & More #529 - Any Occasion

 Challenge #529 on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog is an “Any Occasion” challenge, and today I’m sharing a sympathy card. 

I’m at the stage of life when it’s nice to have a few sympathy cards tucked away in my stash for those times when a friend loses a loved one.

This card was simple to make, but I think it turned out beautifully! The combination of gold and white with touches of black gives it such an elegant feel. The sun-ray plate, paired with soft yellow inking, is a perfect match for the sentiment and adds just the right amount of warmth to the design.  Splatter in gold, white, and a little black with some glitter dots finish it off.

It’s a simple yet beautiful card that I hope will bring a little comfort when it’s needed.

I hope you’ll join us for our “Any Occasion” Challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More. We’d love to see what you create!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More #527 - Christmas

 It's a Christmas Challenge for the next two weeks on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog.  Love these weeks because they help me get ahead on making Christmas cards.

I started with a square card base using a very old SU embossing folder for the border.  I kept lots of white space and used color on my Mini Snowflake Oddball from Stamping Bella.  I love the texture and sparkle of this card.  I hope you will join us for this challenge.  Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

In kindness, Cathy 

   

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #526 - Make Your Mark

Challenge #526 on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog is a “Make Your Mark” Challenge, which means featuring inks, markers, colored pencils, or other coloring mediums in your design.

For my card, I used Altenew’s Blue Mountain Fresh dye inks along with a variety of green inks to create the focal image with their Build A Garden Harvest Bouquet stamp, layering stencil, and coordinating die. I absolutely love the beautiful blues in this collection of inks!

One thing I might try differently next time is keeping the flower stamens a little lighter. I may have to dig through my stash and see if I can find my tube of masking liquid—hopefully it’s still in there somewhere!

For the background panel, I used the Spellbinders Better Press Petite Criss-Cross Plate with a warm, deep yellow ink. (It happens to be on sale right now on the Spellbinders site.) I layered a small arch die behind the floral image, then added a variety of bling and a birthday sentiment to finish off the card.

I hope you’ll join us for this week’s Make Your Mark Challenge. We’d love to see what you create.  Thanks for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More #525 - Die Cuts or Stencils

 Die Cuts or Stencils is the theme of the newest Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge, and I had a lot of fun with the die-cutting for this one!

I started with an embossing folder from my stash for my card base—because sometimes those old favorites are just too good to retire! Then the die cutting began. 😊

I layered a Slatted Oval Die from Craft Addiction with yellow paper behind it to create a bright focal point. Then I brought out my Bottled Up Stamps and coordinating die from The Greetery to create the vase. I filled it with a cheerful mix of die-cut flowers from my collection.

I just love how this card turned out! The layering stamps add so much dimension to the bottle and really give it the look of a glass vase.

Now it’s your turn! I hope you have some time to play along with us at Addicted to Stamps & More. I’d love to see what you create with die cuts or stencils! Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #524 - Any Occasion

 I’m back with an Any Occasion Challenge on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog!

For my wedding card, I combined a variety of products from The Greetery’s Capsule Basics collection. I used the card-shape die for the base, along with a detail embossing folder that add the double embossed lines and stamp for the outer gold embossed border.

The flower and sentiment are from Kristina Werner’s Long Line Roses stamp, die, and stencil suite. I heat embossed the design using Brutus Monroe’s Gilded embossing powder, which creates a beautiful gold that isn’t too warm or too cool. A few Pinkfresh Studio Gold Dust gems add the perfect finishing touch.

This card came together pretty quickly, and I love how the unique shape gives it an extra-special touch. I hope you’ll have time to join us for the challenge!  Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #523 - Birthday

 "Birthday" is the newest theme on the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge Blog.  It was the perfect time for me to pull out the Pinkfresh Studios Ribbons and Balloons Stencil that I picked up on sale at my local stamp store.  

After inking the balloons and ribbons, I added a layer of glitter gel for a little sparkle before die cutting a few framing layers.  To finish the card, I added a Concord & 9th sentiment and a few sequins.  

This was a relatively quick card to create, but it's full of color and shimmer!  I hope you'll have time to join us for the Birthday challenge! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #522 - Christmas

This card is a bit of a two-for-one challenge for me! The theme for Challenge #522 at Addicted to Stamps & More is Christmas, and another design team I'm on, Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers, is in the middle of its Christmas in July Linky Party.

If you're making Christmas cards for the ATS&M challenge, I'd love to encourage you to pop over and upload your creations to the Linky Party gallery. There are lots of fabulous prizes up for grabs from some amazing sponsors!

For my card, I kept things fairly simple, letting the fun background paper take center stage while showcasing the delightful Mini-Oddballs on a Sled stamp from Stamping Bella. I dusted off my Copic markers and put my somewhat rusty coloring skills to work!

To create the snowy scene, I used a scalloped border die to cut a snow hill from silver shimmer cardstock. I used the same shimmer paper to die cut several snowflakes, adding one more from white glitter cardstock for a little extra sparkle. I finished the card with sentiments from Simon Says Stamp and a few Pinkfresh Studio pearls.

I'm looking forward to seeing your Christmas cards in both galleries! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I always appreciate your visit!                      

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #521 - Make Your Mark

Welcome back to the newest "Make Your Mark" challenge at the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog!

For this challenge, I was asked to create a good-bye card for the Community Manager in my 62+ active living cooperative here in Minnesota. The theme for the card was "You Are Our Sunshine," and I had so much fun bringing that idea to life. This is one of the two cards I created, and I absolutely love how it turned out! I made this version a little less literal than the first card (which I'll post at the end of the month for a Color Dare Challenge) and had fun pulling together a variety of supplies from my stash.

I started with Waffle Flower's A2 Postage Collage Die and added several of the Postage Collage Wild Flower Stencil panels. To keep with the sunshine theme, I colored all of the flowers in cheerful shades of yellow.

The two bolder sunshine panels with the sweet smiling faces are from Concord & 9th's Pure Sunshine stamp, stencil, and die bundle. I also pieced together the sentiment from that same set.

The bottom right rectangular panel was created using candle flames from the Make A Wish birthday set by The Greetery—a fun way to create a unique sunburst effect! I finished the card with a layered die-cut sentiment from Cathy Zielske and Simon Says Stamp, using a contrasting salmon cardstock color. I think that pop of salmon adds just the right amount of warmth and dimension.

With all of the layered elements, this card ended up measuring just under 5" x 7", making it a wonderfully substantial card.  Can' wait to see how you "make your mark" in our latest challenge.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

ATS&M Challenge #520 - Die Cuts or Stencils

Challenge #520 on the Addicted to Stamps & More blog is Die Cuts or Stencils.  I opted for all die cuts this time around.

 For this challenge, I created a mini slimline card and am back with another design using some of the blooms I die cut from Papertrey Ink's  Into the Blooms Fun Flowers dies that my SIL loaned to me last March. I added a few other die-cut flowers and leaves to the mix and arranged them into a colorful bouquet.

The background was created by inking up an old favorite from my stash—the Pinkfresh Studio Lush Vines hot foil plate—and running it through my embossing machine. I then die cut a portion of the panel using Papertrey's Vase Collection 11 and inked it in brown to create the textured vase.  The sentiment is Kristina Werner's Written Words 2 stamp and die from Concord & 9th.

I think I ended up making ten different cards from all of those die-cut flowers! You can find a few more of them here on my blog. 

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More #519 - Any Occasion

The newest challenge on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog is sure to spark your creativity because it is an "Any Occasion" challenge!

I made the mistake of watching Altenew's New Release in March and HAD to have the Creative Cuts Botanical Waltz Layering Dies. It's one of their keyhole die sets and comes with flowers and leaves.  I cut all of those pieces from white and pulled my inks out for a little shading, and created this fun card. I made another quick card from the same set, which you can see here.  I know I will be pulling these dies out again in the future!  

I hope you are able to join the Any Occasion Challenge!  Can't wait to see your makes in the gallery. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #516 - Make Your Mark

The challenge for the next two weeks at Addicted to Stamps & More is “Make Your Mark”—use inks, markers, watercolors, or any coloring medium to bring your image to life.

I came across a white embossed floral panel sitting in a pile on my desk and decided it was finally time to finish it. I reached for my Distress Oxide inks, which felt like the perfect choice to add soft, layered color to the flowers and leaves. After building up the color, I experimented with splattering water over the inked areas. The effect didn’t turn out quite as I had hoped, but it still added a bit of texture.

Once the panel was complete, I trimmed it down and mounted it onto a piece of light pink cardstock, then layered everything onto a white card base. To finish the card, I added a simple sentiment and a few sequins for a touch of sparkle.

I hope you’ll join us and play along with this challenge!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #515 - Die Cuts and/or Stencils

Challenge #515 on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog is all about die cuts and/or stencils, and I couldn’t resist using both for my card!

I started with a fun, loose-patterned stencil from my stash to create the background, blending it in shades of yellow to complement the center of the daisy. The focal point is the  Simon Says Stamp Charming Daisy  die cut—such a sweet and versatile design!

The brown panel behind the flower is actually the inner piece from a scalloped frame I used on another project—always love finding ways to stretch my supplies. A sprinkling of gold sequins gave the card a little shine.

I hope you’ll join us for this latest ATS&M challenge. Let your creativity shine! Thanks 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 #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

ATS&M Challenge #509 - Any Occasion

Welcome to Challenge #509 for the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog .
We're excited to be back with an "Any Occasion" theme. 

The possibilities are wide open with this theme!

It’s winter here in Minnesota, so I pulled out my Nordic Bundled Snowman Die from Poppystamps. I die-cut the scarf and hat from patterned paper to add some fun texture and interest. The background was created from a scrap of patterned paper, with die-cut snow hills and trees finished off with a little ink shading.

The sentiment is an oldie from my stash, and I think it works perfectly here. This card makes a great winter-themed version of a thinking of you card!

I hope you have time to play along with us over the next two weeks. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

ATS&M Challenge #508 - Birthday

"Birthday" is the theme for the first Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge for 2026. When I need a quick but memorable birthday card,  I often break out this Wish stamp and die set from Pretty Pink Posh. 

Today’s card is a shaker card with a clean, colorful design. The card base was ink blended from navy to yellow, then stamped and heat embossed with white embossing powder. The word “wish” is die cut from the top panel, while “make a” is stamped and embossed above it. To ground the design, I added a strip of white glitter paper along the bottom of the card.

This is one of the simplest shaker cards to create. I adhered acetate behind the die-cut word, added 1/4" foam tape around the opening, and filled it with a mix of shaker pieces from my stash. To finish it off, I added a few enamel dots for extra detail and shine.

A fast, fun birthday card that still feels special!  Hope you will make the time to join along with our Birthday Theme this month.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

ATS&M Challenge #507- Christmas

How appropriate that as the calendar turns to December, the newest challenge on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog is Christmas!

For my card, I pulled out a mix of favorite supplies. The background is created with an older Reverse Confetti die, and the blue frame features a snowflake stencil with white paste. It’s a little hard to see in the photo, but the inset panel is a beautifully textured vellum.

The tags were inked using the direct-to-paper technique—blending from the darkest blue at the top to a soft medium blue—and then splattered with white acrylic paint for a snowy effect. The little house, church, trees, and fence are all from a Simon Says Stamp die set.

I absolutely love how this card turned out! It was a bit putzy to assemble, but so worth the time and effort.

I hope you’ll find a moment to play along with our challenge this month. We’ll be back on January 6th with a brand-new one. See you then!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
In kindness, Cathy

ATS&M Challenge #505 - Die Cuts and Stencils

 I decided to pull out a mix of supplies for the latest challenge over on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog. Aside from the “sweet home” sentiment, everything on this card fits perfectly with the die cuts and stencils theme! It turned out to be a fun, fall-inspired design to share with a friend who just purchased a new home.

I started with an Altenew embossing folder background to add some texture and visual interest. Next, I inked up a few Altenew die-cut leaves, a flower, and a pumpkin for that cozy autumn feel. The “home” sentiment and matching roof die (from Papertrey Ink) were each cut four times and stacked together for extra dimension.

To complete the sentiment, I heat embossed the remaining words in rich brown embossing powder for a warm, seasonal touch. A few gold sequins sprinkled around the card finished everything off with just the right amount of shine.

I hope you are able to join us for the AST&M team for this challenge.  Can't wait to see what is added to the gallery.   Thanks for stopping by my blog. In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #504 - Any Occasion

 Any Occasion is the theme of Challenge #504 on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog.  I have to admit that my card is a complete CASE of Kristina Werner's sweet, romantic wedding card from her blog at the end of August.  I have a wedding coming up for a niece and this was the perfect card, so I bought the Long Line Roses stamp to replicate Kristina's card. I picked up the stencil, too.  A video from Kristina's You Tube channel explains how to make this 5x7 card.  The gold embossing and narrow gold foil frame make it such an elegant card. I admire Kristina's work and her creativity, so it was a joy to watch her video and give this a try for myself.

I didn't stop with the wedding card and have created three other cards with the set- some are still "in process".  I finished an A2 size card using VersaMark ink and gold sparkle embossing powder for the card below.  The same general layout resulted in a quick and easy Christmas card - which extends the use of the stamp! 

I can see using this set for a variety of occasions!  I'm thinking about buying the dies!  Hope you make time to link up a card in the challenge gallery.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy