{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

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 #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

{BYSHC} Christmas in July 2026 Linky Party - Day 1

It's finally here! The first day of the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July 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.  

My first card is a shaker card, and I have to admit, it's one of my favorites! I started by creating the gorgeous poinsettia background with the Hero Arts Poinsettia Window Layering Stencil, blending traditional red and green inks for a classic Christmas feel.

Then the die cutting began! I reached for the Arched Stacklet Dies  from our wonderful sponsor, Taylored Expressions. The largest arch created the base panel, while three smaller arches became the green frame, the window opening, and the shaker element.

The shaker sits on the front of the card, with the shaker mix tucked between two pieces of clear acetate and 1/4-inch foam tape. 

For a fun interactive surprise, I used the smallest arched die cut on the inside of the card so it's visible through the shaker window when the card is closed and even more noticeable when it's opened.

To finish everything off, I added a beautiful foiled "Merry Christmas" sentiment from another generous sponsor, Gina K Designs, and a few sparkling red glitter jewels from Pinkfresh for the perfect finishing touch.

This card was such a joy to create! It's definitely a "looker" with all the sparkle and dimension, and I couldn't think of a better way to kick off the Linky Party than with a card that makes a big festive first impression!  I can't wait to see what you add to the gallery this week. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

{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

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 December Challenge - Tags

December’s Dragonfly Dreams Challenge is all about tags — create a tag or add a tag to your card! 

For my project, I made a festive tag using Pretty Pink Posh’s Holiday Birds Die Set. I inked the bird in a rich red to resemble a cardinal and tucked it into a bit of greenery so it has a cozy place to perch.

I’m so happy with how this turned out! The tag really helps the cardinal stand out and gives the whole card a warm, wintry feel. ✨

I hope you’ll join us and play along with this month’s challenge — I can’t wait to see what you create!  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

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

Day 1 of the 2025 BYSHC "Christmas In July" Linky Party!

Today is the first day of the 2025 Christmas in July week of fun, inspiration, and prizes on the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Blog! We have a list of fabulous sponsors for the random prize drawing at the end of the week! 

My first card features a the Nordic Forest Gnome and Nordic Wispy Trees from Poppy Stamps.  I bought both dies last year and am just getting around to using them.  This little gnome is so darn cute!  The photo doesn't show the clear glitter I used on parts of the trees and the gnome, so you will have to take my word for it!  It is there to add some fun sparkle! 
 

I hope you can join in the fun over the course of this next week.  There will be lots of inspiration and it's another good chance to get a start on your holiday stash.  Just add your card to the linky party on the BYSHC Blog! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #497 - Christmas

What could be better than a Christmas in July challenge?!?  If that's your jam, we've got you covered because the theme for  Challenge #497 on the ATS&M Blog is Christmas. 

I pulled our my Waffle Flower Postage Collage dies, stamps, and stencils for my card.  I fell in love with the Postage Collage Christmas stencil last season and started working on this card - only to finish it up months later! Has that ever happened to you?!?  I hope you feel inspired to join us for this challenge.  There sure are a lot of Christmas in July sales, products, and challenges on the web!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy 

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #492 - Christmas

 "Christmas" is the theme for Challenge #492 on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog.

I went to my stash and found the negative image of red glittered paper from the "Joy" die cut.  It's a Penny Black die that I have had in my stash for a while.  I used two sizes of the same Echo park paper for the rest of the card.  The larger scale bird paper looked better for the die cut and the smaller scale worked for the border on the bottom.  Love how simple and quick a card goes with this die - and actually, you can make two cards with the same papers!  Hope you have time to play along with our challenge!  Thanks for stopping my my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSHC} 2025 Spring Into Christmas Linky Party - Day 3

Back with a card for Day 3 of the

Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Spring Into Christmas Linky Party. 

This card actually uses products from three of our Linky Party sponsors!  

I took advantage of Angie Blom's BIG 60% off sale which is running through today, Sunday, May 4th.  I loved the Christmas Mailer digital stamp set 

and promptly put it in my cart with a couple of other images! 

 

Angie provides a variety of formats for all of the images in the set. I used a background version of the images to create a card base and layered three of the images to create the "stamp" version of the tree. I printed them with toner ink and then used Therm O Web's

Silver Deco Foil to foil them in my Mini-Minc. The tree is colored with Copics. The foiling doesn't really show up in the photo. I had to chose between seeing Angie's fun artwork or the silver shimmer!

 Gina K Design's Master Layouts 2 was perfect for framing the background image with its red border on top of the "Ho, Ho, Ho" patterned paper.  I finished with one of the flag die cuts in the Master Layouts set, a red gingham bow, and some silver pearls. 

 

I hope you are enjoying playing along with the {BYSHC} Spring Into Christmas Linky Party. The gallery is full of inspiration and the sponsors are amazing!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

  

Spring Into Christmas Linky Party! - Day 2

 Today is Day 2 of the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Linky Party.  

My card features the same Poinsettia and Pine embossing folder from Taylored Expressions I used in yesterday's card.  I just used a little ink blending on the embossed side, highlighting some of the pattern's elements. The trees are Poppystamps Nordic Treeline Die cut from patterned paper.

Making holiday cards and playing along with us during the week is the perfect chance to build your collection for the holidays!  Plus, there is the extra incentive of prizes from one of our Linky Party Sponsors!  Make a card, add it to the gallery and you might win one of them in the drawing.  Here's a list of the sponsors and prizes:

A Colorful Life Designs >>> ONE $25 Gift Code

Angie Blom Digital Designs  >>> TWO $15 e-Gift Certificates

{NEW} Club Scrap >>> ONE $30 Gift Certificate

Fresh and Renewed with Teresa >>> THREE Mystery Christmas Collections {$10-$12 retail value each}

Gina K Designs >>> ONE $25 Gift Card

Gina Marie Design >>> TWO $10 Gift Cards

Jaded Blossom >>> ONE $25 Gift Certificate

Lawn Fawn >>> ONE $25 Gift Card

Newton's Nook Designs >>> ONE $20 Store Credit

Not 2 Shabby >>> ONE $25 Gift Code

Pink and Main >>> ONE $25 Store Credit

Rachelle Anne Miller Stamps >>> ONE $10 Gift Card

Tawny Owl Paperie >>> ONE Christmas Prize Package {$30 retail value}

Taylored Expressions >>> ONE $30 Gift Card

Therm O Web >>> TWO $25 Gift Cards

Twiddler's Nook >>> ONE $20 Gift Code

Unity Stamp Co.  >>> THREE $25 Gift Cards

Hope to see you in the gallery this week!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Spring Into Christmas 2025 Linky Party - Day 1!

Today is the first day of the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Spring Linky Party.  If you have never joined us, it's a week of fun, inspiration, and a chance to make a dent in your holiday cardmaking!! Aside from the creativity and beautiful cards, there are prizes from sponsors!  To have a chance at one of the prizes, all you have to do is enter a card in the gallery.  Just a little motivation to play along!
 

My first card features two products from Taylored Expressions, one of our wonderful sponsors.  

 The background is a gorgeous embossing folder, Poinsettia & Pine.  It creates a deep embossed image that looks elegant when using white paper.  The reindeer is a adhesive transfer sheet that was a product collaboration from TE and Deco foil.  It's been in my stash for a while and doesn't appear to be available on either site.  The "Joy" die is from Penny Black and I have gotten a lot of use out of it.  I love using it with something in the middle.  For this card, I glued 4 layers of white die cuts under the patterned paper to give it some dimension.  Come back tomorrow for another look at a card using the TE embossing folder!

Hope you make the time to play along with us this week!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More #487 - Christmas

 Welcome back to a new two-week challenge on the Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge Blog.  The theme for Challenge #487 is Christmas.  I went to my Spellbinders Better Press for my card's main image.

 I kept it simple with just the inked image and used Taylored Expressions arched dies to cut the shape.  The background is made with fun Echo Park papers, some Pinkfresh gold embellishments and a small bow.  The sentiment seemed perfect for the times.

I hope you have time to play along with the ATS&M Christmas Challenge.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #482 - Christmas

 The new challenge theme for the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog is "Christmas," so I pulled out one of the cards I made during my Pinkfresh crafting weekend.  

This card uses a die and stencil for the greenery and a die for the jar.  The jar panel is raised off od the card base using foam strips.  I just love the colors of this one.  I am planning to make another one using more traditional colors.  

I hope you make time to join us over the next two weeks.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

BYSHC - Falling for the Holidays Linky Party/Day 2

 Back on Day 2 of the 

Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers 
2024 Falling for the Holidays Linky Party.

My card uses products from Waffle Flower, one of our Linky Party sponsors.  I was fortunate enough to win the Waffle Flower prize from our last Linky Party, and there was no doubt I would choose the Postage Collage suite of products with my prize!

  

The background is created using random ink blending with their Knitted Background Stencil. The main images are from the Postage Collage Snowman Stencil and cut out using the Postage Collage Die.  I love how versatile the Postage Collage Suite is in creating cards.  Don't those snowmen look like they could be stamps from the USPS?!? I die cut the background using an older layering die from another one of our regular sponsors - Gina Marie Designs. 

I hope you make time to play along with the BYSHC Linky Party.  You can find inspiration in the gallery and a list of sponsors as well.  Remember to share your makes in the BYSC FB Group, and Instagram using the hashtag #fallingfortheholidays2024byshclp too!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy