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

Dragonfly Dreams June Challenge: Masculine Theme

 Today's card is for the Dragonfly Dreams June card challenge.  It's a masculine theme, so I made a birthday card for my brother's 70th birthday.  He is celebrating by having visiting us and spending a week playing golf.  

{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

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

{BYSHC} 2025 Fall Into Christmas Linky Party - Day 1

Welcome to the first day of the {BYSHC} Falling for the Holidays 2025 Linky Party!  You can read more about all of the festivities, the sponsors, prizes, and find the link to add your card to the gallery on the BYSHC Blog.  The Fall Linky Party is the last of three we have during the year and it is a great chance to make a dent in your holiday card-making!

My first card features several products from one of our generous sponsors - Taylored Expressions.  The houses are Home for the Holidays Foil It, stencil, and die plate combination.  I picked the set up last season and have debated whether it needs to stay in my collection, but after making this card I know it's a keeper!

For the background, I used TE's Diamond Embossing Powder with an old favorite from my stash: Hero Arts Tiny Star background stamp. I've had it for years and still love to bring it out for holiday cards.  I used TE's Oval Masking Stencil to darken an area behind the houses and help create some contrast.  

The tall green trees are from the Through the Trees stamp set (also from TE) and then fussy cut.  The smaller green trees were cut from a house I didn't end up using, but they worked to help build the scene.  The snowy hills are made from white glitter paper with some soft ink blending for shading. To finish the card, I added a few more trees and a sentiment I had waiting on my desk. 

Choosing colors for stenciling the nine houses can sometimes leave me feeling stuck. One thing that has helped is keeping a finished reference set with the stamps. I can bring it out when creating a new card, which makes it easier to decide on color combinations for each house. It does take a bit more time, but it's definitely worth it. I have to say—this card is one of my favorites of the season!  I hope you will play along with us this week! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #501 - Make Your Mark

 I decided that inks and layering stencils would work for the "Make Your Mark" challenge #501 on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog.  I used an older version of Taylored Expressions Create in Quads I received from their Stamp Joy event a few years ago and layered another patterned stencil in two key sections.  I used Distress Inks for my stenciling, so splattering water and ink from a few of the colors in the design added some fun texture.  I really love the technique of layering stencils to give some visual interest to my cards.

I hope you will make some time in your life to play along with the ATS&M challenge over the next two weeks.  Can't wait to see you in the gallery!  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 Challenge #490 - Die Cuts and/or Stencils

  Using die cuts and/or stencils is the newest challenge on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog.  

The background of my card features a freebie with purchase layering stencil from Taylored Expressions that I have had in my stash for a couple of years.  I die cut it with a Reverse Confetti die that I purchased around the same time.  The vase is die cut from a scrap of patterned paper and the sentiment is another TE freebie with purchase.  I fussy cut the tulips from the background paper and used some Pinkfresh Studio greenery die cuts behind them.  I love the way this came together - it's fun and fresh and spring-like!  I hope you have a chance to play along with our newest challenge.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Dragonfly Dreams April Challenge - Animals

 April's theme on the Dragonfly Dreams Challenge Blog is animals.

My card features a layering stencil and stamp from Taylored Expressions for the chickens and a second TE layering stencil and die for the flowers around the border.  This is a birthday card for my sister in law who turned 60.  

Hope you break out your animal stamps, stencils and dies to join the Dragonfly Dreams Blog this month!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness,  Cathy 

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #475 - Die Cuts or Stencils

 Back with another card for the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog Challenge.

The current challenge uses die cuts and/or stencils.  I happen to use both in my card.  The card base is one one Taylored Expressions Stencil in Quad stencils and the slippers are mounted on an oval die cut that I stenciled using Taylored Expressions Glitter Grab and foiled with silver foil.

Hope you can join the ATS&M challenge.  Thanks fo stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More - Challenge #474 Any Occasion

 Back with Challenge #474 on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog.  

This challenge theme is a card for any occasion. 

I used some ink blending and foil on a card from Taylored Expressions Foil It Abstract collection.  It is mounted on a die from Reverse Confetti.  I still love this die, even thought the company is no longer in business.  It's a relatively simple card, but I love how the colors and the foil evoke sun over a body of water.

I hope you can join the newest challenge on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSHC} 2024 Christmas in July Linky Party - Grumpling Hoilday

 Another card for the Christmas In July Linky Party.  

This one is on the cheeky side with a stamp set called Holiday Grumplings from our July sketch challenge sponsor, Taylored Expressions.  I masked the grumpling snowman and stamped him four more times, colored with my Copics, and fussy cut them.  A strip of TE's White Glitter Cardstock is used behind the snowmen.  Directly behind the panel of snowmen is a giant snowflake from TE's Swirling Snow Foil It collection.  I fussy cut around the edges and cut it apart to give a background to the snowman.  The last layer is made with a snowflake stencil from my stash, some TE Glitter Grab, and silver Deco Foil.  I finshed off with a sentiment from the stamp set alsong with a sentiment strip from my collection. Lots of sparkle and shine on this card!!

Just one more day to link your creations in the Linky Party Gallery!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSHC} Christmas in July Linky Party 2024 - Snowflakes Abound

 Back with another card for this year's 

  Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July Linky Party.

My card features products from one of our sponsors, Gina K Designs.  I started by using white heat embossing and ink blending the a snowflake panel from her retired stamp set Peace Love Joy Mini and added one of the sentiments from Two-Step Holiday Mini stamp. The part I love best about this card is how easy the dies from Gina K's Master Layouts 2 make getting the perfect border around each layer. I foiled the snowflake background in silver DecoFoil (from sponsor Therm-O-Web)and cut it using the largest Master Layout stitched die.  I mounted it in blue using the largest straight edge rectangle.  I then cut out the image panel and white paper using the other two rectangle dies in the set.  I found a scrap of silver glitter paper and die cut the largest flag in the set.  The card is finished with sequins from my stash.

There are a few days left to add a card to the gallery for the {BYSHC} Christmas in July 2024.  I hope you can join us!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSHC} - Christmas in July 2024 Linky Party/Day 2

It's Day 2 of the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July Linky Party!  My second card uses some products from one of the Linky Party sponsors, Therm-O-Web.  At one point Therm-O-Web was the "go-to" company for foiling with toner ink products.  I decided to jump down the foiling rabbit hole a few years ago with a minimal investment (although you might not think that if you looked at my collection of toner card fronts and foils!  I still don't regret the decision!

My card uses Therm-O-Web's Wild Garden toner card front and gold Decofoil for the card base.  I combined it with two inked trees from Taylored Expressions and a deer die cut from Papertrey Ink.  I just love using gold and white for Christmas cards.  That pop of green in the trees and the band on the "peace" banner is the perfect pop of color.

I hope you join in the Linky Party! You have until July 26th to enter a card for the chance to win prizes!! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

Cut It Up #308 - Christmas in July

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #728 - Christmas

Papercraft Challenges #107 - Holiday Time

Stamping Sensations July Challenge - AG/optional Twist of Christmas in July

PIP Challenge #2428- AG 

BYSHC - Christmas in July!

 The time has arrived for the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July Linky Party!  It's a week of linking up Christmas card in the linky gallery on the BYSHC Blog.  Our Linky Parties have generous sponsors - so that means a drawing for prizes when the party closes!!

My first card features an array of products from this month's sketch sponsor, Taylored Expressions.  

I decided to start this week looking for ways I could "repurpose" everyday things I have in my stash and create something for the theme of Christmas.  The card front is today's product "stretch"!  It uses a Fall Foliage Foil It Panel and the Fall Foliage Stamp & Stencil Combo from sponsor Taylored Expressions. but with colors that are more of a Christmas combination. I started by running one of the Fall Foliage Foil It Panels through my MiniMinc using a Gold DecoFoil Transfer Sheet  from Linky Party sponsor ThermoWeb.  I then lined up the sFall Foliage stencils with the foiled panel using a variety of TE ink colors.  Finally, I splattered the panel with white goutache.  

The reindeer and sentiment are from an adhesive transfer collaboration set between TE and ThermoWeb.  I used the same gold DecoFoil. The frame around the reindeer is the second smallest Frame in Frame Cutting Plate from TE.  I used some flag dies from my stash to frame the sentiment, added some die cut leaf embellishments and finished with some Gold Drip Drops along with cranberry pink glitter drops in the antlers.

You have a week to get your card or cards entered in the Linky Party! July 26th is the last day. It's such a great excuse to break out your stash and get a head start on your Christmas cards.  I can't wait to see what you create!  Please use #christmasinjuly2024byshclp on your social media posts.  Thanks for stopping my my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

BYSHC Sketch #47

 July means a new sketch for the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Blog.  This sketch has so many wonderful layers!!  I love it!

My card features products from this month's challenge sponsor, Taylored Expressions.

I've had one of TE's Plaid Foil it Panels foiled (along with the reverse image) for a while.  It's now retired, but they have such a variety of panels in their collection.  The photo captures the gold foiling along with TE's red foil cardstock, which I used for background and for the Alpha Bits die cut letters.  

The  main image is one of the Gus & Gertie Holiday Adventure stamps, which is colored with my Copics and fussy cut.  There is a matching die set, though!  The shaker frame is cut from TE's White Glitter Cardstock and filled with their Bits & Pieces - Holiday Sparkly Stars. I used two pieces of TE's Heat Resistant Acetate so the foiling panel is visible through the window.

 Keep an eye on the blog for our Christmas in July Linky Party later in July!

I hope you have time to play along with Sketch #47 this month.  Thanks for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

BYSHC Sketch Challenge #46

 It is hard to believe that June is already half way over!  I hope you have had some time to play along with this month's Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Sketch.

Using some of my new Echo Park Christmas papers was a no-brainer, when it came to creating a card for Sketch #46!  I picked up a Spellbinders Love, Peace, & Hope wreath stamp and die set a while back on clearance  - which served as the focal point of the sketch.  It's done with gold heat embossing and then giving a faux watercolor look with a variety of Distress Inks.

I fussy cut one of the Santas from the paper and popped the top portion out over the red checked paper.  Taylored Expressions' Swirls Pierce & Cut Plate gave some fun movement and visual interest to the top half of the sketch.  It think it looks like a windy winter sky!  I found the gold die cut word in my stash and added the "Merry" above it and then finished the card off with some gold and red sequin embellishments.

I am looking forward to seeing what you add to the Sketch #46 FB gallery!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More - Challenge #472/Christmas

 Hi All,

I am excited to announce that I have been asked to join the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge Blog DT!  For the next six months, I will be sharing cards for each of their series of two week challenges. That means I will be digging into my collection to make birthday, Christmas, and any occasion cards as well as using my stencils, die cuts, and Copics!!  I am thrilled to be part of this team from now until the end of the year.  

Kicking things off is a Christmas Challenge! So let's get started. . .  

The main panel of my card is a retired Taylored Expressions embossing folder, called Holly. The image is a set called Poinsettia Blooms by Newton's Nook.  I used white heat embossing with the stamp and then gave a faux watercolor look using my Distress Inks.  The poinsettias and the little leaf pieces are layered and nestled under each other to give it some dimension. The sentiment is one I had in my stash - already done with red heat embossing and I decided to fussy cut around it to look like it was die cut!  I finshed off the card with three clusters of clear sequins.  I love how this card turned out with all of the white!

I hope you join Challenge #472 on the Addicted to Stamps and More Blog.  Just link your card to gallery at the bottom of the blog.  You have two weeks until the challenge closes!  It's never too early to get a start on your Christmas card stash!!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy