Time Out Challenge #323 - Guest Designer Spot

One of the cards I made back in July was chosen as a winner for Challenge #317 at the Time Out Challenge Blog! Not only did I win a prize from the sponsor, but I was also invited to be a guest designer for Challenge #323.

This week’s challenge is a Pick Two challenge, which means we’re asked to choose at least two of the six prompts and interpret them however we like. For my card, I chose circle and gingham.

I went digging through my stash and even pulled out some products from this week’s challenge sponsor, Lawn Fawn, to create my card. My circle element is the Lawn Fawn Reverse Stitched Scalloped Circle Windows, which I paired with their Giant Happy Birthday die and some gingham papers to create a fun shaker card on a square card base.

I brought out my Copic Markers to color a bunch of the Tiny Birthday Friends stamps, then die cut them and arranged them around the card. I love how all those little birthday buddies add so much personality to the design!

The result is a sweet and cheerful birthday card—and although it’s square, it still fits perfectly in an A2 envelope.

I’ve really loved the opportunity to be a guest designer for the Time Out Challenge Blog. It’s been such a fun experience, and I hope you’ll find some inspiration from my card and join us for this week’s challenge! Thanks 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

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #31

 A new month means a new sketch on the {BYSHC} Blog and sketch #31 has so many possibilities!!

I knew right away what I would use for my first card this month!! I was part of a destash Secret Santa exchange in December.  It was great fun!! My Secret Santa sent me some stamps, dies, and patterned paper from her stash - so using my gift was the focus of my card.  

Most of the patterned paper is from a Tim Holtz 8x8" pack released in 2017, called "Christmas".  The only exception is the star paper - and that is Winterberry, a Foil It panel from Taylored Expressions which was sold as part of a holiday foiling package last December. Truth be told- I bought it just for the Winterberry Foil It cards and do not have one ounce of regret! I foiled it in gold and then colored with Copics after I die cut the star.  The card front is Deco Foil's Reverse Polka Toner Card Front. It's gold foil on kraft paper.

Speaking of star - it is a fabulous Christmas Ornament shaker set from Kat Scrappiness and I am in LOVE! It was so quick and easy to make and packs a punch to a card! Even the inside of the shaker is part of the Tim Holtz paper set.  Kind of gives everything a vintage feel!

I can't even tell you how grateful I am to my Secret Santa (who happened to be Kat from Kat Scrappiness!!) for this treat of a gift.  I love destash exchanges!!  If you want to be part of next December's fun, join the Crafty Fun with Friends of LV Handcrafted FB Group and you will be sign up!

Joy Clair - Cup of Joy Shaker Card

 I'm on the Joy Clair Designs Blog with my first October post.  I am using a digital stamp set originally released for Mother's Day called Cup of Joy. With the right patterned papers, it's a set that can cross-over for many occasions.  

My sister-in-law loves both tea and flowers, so the top left image was a no-brainer to use for a card for her.  I decided right away to make a shaker card and went to my stash of patterned papers to find the "just right" paper. Maja Designs makes the paper I used in my card.  It's such a thick, gorgeous paper.  The plaid is the reverse side of the floral pattern.  It's another versatile product used in my card design because it's meant to be a Christmas paper.  I think the golds and the tones of pinks are perfect for a fall card. 

Detailed photos and the steps for constructing my shaker card along with my Copic colors  are in my October 4th post on the Joy Clair Designs Blog.  Reach out if you have any questions! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy