Saturday, August 8, 2026

Can You Handle the Pressure - Twist - Tie It Up

 Hello Friends, thanks for stopping by today!

We have a new challenge starting today over on our new Can You Handle The Pressure Challenge Blog and the TWIST theme is ...

Tie It Up

Remember, the twist is optional but you MUST use an embossing folder on your projects to qualify for the prize.  Heat embossing is also permitted but only in conjunction with an embossing folder.

 Here's what I've created to inspire you today ...
  

 I've used an OLD Stampin' Up color card stock & coordinating ribbon called 'Really Rust' (do you remember those older SU Fall colors) for my card base and accent ribbon.  The embossing folder used is an old Darice folder called 'Leaf Border'.  I used a couple Tombow markers to give Fall color to the embossed leaves after choosing this lovely lady from one of my sticker books and a couple chipboard leaves from Stamperi.
 
 

 
 I do hope you'll come check out our challenge blog and play along.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,
I appreciate it more than you'll ever know!!

As always . . .

Friday, August 7, 2026

Simply Clean & Simple (8/2026) - Nature

 Hello my friends and welcome to my blog!

Today I have a card to share for our challenge blog using the CAS (clean & simple) design style. 
Our blog is called Simply Clean & Simple and today's OPTIONAL theme is:
 
 Nature
 
 
 
There are so many things in Nature that excite me and two of them are butterflies & flowers.  For today's card I have incorporated both of them.  
 
The Hearty Crafts toppers have many beautiful themes with flowers & butterflies and this is one from their 'Butterflies on Branches' set  (#HC14300).  
 
 Hearty Crafts Easy 3D Topper - Butterflies on Branches 
   
Even though I wanted to keep my card simple by using one image & a circle, oval or rectangle to anchor the image, I wanted to do something a little different with the corner and came up with this idea. 
 
While going through my binder of corners, edges & borders dies I spotted this OLD PoppyStamps 'Clara Corner' (#1411) and cut it on a scrap of cardstock to see what it looked like (talk about neglected ... probably haven't used this die in at least 10 years).  What do you think?  Like it?  
Must admit, much prettier in person! 


I have a few hooks on my pegboard that holds unused die cut ovals, circles, square & rectangles.  These come in handy when I have a design such as this in mind!    This is a Tutti Designs 'Stitched Scallop Circles' die.
  


Remember, our challenge is Anything Goes CLEAN & SIMPLE but we do offer an OPTIONAL theme.  You have until the 28th to share your CAS design into our challenge blog.

Hope to see you at SIMPLY CLEAN & SIMPLE!

As always . . .

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Word Power (8/2026) Challenge

Hello Friends . . .

It's time for a new challenge over on our WORD POWER challenge blog! 
Have you check it out yet?  If not, please come join us ... inspiration is welcomed!!  

Here's what I've created for you today . . .


Once again, I've gone with one of the fun 'Funny Bones' by Riley & Company sentiment stamps from my 'Doni Collection'.  She had the sentiment that went so well with my old Cheery Lynn Designs 'Police' dies.  I've used a ruler & black fine tip marker to create the jail house stripes on the frame. 

Challenges to share in:

Just Us Girls Challenge #835 - Die Week (ends 8/12)


 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Monochromatic (ends 8/11)
The Male Room Challenge #213 - Jobs or Professions (ends 9/1)
Lost Coast Designs Chlg #212 - For the Men (ends 8/31)

 

  You have until the LAST Thursday of the month to enter.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day ahead!

As always . . .

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Double D - Feathers

Hello Dear Friends!

It's time once again for a new challenge over on the Double D Challenge Blog!
 
Here's today's theme:
 
FEATHERS
 
 and here's an inspiration board created to help get you started . . .
 
 
 
 Here's what I've created today ...
 

 I seem to always be in need of sympathy cards these days so thought the 'feathers' theme would work well for a masculine sympathy card.   Though hard to see in the photo, I've used a brown 'leather' like background card stock then splattered my white panel using Tattered Angel 'Bronze' Glimmer Mist.
 
The feathers came from the Stamperia 'Forest' paper cut outs and I used some very old brown Hemp for the accent.  My sentiment is by Creative Imprints Rubber Stamps which I picked up at the Adventures in Stamping Convention a few years back.
 

   
 
 
 You'll want to be sure to pop over to the Double D Challenge Blog to see all the details and amazing samples offered up by our VERY TALENTED design team ladies!! 

Challenges to share in:

CAS Colours & Sketches #591 - Sketch Challenge (ends 8/17) 

 

 Crafting Happiness August Challenge - ATG or Back to School (ends 8/31)
The Creative Crafters #102 - ATG (ends 8/8)

  Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hope to see you at Double D! 

  As always . . .

 

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Stencil Fun Challenge (8/2026) - CAS Design

 Hello Everyone!

It's time for another fun challenge over on our Stencil Fun Challenge!

Remember, this challenge is all about using your STENCILS.
We are a MONTHLY challenge that begins on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month.
Theme will always be ANYTHING GOES USING STENCILS but we will also offer an OPTIONAL theme.

Here is the OPTIONAL theme chosen for this month:
 
 CAS Design
 
 
 
 OMG ... this cute Hearty Crafts 'Cute Cats' 3D Topper speaks for itself!  LOL
 
I've used another Tim Holtz stencil ... this time it's the 'Bubble' (THS002) stencil that created my background.  For the color I've just used the ink that was left in a couple of my large sponge daubers.  This BIG HELLO is a stamp from my 'Doni Collection'.
 
       
 
  
For my second card (Anything Goes)
 

I have once again used one of the four stencils available in this Feb. 2024 Spellbinder Stencil Club set called 'Spring Stencil Backgrounds.  This is what the entire set looks like. 
February 2024 Stencil of the Month Preview & Tutorials ... 
 
 It's much prettier IRL then it is in this photo.
I've used Brillance 'Iced Blue' ink for my stenciling and around the edge of my base white card.  Then hand outlined around the stenciling using a fine tip black marker (in hindsight maybe I shouldn't have done that lol).
 
 Hopefully you'll get those stencils out and have some fun with us.
We won't always have a prize but periodically we will, you just never know!
We do have a Top 3 and a Top winner and it could be YOU!
 
Please come join us and GOOD LUCK!!
As always . . .