Simply Clean & Simple (3/2026) - Baby Animals

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:

 

 Baby Animals

 

 

 Here's what I've come up with to share with you today . . .

 

 I have a lot of 'animal' images, stickers, etc but not many 'baby animals' (now that I think of it I should have looked in my BABY dies ... I know there are some little critters there ... duh!).  Anyways, while looking through images over on Pinterest, I spotted this adorable little bear and the eye to eye contact drew me in so since it didn't have a watermark I grabbed it and printed out a couple copies.

 

I spotted a couple packs of  Repeat Impressions 'Swing Card' precuts hanging on my 'what not' peg board (gosh I haven't looked at these for YEARS!) and thought one of these would make for a fun CAS card.

After printing the image twice, so I could adhere one to both sides of the swing panel, I cut & embossed 2 panels of scrap white card stock using a Sizzix tree bark embossing folder.  I hand cut my panels for either side then sponged over the embossing with TH distress oxide ink for that tree bark look.

 

 I had this cute wood block sentiment stamp in my stash that worked perfectly!

 

Challenges to share in:

Craft Rocket Challenge #134 - No Designer Paper (3/31)
Little Red Wagon Challenge #848 - Include an Animal (3/10) 
The Paper Shelter #666 - ATG or Twist of Embossing (3/10)
The Paper Funday Challenge #85 - ATG or Fur/Feathers 

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 . . .

Word Power (3/2026) 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 ... I hope the words are encouraging to you!

 Today I have used one of the MANY 12x12 sheets I have from Heartfelt Creations.  My friend and I purchased several of their 12x12 paper packs when they were going out of business.  This is only 1 of many sentiment panels offered in this pack.  I simply added a sentiment from a very old Fiskars 'Laugh with Me' quotes stamp set.

 If you really think about it, this sentiment is SO TRUE!!
Now if we could only get more people to smile at each other vs wanting to fight them!
I'll say no more . . .

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

As always . . .

Double D - Books/Bookmark/Stamps

 Hello Dear Friends!

It's time once again for a new challenge over on the Double D Challenge Blog!

 

Here's today's theme:

 

Book / Bookmark / Stamps

 

 and here's an inspiration board created to help get you started . . .

 

 

 WOW!  Now here is something I never thought to create but what a great idea!  Thanks Diane!!  

 

 

 Today I went with Bookmarks ... using the same Paper Rose 'Dear Isabella' paper pack and a few little goodies from my stash like the Prima flowers & silk butterflies.  I also used two of my OLD Martha Stewart butterfly punches (for the bookmark in the center).  The base was created using the old Cheery Lynn Designs (no longer in business) 'Fishtail Banner' largest die in the set.

 

       

 Here are individual images so you can click on each one to see it closer/larger if you'd like.

 

 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!!

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

  As always . . .

 

Stencil Fun Challenge (3/2026) - Vines

 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:

 

 Vines

 

 

 

 I have used the Lavinia 'Ivy' Stencil to satisfy today's OPTIONAL theme for my card background.  Then for the foreground I've die cut a 'fence' from brown textured card stock using an old (no longer in business) Cheery Lynn Designs die and 'grass' using a Cottage Cuts die.  My dragonflies are stain glass stickers by the Paper Studio purchased at Hobby Lobby.   The sentiment is by Paper Smooches and is from my 'Doni Collection' (RIP my friend).

 

   

 

 

For my second card (Anything Goes)

 

 

 

 

 What fun is this little guy!  LOL

 

The background stencil is by Tim Holtz, called 'Bricked' (THS038).  I used TH distress oxide Walnut Stain for the brick wall coloring.  My frame and grass panels are by Paper Rose.  The sentiment dies are Tutti Designs and the cute frogs are dimensional stickers by the Paper Studio (purchased at Hobby Lobby).   

 

   

 

 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! 

Challenges to share in:

Just Add Ink #780 - Stencils and/or Dies or both (3/11)


Cardz 4 Galz #270 - Wings (3/4) ✓
Inkspirational Challenge #362 - Using Stencils (3/13)

 

 

 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Make Your Own Background (3/8) 

 

Please come join us and GOOD LUCK!!
As always . . .

 

 

Triple B (3/2026) Challenge

 Hello Friends!

Have you checkout our challenge blog called TRIPLE B?
It's all about using any of your stash but your project must have at least a BIRD, a BUTTERFLY or BLOOMS (flowers) visible on it.  Hence the title Triple B.

Here's this months inspiration board ...

 

 Here's what I've come up with . . .

 

This beautiful paper & sentiment panel come from an old Carta Bella 'Botanical Garden' 12x12 paper pack.  Very quick, easy & 1 stamp mailing card.

 

Challenges to share in:

Inspiration Station March Challenge #83 - Photo Inspiration


 

 Remember, our challenge begins on the 3rd of each month, ends on the last day of the month and Winner's are announced on the 2nd of each month.

I hope you'll come join in the fun!
Thanks for stopping by today!

As always ...

 

 

TOB March 2026 Challenge

Hello friends and thanks for stopping by today!

It's time once again for a new monthly challenge over on the
Two Old Bats Halloween Blog!

Just wait until you see what the team has created ... OMG!!  And to help us get our mojo going, Diane (yep, my Old Bat partner) has created this fabulous inspiration board. . .

 

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

 

I was inspired by the witch/cauldron in the upper right corner of our mood board and of course the lime green color really makes my card 'shine'.    The image has been framed in black using Paper Rose 'Stitched Rectangle Frames' die (#16679) and the background edge was stamped with a very old Studio G spider stamp.   

 

 Simple but affective I think!  Hope you like it!!

 Just to refresh your memory ... here's a recap of how things are done on our blog.

Monthly Challenge

• Start on the 2nd of the month
• Ends on the 28th of the month
• Badge Winners chosen by the DT
• Badge Winners announced on the 1st of the month prior to start of next new challenge.

I hope you've enjoyed today's share and thanks so much for stopping by!

REMEMBER ...

You have until the 28th to enter.
Hope to see you there!

Have a SPOOKTACULAR DAY
and PLEASE be sure to tell your friends about this challenge!!

As always . . . 

Neglected Stuff (3/2026)

 

Hello friends!

Today I have a project to share that was created for our newest
NEGLECTED STUFF CHALLENGE. 

Click on the link then come join in the fun!

 

 

 The Neglected Stuff used on my card is the Anna Griffin 'Flower Bramble' cut & emboss die which I colored using Tombow markers while it was still in the die.  Then I die cut 2 more and adhered them together for dimension.  

 

 

My ribbon stash, of which I have a ton of, is very neglected ...rarely used anymore!

 

I also used an old Embossalicious 'Petite Dot' embossing folder which I sponged over with the residual ink left in one of my sponge daubers.     

 

A sentiment from the TON and my card is complete. 

 

Be sure to pop over and check us out then play along!
If you're a crafter, I'm sure you have some 'Neglected' goodies in your stash
that are just waiting to be loved!

You  have until the 28th to play along!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today!

As always . . .

March 2026 - First Cup Challenge

 It's time once again for a new challenge over on the First Cup Challenge Blog!

 Remember to check out the rules for this fun challenge in the TAB under the header over on the First Cup Challenge Blog titled 'But first ... some rules'.

Here's what I came up with for today's card . . .

I've had some tea cup images in my stash for quite some time now.  I used to lend a hand and share some of my designs at a local 'Tea Shoppe' where the ladies enjoyed anything to do with Tea!  Unfortunately due to a death, that lovely, unique little shop had to close .. sure miss those ladies!

Anyways, I dug deep into my stash and found this sweet image to create with today!  Hope you like it. 

 If you haven't yet checked out this challenge owned/hosted by Deanne, you'll want to be sure to pop over and then play along!  I'm sure you have some goodies in your stash to create  with.

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

 

 

Four Seasons Challenge - Spring (3/2026)

 

 Hello Friends

Over at the Four Seasons Challenge Blog, we are ready for a change in seasons! 
This months theme is:

Anything Goes - Spring

check out this fabulous inspiration board we have created to help inspire you . . .

 

 Today's card was inspired by the pretty tulips in the vase (upper left corner).

For my card I've used: 
Altenew  'Exotic Tulips' stamp set (sorry don't see where it's still available)
TH distress oxide inks
Hot off the Press 'Sweet Pea' 6x6 designer paper

Frantic Stamper 'Art Deco Frame' (FRA-DIE-10170)

 
Black Nuvo Crystal Drops

 I love how the Art Deco Frame draws your eye to this pretty tulip.

 Please be sure to check out our other fun challenge blogs. 
All the links can be found on the side bar. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

As always . . .

 

 

Peace on Earth Challenge #107

 Hello Friends and welcome back to my blog! 

SO happy you stopped by!

Today I have a card to share for the new challenge over on the PEACE ON EARTH CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE BLOG.  Of course the theme is Anything Christmas and we hope you'll come join in the fun! 

Here's a fun inspiration board we've created to help get you started ...

 

 Today I was inspired by all the GREEN in our mood board.  I can honestly say I've never created a primarily green holiday card but happy with today's outcome!

I was also inspired by the green candle and went with that as my main focus.  While looking through some of my dies to see what I had available in candle dies, I spotted this stencil in the inside pocket of my one binder.  I have had this stencil for YEARS ... long before I did any actual stenciling and, it's metal.  Do you remember these??  

  

 This stencil is a very thin metal and I have to be careful not to bend it as I can see where it would snap in half easily enough.  Instead of using my typical inks/sponge daubers or brushes to do my stenciling, I reached for my Tombow markers instead.

 

After stenciling my image I die cut it using one of the dies in the Tutti Designs 'Stitched Scallop Rectangles' die set.  Using SU 'Old Olive' card stock, I created my matting with the next size larger die from the set.  Then I used the darker green Tombow marker I had used on my  Spellbinder 'Holly Frame' holly corner die to accent the stitching lines in my mat panel.  Gold Stickles was used for the berries and embellishments.

    

 PLEASE be sure to pop over to THE BLOG and check out the amazing designs our design team has created for your inspiration.  What a group of talented ladies!!  Then come join in the fun!!  

 As always ... thanks again for stopping by!

Can You Handle the Pressure - Twist - Sympathy

 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 ...

Sympathy

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 ...

  

 Today for my background panel, I've used an embossing folder I received while being a member of the Spellbinder 3D EF Club a couple years back called Spring Burst.  This is actually the first time I've used it (good grief!) lol.   I embossed onto a very light pink card stock so ran my hot pink inked sponge dauber over it very lightly to give it a bit of a highlight.  My sentiment is from my Doni Collection and is one in a set from Paper Smooches.  A chipboard flower and a few black Nuvo drops and my card is ready to send comforting greeting to someone in need.

 

  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 . . .