Stamping

Happy, Happy Birthday

Hello again. I have a birthday card to share using some new products from Spellbinders:

There are a couple of challenges calling for Spring themed cards, so I used the new dies from Spellbinders which included these bluebells and pansies, and some bright card stock off-cuts I have handy.

I first cut and layered the pansies, then the bluebells, adding the stalks. The bluebell stalks hold one flower, but I layered three together to create several which dangle from the same stem.

The background panel was created using an older SIzzix 3D embossing folder and trimmed down slightly.

The bottom light brown/Kraft section was cut, and then the border added so it looked like a window box.

The flowers were arranged, then stems tucked beneath the brown section, with 3D foam behind each flower head.

The sentiment is from Pinkfresh Studio – stamped then die cut – and two of the spare bluebell flowers attached to the side.

I shall be entering the following challenges:

Seize The Birthday – birthday and Spring Garden

CYHTP – embossing folder with option of blue on blue not taken

Cut It Up – die cuts and colours of Spring

Die Cut Divas – die cuts and birthday/anniversary

Mixed Media Butterflies

Hello everyone. I am here to announce the new challenge starting at The Alphabet Challenge. We have reached the letter ‘Z‘, and Deborah has chosen the theme of:

Z is for Zoology

Here is my card:

As you can see I chose butterflies, which – according to Google – are classed under the order of Lepidoptera.

I started by grabbing the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous red rubber stamp set called ‘Flutter‘ and chose to go down the mixed media path.

I first grabbed my Distress Pencils, some water, and then coloured each butterfly stamp with the wet pencil nibs in a selection of colours, applied a spray of water to that, then stamped.

This gave a water-colour pattern, not precise, which is what I was going for. After that had dried, I fussy-cut them out…..yep, me, fussy-cutting…….!!

Now for the background panel.

This was created with a piece of Distress watercolour card, some script stamps, Distress pencils – using the same wet pencil to stamp technique, and stamped a couple of times.

This was left to dry whilst I hunted out more stamps I could use, and found a label stamp on which I used a light purple Distress pencil – same technique – wet nib then spritz.

Once the panel was dry, some splatters applied and left to dry – again.

I then used a stencil from Finnabair ‘Gothic’ script and some clear embossing paste – you can see a slight shine in some parts on the background.

Once everything was dry, I attached the background panel to a white card base, created a little curve in the butterfly wings and attached with glue – 3D foam under each wing to maintain dimension.

The foiled sentiment was added – silver on black – and little black gems stuck down as you see.

I hope you can come and join us with your projects following our theme. xx

I shall be entering the following challenges:

Just Add Ink – inspiration & colours – pink, brown – light and dark, white,

Addicted to Stamps & More – die cuts and/or stencils – stencil on background

Stamping Sensations – stamping and inspired by nature

Triple B – birds and/or butterflies and/or blooms

Ellibelle’s Corner Garden Party – anything in or from the garden

When it rains – look for rainbows

Hello there. Cardz 4 Galz has started a new challenge. Sue J is hosting, and she has chosen the theme of:

April Showers

Here is my card:

I decided to go slimline with this card to get more umbrellas on there, so I created the background panel using a Clearly Besotted stencil, Versamark ink, and silver embossing powder. I had to move the 6 x 6 inch stencil to cover all the background panel – but it worked out well.

The rainbow umbrellas were created using a Spellbinders die set, ink blending a slightly darker colour for the under-side of each umbrella, and adding the lacy layer – ink blended to be slightly darker – for a little more interest and dimension.

The sentiment is from an older Avery Elle stamp set – stamped then cut into a rectangle.

I hope you can come and join us with your creations following our theme. xx

I shall be entering the following challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends – anything goes

Addicted to Stamps & More – die cuts and/or stencils (both used)

Ellibelle’s Corner I Spy – Spring flowers or Spring showers

Thank You For Being You

Hello there. I have a card to share using a pale pink and pale blue:

My starting point for this card was to use the images from Pinkfresh Studio, products from the recent SCT event. The stamp set is called ‘Delicate Whispers‘ and comes with four of the floral images in one stamp, so I stamped twice using a brown Gina K ink instead of black for a softer outline.

Once stamped, I ink blended the light pink and light blue Pinkfresh Studio inks, then die cut with the matching die. I die cut another layer to place behind for more stability – each floral image layered twice.

I wanted to place several of the images on a card front, so I then used the Waffle Flower ‘Postage Collage Blocks’ stencil to shade each block with both of those colours.

The sentiment was stamped – from the same Pinkfresh Studio stamp set – then the panel adhered to a white card base with 3D foam.

Each of the images was glued down, and then some light blue sparkle gems from Spellbinders added here and there.

I shall be entering the following challenges:

(PIN)spirational – pale pink and pale blue

Allsorts – in the garden

A Cut Above – die cuts option of pastels

Triple B – birds and/or butterflies and/or blooms

Ellibelle’s Corner Garden Party – anything in or from the garden

CAS Hello

Hello again. I have a card to share for my next voyage into the CAS realm.

This card was created by using a Spellbinders stencil, selective masking, and ink blending.

I took the stencils and decided which part of the whole image I wanted to put down into the bottom left corner. This was done directly onto a white Neenah 110lbs card base, used some low tack tape to mask off areas I didn’t want, and used Pinkfresh Studio inks.

This did take a little planning, and initially I didn’t want the two buds on there, but when it came to ink blending the uppermost flower and the leaf and stem, I realised that there would be gaps – so I went back in with the relevant stencils and joined everything up to my liking.

The complete image takes up most of an A2 card, with a total of three flower heads and 4 buds, but as you can see I ink blended two flowers and two buds, moving the stencil down further past where it should be so they were coming off the edge.

The stamped ‘hello‘ is also from Spellbinders, and the same monthly release.

I shall be entering the following challenges:

CAS on Friday – CAS Botanical

Simply CAS – CAS – option of baskets not taken

Dragonfly Dreams – CAS

Stencil Fun – stencils – option of rainbow colours not taken

Yellow Flowers

Hello once again. I have a card to share for the new challenge at The Alphabet Challenge. Billie A is hosting, and she has chosen the theme of:

Yellow Flowers

Here is my card:

The floral images are from a stencil set from Gina K Designs and their ‘12 Days of Christmas‘ box called ‘Magnificent Magnolias‘.

The layering stencil is 6 x 6 inches, and I ink blended onto a square piece of white card stock using Pinkfresh Studio inks. Once blended. I used a Master Layouts die to cut out the are I wanted, then matted with black and green card stock, before adhering to a card base.

The sentiment is also from the same Christmas box, stamped and die cut with the matching die, attached to the card, then some small black gems also stuck down.

I love the abstract look to these flowers, and I can see that I will be playing with this stencil set in various colours in the future.

I hope you can come and join us with your ‘yellow flowers’ creations. xx

I shall be entering the following challenges:

Ellibelle’s Garden Party – anything in or from the garden

Seize The Birthday – birthday – option to add a tag not taken

Addicted To Stamps & More – any occasion

Colourful Options – yellow or rainbow


Cardinal Slimline

Hello everyone. I have a card to share for the new challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. I was lucky enough to be chosen as winner for their February 2026 technique challenge with THIS card, and as such invited to be Guest Design Team member for this challenge.

The theme is Christmas and slimline.

Here is my card:

I wanted to use this cardinal layering die set from Honey Beet Stamps, so I first created him, using three tones of red card stock adding the black for the face and feet.

The slimline card base was created – 3.5 x 8.5 inches – then a separate piece of white card added for the background, which I ran through with a Spellbinders embossing folder.

I wanted the cardinal to be framed somehow, so search through the CML app, and saw this set from The Greetery.

I die cut the oval, then used the layering stamps to create the holly frame with the berries.

Something else was needed behind the bird, so I used a ‘Filigree Capsule Border‘ die, also from The Greetery to create the second smaller oval, and used the same embossing folder to add further detail.

I wanted to add more – you know me – so I also used other products from The Greetery – the ‘Hang It Up‘ die set using Spellbinders matt gold card stock, and the ‘Ornamental Tags‘ die set for the foliage.

I wanted even more, so I also used their ‘Regency Bow No 1‘….

I then thought I was done with the die cutting and started to put the card together.

I first added the embossed smaller oval to the larger oval, added the bird with 3D foam, nipped then tucked some of the foliage behind him. The tag hanger-up thingy was attached, then the bow on top of that.

The final step was to added the gold foiled sentiment, previously created on black card stock – to tie in with the black details on the cardinal.

I really enjoyed making this card, all the techniques – stamping, die cutting, embossing – make me happy…

I hope you can come and join the team with your Christmas creations following their theme. xx

I shall be entering the following challenges:

Triple B – birds and/or butterflies and/or blooms

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends – anything goes

Merry Little Christmas Challenge – anything goes Christmas

Mix It Up – anything goes – option of die cuts taken

Black & White Birthday

Hello friends. Pamela has chosen a great theme for the new challenge at The Alphabet Challenge. We have reached the letter ‘X’, and she has chosen the theme os:

X is for X-Ray – use black and white

Here is my card:

When I first saw the theme, I remembered this stamp set from Gina K Designs and their 12 Days of Christmas box. The stamp and matching die set is called ‘A Paper Hug‘ and as there were racoons on there, and I wanted a purely black and white card, I thought they would be perfect.

I stamped the image then used the matching die to cut them out, then went searching through my stash for how I could showcase them.

I actually ended up using all Gina K Designs products.

The white card base, with a black layer, then a white stitched layer cut using a Master Layouts die, the oval fancy shape is also from their Christmas box – ‘Twin Tiara Frames‘ – and this one I also die cut a couple more times and layered it for dimension. There is also a circle frame, but I thought the oval would suit the design better for this card.

The sentiment is also from the same stamp set – along with the matching die – stamped, cut and adhered to the bottom as you see.

The final touch was to add some very small black gems to each corner.

I hope you can come and join us for this very intriguing theme. xx

I shall be entering the following challenges:

Seize The Birthday – birthday – option of green as main colour not taken

Critter Crazy – anything goes with a critter

Crafty Animals – anything goes with an animal

Mix It Up – anything goes with option of die cuts taken

A Splash of Green

Hello everyone. A new challenge has started at Cardz 4 Galz, with the theme of ‘a splash of green‘ hosted by Pamela:

The centre image is from Pinkfresh Studio ‘Garden Tapestry’ and consists of a stamp, die, stencil, and hot foil plate. I didn’t use the hot foil plate this time round, and chose the stamp and gold heat emboss the main image.

Once heat embossed, I used the layering stencils to colour the image, choosing softer colours, then use the matching die to cut it out.

The background panel was created using some light green card stock and running it through with a Spellbinders embossing folder ‘branching out’, cutting it down slightly and attached to a white card base.

The die cut image was added with 3D foam, then the foiled sentiment attached.

I hope you can come and join us with your creations following our theme. xx

I shall be entering the following challenges:

CYHTP – embossing folder – option of sewing/sewing related not taken

Stencil Fun – use stencils – option of vine/vinery

Craft Rocket – no designer paper

Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends – anything goes

Blue & White Christmas

Hello there. I have a card to share for the new challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. I was lucky and fortunate enough to win their February colour challenge, and as such was invited to be Guest Design Team Member for this challenge.

The theme is: Blue & White Christmas

Here is my card:

I first started by stamping the image from Kristina Werner/Concord & 9th in black, then heat embossing with a clear powder. I prefer to do this if I am going to ink blend straight away, to stop any smudging.

The matching layering stencils were used to colour the image in, using blue inks from Pinkfresh Studio, adding a light shade to the whole flower petals, then a darker shade towards the centre.

The foliage was ink blended using a light grey ink, and a lighter blue for the holly leaves and berries.

Once the image was coloured, it was die cut using the matching die, and a second piece die cut out of white card stock to add some stability and thickness.

Onto the square white card base, I added a shimmery blue piece of card, then glued the coloured image straight onto that.

The sentiment is also from the same stamp/die/stencil set, die cut and attached as you see.

For added interest and a little sparkle, I glued blue gems from Pinkfresh Studio onto the centre of the poinsettia, and three smaller gems surrounding the sentiment.

I hope you can join the team with this colour challenge. I look forward to seeing you in their gallery. xx