Scandinavian Icons on a Mini-slimline!

Hey everyone! I traveled to Northern Minnesota this week to visit my brother and his wife but returned home in time to watch Craft Roulette #297 live tonight. I crafted along; here's my card (my 88th!):

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain; Paper Studio cardstock;

Lawn Fawn All the Sparkles Petite; America Crafts plaid 6x6

Stamps - Hero Arts Scandinavian Holiday by Lia (retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Mini Slimline 

(NIB but a few HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Press Plate w/die - Spellbinders Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - foam tape; Gina K Dark Cranberry Ink;

Spellbinders Betterpress Leaf Ink

Host Mary Gunn had Sandy LeDoux (‪@LeDouxDesigns‬) as her guest, making her second appearance on the show. Sandy is the owner of LeDoux Designs. She carries both physical and digital stamps - very cute!

As usual, the wheel was spun four times for the necessary parameters:

• Project - Holiday Card: I made a mini-slimline Christmas Card. 
• Colors - Forest Colors: I used green (trees) & red (leaves in the fall). 
• Element - Toy(s): I'm calling my dala horses toys. 
• Random - Wonky (which was guest's choice!): I used wonky slimline rectangles. 

I formed a mini-slim from a 6x6 sheet of plaid paper. Die cut two wonky rectangles & added to the card. Stamped and fussy cut the Scandinavian elements and popped onto the card with foam tape. Added a pressed sentiment with foam tape - done!!

I'll add my card to Christmas Kickstart #105 - Christmas-y cards; this is my second entry.

Thanks for stopping by & I'll be back on Monday with a Die Cut Divas reminder post for our December Challenge (Christmas/Winter). Happy crafting!!

If It's Christmassy!

Hi all - I've been MIA much of the week, busily decorating for the holidays and mailing out my Christmas cards. Pretty much done, except for last minute stuff. A Simon Says Stamp order arrived and I just had to use a cute sweater die to play along at Christmas Kickstart #105. The theme is anything Christmassy for December - easy peasy!!

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card; Paper Studio cardstock;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Simon Says Stamp Winter Sweater;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Embossing Folder - Sunny Studio Cable Knit

Press Plate w/die - Spellbinders Merry and Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - foam tape

I die cut 6 sweaters and took the time to run them back through the die cut machine, the second time with a rubber mat to deepen the details. Next I die cut an aqua panel with a stitched rectangle and embossed it with a sweater pattern. Added the panel to an A2 card and arranged the sweaters on top, adhering with foam tape. Added a pressed sentiment and that was it - quick and easy!!

I'll also link my card to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #81 since my sweater die is new.

Next, I watched Craft Roulette Episode #296 live tonight & crafted along. Due to technical difficulties, the planned guest didn't appear so Bitty Penny (@Bitty Penny) came to the rescue as a last minute guest. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; 

Recollections A2 card

Digi - Whimsy Lounge Lizard 

Stamps - Hero Arts Merry Cactus to You (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts Sparkle Lacquer; Glossy Accents

The crafty roulette wheel was spun 4 times as usual to find the necessary parameters.

• Project - A2 card: I used a pre-formed A2 card base. 
• Colors - Fresh & Clean: I found a color palette HERE using Turquoise, Papaya Whip, White, Light Moss Green & Pearl Aqua. 
• Element - From the Desert: Lizard and cacti are from the desert.
• Random - Edge Distress: I used a scissors edge to distress the edges of my white panel; couldn't find my TH distressing tool anywhere!

I printed the same Whimsy digi lizard that I used on a previous card but this color palette is so different! Kind of fun! I used Copic markers, then distressed the edges of the panel (trimmed to 3.75x5") & added to an A2 card. Stamped the cactus sentiment & done!

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by & I'll try to visit blogs later this weekend. Chorus has a holiday show tomorrow so I'll be busy there. Happy crafting!!

November 2025 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Hey crafty friends - it time to share cards that went around the world for the November Card Chain Challenge. Twenty-five people participated & you can see the full reveal HERE. My card went to the amazing Jo (Jo Blogs) in the UK. Jo & Gail (Crafty Nomad) handle the administration at the CCC & do an excellent job, I might add!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

BoBunny Dotted; Lawn Fawn Let's Polka;

Recollections Jewel Toned Inks;

Spellbinders A2 card

Stamps - Hero Arts Wild Columbine (sentiment) & 

September Card Kit (pumpkins)

Dies - Hero Arts Morning Glory;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 23

Other - Copic Markers, SSS Starshine Dots

We had the following options for making our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Feathers / Vintage / Friendship

 

Product / Technique Options: Buttons / Abstract

I used the colors, the sketch & the theme of friendship. I was getting supplies ready for Thanksgiving cards and decided to put a trio of pumpkins in place of the circles on the sketch. Interesting in the November color palette, aren't they? They needed some vines, I thought, so I die cut a morning glory and trimmed bits of vines off of it. Added them here & there around the pumpkins. Stamped a sentiment strip & added it, plus some dots - done! The red looks orange in the photo but it matches the ruby palette better in real life!!

Sweet Chris from IL sent me the card below - I just love her arched pop-up frame for the beautiful cardinal - such dimension! Thanks, Chris!!

If you want to participate for the December chain, go HERE for details by Dec. 6th. It's so easy & fun - just make and send one card!

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting and happy crafting!!

Die Cut Divas in December - Winter or Christmas!

Hi all - you're probably surprised to see me posting with Die Cut Divas today but we're doing a December schedule where we'll post to start the challenge and then do a mid-month reminder post on the 15th. I might still do my normal day on the 21st - depends on how the month goes... 

Our December Die Cut Divas Challenge theme is Christmas/Winter so we hope it helps you get those last minute cards done!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Spellbinders A2 card; Paper Studio green

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Stencils w/dies - Waffle Flower Fa La La Llama

Dies - Dashed Snowflake Panel Die

Other - Various inks; foam tape; Stickles;

Glossy Accents; SSS Starshine dots;

Creatology googly eyes

Waffle Flower has sponsored the Divas this month and donated a $15 gift card to their store. Thanks Waffle Flower!! 

I couldn't resist the adorable WF llama die/stencil set which I found at my fave local store Anchor Paper. They offered 20% off the entire purchase for their Black Friday event. Woo Hoo - I picked up "a few" things.

Simply stenciled the llama, then die cut the outline and face details. Assembled and added googly eyes, glossy accents and Stickles. Stamped and die cut the sentiment. Die cut the wonderful WF snowflake background panel & adhered to an A2 card. Added the llama and sentiment with foam tape.

I'm adding my card to Just Us Girls #803 where they're doing Anything Goes with Stencils. I'll also add to Darnell's December NBUS Challenge #81 since my llama set got first play here.

For a bonus, I went with another stencil, also picked up locally. This time it's a postage collage set called Snowy.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio A2 card & glitter cardstock

Stamps w/dies - Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas 2

(dies HERE)

Stamps - Waffle Flower Postage Collage

Dies - Waffle Flower Postage Collage

Stencils - Waffle Flower Postage Collage Snowy

Other - Various inks

While I love the WF postage collage series, I'm not that great at aligning these multiple step collage stencils. Oh well, I made it work! In future, I plan to use a piece of card stock the exact size of the stencil. Then I don't have to try to see the etched lines! 

Stenciled, then die cut the collage. Matted onto glitter cardstock, then to an A2 card. A different sentiment from the same stamp set as above finished the card. I did two while I was at it!

I hope you'll join us at Die Cut Divas this month as you prepare for the holidays! Thanks for visiting and happy crafting!

More Kitties and Books!

Hi everyone - today's the last day to enter a critter project for Die Cut Divas November Challenge. I'm sharing my kitty card as inspiration with the end-of-month team at Diva Cut Divas HERE. I also have a bonus card below, found only on my blog.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card; Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Winter Petite

& Watercolor Wishes Petite

Stamps with Dies - Lawn Fawn Cozy Cats Stamp + Die Bundle &

Simply Celebrate Hangouts Stamp + Die Bundle

Stamps - Lawn Fawn Sophie's Sentiments (retired)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; white gel pen; 

Memento ink; SSS Starshine dots

Our fabulous sponsor this month is Lawn Fawn. They donated a $25 gift card for our random November winner to be awarded on December 3rd. Thanks Lawn Fawn!

I stamped and die cut all the images, then colored with Copics. The extra books were trimmed off a piece of a hangout used on a previous card. Stamped the sentiment on a banner from the stash (brand unk). I die cut a plaid rectangle and a small blue rectangle, then added to an A2 card. Arranged my kitties and books on the blue rectangle, then added some starshine dots.

For my bonus, I made a winter scene:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Winter Petite; scrap of green

Stamps - Lawn Fawn Magic Holiday Messages

Stamps with Dies - Toboggan Together Stamp + Die Bundle

Dies - Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders,

Forest Border

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape;

Hero Arts and Memento inks

Adhered a plaid A2 layer to an A2 card. Die cut a stitched hillside from an A2 panel of white. Added a die cut tree border behind the hill and glued atop the plaid layer. Stamped, die cut and colored the sleigh, gifts (3) and reindeer (2). Assembled and added to the card. Thanks to teamie Arlene for sending me the sentiment she'd already cut with a circle from her stash. I colored the elements with Copics & popped it onto the card with foam tape.

That's it for today. I hope to see you in the November Diva gallery with any brand of critter; just be sure to include die cuts &/or embossing folders in your design.

I will add the bonus card as a last minute entry to the November Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 to Just Add Antlers. And to Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #209 where critters celebrate the holidays.

Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!!

A Turkish Map Fold Interior!

Hey crafty friends - if you celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, I hope it was fabulous! I enjoyed my day with friends and ate waaaay too much! Today I started my holiday decorating but curtailed it to watch Craft Roulette Episode #295 live.

Supplies: Paper - Astro Designs cardstock

Graphic 45 Merry & Bright; 

Park Lane A7 gold card (cut up);

Printed Taylored Expression Insider 

(for the inside sentiment)

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Caitlin Anthony (‪@CaitlinAnnaleeCards‬) as her guest. Caitlin was making her 6th appearance on the show and also participated in the CR World Cardmaking Day event. Caitlin is on the team at Pink and Main so you may have seen her on their videos. The wheel had some interesting parameters tonight!

• Project - Map Fold: I did a Turkish Map Fold pop-out interior
• Colors - Planter: I used colors from my new Christmas planters. 
• Element - From the Sky: Paper on card front has a star.
• Random - Three in a Row: Paper on card front has 3 bells in a row. Interior has many sets of three in a row. 

I tell you, the map fold parameter nearly drove me crazy! I started doing an actual brochure style fold, then folded in half. Very bulky already (even starting with 65lb paper), then I added mat layers to every side (16!). Was debating decor & an hour into it when I switched gears! Needless to say I didn't finish during the show but that's ok - plenty of time to submit to the gallery afterward. Check it out HERE if desired.

I found a video from the Gentleman Crafter on a Turkish Map Fold format that pops out when you open the card. Much quicker to put together, I tell you! His video shows how he did it using a software program but I just copied down the measurements, then watched how he folded the physical paper once he got it out of his machine. 

Based on the first photo - looks like a normal card, right? It's a 5" square card with some patterned paper mats. But check out the inside!

It's pretty easy - basically take a 9" piece of paper & fold in half, then on the diagonals, then score little 2.25" squares in the four corners. Then you press those little squares in. I absolutely had to watch the video to be sure how to fold it! I did the sentiment in the center of the folds like the instructor did. Other cards I've seen had the sentiment on the large area on the bottom. I'd do it that way next time but, hey, I thought this turned out pretty great for a first time at this fancy fold!

That's it for today! Snow expected here tomorrow so I'll probably stay home and continue my decorating. Thanks for stopping & have a crafty weekend!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the USA! I'll be dining with friends that are like family to me later in the day. Here's a pair of pilgrims to start the Thanksgiving fun:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio Assorted Cardstock; 

Lawn Fawn Favorite Flannel Fall Petite

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts September Card Kit (pumpkins),

Autumn Bounty Stamp & Cut (retired), 

& Color Layering Grateful Leaves (retired)

Stamps - Hero Arts Thankful (retired)

Dies - Spellbinders Country Wheelbarrow (retired)

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

My Favorite Things Stitched Scallop Basic Edges

Other - Copic Markers; white gel pen; foam tape

Additional supplies: 

Stamps - Taylored Expressions Mini Strips Harvest

Dies - Taylored Expressions Heart Fence & Hill (retired),

& Simple Strips

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots

Simple stamping, coloring, die cutting and assembling. I also made more versions of a previous card, just without the turkey and varying the papers. Finally, I made a pumpkin stack card using new Waffleflower; I'll take this one to dinner with me today.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio ombre A2 card

& orange cardstock;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps w/dies - Honey Bee Forever Grateful (dies)

Dies - Waffle Flower Pumpkin Time Texture Die

Stencils - Waffle Flower Pumpkin Time Coloring Stencil

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots; white gel pen

I started with an ombre A2 card. Die cut the pumpkin cover plate from orange card stock. Just used the stencil for the leaves/stems. Trimmed the pumpkin clusters apart and stacked them. Stamped and die cut the sentiment. Added everything to the card with some enamel dots & finished with some white gel pen details.

I'll add this card to Darnell's November NBUS Challenge #80 since my pumpkin die and stencils are newly used.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a wonderful day filled with great food and family!