Coffee Beans for Aliens?

Hey friends - hope your week is going well. Since it's the first week of the month, Darnell is doing I = Inks for her IDEAS program. See her beautiful inspiration cards HERE. Thought I'd play along and create a galaxy background for a cute alien stamp I got at Paperganza. Coincidentally, at Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #265, A is for Alien so I'll play there too!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; 

scrap of green

Stamps - Trinity Espresso Terrestrial;

MFT Perk Up (retired)

Inks - TH Distress: Black Soot, Blueprint Sketch, 

Shaded Lilac, Chipped Sapphire, 

Mustard Seed, & Squeezed Lemonade

Other - Paper Studio stars; white gel pen; 

foam tape; Hero Arts Shimmer Spray; Copic Markers

First I took an A2 panel of Neenah and blended 3 inks: Shaded Lilac, Blueprint Sketch & Chipped Sapphire, then edged with Black Soot. Sprayed with shimmer mist. When dry, I added star gems and white gel details, then added to an A2 card base. Adhered a green strip to the bottom & stamped the "Bean Me Up" along with some coffee beans. 

Next, I stamped the alien in the coffee cup space ship onto a scrap of Neenah white, extending the rays with a sharpie. Masked and inked the rays, then colored the rest with Copics. Fussy cut and stamped the coffee beans beaming up in the ray area. Stamped the ship with the company name "Espresso Terrestrial Coffee Co". Adhered the space ship to the card.

Finally, I stamped and fussy cut a thank you sentiment to match the coffee theme. Thanks Trinity Stamps for the adorable alien stamps which are getting first play here! Since NBUS, I'll add to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #77. I'm also playing at the August We Love Stamping Challenge using the Anything Goes option (other theme is flowers).

If you missed it, I made a cute crocodile card with products from Riley and Co. Just learned that, starting tomorrow, R&C will carry closeout items from My Favorite Things!! I can't wait to pop over and see what they'll have. Frantic Stamper & Simon Says Stamp have some items too; maybe other places, but these are the ones I know best. None of these are affiliate links, I just list for your convenience.

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!!

A Flower Shop Thank You

Hi all - I watched Craft Roulette #278 live Friday night and managed to submit during the show! I barely got it in at the very end though. The host and guest were extremely fast & the show ended 15 minutes earlier than usual.

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 Card;

scrap of kraft; Lawn Fawn Petite Watercolor Wishes

Stamps - Scrappy Tails Flower Shop;

Craft Roulette The Basics

Dies - Birch Press Big Thanks Sugar Script

Other - Printed sentiment strip from stash;

foam tape; Copic Markers, DI Gathered Twigs

Host Mary Gunn Funn had Lauren Taylor (‪@laurentaylormade‬) as her guest. Lauren was making her 4th appearance on the show & has been making cards for about 15 years. As usual, they spun the roulette wheel four times for the parameters we had to use:

• Project - Thank You Card: I made an A2 card with "Thanks a Bunch" for the sentiment. 
• Colors - Bakery: I used donut (kraft) with frosting (white) and sprinkles (rainbow) colors. 
• Element - Shop(s)(ing): I used flower shop images.
• Random - Ombre: Background paper is ombre & I inked my "Thanks" that way too. 

I was considering the Poppystamps Corner Shoppe pop-up as my card base but then I spotted an image that Arlene (A Bit of This and That) had sent me when we had Scrappy Tails as our sponsor at Die Cut Divas. Grabbed that and colored it with Copics, along with a potted plant image also from Arlene. The computer screen was an open frame so I stamped a Craft Roulette robot and put it in the window.

Die cut a stitched rectangle from an ombre paper and added to an A2 card, along with a strip of kraft for the floor. Added the shop image and potted plant with foam tape. Die cut two "thanks" from kraft and stacked. Added ink to the bottom for more ombre. A little sentiment strip "a bunch" completed the card.

After the show we had a member Zoom call. People chatted while working on projects. I finished a card that I'd started Thursday using dies I bought from Pink and Main at Paperganza (one of four vendors there).

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card;

Pink and Main Enchanted Garden; scraps;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Pink and Main Ladybug;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set 

Press Plate w/die - Spellbinders 

You Are Everything Sentiments

Other - white gel pen

I die cut a leafy paper with a stitched rectangle and added to an A2 card. Die cut and assembled the ladybugs, adding white gel details. Adhered to the card as if climbing on the leafy vines. Added a pressed sentiment from the bits box - done!

I'm sending this card to a chorus friend Pat who's mom passed away earlier this year. Pat posted something on her Facebook page recently telling a story about how the ladybug got its name. I thought she'd appreciate it.

I will add my ladybug card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #77 since I used the ladybug die set for the first time here.

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!!

July 2025 Card Chain Reveal

Hi all - summer's flying by & today we're revealing cards that went around the world for the July Card Chain. Twenty people participated and you can find the full reveal HERE. My card went to a newer player - the talented Wendy (Cártaí) in Ireland:

Supplies: Paper - AstroBrights; scrap of white;

Poptone Blu Raspberry; TH Kraft Classics

Dies - Poppystamps Winter Porch Pop up Easel Set,

Corner Shoppe Wooden Cart, Flower and Leaf Sprinkles,

& Nordic Drifting Flowers;

Spellbinders Open House Door Base

Other - Foam tape

We had the following options when creating our cards:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Doors or Windows / Reading / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Mirror Card / More Than 3 Folds

I chose the color option along with the theme of doors or windows (mine has both!). I also put a friendship sentiment on the inside. 

I die cut the porch pop up set using the color palette & assembled. I left off the snow that makes it a winter porch and added some flower pots so it's a summer scene! The flower pots were die cut using three Poppystamps sets & popped on with foam tape. I also added a few door details (the letterbox & door knob) die cut from a Spellbinders door set. The stopper for the easel was cut using the floor mat from the Spellbinders set. Amazing what you can do with just die cutting!

I received the stunning card below from Joanne (Slices of Life) in Connecticut. I just love the stenciled background - so eye catching!! Thanks, Joanne!!

If you'd like to join the August chain, you have until 8/6/25 to sign up! Just make and send one card - so fun. Please check HERE for the details.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!!

Butterfly Hello Friend

Hello everyone & TGIF - at least where I am! It's been a while since I've been able to play at Just Us Girls so I thought I'd CASE Lisa's beautiful butterfly card for JUGS #786 (CASE a DT member). Here's my take, using a memo, dotted leaves and a butterfly:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Passion Flower;

BoBunny Dotted; Neenah Solar White;

MFT Black Licorice

Stamps - Penny Black Soft Wings

Dies - Spellbinders Grand Tropical Flamingos (DOML-May24),

Stitched Taking Notes (DOMST-APR25) &

Colorful Expressions Sentiments (DOM-AUG24)

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape;

Black & green thread; Park Lane gems

I've had the purple stamped butterfly laying in the bits box for quite a while; I stamped it when I used a black one last year for a previous card. Colored the butterfly with Copics and fussy cut. Die cut and stitched the note & adhered to an A7 card. Die cut three leaves and added them to the card along with the die cut sentiment. Popped the butterfly on with foam tape and added three gems - done! Note: the sentiment die set is deeply discounted at Spellbinders right now, if you're interested. I love this set!!

I'm also playing at Tic Tac Toe Challenge #276 using the left column: Friendship, Any Color, & Any Shape Die. Thanks for the inspiration, Betty! And I'll play at Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #77 since I used the stitching die for the first time here. Not bad - only 3 months on Mt. NBUS!

That's it for today, friends. I enjoyed CASE-ing Lisa today! Be sure to check out her card (linked above) and all the other wonderful DT cards at JUGS. 

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day! I'll be back tomorrow with the July Card Chain Reveal.

Last Day for July 2025 Diva Birthday Challenge

Hey crafty friends - If you need a quick birthday project and are using dies &/or an embossing folder, check out our July Die Cut Diva Birthday Challenge! You have until 9pm Pacific Time today to link up. 

Our end of month team has some inspiration at DCD where I'm sharing my gift box below. You can only find the details and a bonus on this personal post.

Supplies: Paper - My Favorite Things

Watercolor Wash & Orange Sherbet; scraps

Stamps - MFT Mini Messages & More

Dies - MFT Everyday Gift Box,

Arched Happy Birthday,

Die Cuts and Scraps,

Fundamental Florals

Other - Hero Arts Grape Slush ink

We were to be sponsored by My Favorite Things which sadly has closed. We'll still be offering a $25 gift card randomly drawn from eligible July entries; just to a different store than MFT.

I will miss MFT very much! I've said before how much I love their Blueprints but I also love their boxes! This sweet gift box fits a gift card or a small jewelry box.

I die cut the box bottom & top, plus a scalloped layer & the tag, all included in the gift box set (link is to Frantic Stamper where they still have one left as of this writing). Assembled the box with the layer. Stamped a sentiment on the tag. Die cut a bday sentiment and outline layer, plus some flowers from various sets. Very quick and easy! Here's a view with the box lid off where you can see the gift card inside:

Ready for a bonus? This time I made an A2 sized birthday card:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card;

My Favorite Things Watercolor Wash;

Neenah Solar White; scraps 

Stamps - MFT All Occasion Scripted Greetings

& Let's Celebrate

Dies - MFT Stitched Center Strip,

 Die Cuts and Scraps, Drink Décor,

Party Décor, Long Stem Barware,

Garnish

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots; foam tape

Die cut all the elements and assembled. The frame was cut four times and stacked. I backed one and stamped before I stacked the rest. Added the elements and dots, trimming any excess & adhered to an A2 card. Quite easy, even the sprinkles on the cupcake.

I will add my card to Darnell's IDEAS (Anything Goes this week) and to her July NBUS Challenge #76 since my drinks and décor are newly used here. Also to Seize the Birthday #310 using the Anything Goes option. My fave color (purple) is on the box, not the card...

Thanks for stopping by and please link your final projects to our July Diva Birthday Challenge! (limit 4 max) by 9pm Pacific Time! Happy crafting!!

Final Day of Paperganza

Hey friends - I'm back with Saturday's activities at Paperganza, plus the games we played on both days. Our first class was with Libby Hickson, now with Pink and Main. I've known her for many years from when she worked with Hero Arts; this was our first in-person meet. Libby taught two different cards - first up, a sweet strawberry basket box card:

Supplies: Provided papers all die cut

Dies - Pink and Main Berry Pop Up

Other - Pink and Main gems & foiled sentiment

The second card was a fun shaker using one of P&M's A2 layering shaker covers:

Supplies: Paper - provided in kit

Stamps - Pink and Main Bugs & Berries

Dies - Pink and Main Scallop Rectangle Dies

Other - Pink and Main Small A2 Shaker Cover;

special shaker mix for event;

our own markers (I used Copics)

The second class was from Karen Burniston who does the amazing inside pop-up cards. Actually, I just remembered she was second on Friday - oops; I flipped her with Amanda. In any event, I'll show the card closed then open:

Supplies: Paper - Echo Park Bee Happy &

others provided & pre-cut

Dies - Karen Burniston Photo Fan Pop-up,

Flutter Charms, Word Set 12 Anniversary,

Fun Flowers, Lorna Label Pop-up (fishtail banner),

Stamps - Karen Burniston Popcorn Phrases &

Photo Memories

During the afternoon on each day, we played a game. On Friday, each pod received an envelope of 8 card packets, all with a card base, envelope & stamped elements. Our pod got a Colorado Craft Company Big & Bold Hello Bunny; here was my take:

I ink blended the edges of an A7 card with blue & the bunny with Antique Linen DI. Colored the rest with Copic Markers, then added some stickles to the flowers. Adhered Ms. Bunny to the card with foam tape & did the same with the fussy cut sentiment. The seed embellishments were given to us with the packet. Not really my cup of tea so I gave the rest of mine to podmate Kimberly who loved them.

On Saturday, we had a card swap with 10 of the cards we brought. The 11th card had been displayed around the room throughout the event on colorful decorated poster boards. For the game, this card was given to someone in the room who had to CASE it and give their card to the originator. I ended up with a card using a lady image that reminded me of Mary Poppins. Luckily, we'd received Mary Poppins papers (The Practically Perfect Nanny from Relatively Thoughtful) in our swag. Here's a photo of Teresa with her card and me with my CASE of her card. We then kept each other's cards.

Betsy, one table over, got my robot card to CASE; she did a great job using stamps in the swag bag. I'm holding the card she made me and she has my robot card (details HERE if you missed them).

In the evening, there was a mystery theater production that included attendees in roles. We had to guess "who dun it". It ran a bit long but the attendees who took roles were very good! Paperganza was such an incredible event; I hope they hold another one next year!!

We received so much swag and other free stuff - seemed like someone was constantly popping by the pods to deliver glue, dies, stickles - unreal! I was glad to be driving home so I could fit it all in my vehicle!!

Thanks for visiting and checking out my Paperganza cards! I'll be back tomorrow with an end-of-month post for Die Cut Divas (July Birthday Challenge link HERE).

Happy crafting!!

More fun from Paperganza

Hi all - I'm back with more on Paperganza, the in-person Craft Roulette event held this past weekend. Warning: photo heavy post ahead!

On Friday, things started early with a pastries breakfast followed by two classes. Class one was taught by Tanya Kostynuk from Riley and Company, the one with the darling moose image who now has cute friend images and snarky sayings. We used the Crocodile friend on our card:

Supplies: Paper - Photo Play A2 Zfolds & 

Salt & Sea Collection

Stamps - Riley and Company Funny Bones Summer Body,

Basic Dress Up Crocodile & Dress Up Beach Accessories

Tanya, a breast cancer survivor, has tons of energy & a great teaching style. The class kit contained 2 Z-fold card bases, one of which we cut down so we could make a double Z card. It also included layering papers & elements ready to assemble. Tanya had the images stamped & colored, then made into a print and die cut for us. This is a handy way to make a bunch of cards - try it at home with images you've painstakingly colored! I've listed and linked the Riley and Company supplies to Tanya's store.

Here's a photo of the card open:

Class two was taught by Amanda Stevens from Pear Blossom Press (a co-planner of Paperganza) using her light products along with adorable items from Trinity Stamps. We actually made two light-up card during the session! I'll show the card as is and lit.

 

Supplies: Provided papers already die cut

Stamps - PB Press Stamp and Die Bundle

Dies - Trinity Stamps Blast Off

Other - Pear Blossom Press One Light;

Trinity star embellishments (special mix

for the event)

You use vellum in the light up area and it shows off nicely!!

Supplies: provided die cut papers

Stamps - Trinity Stamps Hey Cupcake

Dies - Trinity Stamps Cupcake Card

Other - Pear Blossom Press Candle Light

You huff on the lit candle and it blows out!!

Aren't those light up cards amazing?! Of course, it would take much more time if you had to die cut all the elements. Double thick foam tape (she used a 3M tape) goes behind the element with the "push" stamped. You line up the light's on button behind the "push" and then use the thick foam around the battery pack. Amanda shared tips of how to mail the cards with a panel to keep the battery from engaging. You can also make the cards with a trap door to get at the battery pack to change the battery (not done in this class).

After lunch we had some open crafting time. I stamped and colored some images for an upcoming card. Then we played a game - I'll share the games in a separate post. We had time for Happy Hour in the bar, then a buffet dinner before Craft Roulette 277 aired live right from the hotel - so fun!! Neither host Mary Gunn nor her guest Amanda Stevens ended up making cards on camera. There was plenty of banter with attendees before some technical difficulties; Mary had just come over to talk to me when the roaming mic died - oh well, I was busy crafting! I made my card during the LIVE & uploaded it to the gallery using my phone - a first for me! But when I got home I took a better photo:

Supplies: Paper - Brutus Monroe Circus Life;

Max Macias handmade papers

A2 cards gifted from podmate Erica

Stamps - Craft Roulette The Basics

Other - CR business card

Here's my contribution view with the spun parameters:

• Project - Zoyfold: This format is a Zfold with an added card to fold over it - what's called a Joyfold. 
• Colors - Local Sport: I did red/gold for the Kansas City Chiefs! 
• Element - Craft Roulette: I used a CR business card included in the swag bag, plus stamps from their merch store.
• Random - Up-to-Date: Mary referenced a song "Up to Date in Kansas City" so that's what I stretched mine to be since I was LIVE in Kansas City.

Here's a view of the card standing so you can see the Joyfold part better:

After the roaming mics died, Mary & Amanda headed back to the broadcast table and did more giveaways. My sister-in-law Donna won something & so did Arlene; I was the unlucky one this time... After the show, our pod headed back to the bar for desserts! Fun day!!

I'll be back tomorrow to share the Day 2 classes & the games. Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!