I created a card for the alpha challenge at Splitcoast Stampers, using colors for the Retro Rubber challenge.
This stamp is Sending Flowers from Gina K Designs. My search showed it was released in a kit of the same name in February 2025, which makes it over a year old, barely. I colored the flowers with Ohuhu markers using 2 pink ones and 2 green ones. The embossing folder is SU, not retired as it is in this year’s January catalog; I understand it is not available. I ink blended Petunia ink by Gina K around the border. I used foam to give it dimension.
The flower is Altenew Zinnia Magellan Rose, dated 2022. The dotted stencil is from SU Basic Patterns Decorative Masks, 2019 Holiday Catalog. To create this card, I stamped the Zinnia first, then stamped it onto a masking paper. I blended ink over the stencil next. I colored the zinnia with Zig Clean Color Markers. Everything was stamped with Versfine Black Onyx ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I die cut my panel with Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped dies; they were a recent blog post win. I used Bristol paper for the images and placed it onto a MFT heavy weight vellum paper.
I am also entering this in the Stencil Fun Challenge.
I created this card for a challenge at Splitcoaststampers for the group Challenge Your Stash. The challenge for February is to create a card with Love or Friendship. I chose friendship.
I enjoyed creating this card. It has been a while since I have masked and created an almost one layer card. I have never placed a card on a vellum card base. This is very strong vellum so it should hold well.
I understand we are heading to 70 degrees today! The weather has been fantastic this week. I even walked to the mailbox a few times which I have not been able to do for several months. I do like warmer weather and am very ready for spring to come and stay. Have a wonderful day and thanks for checking out my card.
I have a winter Christmas card meeting a few challenges.
My bird has been colored for several months sitting the stamp case; I have several of these colored so this is the one I chose to use for this card. The set I used is SU Perched in a Tree, released in 2022, then retired a year later. I used matching dies to cut the butterfly, branch, and the Aspen Trees are in the die set. I followed a tutorial by Brandy Cox and altered it a bit. She used a white cardbase and I chose blue; she used embossing paste to make her trees wintery and I used Taylored Expressions clear glitter embossing powder. The background is stamped with Gina K Designs Powder Blue ink to add texture.
I am also adding this to the Triple B January challenge and the Four Seasons Challenge. Diane mentioned these in her comment.
This card is posted to the alphabet challenge with SplitcoastStampers. We are going through the alphabet using keywords that have to be on the card plus one of our own. I chose the word bird from the list and added blue from my own.
I hope to keep up with a few challenges this year to post to the blog. I have already caved on limiting my shopping and using my stash. I found some bargains that were calling me.
I enjoyed creating a card for the Retro Rubber Challenge. It allows me to use what I have and enjoy it once again.
I used the Shine On stamp set from Simon Says Stamp which was released in July 2022. It as part of a kit that used the Simple Stories Vintage Lemon Twist paper pad. I purchased each piece, so I have a lot of this paper left to use.
I colored the lemons with Daffodil Delight and Lemon Lolly inks to watercolor each lemon. I used Lemon Lime Twist to color the leaves. The flowers began with yellows then decided to add more blues, so out came Azure Afternoon; that is why there is a tinge of green in a few of the places. I chose the background paper as it has a mixture of blues to fit the color scheme.
Sometimes I like to dive into Mixed Media. Each week on Splitcoast Stampers there is a Mix challenge. The challenge on Friday was to select apples or pumpkins and create a mixed media project with your favorite. I like both apples and pumpkins, but chose to create with apples.
I used the stamp set Apple Harvest by Stampin Up, which was released in July 2022 along with matching dies that were released in August 2022. To begin with my background, I use a Decorative Mask from the Abundant Beauty set, also Stampin Up. I generally call these stencils and this is a set of 6. I embossed the background with the herringbone stencil, then added Simon Hurley Solar Paste to part of the embossed panel. Then I decided to cut the scallop using a die. That was a mistake as it flattens the embossing. The pattern is still visible but it is not as raised as it was after I embossed it.
I colored the apple image with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol. I die cut the image. Then I added leaves and flowers. The flowers were colored with a bit of rose ink and a blending brush. I found gems in my stash to match the ink.
I enjoyed my dive into mixed media. I have been trying to use those supplies in my stash and I have quite a few pastes waiting to be used. Thanks for stopping by. I am involved in a swap for several weeks with the same person. This card will be headed to my swap partner this week.
I used older product to create an autumn leaves card.
I used a set from 2016, SU Blended Seasons. I stamped the leaves in Archival Sepia ink, then used watercolor pencils and a blender pen to add color. It was die cut with the dies that were released with the stamp set. I embossed, GKD Dark Chocolate cardstock with the SU Layered Leaves folder; it is very retired. The greeting came from Your Next Stamp Autumn Greetings, with a date of 2015. I am enjoying creating with product from my stash giving it new life.
We found this interesting fungus growing in our yard. I have never seen anything like this. I thought it looked like Mums, but we have none growing that I am aware of. Enjoy!
Today I decided to create a one layer birthday card. I always need birthday cards and in honor of my sister, I made a birthday card today. It is her birthday.
I used Stampin Up So Very Grateful flower image; this set was released in 2014. I chose Gina K Designs Scripty Sayings for my greeting; it was released in 2016. I colored the flower image with alcohol markers then added a bit of sparkle with a Jelly Roll Glitter Pen. I added the score lines to add something extra to the one layer card.
It has been a long time since I have created a one layer card. It is nice to create a clean and simple card sometimes. They may say CAS but they are never quick to create. I always want to add more, like a black layer, gems, or possibly a strip of paper, but walking away is the best choice to make with the CAS card.
The background cardstock is Gina K Designs, possibly. I used Catherine Pooler Designs Tropically Yours, 2018, to emboss the leaves and swirls. The focal image uses Stampin Up Beach Happy, 2019. I fussy cut the palm leaves and hat. I saw this idea on Pinterest but the maker used a die to cut her background. The rest of the card is very similar using what I had.
This will be entered in Retro Rubber Challenge:
This will also be entered in Sisterhood of Crafters Tropical challenge. I linked it above.
We have had rain and storms for the last 3 or 4 days, so I am craving sunshine. I was able to walk this morning and that felt good. Thanks for stopping by today.
I love the Retro Rubber Challenge as it helps me use the many stamps in my craft room. This month’s is a fun one with many bright colors.
I began working on these treats the minute I saw the challenge. This challenge is all about color. I had to use three of the five colors listed: yellow, pink/red, orange, green, brown. I used all five of the colors with these wonderful treats. The stamp set I used is Avery Elle Sweet Treats, 2018. I stamped these on watercolor paper, then added the colors using various dye inks and water. I added the basket weave as it was already embossed, sitting in my stash. It is crumb cake cardstock by Stampin Up and the embossing folder is a retired, SU folder. The yellow cardstock and the strip of patterned paper are Paper Studio, all sitting waiting to be used.
Stamp Buddies 