Birthday Gnomes ...

Good morning,

Sharing another January Birthday card…

One of my co-workers is really into the animal print stuff … like décor, clothing etc. and she likes gnomes!

I’m still sure about this new set of alcohol markers I bought… I am no expert at coloring, but I really struggled with getting them to blend out like I wanted so it took multiple layers to get the look I wanted. I’m still not super happy with the edges of their caps but it is what it is. I’ll keep playing with them but so far … meh.

I do love this image from Andrea though. One of my favorites of hers. I did a little fussy cutting around the top so they would show up a little more againsts the design paper,

Sketch Used

Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies

• Alcohol markers from The Creative Expert
• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base)
• Design Paper from Heidi Swapp (Sugar Chic)
• Image from SheepSki Designs (Garden Party) and is printed on Hammermill Color Copy
• Ink from Tsukineko
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Life’s a party gnome)
• Sketch used Always Playing With Paper #8

Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Birthday Candles ...

Good morning,

Sharing another January Birthday card…

Although I am making more complicated or embellished cards, my comfort zone has always been CAS cards so when I saw a sketch from Cas(e) this Sketch, I had to make it and I had just the new die that I bought during one of the Holiday sales that was perfect to use!

The card just looked so unhappy with a plain background, and I don’t have a suitable embossing folder that was large enough to fit the paper. And then I remembered my crimping tool from Fiskars! Do any of you remember or still have yours? I think they were all the rage when I first started paper crafting. Anyway, I still have mine because it comes in handy now and again.

I decided to use it as the backdrop for the candles. I think it really brought the card up a couple levels.

I wanted to add some sparkle and used some gems I had in my stash that I colored with a yellow alcohol marker. Perfect and soooo cute!

This is probably one of my favorite cards I’ve made!

Sketch Used

Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
• Crimping tool from Fiskars
• Design Paper from my scrap bin
• Die from Sizzix (Birthday Candles)
• Gems from my Stash
• Ink from Tsukineko
• Punch from Stampin up! (Pick a banner)
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Hugs, Kisses and Birthday wishes)
• Sketch from Cas(e) this sketch #258

Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

CHALLENGES ENTERED

A CUT ABOVE: FEBRUARY CHALLENGE, ANYTHING GOES

THE NEGLECTED STUFF CHALLENGE: Kick-Off Challenge (2/25)

CREATIVE FINGERS CHALLENGE: Challenge #294, Anything Goes

You're a Star! ...

Good morning,

Sharing another January Birthday card…

I came across a super fun sketch from Mette Witus and thought it would be a great way to use up some of my plentiful paper scrap pile!

Sketch used

Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
• Design Paper from my scrap bin
• Ink from Tsukineko
• Punches from Creative Memories, Marvy, Recollections, and one is unknown (Stars)
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Hugs, kisses & birthday wishes)
• Sequins from my Stash
• Sketch from MetteWitus.wordpress.com
• Stamp from Stampin Up! (Starring You!)

Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Birthday Balloons ...

Good morning,

Sharing another January Birthday card…

The design paper I used for the balloons was a tad lighter than I wanted so I layered them onto some super heavy-duty cardstock. I used scraps from that same cardstock to create some lift. This works great when I want just a bit of dimension but not so extreme as you can get when you are using foam.

Inspired by this sketch

Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
• Design Paper from Ms Sparkles & Co. (Woodgrain) and Unknown
• Dies unknown (Stitched Balloons)
• Ink from Tsukineko
• Punch from Stampin up! (Pick a banner)
• Sentiment from Stampin Up!
• Shimmer paper from Neenah
• Sketch: Scrapbookandcards.com
• Twine from American Crafts

Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Happy Birthday ...

Good morning,
Another birthday card from our January group. The adorable pre-colored image was a gift from a friend, so I do not know the name of the image.

Sketch Used

Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
• Design Paper from my scrap bin
• Die from Sizzix (Lace Edging #2)
• Flower punches from Stampin Up!
• Ink from Tsukineko
• Pre-colored image from Elisabeth Bell.
• Sentiment from Close to My Heart (Short & Sweet Sentiments)
• Sketch from Silhouette Sketch Studio

Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

The Outlawz February 2025 Sketch Challenge

Good morning
It’s time for The Outlawz February 2025 Sketch Challenge! Our challenge (located HERE)

You can check our Main blog (HERE) as well as our FanPage (HERE)  

This month we are asking you to use a circle with a twist of Celebrations.

The felt bird on my card is from a packet of felt birds a friend sent me a while back. I’m really trying to use all these fun sticks and add-ons.

I did add some tiny white circles to the eyes though to make them stand out a bit more.

Sketch used

Supplies: 5 x 7 card

• Cardstock from the Paper Studio (base) and Stampin Up!
• Design Paper from scrap bin
• Dies from Sizzix (Classic Circles)
• Double circle punch from Stampin Up!
• Embossing Folder from Stampin Up! (Subtle)
• Glitter cardstock from scrap bin
• Ink from Tsukineko (VersaFine Clair)
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Too Much Cake)
• Sketch from mette witus

(Hugs) Cara

Dreaming of you ....

Good morning,

Lots of birthdays in our department this past January. I made 6 cards and since so many people sign them I made them using a whole sheet of 8.5 x 11 cardstock folded in half to accommodate te signatures.

The pre colored image on this card was a gift from a friend so I am not sure who the artist is but the initials look like mjm.

Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
• Design Paper from my scrap bin
• Ink from Stampin Up & Tsukineko
• Pre-colored image artist unknown
• Sentiment from Stampin Up!
• Sequins from my Stash

Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Challenges entered:

Crafters Cafe: #315 January: Anything Goes, optional twist Birthdays

A Perfect Time to Craft: A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge for February, #2-2025
Ally's Angels: Ally's Angels #90 anything goes theme

Something New … Challenge 321

Good morning,

Today I am sharing my card for the Cut it Up Challenge. You can find the challenge HERE.

For these challenges, a die-cut is anything made with a manual or an electronic die-cutting machine. (Spellbinders, Cricut, MFT dies, Silhouette, etc.). Store bought die-cuts are also acceptable. Please note that handheld punches and/or paper-piecing’s DO NOT count as a die-cut

We are starting off he NEW Year with a great challenge … Share something NEW! It can be anything, new baby, new pet, new home – I think you get the picture.

For me it happens to be a new crafting set I’ve had my eye on for a while. The Waffle Flower Postage Collage dies. I happened upon a nice sale before the end of 2024 that, along with the die set, icluded a small set of stamps and two sets of stencils.

I also used some hearts that are created when using the Detailed Heart die from Stampin Up as embellishments! They are in different sizes so make great embellishments or confetti for shaker cards. As a side note after the fact, I decided to add some liquid diamonds to the hearts to make them stand out a little more.

Supplies: 5 x 7 card

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base), Stampin Up! And Bazzill
• Die from Stampin Up! (Detailed Hearts)
• Dies, stencils and stamps from Waffle Flower (Postage Collage)
• Ink from Tsukineko and Scrapbook.com
• Stamps from Stampin Up! (Approaching Perfections “Candles”) and Unity Stamps (Let them eat cake “Hello You”), Party Party Party & Make a Wish

Thanks for stopping and remember to stop by the challenge to check out all the DT projects and play along!

Cara

Vintage Birthday ...

I made this card for a young lady at work who wanted a special birthday card for her mom.

The image is from a set of old cards or something that my daughter got for me several years ago from an antique shop. I didn’t want to lose the original photo, so I photocopied it onto some Hammermill Color Copy and then enhanced the colors a bit. Everything else is bits and bobs from my scrap bin and stash.

Thanks for Stopping By,
Cara

Anything Goes … Challenge 320

Good morning,

Today I am sharing my card for the Cut it Up Challenge. You can find the challenge HERE.

For these challenges, a die-cut is anything made with a manual or an electronic die-cutting machine. (Spellbinders, Cricut, MFT dies, Silhouette, etc.). Store bought die-cuts are also acceptable. Please note that handheld punches and/or paper-piecing’s DO NOT count as a die-cut

This is our last challenge of 2024 and our prompt for this challenge Anything Goes!

I am going to need a lot of birthday cards for January 2025 so I thought this is a good time to get one made! LOL

Sketch by Me

Supplies: 5 x 7 card

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
• Design Paper from Cathe Holden (Petite Patterns)
• Dies from Creative Craft Products (Wiry Banners & Borders) and Spellbinders (Branching Out)
• Image is from SheepSki Designs (Strawberry Season) printed on Hammermill Color Copy
• Ink from Tsukineko
• ProMarkers
• Sentiment from Stamping Up! (Het Birthday Chick!)
• Sketch by Me CCBC36
• Stash: Sequins

Thanks for stopping and remember to stop by the challenge to check out all the DT projects and play along!
Cara

More than one die cut … Challenge 319

Good morning,

Today I am sharing my card for the Cut it Up Challenge. You can find the challenge HERE.

For these challenges, a die-cut is anything made with a manual or an electronic die-cutting machine. (Spellbinders, Cricut, MFT dies, Silhouette, etc.). Store bought die-cuts are also acceptable. Please note that handheld punches and/or paper-piecing’s DO NOT count as a die-cut

Our prompt for this challenge is to create a card/project using more than one die cut. I used 3 for my card.

I just love the design paper I used for this card. It’s perfect for masculine cards and I’ve almost used it all up. So I’m kinda sad about that!

 
I used a sketch I found on Pinterest. There was no tag so I have no clue who made it. But it is one of my favorites to use.

Supplies: 5 x 7 card

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base)
• Design paper from My Mind’s Eye (Bohemia)
• Dies: Close to My Heart (Looped Circle), Creative Craft Products (Wiry Banner & Borders) & 
• Sizzix (Classic Circles)
• Distress Stickles from Ranger
• Ink from Stampin Up
• Stamps from Close to My Heart (You mean the World to me)

Thanks for stopping and remember to stop by the challenge to check out all the DT projects and play along!

Cara

Sparkle and/or Shine … Challenge 318

Good morning,

Today I am sharing my card for the Cut it Up Challenge. You can find the challenge HERE.

For these challenges, a die-cut is anything made with a manual or an electronic die-cutting machine. (Spellbinders, Cricut, MFT dies, Silhouette, etc.). Store bought die-cuts are also acceptable. Please note that handheld punches and/or paper-piecing’s DO NOT count as a die-cut

Our prompt for this challenge is to create a card/project with Sparkle and/or Shine

This worked perfectly for me as I needed a birthday card for a sweet little girl who loves all things Unicorn,

I’ve had this whimiscal Unicorn die from Jane Davenport for a while and was so happy to be able to use it for her card.

I did have a hard time getting the sparkle from the unicorn to show up in the photo but it is a lovely soft shimmer.

I used the same cardstock from the cloud and the little star scattered around.

Supplies: 5 x 7 card

• Cardstock from the Paper Studio (base)
• Design Paper from The Paper Studio (Watercolor)
• Dies from Jane Davenport (Happy Unicorn)
• Glitter Paper from Recollections and my scrap box
• Ink is Versafine Claire
• Sentiment from A-muse Studios (You are Magical)
• Tiny star punch from Fiskar

Thanks for stopping and remember to stop by the challenge to check out all the DT projects and play along!

Cara

Growing in Unity 2024, Day 5

Good morning!

Welcome! Today is my last share as a Unity Gal 2024. I am always sad to see this time end but in reality it just gives way to the next Unity Gal to show off all her love for Unity too. And that it always exciting. 

Today, I am sharing another square card I made using Unity Stamps fun stamps & stencils “de Fleur Daisy”. Such a fun set to use!

I fussy cut out the image and then attached to the card base with pop up foam. I then used a black ink pen to extend the speckles from the stamp onto the card base to pull it all in.

 

Supplies, card size: Slimline 6 x 6

• Banner die from Creation Crafts (Party Banners & Borders)
• Cardstock: Colorbok (base), Hammermill Color Copy and Stampin Up!
• Embossing folder from Spellbinders (Tiny Dots)
• Ink from Scrapbook.com and Tsukineko
• Precision pen from American Crafts
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Hugs, Kisses & Birthday Wishes)
• Sequins from Close to My Heart
• Stamp & Stencils from Unity Stamps (De Fleur Daisy)

Unity Stamp Company is a small family-owned business and although they ship world-wide, their high-quality rubber stamps are proudly made in the U.S.A. They even offer custom stamps! So, check out their store. You’ll be hooked if you aren’t already!

Here are links to the Unity Stamp Company Store and Social Media Sites!

Go check them out! You won’t be disappointed!

Unity Stamp Company, So much Pretty in one place!

Pinterest

Facebook: UNITY {show & tell}

Instagram

YouTube

Thanks for stopping! Please remember to comment on my posts each day as I will be selecting two people to receive a $20 credit to the store!
(Hugs) Cara

Growing in Unity 2024, Day 4

Good morning!

Welcome! Today I am sharing a simple birthday card using the Birthday Blooms stamps and stencils.

I decided not to use the large Happy Birthday stamp that came with the set, opting to place that inside the card instead. I wanted to use something smaller so I used a sentiment from another Unity set.

I hope you like it!

Supplies, card size: 5 x 7

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (Base) and Hammermill Color Copy
• Embossing Folder from Spellbinders (Tiny Dots)
• Ink from Scrapbook.com, Momento, Tsukineko and Fund Stampers Journey (Liquid Silk)
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Many More Birthdays)
• Stamp and die from Unity Stamps (Birthday Blooms)
• Stencils from Unity Stamps (Layering Peony)

Unity Stamp Company is a small family-owned business and although they ship world-wide, their high-quality rubber stamps are proudly made in the U.S.A. They even offer custom stamps! So, check out their store. You’ll be hooked if you aren’t already!

Here are links to the Unity Stamp Company Store and Social Media Sites!

Go check them out! You won’t be disappointed!

Unity Stamp Company, So much Pretty in one place!

Pinterest

Facebook: UNITY {show & tell}

Instagram

YouTube

Thanks for stopping! Please remember to comment on my posts each day as I will be selecting two people to receive a $20 credit to the store!
(Hugs) Cara

Growing in Unity 2024, Day 3

Good morning!

Welcome! Today I am sharing a Slimline card, These seem to be in style right now but I’ve been making them off and on for years.

Unity Stamps has some wonderful slimline stamp dies in stock but for this card I am using their layering tulips creating a card that was quick, easy to use and produced stunning results!

Supplies, card size: Slimline 4: x 8.75

• Cardstock: The Paper Studio (base) & Hammermill Color Copy
• Design Paper from Momenta (Marbled)
• Die from Unity Stamps (Tulip Die)
• Embossing folder from Spellbinders (Bee-Cause)
• Ink from Scrapbook.com. Tsukineko and Momento
• Punch from Stampin Up! (Pick a banner)
• Sentiment from Unity Sta,ps (Celebration Time)
• Sequins from Close to My Heart
• Stamp from Unity Stamps (Slimline Layering Tulips)
• Stencil from Unity Stamps (Slimline Layering Tulips)

Unity Stamp Company is a small family-owned business and although they ship world-wide, their high-quality rubber stamps are proudly made in the U.S.A. They even offer custom stamps! So, check out their store. You’ll be hooked if you aren’t already!

Here are links to the Unity Stamp Company Store and Social Media Sites!

Go check them out! You won’t be disappointed!

Unity Stamp Company, So much Pretty in one place!

Pinterest

Facebook: UNITY {show & tell}

Instagram

YouTube

Thanks for stopping! Please remember to comment on my posts each day as I will be selecting two people to receive a $20 credit to the store!

(Hugs) Cara

Growing in Unity 2024, Day 2

Good morning!

Welcome! Today I am sharing a masculine card I made using Woodland Layers stamps and Mountainscapes stencils.

I love making masculine cards when I get the chance to make (which is not often). This set from Unity Stampsis perfect for those masculine cards when needed.

Supplies, card size: 5 x 7

• Bling from Recollections
• Cardstock from Stampin up!
• Ink from Scrapbook.com
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Hugs, kisses & Birthday Wishes)
• Stamps from Unity Stamps (Woodland Layers)
• Stencil from Unity Stamps (Mountainscapes)

Unity Stamp Company is a small family-owned business and although they ship world-wide, their high-quality rubber stamps are proudly made in the U.S.A. They even offer custom stamps! So, check out their store. You’ll be hooked if you aren’t already!

Here are links to the Unity Stamp Company Store and Social Media Sites!

Go check them out! You won’t be disappointed!

Unity Stamp Company, So much Pretty in one place!

Pinterest

Facebook: UNITY {show & tell}

Instagram

YouTube

Thanks for stopping! Please remember to comment on my posts each day as I will be selecting two people to receive a $20 credit to the store!

(Hugs) Cara

Growing in Unity 2024, Day 1

Good morning!

Once again, I have been given the opportunity to share my love of Unity Stamps with so many Crafty Friends! I don’t take this gift lightly as there are many talented crafters out there that put their name in the hat in the hopes of getting selected. I hope you enjoy what I have created for my week in the saddle!

Unity Stamp Company is a small family-owned business and although they ship world-wide, their high-quality rubber stamps are proudly made in the U.S.A. They even offer custom stamps! So, check out their store. You’ll be hooked if you aren’t already!

Here are links to the Unity Stamp Company Store and Social Media Sites!

Go check them out! You won’t be disappointed!

 

Unity Stamp Company, So much Pretty in one place!

Pinterest

Facebook: UNITY {show & tell}

Instagram

YouTube

This week I’ll be working with several of Unity’s Stencil sets. I love these sets as they are easy to use and the results are always outstanding 

I don’t often make square cards, but this stencil set works perfectly for that. I am a little bummed because while I ordered the Bevy of Balloons stamp that works with this stencil set, I didn’t order in time to use for this event.

I really do love this stencil set and can't wait to get the stamp!

 

The frosting looking borders on either side of the image are cut from some foam board I bought from the Dollar store. I’ve been seeing cards and videos of how to use it with dies and I had to try it! I absolutely loved how they turned out. Easy to cut with my Big Shot and the details of the die are not lost. Plus, it’s foam and very light, so it will not add weight for mailing.

 

I do not know who made the die, I found it at a local resale shop, and it was just in a bag with 4 other dies that also make frosting looking die-cuts. If someone recognizes it, please let me know in the comments!

Supplies, card size: 6 x 6

• Cardstock from Colorbok (Base) and Stampin Up!
• Die Unknown (Frosting)
• Foam board from the Dollar Tree
• Ink from Scrapbook.com, Tsukineko and Fun Stampers Journey (Liquid Silk)
• Marker from Mala
• Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Many More Birthdays)
• Stencils from Unity Stamps (Balloon Layering Stencil)

Thanks for stopping! Please remember to comment on my posts each day as I will be selecting two people to receive a $20 credit to the store!

(Hugs) Cara

Buttlers in Blue ...

Good morning,
Sharing a birthday card for a co-worker who happens to like the color blue and butterflies.

Supplies: 5 x 7 card

• Die from Crafters Companion (Fluttering By)
• Ink from Stampin Up!
• Sentiment from Close to My Heart (For Every Occasion)
• Stencil from Creative Expressions (Scattered Diamonds)

Thanks for Stopping By,
Cara

Lordy Lordy, who turned forty?

Good morning,
Sharing a card I made for a friend celebrating her 40th birthday. 

I roughed up the edges of the pieces a bit to give it some texture and I added some small gray speckles in and around the edges of the card here and there. I know they are impossible to see in the photo though.

Sketch used

Supplies, 5x7 card

• Cardstock: The Paper Studio
• Design Paper: Spring (American Crafts)
• Die(s): Heart Prints (Papertrey Ink)
• Embossing folder: Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug)
• Ink: Tsukineko
• ProMarkers
• Sketch: Mojo Sketch 508
• Stamp & Die set: Hey Birthday Chick! (Stampin Up!)

Thanks for stopping by~

Cara  

Challenges Entered

Inspired by a Song … Challenge 314

Good morning,

Today I am sharing my card for the Cut it Up Challenge. You can find the challenge HERE.

For these challenges, a die-cut is anything made with a manual or an electronic die-cutting machine. (Spellbinders, Cricut, MFT dies, Silhouette, etc.). Store bought die-cuts are also acceptable. Please note that handheld punches and/or paper-piecing’s DO NOT count as a die-cut

Our prompt this new challenge is “Inspired by a Song”

I happen to love pretty much any kind of music, but I especially love music from the 50’s and 60’s. Recently I was listening to oldies type music on YouTube and along came a song from Don Ho, He was a singer from Hawaii, extremely handsome and popular back in the day!

Anyway, the song was Tiny Bubbles which is basically a song about Champagne. Very fun song, so that is what inspired my card this challenge!

I used some ink and a blending brush on a scrap of the yellow cardstock then die cut that to had some interest to the swirls, I then inked around the card base as well as softly on the top layer.

Supplies: 5 x 7 card

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and Bazzill
• Die is unknown
• Embossing folder from Spellbinders (Balloons & Banners)
• Ink from Stampin up! & Tsukineko (Versafine Clair)
• Rhinestones from Stampin Up!
• Sentiment from a Unity Stamps grab bag

Thanks for stopping by!

Cara