NOTE: This is my second blog post of the day. Please keep scrolling to see my Blue Knight Rubber Stamps post, too.

One of the group's members hosts each month. As host, she chooses a theme and then sends each of the group members a theme-appropriate image and some designer paper. The host can also include a sentiment and/or special item if she chooses to do so. The group members all receive the same items, but there is to be no conversation about what was received or the cards we're making. Then, on the 15th of the month, we all reveal our cards.

It's always fun to see how each person uses the image/papers.  

This month it was Tracie's turn to host. This is what she had to say about her theme and kit:

You all know that I love Newtons Nook so there will be no surprise that  used their images for your kit in November. Did you know that November 3-9 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week? My 2 kitties came from the Animal Shelter and they are always close to my heart. November 15 is I Love to Write Day so decided to add a reading feature to my kit.

Enclosed you will find in your kit

     Newton's Nook Sips & Stories stamped image

     Designer Paper - Close to My Heart "Lovely"

     I love Book Die by Newtons Nook Bookmark Die Set

     Remember Me Clips fro Fun Stampers Journey

My extra challenge for you is to tell me if you have read a good book lately and what the title of the book is.

THANK YOU, Tracie!

Well, Tracie, about that extra challenge. I mostly read for two reasons. 

1. Actual Books - I read non-fiction books that deal with topics such as religion, leadership, women's issues, missions, and such. These are mostly assigned or encouraged by our state Women's leader. I am currently reading Kristi McLelland's Rediscovering Israel. It is very good. I'm learning a lot.

2. On my Kindle - I read light-reading foo foo kind of stuff to clear my head of the day's stuff in order to go to sleep. My favorite author for these types of books is Shanna Hatfield. I especially like the way she develops her characters - and her books are always clean reading, which is important to me.

Here's my card:

Here's the inside:

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Jeanette - that's me

Lorraine - SCS Gallery

Terry

Tracie

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

I used the following things from my own stash (in addition to the items Tracie sent)...

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangles, and scrapbook.com Nested A2 Arches

Embellishments: Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor 

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

This week the design team's cards are featuring the newly released Pier on the Lake stamp. You can check it out in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

Card #2

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps items used:

Cloud Stencil

Lucky You One Line Sentiments Stamp Set

* * * * * 

Here's this week's sketch - SC1036:

My card:

It's always acceptable to tweak the sketch a wee bit and make it your own (there are no SCS police), so that's what I did.

I hope you'll use the sketch to make a card, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Berry Burst and Tahitian Tide CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Creative Expressions Snow Globe, Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Elegant Folded Banner, and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

This week's theme...

Valor

Valor is defined as bravery; boldness or determination in facing danger, especially in battle.

Here's my card:

I hope you'll check out the challenge - HERE - and play along, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black, and SU Creamy Caramel CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 2 and Simon Says Sentiment Labels

Embellishments: Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor

It's the 12th of January, time to get messy. (insert deer-in-the-headlight look) As you likely recall from previous 12ths, I am not one who likes messes. Not one bit. BUT a challenge is only a challenge if it stretches you, and I'm up for the Hot Mess Success Challenge. 

Barb, Carol, Darlene, Terry, and I create cards for the Hot Mess Success challenge each month and share them on the 12th. 

It's Anything Goes - as long as there is something messy involved.

I really wish you could see this card in person. That "hello" looks amazing. The Lunar Paste gives it such a rich luster. 

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Certainly Celery CS and DP from my scrap file

Messy Medium: Simon Hurley Gave Over Lunar Paste

Dies: Birch Press Hello Honey Script, Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Stitched Rectangle, and Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Strips

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

If you like saving money - and who doesn't - please use the code TJ10JEANETTE when checking out at Technique Junkies to receive a 10% discount.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

In addition to the Technique Junkies stamp set listed in this blog post, I also used the following items when making these cards.

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: an Enamel Heart from an unknown vendor

We take turns choosing what stamp will be used. This month it was Kelly's turn. She chose the Berry Cupcake stamp from Pink and Main. Such a sweet cupcake!

Thank you, Kelly!

Be sure to check out Barb's and Kelly's cards, too...

Barb

Kelly

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment (provided by Kelly): Pink & Main Berry Cupcake - I colored it with Copic and Olo Markers

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

This week the design team's cards are featuring the newly released Silhouette Birds and Grass stamp. You can check it out in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

Card #2

Other Blue Knight Rubber Stamps item used:

Chickadee on a Fence Post Stamp Set

* * * * * 

I started a new series on my blog in July of 2021. The idea was born from the fact that I have a lot of unused card/stamping kits just waiting to have some attention. Sheesh! Seems as though I buy them and they just sit. That just shouldn't be so I'm going to commit to using a kit once a month for this "From a Kit" series.

As I mentioned in my May 2023 blog posts, the only "kits" I have left (after completing the first 21) are SEVERAL Stampin' UP! Paper Pumpkin kits. I also mentioned that I've discovered I'm not really very fond of the card designs found in the Paper Pumpkin kits... so I decided IF I'm going to use those Paper Pumpkin kits that I've invested in, I'll need to veer away from the designs as they appear in the kits. 

This month I made 3 cards using the October 2017 Paper Pumpkin kit - Pining for Plaid.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Here's this week's sketch - SC1035:

My card:

I hope you'll use the sketch to make a card, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Crushed Curry CS

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots

This week's theme is...

Scarecrow Hello

Here's my card:

I hope you'll check out the challenge - HERE - and play along, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Chocolate Chip CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestone

My ONE stamp this year is a beautiful floral (a very large one) from the Altenew Pristine Peonies stamp set.

This month I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers to watercolor the image. I found it to be very relaxing, although I definitely need practice on watercoloring.

I hope you'll keep an eye out on the 3rd of each month to see how I do with this ONE stamp this year. You'll also be able to see Barb's and Kelly's cards on Instagram as well as their blogs...

Barb's blog

Kelly's blog

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Papers: Canson Cold Press Watercolor Paper and Recollections Black and White and SU Lemon Lime Twist CS

Dies: Honey Bee Sweet Stack Rectangles, MFT Little Hello, and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Amazon Nail Art Rhinestones

In a text conversation amongst friends in the fall of 2022, we agreed that we were all falling behind in creating with items from virtual events, kits, even groups we are in. From that conversation the idea of the Catch Up Club took formation. We decided it was time to work on those cardmaking projects that were waiting for our attention. 

On the last day of each month we've committed to sharing card/cards we have made from something we need to "catch up" on. 

You can view my original Catch Up Club post - HERE - for more details.

For this month's Catch Up Club post, I chose to complete the cards from the remaining classes of the Taylored Expressions 2022 Virtual Stamp Joy event that took place on March 12th of that  year.

Session 3

Session 7

It should be noted that while most cards posted on my blog are my own designs (albeit sometimes inspired by others), these Catch Up Club cards are not my designs. I've completed cards designed by the class instructor, so while I've made the card, it is not original to me.

Please check out the blogs of my Catch Up Club friends, too...

Barb

Darlene

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Here's this week's sketch - SC1034:

My card:

I hope you'll use the sketch to make a card, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Papers: SU Cranberry Crisp CS and Other Papers from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Sizzix Geo Stitched Frames

Embellishments: Amazon Diamond Dots