Patterned Paper Party IG Hop - July 26

Hello friends, welcome back to my little blog. I'm here today to share my card for this month's Patterned Paper Party Instagram Hop. Do you love patterned paper? Do you have a huge stash that needs using? Well so do we and it's time to get it used! We will be hopping on the 20th of each month to share our ideas. We will definitely be creating cards, but maybe sometimes tags, ATCs, gift bags/boxes, mini albums and scrapbook pages too. We want our patterned paper to be used.

The theme is always 'anything goes' but each month we will have an optional twist that can be used if you like; this month the twist is 'Christmas in July' which I'm sure will be very popular. I went with traditional colours and stamped my trees onto foiled patterned paper, which I had ink blended with three different shades of green ink.  I hope you like it.

Here is my card:

A closer look at the trees:

Plus I decorated the inside:

I began by choosing my papers; which were white with silver foiling.  I decided to make them green so ink blended over the papers using green ink pads.  I stamped the tree image over the papers and fussy cut them out; I also stamped the trunks onto kraft card using brown ink and again fussy cut them out. I adhered the trunks onto the trees using liquid glue.  I cut a white panel 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" and embossed it using a script embossing folder.  I matted this onto a green layer using liquid glue and then also added another layer cut from red gingham paper which was cut to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I felt that my card needed something else so used a lace die and cut it from red card.  It's actually quite a thick lacy border so I cut it down so that I was left with just the lace edges and added them to the top and bottom of the embossed panel with liquid glue and added the trees in the centre with foam squares.  I stamped the sentiment onto red card using black ink and cut it out with a sentiment strips die and added it over the trees using foam squares.  I used the tiny circles that fell out of the lace die cut as 'baubles' on my tree and added them with liquid glue.  The panel was adhered to my card base using double sided tape.  For the inside I cut a white panel 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" and added a strip of the gingham paper along the bottom with liquid glue.  I added this onto a green mat layer.  I originally only added the one tree but managed to smudge some black ink so covered it up with a second tree and for balance added the smaller tree as well.  Again I added the waste 'baubles' using liquid glue.  I stamped the sentiment onto red card using black ink and cut it out with a sentiments strip die.  I added it next to the trees using liquid glue.  The panel was added to the card base with double sided tape. 

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

* to be updated *

We hope you will be inspired by our Patterned Paper Party IG Hop and will pop over and check out all the gorgeous creations along the way. If you would like to join us please visit my Instagram page or use the hashtag #patternedpaperpartyhopjune2026 and we will find you.

Thanks for stopping by and take care.

Lots of love

card supplies:

Uniko - Christmas pop stamp (for tree)

Uniko - pure florals: poinsettia stamp (for sentiments)

Cuttlebug/Provo Craft - script embossing folder

Gina K Designs - master layouts 21 (for lace die)

Gina K Designs - ink pads - lucky clover, jelly bean green, fresh asparagus

Gina K Designs - sentiment strips dies

Gina K Designs - large strip sentiments dies

Creative Papers - festive feeling 6" x 6" paper pad

Memory Box Co - cranberry gingham card

*I now have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my link as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you x

Just Us Girls challenge #831 - mood board week

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog. I am back to share my card for this week's Just Us Girls challenge and it's Mood Board Week and Bobby has a beautiful board to inspire us this week. There are so many gorgeous summer themed images and colours to choose from and I'm sure this is going to be a really popular week. I cannot wait to see all your gorgeous creations.

here is a better look at the board:

My eye was immediately drawn to the top left picture featuring pink and teal colours and jars filled with a yummy looking beverage.  I found a jar die in my stash and created a fun shaker card (I know another one lol!).  I think it turned out really girly and pretty and I hope you like it. 

Here is my card:

A closer look at the jar:

Plus I decorated the inside:

I began by cutting a white panel 4" x 5 1/4" and used three shades of teal ink and ink blended all over the panel; I also added some water droplets and white spatter.  Whilst that was drying I die cut the jar x 10 so that I could stack up the frame part to create my shaker window.  I ink blended one complete jar (frame and inner) using a pink ink pad and added some white spatter to the inner part.  I cut a piece of acetate and adhered that behind the ink blended frame and then adhered the rest of the white frames behind using liquid glue. I also die cut a straw from a different die set from white card and using masking tape created the stripes by ink blending some kraft ink over it and I think it turned out fantastic.  I cut a small piece of kraft card and swiped some brown ink over it to give it some dimension to look like wood (but I think it works as sand too).  I stamped both the sentiments onto white card using a teal ink pad and used sentiment strip dies to cut them out.  I was going to use sequins in my shaker but found some glitter snow which is quite chunky so I thought that would work as ice in my drink.  I added the ink blended background onto my card base using double sided tape and added the kraft card along the bottom with liquid glue.  I adhered the inner part of the jar onto the background and then adhered the straw onto this using liquid glue.  I added a few spoonfuls of the snow and then adhered the layered frames over top with liquid glue trapping the snow inside.  I added the smaller sentiment in the top left corner using liquid glue and the longer sentiment was added across the bottom of the jar using foam squares.  I finished off with some clear sequins.  For the inside I cut another white panel and ink blended along the bottom using the teal ink left on my brush.  I cut a thin strip of kraft card and again dragged the brown ink along it for dimension and attached this to the bottom with liquid glue.  I used another inner jar piece, ink blended over it with the pink ink and added some white spatters.  I adhered this in the bottom left corner, trimming off the bottom of the jar that overhung the panel.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre using the teal ink pad and adhered the panel to my card base with double sided tape. 

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges

Addicted to Stamps and More challenge - make your mark (I ink blended my background)

Creative Inspirations challenge - summer sunshine 

Cut It Up challenge - create your own background (I ink blended my background)

Everybody Art challenge - summer time

First Cup challenge - anything beverage/drink related

INKspirational challenge - summer vibes

Let's Craft & Create challenge- fun in the sun (sipping cocktails is definitely fun)

Little Red Wagon challenge - P is for pink

The Four Seasons challenge - summer with optional inspiration board

The Pick 3 challenge - ink blending, sparkle, sentiment

I'm sure this will be a popular challenge as there is so much on the board to inspire you and I cannot wait to see what you create. Please pop over to the challenge blog and leave some love for our guest designer Bonnie and the rest of the design team.

I appreciate you stopping by.

Love and hugs,

Sizzix - jar of flowers die set (I only used the jar)

MFT - soda pop die-namics (for the straw)

Tonic Studios - bottoms up stamp

Gina K Designs - ink pads - innocent pink, kraft, blue lagoon, turquoise sea, tranquil teal

Gina K Designs - clear quartz solid sequins

Gina K Designs - large strip sentiments dies

Gina K Designs - sentiment strips dies 

Limetree Craft - 280gsm silky smooth white card (not available but other options are here and here)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card

The Works - glitter snow

Winsor & Newton - white gouache (for spatters)

kraft card from my stash

I now have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my link as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Thank you x

Krafty Chicks challenge #829 - CAS

Good morning lovely friends and welcome to my little corner of blogland. It's time for a new challenge over at Krafty Chicks challenge and this week we are on Week 3; and as always the theme is 'CAS (clean and simple)' and Diane is our hostess. Now we know that CAS is subjective but generally it's lots of open space (doesn't have to be white), no embellishments (or very few) and an uncluttered design. It can be a difficult design to pull off but we hope you will take on the challenge and come over and join in the fun with us.

When I was searching through my stash recently I came across this die set that I have had for years but never used and thought it was time to show it some love.  It has a retro, 60's vibe so went with bright and funky colours.  I think it turned out really fun and I hope you like it too. 

Here is my card:

A closer look at the details:

Plus I decorated the inside:

I began by cutting a white panel 4" x 5 1/4".  I die cut the retro squares frames from black card and the inner pieces from yellow, orange and pink and adhered them together using liquid glue.  I added the strips vertically on the left side of the panel again using liquid glue.  I found a fun scripty 'hi' sentiment that fit the space to the right of the strips and stamped that using black ink.  The panel was adhered to the card base with double sided tape.  For the inside I cut another white panel and adhered the black frame using liquid glue and filled the gaps using a mix of the yellow, orange and pink inners.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre using black ink and adhered the panel to the card base with double sided tape.  Once the die cutting and glueing was done this was a super quick card to make.  

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

A Cut Above challenge - ATG with a die cut

Cardz 4 Galz challenge - for a friend or friendship

CAS on Friday challenge - only dies and word stamps

The Neglected Stuff challenge - the dies were released in 2012 and this is the first time I've used them!

Unicorn challenge - no design paper

I hope you will be able to join us for our 'CAS' challenge and I cannot wait to see your creations in our linky. Please leave some love for my fellow chicks - Leanne, Diane and Lori. Thank you so much for stopping by; I appreciate your lovely comments.

Love and hugs,

card supplies:

MFT - retro squares die-namics

MFT - winter wreath clear stamp (for 'hi')

MFT - everything wonderful clear stamp (for inside sentiment)

Limetree Craft - 280gsm silky smooth white card (not available but other options are here and here)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card

Versafine Clair - nocturne ink pad

coloured card from my scraps bin

Stencil Fun IG Hop - July 26

Hello again friends; I am back to share my card for the Stencil Fun IG Hop organised by my lovely friend Jane. We a group of crafters who are determined to use their forgotten and neglected stencils. I'm definitely guilty of this; I have so many stencils but usually forget to reach for them so this hop is perfect for me. The theme is always anything goes but we will have an optional theme to use if we want to. This month's optional theme is 'sea/water', which means there will be lots of super cute creations, and I'm excited to see what everyone has made.

I created an underwater scene for my card using an older stencil from MFT.  I paired it with a super cute image and I love how sweet it turned out.  I hope you like it too.

Here is my card:

A closer look at the cute image:

Plus I decorated the inside:

I began by cutting a white panel to 4" x 5 1/4" and using the stencil and an ombre blend of ink pads, I created my 'sea' background.  I also used a wave stencil but wasn't sure if I liked it so just kept it to the bottom.  I used a grey ink pad to stamp the schools of fish and some bubbles onto the background.  I stamped the image onto alcohol marker friendly card, coloured it with Promarkers and used the coordinating die to cut it out.  I also added some white gelly roll pen highlights to his cheeks and a black gelly roll pen to define his eye.  I also stamped the sentiment using black ink onto white card and fussy cut it out.  I added both the sentiment and puffer fish with foam squares, added some scrap white card behind the panel and then adhered it to the card base with double sided tape.  For the inside I cut another white panel and ink blended the lower part with the ink that was left on my brush.  I stamped the schools of fish and waves lines using the grey ink pad.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre of the panel with black ink and then adhered the panel to the card base with double sided tape.  

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Allsorts challenge - stencils

Alphabet challenge - F for festivities (birthday)

Craft Rocket challenge - animals 

Crafty Animals challenge - ATG must include an animal

Crafty Calendar challenge - happy birthday

Critter Crazy challenge - ATG with a featured critter

Daisy Chain challenge - birthday

Little Red Wagon challenge - piano man (inspired by beyond the sea by Bobby Darin)

The Neglected Stuff challenge - stamp is 10 years old and first time I've used the puffer fish image

Stencil Fun challenge - ATG optional theme 'birthday'

Tic Tac Toe challenge - summer colours, border, stencil

Try It On Tuesday challenge - animals: real or imaginary

Unicorn challenge - no design paper

We hope you will be inspired by our Stencil Fun Instagram Hop and will pop over and check out all the gorgeous cards along the way. If you would like to join us please visit my Instagram page or use the hashtag #stencilfunJuly2026 and we will find you.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend.

Lots of love

card supplies:

MFT - watercolor wash free form stencil

Avery Elle - sea-prise stamp & die

Promarkers

Gina K Designs - ink pads - ocean mist, blue lagoon, turquoise sea, tranquil teal

Limetree Craft - 280gsm silky smooth white card (not available but other options are here and here)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card

Versafine Clair - nocturne ink pad

Versafine Clair - morning mist ink pad

Winsor & Newton - white gouache (for spatters)

*I now have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my link as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Thank you x

Just Us Girls challenge #831 - Word Week

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog. I am back to share my card for this week's Just Us Girls challenge and it's Word Week and Vicki has chosen 'play'. This is such a fun theme and open to lots of interpretation and I'm sure this is going to be a really popular week.  I cannot wait to see all your gorgeous creations.

The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw the theme was football as me and my son have been avidly watching the World Cup (except for the ones at silly o'clock).  I don't usually watch football but love the World Cup as there's lots of excitement and it's done in a few weeks.  I decided to make a football shirt shaped card and I think it turned out super fun.  I hope you like it too. 

Here is my card:

A closer look at the details:

Plus I decorated the inside:

For a fun touch I added a number to the back of the shirt:

I began by making a top folding card base 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" and die cut the shirt leaving the top of the die overhanging the fold of the card base ever so slightly.  The finished shirt size card is approximately 4 1/4" x 5'.  I used 2 stencils and ink blended grass on the bottom and clouds on the top of the shirt.  I die cut the footballer silhouette image x 4 from black card and stacked them using liquid glue; I then adhered it to the centre using liquid glue.  I stamped the 'happy birthday' sentiment above and the 'have a ball' sentiment below using black ink.  For the inside I again used the grass stencil and ink blended along the bottom.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre and added another silhouette image in the bottom left corner.  A really simple card but I think most men/boys would love it. 

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

A Cut Above challenge - ATG with a die cut

Allsorts challenge - stencils (cloud and grass stencil)

Aud Sentiments challenge - bookmarks and/or hobbies + sentiment

Crafty Calendar challenge - happy birthday

Daisy Chain challenge - birthday

Heart's Quest Celebrations of Love challenge - BEWAS + optional theme 'masculine'

Heart's Quest for Shaped Cards & Tags challenge - ATG

Mix It Up challenge - ATG optional shaped card

Simply Clean & Simple challenge - ATG optional theme birthday

Stencil Fun challenge - ATG optional theme patterns

The Male Room challenge - hobbies

Unicorn challenge - no design paper

I'm sure this will be a popular challenge as play could mean lots of things, such as, play music, play sports, play a game etc.  I cannot wait to see what you create. Please pop over to the challenge blog and leave some love for our guest designer Bonnie and the rest of the design team.

I appreciate you stopping by.

Love and hugs,

card supplies:

Craft Addiction UK - create your own football shirt die set

Craft Addiction UK - mini football collection die set

MFT - mini cloud edges stencil

MFT - grassy edges stencil

Lawn Fawn - year two mini stamp (for happy birthday)

Lawn Fawn - sweet smiles stamp (for have a ball)

Clearly Besotted - a little sentiment stamp (for inside sentiment)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card (for card base)

Limetree Craft - 220gsm black card

Gina K Designs - ink pads - grass green & blue sky

Versafine Clair - nocturne ink pad

I now have an Affiliate Link for the Gina K Designs store. If you are considering making a purchase I would appreciate you using my link as it will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Thank you x

Krafty Chicks challenge #828 - Christmas

Good morning lovely friends, I appreciate you stopping by and I hope you're all doing ok. It's time for a new challenge over at Krafty Chicks challenge and this week we are on Week 2; as always the theme is 'Christmas' and I am your hostess. We are slowly adding to the Christmas pile, which really takes the stress off later in the year. We hope you will come over and join in the fun with us.

I recently bought some Penny Black wooden stamps from a friend who was de-stashing her craft room and had to use one of them on today's card (you know how much I love the PB hedgies!).  I was pushed for time when making my card so kept things very clean and simple, no dimension and it is a true SIP card this week. I think it turned super cute and I hope you like it too. 

Here is my card:

A closer look at the cute hedgie:

Plus I decorated the inside:

I began by cutting a white panel 4" x 5 1/4" from alcohol marker friendly card and stamped the image at the bottom.  I coloured the image with Promarkers and added some white gelly roll pen highlights. I stamped the sentiment in the upper left of the panel using black ink.  I added the panel onto a piece of red glitter card cut to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and then adhered it to my card base using double sided tape.  No dimension or embellishments but this makes it perfect for mailing!  For the inside I cut a white panel 3 3/4" x 5" and stamped the image in the bottom using black ink.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre and added the panel onto another red glitter card layer.  The panel was then adhered to the card base using double sided tape.  

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create challenge - ATG optional twist 'any holiday'

Craft Rocket challenge - animals

Crafty Animals challenge - ATG must include an animal

Creative Friday challenge - new (my stamp is new to me)

Critter Crazy challenge - ATG with a featured critter

Fab 'n' Funky challenge - Christmas in July 

Moving Along With The Times challenge - use a colouring medium (I used Promarkers)

Merry Little Christmas challenge - anything Christmas themed 

Peace on Earth Christmas challenge - anything Christmas themed

Pearly Sparkles challenge - Christmas in July

Penny Black Saturday challenge - ATG optional theme 'on the move'

Simple Clean & Simple challenge - ATG optional theme 'birthday'

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - 4 legged friends

Sweet Stampin' challenge - Christmas in July

The Dream Factory challenge - inspired by the Cleaner - CAS cards

Triple B challenge - birds, blooms or butterflies (hope my little robin is ok)

Try It On Tuesday challenge - animals: real or imaginary 

I hope you will be able to join us for our 'Christmas' challenge and I cannot wait to see your creations in our linky. Please leave some love for my fellow chicks - Leanne, Diane and Lori. 

Thank you so much for stopping by; I appreciate your lovely comments.

Love and hugs,

card supplies:

Penny Black - wishes for kisses 1505H wooden stamp

Uniko - rustic Christmas stamp (for sentiments)

DCWV - holiday collection glitter mat stack 

Promarkers

Sakura - white no. 10 gelly roll pen

Sakura - black ballsign glaze pen (to darken eyes and nose)

Limetree Craft - 300gsm smooth white card (for card base)

Versafine Clair - nocturne ink pad

Memento - tuxedo black ink pad

Heffy Doodle - alcohol marker friendly card (store now closed)