TGIF Challenge #589 - Color Challenge

Ooooo! Nothing like a good color combo to get those ol’ creative juices flowing, right??!??

Whilst waiting for my new Stampin’ Up order to arrive, I looked through my stash and was feeling uninspired … so I used my clear blocks to create a background instead!

Check out the blog challenge here - TGIF Challenge Blog if you’d like to play along.

Using the two smallest clear stamping blocks (B & C) I created this background.  I then cut the 3.75”x5” piece of Basic White cardstock than I had stamped the blocks onto into 1.25” square. I roughed up the edges of the squares with the blade of my scissors and then stuck them back down onto the card base.

You know me and a little bit of splatter, right?? Using my Basic Black Stampin’ Blend I just let loose and splattered the whole card front!

I colored the little cake and tied both the cake stand and the card front up with some Basic Black Baker’s twine.

I couldn’t resist using some retired embellishments because they were just the perfect thing - and I just found them stashed behind something else (not like I had spent TONS of time looking for them several months back, to no avail!)

Stamps: Words & Wishes

Paper: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Berry Burst, Lemon Lolly

Ink: Crumb Cake, Berry Burst, Lemon Lolly, Memento Black; Stampin’ Blends - Bubble Bath, Lemon Lolly, Crumb Cake, Basic Black

Accessories: Words & Wishes Dies, Spotlight On Nature Dies, Basic Black Baker’s Twine, Clear Blocks B & C, Sparkle Gems Embellishments (retired)

What are your plans for the weekend?? Our oldest son has a community choir he has been conducting for years, and their summer concert is this weekend - can’t wait to go see them!

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out our blog HERE and Instagram … lots of great inspiration from the rest of the TGIF Crew!

Monday Montage - Scalloped Blooms

Happy Monday! The Monday Montage Crew is at it again! Soooo much good inspiration from each and every one!

The layout of these dies is reminiscent of a garden layout - nice rectangles made by arranging several pieces of cardstock cut using one of the Scalloped Blooms Dies.

I used the Lazy Daisy 3D Embossing Folder to add dimension to the Mellow Moss rectangles and flowers. Then I used a couple of Stampin’ Blends to flick some ink on the Golden Glow pieces as well as the sentiment panel. Isn’t this cute??

Stamps: Scalloped Blooms

Paper: Old Olive, Mellow Moss, Golden Glow, Very Vanilla, Silly Old Bear DSP

Ink: Old Olive; Stampin’ Blends - Daffodil Delight, Mellow Moss

Accessories:  Lazy Daisy 3D Embossing Folder, Scalloped Blooms Dies, Linen Thread, Adhesive-Backed Metallic Gems

Our Monday Montage Hop has gone exclusively to Instagram! You can check it out by finding me @tinkermom85. From there you will be able to find all of my Monday Montage Friends, too!

TGIF Challenge #588 - Inspiration Challenge

This week’s TGIF Challenge made me go for the kitchen sink … meaning I was throwing everything at it to see what would stick! The photo to the left was our inspiration. We could use images, colors, or go for the “make a card set” thing, which is what I did!

Check out the blog challenge here - TGIF Challenge Blog if you’d like to play along.

There die sets, two stamp sets and one package of DSP got me from beginning to end on these, so let’s go!!

Here are the four “hidden flap” cards I created to make a set. I personally think that this Country Woods DSP is the BEST patterned paper that Stampin’ Up has had for some time … it goes with EVERYthing!! Keep reading to see that by lifting the little hidden flap you will see another hidden element - a framed sentiment!

Upon lifting up the little 1.5” flap that was created by cutting the front of the card base (Early Espresso) at 3” and 4.5”, you will have the option of adding a cute little sentiment panel of some sort. I used a combination of dies from Phrases & Frames and Cutest Crew, as well as a sentiment image from Cutest Crew.

The DSP was actually added to the card front, minus the flap you created (which in essence give you a two-in-one card front!).

Here’s the actual “inside” of the card. You can see how the DSP on the top half of this card peeks through from where the Early Espresso flap was lifted up for the actual front of the card. So much variety comes from just a couple vertical cuts!

Stamps: Words & Wishes, Cutest Crew, 

Paper: Basic Beige, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana, Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake, Petal Pink, Country Woods DSP

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe

Accessories: Words & Wishes Dies, Cutest Crew Dies, Phrases & Frames Dies, Linen Thread, Adhesive-Backed Metallic Gems

Here’s the view of the cards in all three stages - closed (upper left), top flap open (upper right), and completely open (bottom middle). The only differences between the four cards in the set were which piece of the Country Woods DSP I was going to use and where I was going to use it. The sentiments throughout all four cards are done using the same cardstock and ink (the flowers surrounding the “just a little hello” sentiment panel were a little different on each card as I used the scraps of Country Woods DSP I had leftover. The little birdies I cut out using the Cutest Crew Dies ended up being a mix-and-match of Pecan Pie, Night of Navy, Petal Pink, Crumb Cake and Coastal Cabana.

Soooo happy to be at the weekend … I am just about ready to tackled my daughter’s old room that is just FILLED with stuff she left behind when she moved out AND all of the remnants of what my dear mama left behind after we had divvied up most of her furniture and clothing. It’s time for me to get serious about that stuff - especially since I will be able to make a lovely guest room out of it by the time I’m done!

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out our blog HERE and Instagram … lots of great inspiration from the rest of the TGIF Crew!

Global Design Project #558 - Sketch Challenge

What is better than a sketch challenge to stretch one’s creativity? This particular sketch challenge had me thinking in lots of layers!

Check out the challenge here - Global Design Project if you’d like to play along.

Using both stamps and dies from Learn & Grow and Extraordinary Life, I stamped and cut several images to create the layers necessary to stand in for each of the “panels” in the sketch.

Aren’t the little butterfly embellishments the cutest??? I also put a little scrap of Hydrangea Hue behind the slots on the sentiment panel to fill in the empty space.

Stamps: Learn & Grow, Extraordinary Life

Paper: Basic White, Barely Blush, Hydrangea Hue, Gingham Gallery DSP

Ink: Barely Blush, Hydrangea Hue, Black Memento

Accessories: Extraordinary Life Dies, 2026-2028 In Color Butterflies

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out here on Instagram … you’re gonna LOVE what you see!!

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TGIF Challenge #587 - Tone On Tone

This week’s TGIF Challenge is soooo much fun - a tone-on-tone inspiration!

Check out the blog challenge here - TGIF Challenge Blog if you’d like to play along.

I’m not sure why I don’t make monochromatic cards more often … they’re so much fun to make!

Using a combination of  Scalloped Wishes Dies, Lazy Daisy and Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folders and both sides of a piece of Crisp Cantaloupe Gingham Gallery DSP, I created this card to highlight Crisp Cantaloupe … so happy to have it back, even for a while!

After inking up the inside of the Lazy Daisy 3D Embossing Folders with some Crisp Cantaloupe ink, I put a piece of Basic White cardstock inside and ran it through my Cut & Embossing Machine. Don’t you just LOVE how this turned out???

I then cut a Scalloped Wishes Oval and used the Forever Plaid 3D Embossing folder on it to add some texture. Putting the little diecut flowers around the edge of it gives it a fun, summer garden feel.

And Gingham Gallery is fast becoming my new favorite DSP!

Stamps: Scalloped Wishes

Paper: Basic White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Gingham Gallery DSP

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe

Accessories: Scalloped Wishes Dies, Lazy Daisy 3D Embossing Folders, Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder, Antique Pearls

We are celebrating Pioneer Day today in the good ol’ state of Utah. Parades, BBQs and time with family are on the agenda all weekend! Love me a good holiday!

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out our blog HERE and Instagram … lots of great inspiration from the rest of the TGIF Crew!

Monday Montage - Sweet Bugs (and Mushrooms!)

Happy Monday! It’s time once again to check out with the Monday Montage Crew has created for you!

I chose to make a little “summer bouquet”!

My bouquet was made using dies from the Sweet Bugs Dies. Mushrooms, flowers and butterflies complete the arrangement.

I couldn’t help using my white gel pen to add some spots to the Poppy Parade mushrooms … I had to stop myself because I wanted to put them on ALL the mushrooms!

Layers were made using the new Scalloped Blooms dies. And of course I had to add a little platter here and there!

Stamps: Sweet Bugs

Paper: Basic Beige, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Blueberry Bushel, Lemon Lolly, Perfect Pine

Ink: Blueberry Bushel; Stampin’ Blends - Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze

Accessories:  Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder, Scalloped Blooms Dies, Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine

Our Monday Montage Hop has gone exclusively to Instagram! You can check it out by finding me @tinkermom85. From there you will be able to find all of my Monday Montage Friends, too!

TGIF Challenge #586 - Inspiration Challenge

Oooooo! Highland cows!! They have become sooooo popular - and for good reason! They are completely adorable!!

This week’s TGIF Challenge is based on inspiration from the photo at the right. So let’s get started!

Check out the blog challenge here - TGIF Challenge Blog if you’d like to play along.

Where I started and where I ended up are not the same! I really wanted to use the cloudy sky paper from the Silly Old Bear DSP. I just couldn’t make the flowers work. THEN I ended up using this cute diagonally-stripped gingham paper from Everyday Essential DSP.

I like how this turned out. But I used a LOT more products than it would appear!

First of all, in addition to the DSP I used in the background - sheets from both Country Woods and Everyday Essentials.

I also used dies from Lovely Arrangements (the circles backdrop and sentiment panel) and Cutest Crew (the flowers).

And, OF COURSE, the focal point Highland Cow from Wild Bunch (which was a product of the month back in June). I really hope it gets brought back as an Online Exclusive because it is sooo very darling!

Stamps: Wild Bunch

Paper: Basic White, Darling Duck, Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Cherry Cobbler, Poppy Parade, Country Woods DSP, Everyday Essentials DSP

Ink: Black Memento; Stampin’ Blends - Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake, Bubble Bath, Gray Granite

Accessories: Lovely Arrangements Dies, Cutest Crew Dies

What are you doing this weekend?? I may convince my hubby to go see “The Odyssey” … it was just released yesterday and it looks really good!

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out our blog HERE and Instagram … lots of great inspiration from the rest of the TGIF Crew!

TGIF Challenge #585 - Sketch Challenge

Sometimes, a good sketch is all you need for inspiration - and this week’s TGIF sketch is really good! I knew almost immediately what I wanted to do with it!

Check out the blog challenge here - TGIF Challenge Blog if you’d like to play along.

I have been fixated on the cute little crayon image in the Learn & Grow stamp set since I first laid eyes on it and just KNEW I was going to create something with a whole bunch of them!

I stamped a whole bunch of them and colored each with the light and dark version of each color using my Stampin’ Blends.

After cutting the triangle for the lower left corner of the card I used the Dotted Lines Mask and some Memento Black ink to put the pattern down. I also did a little ink flicking using both Night of Navy and Balmy Blue.

The crayons were super simple to color and cut out … aren’t they fun??

Stamps: Learn & Grow

Paper: Basic White, Basic Black, Balmy Blue

Ink: Black Memento, Versamark; Stampin’ Blends - Granny Apple Green, Mint Macaron, Pool Party, Night of Navy, Balmy Blue, Fresh Freesia, Bubble Bath, Melon Mambo, Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Lemon Lolly

Accessories: Adhesive-Backed Metallic Gems, White Embossing Powder, Black and White Baker’s Twine

We’re gearing up to be about 106 degrees by Sunday - stay cool and stay safe!

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out our blog HERE and Instagram … lots of great inspiration from the rest of the TGIF Crew!

Words and Wishes

Who doesn’t love to get an actual birthday card in the mail?? I know I do!

The fun, double-hinged card was inspired by a similarly-made card done by my friend, Elizabeth Price (@seeinginkspots). With all the flipping layers the birthday celebration just goes on and on!

Using Barely Blush as my base color, I created the front panel with a combo of layers using the Everyday Arches Dies and the Words & Wishes stamps and dies. 

Upon opening the first flap you can see that I used the Perfect Plaid 3D Embossing Folder to add texture to the left panel while added more splatters and leaves with a little sentiment on the right panel.

Once fully opened I combined elements from the front and right-inside panel with a few more added surprises to finish the “presents” inside. Isn’t this fun??? (The new 2026-2026 Gingham Gallery DSP is going to be my new “go to” for sure!)

Stamps: Words & Wishes

Paper: Basic White, Basic Black, Barely Blush, Granny Apple Green, 2026-2028 Gingham Gallery DSP

Ink: Black Memento, Flirty Flamingo, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight; Stampin’ Blends - Petal Pink Flirty Flamingo, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Basic Black

Accessories: Words & Wishes Dies, Everyday Arches Dies, Phrases & Frames Dies, Perfect Plaid 3D Embossing Folder, Black Baker’s Twine

Come back tomorrow - I have another fun card to share!

Monday Montage - Wild Bunch

Happy Monday! It’s time once again to check out with the Monday Montage Crew has created for you!

I haven’t made a regular ol’ z-fold card in a while, so I figured it was time!

All ya have to do is make a regular 4.25”x5.5” vertical card base and rotated 90 degrees. Then fold the front flap back and you have got it!

This little highland cow … oh my goodness! Isn’t he adorable???  I colored him with some Stampin’ Blends and then did some fussy cutting. He is backed by a double layer of Everyday Arches and the cute little squiggly squares stamp also included in the Wild Bunch set.

I stamped the “wheat field” with some Basic Beige ink while also adding an extra little strip of the Country Woods DSP.

The Crumb Cake panel has been embossed using the Birch 3D Embossing Folder.

Stamps: Wild Bunch

Paper: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie, Early Espresso, Country Woods DSP

Ink: Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake, Basic Beige, Real Red; Stampin’ Blends - Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake, Petal Pink

Accessories: Birch 3D Embossing Folder, Everyday Arches Dies, Linen Thread

Have a great week!

Our Monday Montage Hop has gone exclusively to Instagram! You can check it out by finding me @tinkermom85. From there you will be able to find all of my Monday Montage Friends, too!