Friday, September 12, 2025

TGIF Challenge #542 - Sketch Challenge






Yay and HOORAY!! This week the TGIF Crew is doing a sketch challenge - my favorite kind of challenge!

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

Cannot tell you how THRILLED I was to see that the More Than Autumn Stamps and Dies were getting to live to fight another day this year! This is one of my most favorite fall sets Stampin’ Up has ever had! So much versatility between the stamped images and coordinating dies.

This card came together pretty easily (thanks to the great sketch and the also-very-awesome Timeless Plaid DSP!).  

I even did a little coloring with my Stampin’ Blends using some Light and Dark Pumpkin Pie and Light Cajun Craze. The leaf dies are probably my most-used die in this set … I absolutely LOVE cutting them out in more than one color and then swapping the insides!!




I also distressed the edges of the largest piece of DSP that I used on the base (one of my new favorite old techniques!) and added some Adhesive-Backed Metallic Gems and a little triple loop of Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine.

Stamps: More Than Autumn
Paper: Basic Beige, Very Vanilla. Crumb Cake. Cajun Craze, Timeless Plaid DSP
Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso, Black Memento, Cajun Craze; Stampin’ Blends - Light and Dark Pumpkin Pie, Light Cajun Craze
Accessories:  Perennial Postage Dies, More Than Autumn Dies, Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine, Adhesive-Backed Metallic Gems



Do any of you have fun plans this weekend? I am having a brunch group of friends coming over Saturday morning (my turn to host) and I am making ALL FALL flavors of food. YUM! I can’t wait!

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!

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Monday, September 8, 2025

Monday Montage - Gathering Moments






Ok … I feel it. You know that little tiny bit of a nip in the air when you leave your house early in the morning? The first sign that fall might actually be on its way!

With that in mind, here’s what I made for this week’s Monday Montage.


Fall is my absolute most favorite time of year. The colors, the smells, the tastes, the holiday … I’m down for All of it.

Which is why I am LOVING the elements that are in the Gathering Moments Suite! 

I used the stamps and dies to create this fall card. I just ordered the DSP this morning … I used Timeless Plaid DSP for this card as a “substitute” (which I also love!).

I braided two pieces of Basic Black and one piece of 
Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine into a piece that I could tie into a bow.






I used two pieces of the Timeless Plaid DSP to create the arched piece in the background, which I cut out using one of the Everyday Arches Dies. I also distressed the edges of the arch with one of the blades from my paper snips.

Did ya notice the cute little tiny leaves embossed in the card base??? I love this embossing folder!

Stamps: Gatheirng Moments
Paper: Basic Beige, Basic White, Timeless Plaid DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Gathering Moments Dies, Everyday Arches Dies, Gathering Leaves Embossing Folder, Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine, Basic Black Baker’s Twine, Linen Thread, Low Profile Sparkle Dots


I’ve been visiting my niece, nephew and two grandnephews for almost a week in Nevada. The days are clear and WARM, and the evenings and mornings are PERFECT. So grateful to be able to spend time with my family!

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!

Thursday, September 4, 2025

School Days & Notes





School days, school days, dear old golden rule days! Apparently I liked a card made by my bestie, Bree Renwick (@craftsomnia on Instagram) that I saw a few weeks back. It wasn’t until after I had finished this card that I went back and looked at Bree’s … yep! Her good idea most DEFINITELY lodged itself in the back of my brain!!

The great idea behind this (thanks, Bree!) was to use School Days with Just a Note … perfection!





I snuck in some Fruit Salad DSP (which is available as a “last chance” item on Stampin’ Up’s website - so hurry on over there if you need some - and you DO!)!

And how about those darling little “paper clips”??? I am OBSESSED!!! Every single one of  my kids’ homework assignments looked like this one … wrinkled up from being shoved in a backpack! Ha! Ha!!

Stamps: School Days, Just A Note
Paper: Basic White, Basic Black, Fruit Salad DSP (Last Chance!), Silver Foil
Ink: Azure Afternoon, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Garden Green, Black Memento
Accessories:  Just A Note Dies, Perennial Postage Dies, Basic Gray and Smoky Slate Pearls

I’m off to visit some family in Nevada this week. The sun is shining, the skies are clear and the temps are beautiful!

Friday, August 29, 2025

Stampin’ Fancy Friday - In Color Challenge









The Stampin’ Fancy Friday Challenge this month is all about In Colors. Sooooo many choices … how is one to choose???













When I made this card last month the Spring Corners Dies and Stamps were still available. Alas, as time has passed they have sold out!

I love the little sunshine, for which I used both Timid Tiger and Darling Duckling (just the names alone make me smile!). They are both part of the 2025-2027 In Colors family. I sponged a little Darling Duckling ink onto the sun’s rays and onto the little flowers in the corners of the Lemon Lolly panel.





I once again used some Painterly Pairs DSP … every single sheet of it is gorgeous!

I used a needle to thread some White Baker’s Twine through the strip of DSP. I actually did an accordion fold on that strip of paper but it didn’t come through in the photo that way!

Stamps: Spring Corners
Paper: Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Darling Duckling, Timid Tiger, Painterly Pears DSP
Ink: Darling Duckling, Versamark
Accessories: Spring Corners Dies, 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls, White Baker’s Twine, White Embossing Powder




Check out all the fun things created by the Stampin’ Fancy Friday Challenge Team on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stampinfancyfriday/!!!

Monday, August 25, 2025

Monday Montage - Pet Love








Every single time Stampin’ Up comes out with another cute doggie-related stamp set or dies (or a punch!), you KNOW I am gonna be all over it, right??

One of September’s Online Exclusives offerings is the Pet Love Bundle. It is ADORABLE!




Using a combo of stamped and die cut images I added lots of layers to make this little doggie card as cute as can be!

Little dog prints, dog bones, hearts and a bandana are all fun in this bundle!

I created the background on Crumb Cake cardstock using Crumb Cake ink. The sentiment was stamped using Pecan Pie ink on Basic Beige.

I braided two pieces of Crumb Cake and one piece of 
Basic White Baker’s Twine into a piece that I could tie into a bow.




The dicuts in this bundle are just soooooo darling! I see many creations made from this set in the future!

Stamps: Pet Love
Paper: Basic Beige, Real Red, Pecan Pie, Basic Black, Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake
Ink: Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie
Accessories: Textured Notes Dies, Pet Love Dies, Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine, Basic White Baker’s Twine

Aren’t doggies the GREATEST??? I love mine so dang much …. she smart, cute and fun! Even tried to help me make this card and everything!

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!

Friday, August 22, 2025

TGIF Challenge #539 - Inspiration






This week’s TGIF Challenge is one of inspiration … see the pretty pink skies??? What does it make you think of??

Honestly, I love me a good sunrise or sunset … up in the mountains, down on a beach, I’m IN!

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


I started this background off by masking it with a cutout I made using one of the Everyday Arches Dies. Starting at the bottom I sponged first some Melon Mambo, followed by Pretty in Pink and Bubble Bath (from bottom to top). 

The rest was super simple. I stamped some of the foliage images from Textured Notes and then borrowed a seagull from Sunrise Sailing to balance out the sky.

Lastly, I made a little sentiment tag using one of the sentiments from Textured Notes and a bit of White Embossing Powder. Added a few Low Profile Sparkle Dots and a scrap of ribbon and I was done!


What do you think? The lighting is making the Misty Moonlight lean a little more to black, but I like it anyway!

Stamps: Textured Notes, Sunrise Sailing
Paper: Basic White, Misty Moonlight, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Versamark, Misty Moonlight, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Bubble Bath
Accessories:  Perennial Postage Dies, Everyday Arches Dies, White 3/8” Frayed Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Low Profile Sparkle Dots

Heading on a girl’s trip with my bestie this weekend … where else?? Disneyland!! Woot! Woot!! It’s a birthday tradition (we both have August birthdays!)

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!

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Monday, August 18, 2025

Arched Wishes






I sent out a LOT of birthday cards … to family … and I do mean a LOT!! I think I am approaching 125-ish family members who get birthday greetings from me (which is why most of the cards I post have birthday sentiments).

I seem to have a lower supply of cards for kids, so I am trying to replenish it!

Thank heavens for the Arched Wishes Stamp Set … it seems to be universal for any age!







Who doesn’t like a balloon on their birthday?? I started with Blackberry Bliss for the card base since it seems that I neglect this color WAY too much!

I used the coordinating Everyday Arches Dies to compliment my little bundle of balloons.

I also chose to add white dots to EVERYthing on this card (the balloons and the backgrounds) as well as using my Blackberry Bliss Stampin’ Write Marker to add little “stitches” around the outer arch. 

This really came together pretty quickly … I LOVE it when than happens!




Stamps: Arched Wishes
Paper: Basic White, Pool Party, Strawberry Slush, Blackberry Bliss, Bubble Bath
Ink: Pool Party, Strawberry Slush, Blackberry Bliss, Versamark, White Gel Pen
Accessories:  Everydayy Arches Dies, White Embossing Powder, 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls

Wishing you all a lovely week!!

Friday, August 15, 2025

TGIF #538 - Product Challenge - Country Woods DSP






One of my favorite DSP’s to come along EVER has been the Country Woods DSP. It is soooooo cute … and fun … and versatile.

This week’s TGIF Challenge team is showing you fun things to do with it, so check it out!

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





I saw this card almost exactly how it turned out, which doesn’t happen very often!

The little houses were stamped using the Humble Home Stamp Set - which is still available on “Last Chance”, so don’t delay!

The Humble Home Builder Punch is no longer available, but these houses are so simple that they would be easy to fussy cut!!


The background for these darling little houses is also made using the Country Woods DSP. I used the Birch 
Wood 3D Embossing Folder and some sponged-on Early Espresso Ink to give it a little more depth and texture. And a little bit of splatter using the Dark Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blend.


Stamps: Humble Home, More Messages
Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Country Woods DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Dark Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blend.

Accessories:  Birch Wood 3D Embossing Folder, Humble Home Builder Punch, Low Profile Sparkle Dots, Linen Thread

Have a great weekend!

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!

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Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Beautiful Butterflies & Impressions Abloom






Is there such a thing as using TOO many die sets on one card??? Two … three … FOUR???

Yeah, yeah, yeah … I am one of THOSE people! I used FOUR sets of dies on this card (and I’m still telling myself somewhere in the back of my brain that making your own cards is cheaper than buying them … even though my husband doesn’t believe that any more!)!







This is actually the second version of this card that I made. I used Basic White as the base of this card originally and did not really like how it looked. So, of course, I had to tear it all apart and try it again!

On this second try I used Pool Party as the base. I used both my White Craft Ink reinker and a white gel pen to make a pattern of “dots” on it.

I used an aqua brush and some ink to add some color to the postage squares, as well as flicking ink on them (which you know is my new favorite thing!).

I also used the white gel pen to add dots to the centers on some of the flowers as well.

Lots of 2024-2026 In Colors on this one as well! Where has Shy Shamrock been??? I’ve had it and it has kind of gotten forgotten! Not any more!!


Stamps: Beautiful Butterflies, Impressions Abloom
Paper: Basic White, Pool Party, Strawberry Slush, Peach Pie, Pretty in Pink, Shy Shamrock, Basic Black
Ink: Strawberry Slush, Pretty in Pink, Peach Pie, White Craft, White Gel Pen
Accessories:  Beautiful Butterflies Dies, Impressions Abloom Dies, Perennial Postage Dies, Textured Notes Dies, 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearl

Come back on Friday to see what the TGIF Challenge Crew has to share!

Monday, August 11, 2025

Monday Montage - More Textured Notes!








Once upon a time I made a card a couple of weeks in advance. When I went to post it I realized that several of the items I used to make it had either (a) disappeared from SU’s website or (b) are on the “last chance” list. Sigh … welcome to this week’s Monday Montage!





Things I used that you CAN still get:

Woven Textures DSP (LOVE this stuff!)
Country Woods DSP (this stuff, too!)
Plaster Painting 3D Embossing Folder (last chance!)
Perennial Postage Dies
All cardstock and Baker’s Twine

Thing that are no longer available?? Yikes!

Mixed Labels Stamp Set (I used for sentiment)
Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder
Adhesive-Backed Sparkle Gems

You could easily use the Drusy Adhesive-Backed Embellishments on this since they ARE still available!

I did a bunch of fussy cutting/tearing to layer this card up … I’m nothing if not from the “more-is-more” camp!

Heck, I use retired stuff all the time! Not like we will get in trouble for it, right???

Stamps: Textured Notes, Mixed Labels
Paper: Basic Beige, Very Vanilla, Pecan Pie, Woven Textures DSP, Country Woods DSP
Ink: Versamark, Pool Party, Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Just a Note Dies, Perennial Postage Dies, Crumb Cake Baker’s Twine, Drusy Adhesive-Backed Embellishments, Plaster Painting 3D Embossing Folder

Hope your week is phenomenal … mine is starting out pretty well, I think!

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!