Pearly Sparkles Challenge ~ Traci's Recipe (Pink, Pearls, Sparkle)

Hi Crafty Friends,
It's September which brings our annual tribute to our blog creator, Traci.  It's our way to honor her and keep her in our crafty hearts.  Traci loved the color pink and adding sparkle and pearls to her designs.That's our theme for our September Pearly Sparkles challenge.
Here's my tribute to her.

I've used Gina K Designs Peaceful Petal stamp, stencil, die set, Master Layout 2, Ornate Frame, and Spellbinders "Woven" 3D embossing folder.

I hope you'll play along.

Double Trouble 3-2-1 Challenge #222 ~ "Gimme S'More

Hi Crafty Friends,
Double Trouble Challenge #222 ~ "Gimme S'More" challenge is now open.

Our challenge has 3 options so you'll want to visit the blog (link above) for a detailed explanation.

Each option gives you more chances in our Random Drawings.

 -

Here's my project for #222 and how I interpreted all the Things.

ALL THE THINGS

Thing 1 Trouble Maker offers the 3-2-1 challenge:

3 Layers (card base does not count. 

2 Colors from the ROYGBV color wheel - my ink colors (red, yellow, green) were created using 

Gina K inks

1 Sentiment - my flowers and sentiment are from Gina K's Spring Things stamp/die set

  the first time I've tried iYou may stop with Thing 1's challenge but to add a little more fun we have Thing 3 Twisted Sister's Option - Increase one option or add an ingredient of choice - I added an extra color

 

And finally, to support our sister challenge blogs, Thing 2's Double Dare is to use TSOT #701

I used the sketch for inspiration. 

I'll be back bi-weekly on Mondays to share more Double Trouble challenges.

I hope you'll play along.

Cut it Up Challenge #360 ~ Make Your Own Background

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have another fun challenge for you at Cut it Up Challenges.For this challenge we're asking you to make your own background.
Here's my card with a background made by stenciling over a stamped script background.

Products used to create this card:

Taylored Expressions Fineline Script 6x6 background stamp

Pinkfresh Studio Leafy Background layering stencil

Gina K Designs Ornate Frame die

Spellbinders Sealed Bouquet die set

The stenciling over a background stamp was inspired by a project shared online by CIU designer, Alyson Mayo.

I hope you'll join us and share your own background ideas.  Just upload your card using the link above.

Double Trouble 3-2-1 Challenge # 219 ~ It's Going to be a Long Day

Hi Crafty Friends,
Double Trouble Challenge #219 ~ It's Going to be a Long Day is now open

Our challenge has 3 options so you'll want to visit the blog (link above) for a detailed explanation.

Each option gives you more chances in our Random Drawings.

 -

Here's my project for #219 and how I interpreted all the Things.

ALL THE THINGS

Thing 1 Trouble Maker offers the 3-2-1 challenge:

3 Layers, card base can be counted - I've used the card base, Gina K designs cardstock and Pinkfresh Studio glitter cardstock

2 Images -I've used two sections from Pinkfresh Studio's Hibiscus Washi Tape 

1 Slimline or Mini slimline design - I've used Jaded Blossom's Slimline Die set

  the first time I've tried iYou may stop with Thing 1's challenge but to add a little more fun we have Thing 3 Twisted Sister's optional twist: Add some glitter and/or sparkle

And finally, to support our sister challenge blogs, Thing 2's Double Dare is to use TSOT #698

I used the sketch for inspiration.  It can be seen the sketch in the graphic below.

I'll be back bi-weekly on Mondays to share more Double Trouble challenges.

I hope you'll play along.

Cut it Up Challenge #351 ~ Happy Birthday

Hi Crafty Friends,
Our Cut it Up Challenge for today is a great "stash builder."  We'd like to see your Birthday Cards.
Here's my card using some new products from my stash which needed to be played with!!

I've used products from one of my Simon Says Stamp monthly kits:

Pretty Bows die set, Drifting Flowers embossing folder, and Tweet Friends stamp and die set.

I also used Taylored Expressions A2 Stacklits and Little B "handwritten" sentiment die set.

I used Copic markers to color the flower and Gina K ink for the blending.

I hope you'll play along with us for this challenge.

Pearly Sparkles February Challenge ~ Mixed Color Florals

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a fun new challenge at Pearly Sparkles.
This month we're asked to create something using mixed color florals.  I've been trying to use some of the MANY new goodies that I've been acquiring.  For this project I've used the Gina K Designs Spring Fling layered stencil set.

The stencil set has four layers.  I used Gina K inks for the blending.  I also used Pinkfresh Studio's Dotted Scallop Cover Plate to add a little more interest.  I cut the mat and ink blended panel using Jaded Blossom's Scallop and Stitched rectangles.  The sentiment was created with a Betterpress plate.  I finished off with a few sequins, ribbon, and a butterfly from my stash.

I hope you'll play along with us this month.

Moving Along with the Times February 2026 ~ Floral

Hi Crafty Friends,
We're asking you to use FLORALS for our Moving Along with the Times February challenge.
I've been trying to use all the amazing Pinkfresh Studio stamp/die/stencil sets that I've been ordering so this was a great challenge for me.

I've used Pinkfresh Studios Pure Joy pressplate stencil/die set.  I foiled the pressplate using my Glimmer foil machine then stenciled using PF inks.  I also used PF Ornate Rectangle die cut multiple time and stacked and splattered the background with lavender metallic paint.  The sentiment comes from the Betterpress You Are Everything plate and die set.

I'm looking forward to seeing your FLORAL creation.

Cut it Up Challenge #341 ~ Add Embellishments

Hi Crafty Friends,
There's a new challenge up at Cut it Up Challenges.
For this challenge, we're adding embellishments to our projects.
This anniversary card was made for a special couple by request from the hubby.I really enjoyed using the Cosmos which is the flower for the second anniversary and the favorite color of the "bride."  (After two years, she's still a bride, right?)

Here are the crafty products I used:

Pinkfresh Studio Cosmos stamp/die/stencil set

Pinkfresh Quilted Hearts Cover Plate

Pinkfresh Inks

Gina K Designs glitter pens

Gina K Designs clear flat sequins

Follow the link above to add your project to our challenge.  

Pearly Sparkles July 2025 Challenge ~ Shape Card

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a new challenge at Pearly Sparkles and I think it's a first for us.
This month we're sharing shape cards.

I think this will be a fun little notecard to share with someone.

I used these products:

Pinkfresh Studio Holiday Gifts Suite (envelope die)

Pinkfresh Studio Happy Blossom Floral stamp and stencil

Copic Markers (there is a stencil included in the Happy Blossom set but I wanted to use Copics.)

Pinkfresh Studio Butterfly washi tape

Spellbinders 3D script embossing folder

I hope you'll play along with us this month.

Sketch Saturday #776 with the Optional Twist to Add an Extra Layer

Hi Crafty Friends,
Here's our next Sketch Saturday challenge for May.Challenge #776 has the Optional Twist of adding an extra layer.

I've used my favorite color combination with this card :).

The patterned paper is from an old Crafter's Companion kit.  I've used shape dies from Jaded Blossom along with an oldie but goodie Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss embossing folder and Altenew's Deck Planks 3D embossing folder.  I think the flower is an older Spellbinders die set.  This was one of those cards that came together by digging through my product stash of dies, folders, and papers.

Here's the challenge sketch.

I can't wait to see your interpretation.

Cut it Up Challenge #324 ~ Tie it Up (use ribbon, twine, string, etc.)

Hi Crafty Friends,
Our next Cut it Up Challenge is "Tie it Up."
For this challenge we are using ribbon, twine, string, etc. on our project.

I've designed a card using the Betterpress Uniquely You plates which includes a registration guide, stencils, and dies.  I also used a sentiment from the Betterpress A Little Message set. I've added Pinkfresh Studio gems and a twine bow for added dimension and sparkle.

I hope you'll play along by following the link above.

Pearly Sparkles Challenge August ~ Floral

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a new challenge at Pearly Sparkles.
This month we want you to share your FLORAL creations.
I watched a YouTube video in which Gina K shared a technique using white ink and double stamping which gives a faux embossed appearance so I wanted to give it a try.
Here's the result!

The first impression was stamped using Altenew Mocha.  Then I slightly offset my cardstock and restamped using white pigment ink.  I love the subtlety of the stamped image and it does look as though it's an embossed image.  Give it a try.

The background was made using a Spellbinders 3D embossing folder and the mats were cut using Jaded Blossom rectangle dies.

Hope you'll play along with us.

Cut it Up Challenge #299 ~ Colors of Spring

Hi Crafty Friends,
It's time for a new challenge at Cut it Up Challenge Blog.
Those of us in the USA are truly ready for spring so to help it along, our theme isCOLORS OF SPRING.
Here's my card:

I recently participated in Pinkfresh Studio's Create and Connect Cardmaking event.This card was inspired by one of the techniques we used - partial die cutting to create the border.If you haven't used Pinkfresh Studio's stamp/stencil/die sets, I encourage you to give them a try.I used the Cosmos Bunch set and Pinkfresh cube inks.  I also used a coverplate for the inside background and inked the stripe to fill in the space.  I've used one of my favorite color combinations for this card, lavender and green.
I hope you'll play along and share your project through the link above.

Jaded Blossom September Challenge ~ Anything Goes

Hi Crafty Friends,
Time for a new monthly challenge at Jaded Blossom.  This month it's Anything Goes.  Just remember to use a Jaded Blossom product on your project.
September is my daughter and son-in-law's anniversary.  This is year 4 and the traditional gift is flowers or fruit. Each year, when making their card, I include the wedding colors and embellishments we used for their wedding decorations, invitations, etc. So, here's the floral card I made for them.The papers are from the invitations and the embellished bow is from the flower jars we used as table decor.  I also included more wedding embellies on the inside.

Jaded Blossom products used:

Flower Cluster (heat embossed and water colored)

You Go Together Add ons

Rectangle Dies

Rectangle Internal Scallops

Sentiment Strip Dies

You have the entire month to join our challenge. The winner will receive a stamp set of their choice.

Passionate Paper Creations & Friends ~ Joy Clair Sponsorhsip

Hi Crafty Friends,
Joy Clair is once again sponsoring our PPCF Facebook group.
I was given two digital stamp sets to work with.  These stamps are especially wonderful to use to create simple, yet elegant, cards.  

I used the TRULY INSPIRE set for this card.  I love using simple gold mats with elegant linen paper which I die cut using a stitched circle and scored around the edge.  I used Copic markers to add a little bit of color and shading.

This card was designed using the ALWAYS IN STYLE set.  I die cut using Whimsy Stamps Envelope Edger Die set.  A little bit of Copic coloring and a satin ribbon was all that was needed to finish this card.

I encourage you to follow the link to Joy Clair Designs.  There are some wonderful images for your creative inspiration.  Be sure to visit PPCF during the sponsorship for a special deal.