I'm Back!

 Hey Everybody,

I'm back online. I found out that Blogger cut back on the number of free emails I can send to each month. So unless I wanted to begin to pay for this blog, I had to wait for a new cycle to begin.

I guess that is something new since I've never had this happen before and I've been blogging since 2005.

Here are three cards that I made for Falliday Fest on Splitcoaststampers site.

Our challenge was to make a card with a flavor we associate with the holiday. I decided to use candy canes. We always hung little candy canes on our tree. Little by little they would disappear. Mr. Nobody was around at that time. LOL It seems no one knew who ate those candy canes, but somehow they all disappeared!
I stamped these cuties called House Mouse, Peppermint Delight, in memento tuxedo black ink and colored them with Copic Markers. I used wink of stella on the peppermint candies to add some sparkle. I added garden green paper behind the image. I dry embossed stripes with a retired Stampin' Up embossing folder called, Stylish Stripes, behind the image panel. 

Keywords: FF26stampingwriterA

Stamps: House Mouse-Peppermint Delight

Paper: white, poppy parade, garden green

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, poppy parade

Accessories: Copic Markers, wink of stella, peppermints, SU-Stylish stripes embossing folder, dimensionals

Techniques: coloring

Our challenge was to use a sketch so I used Sketch Challenge126. Here is that sketch.  I stamped the image called Holiday Hide & Peek by Unity Stamps and colored it with Copic Markers. I added old olive behind it. I used the colors in the designer paper for his scarf and hat. The designer series paper is called, Traditions of Christmas. I cut real red and secret sea cardstock out then dry embossed with the plaid embossing folder. I added the cardstock onto the designer series paper then added the image panel and sentiment with dimensionals.  Keywords: FF26morgainegeiser Stamps: Unity Stamps-Holiday Hide & Peek Paper: white, secret sea, old olive, real red, Traditions of Christmas designer series paper Paper Size: A2 Ink: memento tuxedo black, secret sea Accessories: SU-Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder, Copic Markers, dimensionals, word window punch Techniques: dry embossing, coloring, sketch challenge Our challenge was this image.  I stamped the flower then cut a mask and covered the flower. I stamped the leaves and pines and cut and covered those. I used blending brushes to create a soft bluish-green background around the images. I colored the images with Copic Markers then added that layer to a real red card base. Lastly, I added gold Stickles to the flower center.   Keywords: FF26CAKath Stamps: Poinsettia Paper: white, real red Paper Size: A2 Ink: pool party, real red, soft sea foam Accessories: masks for images, scissors, masking paper, Copic Markers, blending brushes, gold stickles Techniques: masking, ink blending, coloring It's great to be back. I'll be back soon with new videos.  Thanks for being patient and understanding. Blessings, Sue

Tangled Lights and Paper Napkins

 Hey Everybody,

Our challenge was to show light of the season on our card.

 I stamped this fun kitty tangled in the lights. It's another Gerda Steiner stamp set called, Furry & Bright. I colored him and added light around each bulb to make it appear like it was glowing. I also added white ink to each bulb.

 I love assorted colors of lights on my tree. I love to sit and look at it with a cup of coffee and no other lights on.

I added pine branches around the border and a few die cuts at the top by the kitty. This may end up in my grand blessing's mailbox.

Keywords: FF26PeonySnail

Stamps: SU-Christmas Banners, SU-Christmas Season, Gerda Steiner-Furry & Bright

Paper: white, garden green, cherry cobbler

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, poppy parade, garden green

Accessories: Christmas Season dies, Christmas Banners dies, Sizzix pine embossing folder, Copic Markers, white gel pen, wink of stella, dimensionals

Techniques: dry embossing, coloring, die cutting

Here's another card for the Falliday Challenges.

Our challenge was to use a printed napkin on a background. I added my napkin to cardstock with plastic wrap, then dry embossed it with the softly woven 3D embossing folder. 

I added it to the white card base. I stamped the image, from Unity Stamps called, Little Card Makers with memento tuxedo black ink then colored it with Copic Markers. I added it to lemon lolly cardstock then rounded two corners. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FF26taclaryB

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Little Card Makers

Paper: white, lemon lolly

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black

Accessories: corner rounder, printed napkin, Copic Markers, dimensionals

Techniques: coloring, napkin background, dry embossing

Here's a "How To" video to show you how to add a pretty paper napkin to your cardstock and to your card.

Well, I hope I've given you some ideas of things you can use in your next card making session. Maybe you'll see if you have any pretty napkins around the pantry that you can use for your card making.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hope to see you soon.

Blessings,

Sue

Bridge Split Rail Fence Card

Hey Everybody,

Today I have a fun card called a Bridge Split Rail Fence Card. I saw this style card originally on The Chirpy Cardmaker of Quilts Facebook group which I belong to. She is a very talented demonstrator and quilter. She makes quilting easy with paper.

I really enjoy her cards because often they help me use up my scraps.

Here's my card.

It is a book binding card because the square that we make the quilt on is 4" x 4". That is perfect for this style of card.

You could make it on a typical card base also and use the left over space for your sentiment.

Here is my video so you know how to make this card.

In this video I'll show you how to make a Bridge Split Rail Fence Book Binding Card.

Supplies

Stamps-Stampin' Up!-Radiant Sunflowers in Sept.-Dec 2026 catalog

Paper-Sunflower Fields Designer series paper in Sept. -Dec. 2026 catalog 

Designer paper spine 3/4" x4"

Four each of 4 different patterns of designer paper 1/2" x 2"

card base 4 1/4" x11" score at 4 1/2" and 5 1/2"

2 pieces of white cardstock 4" x 4"

1 piece of computer paper 4" x 4"

1 white scrap for sentiment

1 scrap for flower- I used 1 3/4" circle punch for my sunflower

Ink:Cajun Craze

Accessories:

2 pieces daffodil delight ribbon 6 1/2" each

Embossing folder-Softly Woven 3D embossing folder

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you try making this card.

Blessings,

Sue

 

Simple Woman's Daybook November 27, 2026

Hey Everybody, 

It's been a while since I did one of these so here goes.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook November 27, 2026

Outside My Window... It's a beautiful sunny day. The leaves are changing colors and rapidly falling to the grass. Soon someone will be complaining that they need to be raked and bagged.

I am thinking... all is quiet right now as sweet baby Si-guy is asleep in his crib. He turned 10 months yesterday. Where has that time gone? 


I am thankful for... Time to watch Si-guy while his sister is at school and mom is at work. It's a lot of work, but so rewarding and wonderful.

From the kitchen... Cinnamon coffee can be smelled. I've waited to make my coffee until Si-guy is down for his first nap. For sure I'll get a hot cup of coffee. LOL

I am wearing... A pink-striped blouse with jeans and tennis shoes. 

I am creating... a fun lap afghan. A friend sent me the pattern she was using and I loved it. So, I started to make one also. I've never made an afghan like this where you change colors each row, but you leave the ends long enough to tie with knots and make fringe.

I've linked the video for the lap blanket I'm making if you'd like to try it. This is one of the easiest afghans I've ever made.  You don't have to change colors each row if you don't want to. It is more eye-catching when you change every row, but it still makes a beautiful afghan.

I am going... to pull things together to make another video on a quilt-like card you make with 1/2" by 4" designer series paper strips.

I am reading... a fiction book about a boy who is struck by lightning and what life is like afterwards. It was a free download and sounded interesting. We'll see if I continue it. I'll give it a bit more time before I decide whether I'll stop reading it.

I am hoping... the coffee I ordered comes today. I found a great deal on two of my favorite coffees. It is a company that is near the Canadian/New York border. I ordered my coffee Oct. 14th. Yesterday I contacted customer support and they said it was out of stock. It was expected in the next couple of days. 

I opened my email this morning and saw an email that said my coffee would be delivered today!  WHAT???

Tim laughed and said, it arrived last night at their warehouse so they overnighted it to get it to me. LOL  In this day and age of computers, how do they go from telling me it's out of stock and 10 hours later it will be delivered?

...Just another wonder of the world.

I am hearing... Si-Guy making noises up in his crib. He didn't sleep very long. I still have 1/4 cup of coffee to drink.

Around the house... the cats are confused. They are not sure what the noisy thing is that's on the floor. They are leery to be anywhere near the family room where Si-Guy is playing.


One of my favorite things... is sitting in my studio creating cards for a local hospital and nursing home. I get my ideas from challenges on Splitcoaststampers.


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I'm going to head to Hobby Lobby to pick up some yarn while it's on sale. It goes on sale every other week. I need two skeins of yarn to finish another lap afghan I'm working on.

 I'll probably watch Si-guy Thursday. I never know until Thursday morning. Her mom watches Si-guy on Thursdays but sometimes is unable to do that because of medical issues her husband has.  

 

Thanks for stopping by to check out some of my thoughts.  Bless you,

Sue

 

Two Backgrounds Using Stencils

 Hey Everybody,

Our challenge was to make a leafy background. I used my stencil, inks and blending brushes to create my background. The stencil was from  Frantic Stamper called, Tropical Leaves. Then I used my SU pumpkin stencils to make the pumpkins and fussy cut them to add to my card. I added a strip of designer paper with burlap ribbon to give it texture. The burlap ribbon is retired. I added the pumpkins with dimensionals as well as the sentiment which was stamped and cut out. The sentiment is from Gerda Steiner a set called Pumpkin Bear.

Just a side note about Gerda Steiner stamps. Gerda Steiner has decided she will no longer design and create stamps. I don't know if she'll have a going out of business sale or what she'll do. It's sad to think of such a creative and well known company will no longer exist.

I've loved her cute animal stamps for many years.

I'm not sure what she'll be doing. I was hoping maybe she'd create digital images and sell them. Time will tell. I know I won't be alone when I say, Gerda Steiner stamps will be greatly missed.

Keywords: FF26MissBoo

Stamps: Gerda Steiner-Pumpkin Bear

Paper: white, pumpkin pie, retired SU dsp

Ink: mossy meadow, pear pizzazz, granny apple green, golden glow, pineapple punch, peach pie, poppy parade

Accessories: Frantic Stamper-Tropical Leaves Stencil, SU-Burlap ribbon, scissors, blending brushes, SU-Pumpkin Stencils

Techniques: stenciling, ink blending, fussy cutting

Here is a second card that I made using a stencil for a background. The stencil is from Gina K called, Winter Bliss. I think this is one that I got from a friend who had duplicates or she knew she'd never use it.

Our challenge was to make a blue and white Christmas card. I used azure afternoon and night of navy inks with blending brushes to color in the snowflake stencil. I stamped then colored the snowman and friend with Copic Markers. The stamped image is from Unity Stamps called, Snowbody's Normal.  Isn't this stamp set from Unity so stinkin' cute? I cut an outline of azure afternoon paper around the image and sentiment. Both the sentiment and image were added to the card with dimensionals.

Keywords: FF26annsforte3B

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Snowbody's Normal, Recollections-Christmas trio

Paper: white, azure afternoon

Ink: azure afternoon, night of navy

Accessories: Gina K-Winter Bliss stencil, blending brushes, dimensionals, blue glitter dots, Copic Markers, SU-rounded rectangle punch

Techniques: stenciling, ink blending, coloring

It was good to get back to stenciling a background instead of using designer series paper all of the time. This reminded me that I need to look more often into my stencils to see what I have and what I haven't used in a while. The more I see the things I have, the more I remember them and the better my cards can be. 

When you remember what you have, you pair things together to make your cards better or different than you have in the past.

I should make a point to use stencils at least once a week on projects. We'll see how that goes. LOL

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Two Sketch Challenge Cards

 Hey Everybody,

Our challenge was to make a card using the very first sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers.

Here is a picture of the sketch. They provide a picture of the sketch then a card done using that sketch.

You can see how long ago this was, we were using eyelets in cards. I checked to see when the sketch challenge posts began. I found 2005.

Here's my card.

I put an adhesive sheet on poppy parade cardstock. Then I die cut the cardstock with the letters. I added white cardstock behind each letter and layered the red onto the green tag layer. I cut the rectangles into tags then punched a hole in the end of each. I added white ribbon into each tag. I dry embossed the stripes onto the misty moonlight card base. I dry embossed the tags with the Softly Woven 3D embossing folder because they looked too plain to me. I used dimensionals to add the tags to the card base. Lastly, I added the Christmas Epoxy Shapes to the card. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FF26vikkijoB SC01

Stamps: n/a

Paper: white, poppy parade, misty moonlight, SU-All Wrapped Up designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: n/a

Accessories: SU-Alphabet Ala mode dies, scissors, Christmas Epoxy Shapes, white ribbon, Stylish Stripes embossing folder, Softly Woven 3D embossing folder, paper punch, adhesive sheets

Techniques: die cutting, tag making

We had another challenge where we could pick our own sketch then make a card. I chose sketch challenge 126. We needed a sketch with different shapes so I chose this one with a square and two rectangles.

 I stamped the image from Unity Stamps called, Holiday Hide & Peek with Memento tuxedo black ink.   Then I colored it with Copic Markers. I added old olive cardstock behind it. I used the colors in the designer paper for his scarf and hat. I cut real red and secret sea cardstock out then dry embossed with the Stampin' Up! plaid embossing folder. I added the cardstock onto the designer series paper then added the image panel and sentiment with dimensionals. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

Keywords: FF26morgainegeiser

Stamps: Unity Stamps-Holiday Hide & Peek

Paper: white, secret sea, old olive, real red, Traditions of Christmas designer series paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, secret sea

Accessories: SU-Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder, Copic Markers, dimensionals, word window punch

Techniques: dry embossing, coloring, sketch challenge

Well there you have it. Two sketch challenges that are very different. Maybe you'll give one of them a try.

If you'd like to see what other sketches you might use, check out this link.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue