Sunday, March 1, 2026

Strong women!

Hello blogland!

It's time for a new challenge over at Sweet Stampin' and this fortnight the challenge is 'A special woman' - as you may know it'll soon be Mother's Day (or Mothering Sunday as my own mum insisted it had to be called!) and we are fully expecting to see lots of Mother's Day cards.   

HOWEVER we aren't saying your project has to be only for your mum (step-mum / mother like person in your life) - we are more than happy if you extend out the theme to include any woman in your life.  Whether that is your Grandma, Auntie, best friend, sister or basically just a female orientated card.  The main thing, for the challenge, is to remember to stamp somewhere on that project.

Now, as for me, my Mum died just after Covid and 'Im Indoors Mum died nearly 20 years ago - we have a severe lack of mothers in our lives.  So this card, whilst fun to make, is really made just because, and mostly 'just because' I found a stamp I had not inked before and I loved the sentiment.

Hence, this card:


Supplies used:

Rubber stamps:
Stamping Bella - Mochi Girls: Bride of Frankenstein
coloured with my Copics
matching sentiment also used

Dies:
Un-branded stitched rectangles
Craft Addiction UK - Luxe Rectangle Inverted Scallop Frames
My Favorite Things - Die-namics: Inside & Out stitched circles

Anything Else:
Indentz A6 embossing folder -Swirls
sequins


As I said to my Teamies - this card is not a Mothering Sunday card, nor is it a Halloween card (even though the stamp might say differently!).  It is a card made by a woman who has realised that sometimes she looks at a stamp which is sold as one thing but she sees something else!

It was also a bit of a moment for me when I was making this card, that I realised (on being asked for a card for a birthday that this would not have been appropriate for) I have 3 large plastic boxes of handmade cards that, on the whole, will never see the light of day.  They are made for DT's and sometimes challenges, but very rarely someone in particular when they are going to see the light of day.  Of course, if they ever do manage to see the light of day, they are gone (and I like that) and I honestly don't mind what the recipient does with them.  I am trying very hard to see those cards in boxes as little works of art in storage, not unused cards that will be made and never again see the light of day! It's the never seeing the light of day bit which I find a depressing thought.

Anyways, I'm going away to live with that thought and not depress either myself - or yous lot - any further.

Have fun and do what makes you happy!

Sarah

Crafty Catz: #708 - Anything Goes

The Neglected Stuff Challenge: March 2026 - Indentz embossing folder (are they even around anymore?) and Stamping Bella: bride of Frankenstein brought I cannot remember when, but it must be years and I only opened the packet and inked it for this challenge! Hope that is enough for the challenge?

Just Add Ink: #780 - Stencils and Dies.  Hope it's OK, only dies no stencils.

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Hearts and (or) flowers

 Good morning blogland

This is a rather late post for the current challenge over in the Facebook Group for All Dressed Up stamps.

Currently the February challenge is live and - obviously - runs until the end of February so you do have a few days to get an entry in, if you feel like it.

The theme is 'Hearts and/or flowers' and there are really very minimal rules - you do have to join the group, use an ADU digi and follow the theme but that's it.  Also if you do pop in an entry you are in with a chance of winning a lovely ADU digi stamp prize.

At the point this challenge launched I'd had enough of making cards with either red, or love, or any combination of the above and so I made a card concentrating solely on the flowers part of the challenge.

This is what I made:


Supplies used:

Digital Stamp:
All Dressed Up Stamps - Jam Jars with flowers
coloured with my Copics

Rubber Stamp:
PaperRose - Hello 4x6" stamp set
taylored expressions - Simple Strips: Friendship

Dies:
taylored expressions - Simple Strips: asymmetrical
un-branded stitched rectangles

anything else:
spotty card
self-adhesive gems

If you don't 'do' Facebook there's always a challenge going on over at the ADU blog - I'd have to check if it is the same theme, but it will be the same rules, follow the theme and use ADU stamps.  Well worth a look, even if I do say so myself.

And that's it from me for a bit folks, I'll be back but probably not for a week (I think that's when the next challenge is).  I seriously am going to have to think about making a card for no reason - I used to do that, but haven't in ages!

See you soon,
Sarah

Challenge/s:

Krafty Chicks Challenge - CaS (Clean and Simple) week Hello - I'm not actually sure if you would class this as CaS (to me it's more clean lines) so feel free to disregard my entry if it's too busy for you.

Crafty Catz: #707 - Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: #631 - Dies or Punches

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Stash used!

Good morning blogland

It's time for a new challenge over at Passion for Markers and this week it's my turn to pick the theme! First off we are sponsored by Polkadoodles with a great prize for one lucky randomly drawn winner.  To be in with a chance to win it doesn't matter what you make, but you do have to use your markers (whatever brand) and follow the theme.  

Aha, I hear you say, but what is the theme you have picked Sarah? Well I thought it can't be too hard for you to 'shop your stash'.  What with it only having been Christmas recently (maybe you treated yourself) then the January Sales (another treat) but then, oh no! it's February and I've no money for craft shopping.

So why not go shopping in what you already have, but haven't used?  So all I would really like you to do is tell us what you pulled out of those deep, dark, crafty drawers and used on your projects.  Here, I'll go first:


Supplies used:

Digital Stamp:
Polkadoodles - Bookworm / study Rebel
coloured with my Copics 

Dies:
un-branded rectangle stitched dies 
Pretty Pink Posh - Eyelet Borders 
PaperRose - Hello Large Layered Die 

Paper:
First Edition - New Bloom
black card
stripey card

And how did I shop my stash? Well, the Copics are over 10 years old; the stitched dies are at least 5 years old, as is the Pretty Pink Posh eyelets, but used all the time.  The perfect 'shop your stash' bit is the 'Hello' die - now I brought that at least 2 years ago, but this is the first time it's been out the packet - I am soooo bad!

The paper pack has got to be at least 7 years old, then the black card and black/white stripe card maybe 3 or 4?  Not sure there.

The only new thing on this card is the image - which I was allowed to have as part of Passion for Markers DT.  Not bad, eh!

I really am looking forward to this one - I do hope we get more than 5 entries because I'm truly looking forward to see what people can dig out of their craft stash to see the light of day!

Hope to see you soon,
Sarah

Challenge /s :

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Gem of A Craft Challenge - Anything Goes

As You Like It - Cute or Elegant (and why) Hello - long time no see!  I'm finally trying to get back to entering challenges and here I am!  Whilst I do like making elegant cards, more often than not I do Cute.  So I'd have to say Cute - it's who I am!! :-)