Saturday Stampin' with Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #647

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today! I'm glad you are here. Today is a double crafting theme. I've uploaded my Saturday Stampin' #satmornmakes and #2crafters1design video, but also created using the current Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #647. If you follow me, you know I love sketch layouts. It makes creating great projects so easy!

The Freshly Make Sketch Challenge #647 is a great one.  I really like to off set my focal points, so I really wanted to create with this one. 

One of the things I really like about the Filled with Fun Bundle is that you have so many options when creating. There are dies for all of the images and wagon "builder" dies add so much more creativity. Today I decided to stamp the wagon, wheels, and handle for my project.

This card is so bright and sunny! You can see all the detail on the wagon and its parts. I think the presents are just so cute! 

Always add that bit of pizazz to the inside of your cards as well. It can add such a great touch. The banner stamp and die is also a great part of this bundle. 

I hope you enjoyed my creation today. Be sure to check out the other creations for the FMS #647 challenge. It's fun to see what other crafters create. 

Check back later this week for more fun projects and that August 6th begins the Annual Catalog Designer Paper Sale. I'll share projects with some of my favorite papers. 

Be sure to follow and share. Until next time...

Happy Stampinp',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

Filled with Cheer Online Exclusive Stamp set Meets Freshly Made Sketch Challenge

 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today for my blogpost. I just recently ordered the Filled with Cheer Stamp set from the Online Exclusives with Stampin' Up! It's such a great companion set with the Filled with Fun Bundle. I love when Stampin' Up! creates added products to continue your crafting fun! I thought this stamp set would be great to use for the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #645. 

For my card, I wanted to keep it clean and make it feel as if the sound is quiet as the snow falls. You know how that is when you are out and it's snowing in an open area? For some reason, whenever I use snowman types of stamps, I gravitate towards a more blue and pastel palette. 

When you want to take your card to the next level, all you need are layers of coordinting cardstock colors and try adding an embossed layer too. For this card, I didn't want the snowflake embossing covering the stamped images, so I only put part of the Shimmery White cardstock into the embossing folder. 

Adding a little color inside your card can elevate it as well. My string of lights are on a steep curve. I could have angled it a little better, but I still like it. I've decided that the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge this week has inspired me to use this card as part of the Saturday Stamp & Chat session this Saturday. You can check out my events to see if you are local and would like to participate. 

I hope you enjoyed my card today. I really liked coloring the images with my Stampin' Blends and Stampin' Write Markers together. Be sure to hop on over the the Freshly Made Sketch Blog to see the other cards submitted for this week. You could even create your own card and upload there too. 

Check back for more fun papercrafting fun. I would appreciate if you would follow my blog and share with your friends, so we can spread our love of stamping. 

Until next time...

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

July 2024 Sheetload of Cards Special 5" x 7" Edition

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today for my July Sheetload of Cards Special Edition. I hope my card gives you cooling thoughts from all this hot weather we have all been experiencing. 

The Ice Cream Bundle by Stampin' Up! is pefect for this 5" x 7" card. When the July Sheetload of Cards came out from Crafty Al, I knew right away what supplies I wanted to use. As you can see, the ice cream cone is a large one (don't we all want a large cone on a hot summer day?)

I think my favorite part of this card is how bright and bold it is. The designer paper is so bubbly and fun. This was from a retired holiday paper called Merry and Bright. It's just super cute!

You can check out the monthly sheetload of cards on YouTube. Simply look up "sheetload of cards" or use @callmecraftyal in the search bar. These templates are free each month. They are perfect for quick multiple cards. 

I host Make a Card/Send a Card groups during the year. These sheetload of cards make it so easy and fun to create. In the card groups, members create 6 cards to send to 6 people by the 6th of each month for 6 months. I create the groups with mailing information for everyone. Our "Spring" edition is finishing up and new groups are being formed. Make a Card/Send a Card groups are not demonstrator only. You can use whatever crafting supplies you have to participate. This is a fun social stamping event. It's all about using your supplies and connect with others. 

Want to learn more about the Make a Card groups? Simply click the link here for more details. 

Thanks again for stopping in. Let me know what you think of my sheetload of cards. I hope I've inspired you to create your own sheetload of cards for this month. Be sure to share if you do. 

Until next time...

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café 

Playing Along with Freshly Made Sketches #640

 

Hi Everyone,

What a fun time I had playing along with the Freshley Made Sketch #640 for this week! Judy had a great idea for her sketch challenge. 

The minute I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to play with the new Mix & Match products by Stampin' Up! There are so many pieces of fun with all the ephemera. 

For my card, I used the new In Color, Shy Shamrock. The great dotted embossing folder is part of a Set of three from the Online Exclusives selections at one time. The Mix & Match packages are great! You can choose from a few different sets as well as cards with envelopes to make lots of great cards.

I don't know if you can see the Wink of Stella I added. I added some to the flowers, and then I added it to the raised dots too. This card is so shiny. 

The inside of the card continues the Mix & Match Pieces. In fact, I didn't do any stamping on this card. All the images are from the Mix & Match packages. So this card took me no time at all to create. 

Be sure to check out the other entries for the Freshly Made Sketches #640. There are some great cards for sure. Also, check out my events and this month, when you place an order with me, you will be put into a drawing for Mystery Hostess. Check out a recent blog for more details. 

Until next time, happy stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

1 Sheet Wonder with 6" x 6" DSP (No Waste)

Hi Everyone,

What a great night to take out that 6" x 6" designer series packages and have some fun creating cards that have no waste. Easy to cut and create. I got this idea from Burbon Creek Crafts on YouTube. There is nothing better than to cut designer series paper (dsp) and not have any waste. 

I used two 6" x 6" dsp sheets from the new 2024-2026 In-Colors. Isn't the Summer Splash beautiful? I used two sheets, so I could could mix and match designs.

Stampin' Up! offers several 6" x 6" offerings. There are 4 designs and you can get all the color groups; Regals, Brights, Subtles, Neutrals, and the In-Color groups. Imagine all the fabulous monochromatic cards you could create. You can even mix and match the different colors together too.

If you haven't checked out Kits by Stampin' Up, you are missing out! This By My Side kit has an exclusive stamp set, a stampin' spot, and so many extra cute pets. Right now it's out of stock, but don't worry, it will be back. I decided to use the 6" x 6" one sheet on this too. This hound is so darn cute!

Thanks so much for stopping in. I hope you liked my projects today. You can see more with my Facebook Replay on YouTube. If you create any cards using this sketch idea, share the with me at #marysstampincafe

Be sure to check out my Annual Catalog Paper Share Opportunity. Time is running out. https://forms.gle/8zuNJbeWaPRVf8ZU9

Ready to start your In-Color Collection? https://forms.gle/TsQ7pmrxreoURaYW8

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

 

Finding Inspiration Friday with Blessings of Home Bundle

 

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my Friday blog. Today I was so inspired by a photo of a flower that a friend posted, so I created this card to give a nod to that flower. The purple and beauty of this flower is just stunning!

Isn't this flower beautiful? How could you not be inspired by it. I think the color is so Gorgeous Grape and Highland Heather. Thanks for sharing this Cheryl!

For my project today, I used the Blessings of Home Bundle. For coloring, I used the Watercolor Pencils and Blender pens by Stampin' Up! This card is also being used for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge #519. The layout of the card was inspired by the challenge.

This is such a nice layout. There are many ways to add textures and layers. For me, I used a DSP layer and then ribbons to add some interest and texture. 

Thanks for stopping in today for my post. Take some time to check out other projects for the FMS #519 Challenge. The other stampers have created some wonderful things. 

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of my card today. Oh and how about that purple flower? It's just perfect!

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

Finding Inspiration Friday with Quiet Meadow Bundle + Sketch Challenge

 Hi Everyone,

I'm so excited when it comes to my Finding Inspiration Friday post. It is such fun to find stamping inspiration from what we see in the world. Today I'm sharing my inspiration from a beautiful comforter on my bed. It's also time for a new sketch challenge, so keep reading to find out more about your chance to create and win!

This card was so nice to make. I used the scoring board to give a quilt like pattern. I had a little mishap on the small flower piece. I did one of the score lines off, so it made all of them off. I still think it's great. 

Here is a picture of my quilt that inspired my card today. I absolutely love this quilt and the Quiet Meadow Bundle seems to match the quilt so well. 

This close up helps to see the crossing lines of the embossing a little better. Be sure to watch my video to see how I did the quilting technique.

I hope I've inspired you to find inspiration from the world around you. In fact, this is the theme for my sketch challenge this month. I would love to have you participate. 

Here are the Details:

1. Find an inspiration
2. Create a card inspired from that inspiration
3. Upload here, message me on Facebook, email or mail to me (message me for my address).
4. Have your card to me by Thursday, April 29th for your chance to win.
5. I will post and share all the cards and announce the winner on My Friday, April 30th post.

What will the winner receive? I will be awarding the winner a free package of the upcoming Genial Gems. I used them on my card and card from previous posts or videos recently.

Thank again for stopping by for my post today. I hope you get stamping and creating from your inspirations. I've added what supplies I used below, except for the products that aren't available yet until May 4th. 

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Another Butterfly Brilliance Simple Stamping

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in this week for a mid-week post. I recently posted for my monthly sketch challenge for monochromatic cards. I thought it would be fun to create a super simple monochromatic card using the Butterfly Brilliance Stamp set. 

I just realized that I used Seaside Spray which is one of the 2019-2021 In Colors that is retiring. The Butterfly Gems are also retiring. And what's more, the Retiring list is being released today at 12:00pm (PT). So exciting!

I love using the Stitched Shapes Dies and Layering Ovals together. It helps to create the wonderful dimension to your cards.

Thanks for stopping in. Be sure to join me at 4:00pm (PT) on Facebook Live today for stamping fun. I will also talk about my favorite things that are retiring.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe'

Make it Monday with The Paper Players Theme Challenge

 Hi Everyone,

It's time for another challenge with The Paper Players. The challenge is a theme challenge PP527 to create a card using hearts and/or stars. 

I had just the thing for this theme challenge. The January Sending Hearts Paper Pumpkin kit and Add-on kit had such great pieces and parts perfect for this challenge.

I just love the super cute snail with the heart shell! That piece and the greeting tag are part of the Sending Hearts Add-on kit. The white panel with the foil heart is part of the January Paper Pumpkin kit.

There are lots of other cards to see on The Paper Players post for the PP527 Challenge. You can also create your own card for the challenge too.  

There are still a couple of days to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin. The February Bouquet of Hope is wonderful! Instantly create 9 beautiful cards for sending special thoughts.

Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you check out all the great projects with The Paper Players and take time to create your own works of art with hearts and stars.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe'

January Card Contest Results + Prize Giveaway

 Hi Everyone,

This is a great day to stop by. Today is the result of the January card sketch challenge. This month, the challenge was to use paper scraps in interesting ways instead of standard layers to create a card featuring them. I posted this challenge on my blog midway through the month. A sketch challenge is posted each month. I love to feature other stampers' creativity.

Here are several entries for this sketch challenge

Debra using dies and scraps to create this beautiful card

It's perfect to create a great front using strips of different scraps. This is Nichelle's card

Tina mixed and matched some great DSP and gave this card lots of textures

This is Bea's card with scraps of that wonderful decorate vellum strip and punches

This card is striking with so many great combinations. Bunny created this card

This is Linda's card. Pretty in pink. I love all the embossing and die-cutting on this.

And the Winner is..

Congratulations Debra! Her card was chosen as the winner of the scraps challenge. Debra wins the Snailed it Stamp set found in the January-June 2021 Mini catalog by Stampin' Up!

Thanks everyone for playing. I love all your cards and you help spread creativity and inspiration.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe