Faux Step Waterside Retreat

Last Saturday, two of my favourite stamping friends came over, and I created a Faux Step Card using the Waterside Retreat papers. We shared many laughs and had a great time putting this card together, which is simple to assemble and has a clean design suitable for any event. Take a look at the card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Relaxing Waterside Stamps #167922
• Relaxing Waterside Dies #167927
• Stylish Shapes 2 1/2" stitched circle die #159183

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Misty Moonlight cardstock for card base.  Cut to  1/2" x 8 1/2" and score at 2 1/4", 4 1/2", 5 3/4", 7", and 7 3/4".  Starting at the 2 1/4" score line, fold in a mountain fold and burnish, then next scoreline is a valley, next one a mountain, ending with smallest score line which will be a mountain fold and is the front of the card.   Burnish all score lines.
• Misty Moonlight cut strip 2 3/4" x 8 1/2" for faux flap, a scrap to cut 2 1/2" stitched circle and a scrap for the sentiment. 
• Basic White cut piece 2 1/2" x 4"  for the back of the faux flap for signing.
• Pecan Pie 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece for the Adirondack chair 
• Waterside Retreat designer series paper (DSP)#167920 Cut the following strips which are adhered to the steps starting with the back panel and moving to the front one:
• 1 piece 2" x 5 1/4"
• 1 piece 1" x 5 1/4"
• 1 piece 1/2" x 5 1/4"
• Cut  a 2 1/2" x 4" piece of coordinating DSP for the front panel of the card.  

Ink:

• Misty Moonlight

Accessories:

• Copper Sequins self-adhesive
• Dimensionals

Thank you for stopping by my blog this week and taking a look at my masculine birthday Faux Step Card featuring products from the Waterside Retreat suite.

I hope you'll come back for more easy stamping and card making. Please leave a comment if you liked this post—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Gone Fishing Birthday Card

This week’s card is another masculine birthday design, using stamps and papers from Stampin’ Up!’s retired "Let’s Go Fishing Suite". This set of stamps, dies, and papers remains one of my favourite choices for making masculine cards. I’m drawing layout inspiration from this week’s excellent sketch, hosted by Michelle L. at Freshly Made Sketches.  

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Gone Fishing #161535 - fishing gear 
• Gone Fishing Dies #161541 
• Best Catch Ever #148598- It's Your Day stamp
• Darling Dinos #164734 - Happy Birthday Sentiment
• All About Birthdays - inside sentiment

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper: 

• Basic Beige cardstock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 scored at 4 1/4" for card base 
• Basic Beige 5" x 3 3/4"  for inside matte  and a scrap for Happy Birthday sentiment on card front and 1 5/8" square 
• Misty Moonlight cut two mattes 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" and scrap for sentiment 
• Let's Go Fishing DSP #161534 strip for front in Wild Wheat 1 3/4" x 5 1/4"

I looked through my leftover pieces from the Let's Go Fishing set and found the strip featuring fishing reels, which I thought was ideal. It just needed a small trim. I matched it with a matte made from Misty Moonlight cardstock, which I embossed with a water pattern to add some movement to the card front.

I already had a focal point created earlier with this set, and it fit perfectly, substituting the circles on the sketch with the block and tackle elements. For the front sentiment, I wanted something very narrow, so after searching through some of my stamp sets, I selected the "happy birthday" sentiment from the Darling Dinos stamp set.

Initially I didn't want to add sequins or other gems to this card, but it appeared somewhat flat in the photos. So, afterwards, I used a silver Wink of Stella pen to add some sparkly accents to the fish lure and bobbins. That was exactly the touch it needed.  

Inks and Blends: 

• Real Red
• Misty Moonlight
• Pecan Pie 
• Wink of Stella 

Accessories: 

• Seaside Textured  Embossing Folder for Misty Moonlight matte on card front
• Dimensionals 

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment on this week’s challenge card. I truly enjoy creating masculine cards and hope you find them inspiring and enjoyable. I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Dog Sitting - AHSC #677

Another wet week is expected for those residing in the Lower Mainland. There's even, heaven forbid, mention of additional snow in the nearby mountain passes. I'm really relieved I didn't register for golf this week. The positive side of rainy days is that I can spend more time in my happy place doing what I enjoy. 

So, I've been reflecting on this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #677 which seems to have a lot going on with all those squares and the focal.  After some thought I think I've come up with a good rendition of this sketch that I can share.   

Here's My Card: 

I was a bit intimidated by this sketch looking at all those squares and thinking what on earth am I going to put on them.  I thought about the designer papers and the stamps and dies I have in my stash, and then like a flash, I could  visualize the card I wanted to make.

This card was actually inspired by an event last Friday where I was babysitting a neighbor's dog on the phone.  That's right!  In this modern age of ring monitoring systems I was able to watch this cute doodle's moves by phone while checking in with his mama and papa and reassuring all was well on the homefront.  So here is my pet sitting inspired card:

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Pet Love #166025
• Cutest Crew #167146
• Stylish Design Dies for 1" squares

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Basic White Cardbase 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White Matte 5" x 3 3/4" for inside and scraps for stamping dogs, stitched heart, ribbons for scarf and circle behind ball. 
• Misty Moonlight 2 Mattes - 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front and 5 1/4" x 4" for inside, scraps for foot prints, ball, and dots on scarf
• Real Red 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"  piece for stitched circle.  (Note cut left edge with trimmer before mounting. 
• Real Red scraps cut twelve 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" squares for design, foot prints, stars and hearts

Ink and Blends:

• Real Red
• Momento Black
• Smokey Slate Blends for shadowing on dogs

Accessories: 

• Basic Rhinestones
• Dimensionals 

One last look: 

By combining elements from two wonderful pet themed stamp sets Pet Love (now on sale in the Last Chance section on Stampin' Up!), and Cutest Crew, I was able to fill the squares with cuteness.  The focal point contains a polkadot scarf, love you dog tag and a favourite toy ball.  What fun! 

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my rendition of this week's card sketch.  I love receiving your comments and feedback so if you like this one, please let me know.  Hope you'll drop by again.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT!

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop

BONUS REWARD DAYS ON NOW! DON'T MISS OUT!

Hi everyone, I have some exciting news to announce – Stampin' Up! Double Stampin Rewards begins today! 

From April 15 to 17, you can earn Double Stampin' Rewards on every purchase made through my online store. To take part in this special rewards event, all you need is a Stampin' Up! Account with me and to have opted in to receive Stampin' Up Rewards. It's that simple!

Here are the key details about this promotion:

• Earn double rewards (2x rewards) for three days only: April 15, 16, and 17, 2026.
• This deal applies to ALL products (except non-commissionable items and current Paper Pumpkin subscriptions).
• All orders qualify once the rewards minimum of $25 CAD is reached.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Holy Guacamole - FMS 731

Donna Mikasa is the host for the Clean Team at Freshly Made Sketches this week.  It's her first time hosting, and she's come up with a fun clean and simple sketch for us to try out.  

Here's My Card:

The rectangles in the sketch were just calling out for some fun characters to liven them up.  After careful consideration, I hauled out my retired Taco Fiesta stamp set which has lots of lively images.  This card certainly isn't "clean and simple" with so much going on, but it was really fun to make!  Here's what i came up with.  

Here's the inside of the card.  I love all the images in the Taco Fiesta stamp set.  They make me smile.  Instead of using a cardstock matte for the inside I chose to add a layer of the designer paper.  There are two reasons for this.  One, the card is lighter when you use DSP for the matte so mails cheaper and two you use your designer paper instead of having it on the shelf.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Taco Fiesta #160732
• Stitched so Sweetly dies #159690 for rectangles (6)

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White Cardstock 
• 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 for the card base
• 3 3/4" x 5" for the inside matte
• 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 piece to cut out the rectangles - cut six 
• Variety of small scraps to stamp the images on.  All images were fussy cut because I don't own the dies for this set.  Cutting and colouring is very relaxing. 
• Misty Moonlight 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for matte layer on card front 
• Painted Illusions Designer Series Paper #167977
• Cut two mattes 5 1/4" x 4" - front and inside.  This 12 x 12   paper pack was the February Product of the Month and I've found it works as a background for so many of my projects.   

Ink and Blends:

• Basic Black Hybrid ink (NEW)
• Blends:  Granny Apple Green, Old Olive, Parakeet Party, Daffodil Delight, Timid Tiger, Crumb Cake, Smokey Slate, Poppy Parade, Summer Splash, SU500 brown

Accessories: 

• Adhesive Backed Shiny Sequins in Yellow
• Dimensionals 

I had a lot of fun stamping and colouring all these little characters.  I can't wait to see the reaction when my friend opens this fun birthday card.  What about you, do you like it?  If so drop me a comment.  I'd love to hear what your favourite taco character is.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

UPDATE APRIL 14, 2026: 

I'm very excited t o say that the Queen and her Princesses have been chosen at Freshly Made Sketches for this sketch #731.  Su Mohr's card was chosen as Queen (well deserved), and my card was chosen by Michelle as one of the Princesses.  See all the winners here.  Thanks Michelle and the FMS Design Team for providing such wonderful  weekly challenges, and to Donna Mikasa for this great sketch............always a pleasure and fun to participate! 

Masculine Soccer Match Birthday Card #AHSC676

Only 2 months until FIFA comes to town and the soccer fans are out admiring the original World Cup trophy this weekend.  Soccer is such a popular sport with kids and adults.  So, it's only fitting that my card for this challenge be "A Wonderful Match" masculine birthday card.  

Here is this week's sketch challenge digitalized by Michelle:    

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #676

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Best Catch #148598 for the front sentiment "It's Your Day!"
• Inside sentiment is one I use often but I can't find the stamp set it came from.  If anyone knows let me know, I'd appreciate it as it's one of my favourite Stampin' Up! stamps.

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• A Wonderful Match #167515 designer paper by Stampin' Up!

Ink:

• Basic Black Hybrid - New Ink for May 2026 season Stampin' Up!

Accessories:  

• Mini Dimensionals
• Glue Dots
• Rustic Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots 
• Twine 

One Last Look:

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I appreciate your support and comments.  Take a look over at the AHSC #676 and see all the wonderful samples for this sketch challenge.  Who knows, it might inspire you to play along!  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Blog 

Storybook Easter Card using FMS#729

Oh wow, next Friday is Good Friday and the beginning of the Easter long weekend. I’m surprised how quickly this holiday arrived. So, I’m shifting focus and will spend some time crafting Easter cards for my family and friends. I’m starting by using this Freshly Made  Sketch #729 as the template for the cards I intend to make. 

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Storybook Friends #164668
• Storybook Garden Patch #164663
• Storybook Dies #164666
• Easter stamp sentiment unknown brand 

Cardstock and DSP: 

• Cajon Craze matte 5 1/4" x 4"
• Scrap for oval 
• Basic White 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" for cardbase 
• Basic White  4" x 5" for white oval
• Basic White 3 3/4" x 5" for inside matte
• DSP Storybook Friends Ephemera - bunny and wheelbarrow
• DSP Timeless Plaid front matte 5 1/4" x 4" x 2 front and inside and 1" x 5 1/4" strip for the front matte

Ink:

• Momento Black ink 
• Secret Sea
• Blends for picture - Light and Dark - Smokey Slate, Timid Tiger, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Granny Apple Green, Crumb Cake, SU500 

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals
• Adhesive Backed Shiny sequins #163484 - yellow (5) 

Well what do you think?  Thanks for dropping by and visiting my card blog.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Stampin' Up Shop