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 

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

Fluttering Garden Alternative Card using AHSC # 674

A close friend requested that I create multiple birthday and anniversary cards over the next few months. Isn't it wonderful to have friends like her who think ahead? It feels refreshing and really simplifies my life.

I'm beginning this project by creating an Anniversary Card based on the sketch from AHSC #674. I really like that the sketch incorporates scraps—you know, those small pieces that linger on your desk and you're unsure whether to discard or save them. Because I had a few scraps remaining from my March Paper Pumpkin kit, this sketch motivated me to put them to use    

 Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 674

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamp Sets and Dies:

• Fluttering Hummingbird Stamp artwork from the March 2026 Paper Pumpkin kit for sentiment on front and hummingbird inside and back of card. 
• Here's to Love (sentiment) (R)#161737
• Stylish Shape Dies #159183 for sentiment strip

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Ephemera, Gems, card base and envelopes from the March 2026 Paper Pumpkin kit called Fluttering Garden
• Pool Party matte 4 x 5 1/4" and strip taken from center of this piece for the Anniversary sentiment strip
• Pool Party Envelope cut down to make strips with white floral images (5 at 1/2" x 2 3/4")
• Basic Gray strips (4) embossed as a solid matte then cut to 1/2" x 2 1/2" 
• Basic White 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" for matte the strips are adhered to. This keeps them all pasted at the same heights.
• Basic White matte for inside card 3 3/4" x 5" stamped with sentiment and hummingbird
• Matte in coordinating color 4" x 5 1/4" from Illustrated Illusions paper 

The white matte is made from the backside of one of the PP kit grey card bases, trimmed to the right size for layering. Although it's somewhat difficult to notice in the photo, I applied blender brushes and Pool Party ink to the upper part of this matte to form clouds and integrate the background into the overall design.  

Ink and Blends:

• Momento Black Ink for hummingbird images
• Pool Party - for blending 
• Pebbled Path for Sentiments 
• Stampin Blends for colouring humminbird inside card: Dark and Light Petal Pink, Mint Macaroon, SU600 for beak and claws, Purple Posie

Accessories:

• Forest 3D Embossing Folder for card layer 
• Dimensionals 
• Gems from PP kit sparkly gold clear gems 
• Wink of Stella brushed on Hummingbird Ephemera on front 
• Ephemera from PP kit  

Well that's it for this week's challenge card.  Hope you liked it and will come for another visit.  Please leave me a comment if you liked this card or have any questions about how it's made. 

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Pet Sitter Thank You Card - FMS#728

Personally I'm not a big fan of circles on a card.  When I looked at the recent sketch from Freshly Made Sketches I made the proverbial big sigh, and then began thinking about the sketch objectively in terms of what I could do to make the sketch satisfying for me. 

I needed something that worked for my brain and that's the really fun part of participating in a sketch challenge.  It doesn't have to be about copying the sketch  in every single nuance or detail, but rather exploring what works and what doesn't in terms of your own creativity.  Here is the sketch: 

Freshly Made Sketch #728 

Here's My Card: 

I'm an animal lover and so are most of my friends, so I'm often called upon to create or send a card featuring dogs or cats. Stampin' Up! released two stamp bundles called Pet Love and Cutest Crew recently, and they were my inspiration for this card design.  Pet Love includes pet accessories, paw prints and heartfelt sentiments.  Cutest crew has playful pups, curious kittens and chirpy little birds. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the coordinating dies for Cutest Crew because this bundle sold out almost immediately, but the images are easy to fussy cut. 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies: 

• Pet Love #166032 stamps and dies
• Cutest Crew #167146 stamps
• Stitched Shapes Dies #159183

Cardstock and DSP: 

• Basic White cardbase 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
  
• Basic White matte 3 3/4" x 5" for inside matte, scrap for stamping dog images and die cutting circle
  
• Lost Lagoon matte card front 4" x 5 1/4"" 
• Flirty Flamingo matte card front 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
• Painted Illusions DSP (Product of the Month February 2026) 3 3/4" x 5"

Ink:

• Lost Lagoon
• Secret Sea 
• Stampin' Blends:  Mango Melody, Smoky Slate, Pecan Pie, Pretty in Pink, Lost Lagoon, Granny Apple Green, Timid Tiger

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals
• Adhesive Sheets 

Well what do you think.  Is this a card you would send to a dog loving friend?  Were you still able to capture the feel of the original sketch in my card.  I'm hoping you were.  If you liked my rendition, or if you want more information about how it came together, don't hesitate to drop me a comment.  I love your feedback.  

Before I go, here are a few more cards made with the Cutest Crew and Pet Love stamp sets:

Until next time..................

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Masculine Sailing Birthday Card

Hi and welcome to my blog.  Although this has been a busy week, I've managed to have two fun get togethers with my stamping besties, which really gave my creativity and fun threshold a boost!  

Today Sheri joined me for a few hours of creativity and we both worked on this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #673.

Here's My Card:

There are two wave dies in the Sunrise Sailing Die set.  I cut a strip measuring 1" x 6" of Summer Splash cardstock and cut a strip to use on the inside of the card. 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Sunrise Sailing stamps and dies
• SU Stylish Shape Dies for sentiment layer #165491

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic White for card base, scored at 4 1/4"
• 3 7/8" x 5" Basic White for inside matte
• 2/38" x 2 3/8" for square matte for card front 
• Scraps Basic white for Sailboat and sentiment layer
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" in Summer Splash for matte on card front 
• 5 1/4" x 4" Summer Splash for matte on inside of card
• 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" Summer Splash for square matte on card front 
• 1" x 6" strip of Summer Splash for wave on inside of card. 
• 2 1/2" x 5 1/4" piece of cloud design dsp from Beach Boardwalk DSP #166820 for top matte on card front.
• 2 1/2" x 5 1/4" piece of dsp that looked like waves from Beach Boardwalk DSP from bottom portion of the card front. Emboss this piece with the bottom portion of Sunrise Sailing Embossing Folder to give wave texture. 

Ink:

• Secret Sea for sailboat outline, seagulls, and sentiments
• Summer Splash for the sails on the boat
• Pecan Pie for the sailboat base

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Sunrise Sailing Hybrid Embossing Folder 

The papers in the Beach Boardwalk DSP collection were perfect for creating both the sunrise effect as well as the waves. The soft pastel colour mix works so well when combining the sky and ocean papers.  

I realized when I took the picture of my  card that I hadn't handled the white space on the sails to make it look like the background.  There are two ways to do this.  The first would be to use either fine-tipped scissors or an exacto knife (my choice) to cut out the white space between the mast and the sail.  The second way to deal with it would be to stamp the sailboat on a scrap of the coloured background paper and cut out the portion of the sail and glue this piece over top of the corresponding space on the original stamped sail.  Either way works. 

Thanks again for for dropping by and checking out the latest challenge card on my blog.  Please let me know your thoughts on this card, I'd love to hear from you. 

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

UPDATE:  I'm delighted to say the design team at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge chose my card along with ones from Marie Flayer and Valerie Kay as the Top Three from  Challenge #673!  What a delight to receive that recognition.  

St. Patty's Day Masculine thday Card

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  

Recently, I was asked to create a birthday card for someone whose birthday is on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. I was happy to help, but I wasn't sure what to make, as I have limited stamps and images for this special day.

I searched Pinterest for ideas and came across one that I knew I could make since I had the Handsomely Suited die set and other materials on hand. I'd like to give credit to Heejung Hunsberger of H Made Boutique for her wonderful card.  Here is her card:

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies: 

• Handsomely Suited Stamps and Dies Dies (R) 
• Button Die from Sizzix (R) 
• Smallest Stitched Heart for Shamrocks Cut 4 
• Leaf with stem for Shamrock stalk die cut in golf foil
• Note - I stamped birthday sentiments in the card I made for the birthday but for my card sample I have left it blank in hopes of finding a St. Paddy's Day stamp. 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White cardbase 4 1/4 x 11 Scored at 5 1/2" for base and 2 3/4" on short side for easel card prop.
• Basic White 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" for  shirt layer and additional pieces for collar, buttons and button placket
• Suit front layer 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Call me Clover (R).  I die cut the V from this piece. Small scraps for two pockets and stitched layer for pockets. 
• Lapels were cut from a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Shaded Spruce.  The tie was stamped and die cut from Shaded Spruce along with 3 small and one larger button for inside vest and suit jacket closure, and stitched layer on pockets.
• 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of white and green designer paper for vest
  
• Scraps  of Gold Foil for 4 shamrocks and gold coins 
• 3/4" circle of Window Sheet for shamrock backing. 

Ink:

• Shaded Spruce 

Accessories: 

• Lacy Embossing folder for gold coins (I layed each of the six circles I cut out over an embossed flower center and then embossed them.  I cut the circles in half so I had more coins to stuff in each pocket. 
• Dimensionals 
• 3/4" circle punch for gold coins 

Never give up when you're making a card or doing a scrapbook page.  If you don't have the perfect stamps or dies think about what  you do have and try to improvise. Look for other ideas and see if there is a different way to complete your project, and have fun doing it!

Thanks you for visiting my blog and I hope this card makes you smile or inspires you to create one of your own. Let me know if you celebrate St. Patty's Day and if so how.   Any suggestions for some irish sentiments that could be used with my easel card.   

Happy Stamping!
Penny Token's Stampin' Spot 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop