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.  

Special Delivery Paper Pumpkin Kit Alternative using AHSC672

Feminine Birthday Card Using AHSC #672 

In March and  October each year I have so many friends and family celebrating birthdays, that I'm always in production making different cards and getting them ready for mailout.  This past week was no different and I found the sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge helpful in creating a feminine birthday card for a wonderful stamping friend.  Here's the sketch: 

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies: 

• Special Delivery stamp set Paper Pumpkin kit January 2026
• Unbounded Love circle  and 2 piece framelit die #163378
• Impressions Abloom #165605 small florals 

Cardstock and DSP: 

• Special Delivery Paper Pumpkin Kit January 2026 for card base * 1/2 x 5 1/2 scored at 4 1/4",  and ephemera pictures.
• Balmy Blue - 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 matte and 4" x 5 1/4" for inside 
• Basic White 4" x 5 1/4" matte for card front and 3 3/4" x 5" for inside matte

Ink: 

• Mossy Meadow - Sending Love stamp on front 
• Poppy Parade for circle on inside 

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Basic Rhinestones x 6 for flower centers
• Floral Ephemera Paper Pumpkin kit 
• Embossing Folder 
• All in a Row Embossing Folder #166989

It was fun using the elements from the January Paper Pumpkin in this card.  I've been procrastinating about creating with that kit, and now I'm ready to do more. Sometimes you just need a gentle nudge to get the creative juices flowing and to pick up and try new things.  

I hope you like this card and will drop me a comment before you go.  I always like to hear your views on what works and what you liked most about the card.  Don't forget to drop by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge blog.  Both the design team and participants have posted beautiful examples of how to create with this sketch.  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 

Congratulations - Heather - AHSC #669

Hi everyone.  My apologies for being MIA the past two weeks.  Life takes over and there's not always time for the things we love.  So this week I'm trying to get my mojo back in action and participate in this week's challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge , which was created by Michelle and digitized by Brandi.

Here's My Card: 

This card is dedicated to my sister Heather, who set a goal last year to reduce her weight and get healthy.  She joined TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) a year ago, and has enjoyed the support and encouragement she received from her local group. Last week she achieved her goal and received her certificate. What exciting news! I'm so proud of her for sticking to it and reaching for the stars.  Here is my congratulations card to her.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Art Gallery #158201 (R) - Congratulations
• Celebrate Sunflowers #152517 (R) - Let's Celebrate You
• Match Day Dies - Trophy #167522 Online Exclusive Feb 2026

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• DSP - Blue Florals - 167970 - 4 Patterned Strips 1/2" x 5 1/4"
• Boho Blue Cardstock 3/4" x 3" - 4 strips 
• Boho Blue Matte - 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and 5 1/4" x 4" (inside) 
• Basic White card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White 3 7/8" x 5" - cut two 

Ink:

• Night of Navy

Accessories: 

• Wonderful Stars Puffy Stickers #167526 Online Exclusive

For me this is a really clean and simple card, and I think it properly suits the occasion.  Hope you like my take on this week's sketch and I would love to have some feedback.  Send me some love!  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demonstrator since 2006 

Click here to Visit My 24/7 Online Shop 

Love You Valentines - AHSC # 665

This week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #665 was designed by Michelle and digitalized by Brandi.  The challenge began on January 19th and runs until the afternoon on Sunday January 25th.

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• PP Jan 2025 Hearts For You
• Banner Dies #132173 (R)
• Stitched Hearts Non-SU 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" base scored at 4 1/4" 
• Inside Matte 5 1/4" x 4"
• Scraps for heart and sentiment
• Real Red cut two 5 3/8" x 4 18" for front and inside mattes
  
• DSP Most Adored (retired)
• 5 1/4 x 4" front matte gold and white plaid
• 1" x 5 3/8" strip on front red with white hearts
• 3" x 4" Pink hearts banner 

Ink:

• Real Red

Accessories:  

• Sequins Gold Pastel self adhesive
• Dimensionals

I enjoyed this sketch and had fun adding my personal touch to it.  I'd appreciate your comments on my version so I have some feedback on how I'm doing.   Let me know what type of cards you have difficulty doing or which type of cards are the ones you need the most.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Click here to  see how you can earn coupons for February 

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Sweeter With You Second Eight and AHSC #640

It's been a busy time with two back- to-back garage sales held on the past weekend.  Our complex held a community garage sale on Saturday July 26th and I really worked hard getting ready for this event.  I was hoping for a good turnout, but although we had beautiful weather hardly any buyers showed up.  Thankfully I sold my sewing machine and a few odds and sods.  

The next day however was awesome!  I was a vendor at my favourite garage sale held in Cloverdale.  The RRR Craft parking lot sale is held every June and July and I was very fortunate to have a table at both events this year.  A big shout to Maggie owner of Country Lane Crafts for hosting and organizing this event.  To the hundreds of great folks who showed up thanks so much, you made my day!  

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge: 

Moving on to card making, here's this week's sketch from Atlantic Hearts which was very timely and inspiring as I was still using scraps from the July Paper Pumpkin kit.  This sketch checked all the boxes for me.   

Here is My Card:  

I really enjoyed making this card using paper strips from the retired Berry Delightful designer series.  The Dotted Circles embossing on the Pool Party matte really added some great texture to the card front.  

Supplies: 

Stamps and Dies: 

• Sweeter With You Stamps Paper Pumpkin July 2025
• Scalloped Circle Punch (R) Stampin' Up

Card Stock and DSP: 

• Whisper White 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"  scored at 4 1/4"
• Matte for inside 3 3/4" x 5"
• Pool Party 3 3/4" x 5" embossed with Dotted Circles 
• Granny Apple Green cardstock 4" x 5 1/4" 
• Garden Green cardstock strip  1/4" x 5 1/4" (insided)
• DSP from Berry Delightful (R) 1 1/4" x 5 1/4" strips x 3 
• Strawberry from Sweeter With You Paper Pumpkin kit

Ink: 

• Strawberry Slush
• Garden Green

Accessories: 

• Dotted Circles 3D Embossing Folder 
• Opaque Faceted Gems Pool Party 
• Dimensionals

"Sweeter With You" Additional Alternate  Paper Pumpkin kit cards"

I made an additional eight alternate cards with the "Sweeter With You" July 2025 Paper Pumpkin kit since my last post including my card for the Atlantic Hearts sketch challenge.  Enjoy!

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Card  Nine: 

There were only three strawberry baskets included in the PP kit, so I made extras by tracing the original image and then colouring them with a Pool Party Pencil crayon around the edges.  I think it turned out pretty good.  

Card Ten:

I added some real red grosgrain ribbon that's been kicking around in my ribbon bin for some time to this card front.  The mattes are Poppy Parade and Garden Green and I matted the saying from the Paper Pumpkin kit on to a scrap of Garden Green and then cut around the image.  I really like how that popped out the sentiment.  

For the inside of the card I once again used some leftover strips of Garden Green and a 1" x 5 1/4" piece of DSP from the Berry Delightful paper pack. 

Card Eleven:

I loved the way this card came together.  I layered two of the Contour Dies (R) nesting rectangles to make the focal point along with some strawberries and flower ephemera from the kit and a sweet little sentiment strip.  The background dsp from the Berry Delightful papers is simply stunning and really brings this card to life. 

Tip:  Before gluing your mattes to your card base, punch or die cut shapes from the cardstock centers. By cutting away card material from the matte before it's adhered to the card you reduce the density and the weight and you wind up with lots of shapes to use for future mattes or focals.

Card Twelve:

This card again features layered Contour Die rectangles that were cut from other mattes.  Having a selection of these on hand really cuts down on the guesswork when you're making cards. 

Card Thirteen:

 

I used scraps of the Berry Delightful DSP to make the layered patchwork for the center focal on this card.  I also added some Poppy Parade designer paper that was in my stash for a layer.  

Card Fourteen:

Card Fifteen:

Don't underestimate the power of a strip of designer paper.  By adding three paper strips to the garden green matte I was able to add some additional interest.  I've also used a strip of grosgrain ribbon across the center of the card.  

Don't forget the inside of our cards.  I love how these stamped strawberries pop off the white matte. 

 

Card Sixteen:  

And the final card is the one I made for the AHSC.  Thanks for dropping by and visiting my blog.  As always, I hope you enjoyed this post and if so will leave me some words of encouragement.  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 

Berry Festival Time - AHSC #638

Abbotsford where I live, is well known for it's large number of berry farms.  While the crops include include strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, it's probably best known for raspberries as you can see from this huge traffic circle statue on Clearbrook Road. 

This past weekend was the 42nd annual Berry Festival held in historic downtown Abbotsford.  This is such a family-friendly event with a huge summer street party that has lots of fresh local berries, carnival rides, pie baking contests, live entertainment and all kinds of tasty treats and activities.  

With berries on my mind, when I saw this week's sketch#638 on the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge site, I thought of the Berry Delightful paper pack  I've been holding on to in my stash.  So, I was very excited to make some cards with this sketch.  

Here Are My Cards:

Did I mention I was excited?  I loved everything about this sketch and because it was so easy to work with, I wound up making not one but five cards using it as my template and inspiration.  What fun! Here's what I made:  

Card #1 - cover and inside view

Card #2 - cover and inside is similar to Card #1

Card #3 - cover and inside view

Card #4 - cover and inside view is the same as card #3

Card #5 - cover and inside view 

Here are some of the reasons why I was able to make five cards within an hour: 

1.  Pre-cut mattes and Designer Paper:  I already had an assortment of mattes and dsp on hand so only had to make some minor cutting adjustments and I was ready to lay them down.  

2.  Pre-cut bases and inside mattes.  

3.  Pre-made sentiment focals.  If you have all your stamps and inks out when you're playing with a card design it's really easy to make some extra focals and have them on hand.  In this case I had about fourteen different focal images already made from the last time I played with these stamps and papers.  

Supplies:

Stamps & Dies:

• Sweet Strawberry (R)
• Berry Blessings (R) 
• Variety of stitched circles, squares and ovals for sentiments

Cardstock and DSP:

• Real Red
• Blueberry Bushel
• Shaded Spruce
• Old Olive
• Garden Green 

• Card Bases - Whisper White cardstock was used for all card bases and inside panels.  Measurements:
• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" for card base
• 3 3/4" x  5" for inside mats
• variety of scraps for sentiments
• Mattes:
• All cards had a front base matte that measures 5 1/4" x 4" followed by a DSP matte that measures 5" x 3 3/4"
• I varied height of the DSP used for the center matte from 2" to 1 1/4" but the width was always the same as the DSP width - 5".
• The card stock matte under the DSP was based on the size of the DSP and in a couple of the cards I just used 3/8" x 5" strips and glued the DSP to these
• The gold highlight strips are a non-SU product and are self-adhesive gold metallic lines that vary in width.  See accessories. 

Ink and Blends:

• Real Red
• Blueberry Bushel
• Shaded Spruce
• Old Olive
• Garden Green 

Accessories:

• DSP
• Dimensionals 
• Rhinestones and a variety of retired Stampin' Up! gems 
• Lines - 

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this week's cards.  I hope you liked my rendition and that I was able to make a variety of cards using the same theme and sketch.  Let me know if you have a favourite out of the five cards.  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