Masculine Birthday - Fishing AHSC#691

 

My morning started off wonderfully when I saw that my entry for last week's challenge was selected as one of the Top 3. That truly made me happy. Congratulations also go to Birgit for her amazing baby card that I would love to CASE, and to Patti from PS Paper Crafts for her impressive masculine card. I really admired both of their creations.

Now, the AHSC challenge is underway from today until Sunday, July 26th. If you want to join in or simply want to view the Design Team and participants' cards for AHSC #691, click on the link. Exciting!

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Gone Fishing #161535(R) Stamps - Lures and water
• Perennial Postage #161607 - white postage stamp pieces - cut four
• Rolling Waves - sentiments "Happy Birthday"and "Hoping your Day is Perfect"
• Best Catch #148598 - Fisherman and Hat
• Delightful Wishes Die #164707 - sentiment layer 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White 
• 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 Basic White cardbase scored at 4 1/4"
• 5 x 3 3/4" matte for inside card 
• Postage stamp pieces cut 4 from scrap
• Misty Moonlight 
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" matte for front layer
• 5 1/4" x 4" matte for inside layer 
• 1 1/2" x 2 3/8" rectangles to matte postage stamp layers cut four 
• Designer Papers: 
• Let's Go Fishing DSP # 161534 4 x 5 1/4" waves for front matte, ephemera
• Waterside Retreat DSP #167920 - fish ephemera 

Ink:

• Misty Moonlight
• Real Red
• Pecan Pie blend
• Cajun Craze
• Wink of Stella for fish

Accessories:

• Brass Dragonflies - Stampin' Up!
• Dimensionals 

Thanks for dropping by my blog today and checking out my sketch submission.  I hope you found it inspiring and that you want to try out this sketch yourself.  Let me know if you're starting to play along with these sketch challenges,  I'd love to know.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Love Birds Anniversary Card #AHSC690

What a busy weekend.  We had our annual summer garage sale at our housing complex and the whole week was taken up with prepping.  I intended to hold my sale on my driveway, but woke up to heavy rain for the day, so had to go to plan B and hold it in my garage.  All in all a good day, but I was too tired to  finish my card for the sketch challenge.  

Here's this week's fun sketch from the Design Team at Atlantic Heart's Sketch Challenge site.  There's lots going on in this sketch, so if you're unsure how to approach it, make sure you take  a look at the AHSC Design Team's card samples.  They're super inspiring and fun! 

Here's My Card:

Since I seem to constantly need anniversary cards, I decided to create one using a designer paper called Flight and Airy that was part of a Sale-A-Bration release in 2021. This great sketch from AHSC allowed me to showcase the papers, mattes and focal piece in a unique way. 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Cheers & Sips (R) #165588 -sentiment It's Your Day
• Sunset Coastal # 167775 - sentiments Happy Anniversary and Wishing you a Lifetime of Joy
• Stylish Shapes Dies #159183

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper (DSP):

• Cardbase Bubble Bath 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scraps for three 11/4" x 1 1/4" squares, 1 3/4" circle and 1 3/8" x 7/8" rectangle for sentiment matte. 
• Boho Blue (R) matte for front 4" x 5 1/4", inside matte 5 3/8" x 4 1/8", and three 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" squares for dsp. 
• Scraps of Whisper White for circle and tag on card front, 3 3/4" x 5" matte for inside card. 
• Flight and Airy Designer Paper, 6 1" x 1" squares, birds and flowers from DSP for decoration. A piece of dsp measuring 3 3/4 x 5" was flipped to Pecan Pie design side to provide some contrast between the Boho Blue and Bubble Bath cardstocks.   

Ink:

• Misty Moonlight 
• Bubble Bath (for decorative mask design on white stitched circle). 

Accessories:  

• Basic Pattern Decorative Mask 2020/21
• Sequins:  Pinks self adhesive sequins

I'm not really into a lot of fiddling and I have to be honest with layering the squares, measuring their distance when mounting and adding pieces of ephemera, I found this card quite fiddly.  That being said it was worth it to see the finished card.  

Thanks for checking out my rendition of this challenge and I hope you were able to play along this week.  It's such a cool 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 

Baking Encouragement AHSC #689

Hello and welcome to my blog for this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #689.  This sketch was designed by Michelle and digitalized by Brandi.  Here's their sketch: 

I would love to have you join in so f you want to play along visit their website and read the rules.  They're pretty simple.  The challenge is open from July 7th to July 12th, 2026.  

Here's My Card:

This was a fun and easy card to make.  I decided to go with squares rather than rectangles, and initially was going to make a slim line card, however changed to a standard A2 size.  

I created this card for one of my amazing neighbours, who is consistently thankful and kind. She frequently bakes creatively and often stops by with delicious treats. Her goodies are always tasty and seem to come just when they’re most appreciated. I believe she should consider a side business with her baking because it’s truly excellent! Cheers to you, V!

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• More than Autumn #164228 stamps and #164075 dies

Cardstock and  Designer Papers:

• Basic White Cardstock for base -81/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White matte for inside 5" x 3 3/4" 
• Pecan Pie matte cut two 5 1/4" x 4" 
• DSP -Painted Illusions PoM 5" x 3 3/4" 

Ink:

• Stampin' Up! Blends: 
• Pecan Pie
• Strawberry Slush
• Timid Tiger
• Pretty in Pink
• Flirty Flamingo 
• Momento Black Ink

Accessories:  

• Nuvo Drops (brings a beautiful glaze to the donut icing)
• Neutrals Adhesive Backed Sequins - Copper
• Dimensionals
• "I AM"  Simple Stories - sentiment sticker 

I hope you liked my interpretation of this week's sketch. Thank you for spending some time on my blog, and I would be grateful if you could leave a comment. It really helps to understand whether people enjoy my work and if it encourages or inspires others to create. Until we meet again...

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to shop in my 24/7 Online Shop 

A Wild Bunch Birthday Greeting AHSC #688

 Here is the inspiration sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge  this week:

Here's My Card:

Do you like making cards with arches?  I really do, so this sketch was instantly appealing to me.  I don't know what the "arch"attraction is, but no matter theme or colour combination is, I just find arches to be the perfect focal. Here's my rendition of the sketch using the Wild Bunch stamp set:

The "Wild Bunch" stamp set was the product of the month of June 2026.  If you wanted it which I did, you had to act fast as once it was sold out it was gone, and that's exactly what happened.  This is my first attempt at playing with colouring the cute little characters in this photopolymer stamp set.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Wild Bunch #167987 (pom) - cows
• On the Farm #160652 (R) - grass and sentiment 
• Stylish Stitched Shapes dies - sentiment label
• Everyday Arches dies #154623
• Detailed Flora Dies #168664 - June 2026 Paper Pumpkin Add On

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• 8 1/5" x 5 1/2" Basic White Card Base
• 4" x 5 1/4" Basic White matte for inside card and small scrap for sentiment on cover, floral die cut flowers and three cows.  
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" matte for card front and 4 x 51/4" matte for inside from Bashful Blue.
• DSP - "Rain or Shine" from Stampin' Up! for top layer - 4" x 5 1/4" - note arch is cut from the center and  the reverse side of the paper is used.  Cut small strip 1" x 4" for the inside layer of the card. 
• 1" x 4" Pear Pizzazz strip which is stamped with grass image from On the Farm.
• Scraps of Old Olive for the leaves.  

Ink and Blends:

• Secret Sea ink pad for sentiment 
• Blends:  Mango Melody, Petal Pink, Copper Clay, Pecan Pie, Colour Lifter, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede.

Accessories:

• Dimensionals 
• Sequins
• Mini Glue Dots for the flowers

I really liked the meadow and sky designer series paper I used for the arch and top layer of the card. The daisy field seemed a perfect place for these three cow images to gather.   I added some additional texture by stamping both the Pear Pizzazz strip of cardstock across the middle of the card and the pasture with a grass image stamp.  

Additional flowers were cut from basic white card stock using the Detailed Flora dies and the petals were coloured with Mango Melody and Copper Clay blending brushes.  The leaves were cut from Old Olive cardstock.  

I hope you've enjoyed this card and I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my  24/7 Online Shop 

Soccer Birthday Card - Match Day!

Despite Team Canada losing 2-1 to Switzerland this past Wednesday, they remain in the competition. Sadly, even though Canada is a co-host of the FIFA tournament, no more World Cup matches will be played in this country.

Yesterday, the Canadian team faced off against South Africa in a knockout round held in Los Angeles California, This was an intense match running into overtime after 90 minutes of play. Canada came up with a 1-0 victory clinching their place in the next round. I'm very proud to be Canadian and to support our team! Go Team Canada!

Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenge #687

So speaking of next matches, I actually missed posting my card that was inspired by our Team Canada  to the AHSC #687.  Yesterday while the game was happening I was a vendor at the RR Country Lane garage sale in Cloverdale with three of my stamping besties and team members.  We had a wonderful day with lots of camaraderie, great sales and despite the iffy weather, a great customer  turnout.  

My intention was to post the pictures of my cards to the AHSC website when I got home however I was so zonked out from the day and the drive home, I missed the 3pm deadline for posting.   

A big thank you to Maggie the owner of Country Lane who hosts this event annually in June and August.  Thanks also to Rachel, Sheri and Ethel, for flanking my table and having so many laughs and such a good time. You're the best! 

This is one of the best paper crafting events in the Valley, well attended and a pleasure to participate in.  Support your Local shops and venues! 

Here's My Card:

Okay so back to my sports themed card and AHSC #687, that wasn't posted to their web site in time for the challenge:   

I took these pictures during the garage sale as I didn't have an opportunity to do so before leaving home.  I need a proper light box so I can take pictures in the evening, as I can never get the lighting right, and rely on taking pictures in the daylight or outside.  

This is the inside of my masculine birthday card. I love the Echo Park sentiment sticker accent against the black card stock base.  it really helps carry the theme from the card front to the inside of the card.  

How I Made It: 

I started with  a 4 1/4" x 11" Basic Black cardstock that I scored at 5 1/2.  I added a Basic White matte that measured 4" x 5 1/4" followed by a Granny Apple Green DSP matte from the "A Wonderful Match" DSP by Stampin' Up!.

The focal for this card has two squares and a sentiment.  The base squares in Basic Black and Granny Apple Green measures 2 1/8" x 2 1/8" and are topped with DSP squares measuring 1 7/8" x 1 7/8".

I added a sentiment sticker accent from an Echo Park kit called GOAL and some black foam stars.  

So while this didn't get posted to AHSC this week, it's still a win as I have another masculine card in my birthday stash and I shared it with you.  I hope you enjoyed this masculine birthday card. 

Thanks for dropping by.  See you 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 

Happiest of Birthdays

This week's sketch at  Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #686 calls for a large sentiment as the focal.  This was a bit of a challenge for me since I don't have a lot of large sentiments, however I decided on a retired Stampin' Up! set called "Happiest of Birthdays" that was perfect. 

HERE'S MY CARD: 

I likely haven't used the Happiest of Birthdays stamp set for five or six years, but I recall purchasing it because of the big birthday messages and the font styles. I really liked it back then, and I believe I've come to appreciate it once more. Thanks to AHSC for this challenge!

I used Secret Sea ink from Stampin' Up! to stamp the sentiments; it’s a very dark blue shade that falls between Night of Navy and Black. I was quite pleased with the richness it added to the sentiments both inside and outside the card.

I came across a 3 1/2" x 5" piece of ephemera cardstock featuring beautiful flowers that matched the first matte on the card front. Initially, I planned to cut out and matte the sentiment on a square or another shape for the focal point, but I managed to stamp the sentiment between the two floral designs instead. Since it appeared a bit flat, I searched the ephemera pack for coordinating flowers and attached them with dimensionals at each corner. I completed this layer by adding some soft pink sequins.

For the inside of the card I chose an image of a cake slice and a strip of pink gingham DSP from the Wildflower Birthday paper pack to glam up the inside of the card.  I used the sentiment "It's Your Day! Enjoy" from the Happiest of Birthdays" stamp set.  

SUPPLIES AND INSTRUCTIONS:

Stamps and Dies:

• Happiest of Birthdays #152539 SU (R)

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Basic White cardbase 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White matte for inside 3 3/4" x 5"
• Pretty in Pink matte 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" for front
• 5 1/4" x 4" matte for inside of card
• Brocade Blue matte 3 5/8" x 5 1/8" for front 
• Wildflower Birthday Designer Paper (DSP) 
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for card front 
• 5" x 3 1/2" Ephemera Matte for front
• 3/8" x 5" strip for inside card 
• Ephemera Birthday Cake and flowers 

Inks:

• Secret Sea ink

Accessories:

• Dimensionals 
• Soft Pink Iridescent Sequins

Once I selected the large sentiment and the designer paper I wanted to use, this card came together quite quickly. The mattes' dimensions aren't standard due to the ephemera piece I picked as the focal point. When that happens, you just need to adjust your sizing.

Thank you for stopping by to view my entry for this week's sketch challenge at Atlantic Hearts. I hope you liked my interpretation. I’m sure I’ll be using these sentiments again and was glad to rediscover them in my collection. 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

Christmas in June? Oh My!

My finished rendition of the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #685 turned out totally different from where I started out.  Originally I planned to make a card with a floral design or grouping of animals.  But somewhere along the way I took a detour and finished this challenge with my first Christmas card for the season. A little early, I know, but I think it's a worthwhile starter.  When do you start making Christmas cards for your stash? I'd love to hear about your plans. In the meantime, here's the sketch:  

Here's  My Card:

While searching for the "right" designer paper, I opened a paper bin and right near the top was a 5 1/4" x 4 piece of red, beige and white striped designer paper.   It was sitting there all on it's own, and practically screaming at me to pick it up and use it for my card.  So what was I supposed to do?  I took the hint and here's what I came up with for this challenge: 

Instead of flowers I chose a well loved retired stamp set called Family and Friends for the focal point on this card.  I didn't include a bow in the bottom left hand corner as it just didn't look right.  The family and the trees have some dimension.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Family and Friends SU#159779 (R) 
• Christmas Gleaming SU#150464 (R)

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic White cardstock for card base scored at 4 1/4"
  
• 5" x 3 7/8" piece of Basic White for inside matte and a scrap for stamping the family and sentiment.
• 5 1/4" x 4 Striped SU designer paper for the first matte
• 4 7/8" x 3 5/8" Real Red matte
  
• 4 3/4" x 3 1/2" piece of cardstock from the  October 2023 Paper Pumpkin kit called "Home for the Holidays".  The card stock had a beautiful image of trees, snow and starry sky.  
• I added two ephemera trees from the kit elevated with cardstock instead of Dimensionals were added.
• I stamped the family image on the illustrated matte and then stamped it again on Basic White Cardstock and fussy cut out the whole image. Before colouring and attaching it with dimensionals. 

Note:  To achieve the dimension with the family I began by stamping and colouring the image directly onto the cardstock.  I then stamped and coloured it again on a scrap of Basic White and fussy cut the whole image.  I used a light Mint Macaroon Stamping Blend and coloured all the remaining card stock around the edges of the cutout.  Small mini dimensionals were used to adhere the cut image on top of the stamped image on the card matte.  

To give dimension to the two trees that were added and the sentiment I cut small strips of card stock and adhered them behind the image before gluing them to the matte.  They don't stand out as high as when you use dimensionals, however it adds a bit of texture. 

Ink and Blends:

• Memento Black Ink for Stamped Family image. 
• Stampin Blends light and dark :  Blueberry Bushell, Memento Black Ink, Pool Party, Mint Macaroon, Sweet Sorbet, Boho Blue, Granny Apple Green, SU600, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede.  

Accessories:

• Dimensionals
• Crystal Stickles on the trees to add some sparkle. 

Thanks for dropping by my blog and checking out my challenge card for this week.  Is it too early to be starting to thing of Christmas?  What do you think? 

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop

Aviator Birthday Masculine Card FMS#739

This week's Freshly Made Sketch #739 features three circles for the focal point, but these images could be just as easily be blocks, triangles, or other images.  That's the beauty of doing a sketch challenge.  I hope you'll join me and play along this week.  Check out the design team and participants samples.  There's such a variety of styles.  Here's the sketch: 

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Perennial Birthday #145757 - Happy Birthday 
• A Good Man # 149270 - It's Your Day stamp
• See You Later #133533 Birthday Sentiment for inside card 
• Stitched Circle Dies for focal circles  

Card stock and Designer Papers:

• Smokey Slate card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 14" with top fold
• Smokey Slate scraps for 1 34" circles for focal 
• Cut two Basic White mattes measuring 5 1/4" x 4" for front and inside panels
• Mossey Meadow scraps for focal 
• Take to the Sky DSP #163436 for 2" x 5 1/4" for front and 1" by 5 1/4" for inside of card. 

Ink:

• Mossey Meadow
• Smokey Slate 

Accessories:

• Dimensionals 
• Silver Sticky Strip lines for card front

I hope you enjoyed my challenge card this week.  Let me know if you played along.  That would be so exciting and I'd love to see your card.  

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

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demonstrator since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop