Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #662

 It's time for Atlantic Hearts first sketch challenge of 2026  digitalized by Michelle.  

Here's My Card:

I decided to make a feminine birthday card using the AHSC sketch.  

The inspiration for this card came from a package of ephemera called Easter Time Mix and Match Ephemera which will be available in the new January to April Stampin' Up! catalogue on January 6th, 2026.  The precut images feature beautiful subtle colours and I was really drawn to the combination of purples and yellow in the floral designs.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• "Wishing You" is from an old Stampin' Up! birthday stamp set, that I can't locate the name for.
• "Happy Birthday" from Perennial Birthday 
• Impressions Abloom Dies for ovals

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic White for card base
• 3 x 4" Basic White for Oval 
• 5" x 3 3/4" Basic White for inside mat 
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" Daffodil Delight for front mat and 5 1/4"x 4" for inside mat
• Oval stitched frame cut from 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" Daffodil Delight 
• 5 1/4" x 4" Highland Heather embossed with Sequin embossing folder for front mat

Ink:

• Gorgeous Grape

Accessories:

• Easter Time Mix and Match Ephemera Pack #166984
• Shiny Self-Adhesive Lemon Lolly Sequins 
• Sequin retired SU Embossing folder 

Thanks for visiting my blog and checking out this sketch challenge.  I try to complete these sketch challenges on a weekly basis, so why not start the New Year off by following along and adding your own rendition.  The linky for this challenge ends on January 4th, 2026.  

HAPPY STAMPING

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Wildflower Birthday card and FMS#717

 Freshly Made Sketches #717

This is the final sketch for Freshly Made Sketches for 2025.  Narelle is the host made a beautiful card using these sketch elements, so make sure you check it out on her blog.  

Since it's Christmas time and everyone is so busy, the Design Team at Freshly Made Sketches are taking a break.  So that's the reason this sketch which would normally run for a week has been running since December 17th and will carry through to January 5th, 2026.  The sketch prince and princess notables will be announced on January 6th and then everything will return to normal with the first sketch challenge for 2026  

Why not add "sketch challenges" to your list of New Year's resolutions for 2026, and start a weekly habit of joining in. And while you're at it, there's still time to play along with Sketch 717.

Here's My Card: 

I don't know about you, but at this time of the year, I'm looking for something new to make, and I'm not wanting to make any more Christmas cards.  When I looked at the FMS sketch I thought it would be a perfect layout for a feminine birthday card, so I decided to let some new designer paper and ephemera I'd purchased, influence the card design. Here's what I came up with: 

The paper I used is called Wildflower Birthday.  I'd admired this papers soft feminine contrasts and designs since it first came out, but couldn't justify getting another birthday DSP until it recently went on sale in the Last Chance products listing.  I was also interested in buying the coordinating dies called Birthday Celebration and got them for half price along with the paper.  

For my card I added some pieces of ephemera from the Wildflower Birthday DSP instead of stamping images.  There were two sheets of ephemera included with the paper, so it was fun trying different pieces to see what would work and what wouldn't while developing my card.

I also tried out a new to me fancy fold that is great for using up paper, for the inside of the card. I have no idea what this fold or design is called, however it involves putting a 10 1/2" x 4" piece of DSP that's scored at 5 1/4" on the inside of the card and then adding a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of neutral cardstock for writing your message on that is adhered to the inside of the DSP.

I added quite a few self-adhesive sequins to the front of the card to add a festive look.  The tag for the sentiment is from another new to me die set that I bought off the Last Chance List called Tags To Go.  Love, love love this tag die for it's shape and simplicity.  I know I'll be using this die set often in the future. 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Tags To Go #165576 sentiment tag
• Round We Go #163724 - sentiment

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Wildfire Birthday 12 x 12 DSP #164591 
• 10 1/2 x 4" scored at 5 1/4" for inside fold 
• 5 1/4" x 4" matte on card front 
• 2" x 1 1/2 inch stripped piece for rectangle 
• Soft Seafoam Cardstock Matte 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front matte
• Basic White 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" for card base; two 2" x 1 1/2" scraps for sentiment tag and for 2" x 1 1/2" layer 

Inks and Blends:

• Blueberry Bushel for sentiments 

Accessories: 

• Ephemera from Wildflowers Birthday 12 x 12 paper pack
• Purple Adhesive Sequins 
• Dimensionals
• Glue 

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you'll return again.  If you liked this card or know the name of the DSP panel I used inside the card let me know, I'd be happy 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

Cozy Christmas Paper Pumpkin Alternative

Hi everyone and welcome back.  After recently returning from holidays, I've been wanting to create a few more Christmas cards to have on hand.  

I decided to interpret the clean and simple sketch from  Freshly Made Sketches #715. Michelle F. is the sketch designer and she says although this sketch would work well as a wreath, the circle is open to interpretation. With that, I changed my interpretation of the circle to a classic Christmas ornament.  Hope you like it. 

Here's My Card: 

I had a few supplies left from my October Paper Pumpkin kit called Cozy Christmas so I made an alternative card using them.  For the matte layer I cut an envelope from the kit in half and cut a 5 1/4" x 4" matte.  The sentiment "Deck the Halls" is from the Greetings For You Mix and Match ephemera pack #166208.  The beautiful red self-adhesive sequins are from the Cozy Christmas kit.  

The inside has a 5 1/4" x 4" real red cardstock matte layer and a basic white layer that measures 5" x 3 3/4"  The sentiment is stamped in Real Red ink and is from a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set called More Merry Wishes.  I added some Garden Green star images using a stamp from the coordinating Cozy Christmas stamp set.  

Well that's it for today's card.  I want to thank you for stopping by and checking it out.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my online shop 

North Pole Delivery Slimline - AHSC #654

 The Atlantic Hearts Challenge this week is a slimline card.  I don't often make slimlines because I always wind up having to make a coordinating envelope which takes time. Here's the sketch challenge.  I hope you'll join in.  

Here's My Card:

I actually made two cards, one with green sequins and the other with the red and white peppermint dots.  Let me know which one you like more.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Traditional Labels #165854 stamps (sentiment on front) 
• Branching Out Dies #165771 - Labels on front 

Cardstock and DSP:

• Basic White slimline card base 8" x 4" 
• Inside Basic White matte 3 3/4" x 7 3/4" and scrap for label 
• Real Red front matte 7 7/8" x 3 7/8" and inside matte 3 7/8" x 7 3/8" and scrap for label
  
• North Pole Delivery 12 x 12 DSP cut to 3 5/8" x 7 5/8"

Inks and Blends:

• Real Red 

Accessories:   

• Dimensionals
• Real Red & White Peppermint self-adhesive dots #164050
• Traditional Sparkling Sequins self-adhesive #165875 - green 
• Ephemera from North Pole Delivery DSP 

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at this week's sketch challenge.  I hope something about it encourages you to play along. Sketch challenges are not only fun and a productive way to  make cards, but they also encourage you to try new things.  What fun!  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 

Words of Encouragement - FMS Challenge #708

Freshly Made Sketches #708:

The wonderfully talented Jen T is the hostess for this week's wonderfully basic card sketch on Freshly Made Sketches.  Make sure you check out her own card design, it's stunning!  Also, why don't you play along.  Don't be intimidated by the blank canvas and simple design.  You  can choose any element to replace the circle and make it your own.  

 Here's My Card: 

Clean and simple cards are one of the biggest challenges I face as a papercrafter.  I never know when is enough or if I've done too little on my card designs.  After I finished this card I thought I could have possibly done more by dry embossing the white matte after I stamped the sentiment on it.  However, I didn't because I was concerned it would affect the lettering.  Oh well.  

I love the floral wreath die cut on this card.  Its a bigger image than I was going to use however it worked out well on the card. I die cut the image from a piece of Meandering Meadow Designer paper and then used the cut piece that was left, as a matte.  This combination of matte and design compliments each other quite effectively without having to do blending or other means of adding colour and design.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Encircled in Natures stamps and dies #163623

Cardstock and DSP:

• Basic White card base - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" 
• Balmy Blue matte  5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 
• Meandering Meadow DSP matte 5" x 3 3/4" - die cut taken from the center of this piece before adhering
• Basic White matter 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" 

Ink and Blends:

• Misty Moonlight

Accessories:  

• Adhesive Backed Shiny Sequins #163484 

Well that's it for this challenge.  I'd love to hear your comments.  Do you use designer paper for mattes?  What are your thoughts? 

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Store 

Masculine Birthday - AHSC #650

Here's this week's sketch from Atlantic Hearts Challenge #650  I really like the diamond focal so decided to do the same for my card.  I don't know about you but October is such a busy month.  Almost every day there another' birthday and most of them this month are male friends and family.  This clean and simple sketch presented me with another opportunity to get a masculine card in my stash.  

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Happy Hour #126642
• Brewed for You Stamps #159087
• Brewed Dies #159092 
• Stitched Squares Dies 

Cardstock and DSP:

• Whisper White 
• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" for card base 
• 3" x 3" scrap for Whisper White Diamond and 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" for inside circle 
• 5" x 3 3/4" for inside matte 
• scraps for glasses and mugs 
• Basic Black 
• Cut 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front matte 
  
• Tartan Foil Designer Series Paper #162332 
• Cut two pieces 5 1/4" x 4" for front and inside mattes. 

Inks and Blends:

• Pebbled Path 
• Merry Merlot
• Crushed Curry 

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals 
• Nuvo Clear drops to add shine to wine and beer mug. 

Well, there you have it.  Nothing like a clean and simple design to make the focal point stand out.  Thanks for dropping by and checking out my card this week.  Make sure you stop by the Atlantic Hearts blog as well, the designers really outdid themselves this week.   

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #648

 Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #648

Here's a fun sketch that involves a little bit of calculation to get things right but is fun to do.  This challenge ends on Sunday September 28, so don't delay, if you want to submit your work of art.  

HERE'S MY CARD:

I decided to make a masculine birthday card with this design.  Guys seem to like cards with depth and outdoorsy  type of scenes.  So this card fit the bill in every way. 

SUPPLIES: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Mountain Majesties May 25 Paper Pumpkin kit

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Card Base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic White scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White Inside layer 3 3/4" x 5" and scrap for sentiment on card front
• Basic Black cardstock for base layer 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and scrap for sentiment
• Lost Lagoon cardstock for layers on panels 
• Timeless Plaid DSP 5 1/4" x 4" in Lost Lagoon design for background layer

Inks and Blends:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Accessories: 

• Rustic Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots
• Trimmer 
• Dimensionals

Thanks for dropping by and checking out my submission for this week's sketch challenge at Atlantic Hearts.  Hope you enjoyed it and will leave me some words of encouragement.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my online shop 24/7

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Throwback Challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #647

Atlantic Hearts Challenge #647

It's the 3rd Monday of the month and time for a throwback challenge to when Atlantic Hearts first started their challenge site.  Here's the original sketch followed by this weeks sketch.  This challenge runs from September 17th to September 21st, 2025, I hope you'll join me and play along.  

Click here to visit AHSC #647 and Check Out  the Design Team 's Samples. 

Here's My Card:

Do you have a friend who loves pink?  This is for a gal I know who absolutely loves pink, and the brighter and bolder the better.  She also likes the odd beverage or two, so this birthday card will be perfect for her in many ways. 

Here's a view of the inside of the card.  I used DSP for the coloured layer instead of cardstock which helps to keep the card lighter for going in the mail.  

Supplies:


Stamps & Dies

• Retired sentiment stamps from Stampin Up for birthday greetings 

Cardstock & DSP

• Strawberry Slush InColor 2025-2027
• 4" x 5 1/4" for front layer
• 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 for rectangle layer 

• Celebratory Sips 12 x 12 DSP_ #165586
• 3 3/4" x 5" for front layer 
• 4" x 5 1/4" for inside layer 
• Ephemera fussy cut from paper pack 

Inks & Blends

• Memento Black Ink 

Accessories

• 1/8" strip of gold ribbon 10" 
• Dimensionals 
• Strawberry Slush Sequins 

This was a very easy card to make since there was so little layering and stamping involved.  Let me know if you're a fan of 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