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 

Happy Birthday Wishes Sail Boat Card - AHSC#684

This week's sketch challenge #684 at Atlantic Hearts has been posted.  Here's the sketch:

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Sailing Home #149457 stamps
• Smooth Sailing Dies #149576
• Stylish Shape Circle Dies 
• Gone Fishing  (water stamp) #161535

Cardstock and DSP:

• Start with a 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" basic white card based scored at 4 1/4
• Cut inside  panel from basic white measuring 5" x 3 3/4" 
• Cut a 3" x 3" piece of basic white to die cut focal circle and a scrap to stamp the sailing ship and sentiment on.
• Cut a piece of Misty Moonlight 5 1/4" x 4" and a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" scrap for the focal mat.  Die cut with 3" stitched circle die.

• Let's Go Fishing DSP #161534 Cut two pieces that measure 5 1/4" x 4".  Use one piece for the inside panel.  Cut the second piece into three 1 1/2"panels

Inks and Blends:

• Misty Moolight
• Secret Sea

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals 

Thanks for dropping by to see my rendition of this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  Leave me a note to let me know if this card inspires you to do more crafting.  Until next time......

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Beautiful Florals #683 AHSC

Sorry I've been missing in action over the past two weeks.  I've been working on divesting myself of the strata council business and it's been a bit overwhelming to say the least.  We held our AGM last week and it took a lot out of me saying good bye to everyone. I am however proud of all I accomplished over the years, and have lots of good memories to cherish.     

What a lovely send off.  The thank you speeches, were wonderful and so appreciated, and I received this lovely bouquet of flowers which I've enjoyed immensely.  

Peonies have always been one of my favourite flowers.  When this wonderful bouquet was dropped off by a close neighbor/friend, I was stunned and so appreciative.  Nessa's timing and intuitiveness is always spot on, as I was at a real low energy point and these beauties brought me out of my funk. Thanks as always Nessa..... you're simply the best! 

With both of these beautiful bouquets in mind, I found the  Atlantic Hearts Challenges #683 designed by Michelle and digitalized by Brandi to be perfect.  Here is the sketch:

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Basic Border Die SU #155558 - Scallop Stitched Die 

Card Stock:

• Soft Sea Foam for base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" 
• Basic White Mattes - 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front and 5 1/4" x 4 for inside and a 2 /2" x 3" piece for sentiment 
• Pretty in Pink Matte - 5 1/4" x 4" embossed with Cute Crochet embossing folder. 
• Designer Series Paper - Wildflower Birthday

Ink:

• Peaceful Pine (new SU In Colour) 

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Adhesive Backed Shiny Sequins in Green
• Wildflower Ephemera pack for flowers
• Cute Crochet 3D Embossing Folder SU#163792 

Thanks for dropping by and checking out my challenge card this week.  Let  me know if you like this floral arranged card.  I love the soft pastels and girly feel this card has.  I can't wait to give it away for a friend's birthday in June.   

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

Out on the Board Walk - AHSC#681

Another sunny week has flown by with only brief moments for doing things outdoors and for cardmaking, which is sad.  I'm currently wrapping up loose ends before I step down as President of our Strata Council, so it's been a busy time.  

I did have a great time early in the week when one of my downline and stamping buddies came for a few hours. We had a lot of laughs and great conversation while we managed to create a couple of masculine cards using the April Paper Pumpkin Lakeside Resort kit. Getting together with like minded friends and card makers is such a fun time.  I can't wait until the next time.   

Here is this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #681. 

The happy colours in this sketch inspired me to use the Boardwalk Fun stamp and die set to create a summer themed birthday card.

Here Is My Card: 

I really liked the variety of papers in the Beach Boardwalk paper pack.  The pastel mix is easy on the eyes and for layering coordination. I used self-sticking Starform dots that have a silver outline and holographic clear circle to bring out details in the Ferris Wheel.  They look like shiny rivets and really catch the light.  

Along with the finishing details I thought the Ferris wheel looked to flat on the square and could use some additional height. Since there wasn't a lot of room to use dimensionals I opted to cut out two more Ferris wheels and adhere them to the first one. The layered Ferris wheel worked perfectly and it was so quick and easy to do.   

I really liked the designer paper with ticket designs that I used on the card's front, so I chose to include a full matte of the same paper inside the card. First, I added a Secret Sea matte measuring 5 1/4" x 4",   followed by a 5 1/8" x 3 7/8" piece of dsp.  My intention was to add a basic white matte, however, it covered up too much of the patterned paper. After some heavy thinking, I opted to use a die cut for the inside sentiment and writing area, but I couldn't decide between an oval or a circular die cut, so for the time being, I've left that matte off.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Boardwalk Fun SU#166822 stamps
• Boardwalk Fun SU#166828 dies 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• scraps for sentiment base and star on Ferris Wheel 
• Secret Sea
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" matte - front
• 2 1/8" x 5" matte - front
• 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" matte - front 
• 5 1/4" x 4" matte for inside layer
• 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" scrap piece to die cut out Ferris wheel 
• Scrap of Pretty in Pink for Ferris wheel seats and star 
• Beach Boardwalk Designer Series Paper
• 5 1/4" x 4" sunshine matte
• 2" x 4 7/8" matte 

Ink:

• Secret Sea

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals
• Starform Silver Stickers 

Well that's a wrap!  The Ferris wheel is a fond memory from my youth when I hung around at the Pacific National Exhibition Grounds in Vancouver during the summer.  One of the highlights was going on the Ferris wheel and seeing if you could rock the bench.  

Thanks for dropping by and checking out this week's sketch challenge card.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Soccer Match FMS#735 Challenge

Kim's card sketch this week on Freshly Made Sketches #735 may leave your knees clacking together, but don't be afraid it's actually a great sketch to play with.  

Here's My Card:

As much as I don't like working with square cards, I enjoyed making this one.  

Before cutting my designer paper, I used photocopy paper to cut out a template to make sure my measurements worked.  Here's my take on the sketch:

Supplies and Instructions 

Stamps and Dies:

• Best Catch SU#148598 - "Its Your Day"
• Match Day Dies and Stamps

Cardstock and Designer Paper (DSP):

• Basic White 5 1/2" x 9 1/2" scored at 5" for card base 
•  Scrap Basic White for sentiment and circle for soccer ball
• Basic Black 4 3/8" x 5 1/8" for matte  and scrap for soccer ball
• Basic Black  Cut four 1" squares for card design cut one square in half
• A Wonderful Match DSP #167515 - cut 3 granny green 1" squares and 3 and a half squares with soccer ball design
• Silver scrap for trophy

When you look at my measurements you will note that I didn't make a square card.  It didn't look right and so I cut down the white margin on the right hand side.  The finished card actually measures 4 5/8" x 5 1/2".  It will require a custom made envelope but that's easy to do with my envelope maker.  

Ink and Blends:

• Momento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals 
• Basic D hatch marked embossing folder for the White last matte on the card front.  It helped to tie it all together. 

Thanks for visiting my blog today, and if you left a comment on my submission to Freshly Made Sketches sketch challenge thanks so much!  Getting validation from fellow card makers and paper crafters is like adding jet fuel to an airplane...........it keeps you soaring!  Cheers until next time..........

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit  my On-line Shop