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 

For the Man Who Loves Fishing..... AHSC630

I really enjoy this time of year and strolling through our complex to admire all the lovely flowers. Right now there are a lot of Azaleas and Rhododendrons in full bloom, in a wonderful array of pinks, reds, whites and yellows.  They are simply stunning.  I took a photo of the walkway down to the pond to share with you.  The Wisteria is in full bloom and so fragrant.

 

Here is the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #680 for this week. If you’ve never tried a sketch challenge and want an enjoyable way to use your craft supplies, joining a sketch challenge is a wonderful way to pass the time. Even if you don’t share your work on a blog or Instagram and simply create for your own enjoyment, you’ll be happy you took part.

Here's My Card:

I love the florals in the sketch, however because you can interpret a sketch in your own way, I chose to do another masculine birthday card featuring a mixture of stamps, dies and designer papers.  Here is my interpretation of this week's sketch.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Cheers & Sips #SU165588 - "It's Your Day" and "Let's Celebrate"
• He's All That #SU159071- "To the Man who does Everything" and die cut for "It's Your Day" and "Let's Celebrate"
• Stylish Shapes Oval Dies #SU159183

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Basic Beige 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" for card base 
• Pecan Pie - cut two mattes 5 1/4" x 4" for front and inside
• Pecan Pie strips - cut three  - 1 and 1/8" x 3 3/4
• Pecan Pie cut one - 1 5/8" x 5" for center matte on card front 
• Pecan Pie 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" for stitched oval matte 
• Very Vanilla mattes  Cut two - 5" x 3 3/4" 
• scraps for sentiments 
• Let's Go Fishing designer paper #SU161534 (R)
• 1 1/2" x 5" for center matted panel on front
• 1" x 3 3/4" for strips on either side of the center panel
• 3" x 2 1/2" for oval die cut 

Ink:

• Misty Moonlight 

Accessories:

• Dimensionals
• Pecan Pie gems - small 
• Hatched Basic D - embossing folder for the Very Vanilla matte. 

Thank you for stopping by my blog; I hope you enjoyed my interpretation of the sketch. The card consists of many layers, but as you add each layer of mattes, strips, and focal points, it comes together quite fast. Please let me know if this type of card interests you or if you found the instructions helpful. I always appreciate hearing from readers and am happy to help however I can. 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 

Time to Celebrate Birthday #AHSC679

What a busy week it’s been! I didn’t have a chance to make any cards until this past weekend, so I missed last week’s Atlantic Hearts Challenge. However, the good thing about their sketch challenges is that they happen every week. With that in mind, please take a look at this week’s sketch: Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #679

Here's my card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies: 

• Perennial Birthday - "Happy Birthday" sentiment SU#145757 R
• Round We Go  - "Time to Celebrate" sentiment SU#163724 R
• Tags to Go Dies SU#165576 R

Every now and then, you come across true treasures on the clearance rack. I had overlooked this set several times because I wasn’t fond of the stamp set included with it, but when it dropped below $20, I couldn’t pass it up. At first, I purchased it for the key dies, which I plan to use on Christmas and housewarming cards, but then I grew fond of the stitched triangle tag.

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Basic White 10 1/2" x 5 1/4" scored at 5 1/4" for base
• Inside matte - 4 3/4" x 4 34" 
• 2 3/4" x 1 12" for stitched tag
• Blueberry Bushell cut two mattes - 4 3/4" x 4 3/4" 
• Wildflower Birthday - SU#164591 R

The papers in the Wildflower Birthday DSP feature gold foil on the leaves, dots, and other background elements, which truly highlight the lovely patterns on the paper. The Ephemera pack for this collection is filled with images of cakes, cupcakes, and flowers. The small gold foil banner was trimmed from a larger banner in this set and is attached to the front of the card using dimensionals.  I love this paper and I'm happy every time I use it.  Click here to check out another card I made in December featuring this paper. 

Ink:

• Blueberry Bushell

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Genial Gems - green SU #155500 R
• Ephemera and cut fussy cut images from Wildflower Birthday DSP
• flower on tag, cupcake image on dsp square, gold foil banner, flowers on inside of card and small cupcake on back of the card. 

Thanks again for visiting my site and for your comments on my cards.  It simple makes my day when I get a notification someone's looking.  Make sure to check out the design team and participants samples on the AHSC blog as there are some really cute cards for this challenge.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online shop

Masculine Birthday - Going Fishing FMS #733

Some thrilling news for everyone eagerly awaiting the new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue; it’s coming soon! If you’re on my mailing list, you should be getting yours this week. Stampin’ Up!, always evolving and updating, has revamped their catalogue format, so don’t be surprised when you get the latest edition. It contains only 87 pages, unlike their usual 180+.  The new catalogue goes live on May 5th, 2026.

For this weeks Freshly Made Sketch hosted by Jen T.

HERE'S MY CARD:   

Today's masculine birthday card uses products from the April Paper Pumpkin kit called Lakeside Retreat, and a coordinating suite in the new catalogue called Waterside Retreat.  I've also used one of the exciting new incolours called Peaceful Pine.  Enjoy! 

I wasn’t satisfied with the simple Misty Moonlight matting on both sides of the DSP—it seemed too plain. So, after attaching the striped designer paper to the matte, I used my ball stylus to draw lines every 1/4" across the surface of the cardstock and paper. It was a small change, but I felt it brought more texture and vibrancy to the card front. I also made an error when measuring the designer paper and cut it half an inch too short. Fixing it was straightforward: I cut a matching strip measuring 1/2" by 4 1/4" and glued it underneath the paper matte, making sure the stripes lined up perfectly. I think it’s a convincing fix and not very noticeable. Let me know if you like this effect or would consider using it on your own card.

While applying a touch of Wink of Stella to the two fish on this card, I accidentally sprayed it over the front of the card. Oops! I cleaned up the mess a bit and then allowed it to dry. Everything turned out fine; there’s just a slight sparkle on the striped paper, but it still suits a guy card.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Lakeside Retreat Stamp set
• Perennial Birthday - inside sentiment

Cardstock and DSP:

• Basic White 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" for the card base, scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White 5" x 3 3/4" for inside matte
• Misty Moonlight 5 1/4" x 4" for matte on card front 
• 3 1/8" x 1 7/8" matte for picture
• DSP from Lakeside Retreat Paper Pumpkin kit
• 4 3/8" x 4" matte for card front
• Ephemera from Lakeside Retreat and Waterside Retreat DSP

Ink:

• Peaceful Pine (new 2026/27 Incolor Stampin' Up!)
• Wink of Stella for the fish

Thanks for visiting my blog and for taking a look at my rendering of the  FMS #738.  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