Holy Guacamole - FMS 731

Donna Mikasa is the host for the Clean Team at Freshly Made Sketches this week.  It's her first time hosting, and she's come up with a fun clean and simple sketch for us to try out.  

Here's My Card:

The rectangles in the sketch were just calling out for some fun characters to liven them up.  After careful consideration, I hauled out my retired Taco Fiesta stamp set which has lots of lively images.  This card certainly isn't "clean and simple" with so much going on, but it was really fun to make!  Here's what i came up with.  

Here's the inside of the card.  I love all the images in the Taco Fiesta stamp set.  They make me smile.  Instead of using a cardstock matte for the inside I chose to add a layer of the designer paper.  There are two reasons for this.  One, the card is lighter when you use DSP for the matte so mails cheaper and two you use your designer paper instead of having it on the shelf.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Taco Fiesta #160732
• Stitched so Sweetly dies #159690 for rectangles (6)

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White Cardstock 
• 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 for the card base
• 3 3/4" x 5" for the inside matte
• 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 piece to cut out the rectangles - cut six 
• Variety of small scraps to stamp the images on.  All images were fussy cut because I don't own the dies for this set.  Cutting and colouring is very relaxing. 
• Misty Moonlight 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for matte layer on card front 
• Painted Illusions Designer Series Paper #167977
• Cut two mattes 5 1/4" x 4" - front and inside.  This 12 x 12   paper pack was the February Product of the Month and I've found it works as a background for so many of my projects.   

Ink and Blends:

• Basic Black Hybrid ink (NEW)
• Blends:  Granny Apple Green, Old Olive, Parakeet Party, Daffodil Delight, Timid Tiger, Crumb Cake, Smokey Slate, Poppy Parade, Summer Splash, SU500 brown

Accessories: 

• Adhesive Backed Shiny Sequins in Yellow
• Dimensionals 

I had a lot of fun stamping and colouring all these little characters.  I can't wait to see the reaction when my friend opens this fun birthday card.  What about you, do you like it?  If so drop me a comment.  I'd love to hear what your favourite taco character is.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Storybook Easter Card using FMS#729

Oh wow, next Friday is Good Friday and the beginning of the Easter long weekend. I’m surprised how quickly this holiday arrived. So, I’m shifting focus and will spend some time crafting Easter cards for my family and friends. I’m starting by using this Freshly Made  Sketch #729 as the template for the cards I intend to make. 

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Storybook Friends #164668
• Storybook Garden Patch #164663
• Storybook Dies #164666
• Easter stamp sentiment unknown brand 

Cardstock and DSP: 

• Cajon Craze matte 5 1/4" x 4"
• Scrap for oval 
• Basic White 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" for cardbase 
• Basic White  4" x 5" for white oval
• Basic White 3 3/4" x 5" for inside matte
• DSP Storybook Friends Ephemera - bunny and wheelbarrow
• DSP Timeless Plaid front matte 5 1/4" x 4" x 2 front and inside and 1" x 5 1/4" strip for the front matte

Ink:

• Momento Black ink 
• Secret Sea
• Blends for picture - Light and Dark - Smokey Slate, Timid Tiger, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Granny Apple Green, Crumb Cake, SU500 

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals
• Adhesive Backed Shiny sequins #163484 - yellow (5) 

Well what do you think?  Thanks for dropping by and visiting my card blog.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Stampin' Up Shop

Fluttering Garden Alternative Card using AHSC # 674

A close friend requested that I create multiple birthday and anniversary cards over the next few months. Isn't it wonderful to have friends like her who think ahead? It feels refreshing and really simplifies my life.

I'm beginning this project by creating an Anniversary Card based on the sketch from AHSC #674. I really like that the sketch incorporates scraps—you know, those small pieces that linger on your desk and you're unsure whether to discard or save them. Because I had a few scraps remaining from my March Paper Pumpkin kit, this sketch motivated me to put them to use    

 Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 674

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamp Sets and Dies:

• Fluttering Hummingbird Stamp artwork from the March 2026 Paper Pumpkin kit for sentiment on front and hummingbird inside and back of card. 
• Here's to Love (sentiment) (R)#161737
• Stylish Shape Dies #159183 for sentiment strip

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Ephemera, Gems, card base and envelopes from the March 2026 Paper Pumpkin kit called Fluttering Garden
• Pool Party matte 4 x 5 1/4" and strip taken from center of this piece for the Anniversary sentiment strip
• Pool Party Envelope cut down to make strips with white floral images (5 at 1/2" x 2 3/4")
• Basic Gray strips (4) embossed as a solid matte then cut to 1/2" x 2 1/2" 
• Basic White 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" for matte the strips are adhered to. This keeps them all pasted at the same heights.
• Basic White matte for inside card 3 3/4" x 5" stamped with sentiment and hummingbird
• Matte in coordinating color 4" x 5 1/4" from Illustrated Illusions paper 

The white matte is made from the backside of one of the PP kit grey card bases, trimmed to the right size for layering. Although it's somewhat difficult to notice in the photo, I applied blender brushes and Pool Party ink to the upper part of this matte to form clouds and integrate the background into the overall design.  

Ink and Blends:

• Momento Black Ink for hummingbird images
• Pool Party - for blending 
• Pebbled Path for Sentiments 
• Stampin Blends for colouring humminbird inside card: Dark and Light Petal Pink, Mint Macaroon, SU600 for beak and claws, Purple Posie

Accessories:

• Forest 3D Embossing Folder for card layer 
• Dimensionals 
• Gems from PP kit sparkly gold clear gems 
• Wink of Stella brushed on Hummingbird Ephemera on front 
• Ephemera from PP kit  

Well that's it for this week's challenge card.  Hope you liked it and will come for another visit.  Please leave me a comment if you liked this card or have any questions about how it's made. 

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Woolly Sheep Birthday Wishes AHSC #671

Here's this week's sketch challenge from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #671  

Here's My Card:

For today's cards I'm using some new products that were released the first of March by Stampin' Up!.  The Designer Series Paper I used on the top portion of this card is  called "Painted Illusions" and it was the Product of the Month release for February 2026. Trust me when I say I really didn't need another package of 12 x 12 paper, however as a $5.00 purchase it was a really good investment.  

The moment I saw the stamp bundle called Woolly Friends I wanted it, however I couldn't get it as a bundle because the punch that coordinates with the stamp set was sold out.  I decided to order it anyway, and I'm thrilled.  It's really not that difficult to fussy cut the cute images and since I'm a sucker for little farm animals  this set just rang all my bells. 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Woolly Friends #166881 stamp set 
• Impressions Abloom die cut flowers #165610
• Framed Florets sentiment "Wishes for a Beautiful Birthday"
• Celebration Tag Dies (R)
• Label Dies (R) 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" for card based scored at 4 1/4"; 3" x 3" for Celebration Tag (only need one side), Scraps for sheep, 5" x 3 3/4" for inside matte. 
  
• Flirty Flamingo Mat 5 /3/8" x 4 1/8" and scraps for flowers and frame for sentiment
• Petal Pink 2" x 5 14" Embossed with Petal Pairings 1/2 size EF
• Painted Illusions DSP 2" x 5 1/4" for front matte and 5 1/4" x 4" for inside matte #167971

Ink:

• Flirty Flamingo
• Light Smokey Gray Blends
• Light and Dark So Saffron blends 

Accessories: 

• Petal Pairings Embossing Folder 
• Flirty flamingo self-adhesive dots 
• Dimensionals

Thanks you for visiting my blog and checking out my creations.  It means a lot to me to see old and new visitors and I do appreciate comments letting me know your thoughts on my rendition.  If you have time check out the design team and participants entries at the FMS blog site.  There are so many beautiful creations. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Token's Stampin' Spot
Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click Here to Visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

You've Got This - Sympathy Card using FMS #725 Sketch

Welcome March!  You arrived with beautiful warm breezes and a sunny day.  My bestie Sheri, brought some extra joy to the day by presenting me with this beautiful bouquet.  Such a special gesture, by a dear friend.  Made me smile everytime I went into my kitchen this weekend.  Thanks Sheri!  

I haven't had much time for stamping this week but I did manage to make a sympathy card using the Freshly Made Sketch #725 outline hosted by Cecile.  

I hope you'll visit their blog and check out all the lovely samples from the Design Team and other participants. There are so many good ideas using this sketch: 

Here's My Card: 

This layout was perfect for a sympathy card I needed to make.  I used a couple of old stamp sets for the background and floral images 

Sorry these pictures are so dark, because the card is actually beautiful and bright.  I did sponge around the bottom corner on the inside of the card with Highland Heather ink but this photo doesn't show it that well. 

I used the large splotch stamp from an old retired set called You've Got This and once I inked the stamp up with Highland Heather ink, I stamped off to the next generation to get a softer effect. This is another of my go-to stamps that I keep in mind when I'm doing backgrounds or focals.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Friendly Hello #158075 stamp set for florals 
• You've Got This #139575 - background splotch stamp
• Flourishing Phrases for inside verse #141534 
• First Frost #148420 dies for flower spray 
• Three Leaf punch for black leaves 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper (DSP):

• Card Base Basic White 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Mattes cut two from Basic White for front and inside 5" x 3 3/4"
• Scraps to stamp floral images on
• Basic Black 4" x 5 1/4" for matte on front and for black leaves 
• Highland Heather matte for card front 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" and 5 1/4: x 4" for inside matte.  Scraps for floral sprigs 

Ink and Blends:

• Momento Black ink pad
• Highland Heather ink pad
• Highland Heather blends light and dark 

Accessories:  

• Greetings for All Mix and Match Ephemera Pack for "Thinking of you" sentiment on front  of card 
• Dimensionals
• Sequins 
• Blending brush

Thanks for stopping by.  Come again ...............

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 online shop 

Match Day Birthday using AHSC #670

Happy March Everyone!  It's a beautiful day with sun shining and warmer temperatures expected today and tomorrow in Abbotsford BC.  With blossoms appearing on trees and snowdrops in full bloom in my garden I feel excited for the up coming season.   

Atlantic Hearts Challenge #670

Here's My Card:

Once again I'm using the Wonderful Match stamps, dies and papers to create a masculine birthday card. This sketch from Atlantic Hearts was perfect for creating this fun birthday card which came together in no time at all.    

The Wonderful Match designer papers are really awesome.  They include two half page layouts of tags, so once I checked out the sketch design I was inspired to grab one of these tags to use in the card front focal. After that it was just a matter of choosing a background paper and a circle.  I used a retired stitched circle die from Stampin' Up! to cut out the trophy from the dsp graphics page and added this with dimensionals to the card front.   

I'm still at a loss to as to which photopolymer stamp set in my collection this "Enjoy Your Special Day" sentiment is from. So if you know, drop me a note. 

I used the Wonderful Stars Puffy Stickers to finish the card front, but instead of putting them at the top of the card as shown in the sketch, I added them to the trophy circle and sentiment strip to give some additional pizzazz.  

For the inside of the card I stamped "Happy Birthday" using the long retired Perennial Birthday stamp set.  I never get tired of this sentiment because of it's size. 

The matte is a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of designer paper and matches the strip on the front of the card.  The white matte measures 3 3/4" x 5".  I've added the soccer ball and grass die cuts from the Match Day dies to add some more interest.  Love those  dies. 

Thank you for visiting and for leaving me some words of encouragement if you like this rendering of the AHSC#670 challenge.  I hope you'll visit the Atlantic Hearts Challenge blog to see all the wonderful cards posted by the Design Team and other participants too.  Hopefully these card samples will inspire you to be more creative and to challenge yourself to try new layouts and ideas.  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 

Valentines Sweet Heart Card - FMS #720

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and I love sharing my love and appreciation for friends and families with my hand made cards.  Using a great sketch is a wonderful way to build my collection of cards and makes it easy for me to make quick decisions.  Today I'm using this sketch hosted by Jen at Freshly Made Sketches as my guide and inspiration for making this easy to assemble card.  Here's the sketch: 

Here's My Card:

I'm using a mixture of old and new for the design elements on this card.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies: 

• Bear Hugs sentiment
• Branching Out dies 
• Stitched Hearts (R) 

Card Stock and Designer Paper:

Ink:

• Flirty Flamingo 

Accessories:

• Dimensionals
• Dazzling Red self-adhesive sequins

I hope you enjoyed this card.  Because I had pre-cut papers and elements, this card came together very quickly and made it fun to make.  Let me know if you do any pre-cutting or stamping so you're prepared to make cards without any hassle.  I'd love to hear your technique.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Donuts and Coffee for a Happy Birthday! AHSC#663

January is such a busy month with taking down the Christmas decorations and cleaning the house from top to bottom that it's going by quickly.  My house always looks so blah after all the lights and sparkle are put away especially on all the grey rainy days we've been having.  

I was proud of myself because I was able to stick to my decluttering plan and whittle down more of our Christmas decorations.  I still have way too many boxes in storage, but it's less than last year, which is a good thing!   

I had a bit of spare time left in between packing and cleaning, and decided to play with the first sketch of the year at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog.  I love this layout and had no difficulty coming up with my own version of the sketch. 

HERE'S MY CARD: 

SUPPLIES AND INSTRUCTIONS:

Stamps and Dies:

• Branching Out #165771 sentiment "Sent With Lots of Love"
• More Than Autumn #164228 donuts, coffee cup and leaves
• Wishing You the Happiest Birthday Yet from Stampin' Up

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• Basic White card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4".  
• Basic White matte for inside card 5 1/4" x 4" 
• Basic White scraps for coffee cup, donuts and 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" sentiment square and for hearts 
• Pecan Pie 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" matte for card front and 2" x 2" scrap for square 
• Old Olive - scrap for die cut leaves 
• A Little Latte DSP # 163453(R) - mattes for front and inside card 5 1/4" x 4" and scraps for strips for front of card and 1 1/2 x 1 1/2" square for front 

Ink and Blends:

• Momento Black Ink for donuts and coffee cup
• Lost Lagoon for sentiments
• Calypso Coral, Lost Lagoon, Daffodil Delight alcohol blends for donuts and hearts

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Nuvo Clear Drops for shiny glaze on donuts
• Lost Lagoon self adhesive faceted gems

Well that's it for this week.  I hope you enjoyed this card, and would love to hear your thoughts on the layout.  Is this design one that you would use in your cardmaking?  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop