Pet Sitter Thank You Card - FMS#728

Personally I'm not a big fan of circles on a card.  When I looked at the recent sketch from Freshly Made Sketches I made the proverbial big sigh, and then began thinking about the sketch objectively in terms of what I could do to make the sketch satisfying for me. 

I needed something that worked for my brain and that's the really fun part of participating in a sketch challenge.  It doesn't have to be about copying the sketch  in every single nuance or detail, but rather exploring what works and what doesn't in terms of your own creativity.  Here is the sketch: 

Freshly Made Sketch #728 

Here's My Card: 

I'm an animal lover and so are most of my friends, so I'm often called upon to create or send a card featuring dogs or cats. Stampin' Up! released two stamp bundles called Pet Love and Cutest Crew recently, and they were my inspiration for this card design.  Pet Love includes pet accessories, paw prints and heartfelt sentiments.  Cutest crew has playful pups, curious kittens and chirpy little birds. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the coordinating dies for Cutest Crew because this bundle sold out almost immediately, but the images are easy to fussy cut. 

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies: 

• Pet Love #166032 stamps and dies
• Cutest Crew #167146 stamps
• Stitched Shapes Dies #159183

Cardstock and DSP: 

• Basic White cardbase 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
  
• Basic White matte 3 3/4" x 5" for inside matte, scrap for stamping dog images and die cutting circle
  
• Lost Lagoon matte card front 4" x 5 1/4"" 
• Flirty Flamingo matte card front 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
• Painted Illusions DSP (Product of the Month February 2026) 3 3/4" x 5"

Ink:

• Lost Lagoon
• Secret Sea 
• Stampin' Blends:  Mango Melody, Smoky Slate, Pecan Pie, Pretty in Pink, Lost Lagoon, Granny Apple Green, Timid Tiger

Accessories:  

• Dimensionals
• Adhesive Sheets 

Well what do you think.  Is this a card you would send to a dog loving friend?  Were you still able to capture the feel of the original sketch in my card.  I'm hoping you were.  If you liked my rendition, or if you want more information about how it came together, don't hesitate to drop me a comment.  I love your feedback.  

Before I go, here are a few more cards made with the Cutest Crew and Pet Love stamp sets:

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 

Masculine Sailing Birthday Card

Hi and welcome to my blog.  Although this has been a busy week, I've managed to have two fun get togethers with my stamping besties, which really gave my creativity and fun threshold a boost!  

Today Sheri joined me for a few hours of creativity and we both worked on this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #673.

Here's My Card:

There are two wave dies in the Sunrise Sailing Die set.  I cut a strip measuring 1" x 6" of Summer Splash cardstock and cut a strip to use on the inside of the card. 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Sunrise Sailing stamps and dies
• SU Stylish Shape Dies for sentiment layer #165491

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic White for card base, scored at 4 1/4"
• 3 7/8" x 5" Basic White for inside matte
• 2/38" x 2 3/8" for square matte for card front 
• Scraps Basic white for Sailboat and sentiment layer
• 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" in Summer Splash for matte on card front 
• 5 1/4" x 4" Summer Splash for matte on inside of card
• 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" Summer Splash for square matte on card front 
• 1" x 6" strip of Summer Splash for wave on inside of card. 
• 2 1/2" x 5 1/4" piece of cloud design dsp from Beach Boardwalk DSP #166820 for top matte on card front.
• 2 1/2" x 5 1/4" piece of dsp that looked like waves from Beach Boardwalk DSP from bottom portion of the card front. Emboss this piece with the bottom portion of Sunrise Sailing Embossing Folder to give wave texture. 

Ink:

• Secret Sea for sailboat outline, seagulls, and sentiments
• Summer Splash for the sails on the boat
• Pecan Pie for the sailboat base

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Sunrise Sailing Hybrid Embossing Folder 

The papers in the Beach Boardwalk DSP collection were perfect for creating both the sunrise effect as well as the waves. The soft pastel colour mix works so well when combining the sky and ocean papers.  

I realized when I took the picture of my  card that I hadn't handled the white space on the sails to make it look like the background.  There are two ways to do this.  The first would be to use either fine-tipped scissors or an exacto knife (my choice) to cut out the white space between the mast and the sail.  The second way to deal with it would be to stamp the sailboat on a scrap of the coloured background paper and cut out the portion of the sail and glue this piece over top of the corresponding space on the original stamped sail.  Either way works. 

Thanks again for for dropping by and checking out the latest challenge card on my blog.  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 

Special Delivery Paper Pumpkin Kit Alternative using AHSC672

Feminine Birthday Card Using AHSC #672 

In March and  October each year I have so many friends and family celebrating birthdays, that I'm always in production making different cards and getting them ready for mailout.  This past week was no different and I found the sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge helpful in creating a feminine birthday card for a wonderful stamping friend.  Here's the sketch: 

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies: 

• Special Delivery stamp set Paper Pumpkin kit January 2026
• Unbounded Love circle  and 2 piece framelit die #163378
• Impressions Abloom #165605 small florals 

Cardstock and DSP: 

• Special Delivery Paper Pumpkin Kit January 2026 for card base * 1/2 x 5 1/2 scored at 4 1/4",  and ephemera pictures.
• Balmy Blue - 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 matte and 4" x 5 1/4" for inside 
• Basic White 4" x 5 1/4" matte for card front and 3 3/4" x 5" for inside matte

Ink: 

• Mossy Meadow - Sending Love stamp on front 
• Poppy Parade for circle on inside 

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Basic Rhinestones x 6 for flower centers
• Floral Ephemera Paper Pumpkin kit 
• Embossing Folder 
• All in a Row Embossing Folder #166989

It was fun using the elements from the January Paper Pumpkin in this card.  I've been procrastinating about creating with that kit, and now I'm ready to do more. Sometimes you just need a gentle nudge to get the creative juices flowing and to pick up and try new things.  

I hope you like this card and will drop me a comment before you go.  I always like to hear your views on what works and what you liked most about the card.  Don't forget to drop by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch challenge blog.  Both the design team and participants have posted beautiful examples of how to create with this 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 

Congratulations - Heather - AHSC #669

Hi everyone.  My apologies for being MIA the past two weeks.  Life takes over and there's not always time for the things we love.  So this week I'm trying to get my mojo back in action and participate in this week's challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge , which was created by Michelle and digitized by Brandi.

Here's My Card: 

This card is dedicated to my sister Heather, who set a goal last year to reduce her weight and get healthy.  She joined TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) a year ago, and has enjoyed the support and encouragement she received from her local group. Last week she achieved her goal and received her certificate. What exciting news! I'm so proud of her for sticking to it and reaching for the stars.  Here is my congratulations card to her.

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Art Gallery #158201 (R) - Congratulations
• Celebrate Sunflowers #152517 (R) - Let's Celebrate You
• Match Day Dies - Trophy #167522 Online Exclusive Feb 2026

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• DSP - Blue Florals - 167970 - 4 Patterned Strips 1/2" x 5 1/4"
• Boho Blue Cardstock 3/4" x 3" - 4 strips 
• Boho Blue Matte - 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and 5 1/4" x 4" (inside) 
• Basic White card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White 3 7/8" x 5" - cut two 

Ink:

• Night of Navy

Accessories: 

• Wonderful Stars Puffy Stickers #167526 Online Exclusive

For me this is a really clean and simple card, and I think it properly suits the occasion.  Hope you like my take on this week's sketch and I would love to have some feedback.  Send me some love!  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demonstrator since 2006 

Click here to Visit My 24/7 Online Shop 

Valentine Kisses and Hugs

Here we are, the last day of January, and I'm reflecting on where the month went. There's been so much going on! My husband and I have been celebrating birthdays, enjoying dining out, and yesterday and today were extra special because I got to stamp and spend time with two of my team members. What fun! 

Creating and sharing are just the best medicine for getting your mojo on a roll.  We made some fun projects, learned some new skills, looked at some of the pre-order products from Stampin' Up! and just had so many laughs.  These gals bring me pure joy when they come for a visit.  I'm looking forward to sharing some of the projects I made this week. 

The first project is a Valentine's Day card based on the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #666 designed by Michelle and digitalized by Brandi.  Here's the sketch: 

Here's My Card: 

I was a bit intimidated by this sketch when I first looked at it, because of the boxes.  Once I got over that intimidation I was able to envision what I wanted to create.  Here's what I made: 

I love the paper designs in the Valentines Kisses designer paper pack, and used this sketch as an opportunity to mix several of the designs.  Because I'm such a fan of the oval/rectangle died from the Unbounded Love die set, I decided to use three die cuts from this paper as the horizontal bars in the sketch. The rest was easy.  

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies: 

• Jan 2022 Paper Pumpkin Kisses and Hugs for the sentiment "sending you love"
• Jan 2025 Paper Pumpkin Hearts for You - small solid heart  inside panel 
• Valentine Kisses #167027  for the inside sentiment "Sending Lots of Love your Way to celebrate this special day". 
• Stitched Hearts dies for two heart shapes
• Unbounded Love #163378 for three rectangular panels

Card Stock and Designer Paper:

• Basic White Card base - 8 1/2 " x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White mattes - cut 2 at 5" x 3 3/4" for front and inside.  Emboss front layer with Hearts of Love 3D embossing folder. 
• Basic White Scraps for small heart and flower die cuts 
• Scraps of Poppy Parade for red heart and small flowers 
• Cut three 1 1/4" x 3" designer paper rectangles using Made With Love DSP
• Cut a matte 5 1/4 x 4" for card front from Made With Love DSP, cut a second matte for inside card using the same designer paper.

Ink: 

• Poppy Parade

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals
• Hearts of Love Embossing Folder (3-D)
• Sticker red gems 

Well that's it for this week's AHSC #666.  This was a fun and easy card to make.

Let me know if you enjoy making Valentines cards and if so where you get your inspiration from.  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 

Last Day February 2, 2026 to Earn Bonus $5.00 Coupons to use in February

Love You Valentines - AHSC # 665

This week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #665 was designed by Michelle and digitalized by Brandi.  The challenge began on January 19th and runs until the afternoon on Sunday January 25th.

Here's My Card: 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• PP Jan 2025 Hearts For You
• Banner Dies #132173 (R)
• Stitched Hearts Non-SU 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" base scored at 4 1/4" 
• Inside Matte 5 1/4" x 4"
• Scraps for heart and sentiment
• Real Red cut two 5 3/8" x 4 18" for front and inside mattes
  
• DSP Most Adored (retired)
• 5 1/4 x 4" front matte gold and white plaid
• 1" x 5 3/8" strip on front red with white hearts
• 3" x 4" Pink hearts banner 

Ink:

• Real Red

Accessories:  

• Sequins Gold Pastel self adhesive
• Dimensionals

I enjoyed this sketch and had fun adding my personal touch to it.  I'd appreciate your comments on my version so I have some feedback on how I'm doing.   Let me know what type of cards you have difficulty doing or which type of cards are the ones you need the most.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Click here to  see how you can earn coupons for February 

From January 6 to February 2, you can earn a $6 coupon for every $60 you spend! And there’s no limit to how many coupons you can earn. After placing your order, the coupon codes will be emailed to you. Save those emails and redeem your coupons between February 3 to 28.

Friendly Hello Birthday Card #AHSC#664

This past weekend we had another atmospheric rain storm but fortunately that has passed on and we are now seeing the sun and feeling much warmer weather.  Snow may be on the way though by next weekend so I'm taking advantage of the change and getting some walking in.   

Oh well, I'm going to try and put some more sunshine in my life by playing along with the Atlantic Hearts Challenge #664 this week.  Here's the sketch that was designed by Michelle and digitalized by Brandi.  Wow it's impressive.  

Here's my card: 

I made a feminine birthday card using this sketch that incorporates blending and images.  Here is my card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies: 

• Friendly Hello #158075 R-SAB set No Dies
• Stitched Circles Dies for sentiment 
• 3 leaf punch (r)

You don't always have to take blends and colour in a whole flower.  I used a sponge dauber to add subtle colour in a circular motion to the center of these flowers.  The glossy effect in the center is made by adding a small amount of Nuvo Drops.  It forms kind of a dew drop effect when it dries and gives the flower some depth and dimension. 

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Basic White Card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White mattes cut two - 5" x 3 75" for front and inside
• Basic White scraps for sentiment and two sets of double flower
• Basic Black cut two mattes 5 1/4" x 4" for front and inside
• Scraps basic black for leaves and circle frame
• Scraps Lost Lagoon for floral die cut stems 

Ink:

• Memento Basic Black ink
• Lost Lagoon

Accessories: 

• Blending Brush
• Four square decorative mask #161285 (R)
• Nuvo Drops for flower centers
• Circle template
• Adhesive backed Black Studs x 3 #160767

Well, what do you think?  I'd love to hear from you so let me know if  this card works for you and if so what do you like about it. And, if you're thinking of joining in the AHSC for this week, I'd also love to see what you've made, so send me a message.  Cheers and have a great crafting week!

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006