Football Fan Masculine Birthday - FMS#743

 Here is this week's Freshly Made Sketch Challenge hosted by Judy. I was a little unsure how I wanted to use this sketch when I first looked at it.  I decided it had a masculine feel to it, and so began to think about masculine themes for a birthday card.  

My 18 year old nephew is in college sports and plays a variety of them including soccer, football and lacrosse.  Since I just recently purchased a new online exclusive stamp set called "Football Fan", I decided to incorporate it into my design.  Here's the sketch: 

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

Masculine stamps featuring realistic images don't come around very often, so when they do, I make sure to grab them quickly before they're gone. The Football Fan stamp set falls into this category. Although it's a standalone set without matching dies or papers, it's definitely one to keep.

This 12-piece photopolymer stamp set produces crisp, clear images that work well as either backgrounds or focal points, and all the images can be easily cut out with precise scissors. The sentiments included are also excellent and can be stamped and cut out using any dies or punches you have available.

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

I'm attempting to use up papers from my collection, but unfortunately, I've lost track of some of the paper pack names. This applies to these papers as well. Initially, I was searching for color combinations that would represent football themes, but when I came across this black and vanilla monochromatic designer paper, I thought it was perfect. It resembled old newsprint and was ideal for achieving the look I wanted.

I used Basic Black for the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 card base and Very Vanilla mats measuring 4" x 5 1/4" for both the front and inside of the card. Smaller Basic Black mats were used for the two pillars, which measure 1 1/4" x 4", as well as for the sentiment base.

For the #1 Fan focal point, I used a stitched circle from the Stylish Designs die set.

After cutting out the football player, I glued the image onto a piece of Basic Black and then re-cut the image. I believe this additional layer added depth and helped anchor the image to the background.

Inks and Blends:

• Momento Black Ink

Accessories:

• Dimensionals

Thanks for visiting my blog and checking out this FMS challenge card. I hope my version or those of the Design Team inspire you to try your hand at sketch challenges. If so, I'd love to see what you made.

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 

FIFA Fever Hits Vancouver - FMS#740

Freshly Made Sketches #740 is hosted by Michele Ferguson this week.  The challenge runs from June 10th to  3pm EST on Monday June 15th.   I hope you'll try out this sketch, and have some fun making your "scene".

Here's My Card: 

FIFA World Cup of Soccer fever has officially arrived in Vancouver, BC and the weekend was packed with soccer fandom. There are soccer related theme parties happening everywhere, and that inspired me to designed a simple soccer themed card that could be used as a thank you to the hosts, or as a note card relating to this special occasion. 

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Match Day stamp and Dies
• Fun In the Sun - Feb 2023 Paper Pumpkin Kit
• Curvy Dies #154319

Cardstock and Designer Papers:

• 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 Basic White card base scored at 4 1/4" 
• 3 3/4" x 5" matte for front.  Use Pool Party and blender brush for sky and stamp on sun.
• 4 " x 5 1/4" Basic White matte for inside
• 2" x 2" Basic White for Soccer Ball
• 3 7/8" x 5" Basic Black matte for card front
• 2"  x 2" Basic Black scrap for soccer ball die cut 
• Garden Green - 2 pieces of scrap for top and bottom slopes width 4 1/4" height 3".  Cut away excess once glued to the
• Granny Apple Green scrap for layered slop 2 pieces. Stamp sentiment from Match Game in Momento Black on slope 

Ink and Blends:

• Pool Party
• Momento Black 

Accessories: 

• Dimensionals. 

Thank you for dropping by to check out this week's project.  I hope you liked it, and would absolutely love it if you dropped me a comment.  If you haven't visited the Freshly Made Sketches website to check out everyone else's cards, here's the link to do so:  Freshly Made Sketches #740.  

Until next time..........

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to check out my 24/7 Online Shop and see what's new! 

Paper Pumpkin Lakeside Retreat Masculine Cards - FMS#734

I've really been enjoying creating with the Lakeside Resort April 2026 Paper Pumpkin kit.  Such beautiful papers and I really like the subtle hue.  This kit leans heavily towards masculine cards with a Father's Day theme and nature images.  Although the theme and contents of this kit appear masculine, in this day and age they with the exception of some of the stamps could work easily for any occasion card or gender. 

When Stampin' Up!s latest catalogue is released tomorrow, it includes a stamp suite or bundle called Waterside Resort that coordinates beautifully with the Lakeside Resort kit.  With their mix and match capability these two products provide a whole host of other possibilities for outdoor themed masculine cards. 

I'm using the Freshly Made Sketches #734 hosted by Jen M.challenge sketch for today's card. Some of the examples from the Design Team and participants are literally out  of this world.  There are some excellent samples on the blog from the Design Team if you're looking for inspiration.  

Here's My Card:

This card layout could work for a birthday or special event like Father's Day.  I'm in love with Secret Sea which is the dark blue cardstock I've used.  It's so dark and accents the Balmy Blue so well.  

Supplies and Instructions:

Stamps and Dies:

• Relaxing Waterside #167922 - sentiments
• Lakeside Retreat - papers and ephemera
• All About Birthdays -stamp birthday sentiment inside card
• Sun Rise Sailing SU#165491 stamp and dies for sailboat 

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Basic White cardstock for base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White for inside matte 4" x 3 3/4" and a 2" by 3 1/2" piece for the sail boat
• Secret Sea 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" for front matte, 2" x 4 1/2" for front color block which has been embossed. A small scrap strip for the sentiment.
• Balmy Blue 5 1/4" x 4" for front matte.  Embossed with Scripty Embossing Folder by SU. 

Ink:

• Secret Sea
• Balmy Blue 
• Pecan Pie 

Accessories: 

• Corner Rounder Punch
• Classic Label punch
• Scripty Embossing Folder 
• Blue self-adhesive sequins 
• Dimensionals for sailboat. 

This card came together fairly quickly once I decided on colours and theme.  Before I go here are  some more Alternative Paper Pumpkin - Lakeside and Waterside Resort cards I've made.  

Have a good week everyone and thanks for dropping by.  I hope these cards give you some fresh ideas and enjoyment.   Until next sketch...........

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop!

Masculine Soccer Match Birthday Card #AHSC676

Only 2 months until FIFA comes to town and the soccer fans are out admiring the original World Cup trophy this weekend.  Soccer is such a popular sport with kids and adults.  So, it's only fitting that my card for this challenge be "A Wonderful Match" masculine birthday card.  

Here is this week's sketch challenge digitalized by Michelle:    

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #676

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Best Catch #148598 for the front sentiment "It's Your Day!"
• Inside sentiment is one I use often but I can't find the stamp set it came from.  If anyone knows let me know, I'd appreciate it as it's one of my favourite Stampin' Up! stamps.

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• A Wonderful Match #167515 designer paper by Stampin' Up!

Ink:

• Basic Black Hybrid - New Ink for May 2026 season Stampin' Up!

Accessories:  

• Mini Dimensionals
• Glue Dots
• Rustic Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots 
• Twine 

One Last Look:

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I appreciate your support and comments.  Take a look over at the AHSC #676 and see all the wonderful samples for this sketch challenge.  Who knows, it might inspire you to play along!  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Blog 

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 

UPDATE:  I'm delighted to say the design team at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge chose my card along with ones from Marie Flayer and Valerie Kay as the Top Three from  Challenge #673!  What a delight to receive that recognition.  

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