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 

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

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 

UPDATE APRIL 14, 2026: 

I'm very excited t o say that the Queen and her Princesses have been chosen at Freshly Made Sketches for this sketch #731.  Su Mohr's card was chosen as Queen (well deserved), and my card was chosen by Michelle as one of the Princesses.  See all the winners here.  Thanks Michelle and the FMS Design Team for providing such wonderful  weekly challenges, and to Donna Mikasa for this great sketch............always a pleasure and fun to participate! 

St. Patty's Day Masculine thday Card

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  

Recently, I was asked to create a birthday card for someone whose birthday is on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. I was happy to help, but I wasn't sure what to make, as I have limited stamps and images for this special day.

I searched Pinterest for ideas and came across one that I knew I could make since I had the Handsomely Suited die set and other materials on hand. I'd like to give credit to Heejung Hunsberger of H Made Boutique for her wonderful card.  Here is her card:

Here's My Card:

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies: 

• Handsomely Suited Stamps and Dies Dies (R) 
• Button Die from Sizzix (R) 
• Smallest Stitched Heart for Shamrocks Cut 4 
• Leaf with stem for Shamrock stalk die cut in golf foil
• Note - I stamped birthday sentiments in the card I made for the birthday but for my card sample I have left it blank in hopes of finding a St. Paddy's Day stamp. 

Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• Basic White cardbase 4 1/4 x 11 Scored at 5 1/2" for base and 2 3/4" on short side for easel card prop.
• Basic White 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" for  shirt layer and additional pieces for collar, buttons and button placket
• Suit front layer 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Call me Clover (R).  I die cut the V from this piece. Small scraps for two pockets and stitched layer for pockets. 
• Lapels were cut from a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Shaded Spruce.  The tie was stamped and die cut from Shaded Spruce along with 3 small and one larger button for inside vest and suit jacket closure, and stitched layer on pockets.
• 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of white and green designer paper for vest
  
• Scraps  of Gold Foil for 4 shamrocks and gold coins 
• 3/4" circle of Window Sheet for shamrock backing. 

Ink:

• Shaded Spruce 

Accessories: 

• Lacy Embossing folder for gold coins (I layed each of the six circles I cut out over an embossed flower center and then embossed them.  I cut the circles in half so I had more coins to stuff in each pocket. 
• Dimensionals 
• 3/4" circle punch for gold coins 

Never give up when you're making a card or doing a scrapbook page.  If you don't have the perfect stamps or dies think about what  you do have and try to improvise. Look for other ideas and see if there is a different way to complete your project, and have fun doing it!

Thanks you for visiting my blog and I hope this card makes you smile or inspires you to create one of your own. Let me know if you celebrate St. Patty's Day and if so how.   Any suggestions for some irish sentiments that could be used with my easel card.   

Happy Stamping!
Penny Token's 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 

Branching Out Masculine Birthday Card

Freshly Made Sketches #718 - designed by Amy, is the first sketch of this popular sketch challenge site for the New Year.  It's so clean and sleek, I found it frightening, however decided to dive in an see what I could come up with.  Here's their sketch which closes on  January 12th in the afternoon.

Here's My Card:

Because this sketch was intimidating to me because of its simplicity and clean and simple lines, I didn't want to overthink what to make.  I decided to look through stamp sets I'd purchased at the end of the year but not used, for inspiration. Here is my card:

This 18 piece photopolymer stamp set with 10 coordinating dies is called Branching Out.  I bought it as a bundle because I'd ran across a Christmas card I wanted to recreate.  Unfortunately I didn't have much time to play with it.

Now that I'm giving this set a try, I'm pretty excited.  It's going to be one of those sets with a lot of potential and can be used way beyond the holiday season.  It would be great for fall/winter masculine cards, sympathy and friendship cards to name a few. This particular card is in celebration of one of my guy friends who has a birthday coming up the end of January.   I hope he likes it. 

See those tiny little pine cones they are cut out with one of the coordinating die cuts and then sponged with a dauber to add some depth and detail. It was a great way to use up some Pecan Pie paper scraps.

Supplies and Instructions: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Branching out Bundle for pine branches, pine cones - stamped and die cut, and sentiments inside and front cover 

Card Stock and Designer Paper: 

• Pecan Pie for card Base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Early Espresso matte 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and strip 1/4" x 5" for edge along DSP
• Sahara Sand (R) 5 1/4" x 4" - cut two one for front and one for inside mattes
• Country Bird House Designer Series Paper 

Ink: 

• Shaded Spruce
• Early Espresso
• Pecan Pie
• Pebbled Path 

Accessories: 

• Gold Self Adhesive Sequins 

I'm so excited I finally used the Branching Out bundle to make this card.  It's inspired me to explore more ways to use it.  I hope you liked this card and my take on the FMS 718 challenge.  I'd welcome your comments and or questions regarding how this card came together.  Thanks and see you again.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 online shop 

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