Monday, May 25, 2026

Stampin' Up! Graduation Card

Good Monday morning, peeps. No Monday Madness today but rather a card inspired by Crystal Best. The link should take you to her video rather than her "reel". I am providing my measurements and supplies below, but you really need to watch her video on how to make it! Take a look at the card I made for my Godson. He will be going to a trade school to learn auto mechanics. I'm excited for him!


1.  Basic White cardstock 8 ½ x 5 ½ for the base

2. Garden Green cardstock 5 ¼ x 4 for the first layer

3. Basic White cardstock 3 ½ x 4 7/8 for inside shirt with collar. Make a tick mark at 1 1/2", 1 3/4", 2" on the top. At the bottom make a tick mark at 1 3/4". Line up the 1 3/4" marks with a ruler and make a dot at 1/4" from the top. Cut from the top 1 3/4" mark to the 1/4" dot. Score from the 1 3/4" mark to the 1/4" dot and from the 2" mark to the 1/4" dot and fold back. This has now become  your white collar shirt.

4. Night of Navy cardstock 5 x 3 ¾ for gown - make a tick mark at 1", 1 7/8", 2 3/4" at top. Make a tick mark at 1 7/8" at bottom. Line up the 1 7/8" marks with a ruler and make a dot at 3". On the diagonal, cut from the 1" mark to the 3" dot and from the 2 3/4" mark to the 3" dot. This has now become your "gown".

5. Garden Green cardstock 2 ¼ x 3 ½. Make a tick mark at 1 1/8" on the bottom . Cut from left and right top corners to the tick mark. This becomes one of your neckline layers but you will need to watch Crystal's video for how she turns the triangle into a perfect "V". I think it's around the 4:51 mark. Same goes for the next step #6.

6. Basic White cardstock 1 ¾ x 3. Make a tick mark at the bottom 7/8". Cut from left and right top corners to the tick mark. This becomes the other neckline layer. Continue watching the video for how to turn the triangle into a "V". Follow the remainder of her video.

7. For the Grad Cap:

a. Basic Black cardstock 1 x 5/8 for the cap base

b. Basic Black cardstock 2 x ¾ for the cap top

c. ¼" embellishment (Crystal used a foam circle)

d. Garden Green scrap 1/16 x 5/8 for the tassel top and scrap for lower part of tassel.  

 

8. Scrap of Basic White cardstock 2 ½ x 1 ½ for certificate, which I wrapped around a shish kabob skewer gluing as you roll. (Crystal used a dowel.) I wrapped it with linen thread.

 

9. For my sentiment, I used a retired Tasteful Labels die and wrote my own greeting! I adhered it with Dimensionals.

 

10. If you know how to tie a tie, you can skip her video but it'd been years since I had done that so I watched. I colored my 1/4" silk ribbon with a Garden Green marker. I hope Kelen has learned to tie a tie!

 

For the inside of this card I went rogue and stopped watching Crystal's video!

  • Night of Navy cardstock 4" x 5 1/4". 
  • I stamped it with a graduation cap and sentiment from the March 2016 Paper Pumpkin Kit in Night of Navy.  
  • I used Ornate Frames Dies and Word Bubbles Dies (both retired) to cut out the sentiments, which came from the retired Morning Star Stamp Set.  

Now here's the funny part...I used stamps from the retired Geared Up Garage set BUT fussy cut them because I forgot I had the dies for the tool box and gas container. I had already colored and adhered them so there was no use employing the dies. It's a lesson I won't soon forget because I DETEST fussy cutting! 

 

Will I make another card like this? Not on your life unless another very special person comes along. I hope I got Kelen's High School colors right and I wish him much success in his dream of repairing and restoring cars.

 

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you'll be back tomorrow for our monthly SU Demos Fun Fold Blog Hop. 

 


 




 

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Stampin' Up! Graduation Card

Today's card is bleh! It is not one of my favorites but I was cleaning up my de-stash pile that was a result of attending the decluttering Summit a few weeks ago. I still haven't tackled my 4' high bins of patterned paper. Maybe today or tomorrow...yes, tomorrow because we all know it never comes. It's always today or yesterday. In any event, here it is...

I had a diploma sticker in a bowl and have no idea from where it came. The sentiments and die cuts are unknown to me as well. I have promised myself that I won't do this anymore. I either use it immediately or don't cut it at all! The DSP, a/k/a patterned paper is from the retired Floral Boutique pack. Why did I buy three packs???

The inside is stamped with the retired Whale Done Stamp Set. Everything is monochromatic in Night of Navy. 

Thanks for stopping by today...if you did!
 

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Stampin' Up! Mother's Day Gift Bags

Good mid-week morning, peeps! I meant to post my projects on Sunday but totally forgot! If you are a mother of humans or fur babies or an auntie, I hope you had a great day. 

So, I gave my daughter and his mother gift bags filled with Ghiardelli AND Hershey's Zero Sugar candy. I followed the instructions by Pootles and they were quick and easy. Here's a look see...


My daughter got the Lily of the Valley one because she loves them. She gave me a hummingbird solar lantern and her mil gave me a hanging basket which real hummingbirds love! My son-in-love gave me a mug and made me a reuben; chicken wings for his mother along with sprosciutto appetizer and individual apple cheesecakes for dessert. He truly could open a restaurant! I have to show you all the pics because you know I am a foodie (if you've been following me)! Here ya go...

Prosciutto w/Pignoli Nuts, Mozzarella Pearls, Peach Slice, Basil and Balsamic Glaze

Grilled Reuben with his homemade Thousand Island Dressing (I could take a bath in it!!)

Apple Crumb Cheesecake

Plant from Debi

Lantern from Kerri

So far I have had two hummingbirds visit the new hanging basket. I'm patiently waiting for the fireflies to appear! My firefly lantern of  15 years bit the dust, unfortunately, but I'm happy with the hummingbird lantern!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Project Details—All Products SU! Unless Otherwise Specified
Stamps April 2020 My Wonderful Family Paper Pumpkin Kit (ret.)
Card stock & Papers     Hydrangea Hue; Peaceful Pine; Bloom Boutique Specialty DSP; Bubble Bath
 Ink Hydrangea Hue; Peaceful Pine
Accessories Soft Succulent Ribbon (ret.); unknown white satin ribbon
Tools     Classic Label Punch (ret.); Artistic Dies (ret.); Lily of the Valley Dies

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Stampin' Up! BBQ Master Father's Day Card for Amy's Inkin' Krew Monthly Blog Hop

Welcome to the AIK monthly blog hop. Our theme for this month is "For the Men/Boys" and we can  use any product we wish.  The list of hoppers is at the end of my post. I hope you'll hop along. Here's a thumbnail of my creation...


 Let's take a closer look...

 I originally made this card following TSOT sketch #693 and Double Trouble Challenge #214 but those ended 4/26/26 so I missed the deadline.


Here are some deets:

BBQ Master Stamp Set and Dies 

Poppy Parade CS Base: 4 1/4" x 11", scored at 5 1/2", 2 3/4"

Poppy Parade CS Z Fold: 3" x 11", scored at 5 1/2", 2 3/4"

Basic Black CS: 4" x 2 3/8" (2); 2 1/2" x 2 5/8" (3); 4" x 5" for die cut arch; scraps for embossed sentiments and utensil

Very Vanilla CS: 2 1/4" x 2 1/2" (3); 4" x 5" (2) for 5th and 6th from largest Everyday Arches Dies

Basic White CS: scrap for bottle 

Peaceful Pine CS: 4" x 5" for grill

Reminisce Firefighter Wildfire Patterned Paper: 3 7/8" x 2 1/4" (2) and scrap for die cut flame (Bistro Burger Dies)

Beautiful Bokeh DSP: scrap for grill fire

Painterly Pears DSP: scrap for mitts 

Silver Foil: scrap for utensils

Crumb Cake: scrap for mushrooms

In Good Taste DSP: scrap for shrimp

Checks & Dots EF for grill cover

Inks: Tangelo Twist; Peaceful Pine; VersaMark; Crushed Curry; Basic Gray; Early Espresso

Silver Embossing Powder

Thank you for stopping by today. Clicking on the "Next" button will take you to . Clicking on the individual names below will take you directly to each member's post. Trust me, you're in for a treat!

 

  1. Karen Finkle- you are here!
  2.  Terry Lynn Bright
  3.  Karen Ksenzakovic
  4.  Tara Carpenter
  5.  Nicole Bloxom
  6.  Christie King
  7.  Mary Deatherage
  8.  Ann Louise Fodgaard
  9. Charlene Tackvic 
  10.  Amy Koenders
 

Monday, May 11, 2026

Stampin' Up! Monday Makeover Madness

Good Monday morning and welcome to the Madness. First I hope all of you who are mothers in one way or another had a great day yesterday. My son-in-love cooked dinner for his mother and me. Second, I needed another anniversary card and I decided to makeover this one because the couple has two dogs. If she had her way, they'd have two cats as well! Take a look see at my MMM...


Thank you for stopping by today. 
 

Project Details—All Products SU! Unless Otherwise Specified
Stamps Phrases & Frames
Card stock & Papers     Real Red; Basic Black; Basic White; From the Heart DSP (retired); Red Glimmer Paper (ret.)
 Ink Real Red; Versa Fine Onyx Black
Accessories Adhesive Backed Heart Sequins (retired)
Tools     Dog Builder Punch (ret.); Stylish Shapes Dies; Very Best Trio Punch (ret.); Heart Shaped Dies (ret.); Sweet & Sassy Dies (ret.); Classic Label Punch (ret.); sponge; Dimensionals

 

 

Friday, May 1, 2026

Stampin' Up! Lily of the Valley Birthday Card for the Creative Creases Challenge - Anything Goes with a Fun Fold

 Welcome to our Anything Goes With a Fun Fold Challenge. I'd like to welcome our new Design Team Mate, Sue Jackson! She played a lot at CCC. If you haven't played at Creative Creases Challenge before, what are you waiting for? Hop on over to Challenge #115. We'd love to see your fun fold creation. Here's mine...

 

I made this fold last month for the CCC and today I CASE'd my Design Team Mate AND upline, Mary Deatherage. I hope I did Mary proud! Her instructions and measurements were spot on and easier. These are "rough" shots of  front, open, back and measurements. Let's take a closer look, shall we? 

 


Mary has a great video for making this card and I do hope you'll check it out because I'm not going to "reinvent the wheel" :-)

Thank you for stopping by today and I can't wait to see all the creativity from the team.  Be sure to check us out at CCC#115 ... we hope to see your entry there!  

Project Details—All Products SU! Unless Otherwise Specified
Stamps Phrases & Frames (available 5/5/26)
Card stock & Papers     Granny Apple Green; Coastal Cabana; Basic White; Garden Green; Valley in Bloom (available 5/5/26)
 Ink Coastal Cabana
Accessories Shimmering Dots (available 5/5/26)
Tools     Lily of the Valley Dies (available 5/5/26); Everyday Arches Dies (smallest)

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Stampin' Up! Dainty Flowers Birthday Card

Good mid-week morning, peeps! Over the weekend I participated in a PaperCrafters Get Organized Summit. WOW, I decluttered, sorted and organized a lot of drawers but my main goal was to clean up my pre-cut sentiments, images, card stock and DSP. Today's card represents some of that. Take a look see...


 The base, mat, DSP, butterfly and banner were just thrown in a drawer. The sentiment is new (5/5/26) from the Lily of the Valley Photopolymer Stamp Set. It fit perfectly in the pre-cut banner. I didn't have to declutter, sort or organize my ribbon because I have always done that. The base is either Fresh Freesia or Purple Posy. I know the mat is Highland Heather but I have no idea what the die cut was. The DSP is the Dainty Flowers which was offered through Sale-A-Bration but I don't remember what year (no reference in my UpNote inventory). The ribbon had no name on it so it must have come in a bundle. The butterfly was in with all my pre-cut insects so I have no clue where that came from or it may have been punched. In any event, I had fun putting the odds and ends together. The inside is the same find...

There was a piece of Highland Heather card stock and the flower image with the sentiment in a box. It was stamped in black so I colored it with various Blends. The three stamped little flowers are from the Layers of Beauty Stamp Set (on the Last Chance List).

You will be seeing more of my sorted stash in the future. I have yet to being sorting my unfinished projects bin. This is exhausting, peeps, BUT it is so rewarding. I felt like I had really accomplished something during and after the seminars and I plan to keep it going.

Thanks for stopping by today and let me know if you attended the Summit. 

Stampin' Up! Graduation Card

Good Monday morning, peeps. No Monday Madness today but rather a card inspired by Crystal Best . The link should take you to her video rathe...