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Friday, July 3, 2026

Christmas Bus


F4A854 - Nursery Rhymes / Children's Songs - I chose The Wheels On the Bus

It has become a cherished tradition for me to create a new Bus Christmas Card for my sister each year. She is a bus mechanic, so designing something special and bus themed has turned into one of my favorite holiday projects. This year’s card features a bright school bus die cut from Echo Park. I cut all the layers, assembled them, and added a thin black liner around the windows to give them a crisp, finished look.

Two years ago I ordered a custom Pike stamp from Magnuson Custom Stamps, since Pike is the school district where she works. I used that stamp again this year and white heat embossed it onto the bumper. It is a small detail, but it adds such a personal touch.

For the tires, I used a fun find from last year. My mom discovered a tire tread stamp, and I clear embossed the tires with it to give them a realistic textured shine. The School Bus sentiment comes from Trinity Stamps. The challenge with that stamp is that it is a full bus image, so I have to ink only the sentiment and carefully trim it out. I finally ordered a dedicated School Bus sentiment stamp from Magnuson Custom Stamps for next year’s cards, which will make that step much easier.

To add dimension, I separated the top and bottom portions of the bus die cut and popped the front section up on dimensionals. It gives the bus a nice layered look without overwhelming the design.

This year’s card also includes a die cut Christmas present with a glittery bow for a festive touch. To finish everything off, I added a stamped Merry Christmas sentiment and popped it up on dimensionals as well. It is always a joy to create these cards, and I love how this year’s design turned out.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card today. Your thoughtful comments are always appreciated. If you leave a note, a visit to your blog will follow.

Christmas Bus

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Love Machine

 

WT1112 - Repeat After Me

For my card, I pulled out this great slot machine die cut from Honey Bee Stamps and had such a fun time piecing it together. I cut all the layers from a mix of scrap papers, letting the different textures and colors build a playful, assembled look that feels just right for a slot machine theme.

To give the machine more personality, I added white highlights to several of the pieces, creating the look of shine and giving the whole focal point a lively, dimensional feel.

I layered the finished slot machine over a love and playing card patterned paper, then framed it with gold mirror cardstock for a bold metallic pop. Everything is mounted on a black card base, which grounds the design and makes the colors and shine stand out even more.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card today. Your thoughtful comments are always appreciated. If you leave a note, a visit to your blog will follow.

Love Machine

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Welcome Pup

 

SC1121 - this week's sketch on splitcoaststampers.com

I love with a sketch lends itself to making pet donation cards. For this card, I pulled out my paw print paper for the background and layered it on orange. I then die cut the Hunkydory dog paper, layered it also on orange. The orange is perfect to pull out the color in his eyes.

To finish the card, I added a simple welcome sentiment and a few scattered orange hearts.

This will be another of my pet donation cards.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card today. Your thoughtful comments are always appreciated. If you leave a note, a visit to your blog will follow.

Welcome Pup

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Hot Air Balloon Birthday

 

CAS905 - Balloons

For my card, I started with a clean white card base and added a kraft embossed panel from the stack of papers I am working on using up this year. The texture of the kraft layer gives the background a warm, rustic feel that works beautifully with the rest of the design.

Next, I die cut the balloon pieces and brought them to life with a mix of sponging and Copics to add depth and soft shading. The finished balloon is popped up on dimensionals for lift, and I tucked a small cloud underneath to create a simple, airy scene.

To finish the card, I added a straightforward birthday greeting at the bottom, also popped up on dimensionals, giving the design a clean and balanced final touch.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card today. Your thoughtful comments are always appreciated. If you leave a note, a visit to your blog will follow.

Hot Air Balloon Birthday

Crusin Father's Day

 

FS1012 - This week's incredibly talented Featured Stamper is RJP111 aka Robin. I found this INSPIRATION.

I was inspired by the muscle car on Robin’s card and knew this Spellbinders die would be a great fit, so I cut the pieces from blue, black, and silver cardstock and layered them to build the car. The combination of colors gave it a bold, polished look that worked perfectly for the theme.

After assembling the car, I pulled a vintage style paper from the stash I am working through this year and mounted it on silver to echo the metallic accents. I added a blue ombre layer for extra depth, then placed everything on silver and finally a black card base to ground the design.

With the foundation complete, I added dimension by popping up both the car and the sentiment, which gave the finished card a clean, striking presence.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card today. Your thoughtful comments are always appreciated. If you leave a note, a visit to your blog will follow.

Crusin Father's Day

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Rainbow Birthday

 

IC1073 - The Willow Tree - INSPIRATION

I was inspired by the cheerful rainbow colors on the romper, and it reminded me of this rainbow floss I’ve been trying to use up it felt like the perfect match for a fun, stitched card. I die cut the panel with a Spellbinders die and then stitched it with the rainbow floss, letting all those bright colors shine. To add a little sparkle, I placed teal gems in some of the centers.

The finished panel is layered over a teal mat and then onto a clean white card base. To complete the design, I popped the birthday sentiment up on dimensionals for just a bit of lift and presence.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card today. Your thoughtful comments are always appreciated. If you leave a note, a visit to your blog will follow.

Rainbow Birthday

Friday, June 26, 2026

Congrats on the New Puppy


F4A853 - Little Girls

For my card, I reached for this adorable little girl image from Unity, complete with a sweet puppy, making it perfect for another of my pet donation cards. I paired her with a cheerful polka dot paper from my stash, which I am working hard to use up this year. The image is colored with Copics and popped up on dimensionals for a bit of lift.

To finish the design, I added a few brown hearts for balance and a Congratulations sentiment, also raised on dimensionals, to tie everything together.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card today. Your thoughtful comments are always appreciated. If you leave a note, a visit to your blog will follow.

Congrats on the New Puppy