Stamps of Life Chocolate Box Birthday card as Guest Designer for FarmQuest Grocery Game Challenges

Hello and welcome.  I am excited to be a guest designer for FarmQuest Grocery Game Challenge for challenge #21, anything food goes!  My favorite food is chocolate!  I got the chance to play with this Stamps of Life set for the first time. I went wild experimenting. I die cut the chocolates (used here) and I also colored and embossed the chocolates (I will show that make another time). I did watch the Stamps of Life video on youtube and boy did it have some helpful hints.  

Play along with anything FOOD goes HERE.

I found a wonderful die cut sentiment and cut it in the same papers as I used on the chocolates.  I actually used three different papers on the chocolates.  The glitter, the Bazzil and a matte dark brown for the wrappers.

I found some vintage bias in my stash to add a bow because every box of chocolates needs a bow especially a birthday box!

It may not seem that I stamped on this make, but I did!  I stamped the box of chocolates then layered the die cuts on top if not colored it is a template for the die cuts.

Ingredients:

Stamps of Life Chocolate2stamps and dies

Simon Says Stamps happy birthday die

Stampin Up papers, Bazill card stock and misc card stock

vintage fiber

White card stock

Momento Tuxedo Black ink

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://craftingacutabove.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-challenge-time.html until 8.28

https://do-allkreatives.blogspot.com/2025/07/hallo-zusammen-wir-haben-heute-den-1.html until 8.31

Thank you for reading today.

Alicia

Stampin Up Everything is Rosey card for Atlantic Hearts Challenge

Welcome to my inspiration for this week's Atlantic Hearts Challenge sketch #644.  It is so versatile as to lend itself to a wide variety of images.  I used a die cut pair of boots I created from scraps, beautiful scraps...

Here is the sketch.

I used a Scrapbook.com boot die set, I have you several other times, it is so versatile.  The sentiment is also from Scrapbook.com but stamped on a piece from the Stampin up Everything is Rosy card kit.

Ingredients:

Stampin Up Everything is Rosey card kit

Scrapbook.com Howdy sentiment stamps

Scrapbook.com Disco dies

Me & My Big Idea Icon gems

Stampin Up Night of Navy ink

misc card stock and papers

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://craftingacutabove.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-challenge-time.html until 8.28

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html until 8.31

https://lovethoseprettypapers.blogspot.com/2025/08/love-those-pretty-papers-august.html until 8.31

https://doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com/2025/08/Challenge-198.html until 9.1

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/08/322-anything-goes-optional-use.html until 9.12

We would love you to play along until Sunday at Atlantic Hearts Challenge.

Thanks for reading today.

Alicia
 

Graphic 45 Artisan Style layout for Sketches in Thyme

Welcome to this month's inspiration for Sketches in Thyme Facebook Group. I created a companion page from a layout I did last month as guest designer for another blog. It was about my favorite brand which is Graphic 45.  This collection, Artisan Style; was perfect for my photos of downtown Chicago.

Here's this week's sketch.

I cut this image with scissors from a full 12x12 sheet and added die cuts created with coordinating papers.

I did the same here.  

I cut the Cheery Lynn flowers from more decorative coordinating papers. I used plenty of sparkly gems to embellish and added more greenery.

Ingredients:

Graphic 45 Artisan Style and Creative Ideal papers

The Paper Company Peach Shimmer card stock

Cheery Lynn Designs Mehndi Botanical Stem dies

Cheery Lynn Designs Mehndi Botanicals 2 and 3 dies

Creative Memories adhesive backed water color paper

Creative Memories sticker letters

Stampin Up blue adhesive backed gems and pink petal foiled gems

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://craftingacutabove.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-challenge-time.html until 8.28

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html until 8.31

https://paper-rocks-scissors.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-7-challenge.html until 8.31

https://lovethoseprettypapers.blogspot.com/2025/08/love-those-pretty-papers-august.html until 8.31

Don't forget to play along with all four sketches this month at Sketches in Thyme Facebook page. Thanks for stopping by today.

Alicia

Stampin Up Many Messages with Sketch N Scrap sketch

Welcome to my blog today.  I had a very productive making session over the weekend.  I purchased some precut 4x6 papers from a creative reuse store.  I am of the belief that they are Stampin Up brand but I do not know the name of the DSP.  These papers along with this great sketch from Sketch N Scrap made for a nice little collection of cards.  I pulled out my Stampin Up Many Messages stamps and die (also purchased second hand) which I have never used.  I was actually a little disappointed, there were a couple of sentiments that would not stamp well, even using my MISTI and stamping three times!  Of course, I have definitely had other brands not measure up, but never Stampin Up.  Maybe that is why the lady sold it to me?  I did stamp it twice once in Basic Gray and once in Black. Even with the few I had to ditch, I managed to create a great pile of sentiments for future use as well.

Here is the Sketch N Scrap sketch I used for my collection of cards.

More cards with the same papers and sketch.

All of the cards together.

Ingredients:

Stampin Up Many Messages stamps and die

Stampin Up Designer Series Paper

Stampin Up Basic Grey ink

Recollections flowers

dies

flowers

gems

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com/2025/08/Challenge-198.html until 8.31

https://sketchnscrap.blogspot.com/  https://sketchnscrap.blogspot.com/2025/08/card-sketch-288.html until 8.31

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/08/322-anything-goes-optional-use.html until 9.22

Thank you for reading my blog today.

Alicia

Leave a little Sparkle card for Atlantic Hearts Challenge

Hello and welcome to my blog today.  I am playing around with my bargain paper score from a recent trip to the thrift store.  I got this 6x6 paper pad for only $1!  I embellished with a discounted sticker from Hobby Lobby making this card a real bargain!

I thought the papers very much lent themselves to this week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

A close up of this puffy sticker from Hobby Lobby.

I also dug deep to find this lovely metallic ribbon. In person this is quite a sparkly, shiny card.  The sentiment is heat embossing in sparkly embossing powder as well!

Ingredients:

KCB Designs Chasing Rainbows 6x6 paper pad

Scrapbook.com Pastel Glossy 6x8 cardstock

The Paper Company Artic Snow card base

Stampin Up Leave a Little Sparkle stamp sentiment

Stampin Up Lovely Lilac craft ink

Taylored Expressions Jelly Donut Sparkle embossing powder

Spellbinders Label die

The Paper Studio La Petites dimensional sticker

Stampin Up Opal rounds assortment gems

The Paper Studio metal ribbon

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://inspirationstationchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/08/inspiration-station-challenge-august.html until 8.29

I was inspired by the unicorn itself and the color palette.

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html until 8.31

https://lovethoseprettypapers.blogspot.com/2025/08/love-those-pretty-papers-august.html until 8.31

Don't forget to play along with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge until Sunday evening.

Thanks for stopping to read my blog today.

Alicia

Cricut You're a Peach card and necklace

Hello and welcome today.  I have used a Cricut cut today.  It's been a while, I used to use it regularly when I had the Bitten by the Bug blog. I think I had to cease that blog in 2021ish. I also used an embossing folder and manual die cutting to create this peachy card!

A close up of my Cricut cut. I distressed the basket weave with ink to highlight the texture.

I sent this to my friend with an Allman Brothers necklace I made using Craft Fantastic products and an image I absconded from the net.

Ingredients:

Cricut Access peach image with sentiment

Our Daily Bread Designs pierced circle die

Lifestyle Crafts Basket weave embossing folder

misc paper including Creative Memories 

glass 

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/2025/07/sos553-eat-five-day.html until 8.10.25

https://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/2025/08/cut-it-up-challenge-336-add-sentiment.html until 8.18.25

https://farmquestgrocerygamechallenges.blogspot.com/2025/07/fqggcb-20-anything-food-goes-theme.html until 8.28.25

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html until 8.31.25

https://neglectedstuff.blogspot.com/2025/08/neglected-stuff-825-challenge.html until 8.31.25

Thanks so much for stopping by

Alicia

On Wednesday's we wear black... Hero Arts Paper Doll

The wait is finally over and on Wednesday's we wear black!!!  I own ALL the Hero Arts Lifestyle dies series, they are basically paper doll pieces that came in several themed sets.  If you are a follower of my blog, you will know how much I love paper piecing. So this die set is one of my absolute favorites.  I have only used it once. I made paper dolls of my besties that was over two years ago!  I never even posted them. My Wednesday was of course created  in anticipation of today. It's taken way to long to get a second season of this show.

I used hair from two different sets to create her look. I colored the face stamp with ink pens to get lip and eye color different.

The boots are from the Victorian Lady die set.  Most of Wednesday's dress is from the Trick or Treat set but the boots in that set were a bit too "witchy".  I cut the collar in two and manipulated the pieces a bit to create the cuffs. I cut the legs in black to create the tights.

Ingredients:

Hero Arts Fancy dies Lifestyle Forms

Hero Arts Fancy dies Lifestyle Trick or Treat 

Hero Arts Fancy dies Lifestyle Victorian Lady 

Hero Arts Hero Lifestyle Faces stamps

Kindred Stamps Gothic Vibes 6x6 paper pad

Kindred Stamps Spooky Family sentiment stamp

Sizzix Circle Nesting dies

Momenta Tuxedo Black ink

misc papers and card stock

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://neglectedstuff.blogspot.com/2025/08/neglected-stuff-825-challenge.html until 8.25

hero arts dies-2 years

sizzix circle die-long time...I usually reach for Spellbinders but these were closer

https://craftingacutabove.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-challenge-time.html until 8.28

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html until 8.31

https://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com/2025/08/challenge-222-ag-polka-dots-andor.html until 8.31

https://paper-rocks-scissors.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-7-challenge.html until 8.31

used paper and scissors to manipulate die cuts

Thanks for stopping by.

Leave a comment below letting me know if you have been waiting for this day for a long time.  

Alicia

Barks Marvin Masculine Dog card: Grrrrrrrrrr

Hello all!  I have been playing with this new to me stamp set. I purchased it recently at a creative reuse store, Scrap it up. The stamp set from Stampers Anonymous is called Barks Marvin the Crime Solving Dog. I was ecstatic to score such a great set of just a few dollars.  I pulled out some premade backgrounds and started stamping away with this new set.  I created several cards. This was my husband's favorite.

Since it was my husband's favorite, I figured it was the most masculine of the bunch, but they are are truly masculine cards.  

My husband did note this image isn't as clear as some of the others which were stamped and embossed with pretty much the same ingredients.  I believe it is the kraft paper. These images were also pretty large.  I put this on a 5x7" card.

Ingredients:

Stampers Anonymous Barks Marvin: The Crime Solving Dog stamps

A muse French Roast ink

Woven Tapestry embossing powder

Tim Holtz Sizzix Harlequin embossing folder

Distress inks a green and a blue on tag

kraft tag

velvet brad

misc card stock and papers including Bazzill

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://themaleroomchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/challenge-200-dogs-andor-cats.html until 8.5.25x

https://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2025/07/challenge-818-masculine.html until 8.5.25x

https://asyoulikeitchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/07/favourite-cats-or-dogs-and-why.html until 8.6.25x

Dogs because I am dog person.  As an adult I have only had dogs as pets. I am just a dog person...love my Sparky!

https://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/257-masculine-card.html until 8.9.25x

https://creativecraftinguncles.blogspot.com/2025/07/67-layer-it-up.html until 8.14.25x

https://craftyanimals.blogspot.com/2025/08/challenge-97.html until 8.29.25

https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2025/08/nbus-challenge-77.html until 8.31.25 (C9)

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/08/august-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html until 8.31.25

Thanks for stopping by today.

Alicia

Pink Paislee Adventure card for Atlantic Hearts sketch challenge

Welcome to my blog today.  I am using the latest sketch from Atlantic Hearts Challenge Sketch #640.  I found this heart globe die cut in my stash of precut pieces.  I knew exactly where the papers were that I used for this and dug them out to complete the card.  I found a Stampin Up sentiment that worked well with the globe and travel papers.

Here is the SKETCH.

A close up of my globe and sentiment.  I have no idea of the brand of die.  I love it though!  I have used it several times.

The We R Tape It kit dies have proven invaluable as well. I use them all the time for sentiments!

Ingredients:

American Craft Paislee Pink Horizon #5,17 and 23 papers

Spellbinders rectangle die

globe die

Stampin Up Greatest Journey sentiment stamp

Colorbox Heliotrope ink

We R Tape It kit die

Quick Quotes Powderpuff Chalking inks Purple Passion ink

pink and metallic card stock

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

https://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com/2025/07/challenge-221-ag-use-hand-punch-andor.html until 7.31x

https://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/07/mttc-565-theme-is-to-use-2-or-more.html until 8.7x

Don't forget to play with this sketch and enter before Sunday:  HERE.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Alicia

Music Layout: Favorite Topic to Scrap for Lasting Memories Challenge as Guest Designer

Welcome to my last post as guest designer for Lasting Memories challenge.  This week's challenge is to scrap your favorite topic.  I used some old stash a Story Tellers Club kit.  It was in my "music" stash and I thought perfect for these photos. 

I am not sure if you are familiar with The Story Teller's Club but it was a monthly scrapbook kit that came with several double sided printed papers, punch out die cut sheets, ribbon and coordinating card stock. Oh! and I think they usually came with sticker letters.  At least I still have some in my stash.  

Added beyond the kit was some red resin roses.  They are probably Tim Holtz Idea-ology.  They were just perfect for this layout!

Ingredients:

The Storytellers Club kit May 2011

Mrs. Grossman sticker letters

red resin roses

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

https://lovethoseprettypapers.blogspot.com/2025/07/atg-using-pretty-patterned-paper-july.html until 7.31x

Thank you for stopping by today.

Alicia