Climb Every Mountain...

 

The lovely folk of Shopping Our Stash have a new challenge on offer... as they play Challenge #569 I'm Counting on You!

They'd like to see numbers on our cards and for us to use our stash.

This card is a commission for a friend of a friend. Mike is turning 80, but he's still hiking and climbing and enjoying the outdoor life. I hit my scraps box for the black card and my good card for inking and then broke out a favourite stencil for the sun rays. I don't like to charge too much for the cards I make as commissions so often use clipart images and word process a few bits 'n' bobs if I don't have suitable stamps to hand. If I can use off-cuts and leftovers I do that too as it all keeps the cost down. 

The SOS team have created some really inspirational cards to play this theme, so why not head on over and take a look! 

The Sisterhood of Snarky stampers Challenge #272 - C is for Cold

Just look at Edna battling the Brrrrrrrrr for the Sisterhood this month as we play C is for Cold!

For my take on cold I went with a cool colour combo and the offer of a dash of biting sarcasm. 

The cat is from Technique Junkies, but sadly they appear to have closed down. 

The sisters have had a proverbial hoot with this theme, and we very much hope you'll come and join the fun too!

Fa la la la la la la la la

Well, just look at me managing to fit in some card making time amongst everything else that's going on! 

The Jingle Belles are looking for Christmas Music and Lost Coast Designs would like us to Make it Funny this month. 

 

I think my card should fit the bill for both challenges...

I always enjoy playing with the Katzelkraft cats and thought it would be fun to pair this little caroler with Fa la la Bold Prints from Hero Arts. I'm sure the neighbours are delighted! 

I hope your day is going well and, like mine, has involved some lovely crafting fun!

Jane's birthday card...

Isn't it soooo helpful when you go looking for inspiration and find a challenge that provides a perfect light bulb moment! A big thank you to the gals at AAA Birthday Card Challenge Game #83 for the creative nudge.

Here's what I made to play along...

I do love working with this big die cut from MFT - it just makes everything so easy! I thought it would be fun to add some die-cut kitties from Mini Cats by Impression Obsession and bingo, my card was made. 

I'm also going to link to SUYP Challenge #121 as I love this sweet little furry challenge.

Have a happy day, folks!

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #108 - Out of the Woods

Happy March, everyone!

Our guest Elf this month over at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge is the rather wonderful Wendy from Cartai. 

Wendy has chosen a super-fun theme for us...

Challenge #108 - Out of the Woods

And she's created the sweetest card for our challenge together, and you can see it here. 

Here's what I made. I think my woodland creatures might just be 'forest' creatures! 

The majestic stag comes from Sizzix Thinlets set by Josh Griffiths called Forest Animals. His friend the bear is from the same set.

I added a Memory Box window to frame that nosey bear. 

The gorgeous Rudolph is with us over on the Kickstart blog to share his March Random Raffle Prize.

Anyone else miss Sugar Pead Designs? Such cute stamps.

Wendy and I both hope you'll come and play along with our challenge!

The Card Chain Challenge February 2026 - Reveal

 

We are all about spreading love around the world, one handmade card at a time!!

We had 24 participants who exchanged cards during February and our Reveal post is a thing of beauty! 

The total number of cards exchanged thus far by Card Chain Challenge participants is a rather wonderful 4,825. And despite the current craziness of the world, plus the best attempts of international postal services to throw their proverbial spanners into the works, we are holding firm and waiting for card 500 to be sent. A huge thank you to Gail for everything she does to keep this chain of love and friendship intact and marching along. 

All the cards exchanged this month used at least one of the following options:

 

Colour Palette Option

or

Sketch Option

or 

Theme Options: Clouds / On The Farm / Friendship

or 

Product / Technique Options: Dies / Fussy Cutting

Here's what I sent to Jeanne in Minnesota

I love this MFT set... And Jeanne does too!

Michaela in Austria was my sender this month and just look at this adorably sweet little PB hedgie she sent.

Isn't this just so much fun! Thanks Michaela, I love it. 

Want to play along ????

If you want to join in the fun you can sign up for the Card Chain Challenge.  All sign ups run in advance, from the 7th of the preceding month to the 6th of the exchange month.  All reveals happen on the 2nd of the month after the exchange is complete.