Double Duty-Squared!

On the 22nd of each month a group of friends have a challenge called Double Duty. We have a predetermined stamp company assigned to each month. We are to make two different cards, using the same stamp (or stamp set) from the designated company. 

As another way to double up, at least one item has to be used on both cards. It could be card stock, an embellishment, embossing folder, a stencil, etc.

Since I'm a bit behind on this fun challenge, so this month my Double Duty is squared! That is, I'm posting 4 cards. The current month's DD and the DD from May.

July's Double Duty:
Unity Stamp Co. 

Both cards use the same stamps, same ink colors and same card stock. Both are highlighted with Spectrum Noir's glitter pen.

Stamp Set: Born Again Today by Unity Stamp Company.

Card Stock: Stampin' Up Barely Banana and Cameo Coral.

Designer Paper: "Vanilla Sunshine" paper pack by S E I.

Ink: "Ocean Mist" by Gina K Designs. 

Embellishments: hearts and ribbons are from Stampin' Up. 

May's Double Duty:
Stamping Bella 

Both cards use the same stamps, the same marker colors, the same stencil and the same card stock. Both are highlighted with Diamond Stickles and a clear rhinestone on her belt.

Stamp Set: "Tiny Towne Haley the Super Hero" by Stamping Bella.

Stencil: "Here Comes the Sun" by Taylored Expressions.

Card Stock: Purple and yellow from my stash, possibly Stampin Up.

Ink: Image is stamped with Hero Arts INTENS-ified black. Stenciled yellow is Pineapple by Taylored Expressions & the purple is Plum Punch by Gina K Designs.

Markers: Spectrum Noir.

Please visit the blogs of my team mates and admire their own Double Duty Cards:

Barb

Jeanette

Carol

Thanks for stopping by. Please be kind to a neighbor or a random stranger today!

Dueling Darlings: Christmas in July!

 Tracie and Carol hosted this month's challenge and decided to feature the often overlooked Mrs. Claus.

Here is the front of my card, featuring some of the lovely papers sent in Tracie's kit.

Image: Mrs. Claus Baking Co. by Jaded Blossom.

Designer papers by Authentique Rejoice

Embellishments: 
Doodlebug red doily, miscellaneous sequins and crochet lace.

The image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers and a Spectrum Noir glitter pen highlights her apron, glasses, hair and ribbon. I just HAD to sparkle her hair, because she's a magical person after all!! Here's a close up.

The papers were so pretty that I used more on the inside.

Thank you Tracie for such a fun kit!

Tracie included one of her favorite holiday cookie recipes and asked that we also post a favorite cookie recipe.

After some thought I remembered how much my kids liked Spritz cookies and how my Mom would bake them every Christmas. 

So here's the recipe, although we never decorated our cookies. They are delicious as is!

• 
  
• Spritz Cookies
• 1cup butter, softened
• 1/2cup sugar
• 2 1/4cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4teaspoon salt
• 1egg
• 1teaspoon almond extract 
• Food color & currants, raisins, candies, colored sugar, finely chopped nuts, candied fruit or fruit peel, if desired

• Heat oven to 400°F. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, salt, egg, almond extract and a few drops of food color.
• Here, I refrigerate the dough to make it easier to work with.
• Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with currants if desired.
• 
  
  Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until set but not brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. To decorate cookies after baking, use a drop of corn syrup to attach decorations to cookies.

Hot Mess = Success July, 2022

I am determined to get caught up with my card making commitments.  Life has been a little too full the past few weeks, and my amazing friends understand that. However, I don't want to abuse their generous nature!

Today is posting day for our Hot Mess = Success cards! This is the brain child of our dear Kelly. The idea is to create a card while getting messy. 

Way outside of my comfort zone is GLITTER.  To me, it just has messy written all over it.  Inspired by Carol, who has glitter and glitz in her veins, I decided that it was high time to tackle glitter!

Here's my card.

Please overlook the poor attempt to hand cut the brown card stock as a layer behind the glittered medallion.

Card stock is old Stampin' Up stock. The ribbon and gems are from my stash.  All other components are pictured here and can be purchased at Taylored Expressions.  

Stencil: Mandala (a clear favorite of mine)
Glue: Glitter Grab 
Glitter: Cookie Monster

I used Scrapbook.com's "All Purpose Craft Scraper" to apply the glue over the stencil.  It takes some practice since it is different than applying other mediums.  Then I removed the stencil, popping it immediately into warm soapy water.  Holding my breath (literally) I shook out the glitter, patted it gently into the glue and WALKED AWAY. Hahahaha.  Returning later to shake off the excess.  Then walked away again for several hours before attempting to brush off stray glitter.

Then I hand cut the edges and really wanted the dark brown accent behind it. Not satisfied with any choice of die cut panels I hand cut the border. Now I wish I would have just used a die cut shape. Oh well.

Will I try the other fantastic colors of glitter from Taylored Expressions?  You bet!! Will I use Glitter Grab? Yep! 

Hop on over to these blogs to admire the Hot Mess Successes created by my friends:

Kelly

Jeanette

Barb

Terry

Carol

Thanks for stopping by!