CTC #596 - CASE A Technique

Welcome to another week at CASEing the Catty Sunday Blog Hop, where utilise the projects within the current Stampin' Up! catalogue to inspire our own projects each week. We also invite you to join with us in the challenge each week by using this inspiration in your own creations and uploading a photo to our Facebook page.

This week we are taking inspiration from techniques in the catalogue, or in my case I used a technique to replicate my inspiration card. 

I was inspired by this card from page 50 of the catalogue, I love the big JOY as the feature of the card and thought it would be fun to use a gel pen technique to replicate the stamped patterns on the three letters. 

I started with Secret Sea cardstock and my white gel pen, I initially cut the letters out first and then added the details with my gel pen, however for the J I found it easier to re-do this one creating the scallop lines on a piece of cardstock before cutting out the letter.  I wasn't able to recreate the small dash pattern on the Y so instead did a smaller dot pattern.  I love how well our gel pen works and how smoothly the ink runs allowing me to achieve this outcome. I didn't have a wreath die, so instead used patterned DSP from Creative Celebrations Mix & Match 6x6 DSP pack, which I think worked really well with my card.  I added a layer of Peaceful Pine Pearlized Specialty DSP on the base of the card and used some retired embellishments from last year as I really wanted some sparkle and to add some more red to the card. 

  

I hope you are inspired to join in the challenge this week, just use the lovely projects showing techniques to inspire your creativity, then post a picture of your project to the CTC Facebook page.

  

Time to hop on over and see what Rebecca has created this week.

Happy Stamping
Monique

Chain Swap Chain - Series 6 - My Card!

In April 2026 we started the sixth series of the Card Swap Chain, arranged by the lovely Tracy Held. The idea behind this is that everyone in the group made a card, then sent it to one other person in the group. Each of us CASEd the card we received and posted it to the next person in the chain, there were 10 of us in total. Each time the card was CASEd it was changed slightly until the last round when the final copy of our first card was returned to us.  This is such a fun process, and it is now time to reveal each of the cards in the chain. With 10 of us in the chain there is definitely opportunity for a few variations to sneak in between the first and the last card, so join us on this blog hop journey through the CASEing process.

This time the chain started my card!  I took inspiration from one of the projects in a Stampin' Up! catalogue and used the Moonlit Flora Suite Collection to create it.  I love how the frame turned out, I cut it with my paper trimmer and then dry embossed and used craft white ink to bring out the texture. Layering of strips of coordinating DSP and finishing off with Sunset Sparkle Sequins.  I love how the Berry Burst pops against the darker colours. 

Time to keep hopping to see how this card was interpreted for the rest of the chain, and if it is still recognisable by the end of the chain. What elements do you think will make it all the way down the line? Little spoiler alert, this card changed quite a bit from start to finish, but I think you will be able to follow the changes as the chain progresses. 

Happy Stamping

Monique

Funky Folds Blog Hop - Holly Jolly Branches

Welcome to Funky Folds Blog Hop. We are a group of like-minded paper crafters who love to make cards with funky folds. Funky actually means "modern and stylish in an unconventional or striking way"... so we are featuring cards that are not your usual rectangle/square portrait or landscape style. Think 'easel', 'pop-up', 'gatefold', 'z-fold', 'shaped' or 3D cards etc. The list is endless. All Blog Hops have an 'anything goes' theme using any type of 'funky' card fold.

I've made a variation on an easel card featuring the Whispering Woods DSP and Holly Jolly Branches Bundle. On first glance it looks like one of my no-stamping cards, but if you look closely at the trees you can see I have added stamped texture with lines, stars and circles using stamps from the bundle.  

For the trees I added random splotches of Shaded Spruce, Azure Afternoon and Pretty Peacock to water colour paper, let it dry and then cut with the three different sized tree dies. These are mounted on Shimmering Stripes DSP which is absolutely stunning and adds some lovely subtle shimmer to the background making it feel all wintery. I was inspired by Karen Titus if you would like to check out her blog post for more detailed instructions. 

If you love to make cards with creative folds and would like to join in with our monthly Funky Folds Blog Hop, you are welcome to head on over to our community group on Facebook to be part of the fun. 

facebook.com/groups/funkyfoldsbloghops 

Time to head over to the next blog, just follow the links below. 

Happy Stamping

Monique