Thankful

 Blue Ribbon #2   HOLIDAY CATEGORY

While I usually use Autumn colors for Fall themes, I thought I’d buck the tide and try something different . . .

I’m not sure if it worked, but I like how it turned out anyway!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Hershey, Strathmore #100 Bristol Vellum, 

Marcos Jute   

Stamps:       Hero Autumn Set (acorn), Unknown Wood Strip

Inks:             Distress Prize Ribbon, Walnut Stain, ColorBox 

Frost White

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White

Dies:            Mama Elephant Peek a Frame, Unknown Leaf Spray, 

Spellbinders A2 Distressed Edges, YPP Craft Words

Set: “Thankful”             

Emb Fldr:     Spellbinders Blistered

NJ State Fair 2026

The NJ State Fair 2026 took place last month and my nine rubber stamped entries did quite well, thank you very much!  I was even awarded a Best in Show gigantic pink ribbon which really topped off my day . . .

Onward to the first of nine posts featuring my NJ Fair cards!

Blue Ribbon #1 BIRTHDAY CATEGORY

This year, I thought it would be fun to see how many cards I could make using elements I saved in my Scrap Box.  Happily, I succeeded with all but two entries.  This one used a background I rescued from the box . . .

The flowers were made with my favorite material for flora: Foamiran.  Three seconds under the heat gun and the petals lift.  Best of all, they never droop, even after their wild ride through the postal system.

Cardstock:   Stedner Bright White, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth

Stamps:       Amuse Script Background

Inks:             Ancient Page Cardinal, Hero Unicorn

Dies:            Papertrey Ink Leaf & Sprig Frames, InFunly Butterflies,

 Impression Obsession Bare Branch, Spellbinders Floral BerryAccents, TEMU Vertical Words: “Happy Birthday”           

Emb Fldr:     Sheena Snowfall

Doo Dads:    Tiny buttons, Foamiran     

Thanks

My friend Barb is in charge of the Home & Hobby building at the NJ Fair where I enter my cards every year.  She does an incredible job of coordinating the multi-craft displays and deserves a thank you for her efforts . . .

In addition to stamping, Barb is a major quilter, so I like to send cards to her that feature quilting-themed designs.  Since I used many different designer papers for this background, I had lots of leftover inserts.  So I put together many of these panels to have at the ready when creating time is scarce. 

Cardstock:   Canson Mixed Media Rough #114, assorted

patterned papers         

Dies:            InLoveArts Diagonal Stripe Background, Frantic

Stamper Modern Thanks

Doo Dads:    Waffle Flower Enamel Dots White

Nature

I really went to town with this one . . .

 . . . multiple layers and tools and embellishments make for a card I’m really happy to send.  I’ll do so with a thin layer of foam packaging so the metal frame won’t gum up the postal works.  I’ve sent numerous cards with these frames and have never had a problem.  Fingers will be crossed nonetheless . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Purple Pizzazz, Scrap from a Fred Mullett class,

Gold  

Stamps:       Stamp Zia “Nature”

Inks:             Distress Mowed Lawn, ColorBox Gold

Colorants:    Various dried die ink powders

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            Papertrey Ink Pierced Feature Frame, Recollections

Mix Bird, Sue Wilson Chantilly Lace Edger              

Emb Fldr:     Stampin’ Up Layered Leaves

Doo Dads:    Making Memories Label Holder    

All the Best

With Time still at a premium, here’s another re-vamped card . . .

Tim’s Alcohol Ink Lift has been snoozing in my stash for quite sometime, so I need to wake it up and start using it again.  The effect is subtle but truly effective in real life.  I hope the camera does it some justice . . .

Cardstock:             Bazzill Santillo, Hanko Echizen Gold, Tim Holtz Yupo          

Stamps:                Stampers Anonymous Art Deco Palm Fronds

 Inks:                     Adirondack Alcohol Ink Terra Cotta, Bottle, Pinata Brass,

                               Tim Holtz Alcohol Lift Ink

Dies:                      Impression Obsession All the Best, Spellbinders Flutters                 

Cheers

Here’s another slightly re-vamped card to save time and help me get caught up . . .

My dear friend Susi loves dragonflies, so I’ve added one onto this card . . . it’s sparkly and a lot more noticeable in real life.

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol Vellum   

Stamps:       Fiskars Mesh Roller, Technique Junkies Travel

Documents

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Faded Jeans, Dusty

Concord

Dies:            TEMU Blue Dragonfly, Dandelion Pattern, Cheery

Lynn Cheers                   

Stencil:        TEMU French Letter

Doo Dads:    Nuvo Midas Touch  

Good Idea

I’ve always loved the subtle look of White on Gray, so that’s what I’ve done here . . .

I’ve done the flowers in neutral colors in order to keep the layout very peaceful.  However, the sparkly flower centers certainly perked things up a bit!  I hope they show in the photo . . .

Cardstock:   American Crafts Pastels: Grey, Strathmore Ultimate

White          

Stamps:       Concord & 9th Fine Line Florals text

Inks:            Vivid Sky Blue, Plum, Taupe, Cobblestone,

          ColorBox Frost White

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger White

Dies:            Concord & 9th Fine Line Florals, TopUnder/Amazon

                    “Three Lobed Flower”, Spellbinders Floral Berry

Accents, Studio Calico Nested Rectangles, 

Bottone/Amazon Leafy Border, TEMU Flag Label, 

Carl punch Flower Center                

Emb Folder: Sizzix Happy Texture

Doo Dads:    Kat Scrappiness Sequins Shimmering Platinum