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  

Floral Sympathy

In a rush to get this Sympathy card on its way, this re-vamped card wound up with the focal panel glued on upside down . . .

 

I still think it works, so I am taking artistic license and proclaiming it DONE.  But if my friend Trish wants to display it upside down, that’s fine with me . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Lemonade, Nicole Black, Scrap Purple  

Stamps:       Dreams Come True Sketched Floral

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White

Waterclrs:    Twinkling H2O’s Green, Gold

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger White

Dies:            Fiskars Corner Punch Leafy Spray                   

Doo Dads:    Fabric Flowers, Brass brads        

Love

It’s hard to beat Black, White, and Silver for an eye-catching layout . . .

When mailing cards with beading, I use thin foam sheets to cushion them from the postal mangling machines.  So far, I’ve never had a problem . . .

Cardstock:            Bazzill Raven, Neenah Bright White, Unknown

Dull Silver

Stamps:                Alias Smith & Rowe Splots & Dots, Unknown

small stamps

Inks:                      ColorBox Frost White

Emb Powder:         Ranger White

Dies:                     Recollections Word Fetti: “Love”

Doo Dads:              Class A’Peels Silver stickers, beads

Birthdays Are the Best

For a variety of reasons, I’m currently in a time crunch, so I’m having fun digging up a bunch of cards from earlier days and re-vamping them with some current ideas . . .

I like the energy that a diagonal treatment brings to the layout and I think I’ll do more of them . . .

Cardstock:            Bazzill Raven, Neenah Bright White

Stamps:                Unknown Leaves, Stampin’ Up Itty Bitty

Background,

Inks:                      VersaFine Spanish Moss, Superior India Ink

Black, Assorted colors

Emb Powder:         Vippies Transcendence

Dies:                      Creative Expressions “Birthdays Are the

Best Days”

Doo Dads:              Burlap strip Black

Celebrate

With time and a few health issues at stake, I thought a repeat of a rather successful card was in order . . .

Washi tapes can really make a statement – especially when applied on the diagonal . . .

When using pop dots for a panel attached to the card front, shadow dies intended to back coordinating text can really be useful for cutting out the shape that surrounds the text.   This frames the text nicely . . .

 Inks:            Wink of Stella Black

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Eames White       

Dies:            TEMU Sentimental Shadow Words: “Celebrate”          

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes      

Love

Here’s a re-work of an older card . . .

I like the leaves and flower with their wonderful gleaming Pearl Ex colors, but I do wish I’d chosen a different color for the background.  It’s a bit gloomy for my liking.  Oh well, there’s always a next time and a chance to make better choices . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Dark Green, Raven, Scrap Dull Silver

Stamps:       Great Impressions Carved Leaves, Checkerboard

Flower                  

Inks:            Dove Blender, Pearl Ex True Blue, Misty Lavender,

Hunter Green

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Honey Bee Blanket Set: “Love”

Doo Dads:    Seed beads Black, screening mesh Black, Silver

dragonfly brads

Dig It

For this one, I used the crushed waxed paper technique to make a frame . . .

If you’re new to this blog, scroll back a few posts to learn the simple technique.  It involves crushed wax paper, a piece of cardstock, and a hot iron . . . doesn’t get much easier than that!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Hershey, Bon Bon, Strathmore #100 Bristol

Smooth

Inks:             Archival Coffee, Distress Antique Linen, Candies Apple,

Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint,

Stormy Sky, Dusty Concord, Oxide Walnut Stain,

Brushed Corduroy

Dies:            Impression Obsession Large Frame, Garden Tools, 

Alibbon Pot Plants, TEMU Let’s Dig it

Doo Dads:    Waxed paper

Love

Here’s a background I did with the crushed wax paper technique . . .

After ironing the crushed wax paper onto my cardstock, I used blending brushes to smooth on two shades of blue.  I love the subtle interest this technique gives to the background . . . the texture is a nice backdrop without taking away from the floral focal points.

Happily, the perky flowers will stay perky, even after their wild ride through the USPS system.  That’s because they’re made with Foamiran.  Once heated for 3 seconds with a heat gun, the petals curve upwards and stay that way.  Cardstock flowers will always get crushed in the mail, but Foamiran flowers will look just as good for the recipient as they did when I made them.  Miraculous stuff, for sure!

Cardstock:   Bazzill White, Neenah Bright White        

Inks:             Bazzill Oxide Evergreen Bough, Faded Jeans, Copic 

Rose Mist

Dies:            DieNamics Pierced Rectangle Frame, TEMU Zinnia,

 Papertrey Ink Super Succulents Set: “Love”                

Doo Dads:    waxed paper, The Art Institute Floral Transparent Set, 

Foamiran, American Crafts Jute Pink 

Hello Fall

This one uses a technique I had fun with decades ago.  Thanks to Gina K’s video on Wax Paper Techniques, I’m hooked on it all over again . . .

I took a 4” x 5” piece of wax paper and crumpled it into a small ball.  Then I smoothed it out over a piece of cardstock, covered it with another piece of cardstock, and ironed it with the hottest setting and no steam.  When cool, I used blending brushes to smooth on color.  The wax residue resisted the ink while a wonderfully textured pattern was left behind.  After toweling off any ink left on the wax, job done.

You’ll be seeing more of this easy technique for sure!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rain Forest, Hershey, Neenah #80 Bright White, 

Fox River Cream    

Stamps:       Memory Box Maple Leaf

Inks:             Archival Coffee, Distress Antique Linen, Oxide Walnut

Stain, Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            DieNamics Pierced Square, Memory Box Maple Leaf, 

TEMU Autumn-themed Set: “Hello Fall”,

Spellbinders Fall Botanical           

Doo Dads:    Crushed Wax Paper

Cheers

As with my previous post, most of these layout elements came from my beloved Scrap Box . . .

I backed the cutwork leaf with white cardstock so it wouldn’t be lost against the busy background.  Still and all, I love how the background turned out and am quite happy that it shows up so well behind the leaf . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth  

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Watercolor Flowers, Travel

Documents

Dies:               Kat Scrappiness Woodgrain Framed Diamond

Wire, Prima Forest Leaves, Lil Inker Stitched Mats

Rectangles, Simon Says Cheers

Inks:             Distress Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy, Antique

Linen, Black Soot

Cheers

Having endured a few months of annoying health issues that completely put me off my game,  I am more than ever grateful for the time-saving treasures in my Scrap Box . . .

Everything except the text came from that box . . . I am so glad to be a saver and not a tosser!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth  

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Watercolor Flowers, Travel

Documents, Fiskars Mesh roller

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet,

Dusty Concord, Faded Jeans

Dies:            Mama Elephant Peek a Frame, TEMU Dandelion

Pattern, Cheery Lynn Cheers                 

Stencil:        TEMU French Letter

Celebrate

I tried out a new die/embossing folder combo on this one . . .

After the petals were cut out, I inked them with small blending brushes.  When dry, they were inserted into the matching embossing folder and run through my machine.  This gave the petals and flower centers their wonderful textures.  This set is going to get a lot of use!

Cardstock:   Stampin’ Up Dove, Strathmore #140 Watercolor         

Inks:             Distress Hickory Smoke, Seedless Preserves,

Wild Honey

Dies:            Memory Box Pinpoint Leaf Plate, Kat Scrappiness 

Woodgrain Framed Diamond Wire, AlteNew African Daisy, Craftsless Branches, TEMU Sentimental

Shadow Words set: “Celebrate”                   

Emb Fldr:     AlteNew African Daisy       

Fun

 Start with a colorful, smooshy background rescued from 

my Scrap Box . . .

 . . . add some glittery fireworks and some cheerful text, and we have a layout fit for a sixteen year old boy, yes?

Cardstock:   American Crafts Brights set: Blue, Strathmore 

#100 Bristol Smooth, Ranger Silver Sparkle, 

Scrap Black    

Stamps:       Eureka Fireworks, Impression Obsession Oh Happy

Day!

Inks:             Distress Wilted Violet, Salty Ocean, Superior India

 Ink Black, ColorBox Silver

Emb Pwdr:   All Night Media Silver Sparkle

Dies:            Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, Our Daily Bread 

Sparkling Stars, Recollections Word Fetti Set: fun

250 YEARS!

The Glorious Fourth is especially glorious this year as our wonderful country celebrates its 250^th year . . .

As I often do, I’ve used USPS postage stamps from my own incoming mail to add to the layout.  I love the designs and colors and I think they add a lot to the look.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Admiral, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth, 

Wausau Firecracker

Stamps:       Eureka Fireworks

Inks:             ColorBox Silver

Emb Pwdr:   All Night Media Silver Sparkle

Dies:            TEMU Creative Grid, DieVersions Noodles, 

Our Daily Bread Sparkling Stars                 

Doo Dads:    USPS Postage Stamps, Wink of Stella Clear