1st Inkspirational Challenge of 2026! Word Prompt: Shiny/Shine

 The 1st Challenge of 2026 is up over at Inkspirational.  We're changing up our challenges a bit so be sure to check out the blog.  Our first challenge is a Word Prompt - chosen by DT Marlena.

I went with Shine:Star  AND Shiny:Gold Foiled Paper.  

I just happened to have an undecorated pine wreath to display my shiny paper star!

I found a video on how to make this lovely star on Pinterest/Instagram by FloralFlairStudio.

 I used 6  4"x 4" squares of foiled paper for my star.  It measures ~8" point to point.  Use smaller squares for a smaller star. It folds cleaner with thinner papers.

The gold is really shiny IRL. I tied a sheer gold ribbon at the top.  The center circle is made from two floral dies cut from metallic paper and a gold gem added to the center

You can watch the video to see how she folded each square - but I took some photos as I made each fold so I'd hopefully remember what I did!    This might seem clearer to you after you watch the video!

So, we hope you will join us for the 1st Inkspirational Challenge for 2026!  Link up your Shine/Shiny creation over at Inkspirational where you'll also find how the rest of the DT interpreted this challenge! 

This challenge ends on Jan 16th!

Also sending my star to:

Anything but a Card

ends 1/31/26

NBUS

First time using this pack of metallic papers 

First time using the pattern for the star  

Creative Inspiration Challenges

Anything Goes

ends 1/31/26

Crafts Galore

Anything Goes

ends 1/31/26

Paper:  Foiled Fundamentals 12"x12" Paper Pad - Recollections (Michaels), Kraft Stock Metallic Paper - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology.

Other Supplies:  star instructional video, Tombow Glue (she used a glue gun), Stitchy Flowers and Leaf Dies (for star center) - Eileen Hull/Sizzix, Gold Gem - Parklane, sheer gold ribbon - from stash.

Inkspirational #356 - Stencils - Optional Twist of Snowflakes

 Here's my card for the newest Inkspirational Challenge - #356 Stencils -  optional twist -Snowflakes!

I used the Optional Twist with snowflake PP and a snowflake stencil!

I used a 'new to me' technique called Stenciling over Patterned Paper - that I saw on FB - there are several tutorials on YouTube if you'd like to see more examples.

This is a pic of the patterned paper I used on the left - the snowflake stencil placed over the patterned paper and inked with Stormy Sky Distress Ink on the right

Here is a photo of the stencil removed - and the snowflake pattern revealed.

I used a light enough ink that the pattern of the paper showed through the sponging as well as under the area of the stencil.    

I die cut the sentiment twice and adhered it to the middle of the card,  I die cut the edge with a frame die and added 3 sequin snowflakes.

We hope you will join us over at Inkspirational - and show us how you use stencils on your card design! 

This challenge ends Dec 19th.

Also sending my card to:

NBUS

1st time using this stencil that went with a Make it Market Kit from PTI I bought over 10 years ago! I had the box up on a shelf! I used other things from the kit - but never the stencils and, of course forgot what was in the box!

Stencil Fun 

optional winter related

ends 1/3

Christmas Kickstart

ends 12/31

Paper:  white - Papertrey Ink, DP - The Magic of Winter 6x6 paper pad - Echo Park.

Ink:  Ranger Distress Stormy Sky

Other Supplies:  Let It Snow Die - Christmas Cheer Die Collection - Papertrey Ink (retired), Nested Stitched Scallop Rectangle Frame die - Amazon, Snow Flake Sequins - This Calls for Confetti, blender brush.

Group of Seven Cardmakers - October 2024 - Glitter Painting on Acetate

 It's time for the October Group of Seven Cardmakers post and this month we are playing with glitter and clear acetate.

We have two techniques to try with Acetate and Glitter over at the Group of Seven blog.

I watched this YouTube video for my first two cards. Glittery Acetate Cards by Crafi Potential

  This technique uses frame dies with acetate, glitter & glue.  You use regular acetate for this technique. 

Close up to show shine!

My second card using the same technique.

Steps to create this card

Choose a die and cut it out of a piece of card - I used black  for this card base.  Layer this to a panel of clear acetate with glue.

I chose 3 colors to use - an orange, a red, and a green - wanting a fall theme.  I decided where I wanted to have the first color (Fire Opal) (rather randomly!) and filled in those spaces with glue.  (I really filled the spaces with glue -  it can pull away from the edges if it's not filling the space.)

                                                                 Glue added below

I spooned the glitter over the glue -  you can see it covered the whole cut out but will pretty much only stick to the areas with glue.  Tap off the glitter and return it to the jar.

I applied glue to the areas I wanted the 2nd color in (Garnet).  Then spooned  the glitter over the glue. And tapped it off.

I added glue to the rest of the areas with no color yet and spooned on green Ensalada Glitter.  Then tapped it off.

I let the panel dry for a few hours (or overnight).  (You want it dry so the 2nd die cut doesn't squish wet glue/glitter!)  I cut a second black panel with the same die (line it up carefully to match the first panel!) and glued it over the glittered panel - this covers up any overlapped glitter application - defining the design again!  I brushed off any glitter on the black card, added the die cut sentiment and glittery green dots.

I used score tape on the back of the acetate to adhere the panel to my card base.

I used the second technique:  How to use Thermo Acetate with Glitter by tjaniga  for the card below.  

I don't have thermo acetate so I just used regular acetate, stamped my image with Ranger Archival Jet Black ink (which I let dry overnight - the stamping NOT embossed) - flipped the panel over and applied glue and glitter inside the lines of the imageand outside background - one color at a time.

  

I die cut the smallest frame out of the light blue embossed card base panel.  Then I taped the glitter image on the back of the panel centering it on the cut out.  

I die cut a white frame using the same die and glued it over the front of the image which hides the edges of the acetate.  I  die cut the next size frame die from cream and adhered it with glue dots. I die cut the largest size frame die from darker blue and glued it onto the base. I stamped the sentiment on a white strip and adhered it to the cream frame.

Close up - you can see some red glitter in the blue and green due to the static, it's impossible to get all the glitter off the acetate -  so I just embraced the look!

   

I added Black Nuvo drops around the center of the poppy on the front of  the acetate after the card was put together.

A few creation photos.  Since it was a smaller image I could stamp two on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" panel of vellum.  I cut the panel in half and added the glitter to each one.  On the right are both images all glued and glittered - left to dry overnight!  You can see how much glitter is 'static-ly' attached on the clear frame areas! When the panels were dry - I brushed off as much as I could with a slightly damp paper towel, but the edges don't show when I adhered the image to the back of the front panel 

On the left below,  I turned over one panel to the front (NOT laid down!) to  show you how it looks from the front before the glue dries - pretty much all you see is the glue! 

I left them both overnight to dry - glitter side up!

We hope you will join us and link up your acetate and glitter creations over at the Group of Seven Blog so we all can see which technique you used!

  

I cannot lie - it's kind of messy - but both techniques create really sparkly card fronts!  And it made me use a lot of the ignored glitter I have in my craft room! 

I'm also sending my cards to:

NBUS

first time using the Martha Stewart glitters that I've had for 10 or so years??

Sending my birthday card to:

Seize the Birthday

ends 11/5

Sending my Thanksgiving card to:

Krafty Chicks Challenge

ends 10/30

Birthday Card

Paper: White, clear cardstock (acetate) - PTI, Kraft Metallic Gold - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology.
Other Supplies: Decorative Circles Coverplate Die - PTI, Happy Birthday Die - Charlie and Paulchen, Bearly Art Precision Art Glue, ScorTape, Goldenrod Art Glitter, Lime Sherbet Sparklers Glitter - Denami Design, Pink Pastel Glitter - Stampendous.

Thankful Card

Paper: clear acetate, True Black - PTI, metalic brass from stash.
Other Supplies: Mixed Media thinlit die - Tim Holtz/Alterations, Thankful die from Counting my Blessings die set - PTI, Glitter - Ensalada (green) - Art Glitter, Garnet and Fire Opal - Martha Stewart. Glitter gems - Michaels, Bearly Art Precision Art Glue, ScorTape.

Sympathy Card

Stamps - Botanical Blocks III - PTI (retired), Casual Comfort - Casual Fridays (company no longer in business)

Paper:  Clear Cardstock (acetate), Blueberry Sky, white, Vintage Cream, Spring Rain - Papertrey Ink.

Ink:  Archival Jet Black - Ranger

Other Supplies:   Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frames dies - MFT, Embossing Folder (Older) - SU, Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue, Fire Opal, Garnet, Blue Topaz, Emerald Glitter - Martha Stewart, foam dots, Gloss Ebony Black -  Nuvo Crystal Drops