Valentine's Day Card with Bugaboo Stella Valentine Digi

I really have to plan in advance if I want my cards to arrive in the States on time anymore. What used to take around 10 days now takes a month. I was proud of myself for getting this States bound Valentine and another one done and in the mail a month in advance. I know that most people think of Valentine's Day as a romantic/couples kind of holiday, but I don't; I think of it as a love in general holiday hence this Valentine's Day card for a dear cousin. I thought he'd appreciate the Stella humor and it gives me an opportunity to finally color this digi up and put it on a card.

Oh man, I miss Bugaboo digis! There were some funny ones, like the Stella You Ain't Gettin' ****! digi on this Christmas card.

The bright paper is Minnie from now-defunct Tactile Studio's digital paper line and although I've had it for years, this is my first time to use it. Check out the foam button stickers! I found these the other day; they're flat, lightweight, and in several sizes and colors. I suspect you'll be seeing more of these.

Supply List

Paper – cardstock, Tactile Studio Minnie digital paper (retired)

Digital stamp & sentiment – Bugaboo Stella Valentine (retired)
Dies – Die-namic's square stax
Embellishments – foam button stickers

Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils

Gelly Roll .08 white pen

Pentel .05 black fine line pen

I'm linking up with the following challenges: Kleuren met Potloden (Coloring with Pencils) January – ATG colored with pencils, Penny's Paper #589 – ATG, Fab 'n' Funky #609 – Include a Stamped Image, We Love 2 Create Challenge 2 – ATG, PIP #2504 – ATG, SOSS #258 – NBUS (the digi and papers haven't been used before and the button stickers are new).

Cards

Best Fishes Birthday Card

Today I once again have the honor of guest designing for the Kleuren met Potloden (Coloring with Pencils) January challenge. My card features digis from the sponsor The Paper Shelter's Swimming with Friends collection. The timing was perfect for these stamps and this card. I plan on sending it to a male cousin whose birthday is in March; not only is he a Pisces, but he likes aquariums and has always had a thing for fish.

I took full advantage of digital stamp flexibility and resized the stamps as well as flipping the dolphin to face the other direction (this is why I love digis!). Since I liked the design of this 2022 Best Fishes card so much I decided to reuse it. I colored the digis, fussy-cut them, and propped them up with 3D double-sided sticky foam pads.

The die is Creative Expressions Lisa Horton netting background. The background paper is Prettygrafik. The sentiment was created with Mister Sirloin BTN Rare font. The inside sentiment will say, '...for a FIN-tastic birthday!'. 

Have some new pencil coloring projects to share? Come link up!

Supply List

Paper – cardstock, Prettygrafik
Digital stamp – The Paper Shelter Swimming with Friends
Dies – Creative Expressions Lisa Horton netting background, Die-namics rectangle stax
Font – Mister Sirloin BTN Rare

Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils

Gelly Roll .08 white pen

Pentel .05 black fine line pen

I'm linking up with the following challenges: Crafter's Cafe #315 – ATG w/opt. Birthdays, Seize the Birthday #298 – ATG Birthday, Krafty Chicks #752 – Masculine, Creative Knockouts #539 – Something to Say, and Creative Fingers #293. 

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Happy National Handwriting Day

The Guardian, 21 January 2025, by Christine Rosen

It's January 23rd. Do you know what day it is? Not only is it American statesman and first signer of the United States Declaration of Independence John Hancock's birthday, it's also National Handwriting Day hence the title of this post.

Writing in cursive is something I feel very strongly about and have written several Paperesse posts on the subject coinciding with this day. Lest you think cursive handwriting is merely a pretty way to write, know that study after study has shown benefits to cursive writing, among which are heightened creativity, aiding childhood mental development, improved dexterity, and helping us to learn and retain information. We are in danger of loosing these benefits and so many more that no amount of keyboarding can replace. Unfortunately a world where adults struggle to sign their name is staring us in the face.

Rather than rehash my previous posts on this subject (but I've provided a link there if you care to check them out), I thought I would share with you the above article I read yesterday in The Guardian – Signature moves: are we losing the ability to write by hand? by Christine Rosen (January 21, 2025). It is a long read, but if you find this subject as important as I do you will find it a very interesting one and well worth your time. What struck me as different with this article was the emphasis on creativity and handwriting and the importance of  actually crafting something with your hands – a sentiment with which I'm sure all my fellow cardmakers can relate.

If you're looking for a quick read this post on the Epica.com site will definitely make you want to pick up your pen and get cracking: The Benefits of Handwriting: 10 Amazing Truths about Writing by Hand.

Happy handwriting!!!

Miscellaneous Musings

Polkadoodles Kitty Fishes Holiday Card

How's your 2025 crafting going? I've actually got a few makes done. I've been housebound with the flu and since coloring doesn't take a whole lot of energy to do or require me to get dressed I've been indulging. Today's post is the last of my 2024 projects – a French holiday best wishes card. 

This Polkadoodles Kitty Fishes digi just makes me smile so to accompany it I decided to reuse the humorous sentiment from this cat themed holiday card. The French pun comes from the expression 'Nos pensées les plus chaleureuses' which means 'Our warmest thoughts' and you'd use it to let someone know you're thinking of them. The 'cha–' sound at the beginning of 'chaleureuses' sounds a lot like the 'cha–' sound in 'chat' which means 'cat'. So...'Nos pensées les plus chat–leureuses' is playing on the cat image. It's hard for me to come up with punny sentiments in French so I'm always proud of myself when I do.

The paper is from EMF's 333 Colorful Christmas origami paper block. I've dressed it up with ribbon and matt enamel dots.

Supply List

Paper – cardstock, EMF 333 Origami Colorful Christmas paper block

Digital stamp – Polkadoodles Kitty Fishes
Dies – Die-namic's square stax
Embellishments – ribbon, matt enamel dots

Font – DJB Coffee Shoppe Espresso 
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils

Gelly Roll .08 white pen

Pentel .05 black fine line pen

I'm linking up with the following challenges: Kleuren met Potloden (Coloring with Pencils) January – ATG colored with pencils,  Allsorts Challenge 815 – Close to Nature/ATG, Polkadoodles Challenge 2 – ATG, Digi Chooseday Challenge 1 – ATG, The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #175 – ATG Christmas, Creative Knockouts #539 – Something to Say. 

Cards

Polkadoodles Snow Drift Friends Digi Holiday Card

I've got a couple of 2024 projects still to post before moving on to 2025, one of which is this card featuring Polkadoodles Snow Drift Friends digi, teamed up with some of my favorite card making dies – my no-brand ragged edge dies. I picked these up on Amazon a few years back and have used the heck out of them (e.g. this Percy's Tower Holiday card). At the time I only paid about €4.00 for them so I've definitely got my money's worth. If I'm in a rush I reach for these; I have the design down pat and know that it will look great every time. All I have to do is choose the papers.

Another thing I've done to speed up the process is save the center digi and sentiment as a template in my image processing app. When I'm using a new digi for this design, I open up the template and paste the new digi over the old one, size it the same, delete the old one underneath and save it with a new name. That way I know it will fit in the die on the first print. Another thing I do a little differently with these dies is to adhere the patterned paper to a heavier packaging paper that I've upcycled for just this purpose then cut the die. It makes each layer stand out and gives some depth to the card. See this Beccy's Place Hot Tip Tuesday for more info. Upcycling packaging paper like this is something I do a lot now instead of the double-stick mousse tape I used to use. 

The paper is from EMF Sparkling Christmas's origami block. The sentiment font is DJB Coffee Shoppe Espresso. A wooden snowflake and red pearl top it all off.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, EMF Sparkling Christmas origami block
Digital stamp – Polkadoodles Snow Drift Friends
Dies – no-brand ragged edge

Embellishments – wooden snowflake, red pearl

Font – DJB Coffee Shoppe Espresso
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils
Gelly Roll .08 white pen
Pentel .05 black fine line pen

I'm linking up with the following challenges: Polkadoodles Challenge 2 – ATG, Gem of a Challenge 1 – ATG, We Love 2 Create Challenge 1 – ATG, Try It on Tuesday 07/01 – Feeling Blue, and The Holly and Ivy Challenge #175 – ATG Christmas.

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Thought for the Weekend – Well-behaved Women

 

Miscellaneous Musings

3rd Birthday Card With Di's DigiStamps Turtle Parade Digi

Today's card was for my adorable great-niece's recent 3rd birthday. I think I may have to work on this child card thing. I don't think any of the three I've made thus far have been particularly child-like (here's #2 and #1). Bright cards and childish images just don't appeal to me (maybe I'll just think she's mature for her age and go with that). I guess when it comes right down to it, at this point, they're more for her mom than her. In any case, I've got time to perfect my technique.

Di's DigiStamps Turtle Parade digi was the ideal choice for this card, note the three candles on the puppy's cupcake and the space on the balloon which was perfect for the sentiment. The paper is Basic Grey's What's Up Around the World (retired). Embellishments were kept simple with my favorite ric-rac die and some scattered enamel dots.

Supply List

Paper – cardstock, Basic Grey What's Up Around the World
Digital stamp – Di's DigiStamps Turtle Parade
Dies – no-brand stitched square, Gemini Fancy Borders Ric-Rac
Embellishments – enamel dots

Font – Candy Round BTN
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils

Gelly Roll .08 white pen

Pentel .05 black fine line pen

I'm linking up with the following challenges: Di's DigiDesigns Challenge 03/01 – Hand Colored Image, Double D Challenges 01/01 – Birthday, The Paper Funday #72 – ATG, Creative Inspirations #22 – ATG, Unicorn Challenge #105 – Birthday, A Place to Start #12025 – Include a Balloon, and PIP #2501 – ATG.

Cards

2024 Paperesse Yearly Retrospective

Welcome to 2024's Paperesse Yearly Retrospective. With each new year I like to look back over the previous year and choose a favorite monthly post. 2024 saw the return of my Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils and I can honestly say I haven't missed alcohol markers a single day! Power to the pencil! 

For more information on any project shown – digis, supplies used, etc. – the link will take you back to the original post.

Thank you for reading Paperesse and for all your kind comments throughout the year. 

1. January – Holiday card featuring Polkadoodles Bella Bear Delivering Gifts digi.

2. February – Masculine birthday card starring Dr. Digi's DJ Dad Rock digital stamp.

3. March – Humorous Easter card with an oldie (but goodie) Whimsie Doodles Bite Me digi.

4. April – Birthday card with Whimsy Stamps Chinese Dragon digi center stage.

5. May – Epicurean birthday card featuring Di's DigiStamps Cheese and Wine Mice digi.

6. June – Bookmark card with Vera Lane Studio Chameleons. 

7. July – Celebrating a new home with Vera Lane Studio Tall Town digi set.

8.  August – French flair get well card with Di's DigiStamps Paris Kitty.

9. September  – Welcoming autumn with Di's DigiStamps Pumpkin Hedgehogs.

10. October – Halloween greetings with Di's DigiStamps Little Mouse Pumpkin.

11. November – Getting ready for Christmas with Di's DigiStamps Poinsettia Mistie.

12. December – HAPPY holidays die cut and Polkadoodles Gingerbread Cookie Baking digi.

I'm linking up with Ellibelle's Corner Papercrafters Year in Review 2024 Blog Hop and Linky Party.

Cards, Miscellaneous Musings

Holiday Card Featuring Di's Xmas Cheer from Reindeer Digi

Happy New Year everyone! Before I move on to 2025 projects, let's get these last 2024 holiday cards all posted, shall we? I've got three left to share with you. Today's features Di's DigiStamps Xmas Cheer from Reindeer digi (retired). I was pressed for time on these last few cards so chose an easy design based on a no-fail die cut – this card sized no-brand die looks good with any digi and for any occasion (e.g. this floral themed Teddy birthday card). 

The paper is from Folia's Motifblock Christmas pad. The sentiment was created with DJB Coffee Shoppe Espresso font. I didn't think this needed much embellishment but upped the bling factor with a few enamel dots.

Supply List
Paper – cardstock, Folia Motifblock Christmas pad
Digital stamp –  Di's DigiStamps Xmas Cheer from Reindeer
Die – no-brand card-sized frame die
Embellishments – enamel dots
Font – DJB Coffee  Shoppe Espresso
Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 pencils

Gelly Roll .08 white pen

Pentel .05 black fine line pen

I'm linking up with the following challenges: Di's DigiDesigns Challenge 06/12 – Winter Holidays, Creative Knockouts #538 – Celebrations, Creative Inspirations #22 – ATG, Just Us Girls #756 – Use a Die, and Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #587 – ATG w/paper.

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