I’ve been feeling down this past week with everything that is going on with COVID-19 and our lockdown 6.0. The weather is starting to turn to Spring which means more and more people are moving around when they should be staying home following the lockdown rules, possibly jeapordising our way out.
To get me out of my funk, I went through my stash of cards and started writing ‘thinking of you’ cards to my friends and making some care packs.
I also decided to have a go at some challenges to make cards to replenish my stash.
First up is a card for:
- Happy Little Stampers- Stencil Challenge – ATG
- Color Hues #24 – Turquoise and Coral
- CAS Mix Up – August – Stamping through a Stencil
For this card I used a stencil from Studio Katia ‘Birthday Balloons’ and I sponged it with SU Calypso Coral ink. I then stamped the CAS-ual Fridays ‘Flowery’ stamp in black through the stencil and popped the panel onto a piece of SU Tempting Turquiose card stock. I finished it off with a sentiment from Uniquely Creative and a little twine bow.

Next is a card for:
I thought these two sketches were very similar in style and decided to create a card that fitted both. I used a series of retired SU DSPs cut at differing angles and mounted to a black card base. I then added some white twine and a sentiment from Uniquely Creative.

My next card is for:
- CAS Christmas – August – Decoration
- Tic Tac Toe Challenge #127 (I chose red, free, globe)
I stamped and coloured the SU ‘Beautiful Bauble’ with three of my SU red markers and then fussy cut it out and popped up onto my card base. I added a little bit of gold and a black ribbon for my free element.

My last card is for:
- AUD Sentiments #281 – ATG & a Sentiment
- Alphabet Challange – J is for just one word
- Freshly Made Sketches #499
I used the SU stitched triangle dies to die cut some SU True Love DSP which I then coloured with my Stampin Blends in Polished Pink and Granny Apple Green. I then stamped two of the birthday sentiments from the SU ‘Biggest Wishes’ stamp set in Polished Pink and Momento Black.

Well, making these cards has certainly cheered me up. Now to get my other cards into the mail.
Thanks for stopping by for a look. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and stay safe.
Fabulous cards Tristan. I feel you with your lockdowns.. It’s super frustrating when others don’t do the right thing and it affects others. So far in our latest lockdown, people seem to be behaving. Hope things improve for you in Victoria. We find out tomorrow how much longer Level 4 is staying. Your cards are certainly cheerful and fun. Particularly love the last one.
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Tx Dawn – you keep safe and I hope your lockdown isn’t too long.
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What a wonderful array of cards – I hope all these beautiful colours and shapes – and the fact that you got some crafting time has brightened your mood and is getting you through the lock down. Stay strong and craft on! Chantell Just Add Ink
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Tx Chantell. It has helped today.
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A stunning collection of cards! Those balloons are very fancy! Love them.
I have been struggling too and have actually not watched any news this week, because my anxiety levels were through the roof. I’ve been watching comedy videos whilst making cards and that does cheer me up.
Thanks for joining in at CAS Mix Up this month:) Hugs x
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Thank you. Sometimes it’s best to stay away from news and socials. Comedy videos are a great idea.
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wow! these are fabulous. i send prayers that you get out of your funk, but i sure hear you. i’m in Illinois,USA and it’s terrible how everything is wishy-washy. on the bright side, i’m old, retired and it’s just me and my dog. GOD is good and has kept me healthy. will keep you in my prayers. thank you for always making me smile with your beautiful creations.
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Thank you.
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Beautiful cards, Tristan! As for your feelings, you are certainly not alone! I am in Florida and I probably don’t even need to say more. I am in disbelief how people can’t take this pandemic seriously. We are only going out for necessities, and doctor appointments that can’t be postponed, as my hubby has a serious health issue currently. I also see no end in sight. So I think, making cards and sending out care packages is the best thing we can do. I don’t know what I would have done these past 18 months or so if I didn’t have a hobby and Design Teams. My online friends are the best! As for your card for Color Hues…I absolutely love that you stamped flowers inside your balloons. very creative! Thanks for joining us at Color Hues and try and keep your chin up and stay well!
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Tx Nanc. Keep staying safe and sane.
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All your gorgeous cards cheered me up too, Tristan!! Just love the balloons with the stamping thru stencil, the fun patterned strips, the gorgeous colored dsp, and the fab bauble – love them all!!
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Tx Linda
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These are all so gorgeous. The bold colors and the fun designs are fabbo! Stay safe 🙂 I pray this nightmare is over soon.
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Tx Jen.
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I am in love with each card. I love hopping over from a challenge to find even more goodies to gander at. Great job!
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Tx Samantha. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting
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Love the triangle/birthday card!!
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Tx Jeanne
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Very pretty cards. Great colors and designs. Thanks for sharing over at Aud Sentiments, Alphabet one word challenge (don’t know how deck the hall is one word) I do love your cards.
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Tx Billie. I think you were looking at the wrong card. The one for the Alphabet Challenge is the last card ‘birthday’ 🥴
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Gorgeous cards – love the way you’ve doubled up ‘birthday’ for the Alphabet Challenge! Thanks for joining us. Deborah DT
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Tx Deborah
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I am impressed with your level of creativity when you’re feeling down, Tristan! I usually go the other direction and have to search for my mojo (usually hiding in the closet or under the bed). Seriously I don’t blame you, it’s very frustrating here in the US too, although we aren’t in lockdown (but probably should be).
Your Christmas bauble is absolutely gorgeous in red with the perfect addition of gold and and the black bow. Thanks so much for joining us at the Tic Tac Toe Challenge this week!
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Tx Stef. I think it’s challenges like yours that help spark my creativity. They give me a focus so I don’t sit staring at black paper.
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Beautiful selection of cards 🙂 your Christmas bauble is stunning in those deep reds and black. thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas
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Tx Christine.
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I love all of these but especially the one you created for our Just Add Ink sketch. That is such a fabulous and effective way to use up scraps of DSP. Love it. Thanks for joining in with us this week Tristan.
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Tx Lou.
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Such a fabulous array of cards Tristan! I love how beautifully the colours and patterns look together when you pieced the strips together, it makes a lovely background! Thanks for joining us at Just Add Ink this week. Kim
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Tx Kim.
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Beautiful group of cards, Tristan! The one you made with the FMS sketch is so vibrant and bold – love it! Thanks so much for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches and I hope your lockdown ends soon and life can get back to some sort of normalcy.
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Tx Karren
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Great assortment of cards Tristan, I’m in awe of your creativity! Love the Christmas bauble in the deep reds with the delicate black tracery, so pretty. Thankyou for playing along at CAS Christmas, Cathy x
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Tx Cathy
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Fabulous array of cards, Tristan! I’m especially smitten with your floral balloons; so very pretty! Thank you for joining us at Color Hues!
~carol
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Tx Carol
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Four Gorgeous cards, Tristan. I am so pleased you were able to share your 1st card with us at CAS Mix Up. Your stamping the flowers thru your balloon stencil turned out beautifully. TFS and Thank you for sharing all your beautiful cards. Hugs…and be safe! Nancy…
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Tx Nancy
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You must have had a really fun day to produce all these beauties! Your stamping through the stencil really adds drama to your balloon card. the effect is stunning!
Thanks so much for joining in our challenge at CAS Mix Up.
Chrissie x
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Tx Chrissie.
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So many lovely designs here today! Your black and red ornament for CAS Christmas is stunning! thanks for sharing with us! xx
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Tx Julie
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