2026 ~ Word of the Year & Crafty Goals!

 Welcome 2026!

Each year, I share on my blog a word of the year 

that becomes my guide in this journey called life.

As you may remember, I don't seek out a word ~

 it always manages to find me and

usually in the most obscure times like sitting in church !

True story! And it will always be my favorite :)

This year, my word is SURPRISE!

I was talking with my youngest daughter one day 

and in the conversation she said "Mommy, you are a surprise"

She said it with such love and the warm fuzzies I felt 

in that moment just melted my heart.

Surprise doesn't always mean shock, astonished or unexpected ~

it has a quiet, reserved feeling of amplifying joy.

And I thought, that's what I woud like to share - always.

At the beginning of December (already marinating in my word),

I remember thinking I won't see Surprise 'out in the wild'

like I did with my 2025 word, Peace.

And. just. like. that ..........

See!  

Already a surprise! :)

A few of my Crafty Goals for this year:

* I'm delighted to be on the Whimsy Stamps design team,

continuing onward with another year! Thank you! 💗

* I was invited to join the Newton's Nook Designs DT

Immediate YES!  A delightful paw-sitive adventure!

and

* Social Engagement DT for Simon Says Stamp monthly release!

BEYOND blessed, I tell you!  

🠋

* 2 NEW challenges for 2026!

*Make Your Mark x1 per month personal challenge using different coloring mediums, same image. That image IS already picked out, LOL!

*Magpie Makes!  I'm a runner - and forager.  I find THE THINGS.

And sometimes (okay, OFTEN) I bring them home :)

I have always been a magpie, a recycler and thrifty, and this

monthly art assemblage with foraged materials has me beyond giddy!

I'm also continuing in 2026:

* One Plus Twelve card challenge ~ my favorite card challenge.

It's one that I created with the idea of stretching

our stamps and I just adore the challenge.

Do I have my 2026 stamp?  Still no ...... YIKES!

I usually have it months ahead 😨

The one I wanted to use MOST IN THE WORLD has been sold out for months.

For some reason, I'm struggling with letting it go ......

* Card Clubhouse  ~ My Instagram Wednesday card group ~

We have rebranded but still going strong. 

* Kell-of-a-mess (formerly Hot Mess cards)

I'm returning to the fun of making a mess, but only on cards.

* 3 Musketeers mystery image card creation group continues...

(No clue what year we are on, I always check what Barb says.)

* FAN-tastic SSS Monthly Hop 

(we are a group of IG friends that post x1 per month

our favorite Simon Says Stamp creations)

* The ProCRAFTination Club

(we are a group of IG friends that post x1 per month

a creation based on a subscription kit, online class, Crop N Create,

C9 virtual retreats and camps, etc - it's a GET 'ER DONE concept!

For me, I sign up, watch (or am away when it takes place) 

and my boxes stack up!

I'm sure I'm missing a few bits here and there 

but it will be some new, some similiar, some

 not-a-clue-what-I-am-doing!

Thanks for making it this far 💗

Wishing you a year filled with SURPRISES! 

2025: Looking back at my favorites!

 Hi friends!

It's that time of year when I glance back at my favorite cards of 2025!

  It was a year of amazing opportunity to continue

 with Whimsy Stamps and an invitation to join Newton's Nook Designs.

  Thank you to both of these companies for your faith in me and

the chance to make the cutest cards :)

2025 was not my most productive year ~

a lot of side stepping and life 'busy-ness' kept me

 from creating as much as I would have liked.  

I am a LOVER of even numbers and '26 is just a total vibe!

I have some plans, let me tell ya!

I am excited :)

I have my Word of the Year, I do NOT have my One Plus Twelve STILL.

Eeep!  Good thing I have 2 more weeks to figure it out :)

So looking back:

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Of all the cards I made this year, this one was my personal fave!

I made it with recycled items from my birthday party

that my children had for me :)

I just LOVE how it turned out and the meaning of the material it beholds!

                                 Here's to an amazing 2026!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kelly

Week 3: Inky Paws Challenge #247

 Hi friends!

It's the last week and the home stretch of 

the final Inky Paws Challenge #247

from Newton's Nook Designs!

Here's my card for this week:

This week I made a spinner card - so easy to create!

I colored Snow Angel Newton stamp and die cut that out.

I created a background card base using Snow Flurries paper pad

and stamped a sentiment from the set.

To create the spin, I added a brad to the underneath of the card top

(on top of the cardtock but under the dsp!)

and glued that in place, securly adding the stamped image to the top.

It will spin when the recipient receives it and twirls it around,

like this!

SPINNER CARD <~~

One final look:

You can link up your cards here on the challenge blog

and do your shopping here in the store front!

Have a great week!

~Kelly

3M: You're a Mean One .........

.... Mr. Grinch!

The three words that best describe you are as follows
And I quote
"Stink, stank, stunk!"

Hopefully this Grinch isn't so bad :)

Hi friends!

It's the December round of 3 Musketeers 

and wow, it's been 11 years!

The 3M is a trio of cardmakers (Jeanette, Barb & I)

and we trade off months of sending a mystery image to create with.

You can see it here moving on my YouTube short -

and that's our newest rescue, as of now, unnamed so we call him kitty :)

This month is Jeanette and she sent us this adorable

Grinch from Crackerbox Stamps.

I made a quick shaker card using sequins for snow ~

easy peasy!  

I'll definitely have to send this one to my granddaughter :)

You can see the talented duo of the group and

 see what they made with The Grinch!

Jeanette's card here and Barb's card here.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kelly

Added to:

Addicted to Stamps and More - Christmas

Shopping our Stash - Forever Young

12 Months of Christmas - Cmas AG

Week 2: Inky Paws Challenge #247

 Hi friends!

I am happy to share another inspiration card

from the current Inky Paws Challenge

@ Newton's Nook Designs.

This week, I am inspired by the light blue sky

and snowflakes and created a sending you joy card.

Here is the inspo:

This is one of my FAVORITE Newton's Nook Designs stamp sets!

This is Holiday Post clear stamp set and matching outline die.

I paired it with the 6 x 6 patterned paper pad Christmas Time.

Remember, the NND paper pads are great for mix and match, too!

Be sure to stop in here to link up your sparkle and shine

cards before December 19, 2025!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Kelly

Added to: 

Artful Journey - Winter

Die Cut Divas - Christmas/Winter

Inky Paws Challenge #247

 Hi friends!

I can't believe we are in December!

2025 has been a whirlwind, magical year

but honestly, I'm blinking and we are in a new month.

And .....

we have a new challenge at Inky Paws Challenge blog 

with Newton's Nook Designs.

Here is the inspiration photo to be used through-out

the month and duration of the challenge:

You have from Monday, December 1, 2025 to Friday, December 19, 2025 (Midnight, CST) to play along. Each DT member will pick a favorite project to showcase, AND one RANDOM entry will win a $20 store credit to Newton's Nook Design online shop!  The winners will be announced on the NND blog the following Monday.  Make sure you check the challenge rules page before you link up your project. 

And my card!

 I used the Snow Flurries paper pad makes for a gorgeous backdrop for the snowman from the Snowman Greetings 

stamp and coordinating die set. 

 I also used the Forest Scene Builder die set 

to add a trio of trees in the background.

My inspiration was the purples and snowflakes!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kelly

Snow Flurries!

 Hi friends!

It's SO HOT here in Florida!

I'd be glad to trade anyone for my beach side ocean waves 

sunshine view for your snow and winter!

Lucky for me, 

I get to play with paper snow!

I'm sharing a white rainbow card for an Instagram hop

with a theme of rainbows.

The premise is to create a mostly 75% white card 

with a splash of 25% or less rainbow!

I used the cute polar bear from Photoplay Paper stamps & dies

as well as a blended ink background using distress oxide inks.

I was going for an Aurora Borealis look

and added a splash of white ink snow splatter.

The sentiment is from Concord and 9th but matched perfectly!

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving in the US!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kelly

Entered to:  Ellibelle's Corner - Something bright for Christmas

The Holly and the Ivy Christmas - Anything Goes Cmas

Stamping Senstaions - Christmas

12 months of Christmas