John Next Door and Papertrey Ink birthday gift box

 

🎁 Anything Goes — Create for Any Occasion!

Hello everyone, and welcome to our new challenge where anything goes — any occasion, any celebration, any little moment that deserves a handmade touch. Whether you’re crafting for birthdays, thank‑yous, just‑because gifts, or those “I saw this and thought of you” surprises, we’d love to see what you create.

For my project this time, I stepped away from cards and made something a little different —

💙 A Teal & Dusky Pink Gift Box

I used my NBUS John Next Door Purse Box die, along with the coordinating Greetings Panels, to create a little gift box that works for absolutely any occasion. It could hold a gift card, some chocolates, a collection of cards... I chose a rich teal cardstock for the base and paired it with dusky pink panels for contrast.

To add some texture and interest, I embossed the pink panels with a star embossing folder — and because I couldn’t choose which side I liked best, I used both the embossed and debossed sides. It adds a bit of dimension to the box without overwhelming the design.

For the label, I reached for some favourite Papertrey Ink supplies and stamped a simple birthday sentiment. But, swap the greeting, and it becomes a thank‑you gift, a little treat box, or a “just because” surprise.

Gift boxes turn even the smallest gift into something thoughtful and personal. Plus, they’re a great excuse to play with colour and texture, and to use old and new supplies to mix things up.

I'd like to play along at

Pammies's Inky Pinkies #2623 - anything goes

Make My Monday Challenge #279 - add texture, dry or heat embossing

NBUS Challenge #87 - gift box dies

A Cut Above Crafting June Challenge - anything goes with die cuts

A Place to Start June 26 - anything but a card

Craft Rocket Challenge #137 - birthday

Now it’s over to you. Create something for any occasion — big or small — and share it with us. We can’t wait to see what you make.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs,

Carol x

Clearly Besotted All in Onesie Easter card

 

Hello friends,

Spring has been a long time coming for me this year, but we are coming up to the Easter weekend, and the daffodils are in full bloom despite the rain. I made a little Easter card for my Granddaughter that fits our new Any Occasion theme at Addicted to Stamps and More.

I don't have many Easter stamp sets, but I found this gorgeous NBUS Clearly Besotted set called All in Onesie: Easter, and happily stamped, coloured with Copics and die-cut the cute duck, sheep and rabbit.

They needed somewhere to sit, so I die-cut a scalloped rectangle and placed an oval mask on it to ink the sky and grass, then stamped a few clouds and some grass detail. I finished off with a little die-cut chick and a greeting.

My talented design teammates have some great inspiration on the ATSM blog, and you can join us in the challenge anytime until 14th April.

I'd like to join in on

Allsorts Challenge #846 - It's Springtime

Star in my pocket challenge #80 - Furry Friends

Dream Valley Challenge #358 - Spring has Sprung

I hope you have a lovely Easter,

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs,

Carol x

Spellbinders Happy Hello Floral birthday card

 

Hello everyone, and welcome to another challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More.

The theme this time is Birthdays, and as I always need more birthday cards, this was a good opportunity to add to my pile.

I stepped out of my comfort zone with a bright orange background card. I found a white die-cut honeycomb panel in my scrap pile and inked it orange to lay over the darker card and add a little more interest. I stamped the Spellbinders Happy Hello Floral stamp, and coloured it with watercolour before cutting it out with the matching die. 

As always, my talented DT buddies have some great inspiration for you over on the ATSM blog,  and we'd love you to join us this week.

I'd like to play along at

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Beautiful Blooms

A Place To Start Challenge March - no squares

We Love to Craft Challenge 2 - anything papercraft goes

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #39 - anything floral goes

Seize the Birthday Challenge #322 - anything birthday goes

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs,

Carol x

The Greetery Shortbread Shapes Snowflakes Christmas card

 

Hello friends, and welcome back to another ATSM Challenge. This time, we have a Christmas theme, and it's a good opportunity to add to your stash for Christmas 2026.

I came up with this card:-

I used some new dies from The Greetery called Shortbread Shapes Snowflakes. I love the pretty embossing, and simply moved the central star shape by one turn, and backed it with some red card. The sentiment is from Kristina Werner, and everything was placed on a 5 x 7-inch base card.

At this point, I thought it looked a bit sparse, so I added red dots in the centre of each snowflake and called it done.

The design team has some great inspiration over on the ATSM blog, and I know they would love to have you visit.

I'd like to play along at

A Cut Above Challenge March - use die cuts

Peace on Earth Challenge #107  - anything Christmas

Outlaws Christmas Challenge March - anything Christmas goes

12 Months of Christmas Challenge #132 - anything Christmas goes

NBUS Challenge #84 - The Greetery dies

Christmas Bingo Challenge #18 - Row N - Epoxy dots - free - embossing

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #67 - Anything Christmas goes

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs,

Carol x

The Greetery Floral Arches birthday card

 

Hello everyone, and welcome to a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More.

This time, we look forward to seeing die-cuts and/or stencils in your project, and I used both on my card.

   

I used The Greetery Floral Arches Stamps and Stencils with inks from Papertrey Ink, and die-cut the resulting image. The central arched shape and sentiment are from the Arched Sentiments set.

I cut the background with a Capsule Basics oval die from white card and inked it up to tone with the leaves. I then embossed it with a very old Cuttlebug 2D embossing folder from my stash, and it was placed on a 5 x 7 basecard.

My talented teammates have some great inspiration over on the blog, and we'd love to see what you can come up with.

I'd like to play along at,

Stencil Fun Challenge February 2026 - anything stencil

Hearts Quest Celebration of Love Challenge Feb 26 - birthday

Triple B Challenge February 26 - blooms

Pammies Inky Pinkies Challenge 2605 - anything goes

Neglected Stuff Challenge February 26 - neglected Cuttlebug E/F

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge February 26 - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs,

Carol x

The Greetery holiday borders and Papertrey Ink birthday card

Hello friends. Happy New Year, and I really hope it's going to be a good one for you. There is such a lot of sadness around for so many people, both nearby and across the world, and my hope is that we all get some comfort and kindness this year. One way to escape from reality when it is hard to face is to spend time playing with your crafty stash and create something to gift and hopefully, bring a smile to the recipient's face. I plan to do more of this on these cold and dark January/February days when I want to hibernate until spring comes, because I know it always lifts my spirits (at least until I have to do the clean up lol!). 

We have the first challenge of the year at Addicted to Stamps and More, and we'd love to see some of your birthday creations.

I have 3 January birthdays for friends, so it is the perfect challenge for me, and I came up with this card.

I used my new The Greetery's Capsule Basics collection and die cut the scalloped oval from white card before embossing it with the 3D embossing folder. I coloured the card with Rustic Wilderness Oxide ink and a Pinkfresh Studio large blending brush, and I was very pleased with the smooth finish. The smaller oval is from the same die set, and I stamped it with the Holiday Borders fern stamp. Instead of using the accompanying berries stamp to fill in the gaps, I used a tiny flower from another set, which made it more suitable for a birthday card. I wanted to add a flower sprig, so I scoured my stash for a suitable one and found this stamp from Papertrey Ink Bitty Bouquets. I finished off with the sentiment which is from The Greetery Birthday Blooms stamp and die set, and placed it all on a 5x7 notecard.

I'm off to play at

Heart's Quest Celebrations January 26 BEWAS - birthday

Triple B Challenge January 26 - blooms

Daisy Chain Challenge #103 - use dies

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #269 - anything goes

Dragonfly Dreams: January 26 - floral

Crafty Calendar Challenge January 26 - anything new (stash)

There is lots to inspire you over on the ATSM blog, and I hope you will be able to join us this time.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs,

Carol x

 

Woodware Ribbon Tree Christmas Card

 

Hello friends, and welcome to the final challenge of the year at Addicted to Stamps and More.

As we're in December, it's great that we have a Christmas theme, and I came up with this card.

I've had this Woodware Ribbon Tree stamp in my stash for a very long time, and I love the quirky look it gives. I used the Lisa Horton/Spellbinders Scalloped and Stitched Oval dies and cut the layers in white before colouring the visible edges with Copic markers, and to continue the pastel look, I used them to colour the tree too. A sentiment from Clearly Besotted finished it off .

You'll find lots of last-minute Christmas inspiration from my talented Teamies over on the ATSM Blog.

After this challenge, we'll be taking a Christmas break and be back on 6th January.

I'd like to play along at

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - use dies in Diecember

Make My Monday Challenge #266 - Christmas Trees

Neglected Stuff Challenge 12/25 - My ribbon tree

Die Cut Divas Challenge December -Christmas

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #65 - Anything Christmas Goes

Peace on Earth Challenge #100 - - anything Christmas goes

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs,

Carol x

Children's birthday or just for you card

 

Hello friends, and welcome to another challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. I hope you are all well and ready for the cold snap if you are in the UK. We have had several beautiful sunny days recently, but there is a definite nip in the air and staying in the warm, crafting seems very attractive right now.

The challenge at ATSM this time is to make your mark. So you can break out any colouring medium you enjoy, and show us what you come up with.

I made this little card for my Granddaughter, who is turning 8. I don't know where the time goes because I swear it was only a couple of years since she was born.

I was going through my bits box and came across this little sweetie with her heart-shaped apples and long, wavy hair. I don't remember where she came from, but she reminded me of Alice, so I coloured her with Copic markers and made her the centre stage for this card.

A heart stencil from Simon Says Stamp was used to make the background, and a birthday greeting was stamped inside.

I'd like to play along at

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #266 - anything goes

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge November - feminine

Ally's Angels #100 - anything goes

Creative Crafters Challenge #94 - anything goes

Creative Inspiration Challenge #32 - anything goes

My talented Teamies over at Addicted to Stamps and More have some great inspiration for you over on the blog.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,

Carol x

Altenew Just Jasmine greetings card

 

Hello everyone. I hope you had a lovely Easter and are enjoying the spring weather, if it is spring in your part of the world. We are starting another challenge at Addicted to Stamping and More, and this time you can pull out any colouring medium you like to make your mark.

I came up with this CAS design

I used the Altenew stamp and die set called Just Jasmine and used Copic pens and coloured pencils to colour it.

I inked inside a rectangle mask to frame the image, and also inked the scalloped mat with the same colour ink to coordinate.

You will find lots of inspiration on the ATSM blog, and you can link up your entry there too. 

I'd like to play along at

Altenew Inspiration Challenge April - Pretty in Pink Blooms

Unicorn Challenge #108 - use dies

CAS Colours and Sketches challenge #558 - sketch

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Blooming Blooms

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #252 - anything goes

Crafty Catz Challenge #692 - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs,

Carol x

Bunny and Chick Easter Egg holders

 

Hello everyone, and I hope you are well and happy.

It's time for another challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More, and this time we have our Any Occasion Challenge.

As Easter is coming up next month, I made these little mini egg holders which will be placeholders on the Easter Sunday dinner table.

I made these using a cut file from Digital Gems on Etsy and cut them on my Scan n Cut.

Bunnies

Once the pieces were cut, it was simple to put them together and they fit any of the Creme Egg type goodies.

Chicks

I need to make a few more now so nobody is left out lol!

The Addicted to Stamps and More team has lots of inspiration for you over on the blog and I hope you will join us this time.

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs

Carol x

Penny Black Nature's Jewels Thinking of you card

Hello everyone and welcome.The Make Your Mark Challenge is starting today at Addicted Stamps and More, so its time to pull out your paints, inks, markers or pencils and colour with whatever medium you like.

 

I inked a panel with some blue Distress Inks and then stamped some of the Penny Black Nature's Jewels stamps around the edges of the card. I coloured the flowers with Zig Clean Colour markers.

I stamped the sentiment in blue ink, offset it slightly, and stamped it again with grey ink to give it a slight shadow. I cut into the panel with the Arch Dies from The Greetery and layered up the centre panel on foam tape.

My team-mates have some great inspiration for you over on the ASTM blog and if you want to join in with us, you can post your entry over there.

I'd like to play along at

A Cut Above February Challenge - anything goes with dies

Penny Black Saturday Challenge February - anything goes

Polkadoodles Challenge 3 - anything goes

Daisy Chain Challenge #93 - layer it up

I've been having a rough week, so it's good to spend a bit of time in the craft room. I had a car accident some days ago when a car exited a side road, ignoring my right of way, and hit me in the side. Luckily nobody was badly hurt but I hit my head, suffered a mild concussion and was very shaken up by it all. My car was undrivable and I expect it will be written off, so I'll have to try and replace it. A hire car was delivered this morning but I admit to being very nervous behind the wheel right now. At least the other driver's insurance company has accepted full liability so my claim should go through smoothly.

Take care,

Hugs

Carol x

John Next Door Christmas Card

 

Hello everyone and welcome to a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More

This time we have our Christmas theme

I came up with this card 

I found it so hard to get a good photo this time, but the small picture at the top shows the real colour of the blue mirror card - it is lighter than the subsequent photo shows.

I used my new John Next Door Circle Snowflake Frame dies, so this came together quickly. The banner die is from another JND set, and I made a layer for it by cutting the die in the mirror card, then cutting it in half along the length and adhering it to the back of the white one.

As always, the fabulous DT has lots of inspiration for you over on the ATSM blog and you can join us over there with your Christmas makes.

I'd like to play along at

CRAFT Challenge #742 - Christmas

Creative Knockouts Challenge #535 - Tis the Season

I Spy with My Little Eye #21 - something for Christmas

Try it on Tuesdays Challenge - Traditional Christmas

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs

Carol x

Spellbinders Sweet Blooms Border Rocker Christmas card

 

Hello everyone and welcome to a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More

This time we want to see you make your mark with any colouring medium you choose and I came up with this card

I found the foiled flower image in my snippets box where it had been placed because some of the foiling had gone wrong. They reminded me of a Christmas Lily so I coloured them with Zig watercolour markers and cut out the best section with a die from the MFT Stitched Arch Stax dies. Because of the shape, I decided to make a circular rocking card with circle dies. The sentiment is from the Clearly Besotted Most Wonderful stamp set.

I'd like to play along at

Snippets Playground Challenge #493 - the damaged foil flower was from my snippet box

I forgot to take a photo of the foiled snippet so I deserve to be given lines 😟

Allsorts Challenge #806 - Christmas

Polkadoodles Challenge Wk45 - anything goes

Craft Rocket Challenge #120 Christmas card

Unicorn Challenge #104 Christmas/winter

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Carol x

My Favorite Things Our Story birthday card

 

Hello everyone and welcome to the new Die Cuts/stencils challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More.

My Granddaughter, Alice, will be 8 next month (how did that happen!!!), and as she loves all things books and reading, I made this card for her.

I wanted to create a scene similar to her home so I began by die-cutting the floor using the Penny Black wooden floor dies and coloured them by swiping a couple of ink cubes across and placing it at the bottom of the card base. Next, I stamped the rug from the My Favorite Things Merry Christmoose stamp set and coloured it with Copic markers. I then stamped over the rug with the girl in the armchair from the MFT Our Story stamp and die set. I die-cut the chair and fussy-cut the rug before colouring it all in. Next, I had fun stamping, colouring and die-cutting all the other elements before arranging them on the card and stamping the sentiment.

The final touch was to colour the dog in the same colours as the family dog, Caspar, who can often be found in this position as Alice reads stories to him.

The Design Team have some great inspiration for you over on the ATSM Blog and it would be great if you joined us this time.

I'd like to play along at

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2443 - anything goes

Double Trouble Challenge #178 - Something, anything, everything

Crafty Catz Challenge #681 - anything goes with a twist of dies

Creative Fingers Challenge - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Carol x