Retired, Reimagined, and Ready to Shine: August’s Color Me Whimsy Challenge

Who says retired can’t be radiant?

This month’s Color Me Whimsy challenge features one of my favorite kinds of stash diving — the kind where I open the “retired SU” bin and let the creativity chaos begin.

Using the Linked Together stamp set, coordinating dies, and a pile of purples, I created two cards that both say “Enjoy” — in style. One’s clean and bold, the other is layered and grungy (in a cute way). And yes, those little die-cut flowers are working overtime.

No DSP for this one, but who needs it when you’ve got a good lattice die and a sprinkle of sass?

Check out both designs below, grab your supplies, and share your purple-powered creation for this month’s challenge! Don’t forget to tag your post with #ColorMeWhimsy so we can all be inspired by your brilliance.

The Pinky Promise I Might Not Keep (and That’s Okay)

There I was, standing in the middle of my craft room with a Melon Mambo ink pad in one hand and a very questionable floor situation beneath me. The kind of mess where you’re not totally sure if that’s cardstock or last week’s grocery receipt under your foot.

So I did what any self-respecting crafter would do.

I raised my pinky. Smirked. And made a very non-binding vow to myself…

“I pinky promise I won’t open another ink pad until I tidy up the craft room.” Wink. Wink.

Spoiler alert: I opened it. And it was glorious.

Because let’s be real — some days the creative spark wins over the vacuum. And that’s okay.

This space may be chaos, but it’s also comfort. A reflection of ideas in progress, happy mail in motion, and the reality of being a one-woman creative whirlwind.

So if you’ve got a space that’s more “loved” than labeled and a project calling your name? Go for it. You’re not alone. The tidy-up can wait. The inspiration can’t.

Now… if you see my fairy godmother, send her my way. She’s clearly off the clock.

The Happy Mail Challenge: One Card a Week in August

Ever gotten a card in the mail and instantly felt a hundred times lighter?

There’s just something about opening that envelope and realizing someone thought of you. Not for a reason. Just because. This month, I’m challenging myself (and you, if you want in!) to send one handmade card each week. It could be for a friend who needs a smile, a family member you haven’t talked to in a while, or even someone who popped into your head for no reason at all.

I’m calling it the Happy Mail Challenge—because the world could always use a little more kindness tucked between envelopes.

📬 Want to join the fun? It’s easy:

• Send 1 card each week in August
• Share a pic on socials and tag me @WhimsyandBling
• Use the hashtag #HappyMail to inspire others

Need card ideas? I’ve got plenty coming your way. Let’s spread a little handmade happiness together this month.

Let’s Chat – Celebrating Friendship One Card at a Time

International Friendship Day deserved a little sass and a lot of scissors! I dove into the retired Let’s Chat stamp set to make a few cheeky cards that are all about fun connections. Whether it’s a simple “hey” or a full-on happy birthday shout, these retro phone cards brought some joy to my desk (and a few muttered words while fussy cutting).

The pink card has a whimsy flap that reveals a little “hello” when you lift the phone. The others were made using Flirty Flamingo, Gorgeous Grape, and some of my favorite leftover DSP from a recent Color Me Whimsy challenge. The combination? Pure throwback joy.

So if you’ve got a bestie who deserves a giggle and a handmade smile, these are the kind of cards that dial up the love.

Scenic Adventure Cards: Finding Serenity in the Oops

You ever sit down to create something and it doesn’t go according to plan… but ends up better than expected? That was me with these Scenic Adventure cards.

I thought I was going to use mossy meadow. But at the last minute I switched to balmy blue — and my trees ended up looking icy and magical. Then, when I grabbed a dauber that had a little leftover green on it, a gorgeous teal haze appeared. All unintentional. All beautiful.

No bling, no extras — just ink, stamps, and soft blending. Sometimes you don’t need a lot of fuss to create something peaceful and powerful.

Come watch the full process on YouTube — and let me know, are you a careful planner or a creative chaos crafter?

 

💌 Email: WhimsyandBling@gmail.com

📸 Follow me on Facebook: @WhimsyAndBling

CMW2: 15 Cards, 1 Challenge, and a Whole Lot of Inked Fun

Sometimes a challenge inspires one idea… and sometimes it inspires. 🤷🏼‍♀️ CMW #2 was filled with everything I love about creating — color combos that challenged me, layouts that made me think, and a good ol’ “use the scraps” moment (or two). I leaned into the Inked & Tiled stamp set, coordinating DSP and punches, and even brought in a few retired favorites along the way.

This round gave me everything:

✔️ Marker-huffing florals

✔️ A throwback rotary phone

✔️ DSP drama (those colors weren’t easy!)

✔️ Fun folds and layering experiments

✔️ And, of course, a giant pile of scraps begging to be used.

And let’s not forget the occasional crafting chaos — including a slightly crooked foam board and some background drama. But all part of the process, right?

If you followed along on socials this month, THANK YOU. These challenges help stretch my creativity, and it’s been fun sharing the journey with you.

Next up? Something fresh, a little purple, and a whole lot of “linked together” magic. Stay tuned…

Until we craft together again,

Be Whimsy - Add Bling!

When Oops Turns Out Gorgeous: Stamping on DSP with Scenic Adventu

You know it’s going to be an interesting craft session when your math brain checks out halfway through. But these cards? They still came out stunning.

I used the Scenic Adventure stamp set and some gorgeous DSP to make a couple of quick cards. No extra layers. No embellishments. Just ink, paper, and a little sponge dauber to give it some dimension. And of course… one wrong cut (okay maybe two).

But instead of tossing it all, I challenged myself to make it work. And I think I like the result even more. The DSP was strong enough to carry the design, and the simplicity made the sentiment shine.

I even challenged my viewers to try recreating a version of my “oops” — because those little slip-ups? That’s where the magic happens.

✨ Watch the full video 

📸 Want more peeks? Check out the photos below to see the cards up close.

💬 Leave a comment and share your own craft rescue story — you’re not alone!

Until we create together again,

Be Whimsy ~ Add Bling!