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! 

Less Is More… Or Is It? Revisiting a Scenic Adventure Stamp

 

Sometimes you get to the end of a card and your hands say "done," but your brain says, "add one more thing!" 🙃

That’s exactly what happened when I first created the “You’re Amazing” card using the Scenic Adventure stamp set. It was meant to be clean, calm, and simple. But then I reached for just one more ink pad… and let’s just say, I got a little stamp-happy. After sharing that version, a comment from a sweet friend sparked an idea—could I create three versions of this design to show how we evolve as creators and learn when to stop?

In this latest video, I’m sharing all three versions and the mindset behind each one.

And let me know in the comments—do you tend to go clean and simple, or do you pile on the pizzazz?

Until we create together again,

Be Whimsy ~ Add Bling!

A Little Color. A Little Whimsy. A Whole Lotta Fun Folds!

CMW #2 is officially in full swing—and if you’ve been following along on Facebook and Instagram, you know this color combo has had me in a bit of a creative tug-of-war. Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Azure Afternoon are not naturally besties with the Inked Botanical DSP, but you know I love me a good challenge.

These four cards are proof that even scraps, punches, and new-to-me fun folds can come together with a little whimsy and a lot of bling.

💛 Two SIP cards with clean layouts and a sunburst punch detail.

💙 Two fun folds that challenged my brain but ended in big smiles.

🌸 All of them built using the Inked & Tiled stamp set and coordinating DSP.

Sometimes you just need to let the paper fly, scrap what doesn’t work, and keep what brings joy. These cards did exactly that.

Tell me below—are you team #FunFold or team #KeepItSimple? And don’t forget to follow along on Facebook @WhimsyandBling for more CMW challenge inspiration.

Until next time,

Be Whimsy - Add Bling!

A Little Late-Night Creative Therapy | Color Me Whimsy: July Challenge

Tonight’s vibe? Slightly tired, semi-zapped... but determined to do something creative.

I ended up pulling together two cards that totally surprised me—and in the best way. Both are part of this round of Color Me Whimsy, and they feature the July color combo of Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, and Azure Afternoon.

One card uses two punches and some coordinating DSP scraps to create an eye-catching pattern—kind of a quirky quilt vibe, which you know this quilter-at-heart loves. The second card is back to basics: stamping on white with a torn DSP background. Just a note. Just enough.

Moral of the story? You don’t always need to craft for hours. A spark of creativity, a few supplies, and a cleared-off table (okay, partially cleared) can totally shift your mood.

✨ Have you created anything for this round of CMW yet? Join in the fun and tag your creations on social with #ColorMeWhimsy. Let’s keep the color magic going!

Until next time—
Be whimsy. Add bling.
xo,
Michele

Throwback Thursday: Still Blooming with Retired Favorites

Ever find yourself scrolling through your camera roll and landing on a photo that just stops you?

That was me today. I stumbled across this trio of handmade cards and couldn’t help but smile. These were made months ago, but the love and creativity behind them still hits just right.

🌼 The center card features the Irresistible Blooms stamp set—this one holds a special place in my heart because it was part of my very first Color Me Whimsy challenge.

🌸 The right card was created with the Cheerful Daisies set, which has officially been retired but will forever be one of my go-to favorites.

💜 And the left card? Just a whole mood of layered hearts and stripes in soft tones. It radiates friendship vibes and brings me joy all over again.

What I love about this moment is the reminder that you don’t always need the latest and greatest to be inspired. Sometimes what we already have—what we’ve used and loved—can be just the spark we need.

So here’s your nudge: pull out that “retired” set that’s collecting dust, grab your favorite colors, and create just because. You never know when you’ll fall in love with an old favorite all over again.

💬 Have a retired set you just can’t part with? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to know I’m not the only one hoarding cardboard joy.

Until next time...
Be Whimsy. Add Bling.

When the Mojo is MIA: A Real Talk CMW Moment

Tonight, the apartment was tidy. The dog fed. The pillows fluffed. I even treated myself to a little post-work nap—one of those naps that hits harder than expected and leaves you questioning what day it is. But once I got my bearings, I thought: Perfect! It’s time to create!

Armed with the latest Color Me Whimsy challenge colors, the Inked & Tiled stamp set, and coordinating DSP, I sat down at my craft table… and nothing happened. Zero. Zilch. The Pinterest search was strong. My brain? Not so much.

So what did I do? I took a picture of my supplies.

Yup. That was the win for tonight. I showed up. I still love the challenge colors and the stamp set. I’m just not feeling the creative spark right this minute—and that’s okay. It’s all part of the process.

If you’ve ever hit a creative wall (or five), I see you. This is your reminder that not every craft session has to produce a masterpiece. Sometimes, the magic starts with just sitting down and giving yourself the grace to not force it.

💬 Have you ever sat down to create and the mojo just left the building? Drop a comment and let me know your favorite “unstuck” trick. Bonus points if it includes snacks.

Until next time,

Be Whimsy, Add Bling!

Color Me Whimsy: July 15 Challenge – Stamps, Ink, and a Pop of Sass

 The July 15 Color Me Whimsy Challenge is here and these colors brought the heat:

🎨 Daffodil Delight

🎨 Azure Afternoon

🎨 Pumpkin Pie

Armed with just stamps, ink, and paper, I set out to make cards that let these colors speak for themselves. This round I made two mini sets of cards:

✔ The first batch used the trio of colors to create custom backgrounds that turned out bold and bright. Who needs patterned paper when you can stamp your own?

✔ The second set? A little twist—Black & White with a Pop of Color. Each card highlights just one color for a fun, fresh take on this combo.

No fancy tools. No die cuts. Just clean stamping and some bling—because obviously.

These kinds of challenges help me break out of creative funks and remind me how much you can do with the basics. Which style do you love more: full-on color or bold pop?

Want to join in the next round? The next challenge drops August 5th. In the meantime, share your creations using #ColorMeWhimsy so I can see what magic you’re making too!

📲 Connect With Me!

Want to follow along for more creative mischief? Here’s where you can find me:
📌 Facebook: facebook.com/whimsyandbling
📷 Instagram: @whimsyandbling
📺 YouTube: Whimsy and Bling
💌 Blog: You’re already here — glad to have you!

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Let’s create some whimsy together… and don’t forget to be whimsy, add bling!

Color Me Whimsy + A Little Sticky Note Shenanigans!

Welcome back, crafty friends! We're halfway through the first round of my Color Me Whimsy challenge, and the inspiration just keeps flowing like a fresh pot of coffee on a Monday morning (and yes, I’m already on cup number two ☕️).

Today I’ve got a double-whammy of creativity for you! First up — a few more Color Me Whimsy cards, and then a brand-new episode of my Sticky Note Shenanigans series over on YouTube.

Let’s dive in!

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🌈 Color Me Whimsy Check-In

I’ve shared a handful of cards using this week’s featured colors: Coastal Cabana, Melon Mambo, and Granny Apple Green — even though some of the coordinating paper technically didn’t include these hues, I found ways to make it work. And y’all — I think it worked beautifully!

Today’s featured cards include:

• A masking technique card using one of our challenge colors

• A bonus card made from DSP scraps — and I even turned a floral die cut into a tag for the sentiment!

✂️ It’s a perfect reminder that with a little creativity, every scrap can become a stunner.

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🎉 Giveaways + Whimsy Mail

Oh, and did I mention? I’ll be doing a giveaway of the cards from this round of the Color Me Whimsy challenge! You can check out my post on Facebook or Instagram to enter before Friday, July 11.

There are 18 handmade cards total — divided into 6 card bundles for 6 lucky winners! 💌

✨ Sticky Note Shenanigans

Need a laugh? Or maybe a gentle reminder that every card doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful?

Then head over to my latest Sticky Note Shenanigans video — where my fingers turned Blueberry Bushel, I cut my paper wrong (oops), and I still managed to make a festive, starry July 4th card using retired DSP and mystery measurements from — you guessed it — a sticky note.

📺 Watch the video on YouTube 
▶️ And don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss the next round of creative chaos.

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📲 Connect With Me!

Want to follow along for more creative mischief? Here’s where you can find me:
📌 Facebook: facebook.com/whimsyandbling
📷 Instagram: @whimsyandbling
📺 YouTube: Whimsy and Bling
💌 Blog: You’re already here — glad to have you!

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Let’s create some whimsy together… and don’t forget to be whimsy, add bling!

🖌️ “Color Me Whimsy Launch + Ink Smooshing Magic

A Fresh Creative Spark for July

Sometimes you need a fresh start—and a splash of color—to reignite your creative spark.

After a whirlwind few months (and a few too many tech tantrums), I’m back in the blogging saddle! I’m so excited to kick off my July crafting fun with the Color Me Whimsy challenge. This first set features the bright, happy combo of Coastal Cabana, Melon Mambo, and Granny Apple Green.

Let’s kick off July with some crafty color fun!
Here’s the combo that inspired this entire challenge.

I've made 18 (!!) cards using a retired fave—Irresistible Blooms—to show just how versatile one stamp and die set can be. From simple stamps-ink-paper cards to DSP-infused designs using every last scrap, the creative energy has been flowing!

Eighteen cards, one challenge.
Amazing what a little ink and imagination can do!

Simple, elegant, and full of detail -
this one uses just the stamps and dies.

Who would have thought a soft, subtle pop of DSP would play
so very well with the challenge colors. 

But that’s not all…

I've also shared two brand-new videos on YouTube showing my process for ink smooshing—a technique that feels like playtime for paper crafters. You’ll see how I made the backgrounds, then turned them into finished cards you’ll want to recreate.

A little mess, a lot of magic - can you guess
how this background came to be?

Want to join the challenge?
🎨 Use the featured colors to create something—anything! Cards, pages, tags, bookmarks, whatever inspires you.
📷 Snap a pic and share it in the comments of my FB post or tag me on IG.
🏷️ Use hashtag #ColorMeWhimsy to spread the creative joy.

→ Watch the technique video here
→ See the finished card video here
→ Join the conversation on FB
→ Follow along on IG @michele.bundt

Let’s create some whimsy together!

Be Whimsy ~ Add Bling!