A blog devoted to the cards I make in my tiny upstairs space. When my sister stays there, she calls it an "artist's garret". I'm not an artist, but am an enthusiastic cardmaker - hence the title "Cardmaker's Garret".
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Friday, 16 January 2026

Finally, a Post from Me!

It's been ages since I posted.  I've had the horrible flu bug that's going around this winter (even though I had the flu shot in the autumn - but they say it doesn't have this year's variant in it!).  I'm much better but have what my doctor calls the post-viral cough that can last for a few weeks.  So annoying!

But I've got my energy back for making cards and posting so here are a couple.

Cardz 4 Guyz wants a masculine card with a Christmas critter.


My nephew has a ginger cat called Roger.  Roger is a bit skittish and wide-eyed like this image so I'm saving this for my nephew's Christmas card.  Stamped and watercoloured, trimmed with a wonky stitched rectangle, bordered in black, and mounted on kraft.  The beard and Santa hat are embellished with fun flock.
 
Double D wants a birthday card and my cousin's birthday is coming up.
 

I started by putting my wildflower stamp in my MISTI and inking it up with Tombow markers, stamping on the centre of a hammered cs cardbase, re-inking and re-stamping until I was happy with the results.  I then inked up the stamp with Versamark, re-stamped, and added clear embossing powder.
 
I took another piece of hammered cs and cut a piece of masking paper the same size as the hammered cs.  I die cut a rectangle out of the centre.  Then inked up the background stamp with Bundled Sage and Speckled Egg and stamped over the masking paper.  I then die cut a smaller rectangle out of the centre of the stamped section, leaving a stamped frame.  Using dimensional tape, I layered the frame over the wildflower.  Finished by adding a sentiment die cut with a stitched banner.


Cardz 4 Guyz Logo  GRAB OUR BADGE!







Supplies for card 1:
Stamps - Tim Holtz Christmas snarky cat and sentiment
Ink - Versafine Onyx Black
Paper - watercolour paper, kraft and black cs
Size - A2
Accessories - MFT wonky stitched rectangle die, watercolour paints, fun flock

Supplies for card 2:
Stamps - Magenta wildflower, Penny Black Enlightened background stamp, Memory Box sentiment
Ink - Distress Speckled Egg and Bundled Sage, Versamark
Paper - white hammered cs
Size - 6x4.25" 
Accessories - Tombow markers, masking paper, Spellbinders rectangle dies, clear embossing powder, stitched sentiment banner die

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11 comments:

  1. Darlene 17 January 2026 at 05:55

    Both cards are just awesome my friend! Sorry you've been down 'with the bug'. I feel your pain! I got sick the day after Christmas and was down for 2 1/2 weeks with upper respiratory infection and pneumonia. I too still have a lingering cough but getting better finally! Glad to see you back making cards!
    Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

    Darlene
    DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
    Double D Co-Owner

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  2. Loll17 January 2026 at 20:52

    Oh my gosh, your nephew is going to love his Christmas card! :) That is so a fun image and the sentiment is perfect. Made me laugh! :) The birthday card is so beautiful. I love the artsy frame in muted green / gray and your gorgeous main image in the striking shade of blue. These colours are amazing togehter. So happy you are feeling better. Hope the cough is gone soon, my friend! xx

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  3. LesleyG17 January 2026 at 22:11

    I hope you’re feeling better. Born cards are fabulous and couldn’t be more different. I love the humour of the cat one, and the flock adds lovely detail! xxx

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  4. Pat18 January 2026 at 16:32

    Two great cards Susan and I'm so pleased you are feeling a lot better, but just the cough which hopefully will not last too long. I sympathise as I am coughing big time at the moment and it has given me aches all over the place, but at least this is not flu. I love that Snarky cat, such fun and perfect for your nephew, and the fun flock works brilliantly, and then that elegant birthday card with the really pretty flowers, and the leaf stamped frame around them works beautifully in those two wonderful colours. x

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  5. Donna Phelan19 January 2026 at 02:58

    Beautiful birthday card! Love the pretty little frame and those gorgeous wildflowers! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Double D, Birthday Challenge! Donna, DT Member.

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  6. dj19 January 2026 at 03:12

    Christmas Critter...a Santa kitty...yes!! No sure how warm and fuzzy but we will pretend!!
    Thanks for playing along with our Christmas Critter challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz!! Happy New Year!!
    Deb Horst, DT #C4G381

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  7. Dawn Phillips19 January 2026 at 05:13

    Love your Christmas kitty. He looks totally bemused. Hope you are feeling better. Thanks for joining us at Cardz4guyz. Love Dawn x

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  8. Jolanda Johnstone19 January 2026 at 08:41

    I love how irreverent that cat looks, Susan! What a great guy card with a holiday critter. Happy that you shared another card with us at C4G. Cheers, Jolanda - DT

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  9. Brenda in IN19 January 2026 at 11:35

    That cat is a hoot and your nephew will get a kick out of it. I love the leafy frame for the wildflower card. I'm so glad you are feeling better and stronger. I hear that flu is awful this time around so I'm glad you got through it.

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  10. Anonymous19 January 2026 at 19:47

    two great cards Susan, you have reminded me to make some cat cards for next year. I have so many cat and dog stamps that don't get enough love 😁

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  11. Bonnie27 January 2026 at 15:35

    Such pretty wildflowers and I love the frame for them! And the cat is hilarious and I'm pretty sure your nephew is going to love this card! I'm sorry you have been sick with the flu. It's rampant around here and the cough does seem to hang on for a long time. I'm glad you are feeling better and hope the cough will leave soon.

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