52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Sketch Challenge #18

Hello friends and followers!  This week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - 52CCT - we have a sketch challenge from Jacqueline to get your creative card making juices flowing.  Lots of possibilities with this one. Take a look at what I did with it:

As you can see, I flipped the sketch on its side. I had so many other ideas for this sketch - but ultimately decided to stick with what seems to be my evolving style of choice - I guess I would call it "cute".  I really love whimsical and cute images with bright colors. My card is 6"square which leaves lots of room inside for my message as well as the traditional Christmas of the kids and dogs. Not much stamping on this one thanks to the coordinating DSP that I've used.  I love to use DSP and have been trying to use up more of my unbelievable amount of stash (who knew I had such a problem? I might need an intervention -hehehe).  However, it also feels kind of off to me when I don't stamp at all (or very little). 

The other gals on the DT at 52CCT have made some wonderful cards to share with you as well this week - you can see them here.  So...off I go for today. Hope to see your Christmas card soon using Jacqueline's sketch in our gallery this week!  Thanks so much for stopping by - I'm sure glad that you did.  Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D    

Addicted to Stamps and More - Challenge #47 "Make Your Mark"

Hello friends and followers, so nice of you to visit me today.  Last week was the very favorite theme of "Anything Goes" at ATS&M and WOW did you all blow us away with your fabulous creations.  This week is another favorite at Addicted to Stamps and More - it's Challenge #47 "Make Your Mark".  This challenge has traditionally been one in which we want to see  you use markers (Promarkers, Copics, SU, Spectrum, etc.) but we've had some requested from folks asking to include colored pencils and watercolor crayons as well.  After a quick consideration of this we decided that this was a good idea and I personally can't wait to see the new level of creativity this brings to our challenge.

My card for this week is made using a digital image from Whoopsi Daisy.  Whoopsi Daisy has been our generous sponsor this month and I've really enjoyed using their darling, whimsical images.  I went with a more muted color scheme this week using BG72 and BG75 for the dress.  The printed image is a little over 4" square so I made my overal card base 5 1/2" square to showcase it better.  I've been going more CAS lately in the essence of time mostly (and I wanted to get better at it).  But I felt inspired to bling it up a bit this time and I'm quite please with it :o)

Just finished the most lovely of long weekends.  The weather was sunny for a bit and rainy at the right times (when I had to be inside).  Got to go to farmer's market with my family and stroll around with  cup of hot chocolate with huckleberry whip cream (yummy!).  It was sunny but only about 55 degrees so I needed something warm to sip on :o).  My son was home for the weekend and he kept us hopping as usual.  Every morning he would get up and say "what's the plan for the day Mama?"  No laying around being lazy when he's here to visit. Just little things to cherish and make my heart happy. Thanks for letting me share.

Well... time to get a move on.  I hope you will find time to play along with us this week at ATS&M. Pull out those markers, colored pencils and/or watercolor crayons and get to creating 'cause I can't wait to visit you and see what you've made!  The other loverly ladies at ATS&M have made some amazing creations for your inspiration as well so please pop in and visit them.

Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

Retrosketches #65 {Praying for You} cQc #190 and Paper Players #147 {with Sympathy & Love}

Hello again dear friends and followers.  I stayed up a bit late last night making cards because I get the day off work due to the Memorial Day holiday.  Sadly two ladies that are dear to my heart have lost loved ones very recently, so I used that time to make a couple of Sympathy cards.  I used the sketch at Retrosketches as inspiration for this card (see below). I never seem to have a sympathy card on hand when I need it.  It's just not a theme that I look forward to making when I'm designing and entering challenges.  I hope these cards brings a bit of comfort and peace to my friends when they receive them though.

My inspiration for the second card I made is from the colors at ColourQ #190 and the sketch from the Paper Players Sketch Challenge #147 (although it's a loose interpretation of the sketch as I have flipped the components of the sketch quite a bit).

Gotta get going for now. I'll go visit my Grandpa's grave site and spend some time with my Grandma playing cribbage today. This is always a tough day for Grandma.  Maybe we can share some laughs to help make it easier. We bet a quarter per game.  Raided my piggy bank in case I lose a few games.   Thanks for letting me share these with you today. Wherever you are - make it a great day and celebrate your blessings and loved ones. Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

ABC Challenges - Sketch

Hello dear friends and followers!  This is the start of a brand new week (the last one in the month of May) and another fun challenge at 'ABC' Challenges.  This week we have a sketch challenge for you. Take a look at my take on it.

I've used a couple of new products from Stampin Up! (Sneak Peek) for my card today - NEW Designer Series paper and NEW washi tape.  This is the first time that I've played with washi tape. I must admit that I was wondering what all the fuss is about washi - but I get it now :o)  It's really versatile and easy to use.  You can achieve a different look depending on how you decide to use it - such as I have by flagging the ends.  The cup is from a retired Sale-A-Bration set that I seemed to fit this paper nicely. Usually I get rid of my retired sets but this one has a lot of cute images in it and I had hardly used it - so I decided to keep it. I colored the stamp with SU markers to get the three color effect.

The other ladies on the DT at 'ABC' Challenges have also made some beautiful cards to share with you this week so I hope that you will go visit them as well and have a look.  Hope to see your own beautiful card in the challenge this week too. 

Thanks so much for visiting today. Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Embellishment Challenge

Hello dear friends and blog followers - Happy weekend to you!  Our challenge this week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown is an embellishment challenge and we want to see your wonderful Christmas cards using baker's twine.  Here's my card to share with and inspire you to play along with us this week:

I decided to make my card a Christmas thank you card.  It seems I usually focus so much on getting the greeting cards done for family and friends and then after Christmas I'm kind of scrambling to them come up with a few thank you cards for the gifts I've received.  I've also used one of my favorite non-traditional color combos for Christmas - I just love red, blue and white together.  I stamped my image with StazOn ink and then colored with some colored pencils and a blender pen.   Here's the inside:

I used the sketch from MOJO Monday #294 to make my card (see below). I saw the ribbon strip on the sketch and immediate saw that bakers twine would work great too.   

I hope that you will join us this week at 52CCT!  We so love seeing your beautiful cards each week- you new stop amazing and inspiring us.  The other gals on the DT have also made some lovely cards to share with you so please pop on over and visit them here. 

We have just recently started letting our little dogs sleep in bed with us (something I said I would NEVER do - but gave in after 3 years) and they do tend to be a bit too snuggly at times.  Last night was one of those times and I felt like I was trapped in my bed for a while.  They each weigh less than 20 pounds but I couldn't seem to get them to move over no matter how hard I pushed - lol. .  So... a short post for me tonight as I'm completely bushed and ready to go find my wonderfully comfortable bed (hopefully without two little extras tonight :o) ).   I hope you have a most wonderful weekend and thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today, I'm sure glad that  you did.  Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D 

Addicted to Stamps and More! First Ever Bloghop

Hello friends and followers - I'm so excited that you are here today to visit me because this is a very special post to announce the very first Blog Hop at Addicted to Stamps and More and my very first time participating in a blog hop!  See the message below for all the details :o)   

The Design Team at Addicted to Stamps and More (ATS&M)  are SO excited because we have such a wonderful designer/sponsor to introduce you to and there are amazing prizes to be won!! In fact there will be 7 prizes up for grabs by joining in our blog hop.

 

Firstly, I would like to introduce to you the sponsor for this hop -

Ignacio from Nicecrane Designs

 

You will be stunned at the selection that our sponsor has to offer. There are digital images, pre-coloured digital images, backgrounds, collages, bookmarks, ATC's, templates and so much more!!

There are so many themes to choose from too - all you could want for your Vintage projects, Christmas projects, Easter projects, Halloween projects............. the list just goes on!

Now on to the fun part!!

 

You're really gonna love this blog hope because...are you ready for this?  There is a prize to be won on every blog!!
 

How do you win these amazing prizes? All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog and then comment on EVERY blog that is participating in this hop. Easy peasy!!  Here's one of the prizes to be won (digital images):

 

 

Here is my card using one of the digital images from the Flower Children Save pack shown above:

 

Isn't this little lovely sweet? I colored her with copic markers (the shading that's part of the digi makes it fun).  The background sheet is my own creation using a new embossing folder from Stampin Up! (sneak peek product).  I used a sponge finger dauber to make the circles in each of the embossed shapes and then used that same dauber to shade around the raised embossing some more.  I like how it turned out - do you? 

 

Perhaps you have been visiting and have popped in from the wonderful blog of Deepti of  Catchy Crafts . You'll notice that I'm the end of the blog line, but don't dispare as you can start back at the beginning  at the ATSM blog.  If you lose  your way, that's ok because you can start back here and work your way through. If you started with my blog you can start at the top of the list below to start visiting the others next. You will be glad that you did because Each blog has a different prize up for grabs!!!!!  

 

Below is the list of blogs that you must visit and leave a comment on each blog to be in the running for a prize:

Addicted to Stamps and More (Where the fun begins).

 Kylie - Kylie is Addicted to Stamps 

Florence - Florence and Freddie Part 2

Sandie - London Days

Caz - Cazro's Crafty Corner

Nonni - Korttikarkuri

Deepti - Catchy Crafts

Danielle - D's Crafty Connection (YOU ARE HERE)

We have all incorporated products from Nicecrane Designs in our projects.  So, have fun looking and good luck with winning one of these wonderful  prizes. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - I'm sure glad that you did.  Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #46 - Anything Goes

Oh boy it's time for the most popular challenge each month at Addicted to Stamps and More! - Challenge #46 "Anything Goes". Whoo Hoo.  My Anything Goes this week is driven by the fact that we got two graduation notices in the mail last week.  I used the Stampin Up! My Digital Studio program for the owl image and made it larger to fit on these cards (the original image is about 1 1/2" tall and these are 3 1/4" tall).  I colored each with my copic markers. The Report card papers are ones I've had in my paper stash pile for awhile (probably had some scrapbooking idea that I've long forgotten) and I thought they'de be perfect for this theme.  The orange and black card is actually one of the girl's school colors.  I don't know the other one's colors so I stuck to a neutral grey base with the green report card.   One of the cards is 6' square and the other is 5 x7 leaving lots of room to tuck in a check or gift card before I mail.  Did you notice the google eyes on one of the owls?

So... what will you make this week for the ATS&M Anything Goes challenge?  This is always a fun one for the DT members as we get to see some amazing creations - cards, boxes, scrapbook pages, other 3D projects, jewelry using stamped images, etc.  We aren't fussy at all about what type of creation you make - but we do want to see stamping somewhere on your project (after all we are Addicted to Stamps you know :o) ).  My fellow DT members have made some gorgeous creations for your inspiration - you can go see them by clicking here.  

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - I'm sure glad that you did.  Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

ABC Challenges - Stamped Background

Hello dear friends and followers and Happy Monday to you!  Our challenge this week at ABC Challenges is to make a card using your own stamped background (instead of patterned paper). I promptly grabbed this flower from a Stampin Up! (SU) set called "Blooming with Kindness" and a new SU 2013-14 in-color called Strawberry Slush.  I stamped the flowers randomly (trying especially not to be too perfect with where I placed them) on a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock and then sponged around the edges with another new SU in-color called Baked Brown Sugar (don't both of these colors have yummy names?).  The Strawberry Slush color comes out pinker when stamped on white and a little bit more coral when stamped on vanilla (cream) - I really like it alot!  Then sentiment is also from a new SU set called "Really Good Greetings".

This card is going to a friend who is experiencing some challenging times right now.  On the inside I have put the sentiment "Thank God for what you Have...Trust God for what you Need" .  I hope she likes it and that it makes her feel a bit better. It's nice to know when someone is in your corner - especially God.

I hope you will find time to join our challenge this week at ABC Challenges.  This is a fun one as really the sky is the limit with what you use to stamp your background. I have a feeling we are going to see some amazing and creative cards this week.  The rest of our DT members have prepared some beautiful cards to share with you as well - so please go visit them here.

Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Theme Challenge #17 {Sweet Treats/Holiday Goodies}

Hello friends and followers - happy weekend to you.  The challenge this week at 52CCT is to make a Christmas card that has Christmas goodies/treats depicted on it somewhere.  My favorite Christmas goody is homemade frosted sugar cookies - yum!  My kids and I usually make an enormous batch to share with our family and friends.  I must admit that ours don't usually end up that pretty but they sure are tasty. Here's my card to share with you this week.

Doesn't the lace doily kind of remind you of when your Grandma would put out a plate of cookies on those big lace doilies on the table?  It sure reminds me of that, and I wasn't even going for that - I just thought it would look nice on the card.  I think it adds to the sweet feel of this card.

It's rainy and cold as I write this blog post but I'm actually very thankful for that as we have been so dry here lately.  The rain will really reduce the fire risk as summer approaches, as well as make everything greener.  Finally I am starting to see my flowering trees coming alive with bright fuschia blooms - just LOVE that.  Sadly I have lots of spring cleaning to do so probably won't get as much crafting done as I would like but it must be done as it has been driving me crazy for a couple weeks now (the old "someone's gotta do it" and I guess its gotta be me).  Maybe if it stays rainy all weekend I can take one day to clean up/organize/etc. and the second day to make some more cards - crossing my fingers :o)

Sure hope you will find time in your week to play along with us at 52CCT!  We really enjoyed your submissions from last week's challenge (Red and White) so I'm sure you've got lots of good stuff to share with us this week for the theme challenge as well.  The rest of the DT members have made some awesome cards to share with you as well, please go check them out too.  Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #45 Photo Inspiration {thank you so so much}

Hello friends and followers, hope you are having a great week so far.  We have enjoyed some very nice spring (almost summer) weather this past week and it seems that the trees and bushes around town suddenly awoke and just threw out their blossoms. It is so nice to see - I missed that sight after a deary winter.  My card today is for the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #45 Photo Inspiration challenge - take a look:
 

How lucky for me that I had purchased this window die not too long ago as it really came in handy for this challenge. I did have a hard time getting the cardstock loose from the die though so I purposely roughed it up a little and added a subtle touch of shading to make it look aged instead of almost torn - very crafty of me I think.  I had lots of pre-punched flowers and leaf stems laying on my craft desk, as well as the scroll pieces (to look like ivy) and the butterflies.  I felt quite thrifty and pleased that I was able to incorporate some of the items I had sitting around as well as a piece of retired DSP for the card base.  You have to imagine that you are looking through the window from the outside and into the opposite wall of the house as I didn't think ahead about what it would look like behind the frames - Lol. 

So what will you make from this lovely inspiration photo?  Can't you just imagine yourself sitting in that chair on the porch with the coolest and slightest of breezes every so often to keep you comfortable? Boy I sure can and I wish I was there :o)  The rest of the DT have made some really wonderful cards to share with you as well so I hope that you will go visit them.  ATS&M still has Whoopsi Daisy as the sponsor for this week's challenge who is offering a great prize to the ATS&M Top Honor this week.  Maybe it will be you!  

Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

ABC Challenges - Wedding

Hello friends and followers - especially my newest one - welcome!  This week at ABC Challenges the theme is "Weddings".  We want to see your beautiful wedding cards (could be wedding shower or engagement as well).  For a change I decided to wing it and didn't go looking for a sketch to use.  I had a piece of the partial circle left over from my recent Christmas card laying on my desk so decided to use it for the stamped image and just let the rest of the card design follow.  I decided to keep it simple this week and forgo embellishments - can't really call it CAS because there isn't much white space on this card due to the DSP I used, but the image is definitely front and center so that you can tell what kind of card it is without a sentiment (I kept trying to put a sentiment on the front of this card due but it just looked to busy with the  words that are within the dress image - so decided to leave it off and put it on the inside).  I also kept my color scheme more subtle since I don't have a particular couple in mind right now.  My card base and image is made from a new SU color called Smoky Slate (sneak peek). As you can see, this is a softer grey with just a touch of purple in it.  I really like it and think its going to be a very versatile color.

Hope to see you join us this week at ABC Challenges.  Please go visit the other DT members who have also prepared some amazing cards for your inspiration.

Thanks so much for stopping by today - sure glad that you did.  Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown Color Challenge #17 and Merry Monday Sketch #61

Hello dear friends and followers and happy weekend to each of you! Time for another challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT) and Mynnette has given us this stunning color combo to play with.
Here's what I've made to share with and inspire you.

I'm really tickled with how this turned out.  I used the sketch at Merry Monday to make my card (see sketch below).  

I used a circle Sizzlit Die to cut out the front of the card panel and then nest my snowflake within that.  I love the highlight effect it gives to the card.  I added a strip of embossing in the middle and lots of bling.  Hope you like it too!  Here's what I did on the inside:

I hope that you will decide to join the challenge this week at 52CCT.  Our DT has come up with some amazing cards to inspire you.  Please go visit them - you'll be glad that you did.  

Before you join us this week please take note of our clarified rules around the color combo challenges as noted below:

Rules for Colour Challenges

Christmas cards made for colour challenges should only contain the colours stipulated. 

However, certain 'neutral' colours may be included.
If a colour challenge includes any of the stipulated neutrals that is the only neutral allowed on that occasion. For colour challenges not using a neutral ONE neutral may then be included for example
Red, Green & White - only the neutral white can be used. (Black ink may be used here ONLY for the purposes of stamping an image or printing a digi image).
Red, Green & Blue - ONE neutral can be used on your card.
Our Neutral colours are: Black, White, Cream, Kraft & Gray. A flesh tone can also be added when colouring skin.
Please note that Gold and Silver are here classed as colours.

Hopefully this makes things more clear about what colors to use to be eligible to win an honor and/or prize here at 52CCT. :)

Well off I go, we have a busy mother's day weekend planned with a volleyball tournament (most of the day Saturday), and yardwork, and spoiling my own mom a bit with lunch and a movie (I guess that's kind of a treat for me too :o) ).  My family asked me what I wanted for myself for Mother's Day and I said I wanted breakfast in bed and 2 solid hours to craft my heart out. Maybe I should throw a bubble bath at the end of the day into the wish list too :o)  I feel incredibly blessed to still have my Mom and both Grandmas in my life as well as to have experienced two of my own miracles who call me "Mom".  So even though I want to be a bit selfish with my crafting and bubble bath time, I really just want to soak up some time with my kids and my wonderful Mom. I'm also so thankful to have many women friends who support me in so many ways. I will be sending them a few cards this weekend too. Take a moment to celebrate the special women in your life this weekend - we are so blessed to have each other.

Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

Addicted to Stamps and More #44 CAS, ColourQ #187

Hello dear friends and followers! I hope not matter where you are that  you are experiencing some beautiful spring weather.  Yesterday and today were two absolutely wonderful, warm and sunny days (today was 75%) and I am literally in heaven to see the snow gone and some leaves budding on my trees.  I even woke up to the sound of birds singing yesterday bright and early and I LOVED that sound.   

This beautiful spring weather is the inspiration for my CAS card this week for my DT card at Addicted to Stamps and More #44 - CAS.  I've used one of the digital images or our challenge sponsor this week - Whoopsi Daisy.  Isn't she a darling little lass?   For my card I used the soft pastel colors over at ColourQ#184 (cQc#184) and added a couple bits of bling in honor of another DT member named Mynnette Kitchen who always seems to have just a touch of bling placed in the perfect spots.  My colors aren't the exact ones noted below because I used my copic markers, but I think they are very close.  

In addition to ColourQ#184, I'm also entering my card in the Our Creative Corner "Anything Goes" challenge and the Creative Card Crew Challenge 35 "Bling" for my bits of bling. 

The past couple of weeks a fellow DT member named Nonni has used the same image as I have and has given it a totally different and amazing effect with her soft and subtle colors.  I wonder what she will do this week? If you are now curious as well and want to see what the other ATS&M DT members have also come up with for a CAS creation to knock your sox off, then all you have to do is click here and you will magically get right to where you want to be.  I hope you will decide to play along with us this week - we'd sure love to have you and I can't wait to come visit your blog.   Til next time... Hugs and happy crafting. D

ABC Challenges - 3 in a Row, C4C184, Divas by Design - Add a Number and STB#16

Happy Monday!  This week at ABC Challenges we have the really fun challenge of TicTacToe - 3 in a Row.  You get to pick 3 items in a row (up, down, across, diagonal) to make your beautiful card.  My card uses the top row - Ribbon, Use a Punch and Designer Series Paper.  Take a look:

Card details: The DSP is from my stash of retired stock called "Just Add Cake".  I used three punches the cupcake punch, the 1 3/4" circle punch and the 2 1/4" scallop circle punch.  I edged the DSP and the circle with the Crumb Cake (Kraft) ink.  

The 3 in a Row challenge is always a challenge for me because I have to force myself to narrow down my options and just go with one choice.  But I can almost drive myself crazy thinking about all the other cards I could make if I just choose a different row, column, etc.  To help myself put some framework around my choice I go searching for a color and/or sketch challenge that I can piggyback off of and help me get to designing.  I used the challenges noted below to help me do just that.  I know that the other ladies on the DT for ABC Challenges have also prepared some great cards using more of our TicTacToe options so please pop on over there and see what they've made for your inspiration.  I hope that you will decide to play along with us this week.

I am also entering this card in:

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C184 (colors of Light Pink, Kraft, Black and Cream) - note the circles within the DSP are cream colored but I accidentally used white on my main circle with the cupcake, I hope it doesn't disqualify me - if so I understand. 

Divas by Design - Add a Number and Seize the Birthday #16 sketch (see below)

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today - til next time... Hugs and happy crafting! d

52CCT - Sketch Challenge #17

Hello dear friends and followers - hope your weekend is starting off to be absolutely fabulous. I know that I'm always happy to see Saturday but sad because I can't figure out why the weekends go by so much faster than the rest of the week.  I'm hoping to spend some quality time in my craft room with some new supplies I got making some cards for future challenges that I'm a DT member on.  Be watching to see what I make to share with you in the near future.  My daughter will be at a sleepover so that means I can stay up all night if I want to just crafting to my heart's content.  Sigh...such a shame to be so addicted to this hobby - but it could be so much worse - right? :o)

This week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT) we have a sketch challenge for you.  I usually try to follow sketches quite literally, but this time I've chosen to make a couple interpretations to Mynnette's fabulous sketch.  We encourage you to make the sketch your own as well - keep it clean and simple or layer and bling it up or flip it vertically - but we do still want to see that basic bones of the sketch.  I think you can still see the sketch in my card - what do you think? 

Not sure if you realize this but... here it is May already and that means that Christmas is only 7 months away! Here in Montana we still are getting snow sometimes and it feels like Christmas at least once a week it seems - LOL.   Do you have your Christmas cards started yet?  If  you decide to play along with us this week and each week thereafter you will have a great stash all ready by the time Christmas gets here and you won't have to stress about making some at the last minute.  What a bonus right?  If you are one of our regulars for this challenge you know exactly what I mean and I hope you will keep playing with us.  

Please pop on over to the 52CCT challenge site and see what the rest of the lovely ladies on our DT have made.  I can't wait to see what you share with us this week. Til next time.. hugs and happy crafting.