I {heart} You!!

Hello friends! So happy you are here to visit me today!
Usually Saturday's mean that there is a special challenge
starting at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.

But this week we aren't doing that because instead we will be CELEBRATING
Kraftin' Kimmie Friends Facebook Group 2,000+ followers
and Kimmie's upcoming birthday
by having a KRAFTY KROP Online!!

 

There will be a series of 6 challenges through out the day
and LOTS of chances for you to create and WIN
some fabulous KK stuff.

I'm super excited because I get to host one of these challenges!
Stay Tuned for more on that later!

I decided that I would share a card with you that I made
for Valentine's Day and to give you a few HINTS
as to the challenges that will be starting today at 10:00 am EST
in the Kraftin' Kimmie Facebook Group Event.

So without further pause let's get to sharing my card 

with you today using I {heart} You!
It's got a darling little animal on it, no boy colors but lots of pink,
some bling, a slight bit of distressing and I decorated the inside.
Hmmmm....I'm thinking you might be seeing some of these
elements over the course of the day - just maybe...
Take a look:

and then the inside

EEEEeeee isn't it just so cute??!

LOVE this set so much!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Through the Purple Haze Challenge #75 "Love is in the Air"

Kit and Clowder Challenges - January "Anything Goes"

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #231 Anything Goes/Crazy Egg
Fusion - Heartful


Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges #212 - Anything Goes
Simply Create Too -Challenge #78 "Happy Valentine's Day/Use Hearts"

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today!
Stay tuned for more soon on the special event!
Til next time....hugs and happy kraftin'! D

Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday - Thank You Beary Much!

Happy Wednesday sweet krafty friends!
Wednesday's are one of my favorite days of the week
because it means the weekend is close and because
Wednesday's are Wonderful over at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps

where it's always an ANYTHING GOES Challenge.

We want EVERYONE to be able to play along so your krafty creation
can use ANY stamp and can be any theme, any style, any design
and it can be a card, a scrapbook page, an altered item....you name it!!
It must be a NEW creation and you have until February 3rd at midnight to enter!
You could win a $20 gift card to the KK Shop.

For my Krafty Guest creation today I used a darling image

and sentiment from the sweet stamp set in the KK Shop 
by artist Cheryl Grant called "Lulu and Friends"

Don't you just want to hug these two? 

LOVE her bunny slippers - wish I had a pair :o)

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Catz Challenge #263 - Oh My Teddies!

Crafting from the Heart Challenge #44 - AG

Dragonfly Dreams - January - What's Your Favorite Color (Pink!)

Just Us Girls Photo Week #277 - red hearts = my inspiration

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #243 "Anything Goes"

Sweet Stampin' Challenges - Cute and Cuddly

Kit and Clowder challenges - January "Anything Goes"

The Outlawz Challenges - Monday Greetings "Anything Goes"

Sassy Cheryl's Neighborhood (Facebook group) January - A.G

Are you joining us on Saturday - January 31st
for Kimmie's Birthday & 2000 friends celebration BASH??
 It's an all day party with challenges, prizes, chatter & hanging with your Krafty friends!!!
 Head on over to the Krafty Friends FB Page for all of the details!

I sure hope you will go visit the other Krafty Gals and Guests this
week to see what they've created for your inspiration!
I can't wait to see what YOU make too!! So go get krafty!
(sorry if that sounded bossy :o) )!
Til next time sweet friends...hugs and happy kraftin'! D

Christmas in June for MTTC #252 and 52CCT June Stash Challenge (Charms)

Hello friends and followers - happy weekend to you all!

It's not often that my DT challenges line up at the same time - but this week they did.

For both challenges it's Christmas in June.  Here's the scoop...

At 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT), our hostess Louise has a stash challenge 

for us and she wants us to use charms on our Christmas cards.

Over at My Time to Craft (MTTC) Challenges it's my turn to be the hostess 

and MTTC Challenge #252 is Christmas in June.  

Here's my DT card for both of the challenges:

Digital image by Lacy Sunshine - Flower Pot Pretties "Holly"

I added lots of glitter and shimmer this time.  It's hard to see in the photo

but there is green and red Stickles glitter on the holly leaves in the image.

I also used silver Stickles and Liquid Pearls in lavendar on the ornament.  

The holly dies, sentiment ticket and silver ribbon and charm are all from my stash. 

The Christmas papers are also from a couple years ago.  

I'm feeling great about using up so much of my extra stuff to make this card :o) 

Isn't this little lady a cutie?  She is from Lacy Sunshine's Flower Pot Pretties group.

There is a fun challenge going on over on the Lacy Sunshine Facebook Group

called SAVE THE FLOWER POT PRETTIES.  This is my first entry in that challenge. 

I am also entering this card in these other great challenges:

The Outlawz Challenges - Friday's Coloring Challenges - Twist of Christmas

Christmas Card Challenge #30 - Photo Inspiration (mine was the ornaments)

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Lots of Sparkle

Merry Monday #114 - Use sparkle, shimmer or shine 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenges - Anything Goes

The Sketchy Challenges #75 Hilde's Sketch (see below)

Penny's Paper-Crafting Challenge #183 - Embossing heat or dry

I hope that  you will decide to join us at both 52CCT and MTTC for these

June Christmas challenges.  The 52CCT Stash challenge ends Friday, July 4th.

The MTTC Challenge #252 is a fortnight challenge which will run for 2 weeks.  

Please go visit my lovely DT team mates at both of these challenges.

They have prepared some amazing Christmas creations to share with and inspire you.

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

Happiness is Handmade - Deedee's Digis

Hello friends! It's almost Friday and I'm doing the happy dance - yahoo! 

I joined a gym recently and decided to make the investment in a few sessions 

with a personal trainer to help me get on track 

(who am I kidding...someone to keep me accountable).  

I went the past two days and today I AM FEELING IT!  

I told him that he needed to take it easy on me 'cause I'm old - but he just laughed at me. 

It wasn't just any laugh...it was a very evil laugh. 

I'm tasked with going to do my program on my own tomorrow and report to him how I

did when we get together on Tuesday again. Good gracious...what WAS I thinking? 

Anyway...I flexed my creative muscles a few days back 

and made this card to share with you today.

I'm in a square card mode again (I seem to do that in spurts). This one is 5 1/2" square.

Take a look:

Digital image by Deedee's Digis - "Handmade Happiness"

Isn't this just about the cutest little mouse you ever saw?

I just love this because it so captures why I make cards. 

I do believe that handmade cards bring the recipient happiness.

Usually each card contains a little bit of love too - don't you agree?

I'm sending this card to a special lady who I know will appreciate it.

This is one of the Newest Releases in Deedee's Digital Shop.

It comes with a couple other cute sentiments and papers too.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Feeling Crafty Challenge #28 - One for the Girls/ladies

Ruby's Rainbow Challenge #82 "Stamping" (digital or rubber)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenges - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping in to visit me today.  I'm off to soak my sore muscles in a hot tub.

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

This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine

Hello dear friends!  Welcome to my newest follower Judith :o) 

So happy to have you along to share my crafty journey.  

I recently shared with you that I am now on the design team for Deedee's Digis.  

Today I have a card that I made using one of the Deedee's images called "Little Light".

You can find this awesome digital image and sentiments in the Deedee's Digital Store 

where it's currently a FREEBIE.  Yes, that's right I said FREEBIE - but only for awhile 

so don't delay in grabbing it. You will find it in the Newest Releases Section. 

My card today is made in memory of my beloved Grandma Hester 

who passed away recently (just a few days after she had her 98th birthday).  

Here's my card and my story about it is noted below:

Grandma Hester had a love for small children like no one else I've experienced in my life.  Even in her late 80's she could be seen crawling around on the floor with the toddlers.  She loved the Lord and was a faithful church goer.  Her very favorite song was "This Little Light of Mine".  She sang it to me and my sisters always when we were little (sometimes even after we were grown) and to our own children.  

Each and every week (at least once) she sang it to her Sunday school class. 

I nearly burst into tears when I saw this image and it's sentiments in Deedee's store because of the special meaning it has to me. It came out right after my Grandma passed away. As funny as this may seem it felt like a gift directly from the Lord to me.  I think the reality of losing her is just now hitting me and I miss her so very much more than words can express.  I was her very first Grand daughter and I believe that I held a very special place in her heart.  I know she did in mine.  

Thank you for letting me share my story and my card with you today! 

I am linking my card up atWord Art Wednesday - Challenge #137 (Scripture verse or uplifting sentiment) where Deedee's Digis is the sponsor of the challenge.

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Love to Create Challenge Blog Challenge #120 Anything Goes (my second entry)

Divas by Design - 3 or More Layers

Crafty Hazelnut's June Patterned Paper Challenge

We'd love for you to join us in Deedee's Digis Facebook group :o).

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today- I'm sure glad that you did! 

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

 

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY ATSM - Challenge #100 - Photo Inspiration

Hello friends!  ATSM Challenge #100 marks the 2nd year of Addicted to Stamps and More!  

Whoo Hoo!!

Thank you to our amazing leader Kylie who keeps it all fresh and fun for her DT team :o)

We've had so much fun inspiring you each week and seeing your amazing creations.  

How very blessed we are that you continue to support us and play along in our challenges.  

Take a look at the gorgeous Photo Inspiration we have for ATSM Challenge #100. 

So many possibilities with this one... rainbows, rain, umbrellas, summer, bright colors!

Our sponsor for ATSM Challenge #100 is Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet

and they have generously provided our DT with some images to use for this challenge.

I made two cards this week to inspire you - take a look!

Sponsor image - BB Kakes  "Rainy Days"

I decided to make this a birthday card in celebration of ATSM's 2nd Birthday.

I used a combo of Stampin Up! new blendabilities markers 

(coastal cabana, old olive, daffodil delight) 

and copic markers (BG 10, R20, RV02, RV06, W0, W2, W4, N6).

Check out that paper - isn't it a great compliment to this image :o) LOVE it! 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafting from the Heart - Challenge #23 "Anything Goes"

Sentimental Sundays - Challenge #211 "Animals"

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenges #33 - Celebrate

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper June Challenge

And now for my second card:

Sponsor image - Stitchy Stamps "Flip Flops"

I'm especially excited about how this card turned out.

Not only did I manage to do a fairly good job on coloring suntan skin,

but I also colored a beach scene.  Please forgive me if it seems that I'm

bragging - I'm just so excited, I can't help myself :o)

If you'd like to learn how to color a beach scene,   

There's a great photo tutorial on the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge Blog

by Krafty Girl Deborah who shows us how to color a beach scene.

Go check out Krafty Tips & Tuts - Week #19 to learn how. 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Girls Challenge #20 -Anything Goes

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Sweet Pea (floral)

Fusion (the bright colors and flowers were my inspiration)

Love to Create Challenge Blog - Challenge #120 - Anything goes

613 Avenue Create - Challenge #76 - "Anything Goes w/ optional twist (no twist for me)

The rest of the talented team at ATSM have made some gorgeous 

cards to further inspire you to join our birthday celebration.

I hope to see your crafty creations in our gallery this week!

Please say "hi" while you're there too - we love to hear from you :o).

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

Life Doesn't Have to Be Perfect - and - Flowers for Mother's Day

Hello friends - hope each an every one of you is doing well.

I have a couple of cards to share with you today.
The challenges I'm entering are listed below each card.

The first one was made for a hostess club where we did stenciling  - take a look:

I'm entering this card in two challenges:

Crafty Catz Challenge #230 - Black/White and One Other Color

Fusion - Sketch and/or Photo (Black/White/Yellow or Flowers )

My second card is a card-in-a-box that I made for my Mom for Mother's Day.

Here's a second look at some of the details:

I love these box cards. Such a wow factor for the recipient when they open them :o).

What was fun about this card for me was that I used up a lot of extra bits & pieces

 that were on my craft table (the flowers, the leaves, the grass, the scalloped oval shape).

My Mom loved it! That was the best part about making it. 

I'm entering my box card in the following challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper May Challenge

Suzy B's Bloomin' Challenges #28 - Flowers

Inky Impressions #159 - Flower Power

Simon Says Wednesday Challenges - Die Crazy (the yellow flowers are from dies).

Thanks so much for stopping by - I'm sure glad that you did. 

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

Happy Birthday Wishes

Hello again friends! Last post for the evening to share the card I made for my precious

daughter. She had seen the image after I colored it up during a Live Colour Along session 

with Alyce from Kit and Clowder (where I've been taking skin & hair coloring classes).

She asked me to please, please make her birthday card with it this year.  

So of course I did :o)

She squealed with delight when she saw it.  

I must admit that I'm pretty happy with how it turned out too.

Take a look:

Digital image "Icy" by The Greeting Farm

It felt strange making her a wintry birthday card when her birthday was just 

two days after Easter - but here's a little story about my daughter. 

Our precious little girl was born nearly 6 weeks early on her Daddy's birthday.

I went into pre-term labor with her and we spent nearly two days in the hospital on meds. 

In the midst of this - my husband gets either the flu or a case of food poisoning 

(still not sure which it was) and has to leave me.  Miraculously my labor stops and 

I'm able to go home the next day.  Two days later, and when my husband is better,

my labor starts again and back to the hospital we go. After a very scary situation 

in which we lost her heart beat and were prepping for emergency c-section -

suddenly she decides that she is ready and she came into this world very quickly.

And...on her Daddy's birthday :o) just exactly, I'm sure, as she had always planned.

Every day since she does things in her own way and in her own time.

Oh my, you should have seen some of the outfits she would dress herself in - lol!     

So, for her to have a winter birthday card on her spring birthday 

just seems par for the course - and if it makes her happy, it makes me happy :o)

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Girls Challenge #16 - Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin Challenges - Lots of Layers

Sketchy Challenges #71 Cordine's Sketch (see sketch I used below)

Squirrel and Fox Challenge #68 - Use Die Cuts or Punches (I used both)

Kit and Clowder - April Challenge - Use Blue

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper April Challenge

Robyn's Fettish Challenge #208 - Square  Cards

Ruby's Rainbow Challenge #77 - Ladies

Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge #25 - Frame It

Creative Card Crew Challenge #60 - Girly

The Outlawz Challenges - Twisted Thursday Anything Goes with a Twist Birthday Card

Thanks for letting me share this card and a little bit about my sweet, sweet girl.

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

Stay Classy and Sassy

Hello again! I'm back to share another card I made last night.  

I recently purchased several Kraftin' Kimmie stamps (mostly thanks to Nicole from Nicole's Craft Nook and her lovely creations using these stamps) and am in love with them! They are absolutely a joy to color with my copics.  Without further ado...here is my card using "Hey Hot Stuff".

   This card is going to a special friend of mine for her birthday.The image reminds me very much of her fabulous self.  I'm especially pleased with how the hair turned out this time.  I hope she will like it!

I have something else to share with you,  I've been taking an online hair and skin coloring class. 

I love to color with copic markers and felt it would be fun to hone my skills,
 so I signed up and joined the classes at Kit and Clowder.  

This is an 8 week course but you can do it at your own pace - thank goodness. 

I will probably need about double that time to get through it all with my more than full-time job.  

Anyway... I've already learned a ton and am really enjoying the progress I'm seeing in my coloring.  

Over the course of the next couple of months you will see my efforts too 

(the good and the not so good) - practice definitely helps :o).

If you like to color with alcohol markers and want to improve your skills, I would highly recommend this.

The cost is very reasonable (I've paid as much for a live 3 class session and learned a lot less),

the videos, instructions and homework materials are very helpful, and there 

are lots of additional learning opportunities with great digital images.
You can get to the Kit and Clowder site by clicking on the button on my blog side bar.  

This weekend Kit and Clowder will be doing a Live Colour Along tutorial using a Kraftin' Kimmie stamp called "Hannah Hearts".  I can't wait to colour her up and share it with you after the session.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Kraftin Kimmie Challenge 222 - Pretty in Pink

Sentimental Sundays - Challenge #199 - Flowery Springtime (lots of flowers)

Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Sketchy Free for All (I used sketch #88)

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - I'm sure glad that you did! 

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

My Time to Craft Challenge #239 - Charming (use a charm)

Hello dear friends and followers - so happy you've decided to come visit me today!  Time for another weekly challenge at My Time to Craft Challenge Blog.  For MTCC #239 the DT want to see you use a charm somewhere on your creation.  Here's my Guest Designer card to share with you this fine weekend:

I used a starburst technique that I taught my card group a while back on this card.  It's a great technique to either showcase or use up some of your patterned paper stash.  I wish I could tell you that this paper was from my stash but the truth is I fell in love with the flowered paper when I saw it and then searched to find the perfect image to use with it.  Come on admit it... I bet some of you have done it :o).   The blue jean looking paper is from my stash though so I'm not completely hopeless - lol.  

I hope you will decide to join us this week at MTTC Challenge #239 - Charming.  The MTTC DT ladies have made some gorgeous creations to share with and inspire you. Please take a moment to go visit them and say "hi".  It's always nice to spread a little love don't ya think?  

I am also entering this card in the following challenge:

Creative Card Crew - 57 Charms (use a charm)

Sister Act Card Challenge #57 - Anything Goes

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

You're so Sweet...Bashful Buttons Boo

Hello lovely followers - happy, happy weekend to you!  I have a sweet card to share with you today that I made using a digital image I got for free from Lacy Sunshine.  Heather gave her Facebook fans and members a special deal to get one of two very different images for free to use. She called them her "dark side"- Amelia and  "light side" - Bashful Buttons Boo, images.  I absolutely couldn't resist this darling Bashful Buttons Boo image as she reminded me of my own sweet daughter many years ago. So I choose the light side :o)

How perfect is this paper with the image?  I guess that there are some definite advantages to being a DSP paper hoarder from time to time (that is if you are willing to cut it up - lol).  From time to time I take all my little scraps that really would be useful on a card (but I just can't seem to throw away) and punch out (or die cut) a bunch of small shapes to keep for future use - such as flowers, hearts, stars, small circles, snowflakes, butterflies, and buttons. Yep...buttons. And I used several of those on this card today (yay me -  using up some bits and pieces!) :o).

I might have mentioned that I am learning to be better at coloring skin and hair on my digital images.  Still not an expert by any means but I think I'm getting better all the time.

I am entering this card in the following challenges (in addition to posting to the Lacy Sunshine gallery).

Lacy Sunshine's Challenge 28 - Use Spring Colors

Alphabet Challenge Blog - B for Buttons and Bows
House of Cards - Cute/Fun & Add a Button (I have several paper buttons)
and

Sweet Sunday Sketch #209 (oops - missed the deadline on this one, but it's a great sketch).

Looking forward to a weekend of catching up on all the things I didn't get done during the week.  I know that sounds really odd - but I like order and neatness and right now chaos is reigning in my home and life, so I need to take charge.  Not sure if I'll have much time to craft (big sad face) - but I'll feel much better when order is restored.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today.  Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Anything Goes - ATS&M Challenge #71

Hello friends and followers - hope each and every one of you is doing well and feeling healthy!! I got a wee bit of time to play in my craft room over the weekend and got caught up on a couple of my DT posts. Feels good to be a bit ahead instead of a lot of bit behind :o)  

So enough about me, let's talk about the current challenge starting today at Addicted to Stamps and More!  ATS&M Challenge#71 is ANYTHING GOES.  We are very happy to have a new sponsor for this challenge - Sami Stamps - that is offering a wonderful prize for our challenge winner.   Our DT member Nonni uses a lot of these images and I've admired them for quite some time.  I've made a card using one of their great digital images called "Little Acorn Bird".

 

Couldn't resist this great fall image! I fussy-cut around the image, added some distressing with Soft Suede ink (Stampin Up), and a few candy dots for texture (SU as well).  Did I mention that this is one of Sami Stamps recent freebies! Who doesn't love FREE??   

 

I'm finding that I need more practice with the coloring of nature images. I'm not super happy with my color choice for the acorns - they turned out more grey than brown - but oh well, I'll live with it.  Browns are hard for me.  I'll just keep practicing until I feel comfortable with the color choices and blending to look "natural".  Get it... nature -  look "natural"? :o) LOL

 

The other lovely ladies of the ATS&M DT have  also made some great projects to share with you during the ATS&M Challenge #71 - "Anything Goes".  I hope that you'll go visit them too and then decide to play along with us.  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - sure glad that you did. 'Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

 

 

ABC Challenges #52 - Case a DT Member

Hello friends and Happy Monday!  This week at ABC Challenges we've decided to try something different.  We are nearing our 1 year anniversary and would like to celebrate by CASEing a DT member. 

Just a quick note before I go further to let you know that we will be taking a break at ABC Challenges until after the holidays so this will be our last challenge of 2013 - but we'll be back in January for another year of challenges.  Thanks so much for all your support this year- we've so enjoyed your beautiful cards!

Now... back to the ABC52.  You can pick any card of one of our fabulously talented ladies to CASE - please tell us which card you are CASEing. 

This was a bit difficult for me as I admire all the styles of our DT members.  Oh dear...how to choose???

Rosi has a great almost eclectic style that showcases different styles each week depending on her mood or the challenge.

AnnMarie loves pink and flowers and doesn't typically use very much DSP. She likes to make 3D projects as well.

Jackie likes to add a tab at the top of her card, butterflies, banners, layers, shapes and texture - and feminine (not masculine)  cards - however she is very good at masculine cards :o).

Ger loves square cards with darling images and an almost vintage style. Often there is a strip of ribbon too.

Lela likes ribbon, buttons and tags (and layers) and slight distressing. She tends to use softer colors.

Jeanette almost always uses designer series paper (inside and out) and has a very clean look with mostly rectangles for shapes. 

And...our fabulous Challenge Blog Owner Patty has a great classic style (I've CASEd her several times before :o) ).

So ultimately I decided to CASE Jeanette's style - take a look and see  how I did:

Here's the inside too (not sure what happened to the lighting in this one ):

Here's one of Jeanette's cards that I based my CASE on:

Gee I had a lot of fun browsing back through our past challenges at ABC Challenges and really looking our our DT members styles and cards. How did I do on my CASE of Jeanette? 

I hope that you will decide to join us this week at ABC51 - Case a DT Member.  Please go check out what the rest of the team as done as well.

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

52CCT - Technique Challenge #22 - Fancy Fold

Hello dear friends and followers, so happy to have you join me today.  Here it is the last weekend of October and thus also my last challenge for the month as hostess of 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT).  I've had such fun being the October DT hostess for 52CCT.  It's always a bit nerve-wracking I think to choose the challenges and then cross your fingers and hope that people like what you've put out there for them to try.  So... that being said, here's what I chose for the 52CCT - Technique Challenge #22: 

I have long admired the talents of so many crafters when it comes to cards with a fancy fold.  I decided to challenge not only you - but myself too, as I have only just started learning how to make different folds for my cards.  My DT card to share with you today is a new fold for me - take a look:

I'm so tickled with how it turned out. But...I must admit as I was making my cuts and trying to measure it out I did start to doubt myself and asked myself "what were you thinking when you picked this challenge?". LOL

Here's a side view to show the fold a bit more:

  I'm honestly so happy I gave this a go and plan to make a couple more now that I know what I'm doing.  To see some more terrific fancy fold Christmas cards - please go visit the rest of the lovely ladies on the 52CCT DT.  I hope that you will decide to join us this week and I can't wait to see what you've made. 

I'm also entering this card in the Merry Monday Challenge #80 which is to create a Christmas card that either uses music or is inspired by a Christmas carol.  Can you guess what my Carol is...really more of a song than a carol - but it was always my kids favorite...Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer :o)   

Well... since I stayed up so late getting my card together, I guess I'd better get myself to bed now and get some beauty rest (a gal can never have too much of that as far as I'm concerned).  Til next time friends...hugs and happy crafting! D

ATSM #68 - Color Challenge {Certainly Celery, Basic Black & More Mustard}

Hello dear friends and followers - so glad that you're here to visit me today!  Wow - what a great turn out we had last week for the Make Your Mark Challenge at ATS&M.  Choosing the winners is going to be difficult for our team (especially for me).  

This week ATS&M Challenge #68 is a Color Combo Challenge (see above) which features some colors that are perfect for fall or halloween.  We haven't had as much success as we would like with the color challenges lately so after this one we have decided to try something new in place of it that we hope you'll enjoy more.  

Our sponsor this week is NiceCrane Designs - who by the way is offering a fabulous prize to our Top Honor (check out the ATSM Challenge site here to get more details). 

I've used one of the NiceCrane Designs digital images for my DT card.  Take a look if you please:

I opted for a very clean design so that the image really took front and center on the card, and added just the "teensiest" touches of color to the image using a blender pen and ink pads.  My designer paper is from a retired collection called Spice Cake (Stampin Up!) - loved that paper for its rich fall colors.  I have enough still to make a matching envelope too! I think this will make a great Thanksgiving card - or Thank You card. Haven't decided yet which - so I left the inside blank for now.  

The other lovely ladies on the ATS&M design team have come up with some gorgeous inspiration for you as well.  Please go visit them and check out their lovely creations.  I hope you will decide to join us this week!

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

ABC50 - Recipe Challenge: 3 shapes, 2 patterned papers, 1 ribbon & Divas by Design -Autumn Colors

Hello friends and followers!  This week at ABC Challenges we have a recipe challenge for you to try.  ABC50 - Recipe Challenge is to to use the following: 3 shapes (circles, ovals, squares, stars, hearts, hexagons, etc.), 2 patterned papers and 1 ribbon.  Note: the shapes can all be the same - or 3 different ones.  

My DT card above uses 3 ovals to make the pumpkin.  I decided to challenge myself and see if I could keep my card CAS (clean and simple) while still incorporating the entire recipe.  I think it turned out quite nicely (but am disappointed with the slightly blurry photo).

I'm writing this post up a little early and keeping it very short today as I have to get my house cleaned up and dinner made for 10 to celebrate my Mom's birthday.  Working overtime last week and then getting ready for a card class on Sunday, I have seriously neglected the house cleaning and laundry. Sigh... so guess I'd better get to the cookin', cleanin' and laundry (probably not a good idea to show up for work on Monday in sweats - though it sounds good to me right now :o)).  

My lovely DT teamies have also made some beautiful cards using this Recipe challenge.  I sure hope you will go visit them and then decide to play along this week with ABC50 - Recipe.    

I'm also entering my card in Divas By Design - Autumn Colors.

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

52CCT - Embellishment Challenge #22 - Bling!

A very happy hello to each of you this third week of October.  I'm having so much fun this month as the hostess for 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT)!  This third week of October 52CCT Challenge #22 is a theme/recipe challenge.  I like things that sparkle and shine so I chose the theme of Bling it up!

I guess in a small way its also a recipe challenge as I would really love to see more than one "blingy" aspect on your Christmas card, for example glitter and rhinestones, or shimmery papers and pearls, or sequins, or multiple rhinestones, pearls etc. - the Blingier the Better!!  Here's what I came up with:

I don't usually add this much bling but I got started and it seemed I just kept adding until there was LOTS of bling.  Quite disappointed with the way this photo turned out :o(.  No matter how I turned it, or adjusted the lighting I couldn't seem to photograph it in a way that shows the pretty shine from all the rhinestones.  You almost need sunglasses in real life :o)  Oh well...you get the idea, right?

The other lovely ladies on the 52CCT DT have also made some gorgeous "Blingy" Christmas creations to share with you.  Just click here to go visit the challenge site and check it out.

I hope you will decide to join us this week!! Til next time friends...hugs and happy crafting! D

ABC49 - Halloween

Hello dear friends and followers - happy Monday!! Getting very close to Halloween here in the states - there's a chill in the air and lots of trees shedding their leaves.  Seems in Montana that Halloween is often the first extremely cold night of the fall season and usually involves snow.  This means that you better plan ahead for a costume for the kids that fits over the winter coat - or be prepared for the battle about covering up the great disguise. Maybe I'm too much of an optimist that the weather would hold out (or a poor planner) but we usually ended up in the battle stage with our kids. My daughter and I were looking through some of her scrapbooks a couple night ago and came across a Halloween page from when she was 6 in her pink princess costume.  She said "Oh I remember that! I was so mad at you for making me wear my coat".  "I almost didn't get to go because I threw such a big fit huh?"   Oh yeah, I do remember that it was a whopper! :o) Fun memories..hehehehe.  Honestly I'm really quite glad that now we stay home and hand out candy and get to see all the fun costumes from the warmth of our house.

So....speaking of Halloween.... that is the theme this week for the ABC Challenges - ABC49 Halloween.  Here is my DT card using the sunburst technique again - take a look please:

Did you notice that funky bat in the upper corner?  I made this using a butterfly punch and a very small circle punch.  I colored my sentiment stamp first with an orange marker and then went over it again in places with a black marker. Really love the way it turned out. Hope that you like it too and will decide to join us this week at ABC Challenges for our Halloween theme.  

The rest of the ABC Challenges DT members have made some beautiful cards to share with and inspire you as well.  Please go visit them here.

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

52CCT -Color Challenge #22 - No Red and No Green / MOJO Monday 314 Contest

Hello friends and followers - especially to my two newest friends, Deepti and Amanda! Time for another fun challenge this week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT).  We LOVED seeing  your cards last week using my sketch!!  This week is a color challenge. As your challenge hostess again this week, I kind of switched it up a bit this time when picking colors for you - instead of telling you what colors to use, I'm telling you what colors not to use.  Take a look:

My favorite Christmas cards seem to be those that use non-traditional colors.  With that in mind I decided to let you decided what colors to use that don't include the traditional red and green.  

Here's what I made to share with and inspire you:

I surprised myself by not using pink somewhere in my non-traditional color scheme.  This is some gorgeous new designer paper that I just got from Stampin' Up!  Seemed like the perfect thing to use for a non-traditional color scheme.  I added some brushed silver cardstock layers and used a gorgeous silver ribbon to pick up some of the subtle shimmer on the DSP.  

My card design is based on the great sketch at MOJO Monday 314 Contest (see below).

Okay - so you've seen what I've done - now I can't wait to see what you make this week to share with us this week at 52CCT for Color Challenge #22.  I was thinking the other day how glad I am that I've been making at least one Christmas card a week as I'll have all my Christmas cards done by the end of next month and ready to send out. Yahoo!  

The rest of my lovely DT cohorts at 52CCT have made some fabulous Christmas cards using non-traditional (aka No Red and No Green) colors this week.  I'll hope you will pop over to visit them and then decide to play along. Til next time...hugs and happy crafting!! D 

FMS#106 and Mo's DP2 Challenge {H is for ...} - and Hello Sarah

Hello!  Took a little time this weekend to make some Halloween cards for my kids, nieces, nephews and a few other special friends. I'm entering this card in two terrific challenges:

Mo Manning's Digital Challenge - " H is for..." using a Mo's image

and

Freshly Made Sketches 106 (I flipped the sketch for my card and made it square):

This card is for my son who will be 20 next month.  I thought it was a great image for him as he often has his phone in his hand too. Not that long ago he said to me "Mom, I think your generation has a lot more friends and communicates better than ours."   I asked what he meant by that and he said "Well, think about it - you can't go anywhere and not run into someone you know.  You always stop and visit awhile before moving on."  He went on to say "my generation sees someone we know and we say 'hey' and just keep going.  Then we get out to the car or later at home send them a text to 'talk'."   Wow - what a revelation on his part really. I told him that it's a really wonderful treat to talk to your friends face-to-face :o). 

I do appreciate the ability that technology has given us to communicate and connect with friends from all around the world, even those we haven't yet met.  But there is still something really wonderful about actually having a face-to-face conversation.  As an example, Sarah Stone and I met and communicated as design team members for 52CCT (and briefly for ABC Challenges).  When she heard that I was going to be in Wisconsin recently she offered to drive a bit to come and meet me.  I was so excited to meet her and her beautiful family - and incredibly touched that she would do that. I may have never met her if it hadn't been for our blogging and challenge activities. Here's a photo of the two of us (isn't she lovely?):

 Thanks Sarah - you made a tough trip so much happier :o).  Hope we can meet again soon.

Well friends - time to close a rather lengthy post.  Thanks so much for coming but - I do appreciate it! Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D