Make Your Own Background - Kraftin' Kimmie Celebration weekend Challenge #1

Goooood Day sweet crafting friends!

This weekend we have some really fun challenges 

in the Kraftin' Kimmie Friends Facebook Group

to celebrate Kimmie's birthday and reaching more than 

6,000 followers in the group! We have a series of
challenges for you to participate in. You have all
week to enter and there's prize opportunities!

The first challenge is to make your own background. 
I usually default to patterned papers (I have an embarrassingly
large amount of that stashed in my craft space), but
lately I've been having a lot of fun using stencils instead.

My first card to share with you today uses the 

HAPPY HEARTS STENCIL with the inspiring

stamp sets YOU ARE SUPER and 

HAPPY THOUGHTS (all from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)

I started with a watercolor wash on the base

with two different colors.  After that dried 

I used some Bobunny glitter paste with the

stencil.  A little different style from my

usual but I'm really happy with how it turned out!

This second card was made using Brusho Crystals

on a watercolor paper panel (yellow, orange and red)

and again the YOU ARE SUPER stamp set.

Both of these cards are going to two amazing women

who have or are fighting against breast cancer.  I'm truly

in awe of their strength and positive attitudes. 

I'm entering the first hearts card in the following challenges as well:
Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenges #46 - anyting mixed media goes 
Crafting with Friend Challenge 79 - Anything Goes

Inkspirational Challenge #179 - Photo Sweet Things

(inspired by the pink and hearts)

and
TIME OUT Challenges #128 - Home Sweet Home Photo inspiration
(I was inspired by the hearts)


And I'm entering the second card in these challenges:
Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Friday Challenges #267 Always Anything Goes
Krafty Chicks Challenges  #440 Crazy Egg Anything Goes

If you like these products I've shown you, there's a special
SALE code for this weekend only KIMIS48 to get
25% off your entire order (regular priced items only).

Thanks so much for visiting me today! I hope you are getting
some good crafty time in this weekend! Hugs! D

Christmas in July at Catch the Bug Challenges {Bugaboo Stamps} - Photo Inspiration

Hello again and welcome back to my blog

for DAY FIVE of the fabulous week of FUN

challenges to celebrate Christmas in July 

at CATCH THE BUG CHALLENGES!!!

Today we have a Photo Inspiration challenge for you

Take whatever you wish from this BUT make it a 

Christmas creation.  After all it is CHRISTMAS in JULY.

Here's my DT card to share with and inspire you today.
I was inspired by the beach/ocean aspect - and
of course the blue flip flops.  I had to add a tiny
pair of my own as an embellishment :o).

This adorable image is called Tropical Santa - surfboard.
He's on SALE this month at Bugaboo Stamps
along with a ton of other fun digis (the whole store)!
Now is a great time to stock up on some of
your favorite images.  What a great deal!

There's only a couple more days left so I hope you

are playing along with us!  There are some awesome

daily prizes and a GRAND PRIZE opportunity for

those of you who play along each day!
Check out the details HERE.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More Challenges #202 - Make Your Mark
ABC Christmas Challenges - N is for No Rules (Anything Goes)
Christmas Cards All Year Round - July "Anything Goes"
City Crafter Challenge Blog #320 - On the Border

Thanks for stopping in to visit me today!
Have a wonderful day! Hugs D

Catch the Bug Challenges - May Photo Inspiration

Hello friends and happy Saturday! 

Do you have some fun plans for the Memorial Day weekend?

We are still trying to decide what to do - I'm recuperating after several
days of being ill so am not quite sure what I'm "up" to doing yet.
Our son is home from college for a couple of weeks so I'd like to do
something fun - if the weather cooperates. You never know in Montana.

Any hoo... I'm guessing you are here today to see the newest challenge

at CATCH THE BUG CHALLENGES and it's a goodie.
Come play along with us - there's some awesome prizes to be won!

This week we have a serene color combo for you to try.

Here's my card today using Ava Mermaid

I popped up a couple sections of the waves for a little extra dimension

since I chose to keep the rest of the design fairly simple.  It's hard to

see in the photo but I added some glimmer with my Wink of Stella 

pen to the flower and the outfit.  It's quite pretty IRL. 

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges #228 - anything goes

Sister Act Card Challenge #107 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping in to visit me today!
Be safe and have fun this Memorial Day weekend.
Til next time...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

Happy Birthday Wishes...ATS&M#90 {Photo Inspiration}

Hello friends! Hope your week is going well. I had a wonderful talk with my son last night.  

He's doing so well in college and his job - and he has a wonderful girlfriend.  

Makes my heart happy to hear him so happy! I was especially tickled
because he said that he saw one of my cards that I posted on Facebook
and was showing it to his roommate and bosses.  

What a great kid I have showing off his mama's mad card-makin' skills - LOL!! 

I see that I also have a new follower - welcome! So glad you have you along. 

Speaking of mad card-makin' skills - we have a  fabulous Guest Designer this week - Bonnie, 

and a new challenge for you over at ATS&M.  Challenge #90 is a Photo Inspiration. 

We would like to see your mad card-makin' skills using the photo above for inspiration.

So many things in here to inspire you - the eggs, ovals,

Easter, bright colors, flowers,blue sky, Spring, etc.  What will you make?

Here's what I made this week to inspire you:

Digital image by ARandomFan - "Party Animal"

I was totally inspired by the bright, fun colors in this photo. 

Who can resist such a cute little monster? Not me :o)

This cute digital image is by our challenge sponsor this month - ARandomFan who generously 

provided our DT with some images to use 

and is offering a prize to our TOP ADDICT 

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Girls Challenges #15 - Anything Goes

Feeling Crafty Challenges - Anything for a Child Challenge #27

4 Crafty Chicks Challenges #188 - Color a Stamped Image (digi or rubber)

The rest of my lovely DT pals at ATS&M have also made some amazing creations 

to share with and inspire you this week. I hope you will go visit them as well and 

say "hi".  We love to  hear from you, and can't wait to see what you make!

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

ATS&M Challenge #85 - Photo Inspiration

Hello friends! Time for another weekly challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! We have a new guest designer joining us for the next two challenges.  

Welcome to Darnell - we love your gorgeous creations and are happy to have you joining us.  

ATS&M Challenge #85 is a Photo Inspiration Challenge based on this image:

I used the colors and the theme of strong women for my DT card. Take a look please:

This is a skinny card (3 3/4" x 6") as I wanted as much of the panel to show as possible.  I made the main panel by using a watercolor technique.  I pounced 3 different pink stamp pads  (Pink Pirouette, Calypso Coral and Melon Mambo) down on a plastic sheet and then spritzed with water.  Then I placed my watercolor paper over that and kind of mushed it down and around a bit.  I lifted it and then spritzed again and then put it down one more time.  I heat set it and then let it set over night before adding the embossed sentiment (drat - I got it a bit crooked).  Then I used my gorgeous grunge set to add a few extra spots by using Basic Grey (stamped off once first) to the panel.  Really  happy with how it turned out and plan to show my card group this technique later this month.  Messy but fun, and the results are stunning. 

The other lovely ladies on the ATS&M DT have made some beautiful creations to share with you based on the photo inspiration.  A big thank you to Kathryne for being our prize sponsor this week.

The challenge winner will receive 5 digital images of their choice.

Updated to add that I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
Virginia's View Challenge #1 - Watercoloring


and
STAMPlorations Bi-Weekly Sketch Challenge #7 - Sketch
(thanks Nonni for telling me about this).


Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today! I'm sure glad that you did.  I hope that you will decide to join us this week at ATSM for Challenge #85. Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Sending My Love - ATSM Challenge #80 {Photo Inspiration}

OOPS - a little late with getting my blog post done today for my DT card at Addicted to Stamps and More! Somehow the last couple of days have snuck up behind me and swept my feet right out from under me - good gracious.

Anyway...enough complaining about my tardiness, time to share another card with your for the current challenge at ATS&M.  ATSM#80 is a Photo Inspiration - take a look:

You can take any aspect you want from this photo - the colors, the hearts, the theme (Valentine's day), the candy, the stripes - totally up to you.  I immediately gravitated toward the purple, orange and pink colors and decided to make a Valentine's day card using a new digi from our fabulous challenge sponsor Deedee's Digis.

Our sponsor generously provided us with some digital images to use this month. But as I was out crusing the store site I came across the January Digi of the Month and just had to purchase it.  Here's my card using the January Digi of the Month -  "Sending My Love":

The finished card size is 5 1/2" square.  I used one of the sentiments from the set for the tag that is tucked behind the main image.  Here's a couple views of the tag:

Of course I still left a panel inside to write a longer message. I sprinkled a few more of those tiny pink hearts on the inside panel too :o).  I've decided though that I now need a tag die or punch to make fancier tags as I really like this idea (thinking Christmas too). 

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

The Paper Players #180 (PPA180) where I got the great sketch (as you can see, I flipped it)

 

City Crafter Challenge Week #196 - Lovey Dovey (Valentine)

and 

Deedee's Digi of the Month Challenge - January

I hope that you will decide to join us this week at ATS&M for Challenge #80 - Photo Inspiration. Please go visit the rest of my lovely DT members and see what they have made for you as well.  This is Karen's last week as Guest Designer.  We have really enjoyed having her with us! Thanks Karen xxoo

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

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #75 - Photo Inspiration w/Sami Stamps

Oh my goodness... here I am late for my DT post at ATS&M!  I have had a very crazy week this past week and managed to quickly get my card together for the ATS&M Challenge #75 this morning - but then didn't get it posted or blogged.  Oh well, guess it doesn't do my any good to moan about it.  Best to just get on with it and share my card with you this week using the beautiful Christmas photo above and a terrific digital image for our sponsor this week - Sami Stamps. 

Hope you like it!

A while back I was practicing a technique called faux patina.  It didn't turn out quite as I would have liked (just a wee bit too much gold) but I kept the panel in  hopes that I would have a reason to use it in the future.

As soon as I saw this photo I knew that this was the time to use it.  I also colored the beautiful Sami image using gold tones (I think Nonni likes these colors :o) ).  I also copied Kylie on a previous card she did by cutting the image so that the scarf was outside the circle - quite fun and I love the way it turned out.  

Will you decide to join us this week for the Photo Inspiration Challenge #75?  I sure hope so! The rest of my DT pals at ATS&M have outdone themselves with beautiful creations for you this week.  And did I mention that our TOP Addict gets a prize for Sami Stamps?  You better get on over to the ATS&M challenge site and check out the details :o)

I am also entering my card in the following challenges: 

Sami Stamps Blog  - Sami Stamps Challenge #008: Add Red or Green (or both). 

 I made my cocoa mug green so I could participate.  

Divas by Design - Feeling Festive (holiday creations)

Merry Monday #87 - make a card with a mitten(s) on it. 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me.  I'm sure glad that you did! Til next time friends...stay warm and cozy.  Hugs and happy crafting! D

ATSM#70 - Photo Inspiration and CASual Fridays CFC119: Embossing

Hey friends - thanks so much for stopping by today! This week at Addicted to Stamps and More (ATSM) Challenge #70 is based on the photo above.  Doesn't this great photo just spark your creative juices?  It sure did mine - I had a hard time narrowing down the ideas as I absolutely LOVE these colors together.   Here's my DT card to share with you:

  

I was in Hallmark over the weekend and found myself browsing through the Christmas cards for ideas.  I came upon a card and thought "Hey, I can do that" - so I did :o)  I think I even like mine better because of the embossing and string of silver pearls.  It would be pretty quick to mass produce too.  The sentiment is stamped in silver Versamark ink and I used silver foil paper on the sides of the main panel - MAN was that hard to get a photo of, this was the best I could seem to do.  

What inspiration will you take from the photo - the colors, the stars, the ornaments, all of it??? I hope you'll join us at ATSM#70 as I can't wait to see what you make!! There's a terrific prize offered this time from DigiDarla Designs for our Top Honor slot.  The other talented ladies at ATSM have also made some fabulous creations for your inspiration - I hope you'll go visit them and see. 

I'm also entering my card at CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC119: Embossing as my card using both dry and heat embossing. 

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

Are you Playing w/ ATSM #68?

Hello friends and folllowers - hope you are all doing well!  Today I'm sharing a second DT card I made for Addicted to Stamps and More! (ATS&M) Color Challenge #68.  This time I decided to make an easel card. It's kind of skinny and narrow (3" x 6") - a fun size to use.  I debated on the grassy strip because usually in Montana we have snow on Halloween - but it worked perfectly with the colors and image, so I went with it even though I was tempted to put a dash of white flocking on there to look like snow :o)

Have you joined us at ATS&M yet this week?  If not, I'd sure love to see your entries using this color combo.

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

Divas by Design - "Spooked" (anything Halloween)

Stampin' Royalty Challenge #199 (photo - see below) - I liked the pumpkins and the colors

and 

City Crafter Challenge Blog Week #182 - Pumpkin Patch.

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

Less Is More -Week 139 Sketch #10 and JUGS #208 - Photo Inspiration

Hello friends and followers.  I was inspired by a couple different challenges over the weekend to create this card - take a look:

The sketch comes from Less Is More - Week 139 (see below) - which I modified to a standard A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2 ") card instead of the square shape (surprising for me as I LOVE square cards).

The image I used was inspired by this photo at the JUGS Challenge #208 (also below) - LOVE those pumpkins in the field.

A short post today just to share - gotta dash off to work for now.  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

ATS&M Challenge #65 - Photo Inspiration and Inspired By #90

Hello dear friends and followers - welcome to the month of October and a new month of challenges at Addicted to Stamps and More! (ATSM).  This first week of the month we are starting off with a photo inspiration challenge (see above).  You may take ANY or ALL of the elements in this photo to create something of your own. My inspiration was the gorgeous rust and yellow colors as well as the texture on the baskets.  Take a look at what I came up with:

What do you think?  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out :o)  If you pop on over to the ATSM challenge site you will see that the DT have created with each of our own styles (and inspiration) in mind. How great for me to belong to such talented team of ladies with so many wonderful and different styles.  Oh and by the way... a little bit of news on our DT. We said a sad goodbye recently to Caz and Florence (LOVED both of their styles!) and recruited a couple more lovely ladies who are starting with us this week - Deepti Malik and Deborah Fringes.  I know you're going to love their style as much as I do. 

I'd also like to mention that the ATSM Challenge sponsor this week is Ignacio from NiceCrane Designs. 

 For more information on the prize and our sponsor please click here and you will arrive at the Challenge site.  


I'm also sharing my card over at Inspired By - Challenge #90 (see below).  I picked up on the colors of the buttons and the texture of the soxs. 

Hope you will decide to play along with us this week!  We love seeing your entries and visiting your blogs.  

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

ATS&M - Challenge #55 - Photo Inspiration

Hello dear friends and followers - time for another challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More! (ATS&M).  ATS&M Challenge #55 is a photo inspiration challenge based on this fun and colorful photo above.  There's so much that you can get from this photo such as the birthday theme, black background, neon colors, candles, sentiment, colors, stripes.  Good golly... see what I mean?  Lots and lots of inspiration in one little photo. 

 

My card this week uses some new DSP from Stampin Up! Take a look and see if you can figure out what most inspired me this week:

 

 What will you take from this photo as your inspiration?  I can't wait to come visit you this week to see.  The rest of the lovely DT team members have made some terrific cards to further inspire you.  To visit them and enter the challenge you just need to click  here. 


A relatively short post for tonight. Til next time...hugs and happy crafting friends! D

 

Happy 1st Anniversary to Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #50 - Photo Inspiration

Hello dear friends and followers - so happy that you've stopped by to visit me today.  This week at Addicted to Stamps and More! is our very first anniversary!  Whoo Hoo!  What fun we have had with our participants over the past year - we thank you for being with us and hope you continue to play along! 

This week the ATS&M Challenge #50 is based on the gorgeous photo above.  We'd like to see your gorgeous creations using this photo as your inspiration.  What is it that grabs you in this photo?  Is it the bee, the flowers, the butterflies, the colors, the scene, the feeling it evokes?  Whatever it is the DT members would like for you to share it with us this week at ATS&M.

I'll bet you can tell what inspired me about this photo - take a look:

The butterfly is made using Dazzles.  The bottom one is the inside of the sticker and the top is the frame of the image which I coloring in with my copics after adhering to a piece of white cardstock.  I fussy cut around it after coloring and then popped it up some dimesion dots for additional effect.

Hope you enjoy this summery, bright card.  I especially hope that you will decide to join us this week at ATS&M for our photo inspiration challenge.  To get more inspiration from the rest of our fabulous DT members just click HERE.

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