Pretty Paper . . .

 

Hello friends . . .

Today I've created a card to share over on the Poppystamps challenge #136 where the theme is Stencil or Pattern Paper.  I've gone with this beautiful Brutus Monroe butterfly 6x6 pattern paper and an oldie but goodie Poppystamp die #1396 called 'Bellina Butterfly Collage'.  Like I said, it's old and sadly no longer in stock, but look how pretty!

 I die cut my butterfly collage from a scrap of white paper then chose the designer paper I wanted to use and of course the colors were perfect for my butterfly cut outs since the paper is all butterflies lol.  After adhering my die cut panel to my butterfly pattern paper, I then matted it with a solid blue cardstock.  I then used the remainder of my pattern paper to create my design.  A few Nuvo crystal drops for extra dimension along with some faux stitching and VIOLA, my card was complete.

 

Quick, Easy & Beautiful!  Doesn't get any easier than this!

Challenges to share in:

613 Avenue Create March Challenge - ATG - Twist: Things with Wings (ends 3/31)
Dragonfly Dreams March Challenge - Butterflies (ends 4/4)

Thanks so much for stopping by today and hope you're having a great week!

 As always . . .

Pick 3 Challenge Time #3

 Hello friends!

It's time again for a fun new challenge over on the Pick 3 Challenge Blog.  

Here's this months Elements Board . . . 

 

OMG my mind went in so many different directions 
but here's what I finally decided on . . .

The elements I have chosen today are:

 

Clean & Simple (CAS) - Wings - Stripes

Product used are:

Echo Park 'Dots & Stripes' 6x6 designer paper
Dee's Distinctively 'Butterfly' (IME-232)
Serendipity Stamps (circa 2008) sentiment
Nuvo Pink Crystal Drops 

This is such a fun challenge to create for!  
Half the work is already done for you once you choose your 3 elements!

Points to Remember:

• Your Project must contain at least 3 of the 6 elements given.
• Please tell us which elements your project contains.
• A Limit of 6 Entries per Challenge.
• Check back to see if you're a Winner!

You have until the 17th of the next month to link your project.  
The Winner and Top Picks of each challenge will be announced on the next new challenge post starting the 20th of that next month.

 

Other challenges to share in:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - CAS (ends 3/31)
613 Avenue Create March Challenge - ATG - Twist: Things with Wings (ends 3/31)
Dragonfly Dreams March Challenge - Butterflies (ends 4/4)

 Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,
I appreciate it more than you'll ever know!!

As always . . .

A Note to Say Hello . . .

 

Hello All . . .

When I spotted the challenge over at The Paper Players blog, I just had to join in!

 

 Earlier in the week while in my drawer of Altenew stamps, I noticed I had several of their little stamp sets so decided to stamp them off onto some scraps of white card stock.  While watching a movie on Netflix on my computer, I colored them up & fussy cut them (luckily one also had the coordinating die) and put them in the stamp pack for future use.  Little did I know I would use this particular one so soon. LOL  Here I've used the 'So Happy' set.

 

Coloring was done with Tombow markers and I've fussy cut using a swivel craft knife.  The frame is by Paper Rose and the sentiment is one I had created awhile back then didn't use.  

Challenges to share in:

Passion for Markers #829 - Make it Bloom (3/24)
Addicted to CAS #303 - Garden (3/20)
 
As always ... thanks again for stopping by!

Double D - Easter / Church / Cross

 Hello Dear Friends!

It's time once again for a new challenge over on the Double D Challenge Blog!

 

Here's today's theme:

 

EASTER / CHURCH / CROSS

 

 and here's an inspiration board created to help get you started . . . 

 

 

 

 WOW!  It's hard to believe Easter is just a couple of weeks away!  

 

Today I pulled out so OLDIES to play with and here's what I came up with . . .

 

 The background papers I've used are from a very old the Paper Studio pack called 'Kirby Teesdale Studio' which was purchased at Hobby Lobby.  Believe it or not, this paper pack is still available (at least I see it is online through the Hobby Lobby website).

 

 

 

 I combined a couple different papers and on the one sheet I cut a 2 1/2" panel then punched a decorative edge using a very old Martha Stewart 'Floral Vine' punch (egads ... haven't used that in years! lol).  I see you can still find these punches out on EBay.

 

 

 

The image is one from a Graphic45 paper pad. 

 An Easter sentiment & Prima flower were all that was needed to complete today's card.
Green Nuvo Crystal Drops was used for my flower's center.

 
You'll want to be sure to pop over to the Double D Challenge Blog to see all the details and amazing samples offered up by our VERY TALENTED design team ladies!!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hope to see you at Double D! 

  As always . . .

 

Butterfly Kisses

 

 Happy Tuesday Friends!

My card share today was created with a couple of blogland challenges in mind.  They are:

 Sunbird Spark Challenge #58 - Sketch (ends 3/30)

 

 and

 Just Add Ink Challenge #781 - Just Add Wings (ends 3/25)

 

 I started out well with the idea of embossing two panels then combining them to satisfy the sketch but then when I went to do the inking part it all went south (you will see what I mean at the end of this post).  But lets concentrate on the GOOD card lol.

I've used the old 'Swiss Dot' embossing folder and a newer Simon Says 'Blossom Bursts' 3D embossing folder for my background panels.  A narrow strip of scrap purple cardstock was cut for my dividing line and I used the same cardstock color for my base card. 

 

My focus 'wings' element is this beautiful Cheery Lynn Designs small lacey butterfly (sorry they are no longer in business) that I have sponged with various TH distress oxide inks and attached beneath my Serendipity wood block stamp sentiment.

 

NOW ... BACK TO MY ORIGINAL INKING SCREW-UP 

 I love purple so of course that was the color direction I was going in and after putting my two panels together for the background I used what residual ink was left in my purple sponge dauber.  Well, that didn't work because when I sat my butterfly on top it just kind of 'disappeared' ... so then I added the various inks to the butterfly ... OH NO ... that looked worse!  Egads ... time to shift gears and use my other two white panels and start again (hence the card you see above).

Now what to do with this mess!

You can NOT cover over purple ink with other colors without getting MUD (which I did).  So I just used all my various sponge daubers and finished coloring the entire panel.  Spotted this K& Co bird sticker that was the only one left on the sheet so 'today's your day little bird'!!!  I cut a larger white square (to cover the mud) and placed him on top.  VIOLA ... not too shabby! LOL

A couple other challenges to share in:

 Cardz 4 Galz #271 - Embossing Heat or Dry (ends 3/18)
Moving Along with the Times #187 - Birds and/or Bees (ends 3/31)  

Thanks for sticking with me on this long post and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!

Have a FABULOUS week ahead! 

As always . . .

Little Birdie told me . . .

 

Happy Monday Everyone!

I'm just getting in under the wire to join the challenge fun over on the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge which ends this afternoon!  Shew!  Here's the sketch we're inspired by today . . .

 

 I had a lot of fun with this one even though it didn't end up the way I initially thought!  lol  I knew I wanted to use some greenery & a bird at the base of my 'window' but didn't have an arched window die to use but spotted this older Sue Wilson 'Arched Window/Door' die set (CED22001) that I thought would do just as well.

 

The woodgrain background is a sheet of Mintay designer paper. 
The background brick were popped out pieces from a Katy Sue kit I was playing with the other day so I taped them together and used them behind my window/door.  
The 'inlaid' panels on the door & window were cut from a scrap of paper in my scrap bag (love when that happens).  
My bird is from an old Heartfelt creation 'Fluffy Birdie'  stamp/die set that I periodically stamp/die cut & color to have on hand for times like this!
The greenery are actually stickers from a floral pack purchased at Hobby Lobby.
And the sentiment is an oldie but goodie wood block Art Impressions stamp.

 Ooops ... there are a couple other dies used on today's card.

The frame is one of my favorite 'go to' dies from Paper Rose (#16679) 

     

 and the stamped sentiment was die cut using one of the smaller dies from the Sue Wilson 'Frames & Tags Collection - Stitched Flags' (CED4317).

Challenges to share in:

Allsorts Challenge #845 - Things with Wings (ends 3/27)
613 Avenue Create March Challenge - ATG w/twist - Things with Wings (3/31)

Cut It Up Challenge #351 - Happy Birthday (ends 3/16)
 

 Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you've enjoyed today's card share!

 As always . . .

Peace on Earth Challenge #108

 Hello Friends and welcome back to my blog! 

SO happy you stopped by!

Today I have a card to share for the new challenge over on the PEACE ON EARTH CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE BLOG.  Of course the theme is Anything Christmas and we hope you'll come join in the fun! 

Here's a fun inspiration board we've created to help get you started ...

 

 Does this image bring back childhood memories for you?

It sure does for me!  My parents (especially my Dad) made sure we kids (and the neighborhood kids) were entertained throughout the year.  Dad built us swings and seesaws out of oak trees he cut down himself throughout the summer and then sled riding paths & igloos during the winter.  Sweet memories of so many years ago!!

Today I went with a sled riding theme since that was ALWAYS great fun!

  I had this pretty snowflake paper I had purchased an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet from Hobby Lobby and thought it would make for a perfect background.  Then I simply tore scraps of white paper to create the lower snow and used a very old Martha Stewart icicle punch for the top icicle strip.  Diamond Stickles was added to give a sparkle to the 'snow & ice'.  My 'boy on a sled' silhouette is an older Impression Obsession die and this cute little sentiment die is from an older Hunkydory die set!!

 ** MY STORY **

 We had a fair amount of property growing up (25 acres) and there was one really good hill that was perfect to sled ride down.  I can remember even having sled riding parties in the dark ... Dad would put 'smudge pots' (metal pots filled with some flammable liquid) that he would light & position on either side of the path so we could see where we were going.  LOL  I never gave a thought what I would do if I hit one of them!  But the path was wide enough that really wasn't a concern!  I remember using all kinds of stuff to ride down that hill on ... an old car truck lid, an ironing board ... oh yea we were creative!!  lol

Challenges to share in:

Krafty Chicks Challenge #811 - Christmas ✓

Addicted to Stamps & More #512 - Christmas

  PLEASE be sure to pop over to THE BLOG and check out the amazing designs our design team has created for your inspiration.  What a group of talented ladies!!  Then come join in the fun!!  

 As always ... thanks again for stopping by!

Can You Handle the Pressure - Twist - Sewing

 Hello Friends, thanks for stopping by today!

We have a new challenge starting today over on our new Can You Handle The Pressure Challenge Blog and the TWIST theme is ...

Sewing

Remember, the twist is optional but you MUST use an embossing folder on your projects to qualify for the prize.  Heat embossing is also permitted but only in conjunction with an embossing folder.

 Here's what I've created to inspire you today ...

 

 I really reached 'back in time' for the embossing folder I used today!
I've probably had these narrow folders in my stash for close to 20 years and rarely use them but when I saw our theme was sewing, I remembered I had this particular folder and went 'in search of' to use it for today's card.

 

 

 I decided to use it to create a FRAME for my  49 and Market 'Vintage Orchard' rub on image.  I also did some faux hand stitching

  

I think this made a really nice note card for my stash!

 

Challenges to share in:

Cardz 4 Galz #271 - Embossing Heat or Dry (ends 3/18) ✓
Just Us Girls #814 - Word Week - EMBOSS (ends 3/18) ✓

Moving Along with the Times #187 - Birds and/or Bees (ends 3/31)
 

   I do hope you'll come check out our challenge blog and play along.
 Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today, I appreciate it more than you'll ever know!!

As always . . .

May All Your Weeds be Wildflowers

 

 Happy Friday All!  

Today I've created a card to share over on the Alphabet Challenge Blog where the alphabet letter is 'W for Wildflowers'.   What a fun idea and I could have gone in SO MANY directions for this one but I settled for an easy encouragement card.

I've die cut a Tutti Designs Stitched Scallop Rectangle panel to use as my masking and temporarily adhered it to my card front panel.  Next I used 3 shades of green Tim Holtz distress oxide inks and ink blended around my rectangle mask.  Removed the masking panel and stamped this old but pretty Just For Fun 'wildflower' stamp.  The sentiment is another old wood block stamp by the Rosebud Rubber Stamp company.  Lime Green Nuvo crystal drops were also used for an added accent.

 

 

Challenges to share in:

Craft Rocket Challenge #134 - No Design Paper (ends 3/31)
Creative Inspiration Challenge #36 - ATG (ends 3/31)
Ellibelle's Garden Party #13 - Anything in (or from) a garden [ends 4/16)
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #275 - ATG twist/make it green (ends 4/7)
Fab'n'Funky Challenge #632 - Shades of Green (ends 3/18) 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - A Bit O' Green (ends 3/18) ✓

Wishing you a fabulous Friday and an even better weekend ahead.

As always . . .

It's ok to be quirky . . .

 Hello friends ... welcome back to my blog!  So good to see you here!

Today I'm having fun with a couple of challenges out in blogland and a cute stamp/die set I received with my Scrapbook.com order (called Quirky Bird by the Rabbit Hole Designs Co.).

 

I began with the Cardz 4 Guys March Challenge #383✓ in mind, where their theme is 'Monochrome Color Palette'.  I've been spending the last several days going through all my 12x12 designer papers and trying to sort them by colors so when I want to do something like this, a lot of coordinating colors are in the same drawer.  There is NO WAY I can sort them all by color as there are just too many patterns to deal with but what I have done will be helpful.  

 My design was inspired by the sketch offered over on the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #672 (ends 3/15) ✓.  I modified slightly by adding the fun, quirky bird but you can certainly still see the sketch!

 

 The design papers used are OLD Stampin' Up and the sentiment die is also an oldie but goodie from Spellbinder names 'Petite Labels One'.  I've used Tombow markers for the coloring which also makes this card eligible to enter the Passion for Markers Challenge #828 ✓ where the theme is 'Anything Masculine'.  This challenge runs through 3/17.

 Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you have a FABULOUS day ahead!

 As always . . .

Sisterhood Challenge (3/2026) - Galaxy

 Hello my friends!

Today I have a card for the new challenge over on The Sisterhood of Crafters!

 

Our theme today is:

 

 Galaxy
(Moon, Stars, Sun, Sky, etc.)

  

 I really took the easy route today!

Using a panel from one of my several Blue Knight Rubber Stamps designer paper packs ... this one is 'Night Sky 2', a computer generated sentiment and some faux stitching ... my card is complete!

 

 

 

 I always check out the Blue Knight booth at our annual Adventures in Stamping Convention that comes to Akron each April.  They always have a fabulous Make n Take and that's where I buy my Pan Pastels.  This year they came out with these fabulous papers ... sure makes for a quick & easy card!

 

Challenges to share in:

Hand Stamped Sentiments #483 - Inspiration Photo (inspired by the color) [3/16] ✓



Everybody Art Challenge #595 - Circles or Stripes (3/16) ✓
  

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

My 'sistahs' have created some fabulous creations to help inspire you ... 

be sure to pop over and check them out!

 As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!