Wood Block Wednesday Challenge

Hello Friends

Amy Tsuruta has her Woodblock Wednesday challenge up and running and I've been trying to join in each month as it gives me the opportunity to play with all my old wooden block stamps which don't get the love they deserve since clear stamps came about.

  

 The wood block stamp I've used today is an old Stampabilities (circa 2010).

 After stamping my image, I colored the butterflies using Tombow markers then die cut using the largest die in the Tutti Designs 'Stitched Scallop Rectangle' die set.  The background is from the Brutus Monroe 'Butteflies' 6x6 paper pack and a few extra butterflies were punched out using a VERY old Martha Stewart punch.

 Why not pop over and check out her blog and play along ... you know you have wood block stamps that need some love just like I do!  LOL

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day ahead!!

As always . . .

Tag:  #Woodblockwednesday #woodblockstamps

GRAPEful for You!

 Happy Tuesday friends ... 

With there being over 12" of snow on the ground, looks like I'm once again staying inside and playing in my crafting cave!  I spotted a couple of challenges online that I've combined to create a fun card to share with you today.

 Here's what I've created ... hope you like it!

 The challenges I've designed this card for are:

Addicted to CAS ... where the theme is 

 

and Make My Monday #270 ... where the theme is CAS. 

 

My sentiment was computer generated and my focus stamp is an old stamp by Inkadinkado called grapes.  I've used Tombow markers for the coloring then fussy cut them using a swivel craft knife.

 Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day ahead!!
Those of you dealing with all this cold & snow ... stay safe & warm ... 
and remember . . . better days ahead!

As always . . .

 

So Sorry

 Hello Friends . . .

I hope all of you that were in the path of that CRAZY Snow/Ice storm over the weekend are safe & warm.  Here in Akron Ohio we got around 13-14" but luckily no ice, so it's 'manageable'. 

I thought I'd create a card to share this morning and since I just recently purchased another pack of these fun & fabulous Penny Black 'Premium Cardstock 3.25 x 4.5 design cards', that is what I chose for the focus image today.  This one comes from the 'Vintage Beauty' pack.

 

My background paper is from the Brutus Monroe 'PLAIDpetals' 6x6 paper pack and the sentiment is by The TON called 'Easy Expressions Sympathy'.  A strip of scrap card stock used behind the image and black Nuvo Crystal Drops were used as an added accent.

 

   

Challenges to share in:

Penny Black January Saturday Challenge - ATG or Something New ( closed 2/6) 
Crafty Calendar January Challenge - Anything NEW (Penny Black images) (1/28)
Dragonfly Dreams January Challenge - Floral (1/31)
Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #268 - Add Pink Flowers (2/3)

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

As always . . .

Can You Handle the Pressure - Twist - All White

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 ...

All White

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 am loving these 3D embossing folders!  They 'speak' so well on their own but today I wanted to add just a few more things to make my white-on-white card more intriguing!  I chose to use the Altenew 'Spring Blossoms' 3D embossing folder today.

 

 

 

So with that being said, I reached for one of my favorite framing die sets ... Paper Rose 'Stitched Rectangle Frames' #16679.  Of course I needed a sentiment and didn't want to stamp anything as I would have done that in black, so I reached for my Tutti Designs 'Happy Birthday' dies and used the larger dies in the sets.  A few white Nuvo drops and VIOLA!!! 

 

OH!  I forgot to mention that I did use 3D tape to pop up the frame for added dimension.  I do hope you'll come check out our challenge blog and play along.

Challenges to share in:

Alphabet Challenge - T is for Texture (2/7)
CAS on Friday Challenge #326 - Monochrome (does all white fit this theme?  hope so ... if not, my apologizes) [2/4]

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

As always . . .

New PICK 3 Challenge

 Hello Friends ... 

Are you ready for the upcoming Snow Storm??  
As for me, I'm just going to hide out in my crafting cave until it passes! LOL

So, today I'm joining in on a Brand New Challenge Blog you'll have to check out & play along in!  It's called PICK 3 Challenge Blog.  Here's the board for their first challenge where you'll choose THREE elements to use in/on your project.

 

 The three I chose for today's card are:
TREE - TEXTURE - LAYERS

Here's my card . . .

 I began with a background panel embossed with an older Darice snowflake embossing folder onto white card stock then sponged over with TH blue ink.  Next I created the mounds of snow by tearing strips of white card stock scraps.

That was the beginning of my layers.  Next I die cut from various green scraps of card stock from an Impression Obsession 'Fir Trees' die set and stiple brushed with white paint.

Next I chose these adorable Frantic Stamper puppies (Oscar, Spot & Trixie ... only used 2 of the 3) for the focus characters and added a Creative Expressions sentiment.

Oh and I finished it off with a pretty Sue Wilson snowflake corner die cut!

Well that's it for me today. 

Take care, stay warm and thanks for stopping by today! 

 As always . . .

  

Just a Note

 Happy Friday Friends!

If you live anywhere east of the Mississippi, be alert to the icy/snowy storms coming our way this weekend!!  This winter has been CRAZY ... 

Today I'm playing in yet another fun Sketch challenge.
This time it's over on the Colour and Sketch Challenge for Clean & Simple (CAS) Styled Cards. 

Here's the sketch for this challenge:

 

 And here's what I've created . . .

 When I saw the sketch I immediately went to my scraps box and pulled some coordinating color scraps.  I really like this sketch and think I'll use up a few more scraps by creating several more cards for my sale boxes.  Would work beautifully for just about any occasion!!

 I also dipped into my Prima flowers to create a small color coordinated cluster and the sentiment, though generic, I think works perfectly.  What do you think??

 

Nuvo Yellow Crystal Drops was used for the flower center.
Sentiment stamp is an oldie but goodie by Wordsworth (circa 2007).

 Other challenges to share in:

Little Red Wagon Challenge #842 - K for Keep it Simple (1/27)
Crafty Catz Challenge #705 - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers Challenge #314 - Anything Goes

Take care, stay warm and thanks for stopping by today! 

 As always . . .

  

Miss You!

 Hello friends and welcome back to my blog.

Another fun sketch challenge out in blogland to join in is called Freshly Made Sketches and that's the challenge I decided to play along with today.  Here is the sketch they are offering up for inspiration . . .

 

 And here is my interpretation . . .

 

 I could have gone SO MANY different ways with this awesome sketch but I spotted these Tim Holtz 'Crazy Dogs' which I already had stamped, colored & cut so that's the direction I went.  The background paper is actually 'wrapping paper' that came in the mail a few years back from the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization. 

I cut out a frame and a sentiment ... VIOLA! 

Challenges to share in: 
Crafty Animals Challenge #101 - ATG w/animals (1/28)
Critter Crazy Challenge #106 - ATG w/animals (1/26)
 
Take care, stay warm and thanks for stopping by today! 

 As always . . .

 

Double D - Friends

 Hello Dear Friends!

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

 

Here's today's theme:

 

FRIENDS

 

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

 

 

 

 We all need friends and I know I'm certainly blessed with some AMAZING friends ... hope you are too!  With friends in mind, I just had to go through my Doni Collection.  I knew she had some fun Art Impressions stamps that I could create with for today's card ... and she didn't disappoint!  

 

I created the background using TH inks and Stampscapes stamps. 
Next I stamped & colored (using Tombow markers) this fun Art Impressions stamp called 'Road Trip'. 

 

 

 After coloring, I fussy cut the image and popped it up with 3D dimensional tape.  I have a few little Heartfelt Creations birds already stamp/cut & colored just for a day like today.  Placed him in the tree and he's not sure what to make of this group of friends speeding down the highway!  LOL

 

Challenges to share in:

 

 Retro Rubber Challenge #263 - ATG (1/23)
(this focus stamp is one I inherited from friend Doni when she passed over a year ago)

 

 Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Bright & Beautiful (1/31)

 We Love Stamping January Challenge - New or ATG (1/31)

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 . . .

 

More Sketch Fun

 Brrr!  Happy Tuesday All!

Not sure what weather you're dealing with this morning but Bitter Cold & Snowy here in Akron, Ohio USA!!  It's mid morning (10 AM EST) and it's only gotten up to 6 degrees so far ... although, they are predicting a high of 13 today!  At least we don't have the enormous amount of SNOW they have in the midwest & north east!  

Anyways, as my title suggests, I've decided to play with another sketch for today's card share.  I've really been enjoying the sketches offered over on the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog (1/26) and here's the new one they are offering for inspiration today. 

 

 I wasn't sure what 'theme' direction to go in then I spotted a pack of cards from the American Heart Association laying on the table that we received in the mail after sending them a contribution (I don't understand ... we send these companies money to help them and they keep sending me STUFF ... just use the money where it's needed and quite spending it on sending me stuff I truly don't need!  LOL)   Anyways, that is where the bird image came from.

I generally donate those premade cards either to our church or to my cousin Matthew who sends out a ton of cards to our older cousins & friends to keep their spirits lifted (he's got such a big heart!).   

 Product used are:

Violet Fragrance 6x6 designer paper
FabScraps High Tea 8x8 designer paper
Sue Wilson (CED-1464) Bold Scrolled Vine
Tutti Designs 'Stitched Scallop Circle' dies
Tutti Designs 'Stitched Nesting Banner' dies
Creative Expressions Wordies (Birthday)
Nuvo White Crystal Drops
Dimensional Tape

 

 I'm very happy with the outcome of this card and will keep this sketch design in mind for future cards.  Again, I truly enjoy having a good sketch to get my creative thoughts flowing and the ones offered at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge have never let me down!

 

Challenges to share in:

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Things with Wings (1/26)
Make My Monday Challenge #269 - Use Paper with Pattern (1/25) Entry #2 ✓
 Dragon Fly Dreams January Challenge - Floral (1/31)

Take care, stay warm and thanks for stopping by today! 

 As always . . .

  

 

Still building snowmen!

 Happy Monday All!  

Most of the east coast and central USA are experience a winter like we haven't seen in years with lots, and lots of the 'white stuff'!  With it being MLK Day the schools are closed and the kids are outside building yet another snowman in the front yards of many houses around us.  They can't stay out there too long as the temperatures are only in the teens so it's quite BITTER out there!! 

Anyways, I too am still building snowmen but mine are of paper!  I recently received snowman dies from a couple different companies and the one I'm using today is by Poppy and called Sweet Nordic Snowman (#2576). 

 

 What inspired me to create another snowman card is the fun challenge over at the Paper Players where the theme is 'Clean & Simply - Signs of Winter' (Challenge PP-769) - (1/23).

 

 My background pines were created using a 'new to me' stamp set from The Greetery which has been in my stash for awhile now and I'd forgotten all about it.  It's actually a layered stamp set but I just used one of the 'solid' stamps to create a simple background.

And my sentiment is an OLD stamp from the DRS company ... not even sure if they are still in business.  

I tore a scrap of white card stock to create my snow mounds and Tombow markers for the coloring on my snowman.  I've also popped him up for a bit of dimension.  

When I started editing my photo, I noticed I didn't like that the snowman doesn't have a mouth/smile so I decided to give him a SMILE ... lol.

 

 (It might just be me, but otherwise I think his face looks like a bird with an orange beak lol).

 Here are a couple other fun challenges to share in:

Try it on Tuesday Challenge - It's Cold Outside (1/21)
A Cut Above January Challenge - Die Cut (new snowman) (1/31)
Krafty Chicks Challenge #803 - CAS (1/20)
 
 Take care and thanks for stopping by today! 

 As always . . .

  

Peace on Earth Challenge #104

 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 ...

 

 How cute are these snow 'people'!  

Today I turned to my various 3D toppers for the main snowman focus image.  I had sever to choose from but I decided upon this cute couple in the Hearty Crafts HC12129 Christmas pack.

 I (like many of you I'm sure) have several different Christmas/Winter paper packs to choose from when creating my holiday cards but today I went with more of a winter vs Christmas theme using the snowflake paper that I found in an older Carta Bella paper pack called 'Cabin Fever'.

 My background trees are from Dee's Distinctive & Frantic Stamper.
My sentiment strip comes from the Echo Park 'The Magic of Christmas' 6x6 paper pack.

     

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!

Let's Build a Snowman

 Happy Saturday All!

OMG ... are you tired of this winter weather yet?
I know, I know ... it's only January but personally, I've seen enough of the white stuff ... I'd rather cut grass than shovel snow!  LOL

Anyways,  I spotted a fun challenge over at the CAS on Friday blog where the theme is SNOWMAN (1/22).  I hope my card qualifies as I don't have a lot of white space (like I had originally planned) but then without thinking I grabbed this pretty piece of Brutus Monroe designer paper and used it as my background.

 Mr. Snowman is from Simon Says Stamps ... Bundled Snowman #1527sd (first time using) and thought he'd be fun to play with today.  Too old to go outside and make the real thing so will have to settle for making a paper snowman.

 

I die cut the snowman from a scrap of white cardstock then used my red Tombow marker to color the hat & scarf.  Other Tombow markers were used for the face & buttons. 

 A few other fun challenges to play in are:

 Creative Creases #111 Challenge - 1/2 thru 2/5
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #628 - Winter Wonderland (1/21)
Try it on Tuesday Challenge - It's Cold Outside (1/21)
The Crafting Challenge January Challenge - White/Snow (2/1)
Craft Rocket Challenge #132 - Something New (snowman die) (1/31)
Die Cut Diva's January Challenge - Use New Crafty Item (snowman die) (1/31)

This card was fun, quick & easy!  
Hope you've found inspiration in today's card! 

Take care and thanks for stopping by today! 

 As always . . .