Cheers!

 Hello Friends . . .

I've finally found time this week to participate in the fun sketch challenge over on The Paper Players ✓ blog.  Here's the sketch they are offering this time around . . .

 

 I could have gone in SO MANY directions with this sketch but then I spotted this Blue Knights 'Ship on the Seas' that I had stamped & die cut a few weeks back but not created with yet and decided it was time to show it some love.

 The background paper is also one of theirs called 'Day Sky 3' (A2 size).  The stripe I cut from my image panel was used for the side strip.  A quick sentiment and my card is ready to go.

 Thanks so much to The Paper Players for another awesome sketch to get my creative juices flowing!

Busy few days ahead since they are to deliver 10 yards of mulch this afternoon.  Ugh ... getting too old for this lol.  Anyways if I become MIA, you'll know where to find me LOL.

Challenges to share in:

Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #636 - Travel (ends 5/9)



Dragonfly Dreams April Challenge  - CAS (ends 5/2)
 

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

As always . . .

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 stamps I've used today are a 'circa 2007' Inkadinkado floral stamp and 'circa 2006' DRS sentiment stamp.

 

Tombow markers were used for the coloring.

 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

Spring flowers . . .

 

Hello friends . . .

Here in Akron, Ohio the grass is getting so beautifully green with the spring rains and many of the budding bushes like the lilac, azalea, forsythia are in bud or already blooming which warms my heart immensely after such a long, cold winter.

Call me crazy but I love mowing the lawn ... so rewarding when it's done ... looks SO NICE!!

Anyways, I had a few minutes last evening and after chatting with BFF Diane (Nellie's Nest) I decided to join her in the Sunbird Spark Challenge where they are having a color challenge ... here's their inspiration board . . .

 

 You'll want to be sure to pop over to Diane's blog and see her fabulous creation for this same challenge.

 I decided to use one of my favorite Altenew stamp/die sets called 'Statement Flowers'.  I've used Tombow markers and a water brush for the coloring.  My background panel is a 3D embossing folder by Simon Says called 'Dancing Floral'.

 

    

 

Nuvo Crystal Drops were used for the embossed flower centers and as an accent here and there on the background.   The focus flower has been popped up using dimensional tape.

I have yet to add a sentiment as I'm not sure which direction I want to go with this design.   

Challenges to share in:

We Love Stamping April Challenge - Spring (ends 4/30) ✓
Crafty Catz Challenge #712 - ATG (ends 5/7)
Crafty Gals Corner Chlg #276 - ATG twist/Spring (ends 5/12)
Daisy Chain Chlg #106 - No Design Paper (ends 4/29) ✓

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

As always . . .

Thinking of You

 Happy Monday Friends . . .

Geesh, these weeks sure seem to be flying by!

Today I have a card to share that was created for a fun challenge over on the Make My Monday blog. ✓  The theme this time around is BIRDS and/or EGGS.  I went strictly with birds although after I had my card completed I did spot an OLD wood block stamp that had birds & eggs in a next.  Hmmm maybe I'll get time to create a 2nd card using that stamp before time is up on the challenge ... we will see.

But for today, here's what I've created... 

 

 If you stopped by my blog yesterday you would have seen my card using a strip of birds from this same pack of  'Crystal Rub-on Stickers' by Taperlogy.  But today I added other rub-ons from a Stamperia set called 'Golden Harmony'.   

   

 These Taperlogy Crystal Rub-on Stickers are created more so for smooth & hard surfaces such as plastic, wood, metal and glass, etc and aren't recommended for paper but as you can see, you 'can make it work' lol.  

 After placing my bird sticker in the middle (this was my first time using these stickers and should have read the instructions ... duh!) I realized I should have cut around it closer so turned to my other Stamperia rub on stickers (which are made for paper lol) and tried to design an outside pattern to hide the clear plastic.  All in All, I think I did an 'okay' job.

 My sentiment comes from a Simon Says stamp set, I've used a couple different colors of Nuvo Crystal Drops as an accent and faux stitching to finish my card.

Once again, I thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today,

As always . . .

Happy Birthday Wishes

 Hello friends . . .

Today I'm sharing a card that I wanted to get made & shared over on a fun challenge before the time is up and I miss out (again lol). 

The challenge I'm referring to is called CAS Colours & Sketches. ✓
This time around it's a sketch challenge (#583) ... here's their sketch this time around . . .

 

 And, here is my card . . .

 I did take the liberty of turning my card horizontally vs vertical since I wanted to use these beautiful bird rub-ons for the focus.  The rub-ons are 'Crystal Rub-on Stickers' by Taperlogy.  Below my row of beautiful birds & flowers, I drew a double line using a ruler & a red Tombow Marker then adding my Simon Says sentiment. 

 

 I will have another share tomorrow for a different challenge blog using this same rub-on sticker pack and a few other elements so you'll want to be sure to stop back.

 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 - Flowers

 

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 ...

Flowers

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 ...

 

 

 

 For today's card I chose to use the Lisa Horton 'Floral Frenzy' 3D embossing folder and color only ONE of the flowers using finger daubers and TH distress oxide inks.  

 

 

Of course it does help that I have the coordinating Stencil for this embossing folder and a variety of finger daubers all ready to go!!  LOL

 

The sentiment is a very OLD 'The Stamp Co. ' wood block stamp that I've stamped using the same TH color ink I used for the flower onto a scrap piece of pinkish-purple card stock.

  

 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 . . .

Masculine Birthday

 Happy Hump Day All!

I have a quick & easy card for you today.
The weather is to be nice & warm today so I plan on spending the day outside doing Spring Clean Up.  I fear a HOT summer is ahead for us so I want to get things cleaned up a.s.a.p.  Don't handle the heat like I did when I was younger lol.

Anyways, here is a masculine birthday card in a Clean & Simple design style.

I took the VERY easy way out today and used stickers.
The balloons are by The Paper Studio (purchased at Hobby Lobby) and the sentiment is from a VERY OLD sticker sheet by Starform.

Here are a couple of challenges I'd like to share today's card in . . .

Cardz 4 Guys Challenge #385 - CAS (ends 5/19)
 As You See It Challenge #370 - Popular Cardable Occasions (BIRTHDAY) ✓

 

Shopping Our Stash #572 - Up, Up & Away 
(have you ever seen some kids birthday balloon floating away?  Always makes me feel so badly for them!)   [ends 5/4]

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

As always . . .

 

Thinking of You

 Morning Friends . . .

I have a quick card to share with you this morning using elements that have been sitting around my crafting cave for awhile now.

 The background design was created by using up some of the many designer paper scraps I have on hand and the flower was made (along with many others) a few years back when a friend & I got together and spent a day making flowers using Heartfelt Creations stamps & dies.  The sentiment is from an old Stampendous stamp set.

Quick & Easy . . . Hope you like it and are inspired to grab some of those elements you've just had sitting around in your craft room and turn them into a beautiful card like I have today. 

 Challenges to share in:

 Dragonfly Dreams April Challenge - CAS (ends 5/1)

 C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #778 - ATG (ends 4/30)

 Creative Inspirations Challenge #37 - ATG (ends 4/30)

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

As always . . .

 

Pick 3 Challenge Time #4

 Hello friends!

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

Here's this months Elements Board . . . 

 

Here's what I've created  . . .

 

The elements I've chosen today are: 

 Friend - Boots - Rain

 
For my background 'rain' element, I've used a never before used 3D embossing folder from my stash that I actually think BFF Diane sent to me a few years back, by Sizzix and called 'Rain Clouds'.

My 'boot & friend' elements come from one of a few Tonic Craft Kits that I bought awhile back but forgot about until today when I remembered the one kit was called 'Boots & Bouquets'.  I've colored my stamped image using Tombow markers and die cut the sentiment & boot using the coordinating dies in the kit.

 

 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.

Challenges to share in:

DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge #391 - ATG optional: Showers (ends 4/30) ✓
Time Out Challenge #311 - Pick 2 - RAIN & BLOOM (ends 4/29)



 I Spy with my Little Eye  Chlg #35 & 36 - Spring Flowers / Spring Showers (ends 5/17)
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Chlg #215 - April - Rainy Days (ends 4/30) ✓
 Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #274 - April Showers (ends 4/27) ✓

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

As always . . .

 

Peace on Earth Challenge #110

 

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 ...

 

I just LOVE the old Red Barns as well as the Red Covered Bridges!  I live a half hour away from Amish Country in southern Ohio and when we go down there shopping I enjoy seeing all the barns in that area.

  Today I printed an image from online ... die cut it using the frame from a holiday die set in my stash then matted it in red card stock to bring more focus to the barn.  The background paper of white poinsettias is a scrap left over from creating purse gift card holders last Fall and was purchased at Hobby Lobby.  My sentiment dies are by Heartfelt Creations and were an RAK sent to me by my N.C. friend Sandy.  She also die cut extra white panels so I could glue them together for added dimension.    The snowflake is another die from my stash.

 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!

With Sympathy

 Happy Saturday Friends
and welcome back to my blog!  
So happy you stopped by today!

I've created a card to share today that satisfies an unfortunate need. 

 Sadly, I find myself needed more & more sympathy cards these days so the 'Sympathy' challenge over on the CAS on FRIDAY blog caught my eye and I quickly created this card.

The rainbow background paper I felt was fitting . . . this is the backside of one of the A2 panels in my Blue Knight Stamps 'Stormy Sky' paper pack. 

 

 The floral stamp is by Impression Obsession and the sentiment stamp comes from my 'Doni Collection' and is by Paper Smooches.  I used a yellow Tombow Marker to color in the flower centers.  

Other challenges to share in:

Krafty Chicks Challenge #816 - CAS (ends 4/20) #kraftychickschallenge ✓


 

 Fab'n'Funky Challenge #635 - CAS (ends 4/28) ✓

 Well that's it for me today.
Hope to see you back here again tomorrow!
Until then . . .

Born to be Wild

 Hello Friends . . . Happy Friday!

Today's card was a very quick, easy & fun card to create!
There were a few challenges out in blogland that I wanted to join in on so I combined them and came up with this card.  Very easy peasy thanks to Mr. Monkey which came from a set of  Zoo Animal Cut Outs (#1965821) purchased at Hobby Lobby and the sentiment is from a 'Repeat Impressions' set I've had in my stash for years and rarely think to use them.

 Challenges I'm sharing in are:

 Little Red Wagon #854 - Inspired by a Song (ends 4/22) ✓
Song is:  Steppenwolf - Born to be Wild (Easy Rider - 1969)

 Critter Crazy Challenge #109 - ATG with featured critter (ends 4/25)  ✓

 Crafty Animals #104 - ATG with animal (ends 4/27) ✓

Krafty Chicks #816 - CAS (ends 4/20) ✓

Fab'n'Funky #635 - Clean & Simple (ends 4/28) ✓
Alphabet Challenge - Z for Zoology (ends 4/30) ✓

I hope you have a fabulous weekend ahead!  
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by! 

 As always . . .

 

Fractured Backgrounds . . .

 Hello Friends . . .

I've spent the last couple afternoons creating fractured backgrounds using those 12 x 4 scraps I purchased at Stamplistics a few weeks back.  They were 50-55 panels for $2.99 and all double sided. So needless to say, over the next year you'll probably see several cards created with a fractured card design background. lol

From each group of coordinating papers I put together at the store, I've been able to create at least 5 A6 background panels from each set. Here are the panels & card I've created with the yellow/orange scraps.

 

For my card I created a fractured design with a white panel in the center in order to showcase this pretty flower that was stamped from a Penny Black stamp set called 'finest petals'.  After stamping I colored the flowers using Tombow markers then fussy cut with scissors & a swivel craft knife.

 

 The sentiment is from Tutti Designs and Black Nuvo Crystal Drops were used for additional dimension.

I hope you've enjoyed today's share. 
Happy Day and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by! 

 As always . . .