Midnight Madness is BACK!

That's right!
The Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge is back in action beginning today!

The challenges will pretty much remain the same, however you will have the whole month to submit your creations. You are welcome to submit up to four projects using the sketches provided as a guide. We may add some fun twists with themes too. The themes are merely for inspirations and not required to play our sketch challenges. We will continue to award the Gold Star and Remarkable awards each month as well as a prize each month. We hope you will have fun working with our sketches and will be inspired by the fabulous Midnight Madness Design Teams Work. I would like to thank this NEW fabulous DT as it is a collaboration of both the Midnight Madness and "priscillastyles" Design Teams. We will all be able to continue to enjoy all their lovely creations this year....wooo hooo.  Have fun and be sure to mark your calendar for the first of every month and come join and check out our NEW Monthly Challenges.

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.

Enter one style or both for the next two week.

You are more than  welcome to enter up to 4 cards during the whole month of FEB.

Just have fun and come play with us :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our MMSC133 & MMSC134 Gold Star AwardS goes to...
Let's start these new challenges off with a three way tie for the Gold Star Award
  6. Sandee  
 11. An2 
  36. Kate 

Our Remarkables Awards for MMSC133 and MMSC134 go to the following...
  18. karin 
  34. Gro Tjeltveit  
 41. Tiggertastic  

Please grab your award logos from the side bar and display them proudly :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our MMSC133 & MMSC134 Bonus Winners are...
"priscillastyles" Voucher winner is..
 16. CG 
Digi Stamps 4 Joy winner is..
  47. Gina S. 

Please contact me with your info to claim your Prizes!!! :) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our MMSC135 sponsor is....

http://priscillastyles-store.blogspot.com/ 
$10 Gift Voucher redeemable for any digi images in the "priscillastyles" Store
Stop by and check out all the new images!!

 

GC redeemable for digis only

And......

This awesome stamp set that includes a stamp block!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For an added twists we would like to challenge you to make a Valentines/Love themed creation. Themes are merely for inspiration and not a requirement to play...

Looking forward to seeing all the entries this month..

Here is the card I've created for our February challenge using "priscillastyles" Heart Wreath Digital Stamp.  Be sure to check out this image and many, many more in her store.

I'll be back shortly with more information on products used to create my card.  Please bear with me as I'm working to restore my computer which crashed over the weekend.  Time & patience is in great demand right now!  LOL!
Hugs,
Darlene

Making a Scene

Happy Monday ... hope you are off to a great start!

Today I have a couple 'scenery' creations to share with you ... hope you like them.

BELIEVE

This creation began with this adorable "Little Ice Skater" digi image from the "priscillastyles" store.  To me, it appeared she was thinking about wanting to join in the skating but was a little shy and didn't have the confidence.  That was the THOUGHT behind using this Thomas Kinkade "Skater's Pond" stamp as the background.  I simply stamped the image onto my white panel using Versafine Black ink then colored it in with CHALK and  make-up applicators.  I printed the Little Skater image twice ...  once on white paper, then again onto red/white polka dot designer paper.  Using my Fiskars swivel craft knife, I cut out her dress, hair ribbon and skates.  Her hair & body were colored with a Prismacolor Marker - PM72 - Eggshell.  PunchBunch punches were used for the snowflakes and I used Pop Dots for added dimension.

Qualifying Challenges:

House of Gilli - Winter Fun

Karen's Doodles Challenge - Paper Piecing

Touch Twin Markers & More Challenge - Winter

BEARLY READY FOR WINTER

This card was created with the "LET IT SNOW" challenge over on the Gingerloft Challenge Blog.  The bear image is one of her digi images and I simply colored it with brown CHALK.   My background was made by first punching snowflakes and a moon (circle) from Eclipse Masking material.  I placed them around on my white cardstock then sponged over the entire surface with Tim Holtz Broken China distress ink ... then Faded Jeans distress ink.  A touch of SU More Mustard ink was sponged across the one side of the moon just to soften it a bit.  Not sure it came out exactly as I had it envisioned ... but it's okay.  I've used Pop Dots on the bear as well as a couple snowflakes that I had laying on my workstation that had been leftover from another project.  They were die cut using the Spellbinder Create-a-Flake Three die set.  I haven't added a sentiment yet because I'm not sure how I want to use this card.  Time will tell!

Other Qualifying Challenges:

Paper Makeup Stamps: Digi Makeover - Winter Blues

Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge #51 - Anything Goes 

Victorine Stamps - Anything Goes

I'd like to take a quick moment and thank ALL of you who stop by and an extra Thank You to those who take the time to leave me a comment.  It interests me to hear what you think of my work.

Guess I'd better get dinner started!

Catch you later!

Hugs,

Darlene

Valentine, Christmas Stockings & SNOW

Today's card was created so I could use my NEW Spellbinder Heart Circle dies.  It actually started out as a get-well card but after making the bottom panel, I realized it would make a better Valentine card so covered over the center section of the circle with a "priscillastyles" digi image called "Love Birds" which I already had colored and ready to use.

Recipe:
Papers:  Red cs, Paper Pizazz designer paper, White cs
Accessories:  Spellbinder Heart Circle & Classic Circle dies, Martha Stewart heart border punch, Prismacolor markers, art glitter glue

Challenges:
Crafty Calendar Challenge - New News  (Circle Hearts die + bow on image)
Drunken Stampers Challenge #81 - Love
My Sheri Crafts - New Things
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday - Have a Heart
Just Us Girls Challenge - Color Challenge - Red, Pink and White
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days - Ribbons & Bows (in the digi image-hope that counts)
The Poodles Parlour - Valentine
Simply Create Too - Love is in the Air
The Stamp Man Challenge - RED
Wags 'n Whiskers - Valentine/Love
Lily Pad - Photo Inspiration
Craft Us Crazy - Full of Love
Crafty Creations Challenge - Valentine Theme
Scrapbook Sisters - My Sweet Valentine
Alota Rubber Stamps - Hearts
CMIT Featured Designer Challenge - Valentine's Day
Crafter's Companion - Love is in the Air

* * * * *

My daughter and her family found an opening in their crazy busy schedules to make the drive over to our house today so the kids could get the goodies that were still in their Christmas Stockings here at Nana & Pappy's house.  We take all their gifts to them on Christmas morning but they don't get their stocking until they come to visit.  They always look forward to the fun goodies ... this year was no exception!

There are always WARM items as well as GOODIES in their stocking.  Jon was busy helping his dad plow the driveway before they came to visit and said he could have really used this 'hat' this morning when he was shoveling.  Morgan is always ready for more socks ..and PINK is always a good thing!

It was a very nice visit and when I heard they were coming, I quickly made a red raspberry/blackberry pie and put on a pot of coffee.  YUMMY!  

* * * * *

Here is how we ALL spent our morning ...

 Yep,that's me outside playing in the snow!!  We got a good 4" of snow overnight and I got the chance to make sure my snow blower was in good working order before any additional snow storms blow through this winter.  I actually don't mind this job and Mark always buys me really good equipment.  My snowblower is self-propelled, large enough to get through a deep, heavy snow and even has a reverse!  All I have to do it guide it!!   SURE BEATS SHOVELING!!!

Well, it's nearly time to 'call it a day' and spend some quality time with Mark.  

It just might be time for another piece of that berry pie, Mmmmm!

Hope your having a wonderful, warm, safe weekend!

Hugs,

Darlene

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge 122

It's time once again for the  
MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE!

This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between. Remember to click on the sneak peek button on the side bar for the following weeks sketch each Friday.

"YOUR CHOICE"

Enter one style or both this week.

Just have fun and come play with us :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our MMSC121 Gold Star Award goes to...
 27. Croms 

 Our Remarkables Awards this week go to...
 6. Merry  

 12. Charlene  

 13. An  

 20. Cat Spicer 

Please grab your award logos from the side bar and display them proudly :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our MMSC121 Weekly Bonus Winner is...

 18. darling Ho 

Here are your random numbers:18

Timestamp: 2011-09-20 01:55:37 UTC

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our MMSC122 Weekly Bonus Sponsor is..

Stamp and Create and is offering a $25.00 gift certificate.

Stamp and Create is an on-line store carrying many popular brands of stamps, paper, and embellishments including: Wags ‘n Whiskers Rubber Stamps, High Hopes Stamps, Sweet Pea, CC Designs, Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps, Whiff of Joy, Stampavie, Penny Black, The Greeting Farm, Basic Grey, 7 Gypsies, Shimmerz, Nestabilities (always 20% off!!), charms and more!! Lacey is always adding new items to the store…so check it out at www.stampandcreate.com
Thanks Lacey for your wonderful prize this week!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our September Monthly sponsor is....

http://priscillastyles-store.blogspot.com/ 
The Sept Monthly Bonus winner will win a "Surprise Gift Package" FILLED with stamps, craft supplies, papers, tools, embellishments as well as some digi downloads and specialty items.

Surprise Craft Gift package worth well over $100

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's creation uses both a stamped image & designer paper from the new Graphic45 'Christmas Emporium" set.  The designer paper is two-sided and I have used both sides of this one 8x8 sheet.  My image was colored with Prismacolor markers and I've used light blue chalk for the background.  By adding little dabs of Quickie Glue and Deco Art Glamour Dust ... I've given the illusion of snow in the background.  Liquid Applique was added to the girls coat, hat, boot tops & muff for dimension.  The big sparkly snowflake came from Michael's (a long time ago) ... sorry don't know who the maker is.

Challenges:
Bows & Berries #10 - Glitter
Make It Monday #55 - Anything Goes
Card Cupid Sunday - Anything Goes
Gingerloft #25 - Vintage or Distressed
Scrappy Frogs Challenge - Vintage

As part of the "Priscillastyles" Design Team B ... I also have a creation to share with you using today's MMSketch and one of Priscilla's newest digi images called FALL ICE SKATES.

(click on image to enlarge)

Recipe:
Papers - White, Brown & Pumpkin cardstock, PaperPizazz dp, Reminisce ' Autumn Harvest' dp
Accessories - Prismacolor markers, Spellbinder Fall Leaves Die, K&Company Fall Leave, SU sentiment, Spellbinder classic circle dies, SU corner punch, pop dots

Challenges:
My Craft Spot #26 - Fall Leaves
NettieG's Digital Gems Challenge - Anything Goes
Pile It On - Colors of Fall / Autumn
The Squirrel & The Fox #1 - Anything Goes

 Be sure to pop over and check out the inspirational creations from my team mates!  Then come back and join in the fun!  You won't be sorry!  Have you checked out the amazing prizes being offered on MMSC??  THAT you really MUST SEE!!

Have a great day!
Hugs
Darlene

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #110

Happy Tuesday Everyone! 

It is that time again...time for another Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge!  Here are the sketches we have to choose from this week.  OR ... you can create with BOTH if you choose!

"YOUR CHOICE"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week's BONUS SPONSOR is...

www.shellysimages.com

“Shelly’s Images store offers a variety of digital stamps for your paper craft projects. All of the images are hand drawn and perfect for getting your creativity flowing.   If you need more inspiration please visit the Shelly’s Images Blog.  There is always something happening at the blog.  You can see the newest images used by the design team on Marvelous Mondays and MM images are almost always offered at a special price on their spotlight day.  Technique and Tutorial Tuesdays are perfect for learning something new.  Every week they have a Terrifically Thrilling Thursday Challenge so be sure to join for a chance to win an image. Be sure to become a follower of the blog so that you can visit often. 

Smooch Pearlized Accent Inks (Colors Moonlight, Silver Fox, Gold Lamé, Tuxedo)

Making Memories Heart Metal Pendant

Making Memories Gold Square Metal Frame

Making Memories Gold Flower Metal Frame

Making Memories Far East Metal Label Holders Set of 3

Plus..choice of two images from her store 

Thank you Shelly..what a great prize!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our June Monthly sponsors are....

 KennyK Collection & Whimsy Stamps
View their awesome monthly Grand prize worth over $100!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I have chosen to use a combination of both the Fancy & the CAS sketches for my creation.  With July 4th right around the corner, I am using the "priscillastyles" Top Hat 4th of July Digi set which can be found HERE.  Please be sure to check out ALL the amazing digis available in Priscilla's Store.

(click image to enlarge)

This was such a fun image to color and create with . . . And, just in time for the celebration!!  I used Prismacolor Markers for my coloring ... DCWV designer paper ... Michael's ribbon and Creative Memories Star punch.

Won't you come join in the fun over at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Blog!?!  I'd LOVE to see what you come up with using these sketches!  

Have Fun!

Hugs to you all!

Darlene

 

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #99 and a Crafty Secrets Challenge Creation

WOW can you believe Midnight Madness is on Sketch Challenge #99 ... how awesome is that!  Next week will certainly be a milestone at 100!  Congratulations to Priscilla and her team!!

 (click image to enlarge)

I didn't truly follow the fancy sketch but I came close.  I just love making these flowers and thought they'd fit up nicely with this vintage image from Nicecrane Designs.  This is one of the eight images available on the Women's Painting Digital Collage Sheet.  

If you've never played along in the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge or seen Ignacio's digital images over at Nicecrane Design ... I urge you to click on the links provided within their name titles and check them out!!

Other challenges this card qualifies for:

Crafty Calendar Challenge - April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

My Partner in Crafting Crime - Layer It Up

Woodware - Anything Goes

Fashionista Friday - Spring is in the Air

Mami Doodles - Use Punch or Dye

* * * * *

I'd also like to share with you the card created for this week's Crafty Secrets Challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers.  I am the hostess this week and I've ask everyone to use the color YELLOW along with their Crafty Secrets products.  Here's what I came up with using an image from the Crafty Secrets Birds & Botanicals Booklet.

(click on image to enlarge)

The designer paper used on this creation is from the Basic Grey 'Origins' paper pack.  Using the same dp, I've added corner panels which were matted in SU garden green and a center panel with designing running the opposite direction, matted in garden green with a yellow satin ribbon through the middle.   I've also used Stickles to add some sparkle.

Other challenges this card qualifies for:

The Crafty Pad - Spring is in the Air

2 Sisters - Spring

Little Claire's Designs - Celebrate Spring

Stamping Vacation - Monochromatic Yellow

Crafts 4 Eternity #14 - Color -photo inspiration

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I always enjoy hearing from you!  Hope you have a wonderful week with lots of crafting fun!

Hugs,

Darlene

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #93

It's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge time again and today I chose to create using the CAS (clean and simple) sketch vs the fancy.  Remember, you have the choice of either the CAS sketch or the FANCY sketch to create with.  While working on my card I decided I didn't want to put a lot of embellishments on my creation ... just wanted to bring focus to this beautiful ballerina digi image.

(click on image to enlarge)

This lovely digi image is a new release over at the "priscillastyles" store. Priscilla has been coming up with so many ADORABLE, SPRINGY images ... you really don't want to miss out ... take a moment and pop right over!!

Sharing creations & some SAD NEWS . . .

Hello Everyone! 

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!  

Mine was AWESOME!  Hubby took the day off from work and spent it with ME!!  We went out for breakfast ... did a little shopping ... went to the movies ... out for dinner ... and just spent quality time together!  It doesn't get much better than that in my book!!  

Cards to share with you today are for the following ...

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #91

Isn't this image adorable??   It's from "priscillastyles" store and is called "Heart Balloon Puppy Dog".  Be sure to take a look around ... she's got some wonderful digis for you to create with and be watching in the next few weeks for a NEW RELEASE she's been working on!!  

Here's another card using a "priscillastyles" image (Sweet Pea Flowers) and I think it actually fits the sketch today fairly well too!

* * * * *

SAD NEWS!

I have more cards I could share but I think I will hold those for another time.  Right now I would like to tell you about a dear sweet lady who has gone home to be with the Lord.  Her name is Ruby Salyer and she is the Mother of Joan Fricker (Joan's Gardens).  You have heard me mention Joan's name on my blog MANY times and I'm blessed to have become a close friend with Joan, and her mom Ruby.  

For the past couple of years I've been making the 5 hour drive to Indiana to partake in the workshops Joan has at her home/store and it is during these times that I have gotten to know sweet Ruby.  This lady (in her mid 90s) was as sharp and witty as they come and I must add ... very insightful!!  We talked about gardening, home-canning, the soap operas (specifically The Young & the Restless) and many other topics.  And a heart of gold!   

At my last visit I was having some pain in my hip and even though she was in pain herself ... she was more concerned in helping me relieve MY pain.  She advised me to take a long walk out in the sunshine and say a prayer to God to help ease my pain.  And let me tell you ...the lady knew what she was talking about.  The next morning when I woke up ... the pain was gone and she & I both had a pain free day that day!!!

Sweet Ruby will be laid to rest this week and I for one will miss her sweet smile and kind words!  If you would like to send your condolences to Joan & her family ... the address is below:

Joan Fricker

25790 Stanton Road

North Liberty, IN 46554

Give a kiss & a hug to those you love today ... for we never know what tomorrow holds!  Rest in Peace sweet Ruby ... you will be missed!


See you all tomorrow ...
Hugs,
Darlene

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #86

 Time for another Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and what a fun sketch we have to create with this week!  Remember, you have the choice of either the FANCY sketch ... or the CAS (clean & simple) sketch.   Today I chose to use the FANCY sketch and use one of the new "priscillastyles" digi images called "Love Birds" .   You can find this adorable image and many, many more at the "priscillastyles" Store.

 (click on image to enlarge)

The recipe for this creation is:
Image: "priscillastyles"  Love Birds digi
Papers:  Red, White & Black cardstock, The Paper Studio Vintage designer papers
Accessories:  Spellbinder Nested Scallop Heart Dies, Darice satin flower, Offray red/white satin ribbons, Bow Easy, Darice paper flower, White gelly roll pen, homemade tag

Other challenges this creation qualifies for are:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge - Love is in the Air
Crafty Cardmakers - Use Red and a Die Cut 
Lexi's Creations - Say It With Love
Craft Your Days Away - Anything Goes
Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps - Valentine's
One Stitch at a Time - Love & Valentines


Thanks for stopping by!  Please come back later today to see my creation for the Splitcoast Stampers Crafty Secrets Challenge.  Hope to see you then!

Hugs,
Darlene

I JUST REALIZED . . .

I had not shared these Valentine creations with you that I made using the latest digi images over at "priscillastyles" Store.

These images AND MORE are now available in Priscilla's Store.  Please pop over and check 'em out!

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend!  I'm still FIGHTING this cold and I'm really trying to NOT let it win!!  LOL!!  Back to the crafting cave I go while I still have a little energy & mojo left!  See you tomorrow!

"Cyber"  Hugs (wouldn't want you catching this cold!) ...
Darlene

LOVE is already in the air . . .

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I have THREE creations to share with you today and it seems that LOVE is in the air.  As fast as Christmas came & went ... Valentine's Day is right around the corner!!!  So I thought I'd better get a head start on these creations!

First is a FANTASTIC digi creation from "priscillastyles" Store called 'Heart Tree'.  If you haven't seen Priscilla's digis you really should take a moment and see what she has offered in her store!  This is just a SMALL SAMPLE of adorable images she has ready for your Valentine's Day creations.

Creating CAS (clean & simple) cards is not typically my style ... but with digis like the two I am sharing with you today ... you need not add many embellishments to create a masterpiece!  
Priscilla is also the creator of the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and get ready for another amazing year of sketches on this blog beginning today!!  Here is the creation I have made for the MMSC85 challenge and this time around, I have used an image from Delicious Doodle and the CAS sketch for MMSC85.

* * * *

This next creation was made using a "heart corner"  digi image offered up by JenLee over on CDAC.  Yesterday was her birthday and for the 24 hours of her birthday she offered all of US a gift of this wonderful image.  I have used an image from the Crafty Secrets Valentine Cotton Scraps to go along with these beautiful hearts ... and the coloring was done using Prismacolor markers with a touch of red Stickles at the end.  The heart border is from Martha Stewart and the red satin ribbon & pearl heart are from JoAnne Fabric's.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you & your family are happy & healthy today!  
Snow is predicted for the end of the week here in Ohio, USA ... that makes me feel bad for the numerous Robins (SPRINGTIME birds) I saw outside the other day when the temperatures were unusually warm for this time of the year!  I guess they'll go back into hiding for a few more months!

Happy Crafting
Darlene