Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - Birthdays

WOW ... Wednesday again already!!  

I know, I say that every Wednesday don't I??   

I'll try for something different next week, LOL!!  

Anyways ... it's time for another challenge over at Penny's!  Today she has asked us to think about BIRTHDAYS and I know exactly who this card is going to ... teehee ... hope she likes it!!

I just love how this card turned out!!  I saw the sketch over on StampTV but when I went back to find the originator ... of course I couldn't find it again!  I hate when I do that!!  So if this is your sketch idea ... please let me know so I can give you full credit!! 

I did alter it slightly by using a grouping of flowers up  around the ribbon center and since I didn't have the fancy large scallop edge punch, I used a Crystal Lite container and drew my circles & cut with scissors.  Hey, it worked!  LOL!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek!  Please pop over to my other design team friends blogs and see what they've come up with ... what a wonderful array of inspiration! 

* Alison - Hairy Harry's Craft
* Kim - Memories in Thyme
* Cheryl - CherCroppin's Stamp Pad
* Alanna - Alanna's Spot in the World 

 OH YEA ... before I forget {again} ... Penny has a great sale going on right now!  Here's the details:

Get 35% off your order of digital stamps. Just use coupon code 35digi at checkout!!!
Offer expires April 20th.
Visit http://www.creationsbypenny.com/store to make your purchase! 

Penny's Challenge #23

Welcome to another Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge.  Today we are making Birthday Cards in honor of our own Alanna's upcoming birthday on February 23rd!

Here are the details on this creation:

Stamps:  Inkadinkado, SU Morning Soft, Impression Obsession
Papers:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo
Inks:  Rich Razzleberry, Versamark, Mellow Moss
Accessories:  Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon, Blender pen, Creative Memories corner rounder, Kaiser half pearls, Nestabilities Labels 9, Gold Stickles

For added inspiration, be sure to check out the creations by my co-team members listed below:
* Alison - Hairy Harry's Craft

* Kim - Memories in Thyme
* Cheryl - CherCroppin's Stamp Pad
* Alanna - Alanna's Spot in the World

Now it's your turn!  Please leave a direct link back to Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog so we can come pay a visit and leave some love!  Remember too ... if you're uploading to other online galleries, please use the keyword/tag:  PC23.

Thanks for stopping by today.  And don't forget to stop back on Friday when I'll have another Raise The Bar Challenge to share with you!!

Penny's Challenges #22 - Hearts/Love & MORE Exciting News

It time again for another Penny's Challenge and this time it's all about "Hearts & Love".  Being a lover of vintage style, that is the direction I've taken with my creation.

(click on image for a larger view)

My base card is kraft and the designer paper used here is Fancy Pants (Vintage Valentine).  I've used Nestabilities classic & scallop heart dies, red grosgrain ribbon, Hero Arts half pearls & red Stickles.  

I look forward to seeing what you create with this week's challenge.  Please be sure to attach a direct link to your creation on Mr. Linky at the Penny's Challenge Blog and if uploading to other online galleries, please use the keyword "PC22"! 

And, for added inspiration, be sure to check out the creations by my co-team members listed below:
* Alison - Hairy Harry's Craft
* Boni - Bonibleaux Designs
* Kim - Memories in Thyme
* Cheryl - CherCroppin's Stamp Pad
* Alanna - Alanna's Spot in the World

Thanks so much for stopping by today!


Now for MORE EXCITING NEWS ...

Remember me telling you yesterday about being the February's Guest Designer over at Stamp By Step ???   Well, Cheryl has asked me to be on her Design Team full time!!   Isn't that AWESOME ... of course I said YES!!  I am so excited to work with Chery and can't wait to get started!!  Please be sure to pop over to her site and check out all the wonderful products she has available for your crafting needs!   AND, did you know that she will be coming out with her own rubber stamps soon! How exciting is that!  Thanks for letting me "blow my own horn" again ... doing the happy dance!!  LOL!!

Penny's Challenge #21

It's time again for PENNY'S CHALLENGE.

Remember we are a bi-weekly challenge now so don't worry if you thought you missed last week's challenge ... there wasn't one, teehee!

This week we are using INCHIES! Now I must admit .. this is something I rarely do so I'm really glad Penny came up with this challenge idea! And, it was great fun!

I've used my "INCHIES" for the bottom & top image panels. They are of course 1" squares, which are cut from DCWV Baby Girl Nursery designer paper that I have stamped & colored using the SU "Oh So Lovely" flower image. The main image is also SU ... "Bloomin' Beautiful" which I have masked and stamped using SU "French Script" for the background. I've used Nestabilities classic ovals to cut my image & matting panels.


For added inspiration, be sure to check out the creations by my co-team members listed below:
* Alison - Hairy Harry's Craft
* Boni - Bonibleaux Designs
* Kim - Memories in Thyme
* Cheryl - CherCroppin's Stamp Pad
* Alanna - Alanna's Spot in the World

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll come play along in our challenge! I look forward to seeing what you create! Happy Stamping Everyone!!!

Chalking with Penny ...

Good Morning Everyone!

Welcome to the 1st Wednesday of 2010!!

Today is the 1st challenge of the new year over at Penny's Challenges and today we are using CHALK. That's right ... get out those chalks that we all tend to forget about and get creative!!

First let me say that even though my creation looks like it is done in BLUE ... it is not!! It is PURPLE but my camera doesn't like hues of purple ... it generally always changes them to blue! Why you ask ... I haven't a clue! So with that in mind, please know my ribbon is PURPLE/WHITE gingham (Hobby Lobby) ... my background matting is deep PURPLE as are the Paper Studio Bubbleabilities!

The way I used CHALK on my creation is for the friends medallion. The Inkadinkado (round frames) image was stamped on white cardstock using Versamark then given color by using a cotton ball and purple EK Success chalk. My base card is Whisper White and the designer paper is Basic Grey Wisteria. Pretty easy-peasy but I'm very happy with the outcome!

For added inspiration, be sure to check out the creations by my co-team members listed below:

* Alison - Hairy Harry's Craft
* Boni - Bonibleaux Designs
* Kim - Memories in Thyme
* Cheryl - CherCroppin's Stamp Pad
* Alanna - Alanna's Spot in the World

Okay ... now it's your turn! Please join in on the fun and show us your CHALK creation by making a direct link to Mr. Linky over on the Penny's Challenge Blog. And, if you are uploading to other online galleries, please add the keyword PC20.

{Just a note ... have you seen Penny's new store blog??? Please check it out.}

Penny's Challenge #19 - Monochromatic & A Christmas Classic

Well ... are you ready???? For Christmas of course ... and one more Penny's Challenge before we ring in the New Year. Today Penny has challenged us to create a Monochromatic Card. We are a little short handed this week with the busyness of the holidays and all ... so I decided to do TWO cards.

This first creation was quick & easy. The base card is royal blue and the designer papers are from a DCWV holiday 12x12 pack. The image was given to me by a friend (and sorry, I can't remember the designer ... I'm sure you know ... please shout it out). I've used Prisma markers for coloring and Nestabilities Classic & Scallop Ovals for matting.


For my second card, I used scraps of DCWV designer paper that was in my scraps bin, bordered with a gold Pilot marker and layed them in opposite directions on my base card. My images is a digi from Creations By Penny ... called Snow Family. Penny has a HUGE sale going on right now ... so jump on over and check it out!!! Aren't they adorable!! I've used the Nestabilities Decal Rectangle die for cutting and sponged around the edge before removing the image from the die. My snowmen were colored with Prisma markers and given texture with Liquid Applique.

We hope you'll come play along ... and when you do, be sure to jump back over to Penny's Challenge Blog and upload your creation to Mr. Linky. If you're uploading to additional online galleries, please use the keyword "PC19" for this challenge.

Don't forget, we are doing our challenge twice a month now so our next challenge will be on January 6, 2010. Won't you please come join in on the fun!!

************

One of my husband's favorite holiday stories is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. There are so many different versions out there ... but his favorite is the 1951 version starring Alastair Sims and I would have to agree. It is a CLASSIC and wonderful to watch year after year. That is exactly what we did this past Saturday evening.

It was cold and snowy outside and while Mark got the DVD set up, I prepared the hot chocolate and popcorn. There are so many wonderful scenes in this movie and I seem to realize new parts that I don't remember from the last viewing (or maybe my memory's just not as good as it used to be, LOL).

Mark not only has the video of this classic, but has the leather bound book which he enjoys reading through out the year. He says like Shakespeare, Dickens is enjoyable any time of the year!! Hmmm, Shakespeare ... another subject I don't know much about!! Now ask me about planting a garden & home canning and I can teach you a thing or two ... LOL!!

Mark & I have come from very different backgrounds and he has shared so many wonderful, new experiences with me. With me being a "country girl" and he being a "city boy" ... we have had fun sharing each others differences. I guess the old saying "opposites attract" is correct because we are certainly perfect for each other!

Thanks for letting me share this little holiday tidbit with you. Do you or your family share a favorite holiday book or movie?? If not, why not start a new tradition this year?? Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule this time of the year to stop by, take a peek and say Hello!! Wishing you well and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Penny's Challenge

Happy Middle of another Week Everyone!!

Time sure is Flying!!!

It's time for another Penny's Challenge and today we are focused on "Christmas Stars". I have a few creations to share with you for this challenge (kind of got carried away, teehee).
This was a fun card to create and I've used images from The Cutting Cafe for my STAR and TREE w/STAR. The base card is Whisper White which has been edged with a gold Pilot marker and the background paper is from the Basic Grey June Bug 6x6 pad. This plaid certainly screams old time Christmas to me. After coloring my tree with Prismacolor Markers, I "decorated" it with Stickles. The sentiment is by Studio G and the presents under the tree are peel & stick foam from Michael's.

These next two cards use the same "Star of Bethlem" image from Stampendous. On both cards, I've stamped the image using gold Brillance ink and embossed with Gold Sparkle embossing powder. Gold metallic cardstock was used to mat both images and both base cards were also edged with a gold Pilot marker.

For the black & white version, I've done extra matting to showcase it better. The only embellishment is the gold organza ribbon which came on a 100 yd. bolt for $2.75 from The Flower Factory ... a local wholesaler.

I know, I'll be really sad when we move from this area because I have some really awesome crafting distributors in my area! Guess I'll just have to make more day trips, teehee!

Please won't you come and join us today on Penny's Challenge. And when you do, don't forget to leave a direct link to your creation over at the challenge blog on Mr. Linky. Can't wait to see your creations. If you're concerned about time ... just think by playing the challenge you can get one more "much needed" Christmas card completed!! Right!!

Also be sure to check out the other design team members creations. Links to their blogs are on my sidebar.

Have a wonderful day! Catch you back here tomorrow ... that is as long as I don't have to appear for jury duty! YEP, I've been summoned for JURY DUTY and so far they haven't pulled my number. I have to check online each day after 4 pm to see if I need to go the next day! So if I'm MIA ... that's where I'll be ... at the Courthouse doing my duty!!!

Penny's Challenge #17 - NO DP

Good Morning!

It's Wednesday and time for another Penny's Challenge but before I share my card with you I wanted to let you know about a CHANGE to Pennys Challenge ... here it is in Penny's words:

First, an announcement: starting this week Penny's
Challenges is now a bi-weekly challenge blog. So today's challenge is good until
December 8th. A New challenge will be posted December 9th. Hopefully we will see more participants this way too!

Now with that being said ... on to today's challenge! Today over on Penny's Challenge we are to use RANDOM STAMPING - NO DESIGNER PAPER! This was so much fun and I'm sure you'll LOVE getting involved in this one!! Be sure to use PC17 when uploading to other online galleries like PCP, SCS, etc. And, don't forget to upload a direct link to your creation to Mr. Linky on the Penny's Challenge Blog.

I decided to use an unusal color for today's holiday creation in order to use this beautiful K&Company chipboard "Dickens" image. The color I'm using is SU Bermuda Bay. Both the base card and the ink I've used with my Inkadinkado Snowflake image is Bermuda Bay. It seemed to match perfectly with this beautiful image. The only thing I added is this JoAnn's holiday ribbon. Easy peasy card to add to my long list of cards needed for sending to friends and family this year!

I hope you enjoy it and I hope you'll come play along! Please be sure to check out my design team sister's blogs for more NO DP inspiration. All links are available in my right sidebar.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Are you ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow??? Granddaughter, Morgan drove up early and will be helping me with the finishing touches! How much fun is that!! Well, I'd better get started ... oh wait ... she's not even out of bed yet ... what's up with that??? That's okay ... I guess that's one of the perks of staying at Nanna's house! Have a wonderful day!!

Penny's Challenge (PC16)

Yippee ... it's time for another Penny's Challenge and today we're doing a COLOR CHALLENGE.
Before going any further, I want to bring it to your attention that beginning in December, Penny will be doing her challenges on a bi-weekly shedule.


After looking through my designer papers ... I decided the Basic Grey June Bug papers worked the best for this color combination. I've also used SU Brillant Blue, More Mustard and Close to Cocoa cardstocks. My main image is by Sugarloaf and I purchased it for $.50 a LONG time ago at Pat Catan's.

I recently had the pleasure of being offered various sets of the new Prismacolor PREMIER Markers and that is what I've chosen to color with today along with a little "paper piecing". My sentiment is by Great Impressions and it is stamped with Versafine Black ink.

I wanted to show you the inside of my card today too. Unfortunately, I don't always share that aspect of my creations with you and that's something I need to do more often. Mind you, I don't typically get too elaborate with the inside but I will try to share them with you here and there!

For the inside of today's card, I've used the remainder of the designer paper I cut for the front main panel then simply stamped my sentiment next to it. Didn't do much ... but I think it really has an impact on the overall creation.

Please stop by the blogs of my co-team members (listed in my sidebar) for additional inspiration on this color challenge and we can't wait to see what you create. Be sure to link your creation back to our Challenge Blog on Mr. Linky so I can pay you a visit and see what you've come up with. Trust me ... I can ALWAYS use new inspiration!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great day!!

Penny's Challenge #13

Today's challenge at Penny's Challenges is a sketch and I decided to use this Inkadinkado image that I had totally forgotten I even had (oops ... does that mean I need to slow down on buying stamps?? OH NO!!). I'm really happy with the outcome and it was so easy to create!!

Please be sure to check out the creations by my Team Mates for even more fun creations. Be sure to post a direct link to your creation to Mr. Linky over on the Challenge Blog. It's so fun and easy ... won't you please come play along!!

Penny's Challenges

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

Time again for Penny's Challenge and today she has a "sketch" for us to play with. Don't you just LOVE sketch challenges ... they are always a great "starting point" to get your juices flowing.

What a fun sketch! I was insistant on using this tag stamp that I've had in my stash for a very long time but needed to flip the sketch to do so. Here are the details on my card:

Stamps: Hero Arts (tag), Inkadinkado (flourishes), Art Impressions (sentiement)

Papers: Whisper White, Brillant Blue, Graphic45 designer paper

Inks: Groovy Guava, Versafine Black

Accessories: Chalk, Make-up applicators, Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch, Kaiser mini pearls, Offray grosgrain ribbon, Bow Easy



Be sure to pop on over to Penny's Challenge Blog to get all the details on this challenge. While you're there check out the "blog candy" Penny has up for grabs!! Don't forget to check out the sample cards these DT ladies have created for your inspiration:

* Alison - Hairy Harry's Craft
* Boni - Bonibleaux Designs
* Kim - Memories in Thyme
* Darlene - Dar's Crafty Creations (You are HERE!)
* Cheryl - CherCroppin's Stamp Pad
* Alanna - Alanna's Spot in the World


Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you are having a GREAT day!!

Penny's Challenges

I discoverd a BRAND NEW Challenge blog today called Penny's Challenges and couldn't wait to get involved! Penny's first challenge is to use "Buttons". It's nearly time for bed but I just had to create something.

While stamping with some friends out in Indiana a couple weeks ago, my new friend Joan Fricker (Joan's Gardens) was kind enough to let stamp off a few images from some of her sets. These little birds are from the Penny Black Enjoy Life set (aren't they cute). I've used Stampin' Up watercolor pencils & blender pens for the coloring.

I used Nestabilities (rectangles) to cut the opening in the front of my card and the next size down to cut the bird image. Summer Sun cardstock was placed inside my Not Quite Navy base card before popping up my main image. The sentiment is by Art Impressions and in case you can't read it, it says: "A little birdie told me it was your birthday!" I achieved my BUTTON requirement by making them the centers of my Prima flowers. It's late & I'm tired so I didn't actually sew these buttons ... instead, I cheated and used a permanent (Sharpie) marker and drew a line between holes to mimic stitching ... hey, I thought it was a clever idea ... LOL!!!

In case you couldn't see the way the front of the card was cut out ... I've supplied a photo from a different angle. Of course you can always click on any of my photos for a closer look!

OH ... Did I mention that Penny also has blog candy up for grabs??? (NOTE POST ON SIDEBAR) PLEASE pop over and check out Penny's new blog ... I think it going to be a lot of fun ... ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE??? Thanks for stopping by today! Hope to see you back here again real soon!!