More Birthday Greetings ...

Happy Friday!

Today's card creation satisfies both my need to do a sketch challenge (this time around the Wednesday sketch at Splitcoast Stampers) and a DT commitment card for Crafty Secrets.  Love when I can combine things I enjoy together in one creation.

This adorable little girl as well as the birthday scroll sentiment are from the Birds and Blossoms Printable Sheet and the cute little kitty is from the Altered Fairies Creative Scraps.

The sketch I'm using today is from Splitcoast Stampers (need to be a member to view & play).

I have flipped the sketch vertically for my card.  And of course added a few 'extras'.

After sitting my panels in position, I realized my focus image covered the pretty flower in this design paper so quickly grabbed my Fiskars Swivel Craft Knife and did a bit of fussy cutting so I could slide the image panel behind the flower.  Awwww that's better!
Little kitty was fussy cut and popped up also to give a little added dimension.
All the COLOR panels on this card were created with ink and a sponge dauber.

A few challenge to share in today are:
DoubleClick Challenge - Use an Animal
Inspiration Destination Challenge - Anything Goes
Scrapper's Delights Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by ... I hope your weekend is fabulous!
I'm looking forward to NEXT week since the temperatures are supposed to be much higher!
I sure hope so ... I'm getting tired of these frigid temperatures!
As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Black cs, Prima 'Jodie Lee designs' Nature Garden Collection design paper

Ink:  SU groovy guava, SU More Mustard

Images:  Birds and Blossoms Printable Sheet, Altered Fairies Creative Scraps

Accessories:  Pop Dots, White Liquid Pearls, Fiskars swivel craft knife, large sponge dauber

Butterfly Love . . .

Hello Dear Friends!

We are expecting a big snow storm today so, 

I'm staying in where it's warm & safe!  

Today I have a card to share using the sketch from the current sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers (must be a member to see challenges) and the theme of  'V for Valentines' (+ butterfly) for the new challenge at the Butterfly Challenge Blog.  I'm thrilled to say the card I created for the previous challenge at the  Butterfly Challenge Blog was chosen as one of the Top 3 ... how cool is that!  Thanks ladies!

Card Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Red cs, Me & My Big Ideas dp

Image:  Crafty Secrets 'Love Mail' Creative Scraps

Dies:  Cheery Lynn Designs #DL112 Exotic Butterflies Small, #B227 Love, Spellbinder Classic Hearts

Accessories:  White Gelly Roll Pen

I have truly been enjoying working with a few sketch challenges lately.  

When I'm stumped or the mojo is 'not so good' ... all I need to do is look through a few sketch challenges and the creative juices start flowing.  I have always found this to be a good 'starting' point for me when I'm stumped ... give it a try the next time you are struggling on 'where to begin'!

Challenges to share in today:

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge - Love, Valentine's Day

Shopping Our Stash Challenge - Love Me Do (everything used is more than 1 yr old)

Through The Craft Room Door -  Anything Goes (Jan 27 - Feb 2)

Bunny Zoe's January Challenge - Hearts
Design Team Showcase #4 - DT only (Jan 24th - Feb 7th) 
Classy Cards n Such Challenge - Letter It
Simon Says Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and I hope if you are getting snow today like I am, you'll be able to stay in where it's warm and safe too.  If not, then please be careful out there! 

And remember ... Spring is on the way!

As always ...

Birthdays are for the birds!

. . . LOL  I'm sure some people think this way but not me!  I love it when my birthday comes around!  I only pray I can be as healthy as my Mother is 20 years from now when I'm her age!

Happy Friday My Friends!

Today I have a fun card created using an image from the Crafty Secrets Birds and Blossoms and sentiment stamp from the Bird Lovers Stamp Set.  I've also used the current Sketch Challenge #524 over at Splitcoast Stampers as my starting point.

I can never have enough birthday cards in my stash and since I was short on time getting a card created (crafting time being taken up with remodeling/painting our downstairs bathroom) these fabulous bird images are perfect to make a person smile on their birthday!

Going to be a short post this morning!

A good friend who unfortunately lost her husband has asked me to share the day with her on this 2nd anniversary of his death.  So we are going to go do a little shopping, have lunch out and who knows what else!  Just want to help her get through the day however I can.

Our bathroom remodel is coming along nicely ... photos to come soon.

Have a great day and as always . . .

Butterfly Birthday

Happy Friday my friends!

Today I have a card created for the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers.

(If you're not a member of SCS, you probably won't be able to get into the site link.)

It has been SO LONG since I played a challenge over at SCS!

Well ... Today's the day!

Here's the sketch ...

And, here's my card ...

I found this beautiful image over on Pinterest and thought it would work perfectly for the focus image on today's card.  It seemed to be the right size ... all it needed was a little matting and faux stitching.

The background designer papers I've used are all from my scrap bin.  The green panel is from Cosmos Cricket, the dark purple panel is from Fabscraps 'High Tea' and the lighter purple background is from Hot Off The Press.

I knew I wanted to add butterflies but wasn't sure on the color  ...  so, created my own using Tim Holtz broken china & dusty concord distress inks onto a scrap of ivory card stock before die cutting with my Cheery Lynn Designs 'Exotic Butterflies' dies.  I also put a coat of SU Crystal Effects on them for a little 'shine'.  I knew I wanted them to match the hydrangea flowers in the image ... too bad the wing covered so much of the flower.  Guess I should have positioned it just a bit higher!  Oh well ...

Let's see if I can locate a few other challenges to share in today:

Aud Sentiments Challenge #123 - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts Challenge #72 - Birthdays

Dream It Up January Challenge - Birthday Wishes

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by!

Hope you have a fun weekend planned!

Till next time and as always . . .

Just having fun . . .

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

After an early morning visit to my doctor (annual check up - all is good!), I've decided to spend the day 'just having fun!'.  Not worrying about craft show creations, DT obligations ... just doing what looks and sounds like fun!  That's what this 'crafting thing' is supposed to be all about ... right!

So, when I saw today's sketch challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers 

(which I love to play but don't partake often enough)

 ... AND spotted THIS BEAUTY created by a lovely lady whom I follow on Bloglovin' (thanks Donna) ... I knew exactly what my 1st card of the day would be!

And here it is ...

(Inside view)

 I truly enjoy making 'guy' cards using my Stampscapes stamps.  If you've never played with these stamps, you can check them out HERE.  It's amazing what beautiful creations you can come up with using these stamps, sponges and ink.  Really easier than you might think!

 The product I've used on today's card is as follows:

Papers:  White cs, Black cs, DCWV 'dots, stripes & plaids mat stack dp

Stamps:  Stampscapes 'Pines & Rocks' #195G, Stampscapes 'Pine Row' #150E, Inkadinkado and The Stamp Pad co.

Inks:  Versafine Onyx, Memento 'Angel Pink', Tim Holtz Distress Inks - 'Salty Ocean', 'Tumbled Glass', 'Faded Jeans' and 'Stormy Sky'

Accessories:  Spellbinder Classic Circle dies, SU Circle Punch, Eclipse masking, large sponge daubers, Spectrum Noir alcohol marker EB2 (color rocks), TH black fine tip marker for faux stitching

 (close up view)

 Here are a few additional challenges I'd like to share with today:

Our Daily Bread Designs - Sponging or Stencils

Party Time Tuesday July Challenge - Anything Goes

Emerald Faeries - Hip Hip Hooray Birthday
Reves 2 Scrap Challenge #2 - Anything Goes
 Susan Hurley 365 Challenge #94 - Celebration
Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes
Crafting When We Can - Make Your Own Background
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #94 - Birthday

Now let's see what my afternoon has in store for me, lol!

Hope you're having fun today too, whatever you may be doing!

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by and I hope you've been inspired to JUST HAVE FUN!

Life is too short not to!

A Crafty Secrets / SCS Sketch Challenge

Afternoon friends ... 

I'm here this afternoon to share a second post with you for the Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers.  Gosh ... I said the first of the year I was going to do more of the challenges over there and was off to a good start then life took over and it's been months since I've played along ...

Well I'm here to tell you I'm playing the sketch challenge today!!!

Here is today's sketch:

and here's what I came up with . . .

Again I have created a matching envelope and finished the inside (my New Year's resolution).

My focus image today is this adorable 'robin' image from the Crafty Secrets 'Birds & Blossoms' Creative Scraps.  You can find this sheet and many, many more fabulous images, stamps, etc. at Crafty Secrets.com and if you are getting familiar and LOVE working with all the new digital papers/images ... be sure to check out their new Crafty Vintage Girl Shoppe.

I have really dipped into some of my OLD stash for this creation today!  One being the sheet of Creative Scraps which I've had for some time now ... and the other is the design paper I've used.  Oh my gosh ... I've had this Ancestry.com K&Company designer mat pad for at least 4 years ... probably 5!  It was hiding under a couple other K&Company 12x12 packs (does that tell you I have WAY TOO MUCH paper ... LOL) and since it was calling out for me to be used ... I did!!

I've been commissioned to make a selection of male/female birthday cards so this one will certainly be going into the pack.  I think it could be used for either male or female ... what do you think?

Thanks for stopping back and I hope you find inspiration from my work.

Take care and enjoy your day!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Light Pink cs, Dark Pink cs, K&Co. dp
Image:  Crafty Secrets
Accessories:  Zig markers for edge doodling, JoyCraft #6003/0030 flower die, Creative Memories corner rounder
Rubber Stamps:  Art Impressions, Impression Obsession

More Crafty Secrets Fun . . .

Hello All!

I've been having fun the past couple of days playing challenges and creating with more of my Crafty Secrets products.  (Don't forget about the January Linky Party going on right now at Crafty Secrets ... check it out HERE.) Yesterday I joined in the Try a New Technique Challenge (TLC411) at Splitcoast Stampers which was to go back through the 2012 TLC challenges and create using one or more of those older techniques.  Here's what I came up with:

 I actually pulled inspiration from THREE different challenges: Scallops, Twine It Up and Add Dimension.  

Keeping in stride with my new year's resolution, here's a peek at the finished inside.

For this creation my first decision was to use this lovely image from the Crafty Secrets Birds & Blossoms Creative Scraps.  I did a little fussy cutting around to top of the image to give it a little more dimension vs just a rectangular image.  Then I double matted it with coordinating cardstock.  Searching through my TONS of designer paper, I decided I liked this 6x6 piece from the Prima Nature Garden paper pack.  I chose SU Blushing Bride cardstock as my accent color.

Other pieces & parts used are:

Wilton paper doily, Spellbinder classic circle die, Prima flowers, Stampendous diamond dots, Cheery Lynn Designs Build a Flower 2 (B187) die leaves, SU scallop border punch, Bucket o Buttons heart shaped button and SU pink fiber twine

Another fun challenge I participated in was the current Sketch Challenge (new challenge coming on Wednesday).  Here's a peek at the sketch I used . . .

and here is my card creation:

Another Crafty Secrets image was used as the focus on this creation.  This time it comes from the Homemade Images & Journal Note Booklet.  I ran it through my Vagabond using a Spellbinder Classic Oval die and added Stickles to the heart & wings for added sparkle & dimension.

Other pieces & parts used are:

SU Blushing Bride cardstock, Pixie Press & DCWV designer paper, Martha Stewart doily lace border punch, Offray pink satin ribbon, Bow Easy, Paper Piercer, red Zig marker for faux stitching.

AND LASTLY (thanks for hanging in there with me, lol)

is a wedding card using another adorable Crafty Secrets image.  This time from the Little Dolls Images & Journal Notes booklet.  I have used both pieces ... the main image on the front of the card and the 'journal note' for the inside card panel.

(aren't they just the cutest!!)

The inspiration for this card came from a similar card I spotted on Pinterest using multiple embossed panels.  I thought I had repinned it so I could share it with you ...but evidently not ... sorry!

Other pieces & parts used are:

Black and White cardstock, Sizzix swirl EF, Cuttlebug swiss dot EF, Cheery Lynn Designs Small Fanciful Flourish die, Kaiser pearls, peach organza ribbon, pop dots, American Crafts wedding clear stamp set.

SHEW!  Okay ... that's it for me today.  Sorry it was such a long post but I just had so much to share with you!!  I hope you've found inspiration in my work and PLEASE ... feel free to leave me a comment.  I'd love to hear from you. 

REMEMBER ... I HAVE BLOG CANDY THROUGH JANUARY ... CLICK ON THE IMAGE AT THE TOP OF MY SIDEBAR FOR ALL THE DETAILS.

Thanks again ... and as always ...

Two more FUN challenges today ...

Since the start of the new year, I've been trying to play along with at least one of the challenges over on Splitcoast Stampers.  This week I've only found time to join in the sketch challenge.  I have used one of my new images from Nicecrane Designs from the 'Vintage Magazine Cover' collection which are available in his store NOW!

Recipe:
Papers:  White cardstock, Colorbok 'Rosewood' patterned pack (Walmart)
Accessories:  Distrezz-it-All, 7 Gypsies tag, Fiskars swivel craft knife, pop dots, gold Stickles, TH burlap distress ink, gold satin ribbon

Another fun challenge I try not to miss out on, is the one over at Joan's Gardens!  With this winter being SO MILD, Joan & Selma have challenged us to make a card using the following theme:

• Create a Spring Card
• Color theme should be blue and white
• Use some type of lattice
• Perhaps-- add a bird

Well, as you can see, I certainly took the SPRING thing to heart.  I created my 'sky' using light blue cardstock which I've stamped using white pigment ink and an Ala Art 'sky' rubber stamp.  Then made the 'tree branch' using both Momento 'Bamboo Leaves' green ink and Versafine black ink to stamp my Stampscapes 'Leafy Branch' stamp twice.  The birds/cage are Tim Holtz and the lattice fence & grass are Martha Stewart punches.  (The grass is actually the icicle punch ... turned up side down.)  Punches & dies were purchased at Joan's Gardens.  If you haven't been to her online store ... you are MISSING OUT!  Pop on over to see what she has in the store that you CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT!!

Well, it's nearly dinner hour here so I'd best get out of my crafting 'cave' and into the kitchen!  Hope you are all having a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!! 

Please stop back tomorrow when I'll have more NEW CREATIONS using the latest images available at NICECRANE DESIGNS.  If you love vintage like I do, you'll want to see these latest images being added to his online store!!

Till tomorrow!
Hugs,
Darlene

Challenge Cards to Share . . .

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

I hope you're having a great week and are looking forward to an even better weekend!

I'd like to share a few challenge cards with you today ... thanks for taking a peek!  And of course, COMMENTS are always appreciated!

What are your thoughts on these two cards I made for the Monday Technique Challenge over on SCS.  We were to mimic the design of Irish Beeleek pottery by inking our embossing folders with LIGHT color inks to create our background papers.  Here is what I came up with:

 The images on both cards come from the Crafty Secrets - Creative Scraps called 'Vintage Images'.  The top card was created using SU River Rock ink and the 5x7 Cuttlebug Swirl embossing folder. The sentiment stamp and heart are also Crafty Secrets.  One of their new medium stamp sets called 'Grand Greetings' - SM40.

The card below was created using the same embossing folder with SU Soft Sky ink.  The flowers are homemade.  Created using PunchBunch flower punches an the PunchBunch flower making kit.  The leaves were punched using a Martha Stewart leaf punch.

 My next card is one created for this week's challenge over at Joan's Gardens. 

Here are the requirements for this challenge:

• Create a 4.25" x 5 1/2" birthday card
• Colors to use are Pink, green and some purple
• Include  some distressed edges
• Add piercing

I have chosen an image from the Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps 'Birthday' sheet.  The background paper is DCWV and is more of a light green IRL vs the gray that it looks in the photo.  

I used my Zutter Distrezz-It All to distress the edges of that background panel.  Paper pierced the panel behind the focus image and my hint of purple is the lacy panel created using my Cheery Lynn Designs B136 Anastasia Border die.  The green flourish is also a Cheery Lynn Designs die ... B117 Fanciful Flourish.  (Items in RED were purchased at Joan's Gardens).  My sentiment stamp is The Artful Stamper and gold Stickles was added to the stamen on the flowers.  OH ... I also wanted to mention ... the purple panel on the outside of my focus image is actually a part of the NEGATIVE piece left over from die cutting the lacy panel. 

 Lastly is my creation for this week's Sketch Challenge over on SCS.  

I missed my friend Sue's birthday (yesterday) so decided to create this card for her using the sketch offered in this weeks challenge.  Sue's favorite color is purple and I thought this little girl's sad look would express my feelings for missing her birthday.  The image is from Nicecrane Designs and is a collage sheet called 'Children Paintings II CS'.  There are 8 images on this collage sheet ... ALL are equally adorable.  Be sure to pop over and see all the amazing collage sheets, papers, digi images that Ignacio has to offer.

Again, thanks so much for stopping by today.  I'm working on a project for Joann Fabrics and I'm only a third of the way through it ... so I'd better get BACK TO WORK!!  Have a wonderful day/weekend my friends and I hope to see you back here again real soon!

Hugs,

Darlene

I should be putting away Christmas ...

. . . instead I'm playing challenges!  YIKES ... don't tell hubby!  LOL!!

We'll see how fast I can move after I post these fun creations!  LOL ... I'm so bad!!

This week's challenge at Joan's Gardens is to

• Create a Valentine in "non-traditional" colors
• Use some kind of lace
• Use a flower - rose if possible
• Use a key - optional

Even though this looks like RED, it's actually Razzle Berry from Stampin' Up. Which is more of a RASPBERRY color and I've paired it with GOLD accents.

Items used on this creation are:

Papers:  White cs, SU Razzle Berry cs, Gold Metallic

Ink:  SU Razzle Berry, Delicata Golden Glitz

Accessories:  Spellbinder Classic Hearts dies, Spellbinder Vintage Elements dies, Spellbinder Flowers dies, MS doily lace border punch, gold Stickles, Cuttlebug Hearts EF, Cheery Lynn Designs B117-Fanciful Flourish Die, pop dots

*  *  *  *  *

 The other challenge I wanted to create for today is the  

Sketch Challenge at SCS.

 

 I've had this image stamped and laying on my worktable for weeks and decided to use it today for my creation.  It is an Inkadinkado stamp and I've used Prisma Pencils & Gamsol for my coloring.  The background paper is by DCWV and the gold metallic paper buttons were created using the Spellbinder Vintage Elements die.
 

I thought this would make a good 'masculine' card for either a birthday or maybe for someone who just got out of the hospital ... or retired.  Masculine cards are always difficult ... and I seem to get a lot of requests for them!  So here's one more to add to my stash.  What do you think??

So there you have it ... 

My crafting time is over for today ... I'd better get back to all those lovely Santa's I need to repack and store away for another year.  Thanks so much for visiting me today!  We're expecting a snow storm over night ... so maybe I'll have more time to 'PLAY' tomorrow!?!  

Stay warm & safe if you're in the path of this incoming storm!!

Hugs,

Darlene

SCS 'Try A New Technique' Challenge

This week's TRY A NEW TECHNIQUE challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers is called 'The Best of 2011".  Judy is our hostess and she has asked us to backtrack through the TLC challenges of 2011 and pick out one (or more) of last years challenge themes to make our creations.

I chose TLC303 - Sponging

TLC304 - Faux Stitching
and

TLC352 - Make It Snow

The stamp I used for my focus image is STAMPSCAPES, Trio of Trees.  I stamped it onto light blue cardstock with Versafine 'Majestic Blue' ink.  Then using a white Signo pen, put streaks of SNOW on the twigs & sides of the trees.  

Snowflakes from Inkadinkado were stamped in white dye ink and a little of the same ink was sponged light across the images to appear as 'blowing snow'.

My background paper was created by stamping the same snowflake stamps onto white paper with Versamark and sponging over top & around the edges with Tim Holtz 'Faded Jeans' distress ink.  

The faux stitching was done with the same white Signo pen as I used for the snow on the trees.  The large snowflake was made with fun foam and using the Spellbinder Snowflake dies.  Silver Stickles was used for the sparkly center.

What a fun challenge!  I'm so glad I popped over to check it out and then played along!

Their sketch challenge came up today so hopefully I'll have that done & ready to share later in the week.

Now I really MUST get some of these Christmas decorations put away ... I've been procrastinating all day!!  LOL!!  

Please stop back tomorrow for a VERY UNIQUE & FUN CHALLENGE IDEA from Shelly's Images!  I think you're going to really like this one!  I know I sure did!!

Hugs,

Darlene

It's been so long ...

. . . since I played the challenges over at Splitcoast Stampers.  Well, one of my New Year's resolutions is to get more involved back at SCS where my cardmaking began and flourished.

This card was made for the Wednesday's Sketch Challenge AND the Thursday 'Ways To Use It' challenge.

Recipe:
Papers:  Groovy Guava cs, SU dp, Cream cs
Stamp:  Crafty Secrets 'Garden Girls' sentiment stamp
Inks:  Versafine Black
Accessories:  Vintage image from Nicecrane Designs collage sheet called 'Women's Vintage Fashion', PunchBunch flower punch, McGill foam mat, PunchBunch flower making kit, MS doily border punch

What are you hoping to get back to in 2012??  

Besides the usual 'lose weight' & more exercise routine ...

I'd also like to make more time for my family and friends!

Wishing you love & happiness today!

Hugs,

Darlene