Birthday Blog Candy

  .   .   . at Shelly's Images!

That's right, beginning today, you will have a chance to win some awesome Birthday Blog Candy as well as a few other prizes Shelly is offering. Check this out!!

 

So, be sure to pop over to SHELLY'S IMAGES today for all the details.

And, don't forget to come back on Thursday for another fabulously fun challenge!

Hugs,

Darlene

Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge

WOW!  I can't believe I just stumbled upon the challenge at 

Cheery Lynn Designs.

I got hooked on Cheery Lynn Designs dies after using them in a workshop at my friend Joan Fricker's (Joan's Gardens) a year or so ago.  These dies are awesome!  If you're not familiar with them, you really must give them a try ... then you'll be hooked just like me!  LOL!!

Anyways, back to the challenge.  This week it is "SNOWFLAKES".

I LOVED making this card because it gave me the opportunity to not only use my Cheery Lynn Designs DL175 Laced Pine Snowflake die ... but also my DL143 Ornamental Wreath & Bow and B136 Anastasia Border dies.

How much fun is it to use NEW CRAFTING GOODIES!   My focus image also came from Joan's Gardens last fall and this was the first time I inked it up!  I love vintage and this Old World Santa by LaBlanche seemed perfect for today's creation. 

My image was stamped using Versafine Black ink onto white cardstock.  I used a little loose chalk and makeup applicators to give him 'rosey' cheeks and also for the blue shadowing around the edge.  My snowflakes were cut from DCWV blue sparkle paper and white cardstock.  A scrap of green designer paper was used to cut out the wreath and red cs for the bow.  Diamond Stickles was used to accent the edges of the white snowflake (hard to see in photo) as well as the bow.

Thanks for letting me share some of my new crafting goodies with you as well as this fun challenge.  Wishing you a fabulous week with tons of time to PLAY!  

Other qualifying challenges are:

Crafty Cardmaking Challenge - NO floral embellishments

Creative Stamp Friends - Winter

Hooked on Craft Challenge - Try something NEW (new dies & stamp)

House of Gilli - Winter

Lexi's Creations Challenge - Anything Goes

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Stamp and Create - Anything Goes

Truly Madly Crafty Challenges - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps Challenge - Use the color Blue

Hugs,

Darlene

Do You Have Empty Cricut Cartridge Boxes?

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Hubby's watching football and I'm still trying to get my house back in order from the holidays!  I am happy to report  . . .  ALL Christmas decorations are packed & put away for another year!  

After deciding I had made enough trips up & down the steps for one day, I took the time to PLAY in my cave for awhile!  Now that I know how to use the Cricut my neighbor Christy gave me last year, my daughter decided a few new cartridges would be a good Christmas present for me (she was right) and also a large case to keep them in.  That means now I have several EMPTY Cricut Boxes that the cartridges came in.

My friend, Lana (Blest With Stamps) got me on the 'Trash to Treasure' altering kick last summer (thanks girlfriend!) ... so now I can't throw anything away without first wondering how I might be able to 'repurpose' it.  Well here's what I've come up with for the Cricut Boxes.

My FIRST attempt:

My SECOND attempt.

I'm really not sure what I'll be using these boxes for ... but I'll come up with something!

Any ideas??? ... I would love to hear your comments.

With the scraps from this last box, I decided to make a matching card.  

This designer paper is one of my favorites ... Graphic45 - Le' Romantique

The flourish was created using the Cheery Lynn Designs 'Fanciful Flourish' die and gold metallic paper.  The butterfly and doily lace border are both Martha Stewart punches.  The flower was created with a PunchBunch flower punch and I've curled the edges using the tweezers from the PunchBunch flower making kit.  I have punched both the flower & the butterfly also in black cardstock as a backing so that they'd show up better.  Products used in this creation were purchased at Joan's Gardens ... be sure to pop over and check out all the goodies she has available in her store.

AND . . .

through my 'cleanup' here in the cave, I found this little 'precolored' gem of an image laying on my table under a mountain of other things and decided to make it into a card.

The image is one of eight that can be found on this collage sheet called 'Vintage Cute Kids' at the Nicecrane Designs Store.  

Be sure to check out ALL of the amazing papers, digi images, collage sheet, etc. that Ignacio has available.  I'm sure you'll find something you just can't live without!!

Okay ... I'm sure I've kept you long enough and should really get back to putting my house in order.  THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by today and I hope you enjoy your upcoming week!

Let's enter a few other qualifying challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges - Anything Goes

Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Butterflies or Bugs

Gingerloft Challenge - Anything Goes

One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes

PanPastel UK - Anything Goes

Scrappy Frog Challenge - Lace (Wilton Lace Doily)

Sentiment Sunday - Ribbon & Sentiment

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Something New (K&Co 3d butterflies, Prima Ribbon Flower)

The Hybrid Chick - Card Caravan Challenge - Sparkle (Stickles & Pearls)
CES Challenge - Vintage Dahling
 Crazy 4 Challenge - Monochromatic in Blue
Little Claire's Designs - Anything BUT a Card
Secret Crafter - Anything Goes with Blue
Bloggers Challenge - Wings and Things
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - Use Something New (K&Co. 3d butterflies, Prima Ribbon Flower)
Delicious Doodles - All Things New (K&Co. 3d butterflies, Prima Ribbon Flower)
Fairy Tale Challenge - Something New (K&Co. 3d butterflies, Prima Ribbon Flower)
 

Happy Crafting!

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

Shelly's Images Challenge

WOW!  What a fun challenge we have for you at Shelly's Images today!!  

It's called "ROLL 'EM" ... here's a clue ...
Random Number Generator is involved!  LOL!!

The numbers I rolled are:

7 (ink/mist/paint) ... 5 (distressing) ... 1 (torn or punched edge)

You can find the list of items that coordinate with the numbers on our challenge blog.

From my three items & our featured digi image, here's the card I created.

Isn't he just the cutest little bear!!??!!

Recipe:

Papers:  White cardstock, Green cardstock, FROST designer paper from Wubie Prints

Stamps:  Shelly's Images 'Snow Beary' digi stamp, Repeat Impressions sentiment stamp

Inks:  Tim Holtz Tea Die distress ink (for distressing)

Accessories:  Zutter Distrezz-it-All distresser, MS icicle border punch, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, Sizzix Snowflake #15 die, Prismacolor markers, Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist Denim Blue,

This was such a fun TWIST on a recipe challenge!  I just might have to create another card using this method!  It certainly helps take some of the guess work out of 'what to use'!  Hope you'll come join us at Shelly's Images and the DT has offered some AWESOME INSPIRATION for you.  You'll want to be sure and pop over!!

Wishing you a Happy and Fun day ... whatever you might be doing!

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

The Sisterhood of Crafter's Challenge

Hello Everyone!

Since we are in the month of January and the snow if flying here in N.E. Ohio ... what better challenge theme to have today at The Sisterhood than . . .

LET IT SNOW

(make a Winter card/project)

As I was doing my 'after holidays clean up' in my crafting cave, I came upon these three images laying on my work table so for your inspiration today, I not only made ONE card ... but I made THREE!  LOL!

  My image stamp is by Inkadinkado.  After stamping it onto white cs with Versafine black ink,  I used Prisma Pencils and Gamsol to color in this love scene.  Sparkle was added to the tree & roof using Quickie Glue and Deco Art Glamour Dust.  Blue chalk was added using a makeup applicator to create the sky.

 This precious bird image comes from a collage sheet called "Christmas Birds" found HERE at Nicecrane Designs.  The background paper is from a DCWV 'Winter' Mat Stack and the snow flakes & icicle border are Martha Stewart punches.  Diamond Stickles was added for sparkle.

 This image was created using the "Snowy Background Technique" that I learned from Selma Stevenson.  Again I used Martha Stewart punches to create the snowflakes and icicle border.  Added a sentiment and Viola!  Card complete!

We would LOVE to see what you create with this fun challenge theme.

I'll be watching for your entry over at The Sisterhood of Crafter's and then I'll stop by and leave you some love on your creation at your blog! 

Other Qualifying Challenges:
Crazy Amigo Challenge - Winter Colors
Creative Card Crew - Snow Days
Scrap Creations - Glitter
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Baby It's Cold Outside
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Let it Snow
Creative Stamp Friends - Winter

HUGS,

Darlene

HOORAY! I'm so thrilled . . .

What a wonderful email I received today from 

Michael Nelsen

Blogger & Editor

Michael.Nelsen@become.com

 

letting me know that MY blog had been chosen as

 at Craft Corner's.  
If you get a moment, pop over and check out some of the awesome projects they have to share with us! 

Mr. Nelsen's kind words about my blog and my work certainly MADE MY DAY!

As much as I LOVE crafting and that is the reason I do it, how wonderful is it to know that your work is appreciated by others and even inspirational to some!

Thanks for letting me share my excitement with you today!

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

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #70

It's a new year at Wags 'n Whiskers and even though I am no longer on the team, this challenge was moved out of 2011 & into 2012 and I already had my card ready!  So ... I have one more chance to be a part of this fun design team!    Today's challenge is:

WHITE ON WHITE 

(+ One other Color)

I chose the color GREEN and believe it or not, all the green on my card is the SAME SHADE although it sure doesn't look like it in my photo!  I really should read the book that came with my camera and this might not happen!  LOL!  This adorable image is called "Zoe and Gemma's Snow Fun" and you can find/purchase it HERE.

Recipe:
Papers: White cardstock, Green cardstock
Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Quickie Glue, Green organza ribbon, Sizzix snowflake embossing folder

HUGS,
Darlene

Challenge Fun!

It feels SO GOOD to be back playing the challenges!

Today I scoped out some of challenge over on Feline Playful that caught my eye and this is what I came up with.

The SKETCH comes from the challenge over at Try Stampin' On Tuesday.  Other elements of this card came from the following challenges:

Joan's Gardens - use hearts, red/pink & white, embossing, embellishment

Perfect Sentiment - Valentine Sentiment & Vellum

Color Create - Red, Cream, Sage Green

The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes

Bearly-Mine - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiment - Love & Romance

My Time to Craft Challenge - XOXO Hugs & Kisses

Stampavie and more #159 - Hearts

Delightful Challenges - Hearts

Well, now that I've had some challenge fun, guess I should go do a little work around the house! LOL!

Laundry is starting to pile up and I promised hubby stuffed peppers for dinner!

Better get busy!

** EDIT **    My work is done and I have a few minutes and decided to create a second card for Joan's challenge.  (It just felt good to create today ... guess the mojo is fired up for 2012...LOL)

 Now I can relax with hubby for an evening of TV and conversation! 

Hugs,

Darlene

Shelly's Images Challenge

With another New Year upon us, today at Shelly's Images we are OUT with the OLD and IN with the NEW!

The challenge is to use SOMETHING NEW (less than a month old) 

on your card/project.

Our FEATURED image today is the "Snow Man Set" which can be purchased TODAY ONLY at a reduced price ... after today it will be in the STORE at the regular price.

The NEW item I have used on my card today is the Sizzix Snowflake #15 Die set.  I die cut it from white paper, distressed it with Tim Holtz Broken China distress ink then used Quickie Glue and Deco Art Glamour Dust for added snowflake sparkle!

Coloring was done with Prismacolor markers and sparkle was also added to the snowflakes in Shelly's image in the same manner as the die cut snowflake.  

I look forward to seeing what you create with your NEW stuff!  Hope Santa was good to you ... I sure love the crafting goodies he brought me!!

Other challenges this creation fits:

Cute Card Thursday - Something New

Little Miss Muffet Challenge - Something New

Dare to be Sassy - Something New ( Snowflake Die )

Digistamps4Joy - Anything Goes (Something Old - dp, Something New-snowflake die)

Fab 'n Funky Challenge - Something New

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Something New

My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge - Something New

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Something New

Scrap-Creations - Something Old (dp), Something New (snowflake die)

Ladybug Crafts, Ink TLT challenge - Anything Goes using your New Stash
Creative Belli Blog - Snowflakes
Little Darlings Challenge - Cold
Crazy Amigo Challenge - Winter
Creative Card Crew #1 - Snow Day
Digital Tuesday Challenge - Winter Wonderland
Everybody Art Challenge - Snow

Hugs,

Darlene

Vintage Kids

I recently received this Collage Sheet from Ignacio at Nicecrane Designs and couldn't wait to create with these cute images.  I haven't decided if I want to make these creations into a 'SET' for sell at my next craft show or, just show them individually.  Heck, I might just keep them for myself they are so cute!

The collage sheet is titled "Vintage Cute Kids"

 I have used the sketch from the current challenge at Perfect Sentiments Challenge and the sentiment is from a Hero Arts stamp set.  Design paper is from My Mind's Eye - Lime Twist and the border is a Martha Stewart punch.  

 The design on this card is a variation on that same challenge sketch at Perfect Sentiments Challenges.  For the challenge you need to use THANK YOU ... but I thought this Hero Arts sentiment worked better with this image.

 

The background for this card was made using the Sizzix (TH) brickwall embossing folder on white paper then sponging over it using TH Peeled Paint and Frayed Burlap distress inks.

 I'm NOT an animal lover  ...  but how cute is this little kitty!

I thought this scrap of dp matched great with the flowers on her #5.  Sorry, don't remember the mfg.  possibly K&Co.  It's a 2 sided paper.  A combination of paper flowers & prima flowers ... along with the MS leaf punch created the embellishment.

 I actually had this base card w/MS vine border laying on my worktable from sometime through the holidays.  I simply added the image, sentiment & MS butterfly.  Quick & Easy.

Last by not least ... how adorable is this little couple??

'Water' dp from JoAnn's makes the perfect backdrop for these cuties.  I just HAD to use the Morex Corp. Sweet Petites polka dot ribbon (which matches her little swim suit) as my accent.  The dolphin stickers came in a $1 beach pack from JoAnn's (had them for years) and my sentiment if from the See D's stamp set called Fun In The Sun.

There are actually eight (8) images on these collage sheets to create with and they are pre-colored (that's a time saver in itself).  Pop on over to Nicecrane Designs and check out all the fun & unique images, collage sheets, designer paper, etc. that Ignacio has available.

Qualifying Challenges:

Perfect Sentiments Challenge - Thank You w/sketch

Card Crafter's Circle Challenge - Anything Goes

Clearly iStamp - Birthday

Fairy Tale Challenge - Something Easy

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Animal - Birthday

Hugs,

Darlene

Let the 2012 FUN BEGIN . . .

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

There's a NEW CHALLENGE  in town for the NEW YEAR and  Shelly's Images will be the proud sponsor of this challenge on the first Sunday of every month.  Each month a couple of the Shelly's Images DT members will help to showcase the sketch with a creation using a Bugaboo image.  Let's get started!

The challenge is called STELLA SAYS SKETCH and here is the first sketch:

Here is my creation using the Bugaboo Flower Water Cans - Flower Can digi image:

Please come join in our fun!!!

Hugs,

Darlene

Mark & I wish each of you ALL THE BEST in 2012!