A.R.T. #15 Challenge

Happy Thursday dear friends!

It's time for another fun challenge at the

 A.R.T. (A Random Thursday) Challenge Blog.

 Today's Theme is this fun CAS Sketch:

 

 I'm in need of several masculine birthday cards for my upcoming Fall craft shows so decided to use this opportunity to get started on fulfilling that need!  Hope you like it!

As you all who know me are quite aware ... I am NOT much of a 'CAS' type of paper crafter!  I love all the layers, dimension & doo-dads on my cards . . . but this was really a lot of fun to create and think it will work PERFECTLY for that special fisherman who's about to enjoy another birthday!!!

PLUS ... I was able 'chip away' at that mountain of scraps I have in my bin!!  LOL!

I'm looking forward to having you join in our challenge fun and by all means, if you need inspiration, be sure to check out the amazing creations by my team mates!!  What a talented group of ladies!!!
 

Thanks SO MUCH for all your support and for just taking the time to stop by!  I so appreciate it!!

As always and until next time . . .

Recipe:  
Papers:  white cs, the Paper Studio dp
Accessories:  Paper House 3D stickers, TPC Studio Reel Me In 'mini dome stickers - fish', Cloud9 Design 'rain drops'
Stamp:  Anita's

Twenty Five Years

Happy Hump Day All!

Today I have a fun challenge to share with you and I hope you'll come join in the fun!  This is only my second week playing this challenge and I'm LOVIN' the inspiration I have found on this site!

This is the inspirational Magazine cover from this weeks challenge at

PaperCrafter's Corner Monday Magazine Challenge Week 23.

My first thought was WOW!!!

  
The colors are gorgeous but for my creation, I went with what caught my eye first ... the 25 in the center.  Here's what I came up with ... what do you think?

The outside framing is Silver Metalic cardstock which is really hard to capture in a photo because of the reflection but I think you get the idea.  I also wanted to incorporate some of the beautiful colors so I die cut this Memory Box #98279 Twirled Heart Border ... popped out the hearts and colored them (ink to paper technique) with various colors of Brilliance ink then after adhering the border outline, glued each heart into place.

I made the background paper by first swirling Silver Gelatos onto white cardstock then stamping & over stamping this Repeat Impressions 25th stamp with Versafine Onyx ink.  The focus sentiment is from an older Inkadinkado stamp set I have in my 'Weddings/Anniversaries/Love' stamp drawer.

Well, that's probably it for me today!  

The weather here in Ohio is PERFECT for working on those outdoor projects so I think that I'm going to get out of the 'cave' today and breath in some fresh air!  Hubby and I stopped and bought some beautiful Fall Mums to decorate the front porch after breakfast this morning and I think I hear them calling my name!  LOL!!

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by today!

What every you are doing ... make it fun!

As Always . . .

Cheers!!

Hello my friends ...

How is your day going?  

Mine didn't start out all that great but it's beginning to look up a bit!

Are you aware of the Progressive Challenge that the Sassy Studio Group has over at Paper Craft Planet (PCP)?  Jackie's been doing it for a few months now and I'm thrilled to say I've found made the time to play on each round.  This month you can choose either one of these 'Sassy' images to create with ...

OH NO!  I forgot one important factor!  The THEME ... which is OCTOBERFEST!
Guess it's back to the coloring board for me!!!

Lager Pin Up Sassy

Cheers Sassy

I chose "Cheers Sassy" and not only made one card ... but two!

LOL ... imagine that!

I chose "Cheers Sassy" so I could perch her on a variety of things.  My first card could be used for Valentine's Day ... a Birthday ... or even an Anniversary card since I have her perched on a heart.

 This card was quite simple to create once the coloring and fussy cutting were done!  Some background paper and two dies are all that are used on this creation.

Recipe:
Paper:  White cs, Pink cs, Black cs,  DCWV Valentine Sparkle 12x12 dp (RAK from friend 3 yrs ago)
Accessories: Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Fiskars swivel craft knife, Memory Box #98373 Whimsical Flourish, Memory Box #98479 Heart Ensemble

My second card was equally easy!  I was going to add more sparkle or snow but then thought that perhaps a military wife might want to purchase it to send to her hubby who is overseas as a Christmas card and I know they have to be cautious of sparkly cards.  (keeping the 2 craft shows I have coming up in mind when creating these days).

Doesn't she look festive in her Christmas colors!!  

For my 'snowy' fence, I actually die cut two fences (one white/one brown) with my Cheery Lynn Designs B123 Victorian Picket Fence and cut the top row (pickets) off.  Then by 'offsetting' them it gives the illusion of snow.  

(Figured this out accidentally ... don't you love when that happens, LOL.)

My background paper on this one is as OLD AS THE HILLS!  It is from the DCWV Winter Mat Stack.  Again my coloring was done with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and fussy cutting with my trusty Fiskars Swivel Craft Knife.    The sentiment is a Verses Rubber Stamp.

Let's see if I can find a few other challenges to share these creations with:

Clear it Out Challenge - Men/Boys - Dies/Punches (Card #2)

Creative Card Crew - Christmas (Card #2)

Just Inspirational Challenge - Die Cuts/Punches (Card #1 Flourish & Hearts) (Card #2 Fence)

Oldie But a Goodie - Punches/Dies (dies on both cards are more than 6 mos old)

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Created with Love - Anything Goes

Love to Create - Clean and Simple

My Craft Creations - Stamped/Digi Images

OohLaLa Creations - Cards for Men

Tammy's Scrapin' Corner - Anything Goes

The Pink Elephant Challenge - Digital Images or Papers

Without Words Challenge - Happy Anniversary

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Hope you're having a WONDERFUL day!

As always ...

My Besties Challenge

Good Evening All!

It's nearly time for the Pittsburgh Steelers VS Cincinnati Bengals football game so I will keep this short!

If you follow my blog, you saw me post a cute purple card with an adorable image from the 'My Besties by Sherri Baldy' Wizard of Oz collection.  Well tonight I have yet another card created with an image from that collection.  This one is called 'Wicked Witch' and my creation is for the challenge at My Besties Norway which is Anything Goes. 

Again I have reached into my scrap bin for my background papers and I believe they are from a 12x12 DCWV pack that I've had from years past.  I created the sentiment in PSE because I just didn't have anything that said what I wanted it to say!! The image was matted with hunter green cardstock after being colored with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. 

Isn't she cute!  LOL!!

And, look at the expression on the dog's face ...priceless!

Other Challenges:

Ladybug Crafts - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes (Twist: Happy Fall Y'all)
Besties Challenges - Anything Goes

Almost time for the game to begin ... I'd better get upstairs before I miss kick-off!

Thanks for stopping and as always . . .

Creating with Crafty Secrets

Happy Monday All!

How was your weekend?  

A little on the 'cool' side here in Ohio ... guess that's to be expected this time of year.

Last week I needed to make a variety of cards for my mom and so as not to overwhelm you, I've saved a few to share with you from time to time.  Here are four of those cards which I created using images from the Crafty Secrets - Heartwarming Vintage Collection, Creative Scraps called 'Birds & Blossoms'.  There are several other Creative Scraps themes so be sure to pop over and take a peek.  This is a fabulous way to create fast & easy cards and the images are all so beautiful.

AND ... if you pop on over to Crafty Vintage Girl right now, you will find all 17 different Creative Scraps on SALE ... each under $2.00!  So many beautiful images to create with.

Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!  The skies have cleared up ... it's a cool (and very comfortable) 67 degrees (F) so I think I'll head outside to give hubby a hand cleaning out the garage!

A few challenges:

A Little Bit Crafty - Clean and Simple

Emma's Cards UK - New Crafty Challenge - Birds

Fairies Challenge Blog - Birthday

Cheery Lynn Designs - Things with Wings (Card #4) - Sentiment is CLD dies

Challenge 4 Everybody - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

FALL and FOOTBALL . . .

Happy Football Sunday Everyone!

YES ... we are football people (Pittsburgh Steelers) and although our team doesn't look that great this year and we already have some key players hurt ... you still have to support them!  That's what TRUE FANS DO!!

NOW ... as far as my cards to share today ... I do have one card that relates to my title.  And that is my last entry for the challenge over at Joan's Gardens.  

I've created this CAS Fall card using a new die I purchased at Joan's Garden's on my last visit.  It is by Cheery Lynn Designs ... #B325 'Fall Leaf Mesh Border'.  I actually had to modify the length of it to fit my A6 Gate Fold card but think it came out beautifully!  I even used the leaf I cut out over on the other panel.  (pretty clever, huh!  LOL)  The sentiment is from an old Inkadinkado set and the birds are from Stampscapes.

By simply using sponges and various fall colors of ink ... my leaves really pop. LOVE THAT!

I'm not typically a 'CAS' card style person but I'm very happy with this card and have plenty of room inside for a note to my friend in Toledo whom I know will enjoy hearing from me.

* * * * *

One more card to share today.  

Remember I told you on Friday that we were going next door to young Miss Olivia's 11th birthday party.  Well we did and had a very nice time.  They always make us feel like part of the family.

Check out this cake ... it's GORGEOUS (looks like a wedding cake) and it was YUMMY GOOD too!  It was made at a local Amish run restaurant called Heartville Kitchen in Heartville, OH.

Here's Olivia with her younger sister (9), Miss Emily and little one year old cousin Eli (he's such a cutie ... kept us all in stitches with his funny faces and showing off his belly!  LOL!!

Sorry for the glare in the photos ... I forgot my camera and just snapped a couple quick photos with my phone.

AND, here is the card I made for Olivia.  I try to make the girls something a little SPECIAL because I know they always expect that from me (their crafty neighbor lady ... lol).

I've used this adorable Sassy Studio Designs 'Bubble Gum Sassy' for my card front focus.  And decided to make her a front step card design using the Cheery Lynn Designs die purchased through Joan's Gardens.  (If you have questions on anything else used please leave me a comment... I'll not bore you with all the details right now but would be happy to share that info if needed.)

CHALLENGES:
The ABC Challenge - V for Very Cute

Now, since they always provide a lovely dinner and never want me to bring anything other than hubby & our appetites, I decided to make Olivia's Mom and 2 Grandma's each a pack of note cards.  Just a little thank you for being so kind.

Well that's it for me today ... it's almost game time so I'd better get movin'!!

Hope you are having a fabulous day and as always . . .

A little Shabby Chic, A little Sassy & A touch of FALL!

Hello my friends and welcome to another WEEKEND!!!

I tell you ... these weeks are just FLYING BY!!

It's gotten down right 'chilly' here in NE Ohio and you can certainly feel FALL in the air!

Today I'd like to share a couple of cards with you.  First is the card I created for the fun Dare To Be Sassy challenge over at Sassy Studio Designs ... which is SHABBY CHIC.

I've had this sweet 'Cinderella PinUp' image colored and on my worktable for a while now and thought she'd work nicely for this challenge  (what do you think of her fishnet stockings??  LOL)

Recipe:

Papers:  Ivory cs, Pink cs

Accessories:  Marianne LR0236 dies, Marianne LR0157 dies,  Cheery Lynn Designs B117S Fanciful Flourish die, Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps (bird panel & musical wings), Jambo adhesive back lace, Embossalicious 'petite dot' embossing folder, Darice flowers, Stickles, xPress It foam mounting tape, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers

OOPS ...forgot to share the closeup!

* * * * * * * * * *

The second card I'd like to share is a 2nd entry for the challenge at Joan's Gardens.  This week's challenge requirements are:

• Include Leaves on your card
• Fall colors
• Tree and/or bird
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens. Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Gardens Challenge.

This card was a lot of fun to create.  

If you saw my first entry for Joan's challenge then you know the process I used for the leaves.  I once again dipped into my scrap bin for the background papers (really trying to use up as many scraps as possible!).  My trees were created using a Stampscapes rubber stamp (Tree Trunk Trio - 088F) and Ranger 'coffee' Archival ink.  These cute birds are from brown cardstock and the Impression Obsession 058-N die.  My Fall Colors sentiment is an OLD Inkadinkado set and I've used Tim Holtz Red Barn/Memento Bamboo Leaves/SU More Mustard for the colors.

I would also like to add this to the Stampendous Impressions "Fall Fun"  challenge.

Well I hope you've enjoyed seeing my card creations for today!  I gather SO MUCH inspiration from all of you out there in blogland that I just hope you find a little inspiration from my work as well!

I have two craft shows coming up so I'd better get off the computer and get busy creating!  

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Have a fabulous weekend and as always . . .

Flourishes Lastest Release

OMG ... I'm late, I'm late ... deadline is 5 pm (est) TODAY!!

Shew ... just getting my entry in under the wire!

OKAY ... now that I've taken a deep breath I can tell you about the fabulous September release FLOURISHES is showcasing ... they have some AMAZING images that I know you will want as much as I do!  AND ... you have the opportunity to WIN THEM ALL by joining in on their challenges.  Click on their name to get all the details.

I chose to play along with the 'Get In Shape' Challenge.  I never think to make 'shaped' cards so this was the perfect opportunity.

For my shape I chose to use the SU 'Top Note' die.  Simply cut it twice and folded one in half to create the stand and a place for a little note!

The Flourishes set I have used is a very OLD one but a lovely one none the less.  It is called 'Fantasy Floral Garden' and I've used my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for the coloring.  

I hope you like this little shaped card and be sure to pop over and check out their latest release!  

As always . . .

Sure feels like FALL . . .

HAPPY FRIDAY my FRIENDS!

WOW!  What a change our weather has made ... it was in the 90s early in the week and today it's 60s ... and we wonder why everyone is sick!  YIKES!!  Well, I guess it is that time of the year here in Ohio when our temperatures are going to start dropping and so are the leaves off our trees!

Speaking of FALL ... that's the direction Joan at Joan's Gardens took this week for her challenge ... here's what she's requiring this time around:

• Include Leaves on your card
• Fall colors
• Tree and/or bird
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens. Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Gardens Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.atjoansgardens.com

With these things in mind, and in need of a birthday card for a very close friend, my first thought was to use the Cheery Lynn Designs Step Card Die I purchased from Joan on my last visit to Indiana. 

I LOVE how this card came together and I think my friend will love it too!  The sentiment is from www.stampingsensations.com and I inked the entire stamp with SU 'More Mustard' ink first, then inked one corner using TH 'Red Barn' ink and the other corner using Memento 'Bamboo Leaves' ink so it would tie in with the Fall theme.  

For the inside of my card, I stamped an older SU set called 'Lovely As A Tree' in Memento 'Bamboo Leaves' green ink onto ivory cardstock and cut around the trees with my Fiskars swivel craft knife.  This 'Special Card for a Special Person' sentiment by Inkadinkado pretty well summed up my feeling for this lovely lady (we've been friends since high school and that has been a L-O-N-G time!)

For my leaves I wanted to get that 'speckled' look you see on so many fall leaves ... you know what I'm talking about ... the ones that have a little bit of all the Fall colors.  So to do that I decided to grab a scrap piece of yellow-gold cardstock from the bin and start spritzing with various ink sprays and etc. that I had close at hand.   I used Dylusions 'postbox red', 'pure sunshine', Perfect Pearls 'heirloom gold' and a few dabs of Tim Holtz 'peeled paint' distress stain.  Gave it a minute to dry then used my OLD Spellbinder Fall Leaves dies for the Oak and Maple leaves I wanted to adhere to the front.  They came out exactly as I had envisioned! 

Here are a few other challenges I'd like to enter into:

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Autumn

CCEE Stampers - Fun Folds

Happy Campers - Use a Stamp

 MilkCoffee Challenge - Fabulous Fall Colors

Sarah Hurley - Autumn Glow

Pollycraft Challenge - Harvest Colors

Scrapper's Delight - Birthday Inspiration

LEJ Designs - Autumnal Colors

Loves Rubberstamps - Have a Sentiment on the Front

A Creative Romance - Dies or Punches
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Anything Goes
Creative Corner Challenge - Autumn Leaves are Falling
Jo's Scrap Shack - Autumn
Quick Quotes - Anything Goes
Sister Act Challenge - Anything Goes
Stempelson - Orange, Green & Brown

The Artistic Stamper September Challenge - Autumn
Card A Day September Challenge - Autumn
Stampendous Impressions "Fall Fun"

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope I've inspired you in some small way today!  

If nothing else, here's a reminder to tell those you love how important they are to you ... even if it's a friend whom you haven't seen in a long time.   Pick up that phone, pop a card in the snail mail ... or even a quick email or text!  You'll be amazed what a difference it will make in their day! 

Your comments always MAKE MY DAY!

As always . . .

A.R.T. #14 - Baby Girl Challenge

Happy Thursday dear friends!

It's time for another fun challenge at the

 A.R.T. (A Random Thursday) Challenge Blog.

As you can see by my title, today's theme is:

BABY GIRL

I have had this Serendipity Stamp for several years and I just think it's adorable and fun for paper piecing.  What do you think??

For the inside of my card I was just going to stamp one set of booties with this sweet Impression Obsession stamp and position the sentiment over top ... but then when it didn't stamp correctly (dang!) I decided to stamp all over the inside cover in hopes of making my 'boo boo' less obvious!  LOL!  Have you ever done that????  Grrrrr!

Anyways ... I think it looks pretty cute and hopefully the recipient will too!

A few additional challenges:

DL.ART September Linky Party - Anything Goes

Crafting by Design - Anything Goes

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Paper Piecing
 Crafty Little Fairies - New Baby
Delightful Challenges - New Beginnings
Happy Campers - Use a Stamp
In the Pink - KISS (Keep It Sweet n Simple)

I'm looking forward to having you join in our challenge fun and by all means, if you need inspiration, be sure to check out the amazing creations by my team mates!!
 

Thanks SO MUCH for all your support and for just taking the time to stop by!  I so appreciate it!!

As always and until next time . . .

 

Recipe:

Papers:  Recollections dp, SU Pink Pirouette cs, White cs

Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps , Hobby Lobby 'PrintWorks' D3698 'First Steps' sentiment stamp, Impression Obsession E6117 ' Booties', JustRite 'Large Fancy Sentiments'

Accessories:  Spellbinder Labels 17, Fiskars swivel craft knife, Offray pink satin ribbon, xPress It Foam Mounting Tape, Bow Easy, Spectrum Noir PP5 alcohol marker, TH black distress marker for 'x' doodling

Playing with My Besties

Good Morning Friends!

We are waiting for 'the rains to come' here in Ohio so I figured that's makes for a good time to play in my cave.  

Today I'm playing with my new "Sherri Baldy "Besties' digi stamps" which I was thrilled to have won recently.  They are all so cute and fun to color and I won the entire 'Wizard of Oz Collection' ... how cool is that!!!   I decided to play with the image called 'Witch' for today's creation.  The the two main challenges I will be participating in are:

My Besties Norge - Anything Goes ( ends 9/13)

Besties Challenge - Monochromatic (9/9 - 9/15)

 And here is my card . . .

The background design papers are from my scrap bin.  Purple is my favorite color so that was my 'monochromatic' color choice.  After coloring her with my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and cutting her to the size I wanted for my focus ... there seemed to be TOO MUCH white space so I used a Halloween Inkadinkado stamp to add the 'Bat vines' and "EEK!" is a Studio G sentiment stamp.  

I actually think I'll put a 'Birthday' sentiment on the inside ... something like "ANOTHER birthday ... ".

A couple more challenges:

4 Krafty Girlz - Anything Goes

DL.ART September Linky Party - Anything Goes

Seize the Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes ... Birthday

Crafting by Design - Anything Goes

Well I hear thunder ... guess I'd better shut down until the storm passes.  See you later!  

Thanks for stopping by and

As always . . .

Butterfly Kisses for Papercrafting Inspiration

Good Evening my Friends!

I should have been down in my cave earlier to share this creation with you but as luck would have it, I got busy with other things and time got away from me.  Oh dear ... well I'm here now and anxious to share!

My friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) introduced me to a fun challenge and today is my first time playing.  It's called Papercrafting Inspiration: Magazine Monday and this is Week Twenty-Two.

This is the inspirational magazine cover we are using this week.

From this cover I drew much inspiration but I quickly knew what my first entry would be (yes I plan on doing more than one card for this challenge ... how could you not!!)  SO MANY wonderful visions and ideas are swimming around in my head!!

My eye was drawn directly to the flower & butterfly since I so love Mother Nature and all her beauty.  I went directly to the beautiful DCWV Mariposa matstack of papers for my card base.  This paper already has so much going on I simply added this Serendipity Stamps sentiment and a couple of K&Co 3d butterflies and my card is ready to send.

I'm really intrigued with the image of the bowl of eggs and the blue glass ... hmmmm wonder what I could create with that as my inspiration ... maybe tomorrow will produce something wonderful ... time will tell! 

But since it is nearly bedtime and I still need to clean up the kitchen (dang maid didn't show up again!  LOL!)  I'd better say my good nights and get back upstairs!

But before I go, here are a few other challenges I would love to enter into:

Creative Card Crew Challenge #44 - Things with Wings

Loves Rubberstamps Challeng#69 - Have a Sentiment on the Front

Allsorts Challenge #223 - Butterflies

Anything Goes Challenge Blog - In The Garden/add some butterflies

Cards and More - Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown - Anything Goes
Inkspiration Challenge - Photo 

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek at my work ... 

As always my friends . . .