Butterflies in Flight

Hello friends and Happy Weekend to you!!

Yesterday I spotted the pile of 'stackables' I've had on the shelf for a VERY long time and thought it was about time I did something with them.  As mentioned in my last post, I have a couple of Fall Shows coming up (hopefully) and I'm ALWAYS in need of LOTS of birthday cards so here's what I've come up with to share with you today.

This particular package of stackables is from the Dufex Craft Products company.
I was going to share their website but I see it's no longer available ... sorry ... see, told you I've had these for a VERY long time!  LOL   

For this first card I've simply made a swiss dot embossed background and add the Tutti Designs Happy Birthday dies sentiment .

 

Here's card #2 created from the same sheet.  I don't have the coordinating extra butterflies on this one ... they were already popped out of the sheet so I guess somewhere along the line I've used them on another project.

I have used a couple more VERY old item to embellish my card and that is the Martha Stewart Trellis punch and the 3-in-1 butterfly punch.  I've used the same Tutti Designs Happy Birthday dies for the sentiment.

Here are a few challenges I'd like to share in:

Your Next Stamp Challenge #168 - Birthdays
2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #54 (LAST CHALLENGE) - ATG Critters (butterflies)
A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #145 - ATG (ends 10/14)
Creative Sketchy Girls Challenge #63 - Butterflies
Mod Squad Challenge - Butterflies
Creative Knockouts Challenge #419 - Wings & Things

  Well, that's it for me today!
Lots to do so I'd best get busy!

Enjoy your weekend, and PLEASE stay healthy & happy!
We're only given one life ... make each day count!  

As always,

It's almost SHOW TIME ...

Hello Friends and Happy Friday!!

The time certainly seems to be FLYING by so I'd better start concentrating on what I need for a couple of upcoming November craft shows I have signed up for.  Both were cancelled last year due to covid so my payment was transferred over to this years shows and hopefully they will be able to take place.  With covid on the rise again here in Ohio I'm not sure what will happen but either way, I need to be prepared.

So with that being said, I found this fabulous designer paper at Hobby Lobby the other day when I was with a friend purchasing product for new Christmas wreaths she had commissioned me to create for her house this holiday season.

The patterns are different one to the other but the color scheme is the same.

I bought several sheets of this 12x12 pattern as I want to give this one to my daughter but think it would sell well also so will make up a few more.  I'm really lovin' these old trucks and the black/white gingham goes so well with the autumn theme.

This pattern only came in the 8 1/2 x 11 size so it took a couple of sheets to complete my tissue box cover.  Whereas, I can get one box completed out of 1 - 12x12 sheet.  But the pattern was so inviting I just had to have it!

Challenges to share in:

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper September Challenge - ATG with patterned paper
Girls Creative Crafts Challenge #17 (ends Oct 14) - Autumn
Sparkles Forum Challenge #144 (winner post Oct. 15) - Autumn Colors
DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #285 (ends Sept 22)- Fall Colors
Crafty Girls Corner Challenge #223 (ends Oct 12) - Hello Fall
The Paper Funday September Challenge (winner post Oct 5) - ATG twist - Autumn/Fall
Ike's World Challenge #148 (ends Oct 4) - ATG Fall/Autumn

Here's a quick peek at the wreaths I created for my friend.

She was very happy with them and is excited to decorate her windows for Christmas this year! LOL  I did  five wreaths this size and one larger with the same products but different design for the door.  The all have white lights on them so should be really pretty. 

Well back to work ... it's laundry day so I'm running up/down the steps but at least I'm getting my exercise while I'm getting cards made for these upcoming shows.   Hope you have a FABULOUS weekend ahead!  Stay safe & healthy!!  Covid is still out there!!

Thanks so much for stopping by ... as always,

Make The Cards Challenge #33

 

 Welcome back friends!

It's time for a new challenge over on  Make The Cards Challenge.

Today we are having a sketch challenge ...

 

What a fun sketch to create with today!  The possibilities are ENDLESS but since I am always in need of Birthday cards, that is the theme I had in mind when choosing papers, embellishments.

I've used Mintay 'Graceful' designer papers today and a Tutti Designs flag die.  I punched a few holes at the top to run my thin organza ribbon through and tied a bow to make it extra pretty.  My sentiment dies are from Tutti Designs and the balloons were created using an Elizabeth Craft die set and the strings are actually Nuvo Crystal drops.

I'm not sure why my PINK balloon came out more of an salmon color  ... because, it's REALLY PINK and matches the background paper perfectly!  LOL  oh well, sometimes you just can't trust those cameras!  They can have a mind of their own!

Challenges to share in:

Dies R Us Challenge #177 - ATG w/store dies
Get Creative Challenge #105 - ATG
Crafter's Castle September Challenge - ATG

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun ... here's the link for you one more time ...

Make The Cards Challenge

 As always . . .

 

Double D Challenge - Leaves

 

Hello Dear Friends!

It's time once again for a new challenge over on the Double D Challenge Blog!

I'm happy to say I am hosting today's challenge and our theme is:

 

 LEAVES

 

and here's an inspiration board I've created to help get you started . . .

 

 I was originally inspired by the yellow/green leaves in the upper right corner so that's where my project began as I used a (new to me) stencil from ciaobellapaper.com called Ramage.  

Using TH oxide inks and large sponge daubers.  I was very happy with that but then I thought I'd 'double down' and use a second die over top this first layer.  So I grabbed my Tim Holtz Autumn Layering Stencil and used more orange, red & green TH oxide inks for these fall leaves.

My sentiment is a very old wooden block stamp by stampingsensations.com. (no longer in business).  To tie in with the sentiment, I add a few tiny little 'diamonds' for embellishment.

The prize that you'll be playing for this time around is:
Impression Obsession - Dies - Small Leaf Set

 Remember, it's a random draw for the winner so it could be YOU!!

 So be sure to pop over to the Double D Challenge Blog to see all the details and amazing samples offered up by our VERY TALENTED design team ladies!!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hope to see you at Double D! 

  As always . . .

Perfectly CAS Challenge #19

 

  Hello Friends!

Today starts a new challenge over on the Perfectly CAS Challenge Blog. 
Here's our theme for the month of September:

 

I hope you will join in the challenge - just make sure you understand the rules.

For all the rules check out the 'How To Play' TAB under our challenge header.

The challenge is all about helping you stay
within 1/3 of your card to make sure it is CAS.

I look forward to seeing what you create.

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
As always . . .

 

Two Old Bats Mid Month Reminder

 Hello Friends! 
OLD BAT Darlene here to remind you we are half way through the month and you don't want to miss out on joining in the fun over on the Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge Blog.

I've created a card to help inspire you  ... what do you think??

 

Isn't this image awesome?  I found it online and printed it onto glossy photo 4x6 paper.
HOPE TO SEE YOU OVER AT THE TWO OLD BATS CHALLENGE!

Challenges to share in:

This is Halloween September Challenge - ATG Halloween

Thanks for stopping by!

Darlene

 

 

Celebrate Your Day

 HELLO FRIENDS!

Today I have a card to share that was actually a design team boo-boo!
Yep it happens!  LOL
I created it for an upcoming sketch challenge but after the card was done and I was writing up the post I realize I had misinterpreted the sketch (guess I should have blown up the photo so these old eyes caught all the pieces & parts lol).  Anyway, I created a new card for that upcoming obligation and decided to share this one with you today and play along in a few Fall challenge floating around out there in blogland.

Those challenges to share in are:

Crafty Gals Corner September Challenge - Hello Fall (ends 10/12)
The Paper Funday September Challenge - ATG - Twist/Autumn - Fall
Paper Minutes Challenge - Fall Flowers


A very simple yet pretty design that would fit any occasion! 
I have several Fall birthdays so this card will be put to good use!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend ahead!
Sure feels like Fall here in Ohio but I hear we'll be back up in the 80s next week ... ugh!
As always ...

Christmas is Coming . . .

 Hello my friends!

For the first time in a long time, I've created a card to share that is not a designated DT project.  I thought I'd take a peek at Paper Playful and see what I could create quickly to get posted onto my blog for today.  Well, the first thing I saw was the challenge over on ABC Christmas Challenge ... the letters for this challenge are S & T.

S for Stencil
and
T for Two

You can choose either S or T but I decided to use both on my project.

The Stencil I've used is a new one to my stencil collection and it's called 'Field of Snowy Trees' (#SC-178) by Picket Fence Studios.

 

And, the  Two element is my pair of deer.  The big buck is by Memory Box called 'Woodland Deer' (#98679)

 and the doe is by Dee's Distinctively called 'Deer 2' (#IME-099).

I began my card by creating the base from white card stock then inked the top two thirds with TH distress oxide Broken China ink for the sky.  Next I stenciled my trees using TH distress oxide Rustic Wilderness.  Though difficult to see, I tore a strip of white card stock and attached to the bottom of my card to mimic a snow bank.  Added my deer & sentiment ... VIOLA my card is ready to send.

 Other challenges to share in:

The Male Room Challenge #154 - Nature's Bounty

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #54 (LAST CHALLENGE) - ATG w/Critter
Christmas Crafts All Year Round September Challenge - Use letters Q or R  (I used R - Reindeer)
Crafty Animals Challenge #54 - ATG
The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge #100 - ATG Christmas

 Well that about does it for me today! 
Temps here in Ohio, USA are really starting to feel like Fall. In fact, I see some of the maple trees are already starting to change color on the tops.  Ugh where is the time going???

Anyways, have a fabulous remainder of your day & week.
Till next time ...

Make The Cards Challenge #32

 Welcome back friends!

It's time for a new challenge over on  Make The Cards Challenge.

Today we are having a Pick 3 Tic-Tac-Toe challenge ...

 

For today's card, my Pick 3 are on the diagonal ...
Your favorite color - Tag - Background Stamp

Obviously (anyone who knows me) is aware my favorite color is PURPLE.  I have die cut a tag using a Tutti Designs tag die set (used the largest die in the set) and the background stamp image is a VERY OLD Stampin' Up called Floral.

I've made this into a birthday tag by die cutting the Tutti Designs Happy & Birthday THREE times.  Once from black, once from a darker purple and once from lavender then glued them together in an offset pattern to create shadows.

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun ... here's the link for you one more time ...

Make The Cards Challenge

 As always . . .

 

The Sisterhood of Crafters - CAS - CUTE & SIMPLE

 

 Hello my friends!

Today I have a card for the new challenge over on The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Our theme, chosen by Sistah Annie, is:

 

CAS - CUTE & SIMPLE
(TAKE NOTE:   This is not clean & simple .... it is CUTE and Simple!)

 
I had so much fun with this card!  When I hear CUTE, I think of anything involving babies and the adorable little baby animals dies available today are just so darn cute!!    Hence the reason I decided on this cute Frantic Stamper 'Gladys the Giraffe' die (FRA-DIE-10451).

I die cut a couple scalloped rectangles to create my frame then used a Spectrum Noir alcohol marker to create the spots around it.  Using the same marker, I created more spots (possibly faux stitching lol) around the top & side of my base card.

 

 Using a similar colored card stock, I die cut the word HUGS using an older Memory Box Classic Alphabet die set.  So there you have it ... CUTE & SIMPLE!!

  I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

My 'sistahs' have created some fabulous creations to help inspire you ... 

be sure to pop over and check them out!

 As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

 

It's Two Old Bats time again . . .

 

Hello friends and thanks for stopping by today!

It's time once again for a new monthly challenge over on the
Two Old Bats Halloween Blog!

Just wait until you see what the team has created ... OMG!!  And to help us get our mojo going, Diane (yep, my Old Bat partner) has created this fabulous inspiration board. . .

 

 Now, I was inspired by the hats & spiders in creating today's card.

 What fun is this image that I found online and printed onto glossy photo paper.   The other items used are VERY VERY OLD and it was fun to rummage through to see what I had in my stash that hadn't been shown any love for a long time.

 Just to refresh your memory ... here's a recap of how things are done on our blog.

 Monthly Challenge

• Start on the 2nd of the month
• Ends on the 28th of the month
• Winners chosen by the DT
• Winners announced on the 1st of the month prior to start of next new challenge.
• We will be accepting Guest Designers ... let us know if you're interested.
• There will be PRIZES  if we have 50+ entries.
  

I hope you've enjoyed today's share and thanks so much for stopping by!

REMEMBER ...

You have until September 28th to enter.
Hope to see you there!

Challenge to share in:

This is Halloween September challenge - ATG Halloween

Have a SPOOKTACULAR DAY
and PLEASE be sure to tell your friends about this challenge!!

 

Make The Cards Challenge #31

 Welcome back friends!

Note:  At the first of the month my challenge posts sort of pile up on each other, so you may want to scroll down or click to see  Four Seasons, Double D, Merry Little Christmas and Mix It Up Challenge posts.  Thank you!

It's time for a new challenge over on  Make The Cards Challenge.

Today we are having a 3-2-1 challenge ...

 

How much fun is that!!!

Here's my 3-2-1 selections:

• 3 Colors of Card Stock - Blue, Green & White
• 2 Critters - Dogs from the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous 'Crazy Dogs'
• 1 Stencil - My Favorite Things Clouds

 I've used Tombow markers for the coloring on my dogs then once dry, I die cut them with the coordinating dies.  I've used the blue cardstock & white dye ink for my sky and I tore a panel of lime green cardstock for the grass.

Simple ... but effective I think!

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun ... here's the link for you one more time ...

Make The Cards Challenge

 As always . . .

 

Mix It Up Challenge - Monochromatic

Hello my friends!

A new month means a new challenge over on the Mix It Up Challenge Blog.

Remember, this is a monthly Anything Goes challenge but with a fun twist that you can choose to join in on ... or not!  This month's theme is:

 

 Anything Goes + Monochromatic

 

Once again I've dipped into my older dies to create.

I've used PaperRose 'Grass Edge' (#17571) and Die-namites 'Fancy Birdhouses' (#DN1168).  My sentiment is Lawn Fawn 'A Little Note' (#LF2176).

 

I do hope you'll pop over to the Mix It Up Challenge Blog and join in the fun!

You have until 6 PM EST the last day of the month to enter!

I'm so inspired by the rest of our amazing DT 

and I can't wait to be inspired by YOUR project!

 

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!