Merry and Bright

Wow!  Friday again!  Time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: use ribbon and die cuts.  Easy!!  

My card was relatively quick and easy (although even quick and easy seems to take me a long time!).  I already had the image colored and cut out and the red oval was in my bits and pieces stash.  I even managed to use some scraps of paper for the stripes and the flowers.  Now, hop on over to the CSAYL blog and get all the details, then get inky and play along.

Challenges:

Viva La Verve March week 2--sketch

 

Desert Island Craft Challenge #73--use at least 3 of the following (I used #1, 3{lime green}, 4, 6,)

1.  polka dots

2.  make it an ATC or tag

3.  citrus colors

4.  add ribbon

5.  spring theme

6.  add eyelets

7.  include an animal

8.  zombies

9.  washi tape

10.  monochromatic

Cuttlebug Mania--dotty

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #169--all wrapped up (scarf on my snowman)

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown--paper flowers

Christmas Card #17--anything goes

{Pin}spirational Challenge #100--anything goes

Party Time Tuesdays--anything goes

Paper Pretties #303--paper piercing

Fab n' Funky #205--Christmas

DRS Designs #115--Leftovers again?

Supplies:

Stamps: Fred She Said "Hat Tipping Snowman" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas"

Dies/punches: spellbinders classic ovals and scalloped ovals, large; flower punch

Papers; DCWV Christmas pack

Magical Birthday

My oldest is turning 8 tomorrow!  I can't believe it; where has the time gone??  I used this super cute "Taylorbell" image from Emma Canning.  Printed it out twice, once on white card stock and once on vellum from which I cut out only the wings.  I wanted to give them a translucent look as if they were real fairy wings.  I added a bit of silver glitter glue for sparkle, but it made them curl right up, so I had to back them with the original wings that I had already cut off.  But it still gives a neat look and looks a bit more dimensional as I glued the body on top of the vellum wing layer.  I added a smattering of gold stars that are actually leftovers from a border die.  It gives the look of a bit of fairy dust coming from her wand.  And I added one to her hair for a little headband.  Oh, yeah, I also added a sheet of vellum to the pink doily paper to tone down the color a bit and make it less distracting behind the image.

 I masked off part of the sentiment and added it to both the outside and inside of the card with a few more of those shiny gold stars.  I think she'll love it!

Challenges:

Paper Nest Dolls #6--anything goes

Inkspirational Challenge #52--photo inspiration I chose to use a rainbow of colors

Word Art Wednesday #124--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

My Favorite Things #168--sketch

Creative Knockouts #29--things with wings

Brown Sugar Challenge #86--anything goes

Sister Act Card Challenge #49--anything goes

The Squirrel & The Fox #66--inspired by a book (Peter Pan)

Supplies:

Stamps:  Emma Canning "Taylorbell" digi; MFT "ALM Genie" sentiment

Dies: spellbinders classic circles, large; Sizzix star die; Verve "Scalloped Trim Trio" used to make the tiny stars

Paper: Recollections "Tattered and Worn"

Christmas Cupcake

Well, hello, everyone!  It's Friday again and that means time for another Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Challenge.  This week we have another easy one for you: Your favorite color combo.  Our sponsor is Meljen's Designs and the prize will be some of their adorable images.

  Now, I said that this challenge was an easy one, but it didn't turn out so for me. : )  My favorite color is blue, so I thought to use that at first.  But then I saw some of the other DT members had used it, so I wanted to do something a bit different.  My favorite card combo is pink and green.  But that isn't really Christmas-y (though I have used it once or twice).  Then, I thought about how elegant the black and white combo is with a pop of red and decided to go with that.  Phew!  So, after all that, here is the card:

Now, hop on over to the CSAYL blog to see the other projects and the full details.  Hopefully, you will have an easier time choosing your favorite color combo.

Challenges:
Crimbo Crackers #60--cute Christmas
Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge #20--emboss it (I used heat embossing on my background; both the swirls in black and the snowflakes in gold)
Lacy Sunshine #29--anything goes
Lexi's Creations #112--use your punches and dies
Sweet Stamps #161--anything goes
Die Cuttin' Divas--snack lovers (I love cupcakes!  I just think they are so cute!!)
Tuesday Throwdown #187--tic-tac-toe (I used bling, a digi, and ribbon)
Twisted Tuesday #72--Don't go near the edge with the twist of using dictionary paper
Crafting By Designs--use a ribbon (the black strip behind the snowflake is black grossgrain ribbon)
Crafty Creations #259--Holiday
Paper Pretties #302--create your own background
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2--sketch

Timeless Tuesday #263--a touch of gold
Supplies:
Stamps: Meljen's Designs "Christmas Cupcake" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment, "Merry & Bright" snowflakes; Clear Dollar Stamps "Elegant Flourishes"
Dies: spellbinders "Floral Doily Motifs", Classic circles, large; PTI snowflake die; Verve "Classy Labels Mini" dies

80th birthday

Card and matching envelope, and the inside of the card.

Challenges:
Paper Pretties #301--birthday cards
The Crafter's Cafe #54--flowers
The Stamping Chef--anything goes
Charisma Cardz #6--Birthday girls
Creative Knockouts--border time
Sister Act Card Challenge #48--anything goes
Treasured Times #14--anything goes with layering
Milk Coffee Challenges--at least 2 flowers

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "The Sweet Life" and "Big Birthday Wishes"; Sweet 'n' Sassy "Celebrating Milestones"
Dies: PTI "The Sweet Life", "By the Numbers" and border die
Inks: PTI Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet and New Leaf; SU! real red

Christmas ornament

It's mid-way through March already, can you believe it?  Today we are giving you some mid-month inspiration on the Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra blog.  Remember that it is a month long, anything goes (as long as it is Christmas themed) challenge.  There's no excuse not to play along, and when you do, think of all the Christmas cards you will have all finished and ready to go come December.  I didn't use any bits and pieces today, but I did use up all the ribbon on the spool and I already had the image printed out and colored.

Challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2--sketch

C.R.A.F.T. #250--Christmas

Crafty Ribbons #80--ribbons and bows

Sister Act Card Challenge #42--anything goes

Supplies:

Stamps: Fred She Said "Christmas Ornament 2" digi

Sparkly

It's FRIDAY!  That means it's time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.  This week the challenge is: Sparkle and Shine (use gems, glitter, etc.)  Who doesn't love a bit of sparkle?!  Our sponsor is the fabulous Bugaboo Stamps and here is my card using their image: Reindeer Christmas Goodies.

 He is pretty cute, isn't he?  I used sparkly paper, jeweled brads, glitter and silver embossing powder.  I think that's pretty sparkly. : )  I also put the little guy on a tag that can be pulled out from behind the vellum strip.  And I stamped a special message beneath the tag, forgetting that the vellum was going to be there and would be stamped on.  Oops!

Since this guy seemed to be all dressed up with his little bowtie, I couldn't resist adding a row of buttons to his belly to make it look like a dress shirt.  Hope Bugaboo doesn't mind, but I think it's super cute.  Now, it's time to hop on over to the CSAYL blog for all the details and to see the projects from the rest of the DT.  Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. #250--Christmas

Mod Squad--tag . . . you're it!

Fab n' Funky #207--animals (NO people)

My Favorite Things #167--sketch

Completely Christmas--anything goes

Supplies:

Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Reindeer Christmas Goodies" digi; Verve "Merry & Bright" sentiments and snowflakes

Dies/punches: PTI snowflake die (love this!!!  And love it even more with glitter on it!); EK Success corner holder punch

Paper: The Robin's Nest "Canada Stripe"

CAS birthday

 I've had these pre-cut card blanks for several years and have never used them.  Mostly because I like to start with a sketch and no sketches ever fit this.  But this week I finally found a sketch that worked and I have to say, I will probably be using more like this in the future.  I love how it turned out.  Nice a CAS and girly. : )  The oval was already cut out, so I started by laying my banner strips on top and then trimming them out from the back.  Then I stamped the sentiment  and a flower that just peeks through.  It needed something else, so I added a stitches stamp and than three pearls.  Here's what the inside looks like when opened.

 And here is the card and the matching envelope.  I stamped the same flower from the card onto the corner.  It's faint, but you can just see it.  No items from my bits and pieces stash were used, but the banner strips were all scraps I had been saving for "something".

Challenges:

Art Impressions #131--Take a Peek (window/opening card)

Paper Pretties #301--birthday cards

Crafter's Cafe #54--flowers

Word Art Wednesday #123--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Creative Inspirations #256--favorite color combo (my favorite card making combo is green and pink)

Tuesday Throwdown #186--stitching

Going Grey with Scrap Creations--pastels

Viva La Verve March week 1--sketch

Supplies:

Stamps: Rubbernecker Stamps "Garden Sentiments"; PTI "Year of Flowers: Collection" carnation

Birthdays

For Christmas, I received the envelope punch board, and I LOVE it!!!  Not only is it easy, you can make envelopes in practically any size.  Which means, you can make an envelope for a card, and then make a matching (super cute) little envelope to hold the gift!!

 My best friends birthday is tomorrow and I made her some earrings. And then I made an adorable little envelope to match the one I made for her birthday card.  So cute!  And while we are talking about adorable, did you see those roses on the card?  I made them using this tutorial I found on Pinterest.  And I even managed to pull in an item from my bits and pieces stash: the scalloped green oval.

Challenges:
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2--sketch

Our Daily Bread Designs #194--amethyst, purple, lavender
Card Mania Challenges #42--something new (I used a new flower punch to make the flowers and birthdays celebrate the start of a new year)
Treasured Times #13--anything goes with layering
Verve March Diva Dare--Do the polka
Creative Knockouts--Girlz Rule
Inkspirational Challenge #51--purple, white, green (pick at least 2)
Crafter's Cafe #53--fiber or lace

Supplies:
Stamps: Rubbernecker Stamps "Garden Sentiments (I think)
Dies: spellbinders fleur di lis squares, scalloped ovals and classic ovals, large; Sizzix stars (leaves of the flowers)

Birthday presents

 The birthday rush begins now in my family and circle of friends.  There are several in the next 4-6 weeks.  So, I'll be making lots of birthday cards.  This one is for a little friend of my daughters'   I think it is sooooo adorable.  I've had this stamp for quite a while and haven't used it yet.  I will definitely be using it again.  Every piece is paper pieced, even that adorable little elephant.  So cute!  I added glitter pen to the stars and the pompom on top of his hat.  The first picture shows the sparkle better, then second (below) shows the little vellum banner better.  I couldn't decide which photo I preferred, so I posted both. : )

Challenges:
Raisin Boat #19--It's a girl thing
Art Impressions #130--sheer perfection (use vellum)
V's Sweet Ideas #21--"kids" theme
Your Next Stamp #10--sketch or inspiration photo (I chose the sketch)

Lacy Sunshine #88--spring colors
Crafty Creations #258--happy birthday
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #87--use a birthday sentiment
Crafty Ribbons #79--anything goes with ribbon
Sister Act #47--anything goes
Crafty Catz #221--Paper Piecing
Fussy and Fancy #109--birthdays
Verve March Diva Dare--do the polka
Treasured Times Rubber Stamps Challenge#13--anything goes with lots of layers

Supplies:
Stamps: Wild Rose Studio elephant with presents; PTI "Hands of Time" sentiment
Dies: spellbinders rectangles, and file folder tab; Verve "Pennant Trim Die"; Fiskars Upper Crest border punch

Blessings

A young lady in our extended family is getting baptized on Sunday.  This sweet card is for her.  I don't have any baptism stamps, but I think this elegant church building gets the idea across. : )    The church image and one of the pearl flourishes was in my "bits and pieces" stash; I was just playing around with the color, but it really worked well with this color scheme.  Unfortunately, by cutting the circle out of the square panel, I added two more pieces to the stash. So net gain = 0.  The polka dotted circle is pretty cute, I should be able to use it up a little more easily than some other items.  The sentiment is a bit hard to read sideways.  It says "I'm proud of you".

Challenges:
Dis Digi Designs--make it green (the aqua tides card stock is green though it reads kind of gray in the photo and the flourishes are mint colored)
One Sweet Challenge--Scream for green
Crafts Galore--stamp or digi
Sentimental Sunday #196--sketch

Twisted Tuesday #71--live a clean, green life (no distressing and no inking, though I really wanted to ink the edges of the sentiment piece)
Word Art Wednesday #122--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
C.R.A.F.T. #249--Mother's Day or for a Female
Stamping with Dragon--Let's go green
Sister Act Card Challenge #47--anything goes
Pattie's Creations #87--green for St. Patrick's Day
Sweet n' Sassy release challenge--stamp on die cuts
Verve March Diva Dare--Do the Polka
Raisin Boat #20--It's A Girl Thing

Supplies:
Stamps: Emma Canning "Church" digi; PTI "The Sweet Life" roses; Verve "Take Note" sentiment
Dies: spellbinders circles, large, Floral Doily Motif,  and File Folder tab; PTI "The Sweet Life" die

Little Cutie

Good morning, everyone!!  Today marks the beginning of the first challenge(for this year) from Christmas Stampin' All Year Round!  Yeay!  It's been a couple months so I hope you are all ready to pull out your Christmas supplies and get to work.  We have a beautiful inspiration photo for this challenge:

Here's my take on the challenge:

 It's a really fun gift card holder made out of an A2 size envelope.  All the hard work is already done for you. : )  The scalloped circle and stamped circle sentiment were in my "bits and pieces" stash as was the snowflake paper oval.  I am slowly whittling it down!

Now, it's time to hop on over to the CSAYL blog for the full details and to see the other projects from the DT.  We have a bunch of new faces joining us this year, so there is lot's of eye-candy.

Challenges:
Crafts Galore--use a stamp or digi
Christmas Card #14--heat embossing (my sentiment and the 'to' and 'from' inside are heat embossed)
Mojo Monday #335--sketch

Eureka Stamps #79--anything goes
Loves Rubberstamps--anything goes
Paper Pretties #300--lots of layers
ABC Christmas--"E" is for enclosed=a box, gift bag, etc

Supplies:
Stamps:
Kaiser Kraft round sentiment; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment; Your Next Stamp "Holiday Snow Globe" snowman, snowflakes and 'to' and 'from'; SU! "All Occasions" holly
Dies/embossing folders: spellbinders circles and scalloped circles, large and ovals, large; Sweet n' Sassy "Small Snowflakes" die; cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder

Proud of you

A brother and sister in our extended family are getting baptized on Sunday.  I don't have any "baptism" stamps, but I did have this as-of-yet not inked up cross.  I thought the whole grunge look worked for the guy.  I gave it a few other masculine touches to go along with it.  No pieces from my bits and pieces stash on this one.  I just didn't have anything that would work.  It is getting harder and harder to use the pieces that are left.  Now, I just have to make something for the young lady.

Challenges:
Desert Island Crafts Challenge #72--use at least 3 of the following (I used #2, 3 {as long as metal items work}, 4 {it's tiny, but there is text in the background of the stamp and I used a sentiment} and 6)
1.  Asian theme
2. use lots of red
3. metallics
4. text
5. mythical creature
6. vellum
7. found object from nature
8. stripes
9. use chalk
10. make it glow
Word Art Wednesday #122--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
My Favorite Stamps #166--sketch

Divas By Design--Let's hear it for the boys
Creative Inspirations #255--anything goes with the option of a sketch (I didn't use the sketch)
Art Impressions#130--sheer perfection (use vellum)
Our Daily Bread Designs #193--metal or sweets (I used metal brads)

Supplies:
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs "Grunge Cross"; Verve "Take Note" sentiment
Dies: spellbinders oval, large

Sympathy

Sympathy cards are never fun to have to make.  I really should make some to have in my stash, because I usually end up not sending anything since I don't have anything made.  This one has a specific recipient, though.  The "button" is from my "bits and pieces" stash.  I almost wasn't able to make the stash work for this one, but the button happened to be a close match for the Berry Sorbet ink.  Yeay!

Challenges:
Paper Nest Dolls #5--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #122--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
The Stamping Chef #19--anything goes
Cas-ual Fridays #129--two shades of gray

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "The Sweet Life" and "Boutique Borders:Sympathy"; DRS Designs "Chevron border" stamp
Dies: PTI "The Sweet Life" and Boutique Borders: Sympathy" and Button die
Inks: PTI Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet; SU! real red

Glitz

I don't usually use gold as I am more of a silver person, but gold definitely has more of a glitzy look to it.  Unfortunately, the gold reflects a lot in the camera light;  it looks so much better in real life.  I managed to use an item from my bits and pieces stash: the sentiment panel.  It actually is the back of patterned paper, but a white oval, is a white oval; specially when you're not sure you'll use the pattern on the back. : )

Challenges:
{Pin}spirational Challenges #96--inspiration photo (I think you can see my inspiration)

Die Cuttin' Divas #154--mardi gras inspired (the gold and the ornate look)
Stampin' Chef #18--anything goes
Milk Coffee--emboss it (the sentiment is embossed with gold embossing powder)
Sister Act Card Challenge #46--anything goes
Crafty Catz #22--anything goes
My Favorite Things #165--sketch


Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Beautiful You" sentiment
Dies: spellbinders ovals, large; MFT "Die-namics Moroccan Tile Border Trio" (used to make the background)

Celebrate

Another item from my bits and pieces stash: the shell stamped main panel and it was just screaming to be a masculine card.  It was so hard not to put embellishments on the banners, but I really didn't think a guy would appreciate gems. : )

Challenges:
Timeless Tuesday #262--stamped image NO coloring
Cuttin' and Stampin' #19--All Boy
Creative Inspiration #254--It's a boy thing
Southern Girls--swinging in the breeze (banners or pennants)
Creative Knockouts #26--1 border, 1 image, 1 sentiment
Brown Sugar Challenges #83--color combo

Sweet n' Sassy Stamps #4--stamped borders
Fussy and Fancy--sketch


Supplies:
Stamps: SU! shell wheel stamp (I haven't used one of these in forever!); Verve "Joyful Blooms" sentiment; unknown sheel image
Dies: Verve "Pennant Trim" die

Snowflakes

I just got these snowflake dies this week, so when I saw the VLV sketch for this week, I just had to pull them out an use them.  But never fear, I also used two items from my bits and pieces stash: the blue tag and the button on top of it.  If you want to see my stash, check out this post.  I am going to try to take a picture each month to see how well I am doing at using it up.

Challenges:
Sweet Stamps challenge--favorite colors (blue is my all-time favorite color and mixed with white is my favorite Christmas card combo)
Delightful Challenges--Keep it simple
Crimbo Crackers #59--blue and white
Viva La Verve February week 4--sketch

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #166-ribbon, twine, fibers (I have used ribbon, twine, and sewing thread)
Sparkles Christmas Challenge #38--more than three embellishments
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge--anything goes as long as it is covered in patterned paper

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment; PTI "Fresh Alphabet" numbers; Sweet n' Sassy "Celebrating Milestones" 'th'
Dies/Punches: PTI snowflakes and button die; Sweet n' Sassy small snowflakes; SU! label punch

Standing

The two starting points for this card were the green scalloped oval and the polka dotted ribbon.  The oval is from my bits and pieces stash (you can see a picture of the stash here; I'm going to post a picture each month to see how well I am doing at using it up) and the ribbon I have had forever!!  I tried a few new techniques on this one.  If you look closely, you can just see that I stamped the background layer with a script stamp and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  Then I stamped the leaf image over it.  It didn't work out quite like I had thought, but I do like the subtle effect it gave.  I also tried making my own pearl "flourish" embellishment.  I found the idea on pinterest here.  I stamped a flourish stamp onto scrap paper, then laid a piece of acetate packaging over top and used perfect pearls to trace the design.  I need to work on my pearl making technique but I do like the outcome and it was basically free!  (yeay!  I like that!)

Challenges:
Viva La Verve February week 3--sketch

Word Art Wednesday #121--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Paper Pretties #299--try a new technique
Charisma Cardz #5--something NOT for crafting (the piece of acetate I used was from a stamp packaging)
Mod Squad--Thinking of Spring 2.0 (spring colors, butterflies, leaves)

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Turning a new leaf"; Sweet 'n' Sassy "The Future" sentiment; Hero Arts "French Script"
Punches/dies: Martha Stewart Butterfly punch; spellbinders ovals and scalloped ovals, large

No winter lasts forever

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely ready for spring!  I don't mind snow, but I don't like cold at all!  I think this sentiment is perfect! : )  The green scalloped oval is from my bits and pieces stash.  You can see of picture of what it (the stash) looks like right now on this post.  I'm going to try to take pictures of the stash each month; mostly for my own enjoyment but also maybe to motivate others to use up that stash.  I've also had the dotted ribbon for a LONG time and just could not make it work.  I picked my color scheme based on the ribbon to make sure I could use some.  It was only a tiny piece, but it is a start.

Challenges:
Viva La Verve February week 2--sketch

The Squirrel & The Fox #64--something spooled (ribbon)
Word Art Wednesday #121--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Crafting by Designs--Spring is here, isn't it? (Colors of spring)
DRS #111--Button up!
Crafty Ribbons #78--ribbons and buttons
Sister Act #46--anything goes

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Turning a New Leaf"; Verve "Beautiful You" sentiment
Punches/dies/embossing folders: Martha Stewart butterfly punches (2); PTI "Turning A New Leaf" die; spellbinders classic ovals and scalloped ovals, large; sizzix botanicals embossing folder

Christmas Baubles

Hello, All!  It's the start of another month, can you believe it?!  March already!!  That means it is time for another challenge from Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra: Anything Goes as long as it is Christmas related.  And it lasts all month long; you can enter as many times as you want.  The sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps and the winner will receive 7 images from their store.  Yeay!!  I got to work with this image: Christmas Tags--rudolf.  It usually looks like this:

I originally had it out for a different project and decided to fussy cut the image instead of using it as a tag.  That project didn't work, so I had it sitting in my bits and pieces stash that I am trying to use up.  I think I made it work on this card.  And one less item in that stash! Here's a picture of my stash as it is now.

I think I'll try to include a new picture of it every month, just for fun to see how well I am doing at whittling it down.   Now head on over to the Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra to see the other projects from the DT and read all the details.

Challenges:

Lexi's Creations #116--monochromatic

Love to Scrap Challenge Blog #24--anything goes

Cuttlebug Mania--Let's feel it (use texture--I used wet and dry embossing, a button and twine)

Digi Stamps 4 Joy #86--punches/dies

The Squirrel and the Fox #69--something spooled (twine and washi tape--it sort of comes on a spool)

Christmas Card #13--anything goes

Card Mania #41--use a sentiment

Loves Rubberstamps #92--washi tape or faux washi (the red with white polka dots is washi)

Tuesday Throwdown #184--anything goes

Fab 'n' Funky #205--Christmas

ABC Christmas Challenge--D is for Die cuts
Little Miss Muffet #80--anything goes
Pattie's Creations--spots or dots

Supplies:

Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Christmas Tags: Rudolf" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment

Dies: spellbinders classic circles, large; PTI snowflake die (Just got it yesterday!!!)

Papers: American Crafts