Ellie Fairy

Happy Friday!  Time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: make something for a child.  Our sponsor is The Paper Nest Dolls and the prize is a $25 gift certificate for some of their adorable rubber stamps.  My card isn't especially child-like, but I think I will be giving it to my niece (who will be two in a couple months) for Christmas.  I think the little fairy is so cute.

 Here is a close up that shows more of the sparkle.  I used glitter pen on her wings and on the bodice of her dress.  It also shows the cute little ornaments I created using a circle die and an ornament top stamp.  I stamped the tops with versamark and embossed them with gold embossing powder.  Then I adhered them to the "ornaments"; covered one with glitter and added one of the punch out shapes from when I punched the lacy border.  I colored it with a gold paint pen.

So, it's time to get inky and play along with us.  Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Challenges:
Sparkles Christmas Challenge #41--favorite color combo (for Christmas I definitely like the red, green and white combo the best)
Christmas @ Sweet Stamping--Christmas Fairies
Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge #33--anything goes
Christmas Card Challenge #30--inspiration photo (I think you can see what inspired me)

One Stitch At a Time #218--anything goes
The Cutie Pie Challenge #72--cute girls,girls, girls
The Paper Nest Dolls #13--anything goes
Holly Jolly--lots of sparkle
Fab n' Funky Challenge #222--Christmas
DRS Designs #128--It's new (The Paper Nest Dolls image is brand new; never used it before)
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Krafty Krop Challenge #5--use 2 or more stamps (I used the ornament topper stamp, the sentiment stamp, the "for you" stampe and the fairy digi stamp)
Viva La Verve June week 3--sketch


Supplies:
Stamps: The Paper Nest Dolls "Christmas Fairy Ellie" digi; PTI "Mat Stack #2" sentiment on tag; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" ornament top and sentiment
Dies/punches: Spellbinders classic circles, large, Charmed I'm sure; EKSuccess border punch

Sympathy

Ok, so this is my third one-layer card this week!  And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!  So simple, but elegant and understated, perfect for a sympathy card.

 I started by stamping a crocheted background stamp with white on the yellow cardstock (It's very faint in the picture, but gives great visual texture in real life.  Then I dried it with a heat gun since craft ink takes forever to dry!  Then I stamped the flowers with the white ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  I used some yellow ink to sponge around the flowers to bring them out a bit.  It wasn't quite enough, so I used some light pink ink to define it a bit more.  It give a gorgeous faint orange glow around the flowers.

This close up photo shows the background stamp a bit more.

Challenges:
Sister Act Card Challenge #62--anything goes
Creative Knockouts #48--embossing (heat embossing for me)
Word Art Wednesday #137--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Creative Inspirations #270--tie it up
Our Daily Bread Designs #207--one-layer
Craft Hoarders Anonymous #10--spray it, ink it, paint it, smear it, emboss it (I embossed and then sponged with ink--it's about as mixed media as I get)

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Boutique Borders: Sympathy" sentiment, "Mum's The Word" flowers; Our Daily Bread Designs "Crocheted Background"
PTI "Lemon Tart card stock; lemon tart and sweet blush ink; SU! white craft ink

Blessings always

I think I'm starting to get the hang of these one-layer cards. : )  Maybe not, but this is my second one this week.  I'm on a roll.  It started with a pre-cut card blank with the oval already cut out.  I was given a package of them years ago, and have only managed to use three.  I'm not sure why because I really like how each card has turned out.  Anyway, this is a birthday card for a dear friend.

 And here is a picture of it with the matching envelope.  So pretty!

Challenges:
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #94--flowers, flowers, flowers
Love To Scrap #32--Holey cardstock (use a hole to let stamping shine through)
Through the Purple Haze #46--anything goes
Our Daily Bread Designs #207--one layer
Tuesday Throwdown #200--celebrations (celebrating my friend's birthday)
Cuttin' & Stampin' #24--birthdays
The Stamping Chef #34--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Sugar Pea Designs #6--anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #62--anything goes
Verve June Inspiration Challenge--winged whimsy

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Be Blessed"
Martha Stewart triple butterfly punch; white pearls

Christmas Jar

It's Friday!!!  Yippie!!  It means the weekend is upon us, AND it is time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.  This week we have this gorgeous inspiration photo:

Isn't it stunning?  I was inspired by the colors; love these together!  And it was perfect that I got to work with this sweet image from Bugaboo, our wonderful sponsor for the week.  So, I was inspired by the ornaments, too.  Here's my take on the challenge.

Now let's see how you are inspired by the photo.  There's so much to choose from.

Challenges:

Viva La Verve June week 1--sketch

Charisma Cardz #13--sparkle & shine (use glitter--don't you love those glittery snowflakes??)

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #181--include some gold or silver (I used silver pen on my image and the image panel is double matted on green and silver, and I embossed the sentiment with silver powder)

Sweet Stamps--anything goes

Holly Jolly--use at least 3 layers

Shopping our Stash #156--use your oldest punch or die (I'm pretty sure that scalloped punch is one of the first I ever bought, and the corner punch wasn't far behind)

Creative Inspiration #270--tie it up (use a bow)

Crafting by Designs--Favorite Holiday (definitely Christmas)

Divas by Design--use at least 3 layers

Little Miss Muffet--anything goes

Supplies:

Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Christmas Jar" digi; Verve "Merry & Bright" sentiment

Die/spunches/embossing folders: PTI "Frosty Flakes"; Sweet n' Sassy snowflake die;SU! scalloped border punch; Marvey Uchida corner punch; Spellbinders circles impressabilities

Happy Bird

It's the middle of the month, so it's time for some inspiration for Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for June.  Remember, it's anything goes as long as it is Christmas related.  It doesn't get any easier than that!  And if you play along with us now, you'll have a head start on those Christmas cards. 

Challenges:

Fussy and Fancy #116--things with wings

Sister Act Card Challenge #61--anything goes

Winter Wonderland--Christmas scene

C.R.A.F.T. #263--Christmas

Southern Girls--punches & diecuts

Sugar Pea Designs Sketch #05--sketch

Shopping Our Stash #135--use something soft (my layered snowflake is felt)

Holly Jolly--winter birds

Supplies:

Stamps: Limited Runs "Birdhouse #5" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas"; Raisin Boat "It's a bird . . . It's a plane" bird

Dies: spellbinders classic ovals and scalloped ovals, large; Sweet n' Sassy fence die

Little Crafter--5 years old

I was busy making a card in my craft area when my 5 year-old came to see what I was doing.  When she saw I was making cards, she wanted to make one, too.  And then she said the sweetest thing ever: "I want to make a card to help you win stamps."  Isn't that just too cute?!  All my girls know I like to play along in challenges and get excited when I win a prize.  They like playing along with all the new goodies, too.  So, she made this card all by herself (remember she is only FIVE).  I did help cut out the ornament and tied the bow for her, but she did all the coloring (even using a glitter pen on part of the ornament), cut out the die cut snowflake and adhered everything together.  It's tough to tell in the photo, but she also added 4 lavender pearls down the center of the ornament.  Then she made me take a picture of it and kept asking me to get it on my computer. : )  Oh, she's just too cute!

Challenges:
C.R.A.F.T. #263--Christmas
Loves Rubber Stamps #107--CAS
Creative Inspirations #269--bold, bright colors
Inkspirational Challenges #58--CAS
Sister Act Card Challenge #61--anything goes
Dis Digis--ribbon & bows
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #181--include some gold or silver or both (sliver ribbon)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra--anything Christmas goes

Supplies:
Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps "Antique Ornaments" digi;
Dies: Sweet n' Sassy snowflake die

Super Dad

Phew!  I just finished my last Father's Day card!  Nothing like the last minute, right?  Isn't this little guy a cutie?

Challenges:
Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge #33--celebrate (celebrating my Father-in-law)
Pattie's Creations #94--Father's Day or Wedding
Sister Act Card Challenge #61--anything goes
DRS Designs #126--on the border (I used a star border die)
Meljen's Designs #214--Dad
Sweet Stop Sketches 2--sketch

The Stamping Chef #33--anything goes
Crafty Creations #265--tic-tac-toe (I used the middle column: emboss, ribbon, masculine--the ribbon is the blue strip beside the star border)
Creative Inspirations #269--bold, bright colors
Cutie Pie Challenge #71--A cute one for Dad

Supplies: Meljen's Designs "Little Superhero" digi; Whimsy Stamps "Girl Talk" super (I partially inked it up and stamped only the part I wanted); Verve "World's Greatest" DAD
Dies and embossing folders: Spellbinders A2 matting basics rectangles; Verve "Classy Labels Dies" and "Scalloped Trim Trio" star border die; Sizzix star die; Darice "Diagonal Stripes" embossing folder; Cuttlebug "Mosaic" embossing folder

Husband

Another Father's Day card done!  This one (obviously) is for my husband.  I just love this cute little monster.  And the addition of the speech bubble makes it even more cute, don't you think?

 It's a little small, but the sentiment on the bottoms reads "{another name for love}".  And the rest of the greeting is on the inside.  Here's a glimpse:

Challenges:
Your Next Stamp #13--sketch

Milk Coffee Challenge--for dad/special male
Verve's June Diva Dare--A man's world
Cutie Pie Challenge #71--A cute one for Dad
Tuesday Throwdown #199--For teh Boys
Cuttin' and Stampin' #23--speech bubbles
Word Art Wednesday #136--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Southern Girls--punches/die cuts
Crafty Ribbons #93--anything goes with ribbon
Sister Act Card Challenge #61--anything goes
Crafty Catz #235--use at least 2 different dies
Di's Digis--ribbons and/or bows
Pattie's Creations #94--Father's Day or wedding

Supplies:
Stamps: Your Next Stamp "Silly Monsters"; Verve "World's Greatest"; SU! "Year Round Cheer" inside sentiment
Dies: spellbinders "Say what?", A2 Matting Basics (rectangle)
I used my new "Bow Easy" for the beautiful bow

Winter scene

Happy Friday!!  Time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All year Long: one-layer cards.  This can be hard or easy depending on your crafting style.  I have had this card pinned for a while and this was the perfect time to try my hand at creating one like it.  I wanted to add a snowing look to it, so I thinned some white paint with water and tried to flick it onto the scene.  A few blobs are a bit too big, but all together, I love how this turned out.

Now it's your turn.  Show us your one-layer cards. Can't wait to see them.

Challenges:
Inkspirational Challenge #58--CAS
Loves Rubber Stamps #107--CAS
Paper Nest Dolls #12--anything goes
Christmas Card Challenges #28--shades of blue
Sentimental Sundays #210--anything goes
Suzy Bees Blooming Challenge #32--anything goes
Cards Galore--anything goes
C.R.A.F.T. #263--Christmas
Crafty Ribbons #93--anything goes with ribbon

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Through the Trees"; Verve "Ornamental Christmas"
Marvy Uchida Circle punch; silver ribbon

Soft Fern

Father's Day card #2!  So many "man" cards to make before Sunday!  I've had this fern image inked up and sitting in my bits and pieces stash for years (literally, years).  I could never make it work before, but I finally found some papers that went with it, and . . . I love how it turned out.

Challenges:
Milk Coffee Challenge--for dad/special male
Sister Act Card Challenge #60--anything goes
Verve's June Diva Dare--A man's world
{Pin}spirational Challenge #111--inspiration photo (I went with the Father's Day and outdoor themes)

Sweet Stamps #173--for dad
Tuesday Throwdown #199--For the boys
Word Art Wednesday #136--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Crafty Creations #265--tic-tac-toe (I chose the middle column: embossing (the fern is embossed with clear powder and then sponged with green ink), ribbon, masculine)
My Favorite Things #180--sketch


Supplies:
Stamps: Flourishes fern image; Verve "Happy Thoughts" sentiment

Father's Day

Father's Day is upon us!!  A day when we have to make those dreaded "man" cards. : )  Seriously, they do seem to be a bit harder to pull off, but at the same time CAS is the way to go and you don't have to worry about all the extra "fluff".  I'm in a bit of a sponging mood due to a card I made that I will be posting later this week.  And it's been pretty fun; I haven't done any in quite a while, but I think you will see a few more from me in the near future.  Without further ado, here is my Father's Day card for my Dad:

I started out with this card as my inspiration (at least for the image panel). But I wanted mine to have a bit more color.  And the reflection in the water was a lucky by-product.

Challenges:
Sarah Hurley--Summer Brights (this scene makes me think of a hot, sultry summer sun set)
Crafting Musketeers #14--stamped image
Milk Coffee Challenges--for Dad or a special male
C.R.A.F.T. #262--Father's Day/male
Sister Act Card Challenge #60--anything goes
Sweet n' Sassy Stamps #15--scripture spotlight
Verve's June Diva Dare--A man's world
Tuesday Morning #253--sketch with a twist: masculine

Sweet Stamps #173--for Dad
Tuesday Throwdown #199--For the Boys
Word Art Wednesday #136--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Psalm 51:10" plain jane, "Happy Thoughts" sentiment; Sweet n Sassy Stamps "Landscape Silhouettes"

Super Star

As soon as I saw this "Superstar" stamp set from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, I knew I HAD to have it.  I can think of so many women superstars in my life and this set will be perfect for many different occasions: congrats, you did it, you're a star, you can do it, etc.  And since Kraftin' Kimmie is looking for a new guest designer, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to ink this beauty up .

This card is for a friend of mine that is going through some tough times right now.  She needs a bit of encouragement, and even though I'm sure she doesn't feel super at all right now, she definitely is a super star.

Challenges:
Loves Rubberstamps #106--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #135--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Crafting by designs--anything goes
The Stamping Chef #32--anything goes
My Favorite Things #179--sketch

Creative Knockouts #40--die cut/punch frenzy
Sister Act Card Challenge #60--anything goes

Supplies:
Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps "Superstar" image; Whimsy Stamps "Girl Talk" sentiment; Sweet n' Sassy Stamps "Landscape Silhouettes" the city skyline; SU! "Slam Dunk" stars on the background which I stamped with versamark for a subtle pattern
Dies: Spellbinders classic circles, large; Sizzix star die

Tree Trimming

Well, well, well . . . here we are again.  It's Friday and that means time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: use ribbon and trims.  I already had this cute image from Meljen's Designs printed out, so I decided to color it up and use it.  So cute!  I used a bit of lace backed with some ribbon for my ribbon and trim.

 I added some fine glitter on the snow on the tree and the ground.  It doesn't show up very well in the photo above and only a bit better in the one below, but it looks very glittery in real life.

Challenges:

Fussy and Fancy Challenges #115--outdoors

Completely Christmas #14--anything goes

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #31--layer it up

Treasured Times #19--anything goes

Shopping Our Stash #154--critters

Creative Inspirations #277--sketch

Paper Pretties #313--Hip to be Square

Divas By Design--red, white, and blue

The Paper Shelter #161--flower power

ART Impressions #137--Hip to be Square

Supplies:

Stamps: Meljen's Designs "Bitty Christmas Tree Bears" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment

Dies: Verve "Charming Ovals"; Spellbinders "Layered Poinsettias", classic circles, large and scalloped circles, large

Paper: DCWV Christmas pack

Beating the competition

 My Father-in-law's birthday is this week.  As he is a sports fan, I think he will appreciate the humor in this one. : )

Challenges:
Lexi's Creations #117--happy birthday
Paper Pretties #312--Father's Day or masculine
The Paper Shelter #160--make it manly
Sugar Pea Designs Sketch #4--sketch

Sugar Pea Designs #5--make it masculine
Delightful Challenges--It's a guy thing
C.R.A.F.T. #261--paper piecing
DRS Designs #129--Holy Moley!
Brown Sugar #96--Birthday
Sister Act #58--anything goes
Crafty Catz #233--anything goes
Di's Digis--make it masculine
Pattie's Creations #93--birthdays
CAS-ual Fridays #132--what a catch: NO kraft, must use ribbon and make it masculine
Crafting Musketeers #14--use a stamped image
One Stitch At a Time #215--Boy 'ish'
Desert Island Crafts Challenge #78--use at least 3 of the following (I used #1, 2, 5, 9, 10)
1. distress it
2. no flowers
3. monotone
4. not a card
5. use a funny quote or saying
6. make it sexy: for that love in your life
7. use at least 3 patterned papers
8. emboss
9. ribbon
10. metal
Love To Scrap! #31--mind your banners

Supplies:
Stamps: Raisin Boat "It's a Guy Thing"
Dies: Verve "Pennant Trim" die; sizzix star die; I also use the little stars that are left over when you cut out the Verve "Scalloped Trim Trio" die
Paper: Recollections "Tattered and Worn"

Happy Snowman

Happy first of June!  It's time for the start of the next monthly challenge from Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  It is anything goes for the whole month; you can enter as many times as you would like.  Our sponsor, as always, is Bugaboo Stamps.  The winner will receive 7 images of their choice.  Here's my cute card:

This card has a fun little surprise inside.  The front flap lifts up to reveal the next part of the sentiment.

 Then the front panel opens up to show the rest, and a little bit extra.

 And, as has become my habit, I am showing a picture of my "bits and pieces" stash.  I don't think I have whittle it down much this month. I think I used one, maybe two pieces.  I'll have to try harder this month. : )  How's your stash coming?

Challenges:
Frosted Designs--stars and stripes
The Cutie Pie Challenge #70--emboss it (it doesn't show a lot, but the pink panel under the snowman is embossed with diagonal stripes)
The Paper Nest Dolls #11--anything goes
Christmas Challenges with sketches #125--sketch
Holly Jolly--fancy folds
Crafty Creations #264--All About "S" (I have a snowman, stars, stripes)
Fab n' Funky #218--It's Christmas!
Little Miss Muffet #86--anything goes

Supplies:
Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Snowman Topper"; Verve "Merry and Bright" all sentiments
Dies/punches, embossing folder: spellbinders A2 matting basics rectangle; SU! corner round; Sizzix star die; Darice diagonal stripes embossing folder