Happy Day

Oh, happy day!  I think this is going to be a birthday card, but not quite sure yet.  Whatever it ends up being, it's definitely happy! I started out by stamping the sentiment so I knew where to draw the lines. Then after penciling them in, I masked off the center portion with washi tape and stamped the musical background followed by the flowers and leaves.  Remove the washi and redraw the lines with black marker, add the card candy and you have a quick and easy (and CAS) card that will make the recipient smile.  Love how it turned out.

Challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays #137--springtime melodies

Mod Squad--spring forward

Our Daily Bread Designs #228--no coloring

YNS #8--sketch

Supplies:

Stamps:

Verve "Be Blessed"; Hero Arts musical score background

PTI Lemon Zest card stock; Sweet Blush, Lemon Zest, Berry Sorbet and New Leaf ink

Girl Talk

If you love coffee (or some other kind of hot drink) and card making and SPRING then this is a hop for you.

There are tons of sponsors offering up awesome prizes and huge, heaps of inspiration to be had.  Check it out here.

This is the card I created to play along:

I used bright patterns and florals for the spring aspect and these super cute coffee cups from PTI.  I just love paper piecing the sleeves; they're so cute!  I used sentiments from the same set.  So fun!
You have until March 6th to play along.

Challenges:
Sister Act Card Challenge #95--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #172--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
MFT #217--sketch

Meljen's Designs #249--seeing spots
Jo's Scrap Shack #77--anything goes

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Heart to Heart #1"
Dies: YNS "Small Stitches" die
Papers: MME "Kate & Co"

Sparkly Birthday

Hi, everyone!  I know it's been a while since I've posted anything.  I've been trying to work on some other projects that have been waiting for a while.  I'm just popping in quick today with a card for the Kraftin' Kimmie Krafty Friends Blog Hop.

I'm cutting it close, I know.  Anyway, this is for my best friend who's birthday is in a couple weeks.  Maybe I'll actually get it to her on time since I've got it finished in plenty of time. : )

 Here's a close up of the beautiful sparkly flowers.  My 6-year old thought I should add the glitter.   She's usually right! : )

Challenges:
Kraftin' Kimmie Krafty Friends Blog Hop
Jo's Scrap Shack #77--anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #95--anything goes
Creative Knockouts #78--Lots of layers
Southern Girls--get your girly on
Shopping Our Stash #190--out of the jar (I used black embossing powder and diamond dust glitter)
Tuesday Morning Sketches #289--sketch

Raisin Boat #31--celebrate

Supplies:
Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps "Lola Lollipop"; PTI "Damask Designs" sentiment
Dies: Spellbinders "Labels 4"; Sizzix star die (leaves); MFT "Pretty Posies" (large rose
Papers: MME "Kate & Co"

CASE Christmas

Can you believe that it is the middle of February already!?  I can't.  But, since it is, here is my mid-month inspiration for Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra:

 I found this card on Pinterest (unfortunately, the link is broken so I don't know who made it and can't give credit where it is due):

I think it is the perfect card for using up scraps, plus I had the small label die already cut and sitting in my "bits and pieces" stash.  I hope you've been inspired to get working on your Christmas cards.  It's never too early to start!

Challenges:

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'--Only words

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #39--anything goes

C.R.A.F.T Challenge #298--traditional Christmas Colors (I threw a little brown in there, but I hope this is traditional enough)

Word Art Wednesday #170--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Sister Act Card Challenge #93--anything goes

Supplies:

Stamps: Verve "Silent Night"

Dies/punches: Spellbinders "Labels One"; Fiskars "Apron" border punch

Papers: American Crafts "Jolly"

Finally done!

I finished up my Valentine's Day cards today.  Phew!  Cuttin' it kind of close, I know!  This one is for my in-laws.  And I just think it's really cute!

Challenges:
Brown Sugar Challenge #133--use a bow and a die cut
MFT #215--sketch

Crafter's Cafe #163--hearts
Die Cuttin' Divas #202--inspiration photo

Sentimental Sundays #265--seeing red
Craft-Dee BowZ--anything goes with a handmade bow

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts musical score background stamp; Quietfire Valentine's Day set
Dies: Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"; SU! scalloped border punch

Fin-tastic

This Valentine is for my youngest.  Like most girls, she thinks mermaids are pretty magical, and I think she is going to really like this one.  I added some glitter pen to the scales of her tail and the fish and used Frantage around the oval, so this is very sparkly in real life.

 This second picture shows the glitter pen a bit better:

Challenges:

Sister Act Card Challenge #93--anything goes

Winter Wonderland--for a child

Jo's Scrap Shack--Valentine's Day

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2--sketch

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps #266--Peace & Love

Supplies:

Stamps: KKS "Under the Sea"

Dies: Spellbinders "Standard Ovals, large" and "Classic Scalloped Ovals, large"; Verve "Flag It"

Happy Day

Doesn't this little monkey just make you smile?!  He's super cute.  My middle daughter loves monkeys, well, to be more specific, she loves a little stuffed animal monkey (so much he's almost falling apart).  This is my Valentine's Day card for her, and I know she is going to love it.  Her monkey looks just like this.

I created the background paper using several different stamps.  The green leaves remind me of jungle vines to go with the monkey.  After stamping it, I embossed it with the linen texture plate from PTI.  It really gives some great texture.

Challenges:

Sugar Pea Designs #20--sketch

Word Art Wednesday #170--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Crafter's Cafe #103--hearts

Winter Wonderland--for a child (right now it does not have to be Christmas related)

Sister Act Card Challenge #93--anything goes

Verve's February Inspiration Challenge--Vivacious Valentine

Supplies:

Stamps: Verve "Be Blessed" flower and brown dot on background and sentiment; PTI "Tuning a New Leaf" leaves; MFT "Hanging Monkey" mini stamp

Dies: Sweet n' Sassy Stamps heart die; PTI "Linen/Canvas" texture plate

Yellow Rose

One more Valentine's Day card using my favorite "The Sweet Life" set from PTI.  It's the last for a while, I promise!  This one is for my Grandmother.  Her favorite color is yellow, so that's where I started with my inspiration.  One of my 6-year-olds was watching me put it together and she agreed that the gray strip looked good.  At first I thought maybe it was too dark, but it does help pull in the gray sentiment.

Challenges:
Tuesday Morning Sketches #227--sketch

Word Art Wednesday #170--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Crafting By Designs--Love is in the air
Meljen's Designs #247--Loving You
Jo's Scrap Shack--Valentine's Day

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "The Sweet Life" flower and leaves, "Damask Designs" sentiment; and "Mat Stack 3"; SU! "Swirling Hearts" background stamp
Dies: PTI "Mat Stack 3" and "The Sweet Life"
PTI "Lemon Zest" card stock,"New Leaf",  "Lemon Zest", "Sweet Blush" and "Berry Sorbet" ink

Key to my Heart

This is definitely not a traditional Valentine's Day card (except for the heart of course), but I think it works.  I made it for my husband, so no fluffy stuff. : )  It's a little hard to see, but the sentiment reads "You Hold the Key to My Heart".  Awww . . . sweet, I know.

Challenges:
Crafty Catz #266--for the boys
As You See It #74---Sweet (this is for my sweetie)
Sister Act Card Challenge #93--anything goes
DRS Designs #161--office Supplies (the little clip the keys are attached to is actually a paper clip that I straightened out and then coiled into a spiral)
Fab n' Funky #246--charm us
Word Art Wednesday #170--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary Challenge Day #6--Heavy Metal: metallics and neutrals only (navy is a neutral, I'm pretty sure)

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Lock & Key"
Dies: PTI "Lock & Key"
PTI "Enchanted Evening" card stock

A remake

The current challenge from Retro Rubber Stamps Challenge is to redo a previous Valentine.  I made this one in 2011:

And her is my redo:

I kept the same layout and also used flowers as the main element.  Love how gorgeous this one came out!  It's for my Mom and Dad, though I think my Mom will appreciate it the most. : )  Red is her favorite color and she loves flowers.  She is also a piano teacher so will enjoy the musical score background.

Challenges:

Retro Rubber Stamps #7--Flashback Valentine

Wags n' Whiskers #147--for someone you love

Sentimental Sundays #245--seeing red

Die Cuttin' Divas #202--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the red, white, pink and love, oh and the roses)

Loves Rubberstamps #138--Show me some red

Tuesday Throwdown #231--love is in the air

Clear It Out--Theme: colour red Stash: red embellishments

Word Art Wednesday #170--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Crafting by Designs--Love is in the air

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI "The Sweet Life" and "Damask Designs"; Hero Arts Musical Score background stamp

Dies: PTI "The Sweet Life"; MFT "Fancy Flourish"

I puffy heart you

Don't you just love these adorable little fish!?  This is the Valentine's Day card for my oldest.  She's almost 9 and has a fish tank with a bunch of fish, so I know she is going to love it.  I used the sketch from Your Next Stamp, but flipped it upside down to create waves.  The top two layers are made out of vellum to add to the water feel and to keep the card from being totally weighed down with card stock.

Challenges:
One Sweet Challenge--All About Love
Craft-Dee BowZ--anything goes with handmade bow
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #112--nautical
Dis Digis--include a heart(s)
YNS #7--sketch

Wags 'n Whiskers #147--for someone you love
Tuesday Throwdown #231--Love is in the air

Supplies:
Stamps: YNS "Sea Creatures #1"; Verve "To the Moon" trio of hearts

Jar of Roses

My second card in a row using "The Sweet Life" set from PTI.  I really do love this set.  The green circle was in my "bits and pieces" stash; one more item gone!

Challenges:
Papertrey Ink's 8th Anniversary Challenge Day #4--use multiple flower images to create a bouquet
Craftin' Desert Divas--red, white and pink (you can't really tell, but the darkest layer on my roses is red)
Raisin Boat--Love is in the air
Pattie's Creations #107--Valentine's Love
Craft Hoarder's Anonymous--How I love thee
Fussy & Fancy #132--It's All About Love
As You See It #73--sketch

Eureka Stamps #127--All is love

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "The Sweet Life"; Verve "Text Objects"; SU! mason jar from an ooooold set
Dies: PTI "The Sweet Life"; Spellbinders "Standard Circles, large"
Ink: PTI Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, New Leaf; SU! Real Red
Card stock: PTI Ripe Avocado and Berry Sorbet

Blue Roses

I just LOVE this "The Sweet Life" set by PTI!  The roses are so elegant, and as this card shows they even look beautiful in blue. : )  They didn't look so hot actually when I started.  I had tried stamping blues and greens for a card last year and it just didn't look good so I threw them in my "bits and pieces" stash and despaired of ever being able to use them.  But as I am on a quest to eliminate that stash, I decided to try to freshen them up.  I figured it couldn't get any worse, so I stamped a dark blue top layer and now I LOVE them!!  It just goes to show that anything can be salvaged.

Challenges:

Dragons Lair--hearts & flowers

Time Out Challenge #24--CASE Designer Kylie's card:

Sister Act Card Challenge #92--anything goes

One Stitch At A Time #230--anything goes with love

Eureka #127--All is love

Through The Purple Haze #77--use some flowers

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI "The Sweet Life", "Mat Stack 3" and "Damask Designs"

Dies: PTI "The Sweet Life" and "Mat Stack 3"; Verve "Flag It!"

Darice "woodgrain" embossing folder

Bag and tag

I think this project today is the ultimate for using up stash items.  I made these little bags for my sister's bridal shower.  SEVEN years ago.  And I had 3 or 4 left over.  They've been sitting there on my shelf just waiting (and having the adhesive all fall apart).  So, when Papertrey Ink set a Bags and Tags challenge as part of their 8th anniversary festivities, I remembered these little cuties and I pulled one out.  With the addition of some new Scor-tape, it was ready to go.  All I had to do was make this sweet little tag and it will be perfect for holding a little Valentine's Day treat.  I have three little girls, so I might resurrect the other two bags and give one to each of them.

Challenges:

Papertrey Ink's 8th Anniversary Challenge Day 3--tags and bags

Cuttlebug Mania--I {heart} you

Tuesday Throwdown #231--love is in the air

Supplies:

Stamps: PTI "Mat Stack 3" and "Damask Designs"; SU! "Swirling Hearts" background stamp

Dies: PTI "Mat Stack 3"; MFT "Small Doilies"; Sweet n' Sassy hearts

Card Stock: SU! "Rose Red"

CAS love

I forgot how much I love this Mehndi Medallions stamp set from Papertrey Ink!  So elegant!!  And I have to say I love this color combo.  Soft and pretty with just a little pop from the bright pink.

Challenges:
Papertrey Ink's 8th Anniversary Challenge Day #2--CASE designer Maile Belles (I so love her CAS style; she does it perfectly!)  Here's the card I CASED:

Cards Galore--stamps or digis
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps #266--Peace & love
Sweet Stamps #208--pink, white and one other color (aqua)

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Mehndi Medallions" and "Damask Designs"
Inks: PTI "Sweet Blush", "Aqua Mist" and "Berry Sorbet"

I love you

I think that color challenges are really the most challenging for me.  I'm good with a two color combo, but more than that and I'm out of my element, fast!  But that's what challenges are all about, right?

Challenges:
Papertrey Ink's 8th Anniversary challenge Day #1--sketch and color combo (the lighting doesn't show it well, but the card base is Melon Berry card stock)


Crafty Creations #102--Owl always love you: owls, hearts or love (I have hearts and love)
Cuttlebug Mania--I {heart} you

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Guide Lines 2" and "Damask Designs"
Card stock: PTI "Melon Berry" and "Aqua Mist"
Ink: PTI "Sweet Blush" and "Aqua Mist"

Bit of water coloring

This card was a bit outside my comfort zone: no sketch to follow and a couple water coloring techniques!  But I think I like how it turned out.

For my "watercoloring" I used a heart stencil and sponged some ink over it, then I went in with my Stampin' Up! blender pen to soften the edges and give it the water colored look.  Then I inked up the word stamp and spritzed some water onto it before stamping it on the card stock.  Kind of a fun look I think.  I also managed to use the two white circles from my "bits and pieces" stash.

Challenges:
CAS-ual Friday #136--must love watercolor (and must be CAS)
{Pin}spirational Challenge #133--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the white and pink, and the hearts)

Cuttlebug Mania--I {heart} you
Mod Squad--use water

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Damask Designs" sentiment; Hero Arts "French Script"
Dies: Sweet n' Sassy hearts; MFT "Fancy Flourish"
MFT "Tiled Hearts"

Great Friends

I almost forgot I had this awesome shoe stamp set.  I'm such a shoe girl!!  The shoe and sentiment are stamped on a piece of vellum that I had sitting in my "bits and pieces" stash and I thought it was going to be tricky to use up due to it's shape.  But when I saw the sketch from Die Cuttin' Divas I knew it was THE perfect shape!  So I die cut some patterned paper with the same die and layered them together for this fun look.  I think I'm up to about 16(?) cards in a row using at least one piece from the "bits and pieces" stash and I have to say that each card has come out better than I would have imagined.  Maybe I just need to randomly cut out shapes and make a stash to see what I can come up with. : )  It definitely challenges my creativity.

 This card is a Valentine's Day card for my best friend, hence the sentiment.  And here is the rest of the sentiment on the inside:

Challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes as long is it is covered with patterned paper
Die Cuttin' Divas #201--sketch (unfortunately, I missed the deadline.  argh!)

Clear it Out--theme: anything goes, stash: anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #169--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #92--anything goes
Through The Purple Haze #77--use some flowers

Supplies:
Stamps: Skipping Stone Designs "Sassy Shoes"; Verve "Happy Valentine's Day" plain jane
Dies: Spellbiners "Butterfly corner"; Verve "Sprightly Sprigs"; MFT "Formal Flourish" and "Pretty Posies"

You're Purrrfect

I've got the cutest little two-year-old niece and I think she is going to love this cute little kitty Valentine.  We had a 5 month-old kitten that is all gray and black stripes, so I colored up this little  kitty to look sort of like her: look close you can see the stripes.

Item used from my "Bits and Pieces" stash is the scalloped oval.  It's been in there for at least two years and I have several more.  They were left overs from Christmas cards.  Glad to have one finally leave the nest. : )

Challenges:
Mojo Monday #383--sketch

The Paper Girls #73--anniversary or love
Sweet Stamps #207--Love is in the air
Raisin Boat--Love is in the air
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes as long as it is covered with patterned paper
Creative Inspiration #299--love is in the air
Verve February Inspiration Challenge--Vivacious Valentine
Sister Act Card Challenge #92--anything goes

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet n' Sassy Stamps "Cute Critters"; Verve "Valentine's Day" plain jane
Dies: Spellbinders "Standard Ovals, large" and "Classic Scalloped Ovals, large"

Turtley Awesome

My brother and his wife had a little boy in July and he is the first little boy in my life (only girls around here!) so I am going to be able to have fun creating lots of little boy cards in the coming years.  This is my first!  I know he's only 6 months old, but I still HAD to make him a Valentine's Day card to let him know how special he is! : )

 I had the sunshine in my "bits and pieces" stash and thought it would work perfectly to help create a little scene for this cute turtle.  I stamped him a second time and cut out just his head and neck to pop up with foam tape.

Challenges:
Card Mania #65--add some red
Love To Scrap Challenge #47--love is in the air
Crafting Musketeers #22--cute!
Raisin Boat--love is in the air
One Sweet Challenge--All about love
Cuttin' & Stampin' #6--masculine
Clear it Out Challenge--theme: anything goes, stash item: anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #169--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Paper Shelter #189--Be My Valentine
MFT #214--sketch

C.R.A.F.T. #297--decoupage (my turtle)
Verve February Inspiration Challenge--Vivacious Valentine

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet n' Sassy Stamps "Cute Critters"; Verve "To the Moon" little heart trio
Dies: Sweet n' Sassy Stamps grass die; MFT sun die; Verve "Flag It" die

First of Many

I just started working on my Valentine's Day cards.  And I just figured out that I need 18 of them!!  Yikes, I better get working!!  So, he is the first of many:

Nice and easy.  It all started with the pink dotted circle which was in my "bits and pieces" stash that I am working on using up.  Once again, I thought this would be a tough one to use because of the color, but I'm really enjoying stamping on dark panels and the boldness of this one is balanced by the black accents and the chevron pattern.

Challenges:
Lacy Sunshine--Have a heart
Love to Scrap Challenge #47--love is in the air
The Paper Girls #73--anniversary or love
Sweet Stamps #207--love is in the air
Raisin Boat #30--love is in the air
{Pin}spirational Challenge #133--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the pink, hearts and banners)

Craft-Dee BowZ--anything goes with a handmade bow
Tuesday Morning Sketches #286--sketch

Shopping Our Stash #187--Gettin' Inky: use your oldest ink (the black  is my oldest and most used ink pad.  It was probably $1 about 12 years ago and I still use it all the time)
Creative Inspiration #299--Love is in the air
Word Art Wednesday #169--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Verve February Inspiration Challenge--Vivacious Valentine

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Text Objects" hearts and "Take Note" sentiment
Dies: Spellbinders "Standard Circles, large" and "Classic Scalloped Circles, large"; Verve "Pennant Trim" die