Darling

Happy 1st of March!  I can't believe two months of the year are gone already!!  If you haven't gotten started on those Christmas cards, yet, now is the time!  To help you along, you can play with our Anything Goes (Christmas related, of course) challenge from Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  It lasts for the whole month and you can enter as many times as you want.  Our awesome sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps:

I wasn't feeling like using any of the Christmas images I have and since I won this image a couple months ago and hadn't gotten to use it yet, I decided to dress this sassy lady up in her Christmas finery.  I used a white gel pen to add little white polka dots to her scarf!  Love it!!  

I think this is supposed to be a fall image, as she is wearing a scar, but I think it works perfectly for winter/Christmas as well.  The bit of patterned paper was a scrap and I die cut the border from a scrap of red card stock.  It just makes me happy when I can use up some of those scraps AND create a fabulous card.  I hope you get a chance to play along with us this month; I can't wait to see those Christmas creations.

Supplies:

Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Scarlette Scarf" digi; Verve "Peace on Earth" (Merry Christmas) and "Merry & Bright" (darling)

Dies: PTI loop border die; MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle

Challenges:

Sweet Stampers #4--add a sentiment

Di's Digis--die cuts and/or punches

Hiding In My Craft Room #290--any holiday

Brown Sugar #239--anything goes

Cute Card Thursday #466--florals (poinsettias on my patterned paper)

C.R.A.F.T. #404--mother's day/female

Little Miss Muffet #157--anything goes

Winter Wonderland--anything goes

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'--anything goes

Pattie's Creations #131--lots of red

Julia Spiri--I love red

Die Cuttin' Divas #311--ribbon & bows

Miss You

Happy Wednesday!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week, it is Anything Goes!!

This is NOT what was in my head the whole time I was making the card.  I was using an image (which you will see at a later time) and had it all colored and matted and ready to go and I had the card part all finished and just didn't like how the image looked with the rest of the card.  But I really loved how the base looked and didn't want to have to start over.  So, after a bit of thinking, this is what I came up with.  I really love those loopy borders and was so happy to be able to use this paper as it is some of my scraps I am trying to use up.  I hope you will get a chance to play along with us, this week.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "You Cling Set" miss, "Hello Cling Set" you
Dies: PTI "Loop De Loop" border die

Challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown #331--favorite embellishment (ribbon and pearls are my favorites)
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #269--anything goes with snippets
Cardz TV #3--anything goes
Alphabet Challenge--Y is for You Choose
Creative Fingers #125--anything goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #38--anything goes
Craft-Dee BowZ--anything goes with handmade bows
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper

Faith, Hope and Love

Happy Friday!!  It's time for another challenge from Jo's Scrap Shack.  As always, we are now an Anything Goes challenge.  

Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Bugaboo Stamps:

I was given this gorgeous image to work with:

And I just love how this card turned out.  I printed the image twice so I could ink the background of one image and color the roses on the second image.  Then I fussy cut out the roses and adhered them to the first image for a little dimension.  I used a lot of embellishments on this one which is a bit unusual for me: ribbon, lace, pearl flourishes (which I made myself with liquid pearls), rhinestones and mulberry paper, but I really do love it!!  I hope you will get a chance to play with us this week.

What do you need to do to enter?

Challenge Rules

1. Please post a direct link to your blog post that includes your challenge entry project, using the linky tool on Jo's blog. 

2. Be sure to include a link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering your project into

3. THREE entries per person are allowed for each challenge and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. For all entries -NO BACK LINKS ACCEPTED- 

The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date & the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge & prizes

5. You may link up to other challenges but be sure to link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering 

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

WILL NOT be eligible for the top 3, any sponsor wins or any random wins by Jo

All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.

You have until Feb. 23rd by 6:00PM (eastern, USA) time to link up.

All winners will be announced during the week of Feb. 28th.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create!

Supplies:

Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Beautiful Blocks, Faith" digi

Challenges:

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes

Inspiration Destination #122--anything goes

Crafty Creations #335--anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #270--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--fantastic florals

Crafty Gals #110--use your favorite things (pearls and ribbon are my favorite embellishments)

Penny's Challenge #316--anything goes

Fab n Funky Challenge #338--bingo (I used the top row: gems, flowers, yellow.  I also used ribbon, lace and pearls)

Crafter's Cafe #167--no red or pink

Tuesday Throwdown #330--Say it with words

Come And Get It--Love is in the air

Open Minded Challenge #14--Flowering in February

As You Like It--do you prefer ribbon or lace (I used both on this project, but I definitely prefer ribbon; it can fit both feminine and masculine projects)

Craft-Dee BowZ--anything goes with handmade bow

Dare 2 Be Artsy--all you need is love
Cheerful Sketches--sketch

Patched Heart

Here I am with one last Valentine's Day card that I managed to finish in the nick of time!  This one actually went to my sister and brother-in-law.  They live with us, so I didn't have to get it made early. Phew!!

This is a fabulous way to use up my favorite paper scraps, too.

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Take Note"
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle and "Pierced Heart STAX"
Darice "Damask" embossing folder

Challenges:
Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog #122--anything goes
Crafty Creations #335--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #270--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Penny's #316--anything goes
Addicted to Stamps #229--CAS
The Paper Shelter #281--be my Valentine
Crafting By Designs--polka dots (on my yellow paper)
Tuesday Throwdown #330--say it with words
Simon Says Stamp Monday--use your favorite tool (my die cutting machine is my absolute favorite tool--couldn't live without it!)
Come And Get It--love is in the air
Hiding In My Craft Room #288--super scraps

Flower Power

Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week we have a gorgeous inspiration photo/color pallet to challenge you:

I went very literal with my card:

I just fell in love with that sweet little kraft envelope and I couldn't resist the chance to use my favorite stamp(s) from Repeat Impressions.  I used my envelope punch board to create the envelope.  I stamped the solid flower images and then used a coordinating marker to add some shading and depth to the centers before I fussy cut them out.  Then I placed them so they were bursting out of the envelope.  I love how it turned out.  I hope you will get a chance to play along with us this week.  Hop on over to The House Blog for all the details of the challenge and be sure to check out what the rest of the team did with this photo.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Daisy Solid, Large", "Daisy Solid, small" and "Happy Birthday"
Martha Stewart Butterfly punch

Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge #187--add a butterfly
Unicorn Challenge #18--butterflies and/or hearts
Creative Knockouts #180--Flower Power
Hiding In My Craft Room #288--super scraps (all the flowers were stamped on scraps and the butterflies were punched from a scrap piece
Open-Minded #14--Flowering in February

Special

This is my Valentine's Day card for my oldest daughter.  She love horses, and I actually picked this horse image from DRS Designs knowing I would use it on a card for her.  I had forgotten about it until I was digging through a box of stamps (mostly brand new) looking for something else and came across it.  So glad I did.  I decided to give it a western feel and for me that meant some distressing, both with a pair of scissors and some caramel ink.  I added a die cut horseshoe on some rope I had recycled from some packaging or other.  Thought I would end up using it on a nautical card, but it worked perfectly for this.  

Supplies:

Stamps: DRS Designs horse; Verve "Take Note" sentiment

MFT western charm set--horseshoe

Challenges:

Word Art Wednesday #268--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Creative Fingers #129--anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper

C.R.A.F.T. #402--recycle (the twine/rope)

Aud Sentiments #173--Valentine's/love

CardzTV #2--Valentine's Day with sketch (I chose sketch #2)

Di's Digi Designs--include an animal

Simon Says Stamp Monday--use your favorite tool (my favorite tool is definitely my die cutting machine--I barely make a card without using it at least once)

Unto Us

Happy Valentine's Day!!  That means it's the middle of February and it's time for our mid-month inspiration for Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra!

A looooooong time ago, I got a whole bunch of pre-embossed and pre-die cut card bases from someone who was getting out of card making.  I haven't used very many of them, but as part of my use up scraps and bits and pieces personal challenge, I have pulled a bunch of them out and put them near my work desk to remind myself to actually use them.  This is one that I had laying there.  As I said, it was already embossed and the embossing is gorgeous but I just didn't know what to do with it.  I had cut out the center with my craft knife for another card and it just didn't work out, but I thought it would be fabulous for a sentiment matted with a colored card stock.  And it is!!  Since I have had it so long, the base was a little dusty, so I used some creamy caramel ink to give it a vintage feel.  I lightly dragged a gold ink pad across the embossing to bring out the details and add to the theme.  Then I embossed the sentiment with gold embossing powder on kraft and matted it with red.  A red bow and it's ready to go!  I hope this inspires you to look at your supplies in a new way, and maybe even get some Christmas cards ready to go.  Hope you will play along with us this month!  It's never to early for Christmas cards. : )

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "For Unto You"

Challenges:
Creative Fingers #124--anything goes
Craft-Dee BowZ--anything goes with a handmade bow
Christmas at Sweet Stampin'--anything goes
Sparkles #73--krafty Christmas
Julia Spiri--I love red
As You Like It--ribbon or lace (I'm definitely a ribbon girl.  I have some lace but I rarely use it.)
Sweet Stampers #4--add a sentiment
Tuesday Throwdown #330--Say it with words

Little cutie

In my last post, I showed the Valentine's Day card I made for my nephew.  This one is for his sister, my niece.  These little dinosaurs are just so cute, specially that little baby.

I cut a little slit around the big dino's hand and slipped in the little heart.  I thought it was a fun touch!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sugar Pea Designs "Prehistoric Pals"
Dies: Sweet n' Sassy Stamps "grass border"; Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"; Paper Smooches "Cute Clouds"

Challenges:
Sugar Pea Designs #28--sketch

Cut It Up #115--bendy or scene cards
Di's Digis--include an animal
Sweet Stampers #4--add a sentiment
Come And Get It--love is in the air
Fab n' Funky Challenge #337--wild about you

Get a Load

We've had a great snowy weekend: 12 inches Thursday, 3 more Friday night and another 2-3 today before it turned to rain.  Winter has definitely arrived!  But, with all the snow, I managed to get quite a bit of crafting done; Valentine's Day cards to be exact.  This fun one is for my nephew who's two.  I think this is perfect!

Supplies:
Stamps: YNS "Keep on Truckin" and "Large Ink Splatter"
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle; Sweet n Sassy Stamps heart dies

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--cute
Crafty Gals #104--shades of red
Creative Inspirations #268--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday--young at heart
Stick It Down--sketch

Love To Craft Challenge Blog #7--anything goes
Divas That Cut--red or pink
Julia Spiri--anything goes with twist of "I love red"
YNS #57--color combo (I used red, orange, and yellow)

Special

Here's another creation from our big snow day on Thursday!  12 inches of snow, so it was a good day to spend the afternoon crafting.  I managed to get almost all of my Valentine's Day cards made.

And with this one, I was able to use up some long (and a couple really short) thin scraps from my favorite paper pack that is almost used up.  I think it turned out pretty cute and it was pretty quick, too, which is a bonus.

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Take Note" sentiment
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle and "Pierced Heart STAX"
Cuttlebug embossing folder

Challenges:
Stick it Down--sketch

Southern Girls--3 or more design papers
Mod Squad--Let me see your text(urize)
Penny's #315--anything goes
Addicted To Stamps--holiday (Valentine's Day)
Creative Craft #81--anything goes
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #267--anything goes with snippets
Dies R Us #61--hearts
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Unicorn #18--butterflies and/or hearts

Sweet Lil' Dragon

Oh, my Goodness!!  I just love this sweet little dragon.  So, stikin' cute!  Thursday was a bit snow day for us.  Totaled about 12 inches and then got 3 more last night so I spent the afternoon making Valentine's Day cards.  This one is for my middle little.

 I stamped the dragon on a little scrap of patterned paper and then used a pink marker to shade and add detail.  I used clear wink of stella on her wings and they are so nice and glittery.  Because, of course, a pink dragon needs glittery wings, right?  Then I cute the dragon out and put it on the white circle and added the red hearts.  You can see the sparkle a bit in the picture below.

 Then I finished off the inside with the dragon stamped in a very pale pink and added the sentiment.

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT "Magical Dragons"; Verve "To the Moon" hearts and "Happy Valentine's Day
Dies: Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"

Challenges:
MFT #319--sketch

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--cute
Crafty Calendar--love is in the air
Through The Purple Haze #118--Love/Valentine
Dragon's Lair Challenge--hearts a flutter
Word Art Wednesday--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Stamplorations CAS challenge--Hot Pink (the wings and scales on the dragon's back)

Alphabet Challenge--X marks the spots or dots (I used a white gel pen to dot the dragon's belly and foot pads)
A Bit More Time To Craft #37--anything goes
In The Pink #112--with love

Magical Life

This is another card I made this afternoon while I was playing as the snow was steadily falling.  (the perfect day for crafting!).  This one is my Valentine's Day card for my littlest one.  I just love these sweet little dragons, I mean, just look at that face!!  And the sentiments are so adorable, too.

 You can't really tell in the photo, but I used clear wink of stella on the wings, and they are so glittery in real life.  And I used a white gel pen to make little dots all along his belly and the pads of his feet.  It just adds a little bit more cuteness.  I had a little strip of the patterned paper left, so I added it to the inside along with the image stamped again in the same color ink as the card stock.

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT "Magical Dragons"; Verve "To the Moon" red hearts and "Happy Valentine's Day" plain jane
Dies: Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"

Challenges:
Atlantic Hearts #198--sketch

YNS #57--color combo: red, yellow, orange, turquoise

Crafting By Designs--Anything goes
Inspiration Destination #121--anything goes
Crafting With An Attitude--anything goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #37--anything goes
Sweet Stampin'--Love is in the air
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Through The Purple Haze #118--Valentine's/Love
Creative With Stamps #11-- Valentine

Harvest of Love

We had a big snowstorm today, somewhere around 12 inches.  It started around 10:00 and kept at it until about dinner time.  So, it was the perfect day to stay inside and make Valentine's Day cards.  I think I managed to make 5 which is pretty good work for one afternoon for me.

I had a couple of these cute veggies already cut out and colored up for a previous project and they were laying on my desk with the matching paper, so it was the perfect way to start. ; )  I finished it off with a few die cut hearts and some fun garden themed brads to go along with the image.

Supplies:
Stamps: Craftin' Desert Divas "Farmer's Market"
Dies: Verve "Flag It"; Sweet n' Sassy Stamps heart dies

Challenges:
Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog #121--anything goes
YNS #57--sketch

CardzTV #2--anything goes
Unicorn Challenge #18--butterflies and/or hearts (hearts)
Love To Craft #7--anything goes
Crafty Calendar--love is in the air
Dies R Us #66--hearts
Incy Wincy--love
Creative Craft Cottage #81--anything goes
Creative Inspiration #268--anything goes
Crafting By Designs--love & Romance
Penny's Challenge #315--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--cute
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps #367--hearts
Little Miss Muffet #156--anything goes
Aud Sentiments #173--Valentine or love

Hello, Love

Happy Wednesday!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week we have a tic-tac-toe challenge for you.  Just make sure you use items from at least one column, row, or diagonal.

I really wanted to use every item on the board (kind of a personal challenge) but life has been crazy around our house this week and I was rushing to put my card together in the fastest amount of time possible, so I wasn't able to use water colors or pink.  But I think I did manage to get everything else: Valentine's/love, embossing (heat), red, hearts, vellum, gems and die cuts.

I started by embossing the "Flower Power" background with white embossing powder onto the red card stock.  Then I took a dark red marker and added details to the flowers.  I stamped my sentiment on vellum and a little scrap of white card stock.  I added a couple die cut hearts in red for a subtle embellishment and added a few little gems to the centers of some of the flowers.
If you need any Repeat Impressions stamps (and, of course, you do!) check out my 10% off your total order coupon in my left hand side-bar.  Hop on over to the House blog for the the full details of this week's challenge.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Flower Power Background", "Hello Cling Set" hello and love
Dies: MFT "Pierced Heart STAX" and Sweet n Sassy Stamps heart dies

Challenges:
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #268--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Cute Card Thursday #463--be my valentine
CAS(E) This #207--sketch

ART Impressions # 201--lots of love
A Bit More Time To Craft #37--anything goes
Creative Fingers #124--anything goes
Cardz TV #2--anything goes
Sweet Stampin'--Love is in the air
Cards Galore--anything goes
Crafting with an Attitude--anything goes
Die Cut Divas--red or pink
Crafty Calendar--Love is in the air
Dies R Us #66--Hearts
Come And Get It--Valentine's
Incy Wincy--Love
Creative Craft Cottage #81--anything goes
Cuttlebug Mania--roses are red

Bouquet of Hearts

Happy Friday!!  It's time for another challenge from Jo's Scrap Shack.  As always, we are now an Anything Goes challenge and our sponsor this week is Digi Stamps 4 Joy.  

I was given this beautiful image to work with.  The detail on the bow and some of the other shading are just fabulous!

What do you need to do to enter?

Challenge Rules

1. Please post a direct link to your blog post that includes your challenge entry project, using the linky tool on Jo's blog. 

2. Be sure to include a link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering your project into

3. THREE entries per person are allowed for each challenge and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. For all entries -NO BACK LINKS ACCEPTED- 

The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date & the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge & prizes

5. You may link up to other challenges but be sure to link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering 

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

WILL NOT be eligible for the top 3, any sponsor wins or any random wins by Jo

All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.

You have until Feb. 10th by 6:00PM (eastern, USA) time to link up.

All winners will be announced during the week of Feb. 13th.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create!

Supplies:

Stamps: DigiStamps4Joy "Vase of Hearts" digi; SU! "Noteworthy" love

Dies: Spellbinders "A2 Matting Basics A" rectangle

Challenges:

Tuesday Morning Sketches #388--sketch

Tuesday Throwdown #328--love notes

{Pin}spirational Challenge #183--inspiration photo (Inspired by the pink hearts)

Come And Get It--more than 3 layers

Dis Digis--all about love

Southern Girls--smash that stash: use buttons or brads

Crafter's Cafe #166--recycle something (the buttons were recycled from some clothing my children outgrew and it wasn't fit to pass on to someone else.  But the buttons were definitely worth saving!)
Creative With Stamps #11--Valentine

Cute Card Thursday #463--be my valentine

ART Impressions #201--Lots of Love

Love you a Latte

This is a fun digi stamp set that Verve is giving away for free and it is adorable!!  I just had to create a fun Valentine's Day card with it.  And I even got to use up some scraps; yeay!  I will be entering this into Verve's challenge to use this digi set.

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Love From Me" digi set

Challenges:
YNS #56--sketch

Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Penny's #314--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--the color of love
Crafty Creations #334--anything goes
Inspiration Destination #121--anything goes
Cards Galore--anything goes
Creative with Stamps #11-Valentine

Crafty Calendar--love is in the air

Love

Happy February!!  Today begins a new challenge on The House That Stamps Built blog.  As it is the first Wednesday of the month, this week's challenge is a Designer's Choice and Patti has chosen: Anything But a Card.  It could be a bookmark, box, bag, or any other paper creation you can think of as long as it is NOT a card. Valentine's Day is fast approaching and I took the opportunity to make these adorable little triangle treat boxes for my three kiddos.

 These boxes are THE cutest things!!  They are 2 inches by 2 inches and just perfect for holding a sweet treat or a small gift.  You can make your own by using this tutorial.

 I used the Flower Cluster Detail stamp to create the pattern on the the background.  I just stamped it several times, turning the stamp to create an even (mostly) pattern.  I added liquid pearls to the center of each flower just to add a bit of interest.  I stamped only the "love" portion from the "Love Stencil" stamp and then cut a little fishtail banner around it.  A die cut heart and some red ribbon make it perfect for Valentine's Day.  Here is a side view so you can see it in all it's triangle-y cuteness!

Make sure you hop over to The House Blog because the projects from the rest of the Design Team are amazing!!  There's something yummy and even a stunning smartphone cover that you do not want to miss.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Flower Cluster Detail" and "Love Stencil"
Dies: Sweet n' Sassy Stamps heart die

Challenges:
Die Cuttin' Divas #302--anything goes
Creative Craft Cottage--must use flowers
Retro Rubber Challenge #55--Cross my heart (the "love" stamp is over a year old as I know I used it last Valentine's Day, but I don't think it's older than 1 1/2 years)
Tuesday Throwdown #238--love notes
Come And Get It--three or more layers
Hiding in My Craft Room #286--any holiday (Valentine's Day)
Brown Sugar #233--anything goes
C.R.A.F.T. #400--Love/Valentine's/anniversary
A Gem of a Challenge #186--hearts and/or flowers

Turtley Awesome

Happy February!!  It's time for another challenge from the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog.  Since this is the month of love with Valentine's Day and all, our challenge for the month is: Who Loves You Baby? (Love/romance project--Valentine's Day, wedding, anniversary, etc.)

Our sponsors are:

Gracielle Design

Sparkle n Sprinkle

 Lawn Fawn

Here is my card for your inspiration:

This is going to be my Valentine's Day card for my husband.  I created a fun little scene with these turtles and fish.  The three little orange fishies represent our three kiddos.  Pretty cute, huh?  And I just love the fun sentiment.

Head on over to the Love To Scrap Blog for all the details as we have switched things up a bit this year.  I can't wait to see all your love filled creations!

Supplies:

Stamps: Clearly Besotted "Cool Dude"; Raisin Boat Stamps "Undies In a Bunch" little hearts

Dies: Lawn Fawn "Say Cheese" die

Challenges:

Die Cuttin' Divas #302--anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown #328--love notes
Simon Says Stamp Monday--pets corner
Crazy4Challenges #370--squirrels (or other critters--sorry, don't have any squirrels)
Sketch Saturday #448--sketch

Dis Digis--all about love
Hiding in My Craft Room #286--any holiday (Valentine's Day)
Cute Card Thursday #462--something fun (the sentiment)
C.R.A.F.T. #400--love/Valentine's/anniversary
Little Miss Muffet #155--anything goes
Pattie's Creations--use an animal image