Thursday, July 31, 2014

I'm Recycling, and saying Goodbye -- for Pinque Peacock

Hello, and happy Friday!  Today, I'm posting for Pinque Peacock.  It is my last post for Jessica and her wonderful products.  I will miss the great camaraderie I've experienced with this team, but know I'll "see" many of these gals around blog land.
I received a bar of soap awhile ago, and thought to myself, "I could do  something with that box."  I saved it, recycled it, and created a treasure box of Pinque Peacock products.
This is what the box looked like when I received it with the bar of soap inside.


Here's the front of the box, recycled:


I covered the box with some Echo Park Dots & Stripes paper, tied a bow out of May Arts silk ribbon, and added a big, bold Pinque Peacock 1.5 inch fabric covered button.
Inside the box...

Make sure to visit the Pinque Peacock blog for tons of inspiration, and check out the Pinque Peacock Challenges and Link ups for the latest Challenge.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

I'm Steppin' Out for Fitztown!

Today is my last guest designer post for Fitztown Challenge blog.  I've loved the opportunity to work with the fantastic images given me! And the Creative Team has been wonderful to me!  
The newest Fitztown challenge is a step card.  I had great fun with this one!

I love butterflies and this image was wonderful to color!  I have 2 Spectrum Noir markers.  I used both of them on this butterfly.  The butterfly is from "Garden 16", and is one of 6 butterflies that comes in the set.
I intentionally left this center step card very simple, because I wanted the butterfly to be the focus.  The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Company.
I used my Silhouette to make the step card, using a design I found here, in the Silhouette Online Store.  The papers are from Carta Bella.  
Don't forget to check the Fitztown Challenge blog for tons of wonderful inspiration, and the Fitztown Store is a wonderful place to explore!
I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Try it on Tuesday -- Things With Wings
Crafting from the Heart -- Always ATG
Make My Monday -- Butterflies
Melonheadz Friends -- Things with Wings or Tails
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party

Bling it On! for Delightful Challenges

It's Thursday, and time for a new challenge at Delightful Challenges blog.  This week, the theme is "Bling it On".  I'm not always one to use a lot of bling on my card, but I tried to go heavy on the bling this week!


I used a stamp from The Flower Set on this card, and  a sentiment from the "Spring Sentiment Set"


I have some new ShinHan Touch Twin markers, and this is the first I've tried them.  I used them on the flowers.  There's also some Stickles to make them sparkly.  I used some glitter paper to bling the card up a bit more, and some rhinestones from Close To My Heart. 
This week's challenge is sponsored by Cut N Paste Memories.
Bling up a project, and link it up at Delightful challenges.  You have all week!

Black and White for DigiStamps4Joy

It's time for some mid-challenge inspiration on the DigiStamps4Joy Challenge Blog. The current challenge is "Black and White" (gray and skin tones allowed).  So, black and white, it is!

I used the DigiStamps4Joy digi "Art Deco Beauty" to make this card.

The butterfly has been colored in shades of gray, using Copic markers.  Some black pearls make up the body of the butterfly.  It was fussy cut and attached to the card with foam tape.
The designer paper is a strip of Echo Park Dots & Stripes.  I used a We R Memory Keepers Scallop Corner Chomper on the edges. Some Timeless Twine in Tuxedo Black finishes up the card.
This "Black & White" Challenge goes until Tuesday, August 5.  Come join in the fun!
I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Try it on Tuesday -- Things With Wings
Craft Dee BowZ -- ATG with a Homemade Bow
Make My Monday -- Butterflies
Melonheadz Friends -- Things with Wings or Tails
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party

Monday, July 28, 2014

Fun in the Summer Sun!

It's Summer!  And it's 70 degrees here today!  We just can't seem to get the warmth going here in NW Wisconsin. But August is right around the corner -- we're bound to heat up then!
I have a card today that I'm posting for Timeless Twine that's all about having fun in the sun, and looking cool while doing it.  It's all about the look!


Bella Creationz has the entire Sorbet Collection on sale this month, but July is fast coming to end, so you might want to snatch it up quick!

I used all 3 colors from the Sorbet Collection on this card: Watermelon Sorbet, Key Lime Sorbet, and Razzleberry Sorbet.  It's hard to pick a favorite!
I also used 2 stamps from the Bella Creationz Hello Summer Stamp Set.

Other supplies used on this card:  Great Impressions Beachy Penguins Stamp, Fancy Pants Summer Soul 6x6 Papers, Copic markers, We R Memory Keepers Cloud Corner  Chomper, and a little Liquid Glass on the shades to make them shine.
I think I'm gonna head to the beach -- these penguins have the right idea!  Fun in the sun, indeed!
I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Craft-Dee BowZ -- ATG with a Homemade Bow
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party

Swimming -- for Eureka Stamps

It's Monday, so it's time for a new challenge at Eureka Stamps.  This week's theme is "swimming".  
I love ducks, often watching them swim in the small lake across from my house.  So, they were the inspiration behind this project:


I made this mallard image (digi36601) into a bookmark, and colored the image with Copic markers.  I mounted the stamp on a couple of layers of cardstock, punched a hole, added some ribbon, and it was complete.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Make a Wish -- for 3 Girl JAM

Hello, and happy Friday, everyone!  I'm posting today for 3 Girl JAM. We've had a food and food related challenge going on all month, but it's wrapping up soon.  I have one more food related project to share for this month's theme.
Cupcakes!  You gotta love cupcakes!


Cupcakes, glittery cherries, 3 Girl JAM lace, and 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon.  Is that a yummy combination, or what?  The ribbon is the new 3 Girl JAM Tie Dye Bundle.   The lace is the 3 Girl JAM Distressed Lace.
The cupcake and cherry are from a Cutting Cafe file -- 4 Assorted Cupcakes.  The sentiment is a Close To My Heart stamp.  Papers are from the Fancy Pants Hopscotch 12x12 Collection.
July was a busy birthday month for me, so this card will soon be out the door -- Make a Wish!
Need some of the yummy  3 Girl JAM lace or crinkle ribbon for yourself?  Use discount code JO10 to get 10% off anything.  ANYTHING in the store!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Flower Power! for Delightful Challenges

It's Thursday, and time for another challenge at Delightful Challenges.  This week's theme is "Add Ribbon". I love ribbon, and use it all the time, so I had FUN with this challenge!


I used the darling image, "Flower Power basket of Daisies" on this card, and the Spring Sentiments Set



I colored the adorable image with Copic markers, and paper pieced her dress and hat.  I added a couple paper flowers to her hat, and to the ribbon.
Here's a close up of the image:


The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  It's Coral Crush from the Caribbean Splash Bundle.

Our sponsor this week is: 
They are offering a prize package worth $15-$20!

Come join the challenge at Delightful Challenges! Just add Ribbon!

Paws-ing for a Christmas Card

I got another free Christmas image from DigiStamps4Joy because I entered last month's Christmas challenge. I wanted to make sure and make a card this month so I can keep adding to my Christmas stash, and get next month's free DS4J image.  Here's what I made this month:


I colored the image with Copic markers, and computer generated the sentiment. Here's a closeup of the sentiment:

I have a new bowmaker, and used it to make the triple bow at the top of the card!  Fun, fun!
I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party
Craftin' Desert Divas -- Craft It Up and Link It Up -- Christmas In July
Craft-Dee Bowz -- ATG with a homemade Bow
Craft Your Passion -- Christmas in July
House of Cards -- Add a Bow
Lexi's Creations -- Christmas in July
Scrapbook Stamp Society -- Christmas in July
Come and Get It Challenges -- Christmas in July
My Perfect Life -- Christmas
Corrosive Challenges -- Christmas in July
Christmas Card Challenges -- Inspiration Photo (used the colors)
City Crafter Challenge Blog -- Christmas in July
DigiChoosday -- Christmas in July
Scrap Creations -- Christmas in July
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge -- Deck the Halls
Twisted Tuesday Challenges -- include a tree
Crafty Hazel Nut's Christmas Challenge -- ATG, as long as it's Christmas
Sparkles Forum Challenge -- Christmas in July
Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge -- Make it Christmas

Monday, July 21, 2014

My First (Intentional) Monochromatic Card

It's Monday, and time for a new challenge at Eureka Stamps.  They don't call these things "challenges" for nothing!  This one scared me!  I have never intentionally made a monochromatic card, although I may have accidentally done it a time or two.  So, setting out to accomplish it set shivers down my spine!  But, I managed it, I think.   In fact, once I figured it out, I decided to make two:


and


I used Eureka Stamps digi 9702 on both of these cards, and colored it with Copic Markers.


The cards were both cut out on my Silhouette.  The butterfly pop up card is found in the Silhouette Online Store.  I used Echo Park cardstock on both cards (same piece of paper, just reversed).
Tell me, which card do you like best?  I can't decided...
And, don't forget to enter the Monochromatic Challenge this week at Eureka Stamps.
I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party
Fairy Tale Stampers -- Summer (must use stamp/digi)
Totally Gorjuss -- Butterflies

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Always Wear Your Invisible Crown!

I have this dog, Sophie.  Everyone calls her the princess.  She's my Golden Retriever that goes to work with me everyday.  She has free reign of the nursing home.  That's 97 residents.  And 145 staff.  And families.  And volunteers. And....well, you get the picture.  She's the princess.  So, when given a choice of The Cutting Cafe assignments this time (Top Hat Set, Party Hat Set, or Assorted Crowns), there was really no choice.  It HAD to be the Assorted Crown set.  And, it HAD to be all about Sophie:


I made this layout of Sophie, at the nursing home, with some of her subjects friends.  She's with some nursing students who instantly fell in love with her, 2 young girls who spent all afternoon lying right beside her, and she's with 2 of the ladies that she spends time with each and every day.  Sophie is a well-loved dog!  I could go on for hours about the benefits of having a free-roaming dog in a nursing home, but I think these pictures speak for themselves.  Does this look like an institution or a home?  Do you see people living in these pictures or waiting around for life to end?  Sophie may be the princess, but being princess is no easy job!
The Path of Positivity Challenge Blog has a theme of "Dreams".  Sophie fulfills many dreams for the residents of the nursing home where she and I work.  She is the reason some of them get out of bed in the morning.  They have to make sure her water dish is filled, they have to make sure and "save her a little something" at meals, they have to go to the activity room to "see what Sophie is up to."  She is a dream maker and fullfiller of dreams at the same time.  Our dreams change as we age and become simpler.  Finding joy in something as basic as a beautiful dog makes life better.  I truly believe that Sophie knows she is at work and has a job to do.  Her favorite rooms seem to be the hospice rooms where she spends countless hours with families.  Yeah, she's the princess, but she deserves the title!
Here's a closeup of the sentiment stamp (it's from Close To My Heart), and Sophie.  The crown I placed above her head is from the Assorted Crown Cutting Files set.  Seriously, that dog was made to wear a crown!


Here's a closeup of another crown I used in the set:


I used my Cricut to cut the heart overlay (CTMH Artbooking Cartridge) and my Silhouette to cut the crowns and the Sophie font.  All products are by CTMH, except the 2 foil papers I used on the crowns -- they are DCWV.
I haven't made a layout for a long time, so it was fun to take some pictures and make this one.  Sophie is a great subject to scrapbook about!
Make sure to check out the Cutting Cafe blog on July 21 to see the rest of the projects by the talented design team.  Leave a comment and you may win 3 sets of your choice. Fun!!
(All pictures used with permission)
I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Fantasy Stampers -- Animal Magic
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party
Fussy and Fancy Challenge blog -- All About Gilrs

Friday, July 18, 2014

Surf's Up! For My Scrap Chick

Hello, and happy Friday, crafty friends!  It's summertime -- surfin', sippin' cold drinks, enjoying the waves.  Today's project for My Scrap Chick features all of these summertime things:


This surfin' penguin is celebrating warm weather! Doesn't he look like he's having fun, hanging ten?
I sized him to fit on a standard A2 card front, and used various papers from the Fancy Pants Summer Soul 6x6 Paper pad.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. It's the Coral Crush from the Caribbean Splash Bundle.  The "LOL!" sentiment is from a retired Close To My Heart stamp set.  
Like this adorable penguin, I'm going to Live Out Loud the rest of this summer!
Don't forget to visit My Scrap Chick for other wonderful cutting files -- and there's always a Friday Freebie!  There's something for anything you can imagine!


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Altered Card Box -- for Fitztown

Hello, and happy Thursday!  Fitztown  has a new challenge that started this week.  I'm honored to be guest designing for them again today.  This week's theme is an "altered item". One of my favorite things to alter are card boxes -- it's something I can have on hand and give as a gift, filled with handmade cards:


The box is 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 inches deep.  It will hold about 8 handmade cards with envelopes, depending on how embellished they are.  I inked the edges of the box with Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Tarnished Silver, then, using Mod Podge, attached Close To My Heart paper from the Lucy paper pack.  I used the Fitztown image, Garden 7 as the focal point, coloring the flowers to match the papers.  I used Copic markers to color the flowers.  I used a Spellbinders Gold label die in 2 sizes.  The flowers started out white, but I inked them to match the papers and added matching brads (flowers and brads from CTMH).  The rhinestone flourish is also from Close To My Heart.
Here's a view where you can see the box a bit better:

This is a great challenge -- it takes us out of our comfort zones a bit and does what it's supposed to -- challenges us!  I had a wonderful time with my altered card box for Fitztown!
I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Miram's Crafting blog -- containers
The Sailing Pineapple -- Anything but a card (limited to one entry)

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?

Hello, and happy Thursday! Do you remember that childhood game of searching for the missing button?  My grandmother, who had the BEST button jar, used to have us play it alot.  I LOVED looking through her button jar and searching for the button!
This week, at Delightful Challenges, the challenge theme is "Button, Button, Use a Button or Brad".  Well, why use one button when you can use several?
Here's what I did this week!


Yup, lots of buttons! A rainbow of buttons!

I used the delightful 'rainbow digi' from Digital Delights by Louby Loo.  It's available colored and uncolored.




I used the Spring Sentiment set and put the "Hello Sunshine" in the cloud.

The papers on this card are Echo Park Dots and Stripes.  The card stock is by Close To My Heart.  The buttons are all from Basic Grey, and they are threaded with Close To My Heart Waxy Flax. I colored the Rainbow image with Copic markers.  I used a We R Memory Keepers Cloud Corner Chomper on the various layers. 
The challenge this week at Delightful Challenges is sponsored by The Robin's Nest 

Come join in our "Button, Button" challenge!
I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party
Fan-Tastic Tuesday -- ATG (must be square or rectangle)
TTCRD -- ATG (2 of 2)
Crafting From the Heart -- ATG
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog -- ATG
Marker Pop Challenge -- ATG
My Craft Creations -- ATG
The Paper Nest Dolls -- ATG
Avenue 613 Create -- ATG
Scribble and Scrap -- ATG
Papertake Weekly Challenge -- Buttons, Bows & Bling (any combination)
Retarte -- ATG &/or Buttons


You Are My Anchor -- for DigiStamps4Joy

It's Wednesday, and it's time for some mid-challenge inspiration on the DigiStamps4Joy blog.  Our current challenge is "For the Boys".  My husband and I love to kayak and spend time on the water -- especially Lake Superior.  So, I went with a nautical theme for this challenge:

I used the beautiful DigiStamps4Joy stamp, "My Anchor" on this card: 

I colored the anchor with Copic markers, then fussy cut it. I placed it over another stamped image of the anchor.  It was mounted with foam tape on the card base.  I used Fancy Pants paper on this card.  The twine was braided to look like an anchor rope.  It is Cherry Red baker's twine from Timeless Twine. The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Company
Come join in on the "For the Boys" Challenge.  You have until July 22!
I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party
Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge -- At The Beach
Fan-Tastic Tuesday -- ATG (must be square or rectangle)
TTCRD -- ATG (1 of 2)
Crafty Cardmakers -- Under the Sea
The Paper Girls Challenge -- Red, White, and Blue (Main color theme to my card)
Fresh Brewed Designs -- By the Sea/Summer

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

So Sweet Berries -- for SVG Attic

Hello, and happy Tuesday!  We've had a cool, wet summer here in NW Wisconsin, so strawberry season is going longer than usual this year.  I love berry season!  That was the inspiration behind today's project for SVG Attic.


This shaped card from SVG Attic is called the "Sweet Sentiment Card SVG Collection".
Cards like this are so fun because you can get many different looks depending on the papers you use.  The designer papers on this card are all Echo Park Dots and Stripes. 
I hope you enjoyed this berry sweet card -- gotta go pick berries!

Monday, July 14, 2014

I {heart} Summer -- for Timeless Twine

It IS Summer, isn't it?  Our high temperature for today is supposed to reach 58 degrees.  The high!  Really?  What's with that?  But it is summer, the calendar tells me so!
And, at Timeless Twine this month, we're having all kinds of summer fun!  I love the Sorbet colors being featured this month (they're on s-a-l-e!), and they were great fun to create this little treat box with:

I used lots of great Bella Creationz products on this creation!  
There's a small Kraft tag

I stamped one of the wonderful stamps from the "Hello Summer" stamp set (on sale!) on the tag.

The treat box is a Kraft pinstripe 2x2x2 size.  I covered 5 sides with Pebbles paper from the Lakeside Collection.
 To top it off, I made a small pom pom from the Key Lime Sorbet Timeless Twine, and the whole Sorbet collection is on sale this month!


I'll leave you with one more view of the treat box:

We're heading for a high temperature of 70 degrees tomorrow.  Bring on the heat!

Celebrate! for Eureka Stamps

Hello, and happy Monday!  It's time for a new challenge at Eureka Stamps, and this week's theme is "sports".  We're a little odd in this house -- no interest in the usual football, baseball, or hockey.  Sports, to us, is long distance running, biking, kayaking -- quiet sports.  But every sport, regardless of the type, needs someone cheering them on.  That was the inspiration behind today's card for the Eureka Stamps Sports Challenge:


I used digi 7701 (cheerleader) on this card. I colored her with Copic markers and added some Stickles to her pom poms to make them sparkle.  Isn't she cute?
I used My Mind's Eye Collectable 6x6 papers on this card.  The sentiment is a stamp from Close To My Heart. I used two Spellbinders dies, and finished it off with some Timeless Twine in Simply White.  And, of course, it needed a pom pom.  After all, this is a card about cheerleading!
Come join the fun with our sports challenge at Eureka Stamps this week!

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Tres Chic! for DigiStamps4Joy

It's Sunday, and there are some FABULOUS new releases at DigiStamps4Joy today!  We were given a choice of which image we wanted to design with, and it was a VERY tough choic.  I chose the lovely, 'Tres Chic' -- partly because my husband and I have been glued to the Tour de France each evening so an image in French fit, oui? 
Here's what I created:

She is chic, isn't she?  Here's the digi image I used:

She is a stamp drawn by Jen Lee for DigiStamps4Joy.  I paired her with a sentiment from Unity Stamp Company.  I thought the two went together quite well!
The image was colored with Copic markers.  I used Basic Grey  Hipster 6x6 papers. The card base and tag are Close To My Heart juniper cardstock.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  It is the Latte ribbon from the Coffee Bundle.  I used 2 Spellbinders dies on this card.
Check out the other great releases this week at DigiStamps4Joy, and please check out the other awesome creations from the design team!  They will blow you away!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Keep It Simple -- Take a Bow
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- July Linky Party