Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy!

Turning 50 can be a stinker, but it doesn't have to be when you are surrounded by great friends like all of YOU! so I am sharing my thanks by offering up a fun blog candy to one randomly chosen winner.

You do not need to be a follower in order to add your name to the list, nor will I make you jump through hoops to play along. unless you like that sort of thing. then I say go for it! ;)

well I never did get around to taking a photo of my blog candy, but that just means I can keep adding more little goodies as I come across them! I'll add a brief list of what I have for one winner so far, but you never know what else might end up in someone's party treat bag!

• Unity 'Orange You Glad' Itty Bitty Stamp set (because the best knock knock joke in the entire world is the orange/banana one!)
• Spellbinders Floral Corner One Shapeabilities Die
• MME Chalk Studio 6x6 paper pad and twine
• SRM Stickers 'party'
• The Crafter's Workshop mini leaf grid stencil
• LOTS of vintage buttons
• Fancy Pants ribbons
• various other ribbons/trims
• doilies
• tags
• star seqiuns
• Making Memories glitter paper flowers
• Little Yellow Bicycle decorative stick pins
• ZVA Creative mini rhinestone flourishes
• French Mustache Birdbrain digital stamp set by From the Heart
• and MORE! :)

*Inlinkz tool removed per new privacy laws since all prizes have been claimed. thank you for your understanding. :)

A Tree Sings Hope

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

Happy Monday! yeah, that's not what most people say, I realize, but I HAVE had a cup of coffee already, so it IS a happy happy day! :)

I want to share a card with you today that I am sending out to my son, Mick. in fact, as soon as I finish typing up this post, I plan to put it right out in the mailbox so it will be on its way. Diane at Daydream Designs has so many unique digi images and papers, but I was immediately drawn to every one of her sets that contain trees. you know how I am about nature! I just love these trees and the sentiments she has created to go with them.

I've used the black line tree image and one of the sentiments from the Hug a Tree set. there are some neat pre-colored images in the set, too, if you like that format. papers are from the Basic Grey Origins collection. it seemed perfect to add a few little twigs tied in SU! linen thread. some buttons, a little smidgen of gingham ribbon, and tiny leaf flourish (die by Cheery Lynn) complete the card. fairly simple since it's for my Mick. :)  but I know he will love it because he is even more of a nature lover than I am, if you can believe it.  just needed to remind him that his momma is always thinking about him!!! :)

Today is the last day to sign up for my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy! I'll post a winner tomorrow! :)

Challenges:
Outlawz sketch - sketch
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Ditzie Digi Design - anything goes
Delicious Doodles - buttons and bows
Digi Galore - add a button
Creative Moments - for the boys
Creative Knockouts - make it masculine

Sweet Poppies Tag

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Vanilla Creme

My printer was filled with naughty gremlins for several days, so I wasn't able to get anything new printed off. thankfully I have quite a few images in my stash for days such as those when I want to craft, but things such as sassy tech gremlins get in the way. ;)

My project today is a tag using digis from Daydream Designs. I'll be back on track next week with my Monday postings for Diane. thank goodness my printer is back to its normal self, at least for now. grins!

I've used flowers from the 'Poppies for You' set and a sentiment from the 'Garden Inspirations Sentiment' set. gunmetal stickles were used for the flower centers, as well as some crochet trim, button, and handmade enamel dots. oh yes, the polka dot paper is Authentique Glory.

only a few days left of my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy. you know you want to be the winner of all of these fun goodies! :)

Challenges:
House That Stamps Built - sketch (a loose interpretation)
Jo's Scrap Shack - in the garden
My Heart Pieces - anything but a card
WAW - anything encouraging goes
All Crafts  - anything but a card

Celebrate July 4th Like a Star!

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice (you know it's my fave!)

I am slowly starting to get over that nasty pants migraine. slowly. gosh, I hate those things. they keep me from crafting, as they mess up my eyes something awful.

anyway, I was finally able to get into my craft room yesterday for a short bit, so made this little card for funsies! I had seen the challenge over at Chi Chi Memories and was lucky enough to be able to get this cutey  'Funky Girl' image in the time it was offered as a freebie.

paper is from the Authentique Pride collection, as is the little sentiment banner. they truly have the best patriotic papers! maybe one day Basic Grey will release a patriotic line. lace trim and buttons are vintage, star is punched from a Starbucks coffee cozy, rose is Prima, and everything else is from my stash.

be sure to enter my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy! it's starting to get kinda big since I keep adding stuff to it! :)

Challenges:
Chi Chi Memories - sketch
CCEE Stampers - sunglasses
DRS Designs - it's new (Prima rose is from a brand new collection, to me anyhow!)
Crafter's Cafe - polka dots and ribbon (satin ribbon goes through vintage lace trim)
Fresh Brewed Designs - red, white, and blue
Paper Pretties - red, white, and blue
Rhedd and Rosie - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
City Crafter - red, white, and blue
Die Cuttin' Divas - I Vow to Thee My Country (USA & Spellbinders die)
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - July 4th
Twisted Tues. - red, white, and blue with star twist
Craftin' Desert Divas - red, white, and blue linky party
Open Minded Crafting - patriotic colors
My Sheri Crafts - A Star is Born
Stampin' for the Weekend - anything goes

Faith, Hope, and Love ATCs

Coffee of the Day - Marzipan

I am so excited about our new challenge over at Crafting with Dragonflies! it's all about ATCs, and you know what fun I have been having lately  making these little cuties! we want to see a set of 3 ATCs for the challenge. sponsors this fortnight are QKR Stampede and Pickled Potpourri Designs. please stop by the challenge blog to see all of the great project created by my teamies. everyone did such a wonderful job! :)

for my ATC's, I used the Apple Blossom digi image by QKR Stampede. flowers on each were colored a different shade, with rock candy stickles added to the centers.  tea tags , vintage buttons, Prima flowers, crochet trim, and doilies were added to each card. words were stamped, punched, and then adhered with foam tape to give more dimension. I really love the shabby/vintage look to these! :)

I think I'll send these out to some of the young women working at Camp. Dave tells me stories of the AMAZING things God is doing out there already this summer. oh, how that makes my heart just sing, sing, sing! :)  but then again, God does pretty amazing stuff EVERY day, doesn't He?!

Don't forget to enter my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy! I've been adding little goodies to it almost every day.

Challenges:
TTCRD - anything goes
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Crafting at the Weekend - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
OSAAT - anything goes
Creative Craft Cottage - digi/flowers
Crafitude - flowers/lace
Inky Impressions - anything goes

Super Birdbrain!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

A quick post, as I have been fighting a migraine for the past few days.  I wanted to be sure to get my card finished for the monthly progressive challenge over at From the Heart using this fun Super Birdbrain image. I thought I would send it off to Ryan at Camp for a bit of encouragement.

card is fairly simple, using papers from the Basic Grey Capture collection, a star punched from a Starbuck's coffee cozy, some May Arts ribbon, and coolio buttons sent to me by a friend. you know I love my buttons!

also, you'll see a few DT changes here on my blog. I've had to make some decisions that weren't too easy, but most certainly necessary. I can't endorse a company/store/artist here on my blog that I don't believe to be someone I can 100% recommend to each of you who stops by. if I myself have difficulty, I would be horrified to think of one of you having those same troubles/issues after visiting upon my suggestion. I know everyone has different experiences and different sets of standards to live by. I am by no means perfect, I promise you. I am doing what I believe to be the right thing for me and my blog/readers. thank you for understanding.

hope you have a great day! :) Don't forget to enter my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy!

Challenges:
TTCRD - anything goes
Sailing Pineapple - re-purpose (coffee cozy)
Fan-tastic Tues - anything square or rectangle goes
Crafting at the Weekend - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - bold, bright colors
Incy Wincy - things with wings
Outlawz Greeting - masculine
Sentimental Sundays - when I grow up (this is going to our youngest son, Ryan, also known as Super Ry. since he was little, he has always wanted to be a Super Hero, most especially Superman!)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes with patterned paper
Brown Sugar - dots and/or stripes

Sweet Flowers for Paulette!

Today's post is filled with lots of love for a special friend, Paulette of Create with TLC. I happen to also be a guest designer over at Scribble and Scrap, so hope you will play along in their fun 'anything goes' challenge along with everyone!

several friends of Paulette have gotten together to wish her well and send her some love after her recent 'happy dance' down some stairs, which resulted in a few broken bones. please be sure to stop by all of the blogs and say hello!

Paulette is one of the most kind and giving people you will ever meet in the crafty community. she is always always always doing for others. this little hop is just an itty bitty way for several people to say 'we love you' to an amazing woman! :)

my card is made with the Scribble and Scrap image, Vintage Beauty 4. distress stickles and shimmerz paint accent the main image. papers are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut collection, sentiment is from Create with TLC, flower is from Prima, buttons are vintage, and rhinestone swirl is by ZVA Creative. punch for the sentiment is by SU!

1. Candy - Purple Card Lady

2. Desire - Doing Life 

3. Karen - Creative Inspirations by Karen

4. Carla -  Carla's Stamping Spot

5. Ileana - Sparkling Pink

6. Edwina - Edwina's Creations

7. Lynne - Her Craftiness

8. Cynthia - Stampin' in Alaska

9. Vicky - Crafting Vicky

10. Jennifer - Just Coffee Please...   Here you are! :)

11. Hetty - Craft Chaos

12. Jo Ann - J. Atterbury Creations

Create with TLC blog

Create with TLC store

Baubles by Bri Etsy store

don't forget to sign up for my Nifty at Fifty Blog Candy! you can find the post here.

Challenges:
Mojo Monday - sketch
East Wind - bling
Sketch 'n Dies - anything goes w/die cut (Spellbinders)
Allsorts - how does your garden grow?
Sugar Creek Hollow - vintage floral
Catch the Bug - bingo: bling, at least 3 layers, starts with 'r' (rose, ribbon, round)
Southern Girls - dying to use those punches (Spellbinders die & SU! punch)
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - flowers
Eureka - friends

I like the Way You Roll

Coffee of the Day - Toffee Creme

The new challenge at Pile it On is all about Kawaii and cute. not much more says cute to me that this fun sushi set by Lawn Fawn with its matching dies. love it, love it, love it, and I happen to have won it! that makes it all the more fun to play with, doesn't it?!

I kept it pretty simple, why you could ALMOST say it's a CAS card! I think I will, thank you!
paper is from the Basic Grey Kioshi collection. I love that the dies match almost all of the stamps in the set so I don't have to fussy cut them. the little bit of grass was saved from an actual sushi take out. yes, I really do re-purpose EVERYTHING! ;) I added a bit of paper piercing, but whoa nelly, was I really really crooked. need to find my guide that I used to use.....

don't forget to sign up for my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy! you can find the post here. pop back in later on for something fun!

Challenges:
Art by Miran - anything goes
Crafts 4 Eternity - fabulous food
4 Crafty Girls - anything goes
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey - anything goes
Creative Moments - anything goes w/a for the boys twist (this is being sent to my son)
Penny's Paper Crafty - fave embellishments (buttons!)
Rhedd and Rosie - anything goes
Scrapper's Delight - anything goes w/get sentimental twist
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Crafty Sentiments - CAS or full on (CAS)
TTCRD - anything goes
Ladybug Crafts - something for boys and/or use your die cuts (both: this is being sent to my son)
Crafts Galore Encore - use a stamp
The Stamping Chef - anything goes
Stamping with the Dragon - CAS

Summer Flowers For You!

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie (just enough left for half a cup!)

It has been ages since I used one of Mo's cutey pie images to make anything, so it was time to fix that. I popped over to the challenge blog to see what the theme was, and then I headed off to my craft room to get busy. this is what I came up with for their 'Summer Flowers' challenge.

I chose the precious 'Thanks' image and papers from the Basic Grey Capture collection. sentiment stamp is SU!, cut with a Jenni Bowlin punch. sunflower is from Factory Direct Crafts, while roses are by Prima. belt loops were cut from some jeans headed to the trash. you know how I love to re-purpose! :) twine is some I saved from the dog food bag. love the bright red of it, so I use it all the time.

make sure you enter my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy. you have until the end of the month to get your name  in the draw. yep, today is my birthday. I'm wearing my fancy tiara as I sit and type, 'cause that is just how I roll. ;)

enjoy your weekend!

Challenges:
A Little Bit Crafty - Child's Play
A Creative Need - anything goes
Craft for the Craic - something summery or with flowers (both!)
Crafts Galore Encore - use a stamp
Crafting Musketeers - stamped image
Let's Craft and Create - spots or stripes
Loves Rubberstamps - spots and dots
Brown Sugar - dots and/or stripes
Divas by Design - 3 or more layers
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Creative Craft Cottage - digi/flowers

Life is Good if You're a Cat on the Beach

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Macadamia

Today starts a new challenge at Add a Little Dazzle, based on this inspiration photo. someone will win a $15 gift certificate to the store, and it could very well be YOU if you play along!  :)

for my card I decided to make some waves - well, not the kind I usually make (tee hee!), but this time by using a bit of perfect peacock metal run through my Big Shot using the Basic Grey Curly 2 die. you can actually punch out the inner portions, but I chose to leave them in to help mimic the look of waves. I then sponged 2 shades of alcohol inks over the top to help create a bit more color as well as age. in certain parts, I was able to distress the metal, which is just sooooo cool for me! you know how I love to distress things! :)

the cutey image is 'One Cool Cat' by Crissy Armstrong for Whimsy Stamps. papers are Spice Market by Basic Grey, sentiment sticker is by SRM, buttons are all vintage, large rose colored flower is Prima while tiny orange flowers are WOC. crystal effects was added to the glass of lemonade and sunglasses. some sequins and cord finish the card.

Challenges:
SRM - summer
Craft-room Ch - sun, sand, & surf
Fan-tastic Tues - summer at the beach
Paper Pretties - summer fun
Penny's Paper Crafty - fave embellies (vintage buttons, flowers)
WAW - anything encouraging goes
PDE Linky Party - beach/ocean
TTCRD - anything goes
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes/summer
Craft Your Passion - 3 or more embellies ( metal waves, buttons, flowers, sequins, cord)
Incy Wincy - bright funky colors
Ditzie Digi Design - anything goes
Squirrel and Fox - use metal
Just For Fun - here comes summer
Natalie and Amy - 4 legged friends
Sparkles - at the beach/summer fun
Catch the Bug - summertime
Outlawz Paper a la Mode - use metal
Brown Sugar - summer
Craft for the Craic - something summery or with flowers
Crafty Catz - use 2 different dies (Spellbinders and Basic Grey)
Get Inky - summer
Lia Stampz - summer fun

Life is Sweet with You

Coffee of the Day - Toffee Cream

I am pleased to announce that I was asked by a lovely lady by the name of Diane Noble to join her team at Diane's Daydream Designs! you might recognize some of the other artists and designers that have teamed with Diane. they are some of the most talented, kind, friendly women in the crafting community! I am so tickled to be part of this group of Christian women! :)

I hope to bring you a project every Monday featuring products from the Daydream Designs store. Today I have a card for you using 2 images from Diane's Preserving Sweetness Outline set and digital paper from her Poppies for You collection. btw - you can grab this paper as a freebie over on Diane's blog right here! :)

I really wanted to play up the homespun theme with my card, so I used a doily and gingham ribbon. a sentiment from the Jam Packed with Love sentiment set was turned into a little banner. the flower and matching leaf are by Petaloo. they remind me of the blossoms on strawberry plants. the little bee is a sticker by SRM. some sequins, vintage buttons, and faux stiching complete the card. mixing the ginghams with shads of kraft helps bring the country feel to heart!

I apologize that I didn't get my blog candy uploaded yesterday. Mick popped in for a surprise visit, so that was a nice treat! will try to get that done today.

Challenges:
Ditzie Digi Design - anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - use gingham ribbon and/or paper
We Do Doobadoo - ribbon
Digi Haven - picnic related (gingham and berries and bees mean picnic to me)
QKR Stampede - anything goes
Stamping Boutique - flower embellishment
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbon
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Sailing Pineapple - Home Sweet Home
Digi Makeover - stitching (faux)
Cheerful Stamp Pad - fruits and veggies
Craft Dee BowZ - anything goes with a handmade bow

Father's Day Truck

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Pecan

Happy Father's Day to every Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle out there! My life has been so very blessed in that not only did I have a most amazing father, but Dave is a wonderful father to our sons. he is also the best husband I could ever ask for. :)

This is the card I made for Dave for me to give him for Father's Day. I tried to match the coloring to the truck he drives out at Camp. I had Tyler take a photo and send it to me so I could match it up as best I could.

papers are from the Basic Grey Hipster collection, image is by Tiddly Inks, flower is Petaloo, tab punch is Jenni Bowlin, main die is Spellbinders. I added a few highlights with my clear spica gel pen. faux stitching is added with a white gel pen, and woodgrain bg stamp on card base is by SU!

I'll be back shortly to add some info about my Birthday blog candy. one item that will be part of the giveaway is this fun digi set by Faith at From the Heart Stamps - 'French Mustache Birdbrain.'  see you soon! :)

Challenges:
Sketch File - sketch
Pumpkin Spice - masculine
Totally Gorjuss - Dad
Creative Corner - just for boys
Delicious Doodles - stitch it (faux for me!)
Jo's Scrap Shack - Father's Day
Pattie's Creations - wedding or Father's Day
DL Art - masculine
Hobbybook - for Dad or male
The Male Room - Father's Day
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Ladybug Crafts Ink - for him
Oldie but a Goodie - Father's Day/masculine (buttons & punch are old)
Papertake Weekly - for the boys
Tues. Throwdown - special man
Craft Your Passion - for the boys
Digi Sketch - for the men
Mema's Crafts - only  men allowed
Digi Makeover - for the men
Incy Wincy - faux techniques (faux stitching)
Eclectic Ellapu - for a man
That Craft Place - men
Glitter 'n Sparkle - Father's Day/men

Messy Face Chocolate Boy

Coffee of the Day - Irish Creme

I've been slow getting caught up on my cards for Jellypark Post Pals, but I finally got another one made. this card is going to a young boy by the name of William S.  I couldn't resist, as that is Tyler's first name. :)

the next image given for everyone to use was a clown. well clowns and I get along about as well as me and monkeys, so I begged and pleaded with Claire to please please please use a different image. she was very kind and said yes. so I chose to use this cutey boy with his chocolate bar for my card.

papers are from the Basic Grey Hopscotch collection, sentiment is by Create with TLC, linen thread and sentiment punch are by SU! I thought the candy bar wrapper would make a fun touch and also added a belt loop cut from a pair of shorts. a few buttons finish the card.

keep your eyes open, because I will be posting my big 50th birthday blog candy soon! I am waiting on a few last things to come in so I can take a photo for all of you! :)

Challenges:
A Little Bit Crafty - Child's Play
Creative Corner - Just for boys
Papertake Weekly - for the boys
Aud Sentiment - any sentiment for a guy
WAW - anything encouraging goes
TTCRD - anything goes

Letter for Santa Snowglobe

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

This month I got my act together and finished my Digi Stamps 4 Joy Progressive Christmas Challenge card early! no more of that freaking out over the time differences for me! ;)

The image we were sent for June is called 'Santa's Letter.' I added lots of sparkle to mine courtesy of stickles and some pearl pen drops. papers are from the Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses collection. I love the little figures in the bg of the main paper! :)  lace trim and holly pieces on the snowglobe base are vintage, sorry the twine bow got a bit catty-whompus in the scan, the main die is from Spellbinders, and the holly leaf flourish one is by Cheery Lynn. I added one of the little holly leaves to Santa's letter for a festive touch.

Challenges:
Outlawz Wed. Sketch - sketch
CRAFT - Christmas
Christmas Stamping All Year Long - ribbons and trims
Crimbo Crackers - anything goes Christmas
Sparkles Christmas Ch - fave color combo (I really love the pinks, greens, and blues of this paper collection)
Crafty Bloggers - bingo: column A (image, die cut, patterned paper)
Merry Monday - Santa Hat (in bg paper on Santa!)
Digi Choosday - 2 real papers (Basic Grey)

Congrats, Graduate!

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Vanilla Creme

It's a new challenge over at Add a Little Dazzle, and boy howdy, am  I in for it.... first time in forever that I overslept! yikes! here it is almost noon and I just woke up! boy am I scrambling to get my post going, and that is on no coffee, folks, so bear with  me. ;)  I am trying to adjust to all of these DT posts hitting at once, so next week will be much much better!

anyhow, y'all just wanna see my project, I know! but please stop by the Add a Little Dazzle blog today to see what the rest of the Dazzling Divas have in store for you. this is such a talented team! I am really blessed to be on some pretty fab teams, I must say! you know you wanna play along and maybe win yourself some of these amazing metal sheets of your own to play with! as you can see, I am using them on EVERYTHING! tee hee!

Since our theme this week is 'Graduation,' I chose to use the Graduation digi stamp set by Doodle Garden. dies are all by Spellbinders. for the bg, I took a piece of the Aluminum metal sheet and ran it through my Big Shot using the Basic Grey Diamonds embossing folder. I then took slate alcohol ink and sponged it all over the metal sheet. I love the hints of blue that came through! some grosgrain ribbon, buttons, and handmade enamel dot finish the card. simple, because it is going to a guy. and his school colors are blue and grey, which come through nicely!

Challenges:
Stella Says Sketch - sketch 211
Crafty Sentiments - Father's Day/for a male
Papertake Weekly - for the boys
Oldie but a Goodie - Father's Day/masculine (Spellbinders Label 1 die, ribbon, and buttons are old)
Craft Your Passions - Father's Day/ for the boys
Ooh La La - Father's Day/male

I Zentangled.... and I'm a Dragonfly! :)

I have a new Design Team to announce to you this evening..... I am a Crafty Dragonfly! you'll have to bear with me as I adjust to the time zone difference between here and the blog location. I'll have to remember to post on my blog Tuesday evenings from here on out.... grins!

anyhow, I know this challenge blog is going to stretch me in ways I might fuss about, but boy will I ever learn some great new techniques! the new challenge at Crafting with Dragonflies this fortnight is Zentangle. Our sponsors are Bugaboo and Eureka.

I admit I had never tried this before. never really cared for the look all that much, but I put those brave boots on and jumped right in! if you've never tired Zentangling before, I think it's pretty important to have a fine point marker. I was using an extra fine point Sharpie, but that wasn't really as fine as I think it should be if you are going to do this very often.

I originally made 2 ATCs, but then was reminded that this challenge was for cards only, so I added the ATCs to card bases. some distressing and doodling on the bases helped keep the focus on the main images.

This ATC and card uses the Bugaboo 'Beauty Butterfly' image. bg for both ATCs was created with the Crafter's Workshop Mini Fish Scales stencil, black gelato, and graphite glimmer mist.  this one was also sprayed with Mr. Huey's white mist. each card was matted with a distressed piece of black cs. the butterfly is popped up on foam tape, mounted over vintage black lace next to a Prima rose. handmade black enamel dots simulate the flight of the butterfly. the same graphite glimmer mist was sprayed on the white card base.

This ATC and card uses the Eureka 'Stained Glass Sun' image. small leaf flourishes, May Arts ribbon, and a Prima flower were added to the ATC. handmade enamel dots and some doodles on the card base finish the card. sentiments on both were created with my label maker.

I do hope you will give this new technique a try. I have SO MUCH respect for those artists who can do this. sadly, I am not one of them. tee hee!

Challenges:
Wicked Wed. ATC - black, white, and one other color (ATCs only - grey/silver is other color)
Outlawz Greeting - monochromatic (cards)
Fan-tastic Tues - anything goes (cards)
TTCRD - anything goes

I'm Not a Normal Monster

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Macadamia

Since I played along in last month's Progressive Challenge at Sparkle and Glitter with Rick St. Dennis, I received this fun little monster in my emails. His name is "You're a Winner - Nyner the Little Monster."  The challenge theme will continue to be Steampunk. if you would like to play along and didn't join last month, I think all you have to do is buy the image and create you project. then link up along with everyone else! :)

I have to admit I was a bit stumped with how to begin with this fella. I originally thought I was going to make a tag, but once I got him colored up, decided to go ahead and make a card instead. the tag was sponged using the Crafter's Workshop Mini Gears stencil and was then sprayed with olive glimmer mist. gears were cut from an Add a Little Dazzle metal sheet using Tim Holtz dies. sentiment is by Ginger's House, and flower is Prima. actual watch gears were added all higgeldy piggeldy. lots of touches were added to the main image with shimmerz paint and glitter gel pens.

Challenges:
A Step in the Dark - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Through the Purple Haze - show some attitude
Lacy Sunshine - goth or non-traditional hair color
OSAAT - use a digi
CCC Digi Creations - digi and a die cut
Ditzie Digi Design - anything goes
My Time to Craft - no designer papers
Left of Center - at the movies: 'Monsters, Inc.'

Fun in the Sun ATC and a bit of news....

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie (I found just enough for one little cup! oh joy!!!)

some pretty cool things have been happening around my house, well, other than the fact that my guys have all headed off to Camp for the summer and left me by my lonesome.....that is most certainly a bittersweet thing. I miss them like goodness knows what, but boy howdy, is it ever nice to not have dishes pile up in the sink! ;)

anyhow, the other day I saw that Whimsy Stamps was having a challenge in their Facebook group with a theme of 'Just Beachy.' I knew I wanted to play along if I could. well an opportunity presented itself that I just could NOT pass up..... more on that in a moment.

I decided to make an ATC using the cutey Babe at the Beach image by Crissy Armstrong. papers are from the Basic Grey Picadilly collection. I would say this is one of my all time fave collections, but you probably get tired of me saying that. ;) but really, I do love it!

her swimsuit was paper pieced, she is popped up on foam tape, polka dots were added to her sun hat with my white gel pen, & sentiment was created with my label maker (yes, I'm hooked on that thing right now!). sun was created by punching a circle from patterned paper and then die cutting 2 stars using the Lawn Fawn puffy stars die. these were sprayed with yellow daisy glimmer mist before assembling. waves are a die by MFT. flower & button are from my stash.

now for the news, I took a giant leap of faith last week and sent in my application for the Whimsy Stamps Digital DT call-out. boy oh boy, was I ever nervous because there are some AMAZINGLY talented people on that team! I was shocked outta my shoes when I got the news that they accepted me!!! I am now on the Digital team! wooo hooooo! call me tickled PINK! I start in July. happy happy happy dance!

stick with me, I think I'm going to have some blog candy to celebrate all of this great news as well as my upcoming birthday!

Challenges:
Wicked Wed ATC - add a die cut (Lawn Fawn and MFT)
Glitter 'n Sparkle - use a digi
Red Carpet Studio - Vacation
A Little Bit Crafty - Child's Play
Art by Miran - anything goes
Craft for the Craic - something summery or with flowers
Wags 'n Whiskers - color ch: yellow, orange, kraft, and white
Time Out - summer with a twist of flowers
Hambo Hoedown - Here Comes Summer
Just Inspirational - Summer

A Car for Dad's Day - wouldn't that be nice?! ;)

No, sadly, we can't really get Dave a car for Dad's day, but we are getting him something car RELATED..... so the guys and I decided that his Father's Day card needed to have a car on it.  this great image & sentiment from Crafty Secrets is almost like his dream car, so it was perfect!

it's taken me for-ev-er to get it scanned because it is so humid here. nothing is drying very fast... and that includes the crystal effects I used on the windshield and rear view mirror as well as just plain ol' glue.

the card is fairly simple because that is how Dave likes them. papers are from the long retired Basic Grey Boxer collection, silver mesh is retired SU!, pennant border die is MFT, main image & matting die is by Spellbinders. the key is from our Jeep that went to its resting place last fall..... a moment of silence..... sigh..... I loved that Jeep, which is why I kept the keys. since the card is going to Dave, I knew it was okay to use the key on here. ;)

Crafty Secrets - monthly linky party
Sketch 'n Dies - sketch #8
Love to Scrap - Mind Your Banners
Outlawz Paper a la Mode - Father's Day
Eclectic Ellapu - for a man
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes with a sentiment
That Craft Place - men
Crafts Galore Encore - anything goes
Country View - only men allowed
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Ladybug Crafts - something for the boys and/or use your dies (both)
Mema's Crafts - only men allowed
Really Reasonable Ribbon - masculine w/ribbon (tied around key)
Catch the Bug - anything goes
QKR Stampede - Father's Day
Sister Act - any card goes
Aud Sentiments - any sentiment for a guy
CRAFT - Father's Day/male
Moving Along With the Times - Father's Day
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Father's Day
Cuttin' and Stampin' - Father's Day
TTCRD - anything goes

Mr. Tool Time

Coffee of the Day - Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

It's time for a new challenge over at Pile it On and we want to see you use your designer papers! We are sponsored by the ever so fun Doodle Garden, and you KNOW you want a chance to win some of those cuties!

for my card I used one of the newer images to the store, Daddy's Helper. papers are from the Basic Grey Bowties collection. tools from the MFT Tool Charm dies were cut from brushed bronze metal by Add a Little Dazzle. I actually used both sides - one is the great bronze color and the other is a shiny silver. edges were inked with black to give a look of wear and tear - perfect for a garage or workshop! household twine was perfect to tie the 3 charms, as well as using the label maker to create the sentiment. a bit of washi tape, some buttons, and a belt loop from a pair of the boys' shorts add the finishing touch!

I am giving this card to Tyler as he heads off to Camp for the summer. he is going to be the Maintenance Director, so this seemed perfect for him. :)

Challenges:
Outlawz Wed Sketch - sketch
A Creative Need - anything goes
Bloggers - for the boys
The Stamping Boutique - Dad or masculine
Crafts 4 Eternity - for the boys
Sister Act - any card goes
Aud Sentiments - any sentiment for a guy
CRAFT - Father's Day/male
Delightful Ch - all tied up
Crafter's Cafe - masculine
Crafting for All Seasons - boys will be boys
Paper Pretties - hip to be square
Simon Says Stamp - Father's Day/masculine
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Cardz 4 Guyz - Father's Day or the man in your life
Digi Choosday - all about the men
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Digi Makeover - anything goes w/a digi
Incy Wincy - for the men in  your life
Melonheadz - when I grow up
Crafty Creations - 'S' is for smile, saw, stripes, silver, sentiment, sketch
Milk Coffee - for Dad or special male
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes with patterned paper
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
A Little Bit Crafty - Child's Play
Bearly Mine - one for the boys