Happiest of Birthdays, Aud Sentiments!

Coffee of the Day - Irish Creme

Today begins a new challenge at Aud Sentiments, with our theme being 'Birthdays' as we celebrate 6 years of blogging and challenges!!!! I do hope you will pop over to see all of the beautiful projects made by the team to inspire you!

I am using an image and sentiment by Simply Betty Stamps for my card. papers are from the Basic Grey Saturday Morning collection. ribbons are from Really Reasonable Ribbon and twine is by Maya Road. the little flowers were given to me, so I'm sorry I don't know the mfg. buttons are from my vintage stash.

check back later this evening for my Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra post. have a most wonderful day! :)

Challenges:
Crafting When We Can - sketch
Outlawz Twisted Thurs - anything goes
Inky Impressions - Let's Hear it for the Girls
Sweet Stamps - anything goes
Dream Valley - girly

Sewn With Love Vintage Sewing Machine

Hello all of you! I am back again with another post, but this one has nothing to do with coffee. :)

I was so very kindly invited to be a Guest Designer over at Quirky Crafts Challenges. The theme for this fortnight is 'Sewn with Love' and sponsored by the oh, so fabulous Cutting Cafe. Thank you to Cazzy for inviting me to play along with everyone! I hope all of you will make something for this fun challenge, too!

I was given the Sewing Machine template to use. the template comes with files to create both a card and a box, but I opted to make a card. I don't have an electronic cutting machine, so this was all cut by hand. I am so thankful the pdf files are included for folks like me! :)

Papers are from the Basic Grey Picadilly collection, floral ric rack comes from Really Reasonable Ribbon, crochet trim is some vintage stash as are the buttons, fab little doily and sewing machine charm are from Etsy, little hook & eye strip is a vintage find, pins and chipboard sewing mannequin (covered in TH distress crackle paint) are Maya Road, blue glitter rose is from Michael's, and other flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts. lower piece of sewing machine and tension adjuster circle were sprayed with glimmer mist. needle uppy downy thing was covered in shimmerz paint.

yes, there is a limit to my sewing machine knowledge....they are not my friends. I come from a long line of sewers and it all ended like a brick wall at me. even the sewing machine repair man said he had never seen anything like it when he was constantly fixing mine. it's as if the machine was possessed by gremlins that fought back and attacked me. so I DO NOT SEW! ha! faux stitching is about as close as I come these days. even that is sketchy at best.... sigh....

I'll have another project to share next week for the midway inspiration post, so please stop back by. you might just see some mischievous mice who got into the sewing room!!! :)

Challenges:
Craft for the Craic - anything but square or rectangle
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes
Simply Papercrafts - anything goes
Creative Craft Cottage - anything goes
Karleigh Sue - anything but a square
Natalie and Amy - charming
Ooh La La - ribbons and bows
Kitty Bee - buttons
Crazy 4 Challenges - blue
Noor Designs - shaped cards
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with optional twist of sapphire

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread 

 Welcome to the Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! Look at this amazing list of sponsors! :)

17Turtles	Veronica Zalis	Chris Franco
Add a Little Dazzle	Butterfly Reflections Ink	Color Cast Designs
Create a Smile	Hero Arts	Kraftin' Kimmie
Kreative Kymona	Latina Crafter	Neat & Tangled
Newton's Nook	Pickled Potpourri Designs	Poppystamps
Reverse Confetti	Stamp Academy	Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
STAMPlorations	SugarPea Designs	Sweet 'n Sassy
The Alley Way Stamps	Two Paper Divas	Verve Stamps
Whole Wild World	Your Next Stamp	Paper Smooches

I know there are a lot of stops on this blog hop, but good golly, Miss Molly, you won't lack inspiration for your Christmas gifties, that is for certain! :)

I've been feeling fairly puny lately, but really really really wanted to play along in this hop if I could. lo and behold, The Cutting Cafe came to my rescue with this FABULOUS coffee cup template!!! isn't it wonderful?!?! inside is a little pocket to hold either a gift card or some Starbuck's Via coffees - I haven't decided yet which I am going to give my friend. who knows, maybe BOTH!

papers are from my beloved Basic Grey, this time the Evergreen collection. 'Fa La La' is from a Sizzix die, gold & ivory twine is Maya Road, and poinsettia comes from Hobby Lobby. I cut down a coffee cozy that I had saved from Starbuck's so that it fit perfectly around the card front. it actually slips right over the front and was then adhered. gives a bit more dimension that way. a few sequins were then sprinkled on for that last bit of holiday bling! :)

thanks so much for stopping by! Merry Christmas to you and those you hold dear! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - Holiday/Christmas
Loves Rubber Stamps - Winter or Christmas
TTCRD - Anything Goes
Jellypark - ribbons or bows
Crafty Boots - Christmas
Get Creative - Christmas
My Craft Spot - Shaped Christmas Card
Pile it On - Anything Goes Christmas or Holidays
Craft-Dee BowZ - anything goes with a handmade bow
Stamp and Create - Christmas
Ooh La La - Christmas
Crazy Ch - Christmas
Come and Get It - Merry Christmas
Red Carpet Studio - "Elf" (here goes, this is one of our fave movies! Fa La La - "The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." " I'm singing. I'm in a store, and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing! I'm in a store, and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing!" coffee - "You did it! Congratulations! World's best cup of coffee! Great job, everybody!" )
Robyn's Fetish - Christmas Cards
That Craft Place - Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Round - any Christmas card goes not square or rectangle
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch Extra - anything Christmas goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Lia Stampz - add metallic or sparkle (sequins, poinsettia w/gold bead center, and twine is also gold metallic)
Seemacrafts - Christmas
The Craft Garden - Christmas
Hiding in My Craft Room - Christmas Colors
A Crafty Mess - Anything Goes/Traditional Holiday Colors
CRAFT - Christmas
Delightful Ch - twinkle, twinkle: add something sparkly (sequins, poinsettia w/gold bead center, and twine is also gold metallic)
Crafters Cafe - Christmas
Simon Says Wed Ch - Bling it On (sequins, poinsettia w/gold bead center, and twine is also gold metallic)

White on White Easter

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel Pecan

Today I have the honor of being a guest designer over at The Sisterhood of Crafters. thank you, Darlene, for inviting me to be a part of your team this month! I'm so excited! :)

the theme for this fortnight is 'White on White.' when I first heard the challenge theme, I knew it would indeed be a challenge for me. I have never made one of these cards before, so took a deep breath or two and away I went! :)

I started with the Tim Holtz Fancy Frame embossing folder and layered a cross from the Spellbinders Cross collection in the center. a Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die wraps around the cross and embossed frame. the butterfly is from the Cheery Lynn Tiny Things with Wings die set. I actually die cut 2, stacking one on top of the other. the top butterfly's wings bend upward. roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and sentiment is from  a Shady Tree Studios stamp set. I used sahara sand ink to lightly distress all edges. some pearls, a stick pin, and a pretty satin bow add finishing touches. rock candy distress stickles add touches of glitz and shimmer.

I hope you will try your hand at this technique and play along with us! thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - Easter
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Easter
Just Inspirational - embossing
Sweet Stamps - Easter
Bunny Zoe - monochromatic
Card Mania - Easter
Craft Dee Bow Z - anything goes with a handmade bow
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes/Easter
Craft Your Passion - no designer papers
Crafty Bloggers - die cuts or embossing (both)
Eureka - ribbons and bows
My Craft Spot - Happy Easter
Cheery Lynn - anything goes
Dream Valley - Easter
Sweet Stampin' - Easter
Craft for the Craic - Easter or Spring
Cut it Up - die cuts and Easter
Get Inky - Spring or Easter
Sister Act - anything goes
Emerald Faeries - Easter and/or color combo (used 2 of the colors in palette)
Crafting Musketeers - monochromatic
Natalie and Amy's - embossing
WAW - anything encouraging goes

Hi Typewriter

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Pecan

Sorry I missed a day of posting.....I spent part of Sunday and all of Monday in bed. went to bed early last night as well, so haven't been quite up to my crafty self. have a LOT of emails and blogging to catch up on, so please be patient with me.

The new challenge over at Hope You Can Cling To is called Strength of Steel. the idea is to use metal elements on your card. I tried to emboss a piece of aluminum foil and add ink accents, but it ended up looking so horrid. went another route entirely! there are some pretty cool samples in the gallery though of soda can flowers and the foil embossing if you would like to see.

I used the typewriter image from Jellypark, papers from the Basic Grey Hello Luscious collection, metal flair from Webster's Pages, flower from WOC, stick pin from Maya Road, and enamel dots from Teresa Collins. a piece of zipper trim attached with staples adds more metal to the card. hi ho silver shimmerz and a clear spica glitter gel pen accent all of the silver metal portions of the typewriter.

enter the Pinktober blog candy here! I'll try to stop by your blogs in the next few days as I get caught up and start feeling better...... thank you for making cards to pass along a 'hello' to others! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Twisted Tuesdays - layers and metal
Craft Your Passion - heavy metal
Eureka - anything goes
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
Robyn's Fetish - use a digi

There's a Party Going On.... or there WAS! ;)

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia Nut

Last night there was a fun party over at The Stamping Boutique Facebook page. I was only able to attend for the last 45 minutes, but had a great time! :) Not only were there several games, but also some neat papercraft challenges and a free image from the store given away. Challenges run until tomorrow, so you have some time to get a project made if you would like to play along. coolio prizes, which everyone loves!

I made a card for one of the challenges, which is just to make a party card using the free image. papers are from the Basic Grey Serendipity collection. I used my clear spica glitter gel pen to add lots of sparkly accents to the main image. the gorgeous flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts and was sprayed with glimmer mist to better match the colors. Maya Road twine was added to the party banner. little bits of shimmerz paint were added to the candles on the cake.

Have a great day! :)

Challenges:
Allsorts - button
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - anything goes
Crafts Too Challenge You - texture plus something shiny or glittery (glitter pen, rhinestones, shimmerz paint, & glimmer mist)
Delicious Doodles - gems and bling
Jo's Scrap Shack  - anything goes
Polkadoodles - candy colors (these remind me of the colors of Smarties. grins!)
Totally Papercrafts - birthday or baby
Wags 'n Whiskers - sparkle (glitter pen, rhinestones, shimmerz paint, & glimmer mist)
Seize the Birthday - anything goes birthday (sorry, no 'topping' for me this week)
Divas by Design - anything goes
Inky Impressions - food (yummy birthday cake!)
Lady Anne's - anything goes with a stamp
Lollipop Ladies - Smarties plus dies & punches
Penny's Paper Crafty - 2 or more patterned papers
WAW - anything goes that is encouraging
TTCRD - anything goes
Parade Your Crafts - birthday (hi everyone! waving!!!)
Stamp and Create - birthdays

Welcome Autumn Bear with Apples

Coffee of the Day - Oatmeal Cookie Crumble

Hello everyone! this is a super short post. I am so very sick right now. have spent several days in bed, and will go right back there as soon as I write up this post. and oh my, it is a LATE post at that.....

I was so kindly invited to be a guest designer over at Oozak. their new challenge began on Sunday, but I was too sick to get out of bed that day. had wanted to schedule my post, but couldn't even get that done. so I'm trying to make up for time by getting it on here now. so sorry!

The new challenge is for Fall themed projects. I used 2 adorable images by Birdie Brown. flower & petal are by Petaloo. buttons and tickets are from my stash. 'welcome autumn' is from a Shady Tree Studio stamp set.
other items can be found at the Oozak store:

Basic Grey Hipster 6x6 paper pad
Lawn Fawn Say Cheese metal die 
Maya Road Saffron Yellow twine
Scotch ATG tape dispenser

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - fall/autumn colors
Deep Ocean - goodbye summer
Die Cuttin Divas - apples
Our Daily Bread - fall colors
TTCRD - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - autumn/fall colors
Crafty Boots - a is for apples
Lexi's Creations - autumn colors
Paper Playtime - apples
Whoopsi Daisy - use more than 2 patterned papers
Crazy Challenge - color inspiration
Card A Day - autumn
Just For Fun - colors of autumn
613 Avenue Create - anything goes with optional 'happy fall y'all' twist
Great Impressions - fall colors
Di's Digis - fabulous fall colors
Crafty Calendar - going on a bear hunt
A Gem of a Challenge - 2 images
Basic Grey - anything goes with BG
My Time to Craft - autumnal colors
Word Play - seasons
Alphabet Challenge - p is for paper piecing
Jo's Scrap Shack - autumn
Aud Sentiments - autumn
CRAFT - paper piecing
Pollycraft - harvest colors

Hello Summer!

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie

Just a quick post today, as I'm still not feeling too whippy. But I have a few cards I've been making with some images I received for free to participate in challenges in blogland. I'll show one today and another tomorrow.

This cutey little girl with her inner tube was sent to anyone who requested her to play in the challenge over at Crafty Sentiments. papers are Basic Grey Serendipity, sentiment is Create with TLC, flower is Prima, twine is Maya Road, buttons are from my stash, and I'm sorry I don't remember the mfg. of the sun clip. the sentiment piece was sprayed with glimmer mist and accents were made with my white gel pen. chevron die is MFT.

hope you are having a great day!

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - summer holiday
Papertake Weekly - current sketch
Crafting by Design - anything goes
House That Stamps Built - water element
Pollycraft - fun in the sun
Sisterhood of Crafters - bring on the heat
City Crafter - summertime
TTCRD - anything goes
Dream Valley - summer days
Allsorts - kraft it

Polar Bear Wishes

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Hello and Happy Monday to all of you! I was so excited when I received an email from Jackie of Love to Create challenge blog several weeks ago asking if I would like to be one of their guest designers. I was more than happy to say 'yes'! thank you so much for thinking of me, Jackie! :) I am honored to be part of your blog this week!

The challenge at Love to Create this week is paper piecing, and the sponsor is The Stamping Chef. I am trying to keep up with creating Christmas cards, so I chose to use this adorable little polar bear image. we also have a 'thing' for polar bears in my family.

papers are from the Authentique Peaceful collection, clear packaging was used to make the banner that I edged in stickles, buttons are vintage, distress stickles are on the hat, a MFT die was used to make the felt rose that is also covered in rock candy distress stickles, charm is from Stamp and Create, and twine is Maya Road. oh yes, this guy is playing in snow that is made with stickles, too. yep, I do love my different kinds of stickles! :)

thank you again to Jackie at Love to Create challenge blog!

Challenges:
Eureka - anything goes
One Stitch at a Time - use a digi
Corrosive Challenges - animal antics
All That Stickles - distress stickles (rock candy and spun sugar)
Squirrel and Fox - something metal (charm)
Sparkles Christmas - buttons and bows
Winter Wonderland - spots and stripes
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards - bingo: charm, die cut, flowers
CRAFT - Christmas
Charisma Cardz - digis

Floral Thinking of You

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Happy Saturday to everyone! I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far! it's very quiet here.... all of the guys are off at work. Just the dogs and I hanging out, watching the baby robins in their nest on the front door. it amazes me at how fast they grow! Probably won't be much longer before Momma Robin will be giving them their first flying lessons. that will be quite the treat to watch! :)

I've had a few complications and setbacks in my cancer battle. haven't done any crafting in about a week .... maybe I'll get a dash of energy this weekend and feel like heading into my craft room later on. I sure hope so.... I do miss it, but just don't have the gumption to get in there right now. just so very sore and tired and very very fuzzy headed.

anyway, thought I would share with all of you the card I had submitted for the Paper Crafts Stamping Royalty contest. it was a reject, but on the positive side it has been sent to troops for Operation Write Home. that does make the rejection so much easier to take... in fact it's nice knowing, or hoping anyhow, that this card will make someone's day a bit brighter.

Stamps are from Penny Black 'A Bunch' set, papers are Basic Grey Soleil, buttons are vintage, harlequin die is MFT, and twine is Maya Road. a ticket and some washi tape complete the card. pretty simple, but I do like the way it turned out.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend! Jennifer

Challenges:
Simon Says - flower power
Basic Grey - inspired by a song (In the Garden)
Crafty Calendar - blooms and blossoms
My Sheri Crafts - flower power
One Stop Craft - anything goes
Penny Black Saturday - anything goes
Creative Corner - a song (In the Garden)
Stamping with the Dragon - a flower for Mum
Wags 'n Whiskers - anything goes
A Little Bit Crafty - kraft
Always Something Creative - plants
Country View Crafts - how does your garden grow
Fresh Brewed Designs - flowers
Catch the Bug - bingo: twine, die cut, starts with 'g' (green)
As You Like it - fave 2 color combo: pink, pink, pink, pink, pink...... okay, y'all know how much I love my pinks! grins! but really, I do love the way pinks of all shades go with kraft. I use my crumb cake ink and pretty in pink shades of ink more than any others.... so sad pretty in pink has retired. :(  don't know what I'm gonna do 'cause it's all sold out. boo hooo hooo! (my card here has brighter shades of pink ink)
Delightful - bingo: buttons, add dimension (main image and tag are popped up on foam tape), pattern paper
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - spring has sprung
Nutkrafters - kraft
Whimsy Inspiration - anything goes

Awesome Birthday

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Bourbon Pecan

Yesterday was Paulette's birthday from over at Create with TLC. many of her DT members got together to surprise her with cards made using the same image. her daughter, Bri, put them up on the TLC blog first thing yesterday morning so that Paulette would see them wishing her a happy, happy birthday when she logged on to her computer!

I want to share my card with all of you here.....

image and senti are obviously from Create with TLC, papers are Basic Grey Knee Highs, gorgeous flower is Prima, pins are Maya Road, border die at bottom is MFT, buttons and trim are vintage. accents of stickles were used to add a bit of sparkle. few touches were also made with my spica clear glitter gel pen.

I put my card in the mail to Paulette, so hopefully she will have it by the weekend. that way it helps to extend the birthday wishes a little bit longer! :)

Challenges:
Clear it Out - anything goes with 2 or more buttons
Inky Chicks - happy birthday girl!
Oldie but a Goodie - make it girly (old - pins are over a year old, as is Spellbinder die)
TTCRD - anything goes
By the Cute and Girly - vintage
Digi Galore - one for the girls
Forever Friends - paper piecing
Pink Elephant - paper piecing

May Arts Spring Challenge Projects!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Well today is the big day that all of the projects for the May Arts Spring Challenge are being featured over on the blog! I would love for you to stop by to see the fabulous things made by those chosen, including me! :)  I'm not sure if comments count for votes, but it would sure make the designers feel happy to see happy thoughts and wishes left for them if you have a moment.

I have to take just a second to say a huge thank you to the very kind people over at May Arts who believed in me and my idea for a project! it means so much that you allowed me to take part in this contest! :)

please be prepared for LOTS of photos here.....
I also need to add that while May Arts DID provide 2 yards each of 4 styles of ribbons, I was allowed to add any extras of their products that I wanted to complete my projects. these were purchased on my own and were not provided by May Arts.

everyone was given this beautiful photo for our inspiration. you will see how I used various elements in my 2 projects.

My first project is an altered vintage milk bottle.

Please forgive my photographs. my tremors keep my from taking very nice nice pictures of my projects, which is why I scan as much as I possibly can. it's really hard to scan something like this though, so we will press on! ;)

The bird was cut with a Tim Holtz die from a popcorn box of all things! I cut 2 pieces to give extra strength, as well as a piece of white cs to cover the back. I then cut a bird and wings from Butterfly Garden digital papers, adhered to chipboard with ModPodge, covered in fine glitter for body and SU! glitter glass for the wing, and added a vintage button for the eye.

Ribbon roses were made with the pink satin ribbon, teal organza ribbon (used on next project), and the pale blue silk ribbon combined with the blue satin ribbon for a 2 tone flower. I also have to add here that my SU! silicone craft sheet is an invaluable tool when it comes to making ribbon roses, or flowers of any kind. this includes those made with the dies that are so popular now. this thing is fabulous!

I took a length of the natural wired burlap that was long enough to go around the bottle and cut it in half.  I pulled several strands away to fray the edge. I then took the teal cord and wove it through the top edge. this will later be used to tie a bow and hold a metal edge tag of vintage music paper.

Fuchsia ruched ruffle trim and white eyelet trim were glued along the burlap.

Pale celery green leaf trim was added.....

and then the other final embellies added before adhering to the bottle. the bird rests on several small twigs accented with Webster's Pages bead pins. I used a hot glue gun to add the decorative burlap piece.

White eyelet trim was glued around the lip of the bottle with several vintage buttons adhered as accents. The bottle was then filled with twigs.

May Arts products used: teal string white eyelet trim fuchsia ruched ruffle natural burlap leaves pink and blue double faced satin Pale blue silk ribbon

My next project is a card featuring a beautiful image from Tammy at A Day for Daisies. I chose 'Bird's Nest' because it reminded me of the birds that are currently flying around my front porch, so busy building their new family nests.

Papers are Basic Grey Hello Luscious, chipboard bird is Maya Road inked with summer starfruit and then covered in scattered straw distress stickles. I used a piece of the burlap string that was removed from fraying to tie the vintage button on the bird.

white eyelet trim was dyed with soft suede ink and a few drops of water. this was then braided with teal organza ribbon around a twig. the same teal organza ribbon was made into a ribbon rose (see above project photos) and then added to metal tag. the galvanized metal tag was sanded to distress. a few leaves cut from the ribbon accent the rose. vintage buttons complete the card.

May Arts products used: teal string white eyelet trim - dyed natural burlap leaves sheer organza ribbon

I hope you can see how I used the inspiration photo in my 2 projects. the metal containers played into both pieces, as did the bird, twigs, and beautiful soft colors. I had a wonderful time working on this contest entry! I tried to come up with something a bit different as far as using the ribbons, so I do hope you take away a few new ideas for your own crafting projects!

thank you so much for stopping by! :)
Jennifer

p.s. I will post my blog candy on Wed.

Challenges:
Party Time Tuesdays - anything but a card (bottle)
Catered Crop - just add glitter
Eclectic Ellapu - put a tag on it
Great Impressions - pastel colors and/or polka dots
Joanna Sheen - spring into spring
Scrappy Frogs - think spring
One Stop Craft - pastels
A Day for Daisies - fave technique (distressing, watercolor) card
Crafts 4 Eternity - wings
Hot Shot Craft - anything but a card (bottle)
Totally Papercrafts - get krafty (card)
Crafting by Design - spring flowers
Creative Moments - things with wings
Divas by Design - flowers (bottle)
Paper Pretties - buttons
Paper Shelter - spring delights
Simon Says Stamp - april showers and/or spring flowers
Anything Goes - heavy metal (metal tags on both projects)
Creative Craft - alter it (bottle)
TTCRD - anything goes
Shabby Tea Room - photo inspiration and recycled item (bottle)
Incy Wincy - fur or feathers