Springtime Birthday Greetings!

Top 3 Pick at CRAFT

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie (yes, it's actual Moon Pie coffee! it both tastes and smells like a real Moon Pie treat. delicious! I am having the chocolate today)

Today I am sharing with you a lovely birthday card for a very special young lady. well every person is special, don't you think?! ;) but this young lady is the daughter of my online crafting friend, Fikreta, and her birthday is the end of this month. Fiki is asking her crafty friends to make and send cards to her daughter. I am only too happy to do so. :)  I had posted a card that I made for Fiki's husband a few weeks ago. yes, I am a very slow crafter. thankfully I got started early keeping that in mind. grins!

The precious "Kidz Bella Birthday Balloons" image is from Bugaboo, digital papers are from the Echo Park Celebrate Spring collection, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, birthday sentiment die is by Whimsy Stamps, and ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. main image die is by Spellbinders and buttons & doily are from my stash.

I hope you have a most amazing day! Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer

Challenges:
CRAFT - birthday
Hester's Birthday Candy challenge
Crafty Catz - anything goes w/optional so cute image
As You Like It - favorite pink or blue ( I absolutely ADORE all things pink! most especially since my breast cancer diagnosis, but I was into pink long before that. being a mom of 3 sons, I had to declare my girl power somehow! ha!)
Allsorts - in the pink
Star Stampz - 2 or more patterned papers
Dragonfly Dreams - here come the girls
Li'l Patch of Crafty Friends - anything goes
Always Happy Birthday - anything birthday w/optional flowers
DL Art - birthday
Morgan's Art World - anything goes
Sweet Stampers - birthday
Catch the Bug - say it with flowers

A Special Delivery For YOU! :)

Coffee of the Day - absolutely no idea because I am in Washington DC right now. ;)

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a great week so far. Today starts a new challenge over at Elisabeth Bell's Challenge World.  Our theme for this go 'round is Hearts & Lace or Anything Goes - your choice. :)

I opted to go with the Hearts & Lace theme, using the adorable 'Bella Sole, Special Delivery' stamp from Whimsy Stamps.

papers are from the Designs by Dani Lucky in Love digital collection, main image dies are from Spellbinders, border die is from Whimsy Stamps, and flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. a few pieces of wood veneer and pretty heart doily were added for fun. of course I had to include some lovely vintage buttons! :)

oh yes, the red lace tied in a bow is a bit of vintage, and the little piece of white peeking out beside the flowers is some that I won. :)

thanks so much for stopping by and I do hope you will play along in our new challenge! :)

Boys and Their Pumpkins...

Winner at Joy Clair

Coffee of the Day -  Bourbon Pecan

Please forgive the tardiness of my post, but a new challenge began YESTERDAY over on Elisabeth Bell's beautiful challenge blog. I was so busy working out at Camp for several groups that were there through yesterday that I completely forgot to schedule my post. shame on me! please pop over to see the lovely projects created by my teamies to inspire you for our new theme, 'Autumn or Halloween.'

I chose to go with the 'Autumn' theme for my card, using this adorable little fella from Elisabeth's line at Whimsy Stamps. he is 'Little Jack Happy Harvest' and just as cute as can be! I stamped him with a neat ink by Ranger called graphite that looks just like pencil lead. it is super cool irl. almost gives that 'no ink' look you see on some digital projects that some of the really talented folks do, but is easy for the not talented people like me! :)

papers are from the Authentique Grateful collection, seam binding is from Zipper Stop, and flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts. pumpkin template is from Shape EZ and little wooden veneer leaves are from SU!. matting die is by Spellbinders. some vintage buttons and ribbon snippets along with a sentiment from a label maker complete the card. the little pumpkin he is holding was paper pieced.

thanks so much for stopping by! hope your week is fabulous! :)

Challenges:
Catch the Bug - color inspiration
Double D - plaid
{pin}spirational  - photo inspiration (plaid, pumpkin, colors)
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Joy Clair - color inspiration
Crafty Gals Corner - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wed - anything goes
Sisterhood of Crafters - pumpkins or orange
Kraftin' Kimmie's Wonderful Wed - anything goes
Dare 2B Artzy - fall

A Skull Wreath for Halloween

This is my second post for today. :)

I want to thank both Avril and Teri over at Delicious Doodles for having me as their Guest Designer this month! I was blessed to be a previous challenge winner from their fun blog, so they invited me to be a guest with them for October. isn't that fun?!

the theme for the month is Halloween, and while we don't typically celebrate this holiday, I couldn't let the opportunity go by to create a skull wreath card. doesn't everyone need a skull wreath as a decoration?! grins! maybe it's just those of us who happen to have a similar last name!

I started with the Skully Christmas Wreath image, printed it multiple times, popped up a few skulls on foam tape for more dimension, and then added it to my little mausoleum crypt. this was created with a Spellbinders die that I added embossin paste to a  Crafter's Workshop stencil.I inked the paste after it dried and then used my ink squirty tool.  another Spellbinders die adds the laurel at the top.

the grasses are a My Favorite Things die. pretty border die at the top is from Whimsy Stamps and sentiment comes from Create with TLC. orange satin ribbon is from SU! while orange twine is a Michael's find. paper is from Echo Park.

and while we're on the subject of skulls, since this is our last name, my sons decided that it was time we all got a family tattoo. so each one of us is getting a skull tattoo, unique to the individual. I had mine done last week. I also had a Winnie the Pooh one done on my arm to represent me with my sons. yes, I am the enigma - a skull and Winnie the Pooh all at the same time! :) but I love them both dearly!

Tyler had his tattoo done at the same time I had mine done. Mick had his done yesterday. I think it's neat that they all want to do something that unifies us as a family! :)

well, that's it for me.... all of you have a most amazing weekend! and I hope you get a chance to play along in the Delicious Doodles challenge this month. :)

Challenges:
Choux Choux Paper Art - Halloween linky party
Anything Goes with TLC - anything goes with a TLC image/sentiment

Let's Go to a Tropical Beach Somewhere....

Coffee of the Day -  Pecan Toffee

whew, it's Saturday! did you ever think we'd make it to the weekend? ;) well, my time as a Guest Designer at Bugaboo is winding down, so just a few posts left to share with all of you. I have had a grand time with the lovely peeps there and the oh, so fun images to be found in the Bugaboo store!

today there is a neat photo inspiration challenge on the Bugaboo blog. I remember many moments like this from our years of living in Florida. whenever we went to the beach, I refused to wear shoes the moment my toes hit the sand. my feet needed to feel the sand between my toes!

I chose to use the adorable little 'Kidz Beach' image for my card. papers and little card are from the Authentique Utopia collection. beautiful seam binding is some that I won from Crafty Ribbons. gorgeous color! I did distress it a bit, as I am wont to do. ;)

stitched sun die is by La La Land, palm tree die is a retired one from Whimsy Stamps, and main image die is from Spellbinders. chrysanthemum is from Wild Orchid Crafts and of course my vintage buttons are from my beloved stash. little accent dots and waves were made with a white gel pen.

I really do appreciate those of you who stop by to say hello and leave such kind comments! enjoy your weekend & stay cool on these hot summer days. :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
ABC - 'L' is for lots of layers
Crafts and Me - anything goes w/optional summer memories
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Delicious Doodles - beside the sea
Dies 'R Us - water/beach
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - dies and/or punches
Paradise of Stamps - anything goes
SLS Lines - 3 or more layers
Sweet Stamps - anything goes
Paper Shelter - ribbons

So Sorry For Your Dog Loss

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

Some very dear friends of ours recently lost their dog of many years. he was such a sweetheart, and I just couldn't let the moment pass without making a card to tell them how very sorry I was at his passing.

the card works perfectly for the new challenge over at the Bugaboo challenge and inspiration blog where the theme is 'anything goes.'

I had not seen such perfect images for these types of occasions until I came across a card someone shared on another blog. I'll be picking up the cat version soon. here is the link to the one I used on my card, 'Sign It - Dog Condolences.'

papers are from the Basic Grey Oxford collection, main die is by Spellbinders & pet item dies are retired ones from Whimsy Stamps, seam binding is from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and buttons are from my vintage stash. corrugated cardboard and die were distressed with Prima chalk ink. flower centers were dotted with distress stickles and dog tag was painted with shimmerz.

thank you for stopping by! enjoy your weekend! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Calendar - punches and/or dies
The Pencil Case - anything goes
Crafting With Friends - anything goes
Just Add Ink - 'S' is for sympathy, spots, shimmerz, stickles
Polkadoodles - use a ribbon or twine
Simply Papercraft - anything goes
4 Crafty Chicks - anything goes
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes

Teach a Man to Fish...

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

Today begins a new challenge over at the Catch the Bug challenge and inspiration blog with a 'Masculine' theme. perfect for those upcoming Father's Day cards or any others you might want to send along to the guys in your life! :)

**the watermark I've been given by Bugaboo is the little lady in the car. 

it is NOT part of the card.**

I am using the hysterical 'Gus Fishing' image on my card today. he just cracks me up!  I'll be sending this card off to our son, Mick, when he returns from his school trip to Canada. he loves to go on fishing trips with his friends, so I know he'll get a kick out of it. :)

papers are from the Kaisercraft Hunt & Gather collection, fish die is a retired one from Whimsy Stamps, little snippets of brown gingham ribbon & natural cotton ribbon are  from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and buttons are from my vintage stash. a piece of torn cardboard was inked and added below punched sentiment. crystal effects was added to his glasses.

thanks so much for stopping by! enjoy your weekend! we are off to a big antiques market at our local county fairgrounds today.

Challenges:
Craft Rocket - for a man/boy
Cute Card Thurs. - a good sport/hobbies
Simon Says Stamp Wed - for a guy/Father's Day
Tues. Throwdown - man's world
Crafty Boots - masculine
Craft for the Craic - masculine
QKR Stampede - one for the guys
Inky Chicks - Father's Day/male card

Let's Hit the Surf!

Coffee of the Day - Caribbean Hazelnut

All of us in the crafty world love free images, and today is Freebie Friday over at Bugaboo! head to the store to check out this fella, Johnny Surf. if he isn't in the store yet, he will be shortly. until then, you can see the entire Johnny collection here. he is quite the busy guy! stop by the challenge and inspiration blog to see all of the fun projects made by the team using the image.

**the watermark I've been given by Bugaboo is the little lady in the car. 

it is NOT part of the card.**

I kept my card on the simple side since I want to mail it off to Ryan while he's away for the summer doing his internship. this way it can fit into an envelope easily, as opposed to the big padded ones I normally use to send my cards.

papers are from the Basic Grey Lauderdale collection, wave die is a retired one from Whimsy Stamps, stitched sun die is by La La Land, and main die is by Spellbinders. yellow diagonal stripe ribbon and natural jute string snippets are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Happy Friday! I'll see you tomorrow! :)

Challenges:
Love to Scrap - it's a boy thing
4 Crafty Chicks - vacation
CRAFT - inspired by a movie (Point Break, who can resist Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze on the beach?)
Star Stampz - for/with kids
Inky Impressions - summertime
Sisterhood of Crafters - summertime fun
Cards in Envy - no girls allowed
Craftin' Desert Divas - masculine
Ooh La La - one for the boys
Scrapping 4 Fun - travel/holiday
Melonheadz - masculine
Brown Sugar - photo inspiration
Cut It Up - sun & surf (dies by Spellbinders, La La Land, & Whimsy Stamps)

Paddling By...

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Southern Pecan

Today starts a new challenge over at Aud Sentiments and our theme is 'Animals plus a sentiment.' 
Imagine That Digis is our sponsor and provided the team with some cuties for all of us to use. :) I hope to see your fun project linked to our challenge! come play along!

I used the cutey penguin on a float from the 'Poolside Penguins' set. he just made me smile!  sentiment is from the same set.

papers are from the Basic Grey Lauderdale collection, flower is from Michael's and was painted a bit to make it match, wave dies are from Whimsy stamps, and main die is by Spellbinders.

I added dots of Mr. Huey's shine spray to create water dots and then added polka dots to his swimming trunks with a white gel pen. my SU! ink squirty tool adds multi colored sprays of ink across the lower portion of the card base.

navy seam binding wraps across the bottom of the card while bits of parrot green netting peek out from the corners. a few buttons complete the fun! :)

I'll be sending this card off to one of our sons this summer, just to say 'hi' - as the sentiment says. :)

enjoy your day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Challenges:
TTCRD - anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Crafting By Designs - let's hear it for the boys and men (sending to my son)
Outlawz Festive Friday - Penguin Day
Crafty Gals Corner - anything goes
Fresh Brewed Designs - anything goes
Inky Impressions - all about the boys (sending to my son)
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Dream Valley - creatures

Follow Your Heart Sailor Pup

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Pecan

As we begin a new month, I am so excited to share with all of you the news that I have been asked to be a Guest Designer over at Sandra Caldwell Stamps' Facebook group for all of February! this is going to be so much fun!!!! if you aren't a member of the group yet, it's super easy to join. and everyone there is super nice and encouraging. there's also a neat progressive challenge going on that lasts for 2 months. do join us! :)

Every Monday, Sandra has been adding new images to her Etsy store. today she'll be adding this cutie I used on my card, 'Doggie Sailor, #254' in addition to several others. head on over to see what's new!

papers are from the Basic Grey Adrift collection. I hand cut the half circle for the sun, using my protractor as a guide. triangles were punched with a SU! punch.

the sentiment on the tag is a stamp is from My Favorite Things. main image die is Spellbinders and light house die is by Whimsy Stamps. flower is by Petaloo, sequins are from Lawn Fawn, and poppy red diamond satin ribbon & light blue burlap string are from Really Reasonable Ribbon. buttons are from my vintage stash. accent dots were made with a white gel pen.

I also added highlights to the main image with my wink of stella glitter pen & spica clear glitter pen.

thank you so very much for stopping by my blog today! :)

Challenges:
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes
The Stamping Boutique - punches (triangle & tag)/dies (light house & main image)
Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wed - anything goes
Crafty Friends - animals or birds
Simon Says Stamp Mon Ch - ray of sunshine

Altered Table Decoration for Thanksgiving

Winner at My Sheri Crafts

Coffee of the Day - Dulce De Leche

Happy Monday to all of you! and a big hello to my newest followers as well. :)

I have a fun Thanksgiving project to share with you today. it's part 2 of the gift set I began showing you last week on this post.

I mentioned that I am notorious for saving ribbon scraps. what I didn't say was that I save all kinds of things for my crafting. my project for today shows you how fun it is to re-purpose everyday items found around your home! :)

The base to this decoration is actually an almond can. the top 2 pieces are old ribbon spools that were spray painted white. Miscellaneous ribbons, Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, vintage buttons, digital scrapbook paper (from Far Far Hill), burlap and silk leaves, and foam fruit decorate the tower. touches of various stickles add sparkle and shine.

I'll fill this with a yummy nut snack mix and then hubby will give it to some friends of ours this week.

I hope you are inspired to create something fun of your own with things you have around your house! Really Reasonable Ribbon has so many gorgeous trims and ribbons to add the perfect touch! :)

Ribbons and trims used:
tower - autumn diagonal striped grosgrain, delicate stitched satin old gold, wired woven check brown/white, seam binding dusty olive, burlap string orange
card - silky crush olive, shimmer satin tangerine with gold, autumn diagonal striped grosgrain

Wild Orchid Crafts flowers:
10 mm open roses, 15 mm open roses, cosmos, cherry blossoms, rosebuds

Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Challenges:
Dragonfly Dreams - fall colors
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
My Sheri Crafts - Happy Thanksgiving
Catch the Bug - bingo: button, texture, flower
Art by Miran - anything goes
Simply Papercraft - anything goes
Whimsy Inspires - anything goes holidays
Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wed - anything goes

A Pumpkin Shaped Card with Shabby Bow

Coffee of the Day - Maple Fudge

Hello, all of you ribbon lovers!

Today I have a cute pumpkin shaped card to share with all of you. it's actually part of a gift set. I'll be sharing the other portion with all of you next week.

My husband and sons will quickly agree with me when I tell you that I save even the smallest ribbon snippets. (I save LOTS of neat things to use on my projects, but that would be enough for another post entirely! grins!)

Have you ever cut the tail from one side of a bow that was just a smidge too long? yes, I save those. or maybe you have a piece a few inches long from the beloved piece of crochet trim that started out many yards long, but you've been using portions and parts on specials projects.

I keep all of those pieces on my craft desk so that can come to life again in what can easily be called 'shabby bows.' just gather the small pieces and tie them into your bow. it's so easy to do, but adds such a pretty, shabby chic look to your project!

Here I have used the Autumn Diagonal Stripe Grosgrain from Really Reasonable Ribbons to tie pieces of  Silky Crush Olive ribbon and Tangerine Shimmer Satin with Gold.  I also added a variety of flowers by Wild Orchid Crafts - cosmos, 10mm open roses, 15 mm open roses, and rose bud.

digital papers are by Far Far Hill, digi image is no longer available, but was from Whimsy Stamps, pumpkin card template is by Shape EZ by TLC, doily die is from Sizzix, and leaf flourish die is from Cheery Lynn. both the actual doily and the doily die cut were sprayed with kraft glimmer mist. the milk cap and buttons are vintage. sunflower centers on main image are covered in distress stickles.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I'll see you next week with the rest of this gift set. :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Dream Valley - shaped cards
Ribbon Girl - use any image
Scrapper's Delights - anything goes
Di's Digi Designs - tic tac toe (bow, die, flowers)
Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes
Polkadoodles - autumn/fall colors
The Stamping Boutique - fall
Cute Card Thurs - birds or animals (little crow on scarecrow's shoulder)

Birds and Mice with Cherries

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

I hope you are having a fabulous weekend so far! Yesterday was Tyler's birthday and we had a wonderful dinner at a nearby seafood restaurant to celebrate. shame it's taken us 15 years of living in this area to finally get there, as the food was just amazing! I am so VERY proud of the young man Tyler has grown up to become.... oh heavy mom sigh..... my heart just sings when I think of my sons! they truly are my loves! :)

Because of big storms we've been experiencing for the past few days, our power was out for several hours yesterday as well. and it was dark! so like a good crafter, I took my candle into my craft room and got busy. I learned it is not so easy to paint by candlelight! so please pardon the mistakes on this card. I did the best I could, not being able to see so very well. grins! but it was most certainly an adventure!

This precious image comes from a new to me store/artist I found on Etsy, Toadstool Printables. oh, please stop by her store if you have a moment! everything is just so lovely! :)

Papers are from the long ago Basic Grey collection, Sweet Threads, flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts, main image die is Spellbinders while the flourish die is by Tim Holtz, sentiment stamp and linen thread are SU!, buttons are from my vintage stash, cherry charm is from Whimsy Stamps when they used to carry accessories, and pink grosgrain ribbon is from stash as well. flower centers are covered in distress stickles. the woodgrain card is actually a re-purposed packaging piece from Webster's Pages. just too precious to throw away! :)

Challenges:
Star Stampz - use die cuts
Really Reasonable Ribbon - things with wings and ribbon/trim
Mojo Monday - sketch
Crafty Friends - "B" is for buttons, birds, bows
Digitally Sweet - anything with wings (main image is digital)
Polkadoodles - shabby chic
As You Like It - fave die and why - the Tim Holtz flourish die because it always adds so much fun and style to any layout I add it to. it can be cut from patterned paper or even clear packaging, but always adds that extra 'something' that makes the project complete! :)
Southern Girls - layer it up
Addicted to Stamps - anything goes
Paper Shelter - use a charm

Love is Sweet

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

First I want to thank all of you for being so very loving and supportive. it means so much to me! :) as I said, I'm sure I will still post here from time to time. right now I just need to focus on our poor Mocha. she is hanging in there, but still not up to par by any means.

I have one last project from Whimsy Stamps to share with you. this was one of those that no matter what I did, I just couldn't seem to get it to turn out quite right. finally had to stop and declare it done. oh well. everyone has those days.

image is by Lia Stampz called 'Strawberry Girl,' paper & cute little arrows are from the Basic Grey Herbs and Honey collection, flower is Prima, sentiment & stitching stickers are by SRM. main dies are Spellbinders and strawberry/floral border die is Sizzix.

btw, I am not giving up all of my crafting supplies. I will not  part with my beloved Basic Grey. that would be like cutting off a major body part. ;) I have a few projects I still want to make for my guys. I love altered things and this is the perfect time to work on some of those.  who knows what the future brings? :)
it's all good!!!

Challenges:
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Crafty Girls - anything goes
Lia Stampz - anything goes
Crafting by Designs - use a sentiment
Scrapper's Delight - cute and girly
A Girl Who Crafts - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Die Cut Divas - buttons and bows
Fan-Tastic Tues - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Glitter 'n Sparkle - anything goes
My Sheri Crafts - food, food, and more food

Bloom .... and Grow with Whimsy Digi Stamps!

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Macadamia

Happy Friday to everyone! wooo hooo! it's the weekend! there's just something magical about a Friday, isn't there? not sure if I will see my family or not this weekend, but it's going to be a good one just the same.

Today is my very first post over on the Whimsy Inspiration and Challenge blog. gosh, it is so VERY exciting! I know that I don't measure up by any means when it comes to talent as compared to everyone else on the team, most especially the stamp team. whoa nelly, those ladies are FABULOUS!!!! but I do the best I can, which is about all anyone can ask. my style is so very different from everyone else's. guess that is okay, too. some people like it; some people don't. and that is okay, too. :)

but anyhow, I am using this cute image, 'Savannagh,' from the Marika Collins collection for my card. I really need to be busy doing more of what she is doing in my own garden, and that is weeding. but rains lately have kept that from happening. oh well. it will eventually get done.

papers are from the Basic Grey True Love collection, buttons are all vintage (aren't those pastel ones luscious?!), sticker sentiment is from SRM, & main image and matting die is MFT. the glassine envelope was stamped in pastel pink craft ink with the inside of a bubble mailing envelope to create polka dots. watering can and flower dies are Impression Obsession. tiny leaf flourish die is Cheery Lynn. on main image, flower centers were dotted with stickles and watering can was accented with a clear spica gel pen. washi tape, a doily, and pink satin ribbon complete the card.

have a great weekend whatever you do! :)

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - anything goes
Art Impressions - use a doily
Crafting by Designs - use die cuts (MFT, Cheery Lynn, and Impression Obsession)
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Scrapper's Delight - anything goes w/summertime twist
Shabby Tea Room - polka dot love with flowers (polka dots are on the glassine envelope)
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Crafting for All Seasons - tic tac toe: pink, ribbon, square
Digi Choosday - punches and/or dies (both)
Fan-tastic Tues - anything square or rect. goes
Sailing Pineapple - nature calls
TTCRD - anything goes
Die Cut Divas - buttons and bows
Creative Craft Cottage - color inspiration
Craft-Dee Bow Z - anything goes w/handmade bow
Digi Sketch Ch - in the garden
Incy Wincy - summertime activities
Love to Scrap - anything goes
Hobbycutz - fave color combo (pinks, greens, and kraft)
Outlawz Twisted Thurs - anything goes with fun in the sun twist

Summer Fun at the Beach

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Creme

Today begins the new challenge for the month over at Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Challenges and our theme is 'Summer'! we want to see what summer means to you! :)  You don't have to use a Whimsy stamp or digi to play along, so get busy creating! you could win one of several cool prizes. please stop by the challenge blog to see all of the great projects made by the team to inspire your creativity!

I am using the newly released 'Beachie' image by Marika Collins on my card, along with a sentiment from the Summer Memories Sentiment set. The Daisy Doily Die was used for the pink piece behind the main image, and it just happens to be on sale at the moment. in fact, you can get quite a few great deals in the sale area right now. hint, hint, hint!

papers are from the Authentique Favorite collection. waves were cut with a MFT die, sentiment punch is Jenni Bowlin, sun is made from star and circle punches, and Martha Stewart leaf punch was used to mimic seaweed. little seahorse flair & flower are Prima, linen thread is SU!, and buttons are vintage.

Challenges:
Mojo Mon. - sketch (turned on side)
Outlawz Paper a la Mode - outdoor fun
Digi Choosday - punches and/or dies (both)
Scrap Creations - water
Fan-tastic Tues. - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Craft and Smash - seashells, sand, and sea
Crafting Musketeers - summertime
Die Cut Divas - buttons and bows
Natalie and Amy - summertime
Craftin' Desert Divas - 'summer' linky party
Eureka - vacation
Incy Wincy - summertime activities
Kraft Journal - sea and sand (kraft card base)
Crazy Challenge - summer vacation
Come and Get It - cool things for summer
Catch the Bug - anything goes
Crafty Calendar - summertime fun
Di's Digis - summer fun
Hiding in My Craft Room - think summer
Open Minded Crafting - water, water, everywhere
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards - summer days
Creative Corners - outdoors
Digitally Sweet - day at the beach
Fussy and Fancy - summertime
Wags 'n Whiskers - summer fun
Time Out Ch - fun in the sun
Moving Along With the Times - girls just wanna have fun
Inky Impression - summer fun

Ready for Adventure on a Pink Vespa!

Welcome to the Whimsy July digital release blog hop!!!!

We have lots of new images to share with you today created by:

Marika Collins Collection

Stamp Art Design

Miss Rach Digital Collection

Moon Cookie Gallery

Lia Stampz

Crissy's Digis

All Whimsy Stamps digital images are 300dpi for high print quality.You can re-size, flip, or rotate to fit your own project To find all of today's new releases please visit the Whimsy Stamps Store.

Don't forget to leave comments along the way as there will be 2 mystery DT Members who will each be choosing a winner from the comments left on their hop posts!

These winners will each win a Whimsy digital image of their choice. The Grand Prize winner of the hop will be chosen from the very last stop, which is Dewi Lestari.

This winner will receive 5 digital stamps of their choice from the Whimsy Stamps Store.

The hop will run for 1 week and end on Monday 7th July at 12 Noon EST, when the lucky winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspiration blog.

Below is a complete list of the hop in case you get lost along the way:

Audrey Ernst

Jennifer Scull - you are here! :)

Gina Allen

Charlene Brown

Anet Van Zyl

Kelly Mannix

Henryka Kowacz

Lisa West

Hazel Thompson

Michelle Oatman

Denise Goeldner

Dewi Lestari

I am just tickled all kinds of shades of pink to be part of the Whimsy Digital Design Team! if you are hopping along from the beginning, then you should have arrived here from the lovely blog of 

Audrey! 

Grab a cup of coffee, today's flavor is Irish Creme, and join me for just a few moments!

for my card I have paired the oh, so cute Valerie by Marika Collins with a great sentiment 

from the 'For Fun and Adventure' set. 

to start, I have long wanted a pink Vespa. I mean really really wanted one. but living where we do,

it just isn't a wise choice. so I am living vicariously through Valerie here

by letting her have that pink Vespa to travel the world!

papers are from the Studio Calico Abroad collection, flowers are Prima, sequins are by Lawn Fawn, 

and city skyline dies are Paper Smooches. touches were made to the main image with 

shimmerz paint, a spica clear glitter pen, and white gel pen.

linen thread and button complete the card.

now pop on over to the fabulous blog of Gina! 

be sure to tell her hello! :)

Challenges:
Brown Sugar - color palette

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Fan-tastic Tues. - anything goes
Cheerful Stamp Pad - weekend activities
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Catch the Bug - color palette
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Dream Factory - Around the World in 80 Days
Loves Rubberstamps - anything goes

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

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