Lots of Love for Lauryn Card Drive/Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

Just a quick post to let you know that we have started a blog designated JUST for the Lots of Love for Lauryn Card Drive/Blog Hop! There isn't much info there yet, but keep an eye open! We'll be adding stuff in the upcoming days!

grab this badge to add to your own blog or post it on Facebook to spread the news!

most importantly, if you want to take place in the blog hop, please be sure to leave a comment so we can include you! :)

Miss U

Coffee of the Day - Marzipan

Today at Oddball Art Stamps we are starting a challenge in the Facebook group. unlike the challenge blog where you can use ANY image, on the FB group we are going to require the use of an Oddball Art Stamps image. Our challenge theme will be 'anything goes,' as will all of them on FB. all challenges will run for one month and the prize for winning will be 3 digis from the Oddball Art Etsy store.

so on to my card -
I used 'Big Eye Girl image 2' and paper from the Basic Grey Lucille collection. the designer paper was cut with the new SU! hexagon thinlits die. I am proclaiming right here that as cute as that die is, I do NOT recommend it to anyone. it is a nasty beast to cut with and tore up several sheets of paper before I could get one to produce a fairly decent cut. it took more than a dozen passes through the Big Shot to even cut this one little thin piece of paper, turning it all different directions. even then it was hard to get all of the pieces out. doubt I will ever use it again, which is a real shame. it's been more than 30 days since I received it, so it's too late for a return. :(  not up to the usual standard for SU!

okay, off of my rant. sorry.
deep cleansing breath.....
the piece underneath is stamped with the SU! script and woodgrain bg stamps. ribbon is also SU! and flower is Prima. if you look closely you can see that I popped up some separate hexagons on foam tape over the solid hexagons. lots of dimension irl - quite a few different thicknesses of foam tape. LOVE this image!!!!! sentiment is from the same cutey little MFT stamp set I've been using a lot lately.

be sure to stay updated on the card drive for Linda Payne's grand-daughter. I'll post info as I have it. :)

Challenges:
Craft-Dee Bow - anything goes with a handmade bow
Craftin' Desert Divas - anything goes
Catch the Bug - recipe: at least 4 layers, flower, and ribbon
Cutie Pie - cute with dies and punches (SU!, Spellbinders, and EK Success)
Outlawz Greeting - anything goes
Timbro Scrap Mania - only for girl
Use Your Stuff - die cuts (SU! and Spellbinders)
One Stitch at a Time - anything goes
Quirky Crafts - Spice Girls
Allsorts - use those dies (SU! and Spellbinders)
{pin}spirational - photo inspiration (shapes from turtle's back and colors)
Alphabet Ch - 'd' is for die cuts (SU! and Spellbinders)
Art Impressions - getting girly
Paper Crafting Journey - anything goes
WAW - anything encouraging goes
TTCRD - anything goes

Fight On Little Lauryn

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

I need to tell all of you about something that is quickly becoming a passion for me.

Just a few short days ago, a friend of mine, Linda Payne, discovered that her 2 year old grand-daughter has leukemia. Linda and I have known each other for several years, serving on a few DTs together. my heart is breaking at the news and what this family is having to endure.

Here is the 'Fight on Little Lauryn' page on Facebook. Some of us are also putting together a card drive/blog hop to help get cards for Lauryn and the family. it looks as if that will take place on April 14. Several digi artists have already agreed to draw images to help raise money for the family medical expenses, and prizes are being donated! what generosity!

if you would like to send a card or some other fun little something to brighten their day, contact me or leave a comment for the address at the hospital.

When I received my cancer diagnosis, some very kind and loving people got together and put on a blog hop and fundraiser for my family. it truly touched our hearts. I still treasure each of the cards I received. even though my battle is far from over, if I can help another family to know that they are not alone going through this, then I know I will have in some small way, 'passed it forward'.

I will be posting updates to the card drive as I have them. but remember, the most important thing is that we shower this family with love and support.

Pretty, Happy Mail :)

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel Pecan

Today starts a new challenge over at Pile it On - Floral Fantasy! let's see you pile on the flowers! we are sponsored by Crafty City. the winner of our challenge will receive a voucher valid for 15% off of their total purchase. :) also please be sure to stop by the Pile it On blog to see all of the amazing projects made by my fellow teamies. they are so very talented and would appreciate your comments. :)

about a month ago I was super-dee-duper blessed to win one of the brand new stamps over at the Stamping Bella blog. This beauty, 'Uptown Girl Maybelline Loves Mail', arrived in MY mailbox just a few days ago. I knew she would be perfect for this floral challenge! isn't she fab?!?!? she also comes with a sentiment.

of course my new fave Basic Grey Fresh Cut paper paired gorgeously with her. I added a punched butterfly with pearls, some SU! seam ribbon, a pretty pink Prima, and buttons from my stash. the 'happy' letters are also part of the Basic Grey collection.  both regular and distress stickles, a black Viva Decor pearl pen, and black spica glitter pen were used to accent the main image. I really love the way the watercolor pops so well on this image! oh yes, the banner is a SU! die.

Challenges:
The Paper Shelter - spring delights
A Creative Romance - spring flowers
Sister Act - any card goes
Southern Girls - floral frenzy
Totally Paper Crafts - think pink (I always do this!)
Fan-tastic Tuesday - anything square goes
Milk Coffee - welcome spring
4 Crafty Chicks - spring
Stampin' for the Weekend - spring colors
STAMPlorations - stamps and spring
Papertake Weekly - sketch #88 (on side)
Your Next Stamp - sketch or inspirational photo (photo - flowers & colors w/kraft)
CRAFT - weather/what season is it where you are? spring
Crafty Ribbons - ribbons and buttons
Outlawz Twisted Thurs - twist: add a butterfly
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Hobbybook - spring
Simon Says Stamp - buttons
WAW - anything uplifting goes
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - spring
Aurora Wings - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - spots or stripes
Melonheadz - girly
Stamp and Create - ready for spring
Crazy Ch - flower frenzy
Come and Get it - in the garden
Eclectic Ellapu - flowers and butterflies

Always Sassy. Yep, That's Me! :)

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

I'm posting another progressive challenge card today. this one is for the Sassy Studios Facebook challenge to use some of your fave color combos and the image provided. Well I do so love my pinks and purples, so this seemed like the ideal time to slap them ALL on a card! of course I HAD to use my Basic Grey papers, too! :)

the image is called 'Sassy Showgirl' and papers are from the Basic Grey Soleil collection. sentiment is from Create with TLC. flower is one I found a while back at Michael's. I love the great beads in the center!  I used the MFT Harlequin die to cut a piece from a manila envelope. this was glued across a piece of vintage crochet lace. the button was actually taken from one of the boy's shorts before they were thrown out. you know how I love to re-purpose as much as I can! our showgirl has lots of sparkle courtesy of both regular and distress stickles, as well as a clear spica gel pen.

I forgot to add that both the sentiment circle and the Harlequin die cut portion were sprayed with walnut gold glimmer mist. the sentiment circle was also sponged with pale plum ink.

well crafting has worn me out, so I am gonna crash on the couch with the dogs and watch a movie. I am so thankful for Netflix and Megashare. and of course our local library! :)

enjoy your weekend!

Challenges:
Sassy Studios - go green tic tac toe: reuse, buttons, die
Sassy Studios Facebook Progressive - fave color combos
Deconstructed Sketch  - sketch #144
Allsorts - dies (MFT and Spellbinder)
Outlawz Paper a la Mode - use glitter (stickles, glitter pen, and glimmer mist)
Word Play Saturday - anything
Stamping with the Dragon - bling it up (stickles, glitter pen, and glimmer mist)
Dream it Up - anything goes
Pink Elephant - fave color combo
Cut it Up - anything goes with die cuts (MFT and Spellbinder)
Penny's Paper Crafty - fave color combo
TTCRD - anything goes
Lexi's Creations - punches (circle) and dies (MFT and Spellbinder)
Lunagirl Moonbeams - sassy showgirls

O Holy Night - Progressive Christmas Challenge

Hello again!
I am trying to finish up my entry for the Digi Stamps 4 Joy Progressive Christmas Challenge.

Everyone who played along last month was sent the image of this Christmas paper. (I used it for the bg) I also added another DS4J image, '3 Kings' to my card. things started off in an interesting way when I ran the Basic Grey paper through my printer. my lovely printer must be possessed by the same gremlins that inhabit my Yahoo email account, because it grabbed the printer all wonky and printed the image out crooked. since this paper has long been discontinued, I only have the one sheet of it. I was gonna have to use it wonky! as I used to tell people taking classes from me, there are no mistakes in crafting, only opportunities for whimsy. well you are staring whimsy right in the face here. ;)

I sprayed the paper with walnut gold glimmer mist and then used a gold metallic gelato to highlight the words 'O Holy Night'.  papers are from the Basic Grey Figgy collection, lace trim is vintage, pretty flower is from Hobby Lobby I think, (picked it up while visiting Ryan in Indiana since we don't have HL near us.) little tabs are made from a SU! punch that was cut in half. stickles and shimmerz paint were added to the crowns on the 3 Kings image.

edited to add new photo. went back and re-made card. really didn't like the other one at all. the free image given printed very pixel-y. took the elements from the other card and came up with this one. new sentiment is from an old Shady Tree Studios stamp set. snowflake dp is what was left from previous printed piece. much happier with this one! :)

Challenges:
Digi Stamps 4 Joy Progressive Christmas Challenge - use image
Christmas Challenges - sketch
Chcolate, Coffee, and Cards - glitter (shimmerz & stickles) and lace
Completely Christmas - anything Christmas goes
Scrapping 4 Fun - lace and buttons
Winter Wonderland - kraft (card base)
Crimbo Crackers - anything Christmas goes
Fab 'n Funky - Christmas
Fan-tastic Tues. - anything square goes
Holly Jolly Christmas - bingo:  snowflakes (bg paper), free space (glimmer mist), blue

My First ATC

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Vanilla Creme

Yesterday on Facebook there was a convo going on about ATCs - Artist Trading Cards, and how much fun they are to make. well I confess that I had never made one before, as the size was a great deterrent to me. Each card has to be 2.5" x 3.5". my shaky tremory hands have a really really hard time working on anything that small. but I decided to give it a go. don't ever let it be said that a challenge was going to stop me from at least trying. ;)

So ta da! don't know if it conforms to all of the proper ATC rules, but then I'm not exactly a conformist anyhow. I think it's pretty dad gum cute, if I do say so myself. so I will! grins!

image is a freebie over at A Day for Daisies, papers are from the Basic Grey Soleil collection, flower is Prima, twine is Webster's Pages, sentiment stamp is MFT, and dies are Spellbinders. the floral rectangle piece has pretty embossing on it that I tried to accent by sponging with white craft ink. flower centers are dotted with distress stickles. used my white gel pen to add a few doodle dots here and there. pretty pink sequins and a distressed ticket finish the card.

have a great weekend! hugs to ya! :)

Challenges:
A Day for Daisies - pretty pastels
Outlawz - sketch (I traded one of the square for a circle)
Wicked Wed ATC - forest/flower fairies
CRAFT - what is the season where you are? Spring
Milk Coffee - welcome spring
Sassy Studios - pretty pastels
Kaboodle Doodles - dreaming of spring
Crafter's Cafe - add some doodling
Hobbybook - spring
Paper Shelter - spring delights
WAW - anything uplifting goes
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - twine it up
TTCRD - anything goes
Created with Love - girly
Crazy Ch - flower frenzy
Catered Crop - spring fever
Feeling Crafty - digi and bling (stickles and sequins)
Ladybug Crafts - anything goes
Craft Garden - pastels
A Creative Romance - spring flowers
Crafty Hands - shabby chic
Get Inky - circles
Craftitude - anything goes or add a brad or eyelet

This is Why I Craft....

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

image credit Fresh Picked Whimsy

I saw this beautiful photo on Facebook today and it sums up so completely why I craft. especially since I am able less and less to leave my home due to illness.

this is why I craft. it's truly an act of worship for me. thank You, God! I do so love You!  <3 p="">

Baby Boy Diaper Fold Card

Coffee of the Day - Irish Creme

I have to begin by apologizing for the quality of this photo. I tried my best to scan the card, but because of the puffiness of it, it just wouldn't scan properly. that left me with the only option of my phone. and all of you know how very shaky I am when it comes to taking pix. I did my best, but no amount of photoshop can fix the monkey behind the camera! ;)

anyway, this card was great fun to make, even if it did cause me a bit of grief from time to time. I found a wonderful diaper card template on Aly Dosdall's blog. That lady has some awesome talent! Part of the problem is my shaky hands. my tremors have gotten to the point I dread cutting anything out. but I did my best. I could go on and on about all of the mistakes I made on this card, but you don't want to hear about that. you put up with enough whining from me as it is. ;)   I'll just hope that our nephew and his wife can instead see the love we have for them and their new son each time they look at this card rather than all of the problems with it.

designer paper is My Mind's Eye Gnome Sweet Gnome, embossing folder is Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, cream ink is My Favorite Things, and fab buttons & linen thread are SU!  olive ric rack is from my stash, so I apologize that I don't know mfg.

Challenges:
Allsorts - all about the boy
Brown Sugar - anything goes
Challenges and Candies - embossing
Crafts 4 Eternity - anything goes
Sister Act - anything goes
Crafting with Dragonflies - baby
Cuttlebug Mania - dotty (swiss dots embossing folder)
TTCRD - anything goes
Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes
Glitter 'n Sparkle - use some blue

Such a Cute Big Sister!

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Pecan

Yesterday we received the news that our nephew and his wife welcomed their second child, a handsome boy, into their family! mom and son are doing great, thank goodness! I am putting final touches on the baby card, so will hopefully share that with you tomorrow. but in the mean time I want to show you the card I made for 'Big Sister'.  I didn't want her to feel left out in the excitement of Baby Brother coming home. :)

the image is one given out over at Maurie Manning's new "Bronte and Bella's Clubhouse" on Facebook. it's a great group of VERY talented crafters. there are challenges and contests that will take place all the time. this image was given so everyone could practice their face coloring and shading.  I know I'll be using it to work on some much needed Copic coloring skills. sigh..... no way could I ever afford one of the Copic classes, so will practice practice practice away here at home with this cutie!

papers and sticker embellishments are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut collection. sentiment banner was sprayed with glimmer mist. stickles was dotted on the butterfly sticker. ric rack, a doily, button from my stash, and pretty pink wired ribbon complete the card. a few little dots with my white gel pen sit in the upper corner.

Have a great weekend! :)

Challenges:
Bronte and Bella's - plenty of embellies
Sweet Sketch Wed. - sketch
As You Like It - fave coloring medium and why (I really enjoy watercoloring with my SU! inks.  I like the different looks I can get by using the various brushes and amounts of water. they are just so much fun!)
Aud Sentiments - anything goes with a sentiment
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbons
Crafting By Designs - use a ribbon
Penny's Paper Crafty - buttons and bows
WAW - anything goes encouraging
Outlawz Twisted Thurs. - anything goes with texture twist
Fan-tastic Tues. - anything goes square
Ladybug Crafts - for a special lady (I hope a young lady counts! grins!)
{pin}spirational - photo inspiration (pink, flowers, polka dots)
Artistic Inspirations - for the kids
Created with Love - girly
Melonheadz - girly
Shabby Tea Room - anything goes
Bearly Mine - one for the girls
A Gem of a Challenge - for a special lady (again, a young lady)
Sweet Stampin' - special (young) lady
Aurora Wings - anything goes

Happy Day, Lucky U Giraffe

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Hazelnut

Periodically I send cards to a little boy who has cancer. I found out that he loves giraffes. Yesterday Just Some Lines was giving away a free giraffe digi image. (free offer expires today, Thurs.) perfect! time to make him a new card! :)

Papers are from the Basic Grey Shine On collection, tag & sentiment stamps are from My Favorite Things. little enamel dots are some of my homemade ones and button is from my stash. red twine is re-purposed from the dog food bag. ;)  faux stitching was added with my white gel pen.

I forgot to mention that the little tag was made with a manila envelope I had saved. yes, I really do re-purpose just about everything! :)

Challenges:
Catch the Bug - sketch
Just Some Lines - St. Patrick's Day/Good Luck
Fab 'n Funky - boys to men
Penny's Paper Crafty - buttons and bows
Cardz 4 Guyz - tag it
Digi Choosday - boy stuff
Shopping Our Stash - buttons and bows (button and dec papers)
TTCRD - anything goes
Artistic Inspirations - for the kids
Scribble and Scrap - anything goes
Crafty Calendar - animal antics
WAW - anything goes encouraging

Sassy Kitty

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Vanilla Creme

I have another progressive challenge card to show you today, but this one is from a challenge a bit ago. I completely forgot to finish and upload it. doh on me! :/

image is from Sassy Studios Designs, papers are Basic Grey Hipster, brads & linen thread are SU! not a very fancy card since it is one I am giving to Dave. just a silly thing, really, but fun.

Challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wed - sketch

Craftin' Desert Divas - buttons, ribbon, twine, or brads (I used 3)

ABC Ch - 'h' is for hair

Open Minded Crafting - buttons

Craftitude - anything goes or add a little green

Crafty Hands - buttons and bows

Creative Fingers - anything goes with Sassy Studios image

Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes

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

Crafting From the Heart - anything goes/inspired by a movie (Cats)

The Doctor and His Rose

Coffee of the Day - Irish Creme

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! I hope you have started this day dancing a jig and celebrating all that is Irish within you! perfect excuse to watch some 'Boondock Saints' later today! gosh, that is such a great movie! :) and a little pre-Walking Dead Darryl never hurt anyone either. grins!

today is also my last project as a Guest Designer over at Love to Scrap Challenges. I have had such fun being with them this month and really appreciate them having me along! The new challenge is 'Buttons and Bows', with Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet and Fresh Squeezed Stamps as the sponsors.

You will not be surprised to see that I chose 'Trust Me I'm a Doctor 2' for my card! how could I resist the opportunity to make a Doctor Who card? btw, Alipeeps Art happens to have another Doctor Who image in her collection, too, if you are as much as a fan as my family happens to be! :)

papers are Kaisercraft Pickled Pear, dies are Spellbinders for the main image, Tim Holtz for the clock face, and Cheery Lynn for the leaf flourish. burlap ribbon piece is May Arts and roses are Prima. buttons are from Craftpon. I used my label maker for the title. this card just goes to show you that buttons and bows are not limited to girly cards!

did you notice my tribute to Rose? I had to point it out to Dave, but he thought it was pretty clever. This Doctor just needs to have his Rose Tyler. sigh......

Challenges:
Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes
OSAAT - use a digi
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes with patterned paper
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes/inspired by a movie (Dr.Who)
Crafts Galore Encore - use a stamp or digi
LEJ Designs - use your fave dies
Open Minded Crafting - buttons
Outlawz Greeting - St. Patrick's Day or use green
QKR - anything goes
Sister Act - anything goes

Painting Handyman 'To Do'...

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Cream

it's time for a new challenge over at Pile it On. we want to see cards for the guys! our sponsor this week is none other than the infamous Dr. Digi! I hope you will stop by the challenge blog to see all of the great inspiration by the rest of the team. :)

image is 'Dunderton Decorators Ltd', papers are from the Basic Grey Capture collection, burlap is from May Arts, brads are SU!, 'to do' stamp is K & Co SMASH. the painter's tape just seemed the perfect accent. I used the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches, but twisted the one panel just a bit for some fun. our handyman's glasses are coated in crystal effects.

Challenges:
Pile it On - for a man
Tuesday Morning Sketches - sketch with a 'b' twist (black, brown, blue, brads, buttons, burlap, binder's clip, bow)
Crafty Catz - boys and their toys
Crafty Hands - buttons and bows
QKR Stampede - anything goes
Stampin' for the Weekend - anything goes
4 Krafty Girlz - anything goes
Nutcrafters - boys, boys, boys
Fan-tastic Tuesday - anything goes square
Ladybug Crafts - for the boys
TTCRD - anything goes
Digi Makeover - buttons
Love to Create - anything goes
Melonheadz - bright colors
Perfectly Rustics - hexagons
Flat Friends - for a male
Crafts Galore - use a stamp or digi (used both)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes with patterned paper
Just for Fun - anything goes
Catch the Bug - bingo: use the color green, text bg, 4 layers
Open Minded Crafting - buttons

Destination Happiness

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

Well today is another day to share fun news with you! I had mentioned at the start of the year that I really wanted to spend time discovering new artists. Well not only have I found a new one, but I am now on her Challenge Design Team!

Let me introduce you to Lizzy Love and her company, Oddball Art Stamps! her images are absolutely wonderful! I was a fan first, and then crossed my fingers and held my breath when she had a DT call. imagine my excitement when I received the email asking me to join!

Our first challenge is an 'Anything Goes'. Each challenge will run for one month, and participants may enter up to 3 times. The prize for one randomly chosen winner will be 3 digis from the Oddball Art Co. Etsy store. wooo hoooo! and much to my delight, a brand new zombie digi has just appeared in the store! you KNOW how happy that makes me! :) we will also have Top 3 winners!

so now for my card.... I love this Big Eyed Girl image! be sure to check out all of them in the Etsy store. papers are from the new Basic Grey Spice Market collection, flower is Prima, pretty ribbon twine is May Arts, pennant punch is SU!, and die is Spellbinders. glimmer mist was sprayed on the bg patterned paper. the sentiment is also SU! I used my spica black glitter gel pen to add a few accent dots.

I hope you will stop by the Oddball Art challenge blog to say hello to all of the DT, but I also hope you will play along! :)

I have a little hint for you.... if you go to this video by Lizzy on youtube, I bet you will be in for a treat! :)

Challenges:
Deconstructed Sketch - sketch #142
QKR Stampede - anything goes
Sister Act - anything goes
4 Krafty Girlz - anything goes
Aud Sentiments - anything goes with a sentiment
Crafters Cafe - flowers
Hobbybook - make it girly
WAW - anything goes encouraging
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - any sketch
Bearly Mine - one for the girls
Crafts and Me Inspiration - anything goes
Natalie and Amy's - flowers
A Gem of a Challenge - for a special lady

Irish Piggie on a Pot

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Vanilla Cream

sorry I have been away for a while. have really not been doing well. was hit by some nasty something or another that knocked me for a loop. spent 3+ days running a fever of over 102*. not fun at all. thought I was starting to get a bit better, but was mistaken. boo on that.....

but, on a positive note, I have made a few cards that I will be sharing over the next few days. I wanted to be sure to play along in the monthly progressive challenge at From the Heart. I also used the latest sketch from them for my card. These progressive challenges are always a fun way to get some neat images for free, but have a fun time, too. :)

The papers are from the new Basic Grey Mon Ami collection, dies are Spellbinders, punch for the sentiment is by Jenni Bowlin while the border punch is SU! felt flower is from Michael's.  some faux stitching was added for accent along with a bit of vintage lace and a ticket. I also added homemade enamel dots. these were so easy to make, and you know I use them all the time on my  projects!

thank you so much for stopping by! I'll be back in a day or so. :)
oh yes, thank you also for your encouragement and kind words regarding my previous post about the publishing snafu. y'all are the best! and for those of you who have had similar things happen to you, I am so very sorry.

Challenges:
From the Heart - monthly progressive challenge
i {heart} card sketches - sketch #57
Aud Sentiments - anything goes with a sentiment
Delightful Ch - wearing of the green
Outlawz Twisted Thurs. - anything goes with first day of spring twist
Sassy Studio Designs - Happy St. Patrick's Day
Tuesday Throwdown - stitching (faux)
Inky Impressions - go green
Crafters Cafe - flowers
Fab 'n Funky - animals
Little Red Wagon - truly dimensional (the main image & senti are also adhered with foam tape)
Scrapper's Delight - St. Patrick's Day
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - use any sketch
{pin}spirational - photo inspiration
Papertake Weekly - bingo: lace, punched shapes (sentiment & border), flowers

A Sad Ending to What Was a Happy Story....

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel Pecan

well I was so very excited a while back when I heard the news that a card of mine was going to be published in Quick Cards Made Easy magazine. imagine my disappointment when I actually received a copy of the magazine and my card is no where to be found.

instead, the magazine has taken the colored image from my card and published that next to the name of the store. no mention at all of me, my card, my blog, or where the colored image came from.

in my opinion, that is bad form. I didn't know this card/image was being sent to Quick Cards until after it had already happened. the store owner is the one who sent it in, digitally. and that is not who I am upset with.

I know I am not a fabulous crafter. I accept who I am and what I do. but gosh, I do take pride in what I make. and for a magazine to just remove a colored image and publish it with no credit being given makes me question their integrity. I did not give my permission for any of this.

yes, I am hurt. and I am saddened. whatever happened to 'play nice'?

crafters - not only do you need to watermark your projects, but you need to watermark over the colored images. you have to protect yourself. no one else is going to do it for you. the saddest part of all of this is that you can't trust the people you thought you could. and that just breaks my heart. it shouldn't be this way.

Thank You So Much, Little Ladybug!

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Macaroon

Coolio news - I am a March Guest Designer over at the Love To Scrap Challenge blog! I was so excited when Leslie asked me if I would be interested. well yeah! of course! :)

The new challenge starting today is a really fun one. it's called 'Back it Up' and the idea is to create your own background using no patterned paper for the bg. wow! challenging, yes, impossible, not really. grins! Sponsors are Bugaboo (prize is 7 images) and Eureka Stamps (prize is 5 images).

I used the cutie Bugaboo image 'Lady Bug Flower Pot' on my card.  the bg was made with a mix of red and pink gelatos. I have found that I like to spray mine with a frosty glimmer mist rather than plain water, as this gives the entire piece an all over shine. once this dried, I used the inside of a padded envelope to stamp in white craft over portions of the card base. 

the few paper scraps I used are from the Basic Grey Serendipity collection, flowers are WOC, brads are SU!, and sentiment sticker is from SRM Stickers. little accents were made with both clear & black spica glitter pens and then stickles on the lady bug's dots.

I hope you will play along in this fun challenge by trying something perhaps new and different from your usual style. it's always neat to mix it up every once in a while! :)

Challenges:
Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes
Come and Get It - flowers
Glitter 'n Sparkle - add a sentiment
Robyn's Fetish - anything goes
Allsorts - spring is coming
Catch the Bug - anything goes
Cards Galore Encore - use a stamp or digi
Ladybug Crafts - anything goes
Natalie and Amy's - flowers
Crafts 4 Eternity - texture
Sister Act - anything goes
The Stamping Boutique - use glitter (stickles, glitter pens, glimmer mist)
Fan-tastic Tuesday - anything goes that is square
Card Mania - use a sentiment

Ewe are SO Sweet!

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie

Hello! More cool stuff to tell you about - I am back with the Pile it On Design Team again! it was so nice of everyone there to allow me to come back to the DT! the challenges are so much fun to play in, and y'all know I can't seem to keep away from challenges!

the challenge starting this week is called 'Lamb or Lion' and is sponsored by Jellypark, another one of my old teams! the idea is to use either a soft and sweet theme (lamb) or go bold and bright (lion). I kinda mixed them up a bit on my card. I chose a soft and sweet image from Jellypark, Ewe Are So Sweet, and then added bright colors.

papers are digital ones from the Echo Park Beautiful Life collection., gorgeous gilded rose is Prima. everything else is from my stash. I did add some faux stitching, 'cause y'all know I can't 'real' sew to save my life! flower centers are dotted with a pink spica glitter gel pen. the sentiment banner was sprayed with glimmer mist.

since I am adding this to the Top Tip Tuesday challenge, I will give you a little tip: when I went to add the sentiment banner, I decided it needed some extra dimension, so I wanted to pop it up on foam tape. the main image was already adhered with foam tape of its own. I wanted the banner to go to the edge of the card, and a little staple would be perfect. problem - I couldn't staple the banner to the card AND also use foam tape. soooooooo I stapled the banner FIRST, then added the foam tape. that's right, the banner is stapled to nothing at all. extra thick foam tape pieces are added to make it stand taller than the main image, but without really really really looking close, no one would ever know that it wasn't stapled right to the card!

Challenges:
Pile it On - Lamb (soft and sweet) or Lion (bold and bright)
Card Makin' Mamas - stack it up (more than 3 layers)
i {heart} sketches - sketch #55
Challenges and Candies - spring around the corner
Digitally Sweet - anything goes (papers, image, and sentiment are all digital)
Get Inky - buttons everywhere
Jo's Scrap Shack - florals
Simply Create Too - shop in your stash - all of these things are old stash
Aud Sentiments - sentiment for a girl
Cute Card Thursday - spring
Sweet Stampin' - cute
DRS Designs - button up
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Paper Shelter - animal
Word Art Wed - anything encouraging goes
Oldie but a Goodie - buttons (I think everything here is older than 6 months....)
Top Tip Tuesday - stitching (faux!)
Tuesday Throwdown - anything goes
Crafting by Designs - colors of spring
Catch the Bug - anything goes
613 Avenue Create - anything goes optional twist use old stash (everything here is old stash)
Outlawz Paper a la Mode - friends

Vintage Easter Bunny Tag Set

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel Pecan

I have fun news to announce to all of you today - I am on the brand new Doodle Garden Challenge Design Team! I am so excited, since I have long been a fan of Jennifer Nilsson's art. I have actual stamp sets going back a few years! ;)  You can not only find her cute digis in her Etsy store, but her stamps at My Favorite Things, Latina Crafter, and Sugar Pea Designs. She is one talented chica, and I am very honored to be part of this team! :)

Our first challenge is 'Anything Goes'. There are a few cutey freebies available on the site if you would like to use those to play along. We ALL love freebie images, but please do respect Jennifer and her art by not sharing these on other forums or with other crafters, but instead directing people back to the blog. thanks! :)

I used the adorable 'Billy Bubble Bunny' and 'Betsy Bubble Bunny' images for my tags.
tags were first watercolored using gelatos and then embossed across a portion with the SU! vine folder. papers and postage stamp stickers are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut collection. I am so thankful to Basic Grey that I won this collection from them! what a happy  happy dance! it has such pretty colors and designs! :) the little bingo cards are from a vintage Milton Bradley game board image I found online. flowers on boy bunny tag are vintage and from girl bunny tag are Wild Orchid Designs.  her little heart is covered in rock candy distress stickles. some enamel dots and buttons were added to finish.

Please be sure to pop by to wish the rest of the team a big congratulations as well as see the pretty things they have made! I hope you will play along, too! :) enjoy your weekend!

Challenges:
Alphabet Ch - B is for buttons and bows
Challenges and Candies - spring around the corner
Crafty Catz - anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - spring
4 Crafty Girls - anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - ribbons and buttons
Milk Coffee - emboss it (hi to my old teamies!!!)
Little Red Wagon - spring
Allsorts - spring is coming
Paper Shelter - animal magic
Paper Pretties - try a new technique (playing with gelatos!)
TTCRD - anything goes
Craft My Life/All Crafts - anything but a card
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes/use flowers
Floral Fantasies 5th Anniv - fave item: buttons

Flowers and Candy, wait, did someone say CANDY?!?

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle (caramel, pecan, and chocolate)

Hello! well y'all have to bear with me. I have another few cards to post this week where we were given an image for free as long as we promised to play in the challenges. deadlines are quickly approaching, so I am trying to hurry to get my projects finished. was sick in bed this weekend, so that threw me off a bit. plus Tyler was home so I wanted to spend time with him when I could.

This cutey image, Lollipop Leslie, comes from a new to me Etsy store, Art by Miran. she has some really pretty images that are waaaaaaaaaaaaay out of my coloring range. this one seemed like something I could handle, so thought I would give it a try for the Facebook 'Make it Girly' challenge.

papers are from the new Basic Grey Fresh Cut collection, sentiment is Create with TLC, flower is Wild Orchid Crafts, enamel dots are Teresa Collins, and chalkboard tag is MME. the sentiment portion was cut with a SU! punch and then sprayed with Mr. Huey's mist. scan got a bit wonky because of the big flower.

I hope to be back in another day or so with a project to share if all goes well. take care and  have a most wonderful week! thank you for stopping by!

btw - I am having a horrid time with blogger loading the blogs I follow on my dashboard. it's been more than a week since I've been able to see them, no matter how often I refresh. I promise to try to get around to your blogs to visit as soon as I can see them again.

Challenges:
Glitter 'n Sparkle - bright & funky colors
One Stitch at a Time - girly
Squirrel and the Fox - something spooled
Outlawz Greeting - anything goes
Di's Digi Designs - bingo: digi, die cut, flowers
Inkspirational - bingo: flowers, buttons or brads (button), punches or dies (both)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes with patterned paper
Feeling Crafty - dies and/or punches (both)
Creative Fingers - anything goes
WAW - anything goes that is encouraging

It's Your Birdday!

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel Pecan

Happy Friday!  wooo hoooooo! it's the weekend! isn't that such a wonderful feeling? Tyler came in this afternoon to help work at Camp this weekend, and Ryan comes home next weekend for a long Spring Break. doing some cooking for my guys, which always makes this momma happy! hopefully Mick can get here for a day or two when Ry is here to visit, too. :)

I have a very special bird-day card to share with all of you today. I have started back up on Facebook again, in case any of you weren't aware. several friends invited me to 'like' a page about a special young man celebrating a birthday in just a few weeks. I knew I wanted to make him a birthday card, and when the new image was sent out for the 'From the Heart' progressive challenge, it was absolutely perfect!

I also used the sketch from this week's i {heart} sketches challenge. papers are Basic Grey Cupcake, bg was made with gelatos and Mr. Huey's white spray mist. I also used the gelatos on the edges of the main image. these little gel sticks are fun, fun, fun! :)  since the card is for a young boy, I wanted it to be something to hopefully make him happy, so I added the candle and balloons for the primary embellies. shimmerz paint accents the candle flame.

sorry the card scanned a bit wonky due to the bulk of the candles and balloons.
have a most wonderful weekend! :)

Challenges:
From the Heart progressive Ch - use required image
i {heart} sketches - use sketch #54
Sister Act - anything goes
Outlawz Greeting - animal planet
The Stamping Boutique - punch or die (Spellbinders die)
4 Crafty Chicks - things with wings
Aud Sentiments - bingo: 3 word senti, die cut, texture (candle & balloons)
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes
Little Miss Muffet - happy birthday with balloons
Paper Pretties - ribbon (on the left under my watermark)
WAW - anything goes with encouraging sentiment
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Loves Rubberstamps - use a funny sentiment
TTCRD - anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - anything with wings
Artistic Inspirations - anything goes/masculine
Eureka - animal friends
Melonheadz - for the boys
613 Avenue Create - RAK for someone who might not expect to receive it (the boy doesn't know about the card drive)
Floral Fantasies 5th Anniv - fave item: buttons and Spellbinders dies