Life's a Beach

Today's card is a special submission......I was one of the winners last week at Raise the Bar!  So this week I'm one of their Guest Bar-Tenders, with a card for this week's challenge.  Hope they like it...  Be sure to pop over and see the rest of the cards where you are sure to be impressed!

The theme this week is a beach scene, and I had this very old stamp in a drawer.  I think it is from Stamps Happen, but it is no longer on their web site, so maybe its an antique!  lol.

I've used water colours this time.  It takes longer, but I wanted the effect that it provides and I'm quite pleased at how it turned out.  The water has a misty look, as I added a coat of white pearlescent when finished

The background paper is also a stamp with a Waves pattern by Local King Rubber Stamps, and then I've distressed the edges with DI.

You might have also noticed that I've also gone with the Red White and Blue colour scheme today.   Royal colours for the Royal Wedding!

I have some challenges I'll also be entering, but thanks once again for your visit and lovely comments.

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #108 Pile It On
Lollipop Crafts - #36 Shabby Chic or Vintage
Pear Tree Designs - #46 Colourful
Karen's Doodles - AT THE BEACH
Tuesday Throwdown - #46 Brads or Eyelets
Creative Card Crew - Child's Play
Fab & Funky Challenges - #70 Red White and Blue
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes + Blog Hop
Crafts and Me Challenges - Vintage/Distressed
Crafty Cardmakers - #44 A Royal Wedding/Red White & Blue

Sketch Challenge at DZ Doodles

Good morning!  Hopefully life is treating you kindly, and you can find some crafty time for yourself.  This week's challenge at DZ Doodles once again comes with an adorable free image, and also the opportunity to be a Guest Designer.  So, head on over, and also check out the lovely creations from the rest of the design team....there's lots of inspiration to be found!

As you will notice, I've switched the sketch around a bit, and I've also used a different image from the one that is offered this week.  This one is called Floral Butterfly Teapot, and as I collect teapots, it's definitely a favourite of mine!

I've coloured with Prismas and OMS, and I've used my new Nestie die,  Labels 18.  Stickles have been used to accent the butterfly, and glitter pen has been used to highlight the edges.

I hope you enjoyed your visit, and I thank you for your comments as they are very much appreciated.  Some other challenges are listed below that provide some additional inspiration.  Have fun!

Digi Doodle Shop - #55 Glitter and Glitz

Delicious Doodles - #22 Anything Goes

CES Challenges - #33 Spring Colours/Image

A Gem of a Challenge - #19 PEARLS AND SWIRLS

Paper Sundaes - #66 Pick Your Sundae Toppings (sparkles, die cuts)

The Shabby Tearoom - #59 Butterfly Wishes

Southern Girls Challenge - #17 Colour Challenge - Green & Blue

Scrap-Creations - Flowers

Life in the fast lane!

Hi there!  Just a quick post, as I need to get a bit of work done today.  The title is quite fitting!  I wonder how these little runabouts are for comfort....hmmmm.

I'm not sure what is going on with Blogger and Firefox these days, but sometimes you cannot upload the photos.  If anyone else is having this problem, it works fine in Internet Explorer. 

Today's card uses another fun image from Just Inklined, called Renie and Scrappy.  Isn't it a hoot?!  Now if only someone would create one of those things for vacuuming, maybe housework could be fun!

Supplies used:
Tools:  Nestibilities dies - Labels 20 and 18
Medium:  Prismas and OMS
Other:  Distress Inks - scattered straw, denim dlue and dried marigold

Just one challenge to enter today....the current challenge at Charisma Cardz, where they are looking for Jokes and Laughter.  I'm sure this one should give a chuckle, I have a few recipients in mind!

Have a great day, and keep smiling!

Be sure to wear flowers in your hair....

How many of you remember that song?   Of course now the tune keeps playing in my head....but it brings back good memories so that's okay.

Something a little different today.  My card this time has a vintage feel, due in part to the soft floral paper which I found in my stash.  The image, Butterfly Belle, is from Digi Stamp 4 Joy, and I've coloured it up with Prismas and OMS, with glitter pen for the flowers.

The fancy frame is made from pink cardstock using a Nellie Snellen die, but I've added a technique.  Using Versamark, I used a crackle stamp and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  When dry, I painted over it with gold paint, then with a paper towel, I removed whatever paint had adhered to the embossed areas.  I was pleased with the effect....it turned out okay!

A couple of flowers with pearl centres, and a gold filigree corner piece finish it off...... oh yeah,  and a bit of distress ink for the edges.

Have yourself a wonderful Easter Weekend!

Some Challenges to enter:

Digi Stamps 4 Joy - #17 Swirls and Pearls

One Stitch at a Time - #58 Make It Sassy

Birthday Sundaes - #5 Anything Goes Birthday

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - #24 Anything Goes

A Spoon Full of Sugar - #148 Let's Celebrate

Top Tip Tuesday - #30 Open Challenge

Scrap-Creations - Digital

Simon Says Stamp! - Emboss It

The Stampman Challenges - #20 Embossing

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #99 Flowers

Easter...says it all!

I'm finally finishing a card in time for one of the CDAC weekly challenges.  This word art image was a freebie, provided by Nana Vic's Digitals for the freebie challenge.  The current challenge will end tonight, but another one starts tomorrow.  So head on over and check them out, you won't be disappointed.  I'm sure you'll find a few new freebie images that are to your liking, with some exciting challenges to boot!

Supplies used:
Colouring medium:  Prisma pencils and OMS
Paper:  Cosmo Cricket (Delovely pack)
Tools: Nestibilities Labels 20

Some other challenges to enter:

Creatalicious Challenges - #21 Easter - colour challenge

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - #78 Furry Friends

Pear Tree Designs - #45 Easter

Daisy Doodles - #31 Easter

Aud Sentiments - #26 Anything Goes + Blog Hop

Craft Your Days Away - #18 Easter

Claudia and Company - #80 Clean and Simple

Bee-Crafty - #49 Easter

Creative Inspirations - #108 Pets/Animals

Easter Wishes

Just a few more days until Easter!  I picture a lovely day, with pretty summer dresses....I can dream, but I don't think that is going to happen this year.  We're big on April showers these days, with an added touch of snow for a bit of excitement.  I'm so envious of those that are already out in their garden... But, no matter the weather, the Easter Bunny will still be making his rounds.

 

This is my first time making an Easter card, and I'm leaving it a bit late, again!  This sweet little image and the sentiment are from Digital Delights, a freebie they shared with us the other week.  Although I'm using it for Easter, I think it would also work well for a new baby (Just Hatched!).

This entire card is made of cardstock, no DP.   I've used a script stamp and a tiny flower stamp to make the backgrounds.  The butterfly is also a stamp, and came with the Craft Stamper magazine for April.

The image is coloured with Prismas, cut out and then popped up with foam tabs.  Lots of DI on the circle and the corners, to match the image, then just some stickles and a few gems.

Tools used:  Martha Stewart lace punch, Nestibilities Scalloped Circle Die, ScorePal for border on card.

Now I need to go make another card...hopefully by tomorrow.  Have yourselves a good one, and thanks again for visiting.

Challenges I'll enter:

Delightful Challenges - Easter

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #98 Easter

Catch the Bug - Easter Challenge

Sentimental Sundays - #51 Celebrate Spring/Easter

Pear Tree Designs - #45 Easter

Kaboodle Doodles - #63 Thoughts of Spring/Easter

Stampin for the Weekend - #7 Easter

Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog - #57 Easter

Craft Your Days Away - #18 Easter

Critter Sketch Challenge - #61 Punches and/or Dies

My Three Sons....

It's hard to believe that we're in the second half of April, especially when we had snow and hail yesterday!  Thankfully, it was only visiting....not here to stay!   Perhaps it will be better for next weekend?

Today, Im showing you a step card, using an image from Lori Boyd that is only available through the Help For Katie fundraiser.  The link can be found at the top of my sidebar, and the image package is still available until April 20th. 

As my husband is one of three sons, I figure this card would be perfect for a Father's Day card for my Father-in-law.  Once again, I've coloured it up with Prismas plus copics for the skin tones.  The DP is all from the Brioche line, from Memory Box....lovely bright colours, no?

Lots of layers here, both for the image and the card itself.  After using my Nestie to cut out the image, I've attached it with coloured eyelets, and then just a bit of ribbon and a button to finish it off.

Just think, Father's Day isn't really that far off?  With any luck, we won't still be complaining about the weather by then.  lol

Here are a few fun challenges that I'm entering:

By Lori Designs Challenges - #12 Colour challenge

Dutch Dare Card Challenge - #108 Fancy Folds

Pixie Dust Studio - #70 Say It Out Loud

Card-ideas - For the Guys

Cupcake Craft Challenges - #138 Lots of Layers

Paper Sundaes - #65 Texture

Incy Wincy Designs - #90 Bright & Bold

Karen's Doodles - LOTS OF LAYERS

Bunny Zoes Crafts - #11 One for the boys!

A little bit Vintage...

Thank goodness for Grandpa!  One of my little treasures is visiting this weekend, and it's been pouring cats and dogs.  Off to the movies they went, and I was able to finish a card! 

How about another of the lovely scenes from Just Inklined.  This one is called Bridge Scene, and can be found here.   I've decided to use it for an Anniversary card, but really, it could be used for any occasion.

Supplied used:
Medium - Prisma pencils
Paper - cardstock, DP from K&Company (Julianne pack)
Tools - Nellie Snellen Oval Frame Die, Nestibilities Fancy Tags Three die
Other - gold paint, crackle accents, brads, distress ink

A bit of explanation for the sentiment tag.  First, I cut it out with my new Fancy Tags die, painted it gold, and distressed it.   Next, I added a computer generated sentiment, then coated it all in crackle accents.  I was quite pleased with the effect.

Just a few challenges:
Creative Craft World is looking for cards with a  Love or Marriage theme (#59)
Raise the Bar wants to see Trees, in their Tree-mendous Challenge (#62), and there are lots of them in this scene.
And I've tried to follow the sketch (#59) at the Sketch and Stash Challenge, although I have changed it around a bit.

Well, that's it for today folks.  Here's hoping you are having a great weekend, and perhaps some lovely weather too!

Little Elf

Just a quick post....as I really do have to get busy!  So many things to do today, plus my granddaughter is coming for a visit.....no free time then! lol

This was a quick card I made up using one of the Friday Freebie images from Sassy Studio Designs over at PCP.  There's another image available for today only, if you want to check it out here.  Their challenge was to work with green and blue, and that is how I coloured the the outfit on the image, using Prismas.

I've used a blue metallic paper for the card, so lots of shine.  A few snowflakes, gems and a stamped spray with a bit of stickles finishes it off.   This is my first card for next Christmas.  Now that the snow is gone and the sun is shining, I was able to give it a go!

So, thanks for visiting and have yourselves a great weekend!

Some inspiring challenges:

Midnight Madness (Priscillastyles) - MMSC99 sketch

Sassy Christmas Challenge - #1 Sparkle & Shine

Do It With Digis - #8 Fairies, Pixies and Elves

Paper Crafting Journey - #8 Use a Freebie

CES Challenges - #31 Monochromatic

One Stop Craft Challenge - #126 Monochrome

Lollipop Crafts - #34 All Girl

Digital Tuesday Challenge - #106 Little Women

Tuesday Throwdown - #44 Sparkle and Bling

Garden Party

Another lovely spring time image again, for this week's progressive challenge at Designed2Delight, and I actually finished it in time to submit my entry.  Using Prismas, it was so nice to work with the bright spring colours.  Can't wait to see the flowers in my own garden, however, maybe not the mice.  They are lovely and cute in pictures, but up close and personal.......not so much!!!  LOL

I've cut it out with my new Nestie die that just came in today's mail, isn't it gorgeous.  I actually ordered four, (two of them were gifts), so I'll be having some extra fun coming up.

A Martha Stewart punch is used for the corners of the DP, and to add a fancy edge to the card.  A few gems and a little bow is all that's needed, and it's ready to go.

So thanks again for your visit, and your lovely comments.  Now, go and enjoy the day.....and hopefully some nice spring weather.  Of course, that may mean rain......but April showers bring May flowers, remember!

Some more fun challenges:

Phindy's Place - #50 Easter Time or Spring

Incy Wincy Designs - #89 Flower Frenzy

Top Tip Tuesday - #29 Spring Has Sprung

Creative Card Crew - Spring

Sew Many Cards - #49 Colour Challenge

Karen's Doodles - Happy Birthday

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge - #23 Celebration Aud Sentiments - #26 Anything Goes

Black and White, and One Other Colour

Guess what?  I think it's spring!  The weather finally shows promise, and the tulips are popping up.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks for visiting today, and hopefully you can join in with the next challenge at DZ Doodles.  The DT,  has some fabulous creations to share, and once again, there's a free image up for grabs.  But it's only available for a limited time.

Now, how about Guess Who?, this adorable little stamp from DZ Doodles.  Do you remember playing this with your friends?  Boy, that's really going back!  lol  Going with the challenge theme, black & white & one other colour, I've made these bookmarks for my granddaughter.  Her family is moving at the end of this month...closer to us Hooray!!   As she's going to be having a little party, she'll be able to give these to her friends as a keepsake.

I've kept the design simple, so hopefully they will stand the test of time.  We don't want them falling apart, but we would like them to be used.  Just black cardstock and one sheet of polka dot DP.  I've used a Nestie die and partially cut around the image.  A MS punch gives a bit of excitement to the bottom edge.  The DP is also used on the back of the bookmark, to cover the folded corners.

A few more challenges with additional inspiration:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #97 Animals/Pets

Allsorts Challenge - #98 Anything but a Square

Card-ideas - Kidding Around Challenge

Paper Sundaes - #64 Childhood Memories

Craft Your Days Away - #17 SPOTS & STRIPES

Fussy and Fancy - A Card or Project for a Child!

Kaboodle Doodles - #62 Cute and Cuddly Animals A Spoon Full of Sugar - #147 All Creatures Great and Small Fab & Funky Challenges - #68 All Spotty and Dotty

Another Anniversary Card...

Good morning everyone.  We're off to see my parents today, so this is just a quick post....with another anniversary card.

No actual colouring this time, but a lot of shading with distress inks.  The card blank was already embossed, and the DI brings out the flower pattern.  The same shades (Antique Linen, Weathered Wood and Tea Dye) were applied to both the doily and the edges of the Nestie cut out. 

The flowers are decoupage, from one of the sheets you can buy where you simply punch out the parts.  I bought these more than a year ago for some wedding cards...the weddings have come and gone!  So rather than saying they are from my stash, how about from my 'lost and forgotten'.  The layers are built up and attached using very thin foam tabs.

Stickles have been added to the edging and also to add some accents to the stamped scroll pattern.  The sentiment stamp was one of my vacation buys the other year.  I find I purchase quite a few card making tools while on vacation....I think I should soon go again, no?

A few challenges to enter:

One Stitch at a Time - #56 Something 3D

Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight Challenge - Decoupage

The Crazy Challenge - #61 Just Add Flowers

A Spoon Full of Sugar - #146 Tons of Texture

Charisma Cardz - #14 Weddings/Anniversaries

Lexi's Creations - #37 Monochromatic

Claudia and Company - #79 Monochromatic

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Wedding or Anniversary Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - #77 Embossing

Anniversary In Yellow

Hello again.  It's a lovely day outside and I'll be going for a walk shortly...but first this little card.

I've had a request for a few anniversary cards, and they need to go through the post.  Of course, I didn't have any made up, soooo here's the first one.   This is another image from Just Inklined, and you can find it here, along with a number of other beautiful blooms.  This is actually a peony, however, I've changed the colours a bit, though I do wish peonies did come in this colour. (lol)

I've coloured with Prismas, then cut out and around a Nestie Label 2 die, and you will see I was able to use 4 different sizes.  For some dimension, I've attached 3 of the layers with foam squares, of the smallest thickness available.  The card blank is from Michaels and is already embossed.  I just inked it over with some Scattered Straw DI.  The only embellishments are some gold stickles, a bit of ribbon and a few gems.  Nice and easy, and it will go in the post!

A couple of challenges provided some inspiration:

ABC Challenge - R is for Ribbon

Do You Stack Up - #14 Follow that Yellow brick road
The Crazy Challenge - #61 Just Add Flowers
Charisma Cardz - #14 Weddings/Anniversaries

A Spot of Spring

Welcome, and thanks for visiting!   Although I won't be seeing blooms and butterflies in my garden anytime soon, I'm hopeful that perhaps spring is on it's way.  The snow is gone, the temperature is slowly rising and I've seen a few robins!  Hurray!

This card uses the adorable new image from Designed2Delight.  It's still available until Thursday night, so you still have time to pick it up and enter their challenge.  Such a wonderful opportunity to use some favourite spring colours!

No DP used this time, just different colours of cardstock and a paper doily.  The image is coloured with Prismas, then cut out with a Nestie die.  Some DI has been added to the edging, and also to the doily.  The white layer gets a little attention with an MS corner punch and some stamped flowers with liquid pearl centres.  Other than a piece of ribbon, there's not much more to this card, as I've allowed the image to steal the show!

Once again, some more fun challenges to enter....with some great inspiration:

Polka Doodles - #13 No Printed Backing Papers

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - #128 BUTTERFLIES

Paper Sundaes - #63 Spring Blossoms

Birthday Sundaes - #3 Anything Goes

The Shabby Tearoom - #56 Spring Colour Challenge

Daisy Doodles - #30 Spring

Tuesday Throwdown - #43 Spring

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamps Challenge - It's time for Spring Colours/Easter

What's Cooking....Grandpa!

Hello again!  Hope everyone is doing well this fine Tuesday, with it's gray and overcast skies.....at least it's not raining or snowing!  So, here's a card to brighten the day.

Today's card uses the What's Cooking image from Mo Manning.  As you can see from the photo....this was a must have....and she also loves to help Grandpa in the kitchen!

I'm sure you can see where my colour inspiration came from, but I also had some help with the card design too, by using this week's challenge sketch from Sugar Creek Hollow.

Supplies used:
Medium - Prisma pencils
Paper -Cosmo Cricket (DeLovely pak), cardstock
Tools - MS border punch, EK Success corner punch
Other - glamour dust on flower, gems and ribbon from stash.

Some more fun challenges with more inspiration:

Mo's Digital Challenge - #7 Buttons and Bows

Charisma Cardz - #13 BLING & SPARKLES

Digi Doodle Shop - #53 Happy Birthday

Digi's With Attitude! Challenges - #20 Anything Goes

Card-ideas - Spotty Dotty

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #105 Buttons, Bling and BLOOM!

Craft Your Passion - #52 Anything Goes

Kaboodle Doodles - #61 Let's Get Girly

By the Cute and Girly - Cute and Girly

Please Let It Be Spring! Blog Hop

We're back!  It's Blog Hop time at Just Inklined, and this month we are showcasing projects with a Spring theme, in anticipation of the coming season!   So, if you've arrived here from Lydia's blog, you're right on track, otherwise you should hop on back to Jeni's blog, to start at the beginning.  The design team has done a fantastic job, once again, and you wouldn't want to miss a single thing!

For today's card I've used the image We're Hungry.   This is one of the newer images available in the store and is perfect for today's theme.  Aren't they the sweetest!  They could be singing for their supper or maybe Happy Birthday.....lots of possibilities there.

I've coloured with Prismas, adding blue DI for the background.  I found this DP in my stash, with it's bright spring flowers, and then coloured some ribbon to match.  I think the green is very appropriate for the season, and I sure hope to see some soon in my garden!  (Wish me luck, because they're calling for snow, again......)

Well, as I am the last stop, I do hope you enjoyed the hop!   If you're looking for more ideas, pop over to the Just Inklined blog for more finished projects from the DT, and then over to the store to feast your eyes on all the delightful images.  Have fun!

Wake up....little Suzi!

Welcome, to a beautiful Saturday!  Time to wake up and enjoy the day!  Hence my title for this post, the Everly Brothers song, to go with this lovely Wee Suzi stamp from Wee Stamps.  Maybe you were lucky enough to pick this up as a freebie the other week, if not, it is available for purchase here.

I've done something different with the card this time, using an MS border punch, but only along the sides of the front of the card.  This gives a very lacy effect, and I've edge with China Blue DI on the inside, for a nice contrast.  This same colour of DI was used to edge around the image and to colour the lace doily.

The image is coloured with Prismas, cut out with my Nestie Die and attached with foam tabs.  The DP is Prima, from the Fairy Flora paper stack, and this time you will note I've actually used flowers!  I don't tend to use these that much, as most of my cards go in the mail, although I do like the effect.  The roses are from Michaels, while the white blossoms are from Wild Orchid Crafts.   A little extra bling has been added with a few gems and a silver peel-off border.

Thanks for visiting again, and also for all your lovely comments.  Much appreciated!  Now, go have yourselves a wonderful weekend!

A few fun challenges to enter:

Incy Wincy Designs - #87 Sparkle and Shine

Digi Doodle Shop - #53 Happy Birthday

Charisma Cardz - #13 BLING & SPARKLES

Dutch Dare Card Challenge - #106 Distressing

Stamp Something - April Digi Day

Digi's With Attitude! Challenges - #20 Anything Goes

CES Challenges - #30 Children

Allsorts Challenge - #97 Blooming Blossoms

Paper Playtime - #42 Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments - #25 Sentiment/Card For A Child.