Turning 40!

Good morning all!  It's a new challenge today at Paper Crafting Journey and this time our theme is Make it Manly.  Hopefully we can provide you with some inspiration for your masculine cards, and we really look forward to peeking at your creations too!

Today I've used the Cupcake Celebration image provided by this week's sponsor, Kenny K.  They have plenty of images for the guys on your list, and this one worked out perfectly for my needs. I've coloured with copics, adding stickles to the candies on the cake for some added sparkle.

You will see some stenciling done here, for that fancy faux stitching and also for the lettering of 'The Big One'.  We definitely have to remind someone when they turn 40, otherwise they may be thinking they are 39 again!  lol

Supplies used:
Basic Grey papers - Clippings collection
Spellbinders dies -  Romantic Rectangles and Inverted Scalloped Circles
Other - little peel off stickers instead of gems and a bit of DI for the edges

Thanks for visiting and wishing you good luck in the challenge.

Some challenges for my card:

Kenny K - #166 Anything Goes/Distressed Edges

Love to Scrap - #24 Anything Goes

Digi Stamps 4 Joy - #86 Use Dies or Punches

Card Mania - #41 Use a Sentiment

Incy Wincy Designs - Birthdays Creative Inspirations - #254 It's A Boy Thing Card and Scrap - #70 Hip Hip Hurray

Not meant for crafting...

Good morning!  Are you ready for a new challenge at Charisma Cardz?  This time our theme is to Use something that is not meant for crafting.  I had a bit of difficulty with this one....I thought everything was meant for crafting!  lol.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the DT is sharing, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what you can come up with.

My card today uses the image...Dishcloth Dave, available from Dr Digi, one of our sponsors.  He's been coloured with copics, then cut out using the Spellbinders Labels Twenty Three die and the 'out of the box technique'.  Liquid applique adds some dimension to the soap suds, and I added a bit more to the sentiment.

Searching for that little something for our theme, I found some packaging string.  After untwisting, I tucked it in behind the top layers and fastened with staples.  This layer is attached with foam tabs, which gives added dimension plus allows for the extra thickness of the string.  The scraggy bits of string give a bit of a look of a scrub brush.

So onto our sponsors.  This week we have three, with some lovely prizes.

  
Prize 1

Prize 2

(5 digis of winner's choice)

Prize 3

 (2 digis of winner's choice)

 I do hope you can find the time to join us this week.  Take care and happy crafting!

Some challenges for my card:

Sweet Stampin - Humour        Challenge Winner

Totally Gorjuss - #224 Strings the thing

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Buttons (papers) Party Time Tuesdays - #161 Anything Gos Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes Tuesday Throwdown - #184 Anything Goes

Missing my flowers...

Ok, enough is enough!  I've made plans for a week away from all of this ice and snow.  I won't be heading to the sunny south, but somewhere in between where it should feel like spring...my type of weather.  I hope to be bringing some of those temperatures back with me too!

So, just in case you have forgotten, these are what flowers look like....aren't they lovely?  I'm sure they will brighten someone's day, and in card format they are available at any time of year!  This is the lovely Cyclamen image, available from Just Inklined, and once again I have coloured with my copics.

I have used the Spellbinders Labels Twenty Two die to cut around the top of the image, but fussy cutting the leaves.  The fancy mat behind is made with the Joy Craft Lacey Square Frame die, and I have inked the embossed areas with DI.  The DP is from the First Edition Summer Breeze collection, while the ribbon and gems are from my stash.

Hang in there everyone, surely winter cannot last forever.  Let's just hope our spring and summer are all that we hope for.

Some challenges for my card:

Stampin for the Weekend - Flower Power

Love to Scrap - #24 Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart #7 Anything Goes/Use Flowers

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky - #204 Spots or Stripes

Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - #24 Anything Goes

The Sketchy Challenge - #67 Anything Goes

Card Makin' Mamas - #81 Stack It Up

Pretty Papers

 

A nice easy card today, making the most of some pretty paper and a couple of stamps.  This paper is part of the Summer Breeze collection from First Edition, and has lots of sparkly detail.  All I have added is the butterfly and the sentiment.   The butterfly is stamped and heat embossed, then coloured in shades of orange.  It is one of the Fanciful Butterflies from Sweet Stamps, while the sentiment is one of the Elegant Greetings from CC Designs.

The sun is shining this morning, and with luck the temperature might rise above freezing!  Maybe, just maybe, we could see  some snow disappear!

Some challenges for my card:

Sweet Stamps - #157 Anything Goes

Through the Purple Haze - #29 Embossing    Top Picks

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

Divas by Design - Rubber stamps only

Creative Card Crew - #55 KISS (Keep it Simple & Sweet)

Crafty Creations Challenge - #257 Keep it Simple

Crafting Musketeers - #10 Butterflies

Crafting from the Heart -#7 Anything Goes/Use Flowers

Young at Heart...earplugs please!

Good morning this fine Sunday!  I say that because it's not supposed to snow today...not until tomorrow.  Hah!  I'm also hoping that I've finally gotten over the nasty bug that I've had this week.  I believe everyone has had enough of this winter... not just me!

The neighbourhood is really rockin' now that Sydney's picked up his strings again.  Everyone said he had to find a hobby upon retirement, so he's starting back in where he left off as a teen.  After all, if Mick can still do it....why can't he?  He's now just waiting to be discovered!

I definitely have a recipient in mind for this one, there's even a slight resemblance.  This fantastic image is another from Just Inklined, titled Strumming Sydney.  Once again I've used my copics, adding chalks and DI for the background.

The DP is from MME, and I've added a bit of stenciled stitching for a border.  The little puppy is a sticker from back in my scrap-booking days, and the sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers - North American Woods collection.  Party Time is a die cut made with the Whimsy - Birthday Sentimentables, which I have heat embossed using ZING embossing powder.

We must be careful when we suggest a hobby to someone.  Crafting may take over the house, but it's generally a nice quiet hobby, no?  Take care and have a great day.

Now for some fun challenges for my card:

Creative Knockouts - #24 Spots & Dots

2 Sisters Challenge - #173 Embossing

A Little Bit Crafty - Man Up

Crafty Girls - #11 Anything Goes

Sister Act Card Challenge - #44 Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - #23 Anything Goes

Crafty Bloggers  -All about Boys

A Creative Romance - Let's Get Sentimental Craft All Day - #3 Male Cards

Flowers to Cheer You

Good morning!  I'm here today with my second post for the ABC Challenge,where I have had the pleasure of being their guest designer for February.  This fortnight, the challenge theme is "F for Flowers", something I am sorely missing right now, as my gardens are blanketed in snow.

Here, I have made a card using 'Tilda with little pocket', one of the many Magnolia images available from our sponsor this week....Stamp and Create.  She has been coloured with water colours, for a change, while the sky has been created with Pan Pastels.

I played a bit with the fancy die cut mat, giving it some distress stain, some stamping, and finally some inca gold.   A co-ordinating ribbon and bow and one little gemstone heart are the only additional embellishments.

Other supplies used:
Paper from Webster's Pages - Life's Portrait
Spellbinders die - Fleur de Lis Rectangles
Whimsy - Dainty Notables 4 die and Everyday Sayings stamp

So we do hope that you join us this week for your chance to win, and our chance to see your creations.  Be sure to stop by the challenge blog for inspiration from the DT, who always have something wonderful to share.

Some challenges for my card:
 

Magnolia Down Under Challenges - #229 Hearts and Flowers

Simon Says Stamp Monday - We Love Stamps

Craft-Dee BowZ - Anything Goes and include a Handmade Bow

Country View Crafts - #12 Painty Pleasures

Feeling Crafty Challenge - #25 Dies and/or Punches

Lothian Crafts - #31 Love using your dies

Magnolia-licious Challenge - Pretty In Pink

7 Kids College Fund  - #93 Anything Goes Crafty Ribbons - Ribbon N Bows Stamp and Create with Magnolia - #29 Thinking of Spring

Spring fashion trend...

This is another of the fabulous images from Dr Digi with a story to tell. While the rest of us are seriously wondering if the nasty winter weather will ever end, Gardening Gus is dreaming of spring and summer.  He's been wanting to try on his new summer gear......and then why not pose for a picture in front of his garden poster.  Of course, you will notice he wasn't ready to take off those warm winter socks yet!

Always needing thank you cards, especially for those that give me a hand with the grass cutting or snow removal.  

Other supplies used:
Bo Bunny paper - Trail Mix collection
Spellbinders die - Labels Twenty Three
Grasses stamp from Stämpelkällan
Lined Paper stamp from Verve - Blue Skies

Now, for some challenges for my card:

A Little Bit Crafty - Man Up

Crafty Cardmakers - #109 This is a Man’s World

Crafty Girls - #11 Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - #308 Clever Cutting

Without Words - Working 9 to 5 (Occupations)      Top Picks Sister Act Card Challenge - #44 Anything Goes Creative Fingers - #23 Anything Goes Challenges 4 Everybody - #38 Anything Goes Crafty Bloggers - All about Boys  Craft All Day - #3 Male Cards

Stuck on You

Hi there.  I'm back again, with my DT card for the new challenge at Paper Crafting Journey.  Our theme this time is "Love is in the air", and it is....with Valentines Day only a week away. 

I've gone for a bit of humor with this cute image...'How You Doin', provided by our sponsor.  Sure to bring a chuckle, and perfect for someone who can be a bit prickly at times.  (lol)

I've set a goal for myself, to add some of my under-used stamps and images to my cards, and this time I have added the heart stamp to the background, from Stämpelkällan.  The DP is an oldie from Basic Grey, and as you can see, I have used two Spellbinders dies to cut and mat the image.

Hopefully you will get the chance to join in the challenge this fortnight, for your chance to win some lovely images from our sponsor...

Thanks once again for stopping by, and be sure to check out the wonderful creations being shared by the rest of the DT.

Now for some challenges for my card:

The Paper Shelter - #145 Be My Valentine That Craft Place - Valentine / Love

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Love is all around

Love to Scrap - #23 Who Loves Ya, Baby   Challenge Winner

Stamp and Create - Love is in the Air

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Valentine

Natalie and Amy - #17 Love Is All Around

One Crazy Stamper - Anything Goes

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - The one I love

Fussy and Fancy - #107 Be My Valentine

A Gem of a Challenge - #112 All you Need is LOVE

Cutie Pie Challenge - #62 My Cutie Valentine Hobby Cutz - #35 Valentines Papertake Weekly - With A Heart

Hugs and Kisses

Greetings everyone, from the frozen north.  Maybe today's card will warm things up!

Here we go with a Valentines card, using the cute Crocodile Love image from the Paper Shelter.  Coloured with copics, I've added a wee sparkle to the eyes and my sentiment among the hearts.

For the card background I've inked up these grasses from Stämpelkällan, and then found a piece of ribbon in my stash that kind of resembles water.

I can't say that I want to share space with a crocodile, but I would sure like to share some of that warmer weather!   Oh, if only wishes could come true!

Some challenges for my card:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Have a Heart

QKR Stampede - #74 Hearts & Kisses

Cute Card Thursday - #307 Lots of Love

Crafty Little Fairies - Love

The Squirrel and the Fox - #63 Love

613 Avenue Create - #58 Anything Goes or create your own challenge

Card Mania - #40 Love is All Around

Natalie and Amy - #17 Love Is All Around

One Crazy Stamper - Anything Goes

Fussy and Fancy - #107 Be My Valentine Hobby Cutz - #35 Valentines

February Blog Hop Prize Winner

It's time to announce the lucky winner for one of this month's spot prizes at Just Inklined!

Congratulations Maryann Laursen!  

Please contact me here with your email address 

and I will get it out to you right away.

Vintage...warm thoughts

Good morning again...it's Saturday anyway, for those of you waiting on the weekend!  I'm hoping for a good one, as I'm heading into the big city with my two granddaughters and one of my daughters to see a show...Heartbeat of Home, and we are making a weekend of it.  Last weekend I went in with another daughter and saw Les Mis.  I'm on a roll!  Definitely need the escape from the nasty weather, even if just for a few hours.

So, in keeping with 'warm thoughts', how about these pretty lacy bits!  This is another sweet image from Just Inklined, titled Petticoats Three.  Very feminine and well suited for a vintage card.

I decided on a frame for the image, using 2 sizes of the Spellbinders Labels Two die.   I then covered it with clear crackle paint, followed by distress ink.  A couple of coordinating papers and a MS punch for the background, and then the Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die for some added interest.  Just a few flowers and pearls for the finishing touches.  No sentiment yet, until I decide who it is for.

Stay safe everyone, and have a lovely weekend!

Some fun challenges for my card:

Cheery Lynn Designs - #118 Add A Flourish Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Feeling Crafty Challenge - #25 Dies and/or Punches

My Craft Creations - Anything Goes

Challenges 4 Everybody - #38 Anything Goes

Fan-tastic Tuesday - #21 Anything Goes Crafty Girls - #11 Anything Goes Hobby Cutz - #34 For a Lady Lothian Crafts - #31 Love using your dies

Waiting for my garden fairy.....

Hello again.  I'm really going to try hard not to complain about the weather today....I'll just make sure I don't look outside, and I'll think nice warm thoughts.  Hah!  They say the groundhog saw his shadow and we have 6 more weeks of this.  Personally, I'm just surprised he survived to see another year.  He must have a nice warm cubby, and if he's smart he will climb right back in there!

Now for those nice warm thoughts....here I had a go with water colours again, and the 'out of the box technique' using a new die I received for Christmas.  A colourful floral paper to brighten things up and hopefully send winter packing!

Supplies used:
Wee Stamp - Silver Fairy
Basic Grey papers - Picadilly collection
Spellbinders dies - Scallopped Labels One and Asian Motifs
other - a few gems, some DI's, and some glitter pen to make the border.

Thanks for visiting.  Make sure you stay warm....and hopeful!

Some challenges for my card:

Whimsy Stamps - #67 Something New     Challenge Winner

Magnolia-licious Challenge - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - Wings, Fantasy and Fiction

Card Mania - #39 Angels and/or Fairies

Deep Ocean Challenge - #70 Fantasy

Treasured Times - #11 Anything Goes

Loves Rubber Stamping - #89 Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesdays - #158 Color Challenge       Top Picks

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes Divas by Design - Die Cuts

Be My Valentine

Good morning!  We're back this month with another blog hop at Just Inklined.  Our theme, believe it or not....is Be My Valentine, and we are showcasing some adorable new images for this special occasion.  By following along, leaving comments along the way, you could be one of the lucky spot prize winners to  receive one of these images.  How cool is that!

Here is the blog order...don't want you getting lost along the way!

Gaynor, Dawn, Tammy, Tangii,  Jak, 
 Lori, Karen L., Joyce (that's me),

 So, what do you think?  This sweet image is titled Trunk Love, and it was a dream to colour!  As you can see, I kept it very simple, only using only one die-cut mat and a corner punch, along with 2 little gems.  Nice and quick, and then it is all ready for the post.

Thanks so much for visiting....now put your feet up and enjoy the rest of the hop.

Some challenges for my card:

Aud Sentiments - #99 Sharing the Love

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #244 Love/Valentines

Penny's Challenges - #162 Spots and Dots A Creative Romance - Show us some love  Sweet Stampin - Love/Valentines Allsorts Challenge - #244 Love is in the Air Crafty Calendar Challenge - Love is all around Feeling Crafty Challenge - #25 Dies and/or Punches Challenges 4 Everybody - #38 Anything Goes Time 4 Scrap - #33 Be Mine         Challenge Winner

 

It's all about embellishments

Hurray...it's February 1st!  That, of course, means that January is over and we are that much closer to spring.  Hopefully Mother Nature is listening!   Now for a bit more good news...this month I am lucky enough to be Guest Designer at the ABC Challenge.  How sweet is that!  This worked out great, due to the amount of time I've been spending in my craft room....I am not a winter person!

The challenge today is to use 3 or more Embellishments, and of course there are some lovely prizes to be won from two wonderful sponsors....Kenny K and Bunny Zoe's Crafts.  Be sure to check out the challenge blog for more details and for all the inspirational projects from the DT.

Here I've made a card using the Teen Idol image, provided by our sponsor.  Isn't he a cutie...love that smile and bit of attitude!  You will see metal brads, paper candi and arrows made with peel-offs for my embellishments.  No bows or flowers to be used here!

The DP is from MME, and I cut along the zig-zag edges to create the border.  Something just a little bit different.

Thanks for stopping by, and I do hope you get the chance to join in this challenge.

Now for some challenges for my card:

The Squirrel and the Fox - #62 Use embellishments

Crafty Sentiments - Recipe

Cards Galore Encore - #2 Bling

Created with Love - #74 Anything Goes Winter Wonderland - Digi Days Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - #216 Anything goes Kenny K's Krafty Krew - #165 Anything Goes Paper Creators Crafts - #19 Anything Goes

Technical troubles....

Good morning folks.  I'm here today with my first DT card for Dr Digi's House of Stamps.  I'm sure to be having a bit of fun with these humorous images, and hope to bring a few smiles and chuckles your way, too.

For today's card, I have for you..... I.T. Ian, and as you can see. things aren't perhaps going his way.  He might be a regular 'Mr Fix It' around the house, but now..... well, he may need to read that computer book for dummies again!   Isn't this the perfect image for all those techies or wannabe's that we know?

Have a great weekend, and here's hoping both you and your computer or doing well.

Some challenges for my card:
 

My Craft Spot - #124 Polka Dots

Penny's Challenges - #162 Spots and Dots

Clear It Out Challenge - Colour challenge + use your blues

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesday - #157 Anything Goes

Rhedd & Rosie's - #25 Anything Goes QKR Stampede - #73 Anything Goes Craft All Day - #3 Male Cards