A Richism about talking!
This AM I was sharing a funny story with Rich. He rolled his eyes and sighed, “Kath, you’ve already told me this about 10 times.” I shushed, but not before noting, “Maybe you need to work on that thing in the Bible called ‘long suffering?” He laughed, “What does it say about ‘longest suffering’?” Then, with a sly grin, he added, “Actually, I think says, ‘No more than ten times shalt thou listen.’”

Family and Treasures and Characters, Oh my! 
Some fun challenges this week falling into many interesting categories.
In this first one, cards were to represent family. Took me a while to figure out how to depict that in a card... then settled upon the idea that family doesn't have to be set by birth! Decided that family might be those that help us through rough times. So... how about the Wiz of Oz family?!
Thes first sweet image is from freedeariedollsdigistamps.blogspot.com. You can download a copy of the image in outline or full color. I opted for full color and then added a few personal touch details (checks on Dorothy's dress, highlights in her hair and glitter on her shoes, plus rust and dents on the tin man) with markers and gel pens to make it my own! The silhouette Dorothy I found in free clip art, traced onto black cardstock and fussy cut. Then added red glitter to her shoes. (The glittery shoes are a bit of a blob. But oh well... it is the bling that counts, right?!)

Entered into:

Cute Card Thursday Challenge "Family"

     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge

     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

The second card for this week was developed for a challenge that required the finished card included numbers. Used a scrap of quilt background paper, ruler ribbon, and a scissor image that I found on the web, fussy cut, and attached to add a little sparkle to the card. 

Entered into:

Simon Says Monday Challenge  "Numbers"          

(simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

I am hosting the challenges at wecraftcards forum this week. 

For the first one I invited people to dig into their stamping supplies and find a stamp, tool, or some type of embellishment that hasn't been used for a while and use it to create their card. 

I used a roller wheel stamp on my card. Have a ton of them just gathering dust. This one seemed appropriate for Spring!I included photos of the front and inside of the card. 

Entered into:

We Craft Cards Monday Challenge "Treasures"

      (wecraftcards.com/forum)

My second challenge at wecraftcards is called "You are such a character!" I invited members to include a cartoon, character from childrens books, TV shows, etc. in their cards. My card included an upcycled candy box. The minions eyes were like little shaker cards. So fun! I fussy cut him out, added a sentiment... and was good to go!

 Entered into:

We Craft Cards Wednesday Challenge "Characters"

      (wecraftcards.com/forum)

The final challenge this week invited us to look at a photo and let it inspire us to create a card. Their photo included an inspirational saying, dainly flowers and pink butterflies. I found this free digi coloring sheet at  http://tammytutterow.com. Printed it on vellum, mounted that on pink polka dot paper, added a few little pink butterflies. and was done. Love the results! 

Entered into:

(Pin)spirational Challenge "Inspriration Photo"

     (pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com)

Oodles of Challenges!
Found a few new sites with some interesting challenges. So... decided to give them a try!
Love the color scheme in this first challenge. It's a perfect fit for a free digi image of a yummy cupcake from Beccy's Place. (beccysplace.blogspot.com/2017/04/april-challenge.html)

Entered into:

Casual Fridays Color Challenge "Pink, Navy, White"

     (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com)   

Beccy’s Place April Challenge

     (beccysplace.blogspot.com/2017/04/april-challenge.html)

Was fun to pull out an old Art Impressions stamp (featuring old people) for the next challenge.

I ripped off the top right corner of the card and then sponged it with brown and black ink to look like it had caught fire. (Saw this idea on Pinterest and have been waiting to use it!) 

Cute Card Thursday Challenge "Birthday"                                          
     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

These final cards were for the weeks two Challenges at we craft cards. 

We Craft Cards Monday Challenge- Diorama 

      (wecraftcards.com/forum)

        A video tutorial for this technique is here 

       http://stampwitch.blog/pop-up-diorama-tutorial/

We Craft Cards Wednesday Challenge- Southwest 

      (wecraftcards.com/forum)

Showers & Flowers!
We've enjoyed more gentle Spring rains and a few flowers are starting to show up. I was excited to see that a few wild strawberries that popped up last year are spreading. Their little white blossoms are so dainty. They resemble the dainty blooms in this nice digi image (a freebie from Beccy's Place, http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/2011/01/bucket-of-blossoms.html)
I fussy cut the Hello from a purple plastic file folder. Love how it is translucent. I added a close up of the image so that you can see that!

Entered into:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge "Showers and/or Flowers"

     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)
Simon Says Works It Wednesdays Challenge "April Showers..." 
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/category/events/work-it-wednesday)
Artistic Inspirations Challenge 177- "Add Ribbon or Lace"  
     (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
Little Miss Muffet Challenge- "Anything Goes" 
     (littlemissmuffetchallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Beccy’s Place April Challenge

     (beccysplace.blogspot.com/2017/04/april-challenge.html)
Deep Ocean "Spring" Challenge 
    (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)

Cards to brighten a soggy April

After a beautiful Easter Sunday it has been dreary and raining here in Wisconsin the last few days. 

I am reminding myself that all of this April rain means May flowers, right?! And, spending every available moment crafting up a storm in my craft room. Here are the results. 

I love making these little Asian paper dolls. This one was especially fun because the challenge was to use more than one fold. And, the wonderful burnished leaves sections were cut from an old card that was in my dear moms "treasure box." (Is probably 40-50 years old!) 

Instructions for making the Tri-fold Shutter Card template can be found on this website-

http://qbeesquest.blogspot.com/2013/05/secret-garden-tri-fold-shutter-card.html

Love the way the card turned out! 

Entered into:

Cute Card Thursday Challenge#143- More than one fold 

     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com)

This adorable image and [inside] sentiment from Beccy's Place is featured on a mug shaped card. I fussy cut the tropical flowers from some scrapbook paper to add color and interest to the front and inside of the card. 

Entered into:

Whimsie Doodles Anything Goes Challenge (optional twist: food or drink)  

     (whimsiedoodles.blogspot.com)
Beccy's Place April Challenge 

     (beccysplace.blogspot.com/

I haven't used my beloved Stampscapes stamps for a while... was fun to pull them out for Simon Says current challenge. And I've been needing sympathy cards lately, so made some extra to have on hand. This one is so peaceful and calming. 

Entered into:

Simon Says Monday Challenge "Splash It On:

     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Entries into assorted challenges
So many fun challenges to fill my weekend with playtime in my room of treasures and magic!

Entered into :

Monday "Hip Hop" Challenge at Simon Says stamps 

     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Creative Inspirations "Spring Spectacular" Challenge 

    (inspirations.blogspot.com.au)

Deep Ocean "Easter" Challenge 

    (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)

Open Minded Crafting #171 Easter and/or Spring         

    (open-mindedcraftingfun.blogspot.ca)

Artistic Inspirations "Anything Goes" Challenge (with Easter Option) 

    (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/challenge-176.html)

Entered into :

Wednesday Challenge at Simon Says stamps  
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/)

Monday Challenge "Card Holder" at We Craft Cards Forum 
     (wecraftcards.com)
I used the directions at this site to make the Card Holder, adding a vertical belly band to keep the cards in place.
(stampingdoc.blogspot.ca/2008/11/christmas-book-box.html)

Entered into:

Work it Wednesday Challenge at Simon Says stamps 

     (simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/work-wednesday-march-2017)

Wednesday Challenge at We Craft Cards Forum 
     (wecraftcards.com)
Challenge was to stamp an image on glossy cardstock, add details with white crayon, sponge over the top and buff with tissue.  

Entered into:

"Rainbow" Challenge at Casual Fridays 
     (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com)   

It's April, so I'm Waitin' for Rainbows

Spring flowers are popping up in my front garden, so I'm hoping that winter doesn't decide to return for one more blast. Instead, would love to see some spring rains and all the beauty that they bring! 

Until then, am using rainbow colors for a few card challenges: 

    Monday "Make a Rainbow" Challenge at Simon Says stamps 

         (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

    "Rainbows" Challenge at Cas-usal Fridays 
         (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/
    "Anything Goes" Challenge at Little Miss Muffet
        (littlemissmuffetchallenges.blogspot.com.au)

 Inside greeting on this card reads, "Those people are old!" 

New Feathered Friends
This is one of the images in the fun set that I picked out with the gift certificate that I won at Beccy's Place website. Love this silly little birdie! 

 I entered this card into the following challenges:

    April Challenge at Beccy's Place 

          (beccysplace.blogspot.com)
    Wednesday Challenge at We Craft Cards Forum. 
         (wecraftcards.com)

    Wednesday Challenge "Happy Birthday" at Simon Says Stamps

         (www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Yummy, Carb-free Cupcake! 
I loved this gorgeous free digi that is available at Beccy's Place website. Used it for this months challenge. (And was thrilled to win Beccy's challenge last month.  Snagged some great images that I'll be sharing in the coming months!)

Card was entered into the following challenges:
    April Challenge at Beccy's Place 
          (beccysplace.blogspot.com)
    Monday Challenge at We Craft Cards Forum. 
         (wecraftcards.com)
    

Signs of Spring
      I'm ready for Spring, and the burst of flowers, and gentle showers, and Easter! Soon, very soon.
Until that happens, I can craft some Spring!
      Both cards went together pretty quickly. For the second one I used a packet of plastic folders that I found in the office supply section of Goodwill. Cut circles of the colors that I taped behind the intricate die to make a delicate church window. I set up my card so that the light from the window could shine through. Lovely!

Entered the card  into the following challenges:

    Monday "Make a Rainbow" Challenge at Simon Says stamps 

         (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

    Monday Challenge "Stained Glass" at We Craft Cards Forum. 
        (wecraftcards.com)
   "Work it Wednesday" (March) Challenge at Simon Says stamps 
         (simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/work-wednesday-march-2017)