Sweet Thank You

I love upcycling almost anything- calendars, tissue boxes… and cards that I receive. The delicate thank you tag was on a card from a friend. I mounted it onto a gatefold card and added the wee touch of bling with the rhinestone flower. Simply lovely! 
(Am entering it into several challenges, two that focus on flowers, and two that included inspiration photos which are reflected in the petite pink blooms on the tag and background paper.) 

 

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Flower Power                      (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

CAS-ual Fridays- #198 April Showers Bring May Flowers  (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

SumMoreFun  Challenge- Mood Board                                   (summorefun.com)  

Bugaboo Stamps-Color Inspiration                                          (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge                        (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)

Another entry for the current Butterfly Challenge "Letter D" includes two of the colors (Dark Salmon and Denim Blue) and a bit of Dimension (I mounted the section with the butterflies with foam tape to raise it off of the card a bit.) I embossed the vintage Hero Arts butterfly stamp on vellum with black EP, colored them with Tombow markers (on the backside of the vellum) and trimmed the vellum with Fiskars decorator scissors. I then wrapped the vellum around a strip of blueberry cardstock, and mounted it onto an A2 card made with blue parchment paper. Since I'm working on gift packets of cards for a few soon-to-graduate students, I decided to make this into an Easter card so embossed a sentiment (unmounted so not sure of the company. Maybe Northwoods Stamps?)

 

Entered into: 

Butterfly Challenge- #98 Letter D                                               (butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #332-333 Anything Goes  (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Another card to go into the gift packs, this time a fun non-traditional holiday card. I created the sentiments on my laptop and just printed them off. A quick trim, layer of paper and... voila! You can find the free beverage digi here- katehadfielddesigns.com/freebies. 

Entered into: 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes                    (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #381 Anything Goes  (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Spring!!

I love that so many challenges right now focus on flowers and bright spring colors. After a long winter, it is such a refreshing change! For this card, I used an old Printworks stamp. To add depth to the card, I made three images, fussy cut the envelope and a few flowers and leaves which I attached with foam tape. Wanted to enter the card in Pixie's Snippets challenge, so dug through my scrap papers to make the background. A simple card that just shouts SPRING! 

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Flower Power                      (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Pixie's Snippets-  Week #325                                                     (pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com)

CAS-ual Fridays- #198 April Showers Bring May Flowers  (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

Bugaboo Stamps-Color Inspiration                                          (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

Calling All Sista’s- Color Challenge                                          (callingallsistahs.blogspot.com)

I fell in love with this sweet Whimsy image when a new friend gifted it to me (thanks Linda!) Thought it would make a great Mother's Day card. Because… why can't a penguin provide tender mothering to a tussle of kittens?!  I used a die cut to create the window and cropped a few of the kittens to adorn the sentiment. Mounted the sentiment on an oval of red vellum to add a little contrasting color... and make this little kittah's stand out! Ahhh… purrfect!

Entered into: 

The Paper Shelter- #336 Die Cuts                                                (thepapershelter.blogspot.com.ar)

Whimsy Inspirations- #105 Anything Goes                                (whimsyinspires.blogspot.com)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes                  (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge                            (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #332-333 Anything Goes   (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Because I was on a cuteness roll, I pulled out one of Di's Digi stamps and made an Easter card. (I'm working on gift packets of cards for a few soon-to-graduate students so this will be added to one of those packets.) The cute little rabbit is also appropriate for the Kitty Bee Designs Challenge, Forest Friends.

 

Entered into: 

Di’s Digi Stamps- Include an Animal              (disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Kitty Bee Designs -#117 Forest Friends          (alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.com)

Cute Card Trio

I wanted to make a different card for the Simon Says Monday Challenge "Flower Power" and decided that this wonderful hipster from Beccy's Place set named "Disco Fever" would work great on a bold 70's type floral paper. Then I found this great free digi from Dearie Dolls named "Hippie Dude" and knew that I needed to do a bit of matchmaking! Used a creative fold to add some depth with a simple card base that I found here - www.craftindesertdivasblog.com/2018/04/small-images-big-background-with-dt_16.html

Entered into:

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Flower Power     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

DigiStamps4Joy- #147 Anything Goes                   (digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.co.za)

Bugaboo Stamps-Color Inspiration                        (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

Beccy’s Place Challenge- April                                (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

This month's Mood Board includes Craftin Desert Diva is luscious pastels. Decided to use one of their fun digi sets (image and sentiment) to make a card using a great impressive fold that is super easy to make. You can find directions here- https://www.maymaymadeit.com/blogs/news/the-impossible-card-in-multiple-sizes

Entered into: 

Craftin Desert Diva- April Mood Board                                      (craftindesertdivasblog.com)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes                 (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #332-333 Anything Goes  (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge                            (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)

I love all things dairy! Especially ice cream! So, it made perfect sense to pair the diecut LOVE with one of The Paper Shelters adorable images for this current challenge. (Drat… now I'm really hungry and there is no ice cream in the house. I can't imagine why!)

Entered into: 

The Paper Shelter- #336 Die Cuts                   (thepapershelter.blogspot.com.ar)

QKR Stampede- #293 Anything Goes            (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

Tiddly Inks Trio

Tiddly Inks is hosting a Spring Blog Hop. So… this post includes three cards that feature Tiddly Inks images and/or sentiments. So fun!

This sweet Tiddly image is named Petite Q. I colored her hair with Spectrum Noir markers, skin with chalks and gown with watercolor pencils and a blender pen. Not sure how I got the crushed velvet texture on the dress but I but kinda like the look!  
For this challenge, I created a circle easel card. To help support the easel, I added petite silk flowers attached with brads (allowing me to enter it into the Tiddly Ink and CAS-ual Friday challenges), used a bright color scheme that includes pink (entered into Cute Card Thursday and DigiStamps4Joy challenges), circle dies (entered into The Paper Shelter challenge). Also, added a pretty sticker crown from Jolee's. To add a bit more bling, I used patterned paper that has metallic gold on one side and metallic gold and cream stripes on the other (entered Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge.)

Entered into: Tiddly Petite Q

Tiddly Inks- Spring Blog Hop                                                 (tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.com)

CAS-ual Fridays- #198 April Showers Bring May Flowers  (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

Cute Card Thursday- #527- Pretty In Pink                             (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

DigiStamps4Joy- #147  Bright Colors                                      (digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.co.za)

The Paper Shelter- #336 Die Cuts                                             (thepapershelter.blogspot.com.ar)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge                        (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #332-333 Anything Goes       (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

For this card, I used a Tiddly Ink set named "Froggie Thoughts" to create this shape card. The image and both sentiments are from the set (I love the humorous tone of these sentiments!) The crown is cut from a scrap of gold paper and a random rhinestone from my stash. The front of the card looked a little blah until I added a sticker dragonfly that I received in a prize packet from a WeCraftCards challenge. (Am entering the card into a current wcc challenge named "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" where we are to use a prize won in a challenge. And also in an Art Impression challenge that focuses Winged Things, i.e. a dragonfly. So fun!) 

Entered into: Tiddly- frog prince

Art Impressions- #231 Winged Things                               (artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes         (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

QKR Stampede- #292 Anything Goes                                 (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #198                (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
We Craft Cards Wednesday Challenge-Winner Winner  (wecraftcards.com/forum)

                  

The sentiments on this card are from the Tiddly Ink set named "Froggie Thoughts" and the frog image is from Little Scraps of Heaven. The crown is a sticker from Jolee's. The lily pad is a free digi image that I found here- cliparts.co/clipart/3725056. I copied the lily pad, twice, the flipped it to have one reverse image. Printed them off in color on my printer, fussy cut them. I made a base with 5.5 x 4.25 white cardstock, folded in half to fit into A2 envelope. Adhere one of the lily pads to the front of the card and trim to fit. Open the card and adhere the reverse image to the inside (top), and other image to the inside (bottom). Added the fun sentiments, and a bit of bling on a wedding ring on the front of the card. Since it includes a flower, am able to enter the card into the Simon Says Monday Challenge and SumMoreFun Challenge (reflects the flower on the mood board and also things that float on water.) Since frogs on lily pads often appear in forest ponds am also able to enter it into Kitty Bee Designs Challenge. 

Entered into:

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Flower Power   (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

SumMoreFun  Challenge- Mood Board                (summorefun.com)  (Add what inspired you; photo, colors, theme)

Kitty Bee Designs -#117 Forest Friends                (alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.com)

Penny's Challenge- #375 Anything Goes              (pennyschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Finally- Crafting Time!

Been working on grantwriting and quarterly reports for what seems like forever. Finally took a little time off to play! 

The current Butterfly Challenge focuses on the letter D. For my card I included one of the colors- Denim Blue and one of the items- Dimensions (via dry embossing). The lovely lilac image is actually cut from a Kleenex or Puffs Tissue box. It was too pretty to throw into the trash. The little sentiment tag is from a Lili of the Valley digi set.

Entered into:

Butterfly Challenge- #98 Letter D                             (butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Flower Power      (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #198    (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
Pixie's Snippets-  Week #324                                     (pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com)       

I had so much fun repurposing one of Gerda Steiner's free images to create this card. Added a fun sentiment, from an old song that I created on my computer using a great sentiment named Jokerman. (Am sending this card to my sister, Carol, who loves cheese. Since we now live in Wisconsin, we stock up on assorted cheese and cheese curds whenever we head back to South Dakota.   You can find the adorable digi here https://gsd-stamps.com/products/2018-mice-digital-stamp) 

Entered into:

Gerda Steiner Designs- Share you Designs Challenge    (gsd-stamps.com/blogs/share-your-designs)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes        (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

QKR Stampede- #292 Anything Goes                                (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

The Cutie Pie Challenge- #122 Delightful Digis               (cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.com)                 

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge                  (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)

Since winter was entrenched in the Midwest we haven't enjoyed any Spring showers. I hope they arrive soon, especially if they bring rainbows with them! For this card I used an image (printed on vellum) and sentiment from a Beccy's Place digi set named Splish Splash. Made the background with a few nearly ancient stamping tools, a Kaleidacolor ink pad and brayer brush. The little clear blue dots from my stash worked perfectly as little raindrops on the card front.

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- April                                  (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Kitty Bee Designs -#116 Rain, Rain, Go Away       (alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.com)

Double D’s Challenge- Friendship                           (daranddiane.blogspot.com)

Penny's Challenge- #375 Anything Goes                (pennyschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

From Christmas to Butterflies

The current challenge at Tiddly Inks Challenge is to create a card that includes a circle (has no corners, squares or rectangle backing allowed.)  I used one of the sweet images from the elf coloring pages that were a freebie in December 2017. Cute the ornament from a scrap of patterned metallic wrapping paper. I wanted the playful elf to take center stage, literally, so I only colored him and used grey tones for the background images.

Entered into: Tiddly Ornament

Tiddly Inks- Let's Go Around                                       (tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.com)

Art Impressions- #230 Good Goes Around               (artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com)

QKR Stampede- #291 Anything Goes                         (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

The Cutie Pie Challenge- #122 Delightful Digis        (cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.com)                               

This card includes so many of my favorite things- Christmas, a vintage color scheme, a bit of bling and some marvelous scraps!  

Entered into: Royal Xmas

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Add some Texture               (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #330-331 Anything Goes      (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #381 Anything Goes  (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Pixie's Snippets-  Week #323                                                           (pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com) (

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge                               (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)

The current Butterfly Challenge focuses on the letter D. For my card I included all three colors- Dark Salmon, Dirt, Denim Blue and all three items- Die Cut, Dimensions (via dry embossing), and Digi Image (a freebie from    janbrett.com/mothers_day_butterflies.htm) This beauty will be heading to my sweet MIL in a few weeks. I think she will like it!

Entered into: Butterflies

Butterfly Challenge- #98 Letter D                              (butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Sketch Saturday- Week #509                                      (sketchsaturday.blogspot.com) 

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #198     (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Mid-April Creations

The current challenge at Tiddly Inks Challenge is to create a card that includes a circle (has no corners, squares or rectangle backing allowed.)  I  sketched the large cookie background out onto a circle of kraft cardstock, added a bit of texture with a tan marker, then used markers in several shades of brown, and a white gel pen to create the yummy chocolate chips. had fun making a circle card using Tiddly's sweet set named "Cookie Bugg." Am entering it into another challenge that also requires a card that includes a circle. 

Entered into: 

Tiddly Inks- Let's Go Around                                   (tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.com)

Art Impressions- #230 Good Goes Around           (artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com)

Penny's Challenge- #375 Anything Goes                (pennyschallenges.blogspot.com.au

Am entering this card that includes several types of texture (grosgrain ribbon and a hand-woven basket with strips of a brown paper bag into the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge. And, also in the A2zscrapbooking Monthly Challenge and SumMoreFun challenge because it includes fresh flowers (hydrangeas) in the pastel colors on the SumMoreFun mood board.  

Entered into:  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Add some Texture    (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

SumMoreFun  Challenge- Mood Board                               (summorefun.com)  

A2zscrapbooking Monthly Challenge- Flower Power       (a2zscrapbookingblog.com) 

QKR Stampede- #291 Anything Goes                                  (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

My final card includes a wonderful Vintage Pooh stamp set from All Night Media. Created a honey jar shaped card with a sentiment that I printed off on my computer (the font is a free one named Disney.) So fun! I made the honeycomb background by tapping a  golden yellow ink pad across a scrap of bubble wrap, laying it atop the shape card and firmly rubbing the back of the bubble wrap.  Finished the background by scattering pooh related images across the card front with brown ink. Am entering it into a few challenges including  Double D's "Twine" Challenge and Simon Say's Monday Challenge inspired by the story of Pooh.

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Inspired by a Story                (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

The Cutie Pie Challenge- #122 Delightful Digis                        (cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.com)                

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #330-331 Anything Goes   (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #197                        (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

                   

Winter is Baaackkk!

Although the calendar says Spring, we are getting yet another blizzard this weekend here in the Midwest. It is so big that the National Weather Service even named it, Winter Storm Zanto. Enough already!! So, since it looks like winter outside, I decided to make a few winter cards. This is the first, using a Bugaboo Digi named "Snowmen Block. I cut the images apart and adhered them to a filmstrip created from a Marianne Design die.

Entered into:

Bugaboo Stamps- Anything Goes                                         (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

QKR Stampede- #291 Anything Goes                                  (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

The Cutie Pie Challenge- #122 Delightful Digis                (cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.com)                

Another winter themed card that will add to my Christmas Card collection, since it seems like I am always too busy during the holidays to make enough cards. I had found a sweet template a while ago that I loved… but had put aside. I used it to make a cute card. I used a page from a Christmas coloring book, cut down to fit the front of a card as the background. Added a little coloring to this image, but kept them muted so that Santa's laundry will stand out. However, wanted it muted even further, so added an oval of vellum behind the clothesline.  I stretched a piece of white twine across the front of the card, then attached Santa's Suit and long-johns with foam tape. I drew some clothespins on white sticker paper and added them to the card. To add a bit of texture, the trim and cuffs on the jacket and pants are cut from quilt batting.  A little tedious to make, but oh so cute! Am entering it into several challenges including one that requires twine and one that is to focus on mythology (There is a historical Saint Nicolas, but the popular Santa Claus is a myth!) 
You can find the template here-   
www.papercraftsmag.com/content_downloads/E19_Santas_Clothesline_Frame.pdf 

Entered into:

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Mythology/Inspired by a Story   (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge-  Anything Goes                 (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Double D’s Challenge- Twine                                                                 (daranddiane.blogspot.com)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #197                                 (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
                  

Decided I didn't want to focus on winter anymore so made a beautiful Peacock card using an image and sentiments from Beccy's Place digi set named "True Beauty."  I seldom use pre-colored images because I am a miser with printer ink, and I love to color. But I really like the coloring that Beccy did on this beautiful bird, so decided to print it off. The blues and teals are so gorgeous! The beautiful paper is from a 12x12 pad of Asian inspired paper a JoAnnes a while ago and was fun to put it to use!  I'm entering the card into a few challenges, including one that requires texture (the gold pattern on the paper is raised, and the gold corners adds a smooth and shiny texture. ) A tutorial for the card can be found here- www.qbeesquest.blogspot.com/2013/05/secret-garden-tri-fold-shutter-card.html

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- April                                                       (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Penny's Challenge- #375 Anything Goes                                     (pennyschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Add some Texture           (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #330-331 Anything Goes   (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge                           (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)