The Crafter's Cafe - DT card for "masculine" challenge

I received some great papers from DeCosse;s Dynamite Doodles, and used them to showcase the sentiment - also from there.  I added twine, and a backdrop of the birthday embossing folder from Embossalicious.
Please join us over the next couple of weeks for the Masculine challenge at the Crafter's Cafe.  See the blog for details and lots of fun inspiration - as well as the prize list.
Sketch:     Catch the Bug
Lots of layers:   Art Impressions 
 Take flight (flying frogs???)  Simon Says Stamp Monday
 Any:   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday

Smiles for Rilee - MMTPT442

I have been neglecting the TeaPot Tuesday challenges at SplitCoastStampers - to make and send a card to the designated recipient.  This week that person is 6 year old Rilee who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.  She enjoys checking her personal P.O box so we are trying to fill it for her.  There is good news from the doctors and we hope that continues.  If you would like worthwhile destinations for your cards, check out the teapot group!   All it takes is a card and a postage stamp.  I used this image because the challenge encourages fairy wings and/or pixies.
Supplies:  Basic Grey cs; image by A Day for Daisies;  sequins, Cuttlebug die cut sentiment; Washi tape.
Challenges: 
Sketch:   Tuesday Morning Sketches
Two or more layers:   A Day for Daisies
Wings on things:   Allsorts
Any:     Word Art Wednesday

Practicing CAS

I still struggle with CAS cards, and will readily admit that this is an attempt for me to improve in that style.  I wanted to see if I could use my Cuttlebug embossing frame and I think it works.  My computer skills (especially relating to graphics) are also lacking - I have not been able to figure out if I have a program that will allow me to reposition the digital image.  I printed this in a 4x6 layout and it is satisfactory.   I edged the layer with ColorBox Marigold ink.  The image itself is colored with chalk pencils and glittery metallic markers.  For the larger leaves I colored first with a regular green marker, and over colored with the glittery marker - this looks nice and sparkly IRL.
CHALLENGES:
A Day for Daisies image; use wood:    A Day for Daisies
One layer wonder:                                Clean and Simple on Sunday
No DP:                                                    Crafty Catz  
CASing Anita:                                       Stamplorations     
Inspiration colors, shape):                    Pinspirationa Cchallenges
Nature's Wonders:                                 Craftin Desert Divas
 CAS:                                                       Hiding in my Craftroom

A sad new day

 I have been neglecting the SplitCoastStampers Teapot Tuesday challenges recently, but the story last week encouraged me to be involved more regularly. Sue from Kansas recently lost her husband of over 40 years,  They were rvers, and since we were also rvers, I feel a connection, and wanted to send a card to let her know people are thinking of her.  (See the challenge here:  MMTPT390).
New: Sue is beginning a new phase of her life; a new technique - cutting and sponging the flowers in this image from A day for Daisies;  words:  Word Art digis; DP by Theresa Collins;  (faux) stitching - border embossing folders by Cuttlebug; ribbon; dark teal and shimmery silver cs by Recollections; glitter on centers of flowers.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:                Sweet Sketch Wednesday2
Stitching:            A day for Daisies
Monochrome:    Julia Spiri Challenge 
Blues:                  The Paper Shelter
Glitter:                Creative Craft Cottage
                             Sparkle n Sprinkle
New:                    Cuttlebug Mania
                             Inky Impressions
Words:                 Crafty Catz  
Digis:                    Doodle Pantry
Any:                     Lemon Shortbread
                              Word Art Wednesday

A new trio of birds

Images:  A Day for Daisies (new to me) ; unknown sentiment; new DP from a pad by Lily of the Valley; Washi tape strip; Spellbinder circle dies;  base layer is embossed with Paper Studio's bird folder.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:       Sketch Saturday
New:            Di's Digis Designs
                      Crafty Friends
                      Love to Scrap
                      Cuttlebug Mania
Any:             A Day for Daisies
                      Lemon Shortbread
                      Lilpatchofcraftyfriends

The kitty in the Window

This week the TeaPotters are card shower is going the the cousin of a member who is facing the removal of a kidney - as well as other health issues.  She is definitely in need of cheer.  Since she likes cats, I used this image from A Day for Daisies, and cut it out - so it appears she is looking in the window - or is she inside looking out?  I added some cord for the curtains.  The window die is Cheery Lynn - I did not include the shutters that are part of the die . For the music theme - do you recall "How much is that doggie in the window?"  That song popped in my head when I thought of this card - substitute kitty, of course.
Teapot challenge:    http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/teapot-tuesdays-f260/mmtpt373~september-22-2015~mud-balls-hair-balls-no-its-teapotters-ball-t603411.html
Sketch (rotated):      http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/
Framed image:         http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Cut the card:            http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/2015/09/challenge-168-cut-your-cards-week-2.html
Music:                      http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.ca/
Orange:                    http://dragonflyjourneys.blogspot.com/

Another plaid

I discovered I have almost no plaid in my huge collection, but I did find a piece that will work!
This image from a Day for Daisies is colored in chalk pencil and watercolor pencils.  I added a few Cheery Lynn flower die cuts - they must have fallen from her hands!
Sketch: http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/
Plaid:    http://www.adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Any w/ colored image:  http://thepencilcases.blogspot.co.uk/

birds and an owl

I am trying to catch up after being away for a week!
Image by A day for Daisies; chalk pencils, ribbon,  plaid DP; argyle embossing folder
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Plaid:     http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Birds:     http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
In the sky:                http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.ca/
Things with wings:  http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/
Wings and ribbon:  http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca/search/label/challenges 
For the men:           http://morgansartworld.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/challenge-6-for-men.html 
Layers:                    http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/

Roses and a kitty

I struggle to color flowers, especially roses, so I  hope this pretty print will work!  I used swirls (white layer) and roses - inspired by the shape of the cupcakes, and some of the colors (Desert Divas challenge).  IRL the colors look much better together - the bottom panel is pink, not lavender.  The image is from A Day for Daisies.  I added pink stickles to the wings.
Sketch #85:   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Sequins:        http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/  
Roses:           http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Cupcakes and colors:  http://www.craftindesertdivasblog.com/

A new garden gate

I just received the Marianne die (for the gate) as a prize at Creative Card Crew, and I have been anxious to try it.  I thought it would work to place the Day for Daisies cherry blossoms behind the gate.  When I got it put together, it seemed pretty bare just behind the gate, so I unstuck a bit and slid in the row of tulips with the sentiment (dollar bin stamp) - the best I could do to rescue what I had already done!  Next time I will make more of a scene.  I added a couple of Cheery Lynn branches, and Rain drops - the clear and many colors are available at Classy Cards 'n Such.  The cherry blossoms are subtly colored with pink pastel chalk pencils; the centers are brown gems from Hampton Arts.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Spring:   http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:  http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
Colors (shades of blue):  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Cherry blossoms:      http://classycardsnsuch.blogspot.com/
Any:       http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Any digi:   http://doodlepantryblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/ants-in-my-pantry-digital-challenge-4.html

Shaped card

Several months ago my sister sent me a large box of card making supplies - given to her by a friend.  I have not had a chance to even touch the surface of what was in that box!  There was a packet containing several matching pieces, including pre cut circle cards.  Too bad - there was no manufacturer given, so I have no idea of the origin.  The colors are lovely.  There are several of these two-sided circles, and several pieces that look like stands - in peach.  Problem is, I am not sure how they go together!  All the pieces except the Day for Daisies flower, the ribbon, gems and sequins were in the kit.  Does any one recognize this?
I fussy cut the image - not my usual style, but I think it worked. BTW, the strip is a glittery piece.
Sketch:    http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Shaped card:   http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Sequins:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Spring:    http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/ 
Pastel:     http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:        http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
                 http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party 
                 http://www.scribbleandscrapcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/
                 http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/ 
           

dots, pink and burgundy

Supplies:  sentiment - part of a freebie set from Paper Sweeties;  Image - a Day for Daisies digi, colored with prismas, markers, and shiny gel pens;  glitter (on balloons); circle from Lovely in Lace collection; unnown dp- burgundy cs
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Inspiration - polka dots and colors:  http://papersweeties.com/category/blog/
Glitter:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
Child play time:  http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Favorite color(s) (some of many!!!):  http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.ca/
Circles:     http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
Up in the air:   http://open-mindedcraftingfun.blogspot.ca/
Any:           http://www.scribbleandscrapcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/
                   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

a trio of poinsettias

This is a freebie image from A Day for Daisies, and I was inspired by the photo with challenge #3 at Verve this month.  The challenge at A Day for Daisies calls for herringbone - I know I have something but could not find whatever it is!  So this EF is the best I can do.  I added glitter to the flower centers and the Cheery Lynn Blessings die cut.   The mats for the circles and the ribbon, and the sentiment,  are a shiny eggplant cs. (The black bg is for contrast on the photo and not a part of the card.)
Sketch/inspiration #3:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
Non traditional Christmas colors:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
                 http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Layers:  http://stamplorations.blogspot.ca/
Any:   http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
           http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Something old  (ribbon, EF):   http://acreativeromance.blogspot.co.uk/:  
Going in circles:  http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.com/  
A Day for Daisies image/herringbone:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Colored (eggplant) sentiment:  http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Painterly card

The challenge at A Day for Daisies is to create a card with a "painterly" effect.  I thought I had some paints, but it has been so long since I used them that they are pretty much dried up.  My printer's ink and water colors do not get along - there is much smearing.  But, I did try - just used the aqua brush and stayed well away from the lines - I think I sort of accomplished the effect with very little bleeding.  Maybe some one has some suggestions.... 
This image is from A Day for Daisies.  The strip is a glittery border from a sheet by Hobby Fun.  I used Coordinations white core to emboss with Cuttlebug's dots and spots - though I did enhance the white by lightly sanding.
Sketch:  http://stamplorations.blogspot.com/2014/09/bi-weekly-sketch-challenge-19.html
Bright colors:  http://arandomfandt.blogspot.com/
For a child:  http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/
Embossed:  http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/
Embossed:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Circles:  http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/
"Painterly":  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Embossed:  http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/

Brother's birthday or?

A few days ago I created a card for a challenge using an aqua pen with ink.  I tried it again, for coloring the boots and adding an "old" feel to the dp.  will use the brush again!  This is a digi from A Day for Daisies.  The sticker is in the huge gift box I received a while ago.  I do not have any dictionary pages (real or faux) but the text on the DP is similar.  I used Kraft cs for the mats.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Torn edging:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Family:http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Dictionary pages, with Kraft cs:  http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/2014/08/challenge-183-dictionary-pages.html

All in pink

This is a nice sketch to work with.  I used a digi from A Day for Daisies, colored with Prismas and with added glitter.  The papers and flowers are all from my stash.  I used a Spellbinder border die for the solid strip, and added a couple of Cheery Lynn branches under the flower.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Monochromatic:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/

Vintage Birthday

This is my interpretation of the Tim Holz style.  I used pattern paper (Costco) which I sponged with chalk  to give a more vintage look.  I also sponged the edge of the circle (A Day for Daisies image),  The circles are by Spellbinders, and the leaves and sentiment Sizzix.  The pastel flowers are done with metallic markers.
Sketch 2:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Pastels, using their image:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/
         http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/ 
         http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Birthday:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Shabby chic:   http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.ca/ 
Say it with words - Vintage:  http://www.vintagejourney.com/

In memory of Mary Lou

This has been a difficult card to make.  Over the years, I have made several cards for our friends - including a 50th anniversary card last summer.  Yesterday, Mary Lou's struggle with Parkinson's and related issues ended, and she has gone to be with Our Lord.  She will be much better, yes, perfect, but it will not be easy for Jerry and many others as they deal with her loss.  If you are so inclined, include a little prayer for family and friends.  I will be making more cards as we have other friends who want to remember her.
I used the freebie from A Day for Daisies - thanks to others on the site who inspired the way I used the image.  I colored with chalk pencils for the soft look I wanted, and I chalked the Swiss Dot layer.
Sentiment - JustRite; chalk, Cheery Lynn die, glitter (flower centers), glittery cs for the bird;  Victoria Embossing folder; dark blue cs.
I will finish later....
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Digi:  http://digihaven.blogspot.ca/
Glitter:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Use a bird:  http://creativecornerchallenges.blogspot.de/
No pattern paper:  http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
         http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Any, with chalk:  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/ 
Dots:   http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
           http://papersweeties.com/category/blog/page/2/ 
Monochromatic:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/

Framed in Green

This card just about set a record.  I made it early this morning, added it to my computer file, and took it to church so it could go with some items we are gifting to a person who has had some hard times - she is moving into a new (to her) apartment in a few days.  Now I see that the green in the frame really does not show on the screen - trust me, it is there!
I  used the Scrollwork Frame (Cuttlebug) sold at Joan's Gardens.  I also bought the leafy branch from Joan - not sure if it is still available.  I used the green ink pad to ink the frame before embossing - the same ink as for stamping the JustRite Fancy Tags.  The image is from A Day for Daisies - colored with Prismas.  I added a jewel - I seldom use them as they are bulky, but this card will not be mailed.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Spring, with JustRite stamps:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/
Green:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
           http://creativecornerchallenges.blogspot.de/
Green and white, with a frame and oval, as well as Joan's Gardens product:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Any:  http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
          http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/

100 x 100 #2

This is the first time to use this cute digi - I very recently downloaded it from A Day For Daisies - thank you so much for a great gift!  I do have a little problem printing some of the digis I get - the logo stays there.  Fortunately, this layout allowed me to place a butterfly over the logo - I used a button die cut to anchor it.  For the recycle challenge (Sentimental Sundays) - thanks for the encouragement to dig in to my bin of recycled items.  I think this yellow striped piece is from an express envelope - chip board weight.  The image is colored with Prismas and gel pens.  The bg mat and border punch (Martha Stewart) are from Coredinations - not sure if the color looks right - IRL it is kind of a rusty burgundy.  I think this is a great color combination.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Altered (recycled) item:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Use yellow:  http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
Bright and beautiful:  http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/
Border: http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/
New (image):  http://papermakeupstamps.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
          http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/