Happy Birthday, Samantha

This image came from my collection of images - I usually print several at a time.  I still have not learned to label them  and as usual, I do not recall the source.  If you recognize this cute cupcake please let me know so I can give the proper credit. It is pre colored.  The side panel uses 2 patterned papers, and I used gold stickers to create the border.
Sketch:   Catch the bug

Crafter's Cafe Challenge #227 - School related and/or Tea and Coffee

As you can tell, I selected the school related theme for my Dt card this challenge at the Crafter's Cafe.  I am just not sure that in this day of uncertainty many kids ride bikes to school, but it could be an option!  The bike image is from Morgan's Art World.  You have two weeks to complete this challenge and a chance to win some digis!  I colored the bike with markers, and added various embellishments, including 3 green shiny dots in the top left - hard to see in the photo..  The panel right behind the bike is actually duck tape.  It adds a bit of texture without being bulky. The other layers include papers from my stash.
Challenges entered:
Sketch:   Tuesday Morning Sketches
Pile it on:  Tuesday Throwdown
Bling (shiny dots):   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
Back to school:  Catch the Bug
\Any:    Corrosive Challenges
            Lemon Shortbread   
            Through the Cradt Room Door
             Pink Gem

Christmas 2017 (7-21)

I am using some printed Christmas images left over from last year (QKR Stampede digi) combined with an sentiment from Stampin' Up.  I tried something different for coloring the image.  For me, water color and printer ink don't work well together, so I experimented.  I used a dry aqua brush and SU chalk to give a rustic look to the robe. For a slightly shabby look, I cut the panels with my dull blade - it roughs up the edges a bit.    I used a marker for the shepherd's crook and a shiny burgundy for the "rope" that holds his head dress in place.  (I am sure there must be a name for that rope....)
Embellishments:  plaid washi tape; black ribbon; silver  strip that was the negative from a sheet of stickers.  I used some glitter glue on these two strips.  More - burgundy jewels, acrylic star, Quickutz embossing folder.  These are all supplies I have had for a while - a couple of years at least.
Challenges:   
Sketch:   Stella Says Sketch
O is for Old (Christmas)  ABC Christmas Challenge
Christmas / Bingo (left column):    Catch the Bug
TicTacToe (left column):   Tuesday Throwdown
Christmas in July:  Deep Ocean 
                                  Aud Sentiments
                                  Frilly and Funkie
                                  Dragonfly Journeys
                                  Crafty Gals Corner
Holiday:                  Paper Shelter.

 Seeing Stars:            Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
Any:                          word Art Wednesday   
                                   Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2
                                   Chalk n Stock.

Relaxin; with an iced latte

DP by Lily of the Valley; Art Impressions image, rubber Cafe sentiment; paper piecing; sequined hat, shiny green gems, gold metallic pen for earrings; the glass is colored to contain iced coffee!
Inside:   "God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things.  Right now I am so far behind I will never die..."
Challenges:
Sketch:    Catch the Bug
Birthday:    Digi Choosday
Birthday with bling:  Great Impressions
Polka Party:   Dragonfly Journeys
Layers:   Art Impressions
Ready for summer:   Crafty Catz
Places to go (the lawn chair!!!):  Frilly and Funkie
Coffee:   Fresh Brewed

Another hunter

Here is another hunting card for a family member - this for our grandson.  He makes me feel so good as he is a fan of my cards - I think he will appreciate this one!  (More details about the inspiration a couple of posts earlier.) 
I split the twine into two strands, and frayed the ends.  Gus is by Bugaboo.  The embossing is LifeStyle crafts.
I am trying to get a few last minute cards completed before having very limited internet and no crafting time for a while!
Sketch:    http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2015/10/mojo-monday-418-contest.html
Hunting in the fall:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/

HB to our son who is a hunter

I was fortunate to be a recent winner of some Bugaboo images, and Gus the hunter was one of my choices - so many hunters in our family!  The first one is our son - not much resemblance, however!  But he goes hunting several times each fall.
I need to give credit to Sabrina, Cook22 at SplitCoastStampers for the inspiration she provided with one of her recent cards.  Thanks, my friend.
 Image - Bugaboo;  sentiment - the Rubber Cafe;  Misc. beige and brown cs:  LifeStyle Crafts embossing folder; twine.
Notes:  Once again I used my very dull blade to cut the pieces - it worked especially well on the beige cs, to create distressed edges.  And - I have some very thick twine - hard to use on cards.  Today I had a lightbulb moment and figured out I could separate it into 3 strands - much better as it is not so thick under the layers.
Sketch:   http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Autumn:   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/ 
Fall:           http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.ca/

View through the gate

I took way too long trying some new things and working out the details of this card.  Am I the only one that does this?
Technique - lots of sponging (doesn't show up very well on edges).  Behind the gate - I sponged several different colors on shimmery cs, then stamped over this. 
Stamp - Inkadinkado; gate - Marianne die; flowers - Cuttlebug (part of a border die); leaves - Sizzix; Cuttlebug birthday folder, bit of lacy fiber; shiny gems for flower centers; metallic cs for gate.

Sketch:         http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Flowers:       http://mariannedesign.blogspot.com/
Colors:         http://yournextstamp.com/blog/category/challenge/
                      http://catchthebugblog .blogspot.co.uk/ 
Ombre:         http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Any:              http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Make own background:   http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Home -  a restful back yard:   http://www.vintagejourney.com/2015/09/home-sweet-home.html
Tic tac toe (middle column):   http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/

Christmas 2015 #15

It is time to work on Christmas cards again!
CS:  Shimmery champagne, red;  Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder; Unity stamp; Computer generated sentiment; ribbon; corner punch
Sketch  #4:               http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/p/link-list.html
White Christmas:     http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.uk/
Christmas:                 http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/
Fav. colors (I have a lot!):    http://www.craftindesertdivasblog.com/
Bingo (top row)        http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-max=2015-09-21T07:00:00-04:00&max-results=3&start=2&by-date=false
Punch:                       http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Another for Anthony

This is to send to Anthony, a 14 year old who is suffering from a rare heart condition, and is very concerned about the prognosis.  The TeaPotters at SplitCoastStampers are sending cards to cheer him.  I find cards for teens and young men very difficult, unless I know specifically some of their interests.  The suggested theme was "be connected" - eg by train - well, I could not find a train but I thought this Monster Truck would work.  I used some shiny gel pens and chalk pencils to color the digi image by Anonymous stamps.  I used an embossing folder by LifeStyle Crafts to give the illusion of tracks - the red layer is also embossed.
The teapot challenge - feel free to join us if you would like:    http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/teapot-tuesdays-f260/mmtpt371-~september-8-2015~-blue-chip-we-beseech-thee-connections-just-key-t602785.html
Sketch:        http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
For a boy:   http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
For kids:      http://www.craftindesertdivasblog.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
                      http://morgansartworld.blogspot.com.au/ 
Bright:          http://thepencilcases.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:              http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-09-06T07:00:00-04:00&max-results=3&start=6&by-date=false
                       http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/

Colorful get well

There are so many wonderful stamps and digis available - recently I have discovered http://freedeariedollsdigistamps.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2016-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=24 .   I have no connection, other than wanting to point out the availability.  This is a pre-colored freebie.
New:  stripes by My Mind's Eye - adventure
Other - sentiment by 7Gypsies, metal ?  (the name escapes me!)
Sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/ (not entered - due to 5 challenge limit)
Bingo - I did the middle column and diagonal - animal, strips, embossing; balloons, stripes, bright colors:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-01-20T07:00:00-05:00&max-results=20
"B" - balloon, blanket, box, blue, beige, bow:   http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
Under the weather:  http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/
 Any:    http://papercreatorscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/
            http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/
            http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Leah, 2015

For our granddaughter, who really likes her cats!
Stash:  glittery flowers, bg cs, ribbon, gems, HB folder
New:  Dearie Doll digi - a girl and her cats; DP -My Mind's Eye Adventure
Sketch: http://cheerfulsketcheschallenge.blogspot.nl/
Bling:  http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Choose LTSCB - cats, blossom, bling, letters, shirt, trim:  http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
New and cute:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/  
Bingo:  ribbon, flower, texture:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/ 
 Humor:  http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/
New:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/ 
           http://livelaughstamp.blogspot.com/search/label/Monday%20Morning%20Challenge
Any:  http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
          http://thepapernestdollschallenge.blogspot.com/
 

New, simple and special

For a masculine card I tend to keep it simple, so this is a great sketch to work with.
New:  metallic gel pens (accents in brown and silver): DP - Teresa Collins Memorabilia
Image - Art Impressions;  star punch, black mat
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Humor:  http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/
Special - for a Special guy:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/monthly-challenge-52-special-card.html
New:  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/
          http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.de/2014/12/challenge-70-new-beginning.html

The Fish Whisperer

We need this guy around here this summer - we spend summers near a reservoir (Blue Mesa, CO).  DH and his two buddies spend a lot of time fishing - it has not been good this summer.  I am sure some one will want this card!  This is probably a first for me - hand printing the sentiment.  I thought that went with this Bugaboo image.  I used some odds and ends of fishing DP and a couple of stickers to complete the image - as well as some water/sky DP.
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge

Rejoice! Have a blessed Easter

This is a favorite technique - using a white embossed bg - this time, with an addition of chalk.  I used some of the Stamp 'n Plus powdered chalk - just received as a prize from Chalk ah Lot.  I mixed it with water and painted it on the leaves - it looks grey here but IRL is a lovely green.  I like the way that I could use the aqua brush and control where it is placed.  I added some gems, and butterflies.  The image is from my stash of pre colored items - ready to use when needed.  The mats and butterflies are a dark green for the spring look.
Sketch:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search?q=stella+says+sketch&max-results=20&by-date=true
He is Risen - pastel:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Easter - with chalk:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/
Easter:  http://createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.com/
Spring:  http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
Favorite technique (see above):  http://www.fashionablestampingchallenges.com/?p=8200
Emboss:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://aurorawingschallenge.blogspot.com/
    http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.com/

Fish Whisperer - Dale

This image is perfect for our friend whose birthday is soon - I just received it as part of a Bugaboo prize package.  I used a computer sentiment so I could make it small and add his name.  It is colored with Prismas.  The DP is from a Karen Foster "Gone Fishing" pack - there are (subtle) lures.  I added some chalk sponging, and distressed the edges.  The button and circle are die cuts on my machine. 
Inside top:  It's your birthday again?  Didn't we do that about a year ago?  And for the main verse, I have a list of fishing wisdom - such as "When in doubt, exaggerate".  (I think that is needed with this cartch LOL!
Sketch: http://adieforasketch.blogspot.ca/
No flowers:   http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Humor:  http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com/
Shabby chic:  http://craftyhandsdevon.blogspot.co.uk/
Make me smile:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Distress:   http://onesweetchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge

New Arch

I just got this set of Spellbinders Arched windows - as has happened with several new dies, I am going to need some practice.  I prefer narrower mats - so I will have to see what I think looks good.  If any one has some samples, please let me know!  I did dry emboss the purple layer, and that seems to help.  The textile bg is sponged in chalk - my computer is doing tricks again, with the light spot - which does not show up in the original file.  The stamp is Cross & Blossoms by Paper Inspirations.  Some vintage lace, gold sticker strips, and a SandyLion flower complete the card.
Sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
New (arch die):  http://www.comeandgetitchallenges.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://hobbycutzchallenges.blogspot.com/
          http://creativecraftchallenges2.blogspot.com/
          http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.com/
         http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
         http://thesquirrelandthefox.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday, Will

Our brother-in-law will be 87 next week.  He volunteers for meals at the Senior Center, and enjoys wearing unusual hats to entertain the guests.  I thought this fit - it is an image that has been in my stash for a long time (WishRAK at Splitcoaststampers) - it could be AI.  Nesties, DP, washi tape, twine, a border punch and my new American Crafts library stamp complete the supplies used.
Sketch:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/stella-says-sketch-last-challenge-of.html
Spots:  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
Celebrate:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
Celebrate:  http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/
birthday:  http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/p/challenge-rules.html

Rejoice

  
                                                             

I finally got more than two cards in one day!  This stamp is Stampabilities.  The punched snowflakes are from glitter cs - nice and sparkly.  We want to share the message of Christmas.
Sketch:  'http://justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.com/
Praise:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/

Buggy Birthday

I am trying to catch up on some challenges I have been wanting to do - lots of interruptions today and I feel this got a bit discombobulated!  The image has been in my stash for a long time, and the sentiment is computer generated.  The buggy DP probably came from a DCWV stack.  Also - can you see the lady bug on her hat?
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
"D" (Dorothy) - die cuts and daisies:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Hat:  http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Birthday:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
Bugs:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/theme-challenge-at-bugaboo.html

Spring basket Thank you #4

Another of my series of Thank you cards.  I used a Sizzix embossing folder and Recollections tape for the back ground.
Sketch:   http://fetch-a-sketch.blogspot.com/

Spring:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Any  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge