ATS Theme Challenge #3 {Some Exciting News!!} and PP114

Hello to all my wonderful blog friends and followers!  Today I am so excited to share some wonderful news with you all - I have been selected to be one of the newest Design Team members on the Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge (formerly Addicted to Stamps).  This is a fairly new and rapidly growing challenge that I have been playing along with almost from the start. I've been enjoying the great inspiration from the existing DT and it's also been fun to watch their numbers of followers and participants grow rather quickly.  I'm really quite honored to now be part of this team.  Whoo Hooo!!!  I think with this new expanded team we are going to have even more fun and I know all of the DT will be doing our best to inspire you each week and keep you crafting.  I won't be officially participating as a DT member until the first October challenge - but I do have a card to share with you for this current challenge - ATS Theme Challenge #3 {Spring}. 

This card was really quite quick to make as I already had the flower banners made up from a previous idea. I knew someday I'd have another reason to use them and viola! along comes this great sketch from Anne at The Paper Players Challenge #114 . I love to combine theme and sketch challenges for my cards - it makes it so much easier to come up with an idea and a finished card to share.  I do have a slight variation from the sketch with the added flowers.  Since the flowers were already stuck to the banners, I had to tear the purple one off and cover the mark with my rectangle - but it worked just fine :o).  Here's Anne's sketch: 

Thanks so much for popping by to visit me and share my great news!  Looking forward to seeing all your great creations at ATS in the near future.  But don't wait - grab your crafting supplies and give each of these challenges a go! Til next time - Hugs and happy crafting!!

 

Details: The flowers and banners are from a retired SU kit called Build a Blossom (if I remember correctly) and the sentiment is from Stampendous.  The DSP is called Twitterpated (from SU - current).  Cardstock is Lucky Limeade and Rich Razzleberry (two of my favorite colors together).  The large pearl centers are also from Stampin Up! (current).   

 



Addicted to Stamps and More! Scrapbook Challenge #4

Hello all my crafty friends!  The Scrapbook Challenge #4 theme at Addicted to Stamps and More! (formerly Addicted to Stamps) is AUTUMN.  I haven't had much time to craft lately (now making a crabby face)  but I did happen to have this stuff out for a calendar that I have been making which fit the bill perfectly for the ATS scrapbooking challenge - so I quickly put it together.  This page is all about my son, whom I recently sent off to college (boo hoo!!!). Isn't he a cutie patootie?  His birthday is in November so he gets the honor of being Mr. November for my calender - he he.  When I make these calendars I try to make each month special to a family member (or members if they have shared birthday months) or event.  So for example, the April calendar page is all about me, my husband and our daughter who all have birthdays that month (my daughter and her Daddy share the same birthday even).  October is for the kiddos dressed up in their Halloween costumes.  I vary the pictures between old and new depending on what moves me (and how far behind I am in scrapbooking).  This will be my second calendar - after the year has expired I cut the bottom strip off and stash the pages in a scrapbook. I will often put a note on the back side of the page to describe the pictures or events on the calendar page. 

Scrapbooking is really my first love - I did that before I started making cards.  For me cards are little gifts I make for people to make them smile - but scrapbooking is for me to savor the wonderful memories I have now and for my kids and grandkids (future grandkids that is) to cherish later.   

Do you like to scrapbook? If so go check out this challenge at ATS and make a page to share.  I really like that ATS has added a scrapbook challenge in addition to the cards - it will help me get caught up on my memories :o)  Hope you will decide to play along too so I can get some inspiration from you. 

Thanks so much for stopping by to vist today - I'm sure glad that you did.  Til next tiime - Hugs and Happy Crafting!!

ATS Sketch Challenge #2 and ColourQ #153

Hello and Happy Monday to all of you, my blog friends!  This card is based on the great sketch at Addicted to Stamps - ATS Sketch Challenge #2 and my colors are based on the colourQ challenge #153 (CQC153).

 I was inspired by the flowers in the photo and thought they would look great as my "Circles" in the sketch.  I also  happened to have these daisy cut outs on my desk from another project that I had changed my mind on so that was also a great bonus for me in putting this card together rather quickly.  Doesn't this DSP paper work perfectly for the colors in the colourq challenge?  I used a mix of retired and current SU products for this card - it feels good to use up some of my stash and still use something new too. 

In typical fashion for how my life has been going lately, I am entering both of these challenges at the ninth-hour so will be quick with my post today :o) The gals at the ATS challenge are also looking for a guest designer so I am happily submitting my name and crossing my fingers that I might be chosen. They do a wonderful job with this fun and growing challenge each week. Please pop over there and see the DT samples for this week's sketch if you get a chance - they are wonderful.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - I'm so very glad that you did.  'Til next time - Hugs and Happy Crafting!!

 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  Cardstock - Whisper White, Pool Party and Barely Banana (retired).  DSP - Domestic Godess (retired).  Daisies are from the Flower - Daisies #2 Sizzix Die (retired) the flower middles are Chocolate Chip cardstock which was first textured with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (one of my favs) and then punched with the 1/2" and 1" circle punches.  The sentiment is from a NEW hostess set out of the Holiday Mini catalog called Mixed Medley.  I stamped it with Chocolate Chip ink and then punched it out with my 3/4" circle punch.  I edged each of the daisies with some Chocolate Chip ink.  The Pool Party strip is textured with the new Delicate Designs folder.  The ribbon is the 1/2" scalloped dots ribbon in chocolate chip.  The Calypso Coral brads are from the 3/8" Designer Printed Brads collection.  

ATS - Addicted to {Gold} Color Challenge #2 and Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Monochromatic Christmas

Hello friends - another quick post today.  I didn't sleep well last night as I was making cards in my head all night.  Do you do that too??  So, instead of starting my housework and laundry as I planned last night, I ran right up to my craft room and put my visions together in real life.  It's frusterating when you want to sleep but sooo much fun when you get up the next morning and the card you made in your head turns out exactly like you envisioned it - like this card did for me :o) 

The reason I made this card was to enter it in the ATS Addicted to {Gold} Color Challenge #2. I love to make metalic cards but they are so hard to photograph.  I made my own patterned paper background by stamping the snowflake in gold ink and heat setting it (really tickled with how it turned out!). I lined the cs up against my grid paper so I could eyeball the lines and keep my stamping somewhat straight.   I used a Brushed Gold cardstock base and one layer behind the tree.  I did use gold embossing powder on the tree to give it a bit more dimension and shine.  Wouldn't this be extra pretty with some randomly placed red rhinestones?  Hmmm... should have thought of that earlier (maybe I'll still add them).  I am also entering this in the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Monochromatic Christmas. 

Well... really must start my housework (drat!) and spend some time with my kiddos :o) It's a beautiful day here so I don't want to be inside all day...well... maybe I would if I could just keep playing :o)  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad that you did.  Please come back again soon. Til next time... Hugs and Happy Crafting!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Brushed gold and Basic Black.  Stamp - Snow Swirled. Sentiment - Border Banter (NEW in the Holiday mini catalog) - I masked off two of the "merry" words to put on this space.  Other - versamark ink and gold embossing powder set with a heat gun. 

ATS - Bingo Challenge #2, Divas by Design #47 - For a Female and C4C149 - White on White

Hello friends and Happy Sunday!  I don't know about you, but for me this past week has just flown by - it's crazy.  Anyway, I'm happy you've decided to pop in and visit my blog today - hope you will like what you see.  If you do, leave me a note - I love to get "mail" :o)

I have a friend that I have recent re-connected with.  We worked together years ago and became fast friends but somehow through job changes and real life events in between we lost touch.  When we recently got together again after a few years, it was as if all that time hadn't even passed (aside from all the things we had to catch up on) and we are still just as good of friends.  I so enjoyed my time with her and wanted to send her a card to let her know how nice it is that we can just pick up where we left off and still be friends. What a blessing!

I used the following challenges to make this card:  Divas by Design #47 - For a Female, Addicted to Stamps (ATS) Bingo Challenge #2 for which I picked the three elements of flowers, embossing and ribbon (see below)

and Crazy 4 Challenges #149 - White on White (a pop of color is allowed in the main image - my image is the flowers). 

Thanks so much again for stopping by! If you have a special lady (mom, friend, grandma, daughter, sister) in your life, send her a card and let her know, I'm sure it would really make her day.  Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Whisper White.  Embossing - Perfect Polka Dots textured embossing folder (my all-time favorite).  Ribbon - 5/8" Organza Ribbon in Whisper White.  Sentiment is from Blessings from Heaven (stamped in Basic Grey) punched out with the Extra Large Oval punch.  The flowers are from a Sizzix die called Flower, Daisies # 2 (retired). Flower middles are punched on Daffodil Delight cardstock with a 1/2" circle punch.   Buttons - Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons (NEW and fabulous). 

FMS#46, ATS Challenge #2, Divas By Design and OCCC

Hello friends!  I've had this darling little critter on my desk for quite some time just waiting for me to color it up and make a card.  The Addicted To Stamps Challenge #2 - "Make Your Mark" is to use markers on our creations so it was the perfect time for me to pull out my Copic markers and start coloring.  I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #46 for my layout - which I flipped the orientation of for my card (see below).  I am also participating in the Divas By Design Challenge 46  - Flowers (use them in the image, in the paper, as an embellishment, etc.) and Our Creative Corner Challenge - Bling Bling and an Item from Nature (use rhinestones, stickles, glitter, etc along with items found in nature such as plants or animals). 

Of course you can see the flowers in the stamped image, but did you also notice the little flowers in the DSP background layer and on the embossed strip?  For the Bling on my card I added lots of pearls and used Copic spicas glitter pens on the flowers, leaves, bees, heart on the envelope, grass, ladybug and watering can - it doesn't show up very well in the pictures try as I might, but here's a close up (maybe you can make it out a little, it's really nice in real life).

 I'm bushed from a busy weekend and ready to hit the hay, so... guess that's it for tonight :o)  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad that you did. Hope you liked today's card. Til next time - Hugs!!

Supplies: Cardstock - Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit, Poppy Parade and Whisper White (all from Stampin UP!).  DSP - Patio Party (SU).  Stamp - from Penny Black, colored with Copic markers and spica glitter pens.  I colored only the words from one of the stamps in the Easy Events set (SU) to make my sentiment and then used the Bitty Banners framelits die (SU) for the flagged end.  I used the Delicates Design Folder for the textured embossed strip (SU).  

ATS - Sketch #1, Dynamic Duos #13 and Paper Players #106

Hello friends, I'm so glad you've popped in to visit my blog today!  My dear Daddy is going to be 70 in just a few days.  He loves old cars, trucks and tractors.  I purchased this Tim Holtz stamp to use for his birthday last year and then forgot that I had it until his birthday had passed - so I made a note in the calender for this year to "use old car stamp".  Geeze, you'de think the way my memory is I was the one turning 70 (or older!). 

In any event... I found a couple challenges today to help me turn my idea into a card that he will really enjoy.  My card layout is from the sketch by Kylie at Addicted to Stamps - Sketch Challenge #1.  Even though she calls it "a bit unconventional", I liked it the minute I saw it and have several other ideas for what I could do with this sketch (see below).

The colors for this card were inspired by the Dynamic Duos Challenge #13 - Monochromatic (Early Espresso and Crumb Cake) - so perfect for a masculine card, I think, and I also used the Tic Tac Toe board from The Paper Players Challenge #106 (see below). 

I'm pretty sure you can figure out two of the items I used for this card (hint... it's the column on the right).  The favorite color is not mine - I like deep pink, but my dad doesn't - lol, so I used my favorite colour to used for masculine cards - dark brown - which is also so conveniently one of the colors for the Dynamic Duos challenge this time ;o)  I don't really know what my Dad's favorite color is -  he has never said but I know he likes to buy black cars and green tractors.  The punches I used on this card are the curly label and a retired gear punch (both from SU).  I punched the small gears out and then spritzed them with brown to create a rusted look.  

I sponged around all the edges with Espresso ink to age everything a bit (since Old Guys Rule) to match the style (era) of the truck and the age of the recipient (don't you dare tell him I said so - lol!).    Here's a pic of the inside too (the sentiment is from a Fiskars clear set):

Hope you like today's card and thanks again for stopping in to visit.  Til next time - Hugs!!

Addicted To Stamps, CAS-ual Fridays, Lollipop Crafts & Merry Monday

Hello to all of you this fine Saturday!  I am participating in four challenges today: Addicted to Stamps Theme Challenge #1 - "Christmas in July" and Lollipop Crafts Challenge #84 "Christmas in July" and the Merry Monday July Challenge which is to make 4 cards during July (basically one each week) using any past sketch. I used Sketch #1 for this card.  I love the non-traditional color combo in this DSP - a different twist on a Christmas card and probably not one I would send to a male friend - LOL, but I can think of a couple of my other friends who would appreciate this.  

I am also participating in the CAS-ual Fridays CFC60 - TEXT ME, which is to use text in your Clean and Simple Design.

As you can see - the text is the only stampin and focus of this card.  I used the Sizzix Scallop Oval die to create a base for my frame and then used another oval die to take out the middle of my first oval so I would have  a frame to then glue 3/8" pleated satin ribbon around (I see that I didn't get it exactly even all the way around - argh!). 

Overall I'm happy with how this turned out - hope you like it too!  Thanks so much for stopping in to visit me - I'm sure glad that you did!  Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin UP - except as noted): Cardstock - Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride and Early Espresso.  Sentiment - More Merry Messages (NEW), stamped with Early Espresso ink.  DSP - Letters to Santa (retired).  Ribbon - 3/8" pleated satin in Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz. Pearls - Close to My Heart. I used the scallop edge border punch also.