For the Love of Water @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Mandy's turn to choose the challenge and she's going with, "For the Love of Water" which means that she wants to see a project with a watercolour technique.

Oof. What a time I had with this one, let me tell you. I tried a couple of different times to get sumthin' started and nuthin' happened. Procrastinated A LOT. Whined quite a bit too. I even complained about it to Mandy when we were at the same crop a couple of weeks ago. Spent some time on Pinterest. Had two attempts go into the garbage can. I actually thought I was beat. But, I finally dug deep yesterday, and came up with this.....

It's watercolour, right?  If you look close at the background you can see that I started with a watercolour wash using distress inks.  Got that all done but I thought it looked kinda boring.  That's when I had the idea to just smunch the ink pad directly on the paper.  Made a pretty cool background if I do say so myself.  Added a strip of patterned paper/cardstock, a cardstock title I had, and a couple of buttons.....wiped my brow and declared this challenge completed.  And, with just enough time to take a photo before it got dark.

So, why not get out your watercolour paints or pencils or inks and enter the challenge? Then you can head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up.  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Shopping Our Stash:  something for the big or biggest boy
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  create your own background paper

Spring Colours Photo Inspiration @ Tiddly Inks

For the next two weeks at

we've got a lovely challenge for you. And the lovely part is this inspirational photo....

aren't those colours wonderful?  So soft and pretty!  Now, I normally hate colour challenges.  That's 'coz I really tend to struggle with them, even if it's colours I like, and I end up throwing myself across my desk in dramatic agony yelling, "Colour challenge!  Why, oh why, must you hobble my creativity so?!?!" but this one ended up being fairly easy for me.  This is what I did.....

I used an image from the Mini and Many Friends set.  I love this adorable set.  So super cute.

Now, let's talk about kraft paper for a minute.  Ah, kraft paper....I do love you.  So, why is it that I don't use you like I should?  Honestly, I really don't know.  But it's like I use it once and then my next six cards will have a least some kraft paper on it (though it might not look that way on my blog as I tend to work away at my dt duties in random order rather than chronologically) and then I don't even touch it again for months and months.  And it deserves better than that.

Hard to tell from the photo but I cut the sentiment on my Silhouette three times, glued them together and then plastered it with Glossy Accents for that fake Thicker look.  When the card was all done I started second guessing my font choice.  Though, I'm pretty sure you all know it says "hello" and not "ncllo" so I think I'll just leave it as is.

So why not grab a Tiddly Inks image, let that inspirational photo do its work and enter the challenge?  And be sure to also check out the fabulousness the DT has come up with.

Also for:

My Time to Craft:  girlie
Crafty Sentiments:  anything goes
Cardz 4 Galz:  cute & cuddly
Aloha Friday:  friendship
Use Your Stuff:  pop dots (image is pop dotted)
Dream Valley:  girlie
Jo's Scrap Shack:  anything goes
613 Avenue Create: anything goes
Craft Your Passion: anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door anything goes

Throw On the Flowers @ Melonheadz Friends

For the next two weeks at

we're thinking about spring so we want you to "Throw On the Flowers" which means exactly what it says....put lots of flowers on your project!

Now, I don't generally put much in the way of embellishments, especially flowers, on my cards so I threw on the flowers a little differently.....

.....and used flowered up paper....and a flower button too!  Quite the paper this is, eh?  Sometimes I shake my head at myself after I buy a certain paper pad.  It sure worked out for this challenge though!

I used a past freebie.  But if you want to see all the fantastic Melonheadz images you can buy just click on over to the Etsy shop. 

Why not pull out those flowers and enter the challenge? And be sure to check out what the rest of the DT has made.

Also for:

Stamping Sensations:  flower power
Ribbon Girls:  any image + ribbon
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards:  ribbon
My Time to Craft:  girlie
Addicted to Stamps:  buttons & bows
Colouring in Scrapland:  anything goes
Use Your Stuff:  pop dots (image is popped up)
Jo's Scrap Shack:  anything goes
Crafty Addicts:  anything goes
Fab 'n' Funky:  flowers
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  add some bling
Craft Rocket:  anything goes
Little Miss Muffet:  anything goes
613 Avenue Create: anything goes
Crafting-With-Friends: anything goes
Simply Papercraft: anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations: anything goes
Artistic Inspirations: anything goes
Crafting From the Heart: anything goes
Craft Your Passion: anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door anything goes
Creative Fingers: anything goes

You Are Special - Fab Friday @ Tiddly Inks

Another Friday's here again.  And a holiday one, this time.  I won't be back before Easter so I'll take a moment now to wish you a Happy Easter.  I'm planning on biting off as many chocolate bunny ears as I can on Sunday.  'Coz, after all, the ears are the tastiest part.

Hmmmm......can't say as I have a good segue from my above paragraph to showing you my card.  Too bad it wasn't an Easter card, or a card featuring chocolate, or a bunny or even an elephant (so I could go, "speaking of ears....").  Nope it's just this.....

....which has nothing to do with anything I mentioned above but is still pretty sweet.....ack!  That's it!  I could have said, "Speaking of something sweet, check out the Tiddly image on this card....."

Darn, well, the moment has passed now.  Shoulda been more on the ball.  Anyhoo, the sweet image is Wryn and Wren - Too Tweet and is not only sweet but super adorable too.

I'm using my second most used go-to layout on this one.  Ever feel like you get into a bit of a rut?  I do sometimes when I get part-way or completely done a card and then am all like, "Oh, yeah.  Used that design again, did ya?  Would it hurt you to walk the four steps from your craft desk to the computer to look for a sketch?"  But, really, my cardmaking is mostly to make me happy, so, so what if I recycle the same couple of layouts more often than not?  I obviously like 'em, and really, that's all that counts.

But I know my teamies won't subject you to an overused card design so why not go check out the rest of the Fabby Friday makes?  You can see 'em all right here.

Also for:

My Sheri:  spring fever (flowers)
My Time to Craft:  flowers
Catch the Bug:  bingo - bird, bling, sentiment
The Crazy Challenge:  flowers
Sisterhood of Crafters:  inspirational photo
Corrosive:  anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack:  anything goes
Crafty Addicts:  anything goes
Fab 'n' Funky:  flowers
Ruby's Rainbow:  the earth laughs in flowers
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  add some bling
Craft Rocket:  anything goes
Little Miss Muffet:  anything goes
613 Avenue Create: anything goes
Crafting-With-Friends: anything goes
Simply Papercraft: anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations: anything goes
Artistic Inspirations: anything goes
Crafting From the Heart: anything goes
Craft Your Passion: anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door anything goes
Creative Fingers: anything goes
Our Crafty Corner: anything goes
Creative Moments: anything goes

Happy Easter! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Donna's turn to choose the challenge and she's celebrating the holiday coming up on the weekend - Easter! (If you would rather do a card with a spring theme instead, that's fine too.)

'Round here, Easter is kinda tied with Thanksgiving with regards to the amount of calories consumed. Well, maybe a bit more at Easter due to the increase of chocolate and mini eggs. Though Thanksgiving has pumpkin-type desserts while Easter does not. Hmmmmm.....let's just settle this by saying at both Easter and Thanksgiving I tend to eat about a week's worth of calories over the course of one day. And, it's all so yummy I have to admit I don't feel overly guilty about that fact either.

But, you didn't come here to hear about The Gluttonous JanR Who Ate a Mountain of Food, you came to see my Easter card. And here it is.....

Hmmmm.....that photo's a bit dull, isn't it?  Don't let it distract you from another fab digi from Skapar Källarn.  Aren't those bunnies just the cutest!

So, why not celebrate all things chick and bunny (or springy) and enter the challenge? Then you can head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up.  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Egg-Cited for Easter - Guest Designer @ Sami Stamps

I was quite honoured a couple of weeks back when I was asked if I would like to be a Guest Designer at....

Sami has very lovely, cute and sweet digis so I said yes, of course!  But then I had a bit of a dilemma.  I was sent a sample sheet to pick one image from to work with.  Ack!  One image!  Have to admit I went back and forth a bit on which one to choose.

But in the end I couldn't resist this lil guy.....

I mean, could he be any cuter?!?!  Actually, yes he can.  Wait 'til you hear his name.  It's Mr. Gentleman Chick.  See, I told you he could get cuter!

The release is called Easter Eggs & Chicks, and if you need to make any Easter cards I highly recommend you go check it out.

And make sure you have a boo at the lovely samples the DT has come up with.

Also for:

Jo's Scrap Shack:  Easter
Kitty Bee Designs:  Easter
QKR Stampede:  add a sentiment
Aud Sentiments:  bingo + sentiment - ribbon, stitching, die cut
Fab 'n' Funky:  spots & stripes
The Male Room:  Easter
Creative Card Crew:  chicks
Pile It On:  green & two other colours (blue & yellow)
Quirky Crafts:  masculine + ribbon
The Ribbon Girls:  Easter + ribbon
Catch the Bug:  bright & cheery
Come and Get It:  Easter
Crafty Boots:  Easter
Hanna & Friends:  Easter

Shape Up @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Brenda's turn to chose the challenge and she wants up to "Shape Up"! No, I don't think she's thinking we're slacking....I'm pretty sure she just wants to see shaped cards.....anything but square or rectangle.

Now, I love me a shaped card. I really don't know why I don't make them more often. (To be honest I do know why I don't make them more often.  It's called Being Lazy.)  Have to admit, I was quite happy with how this turned out....

See, not only is it a shaped card, it's a shaker too! And I love me a shaker card almost as much as I love shaped cards.  And I put lots of microbeads in there so you get the auditory bonus too.  Shaker cards - where three out of the five senses are engaged!  And if you happen to enjoy the smell and taste of paper, sequins or glue....then it's all five senses - yay!

So, why not step outside the box....whether it be a square or rectangle one, and enter the challenge? Then you can head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up.  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Scrap It @ Tiddly Inks

For the next two weeks at

we've got a challenging one for you. We want to see something other than cards, like a journal page or a layout or canvas or something like that. And using a Tiddly Inks image, of course!

Oh how I struggled with this one. This is what I finally came up with....

....it's a little mini book.  I used the One Sheet ATC Book tutorial here.  I also used a set of pre-coloured Tiddly Inks called Divine Divas.  All three images are included it this set.

So why not grab a Tiddly Inks image, make something other than a card and enter the challenge?  And be sure to also check out the fabulousness the DT has come up with.

Layer It Up @ Melonheadz Friends

For the next two weeks at

the challenge is "Layer It Up" which simply means we want to see your projects with lots of layers.

Now this challenge is super easy-peasy for me. How often do I not pile on the layers? This is how I piled 'em on this time....

Okay, let's count those layers. Not counting the base there's, let's see, 11 layers.  Well, 12 if you want to count the bling as a layer.....which I don't.  I'm a bit of a stickler that way.....to count as a layer it's gotta be on top of all the other layers.  I do admit to taking a small liberty....technically the sentiment layers (11 & 12) aren't on top of the paper pieced heart (layer nine) but I'm allowing it.  So, 11 it is.

I used a past freebie.  But if you want to see all the fantastic Melonheadz images you can buy just click on over to the Etsy shop. 

Why not layer it up and enter the challenge? And be sure to check out what the rest of the DT has made.

Sweet Stampin':  boys to men
Cardz for Guys:  paper piecing
Fab 'n' Funky:  paper piecing
Corrosive:  anything goes
Artistic Inspirations: anything goes
Crafting From the Heart: anything goes
Craft Your Passion: anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door anything goes
613 Avenue Create: anything goes
Creative Moments: anything goes
Crafting-With-Friends: anything goes
Simply Papercraft: anything goes
Crafting With An Attitude: anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations: anything goes
Creative Fingers: anything goes
Our Crafty Corner: anything goes

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming...- Fab Friday @ Tiddly Inks

Somehow, it being Friday today escaped me until this morning. So, I'm slightly late with my Fab Friday post. But, I do know what I was distracted by in order to forget that it was Fab Friday today and therefore I should have scheduled a post for 1:00am this morning.

It was a giant bag of Jujubes.

I'm talking about a Costco giant-sized bag of jujubes. And by giant-sized, I don't just mean the bag is really, really big, I mean that it's sized for an actual giant. A fairy tale giant, not like an Andre The Giant (may he rest in peace) giant, more like a Jack and the Beanstalk giant. And, even then, the giant probably wouldn't be able to eat it all in one sitting.

Not only was I distracted by the GSBOJ last night, I was really distracted by it this morning. See, I'm working from home today (for a bit anyways, I'm hoping to also get my craft on - fingers crossed!)......and working from home/being at home with a GSBOJ sitting near my right ear, with just a wall separating us, well, that's a recipe for....normally I'd say disaster, but it doesn't really qualify as disaster scale in the grand scheme of things. It's certainly a recipe for me repetitiously putting jujubes in my mouth until I have a stomach ache.

So, what's a person to do in a situation like this? Well, this is how I normally handle it. I go hide my eyes in the livingroom while I task my kids with hiding the GSBOJ somewhere in the house...."And, for crying out loud, hide them good so I can't find them!" And, problem solved.

Now, if I could just find where I hid my willpower, I'd be all set.

That was a very long intro for a card that has absolutely nothing to do with candy. But, here it is all the same....

Not sure if this is obvious from the picture but it's a hair gel card.  Man, I had a time making this!  All small plastic baggies are rectangle shaped, right?  But the bigger, more square ones, are kinda big for a card.  So, I ended up having to cut the sides off a bag, and then masking taping them shut once the gel was added.  I'm not completely confident with my baggie-taping job and I'm pretty sure it's going to blow hair gel out the side at some point.  Still, it looks pretty cool right now anyways.

I used Wryn Just Keep Swimming.  Yep, and now that I typed that (and my title) I'm going to have Dory's voice in my head for the rest of the day.  Finding Nemo was an absolute favourite of my middlest when he was a pre-schooler so I've seen it many, many, many times.  Have to admit, I wasn't too upset when Cars came along and knocked it out of his top spot.....always thought Finding Nemo was a touch dark at the beginning for little ones.  Though I grew up with seeing Bambi's mom get shot and that freaked-me-out scene in ET with all tents and ET all flaky white.....and I turned out all right.

Except for an extreme case of GSBOJ gluttony, that is.

If you need to distract yourself from a not-good-for-you indulgence why not go check out the rest of the Fabby Friday makes?  You can see 'em all right here.

Also for:

4 Crafty Chicks:  7 layers - Let's count 'em.  Image, baggie, hair gel, cardstock frame, patterned paper frame, cardstock sentiment layer, sentiment.  Yep, that's 7.
Crafty Gals Corner:  all about the girls
Craftin Desert Divas:  lots of layers
613 Avenue Create: anything goes
Crafting-With-Friends: anything goes
Simply Papercraft: anything goes
Crafting With An Attitude: anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations: anything goes
Artistic Inspirations: anything goes
Crafting From the Heart: anything goes
Craft Your Passion: anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door anything goes
Creative Fingers: anything goes
Creative Moments: anything goes
Our Crafty Corner: anything goes

Mainly Manly @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to choose the challenge and I went with "Mainly Manly" which just means that I want to see those masculine projects!

I know some of you find it difficult to make boy/man cards but I have to admit, I find it pretty easy. Maybe it's 'coz I have had lots of practice from making cards for my two boys, maybe it's the tomboy me from my kid days that's still influencing me, maybe it's because I'm not really good at adding fancy frills, flowers and what-nots....I dunno. But, I do know that I enjoy making masculine makes.

And here's the one I made this time 'round.....

I used a new-to-me artist's digi for this one.  Her name is Skapar Källarn and you can find her and her wonderful images on Facebook.

So, why not put away the sugar and spice and everything nice and join us for our challenge?  Then you can head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up.  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

One Layer Cards @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Heather's turn to host the challenge and she tried to kill me. Okay, it's possible I'm being a touch over-dramatic. But she wants to see onnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeee laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrr caaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrddddddds! (Please read that in a voice like you were a toddler who just got told you couldn't have a cookie, on the hottest day of the year, and you had completely refused to take your nap, and it was 4:30 in the afternoon and you were just served your juice in the blue sippy cup when you really wanted the yellow one.) One layer cards?!?! Can't even remember the last one of those I did. So, I had to dig deep and I came up with this....

Digi was a freebie from Tiddly Inks.  For the record, I'd just like to say that I don't feel like that twine should be considered a "layer".  No, it shouldn't.  No it shouldn't.  *runs away with fingers in ears yelling "No, it shouldn't" every few seconds*

So, why not keep your card oh so thin and join us for our challenge?  Then you can head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up.  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Easter @ Tiddly Inks

For the next two weeks at

we're celebrating that upcoming holiday of painted eggs and chocolate bunnies, Easter! So we want to see your Easter projects, using a Tiddly Inks image, of course!

This is what I did....

I used Emma Hoppy Easter, and really, could there be a more perfect digi for Easter than this?  Kinda went back to my cardmaking roots with this one....I used to always do the inked rectangle panel layered on the scalloped rectangle.  Still like the look, don't know why I hardly do it anymore.  Might have to do it a time or two in the future.

So why not grab a Tiddly Inks image, and think about fluffy chicks and cuddly bunnies and enter the challenge?  And be sure to also check out the fabulousness the DT has come up with.

Also for:

Ooh-La-La:  add a sentiment
Aud Sentiments:  cute + sentiment
Crafty Sentiments:  spring
613 Avenue Create: anything goes
Crafting-With-Friends: anything goes
Simply Papercraft: anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations: anything goes
Artistic Inspirations: anything goes
Crafting From the Heart: anything goes
Craft Your Passion: anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door anything goes
Creative Fingers: anything goes