Thanksgiving Card with Critters

Good day! Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States and I'm still busy making cards to send to family. My crafting speed definitely doesn't keep up with the calendar and I'm also easily distracted. So, I'm a little behind schedule.😊 This Thanksgiving Card with Critters features the Giving Thanks stamp set by Pretty Pink Posh. The critters were colored with Copic markers and then die cut with the coordinating dies. Colors were selected from the leaf paper by Echo Park (Happy Fall paper pad). To frame the little scene two narrow stripes of patterned paper were added and then I used the sewing machine to add stitching. Everything was adhered flat and that's it! Thanks for stopping by.

Challenges entered:

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: Anything w/ Critters
• 613 Avenue Create: Anything Goes- Option: Critters
• Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes 

Dove Card - TMS #580

Hello! It seems like last week drug on forever but it's Tuesday again and time to start another new sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches. This weeks sketch was designed by Debbie Foster and it's really simple. For this Dove Card I have rotated the sketch, created an inky background and added stitching around the edge. The dove image and sentiment are by Unity Stamps from the Mourning Dove sentiment kit which I fussy-cut. That's it, simple and easy. We would love for you to join us this week and share how you interpret the sketch. Click HERE for all the challenge details and design team inspiration. Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a wonderful day!

Your Thoughtfulness Card - TMS #547

Hello again and welcome back to the start of another new sketch challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches. I really enjoyed using this sketch designed by Melissa Craig. It's perfect to showcase pretty patterned papers and I used papers from the Practically Perfect paper pad by Carta Bella. The sentiment and little flowers are from the Thoughtful Blooms Sale-A-Bration stamp set by Stampin' Up!. For the stitched line I used my sewing machine with blue thread and that's it. I hope you will join us this week! For all the challenge details and design team inspiration click HERE. Don't forget to have your creation linked by 8 pm EST on Sunday. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you and your family are staying well!

Sketch #547:

Newton's Thanksgiving Card

Good day crafty friends! Last night I was looking at the calendar and realized I still need to make several Thanksgiving cards to get them mailed in time. I definitely need to focus and stop getting distracted! So, this afternoon I made this Newton's Thanksgiving Card using the photo inspiration from {PIN}spirational as my starting point. The layout was based off a card my Samantha Mann from last years release debut of the Newton's Thanksgiving stamp set. The images were colored with Copic markers and die cut with the coordinating dies. To add some detail I dusted off the sewing machine and added some stitching with ivory thread. That's it! Everything was adhered flat for easy shipping. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Crafty Cardmakers: Thankful
• {PIN}spirational: Photo Inspiration
• Simon Says: Thank You/Thanksgiving
• Tuesday Throwdown: Fall/Holiday
• Watercooler Wednesday: All About Occasions

Fox Happy Fall Card

Hooray! Fall has officially arrived here in the United States and that makes me happy. Although our weather is still unusually warm, I'm eagerly anticipating the cooler breezes to arrive. This afternoon I made this Fox Happy Fall Card using a new stamp set by Hello Bluebird called Pumpkin Time. The image was colored with Copic markers and die cut with the coordinating dies. The images were placed onto the focal area that was made using Distress Oxide inks in Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Peeled Paint and Fossilized Amber. Patterned papers are from the Fall Market paper pad by Carta Bella and some stitching added for detail. Everything was adhered flat for easy shipping and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Challenges entered:

• Always Fun: Cute Critters
• Crafting Happiness: Autumn/Fall
• Creative Fingers: Anything Goes
• Simon Says: Stitch It  

After the Rain Card

This week continues to be crazy and stormy here in Oklahoma. We had several nights of tornado warnings, with tornados causing damage throughout the state. Too much rain has fallen and the rivers are swelling to the point the dams are releasing water and it's flooding the surrounding land. Some homes have been swept away by rising waters, others have flood damage and the saga isn't over. More rains could compound the issue. Our home is safe for now but if the waters rise more than expected it could affect us. At this point I'm praying the rains stop and the flood waters recede. Additional prayers are welcome!

During the week our local weather teams have worked extra hard to keep us safe and stayed on the air during tornado warnings for hours. I made this After the Rain Card thinking about sending it to our favorite Chief Meteorologist Dan Threlkeld and his team at Channel 8 as a thank you card. The image is called Umbrella Mouse by Bugaboo Stamps and it was colored with Copic markers. All papers are by Authentique from the Refreshed Collection (2018) and some stitching was added for detail. Some Nuvo drops were added to the umbrella and sequins added for sparkle. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Addicted to Stamps: Make Your Mark
• Catch The Bug: Bingo (top row across)
• Color Throwdown: Colors
• Crafty Creations: Anything Goes
• Watercooler Wednesdays: All About Occasions 

You're Purr-fect Card - TMS #485

Welcome to the first Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge of 2019! Many of you may already know that we lost a friend and former design team member Jessi Fogan at the end of December. This week we want to honor Jessi by featuring one of her last sketches. She was an inspiration to me and I always looked forward to her creations with googly eyes and fun stitching. Will you help us remember Jessi by playing along in our challenge this week? Click HERE for all the details and design team inspiration.

It was Jessi who introduced me to Paper Smooches stamps and the idea of using googly eyes on handmade cards. I know the only reason I purchased the Chubby Chums stamp set is because of Jessi's cute creations using the set. Here is a link to one of Jessi's cards using the same image and sentiment from January 19, 2016. Her card along with this weeks sketch was used to inspire this You're Purr-fect Card.

Challenges entered:

• Cute N Crafty: Anything Goes
• International Art & Soul: Cats and/or Dogs
• The Paper Players: Crazy about Critters 

Jessi's Sketch - Tuesday Morning Sketches #485

Hugs and Kisses Card

Hello and happy Thursday! A couple of years ago I bought this Spring Bunnies stamp by Wild Rose Studio because it's darling and I love bunnies. However, I've been hesitant to use it because I didn't think my coloring skills would do it justice. When I saw this weeks sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches I decided now was the time to give it a try. Copic markers were used to color the image with light brown tones for the bunnies: E50, E53, E30 and E95. Other colors were selected to coordinate with the Bo Bunny patterned paper from the Early Bird Collection. To follow the sketch I used my sewing machine for the squiggly element and then I added a gold bow for detail. The sentiment is from the retired Good Greetings stamp set by Stampin' Up! and three rose colored glimmer dots were added, that's it. So glad you stopped by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Hugs and Kisses Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Crafty Cardmakers: All Creatures Great and Small
• Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes
• Papercraft Challenges: Animals
• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch #469
• Simon Says Stamp: Stamp It... No Digis
• Watercooler Wednesday: Feminine Anything Goes

Owl Just a Note Card

Hello! I hope you're having a lovely day. This afternoon I made this Owl Just a Note Card to add to my stash. After layering the patterned papers by Echo Park (For the Record 2 from 2012) I decided to add some stitching for detail. The Cute Owl image is by Bugaboo Stamps and it was colored with Copic markers. A retired sentiment from Stampin' Up! was used and three glimmer dots added for some sparkle. That's it!

Challenges entered:

• Catch The Bug: Anything Goes
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes
• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: Anything with Critters
• Watercooler Wednesday: Feminine Anything Goes

Hey Birthday Chick Card

Happy Friday! Today kicks off the start to my birthday weekend. So I made this Hey Birthday Chick Card to celebrate. The layout design for this card was inspired by a card I found while searching online for a fun layout and you can see it HERE. I was immediately drawn to the purple and green colors she used, which are my favorites, but I wanted mine to look different. It's been awhile since I got a little fussy with a card, so this one has several layers, stitching and a single flower embellishment. I contemplated several color combinations but decided the pinks and greens looked pretty with the yellow chick from the Hey Birthday Chick stamp set by Unity Stamps. The image was colored with Copic makers and most of the patterned papers are from the Spring Fling paper pad by Pebbles (2015). Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies: Anything Goes w/ a Critter
• Always Happy Birthday: Anything Goes w/ Flower Option
• Seize the Birthday: Anything Birthday Goes w/ Number Option
• Sweet Stampers: Birthday
• That's Crafty: Stitching

Here is my red velvet birthday cake from the hubby, he can be sweet sometimes.

Mouse Big Flower Card

When life gets tough as it sometimes does, it's best to take it one day at a time. I love using this sentiment by Verve Stamps. It makes a wonderful card to send a few weeks after a sympathy card. When I was looking through my stash this past weekend I realized I had no cards ready with this sentiment. So, I used one of my favorite Bugaboo images called Mouse Big Flower to create this card.

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Crafty Animals: Anything with Animal
• Crafty Sentiments: Anything Goes
• Tuesday Throwdown: Anything Goes
• Catch The Bug: Bingo (Sentiment, Player's Choice and Stitching)

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Owl Love Card

It's been a long and crazy day around my house! So, to help reduce my stress I made this Owl Love Card. The colors were inspired by the current Pretty in Pink challenge at Inky Paws. Pink isn't a color you see often on my card creations but this time of year it's perfect for Love/Valentine's Day Cards. I thought the cute owls from the What a Hoot stamp set by Newton's Nook were perfect for this card. They were colored with Copic markers and then die cut with the coordinating dies. The sentiment stamp is by Stampendous! To create the pink background Distress Oxide inks in Picked Raspberry and Worn Lipstick were used on mixed media paper. The paper was spritzed with water and then a heat gun was used to dry the wet spots. Picking the patterned paper was the hardest part! The stripes by Doodlebug Designs are subtle and I thought it worked well with the design. Then I decided to add some stitching and the final touch were three clear sequins. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Challenges entered:

• Newton's Inky Paws: Pretty in Pink
• Simon Says Stamp: Patterned Paper
• Southern Girls: Stitching
• 4 Crafty Chicks: No Winter Blues
• Creative Moments: Anything Goes

Happy Together Toucans Card

When the mail arrived today I was thrilled to see my Newton's Nook order!!! Last week when they revealed their new July release I couldn't wait to order the Toucan Party stamp set and coordinating dies. So I immediately went into the house and got inky with my new goodies. This Happy Together Toucans Card was made for the following challenges:

• Newton's Inky Paws: Tropical
• Creative Knockouts: Sew It Up 
• Through The Purple Haze: Anything with Wings

The finished size of the card is 5.25" square. I started by using the Newton's Nook Tropical Leaves Stencil and a piece of retired Pistachio Pudding cardstock by Stampin' Up!. The ink colors include both distress inks and Stampin' Up! classic ink pads in several shades of green. Copic markers were used to color the Toucans, leaves and flower and then the images were die cut. I decided to cut a heart into the middle of the stenciled paper and then added a piece of tumbled glass inked cardstock. A piece of Garden Green cardstock was used as a mat and then I stitched around the edges. Then I dug through the scrap bin to find the right piece of woodgrain paper for a little ledge for the toucan image to sit on. The Be Happy Together sentiment was stamped using Memento black ink and three blue sequins were added for sparkle. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

For more Toucan inspiration visit the Newton's Nook Toucan Party Stamp Set reveal!

Bingo at Catch The Bug

Happy Saturday! I hope you have time this weekend for crafting because we would love for you to play along with the Bingo challenge at Catch The Bug. You'll find all the challenge details and wonderful design team inspiration posted HERE.

For my cards I used the center row down using a Sentiment, Player's Choice and Stitching. I ended up making two cards because I didn't realize the Violet Can digi was retired, so I decided to make a second card using a current image called Cute Owl. The layouts and sentiment are the same but the colors are drastically different. I was in the mood to use purple and that's what prompted me to use the Violet Can digi. Both images were colored with Copic markers and die cut using a stitched circle die by My Favorite Things. The Just A Note sentiment is from the Watercolor Wishes stamp set by Stampin' Up!. Three sequins were added for detail and everything was adhered flat for easy shipping. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a lovely day!

This Violet Can Note Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Daring Cardmakers: Spring Garden
• Pattie's Creations: Shades of Purple in Your Image
• QKR Stampede: Flowers or Anything Goes 

The Cute Owl Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Crafty Catz: Anything Goes with Animal Twist
• Moving Along With The Times: Birds & Feathers

Handmade Easter Cards

When making handmade holiday cards I usually make multiples with the same image and layout but I use different colors and papers. So, they are the same but different. If you follow my blog on a regular basis these images will look familiar. If you are like me, I love seeing the difference color makes, so I have included the links to the previous posts. The card to the left (or above) was first done with purple and yellow (click here). To change things up, this card used patterned paper from the Spring Things paper pad by Doodlebug Designs. The orange and blue are fun and different. I'm always asking my hubby which one he likes better but he's really no help... he says "it's the same just different colors." I'm like "yes!" but which one do you like better. I think he's afraid to give me an answer. This card is entered into the following challenges: Simon Says Stamp - Hip Hop, The Cutie Pie - Bunnies & Chicks and Cute Card Thursday - Easter.

On the cards below I did change one element from the original card (click here). I added the scalloped die cut and stamped the sentiment directly onto the cardstock. This change will help avoid extra postage charges for those raised/bumpy areas. Plus I added some zig zag stitching where the papers join. The papers on these cards came from my scrap bin. The Handmade Easter Card below is entered into the Bugaboo Crafty Challenge. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Happy Easter Card

When it comes to making Easter Cards mine usually feature a rabbit. Although I realize the rabbit has nothing to do with the holiday. It did make me wonder why we use rabbits, chicks and colorful eggs to adorn our Easter Cards, so I did a little digging and found this article from NBC News.

To make this Happy Easter Card I started with the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches. Their sponsor this week is Bugaboo Digi Stamps and since I love using Bugaboo images, I decided to make a quick Easter Card. After searching my images I decided to us EB Eggs Easter Bunny and turn the sketch vertical to accommodate the image. The rest is pretty simple! The patterned paper is from the Spring Things paper pad by Doodlebug Designs and was matted to a piece of Daffodil Delight cardstock. Since my sewing machine was sitting out with yellow thread, I decided to stitch around the edges of the paper. It was then adhered to the white card base. To accent the image a bitty butterfly was added using the Papillon Potpourri stamp set along with the bitty butterfly punch both by Stampin' Up! The Happy Easter sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set by Stampin' Up! along with the word window and modern label punch (both retired). That's it!

This Happy Easter Card is entered into the following challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Sketch
• Deep Ocean: Easter
• Little Red Wagon: Egg-cellent (use eggs)

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

Embossed Circles Card

In my craft room the heat gun is not getting the love it used to, so I decided to break out the embossing powder and turn that heat gun on high. All the supplies on this card are retired by Stampin' Up!. It's easy to forget about the older supplies but every once in awhile I try to bring out my favorites. For this Embossed Circles Card the Lacy & Lovely stamp set was used for the circles and the sentiment is from Fabulous Four. Since my sewing machine was close by I added stitching around the edge using brown thread. The colors on this card are Tempting Turquoise and Early Espresso. For the finishing touch a large button was stitched on using Whisper White twine and that's it. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This Embossed Circles Card was inspired by the following challenges:

• The Paper Players: Circles
• Simon Says Stamp: Stamp It
• The Crafter's Cafe: Use Two Patterned Papers

All You Need is COFFEE Card

Hello! Inspiration to create a card comes from many different places. This All You Need is COFFEE Card was created for the Barista/Manager at my local Barnes & Noble Cafe. When I was working I stopped by several times a week on my way to work and we would visit. Then I stopped working and rarely stopped by. I was in town yesterday to run a few errands and popped in for my caffeine fix and I was happy she was working. During our visit she mentioned how she was ready for May to arrive because April had been a challenging month. So, I decided on my way home to make her a card to hopefully cheer her up.

To create this card I used the sketch from Paper Play Sketches for the layout. The digital image is called Barista Coffee Brentwood Owl by Jessica Lynn Original, it was colored with Copic markers and die cut with a stitched circle from My Favorite Things. Mr. Brentwood is obviously standing on a hill, when I cut the edge of the circle for the sketch... I didn't catch this detail (maybe I needed more coffee). For the patterned papers I used a piece of kraft with black polka dots from Core-dinations, cream crackle by The Paper Studio and two pieces of scrap paper for the banners. Using Antique Linen distress ink the edges of the papers were inked. The papers were matted to a piece of black cardstock and then stitched with cream thread using a sewing machine. For the All You Need is COFFEE sentiment I used an All You Need is Love stamp by Hampton Arts and masked the word Love and wrote in the word COFFEE. A decorative label punch was used to get the shape around the sentiment. That's it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day!

This card is entered into the following challenges:

• Paper Play Sketches: Sketch
• Dare 2B Artsy: Polka Dots
• Crafty Gals Corner: Anything Goes 

Handmade Beach Tote Bag

Good evening, tonight I have a special project to share. I made this Handmade Beach Tote Bag for my youngest niece's birthday. I used outdoor fabric and made the bag reversible. The striped side has three large pockets for sunscreen and electronic gadgets.

The finished size is 17" x 18", plenty of room for beach towels and a few of my niece's favorite books. I hope she likes it! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Quirky Turkey Card Take Two

Hello! I have one week to get all my Thanksgiving cards done. If I would have know earlier in the year that I would go back to work full-time, I wouldn't have procrastinated. Oh well! I am thankful I have a fun new job and it adds an element of fun to have a short deadline. Earlier in the month I made a Quirky Turkey Thanksgiving Card and at the same time I printed out several images and stamped several sentiments. So, I decided to make another Quirky Turkey Card. The image is by Doodle Pantry and comes pre-colored which works perfectly when time is an issue. The patterned papers are from the Pumpkin Patch and Sweater Weather collections both by DCWV. I kept the layout simple with a center focused design. For detail I did some stitching on the green panel and added some Candy Dots. All in all this was a pretty easy card. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day/night!

This Quirky Turkey Card is entered into the following challenges:

• The Sisterhood of Crafters: Thank-ful
• Crafting by Designs: Give Thanks
• Papertake Weekly: 2 or 4 Legs