Two Challenges in One

Hi everyone! Call me simple, but 2 challenges is all I can usually muster in one card... I guess I lack the where with all to combine any more than that. The two challenges are for Laurie's blog - Clearly Delightful and the second challenge is for Limelight Papercrafts.

So let's start with Laurie's. She's got a super cute digital image just waiting for you if you do the challenge with an extra bonus of some great blog candy. The challenge is BUNNY RABBITS and the challenge for Limelight Papercrafts is to use buttons and follow their sketch.

I actually used the rabbit from the set that Laurie designed for Clear Dollar Stamps. The set is called Spring Critters. This was actually the first time inking this set up too (gasp). I lightly outlined the image with my C-1 Copic and then added white fun flock to the whole bunny. I love the extra texture it adds.

The layout follows the sketch of course from Limelight Papercrafts and the buttons are from Papertrey ink as well as the designer paper and cardstock.

I cut my image out with a square nestability from Spellbinders and then lightly sponged around the image before taking the die off.

Thanks for coming by and have a great Saturday!

2nd Post Today - Stamp Something - Cute and Fuzzy Somethings

Hey all... this is my 2nd post today and its that time again for another Stamp Something Challenge. This week the theme is all about cute and fuzzy and the sponsor is Ildi Co.

I ended up using a cute image from TaDa Creative Studios that coordinates with one of their new lines of papers. You can get the papers and stamp at Limelight Papercratfs. I used fun flock to cover his entire body and in hind site I should have colored him first... but it still turned out pretty cute.

The "hee" part was actually part of the "haw" part on the cardstock, but I cut it out and then added it on top instead.

Make sure to head on over the Stamp Something to check out the rest of the DT... you've got an entire week to play so come join the fun.

Stamp Something - Halloween Somethings

Its Friday which means that its Stamp Something time. Your challenge is Halloween Somethings... its almost that time you know. This week's challenge is sponsored by Cute Daisy May digi stamps and I'm sure you'll find them very cute.

I paired my image with some great new TaDa Creative Studios Halloween paper. I adore this paper as well.

I colored my image with Copics, used some ribbon that I got from Clear Dollar Stamps, and my sentiment is from my stash.

Make sure to go visit Stamp Something to check out all the other DT's fabulous work.

Thanks for visiting and have a great day! Remember, you've got all week to play.



Recipe:
Cardstock: PTI white, CTMH pansy purple
DP: TaDa Creative Studios festivus collection
Stamps: Cute Daisy May digital images, sentiment stamp
Other: Copics, Nesties, ribbon, sponging

Stamp Something Challenge - Brown Somethings

Hi Everyone! Its Friday once again and its time for anther fun challenge over at Stamp Something. This week is a great one and for me was a fun one. Who doesn't like to work with Brown? It is really a great color just by itself or works great with so many other colors.

I chose to keep with shades of brown for my card and really like the way it turned out. I stamped my background with a Clear Dollar Stamp called Spots a Plenty and my sunflower stamp is another Clear Dollar Stamp called Sunflower Songs.

I raised the center of my sunglower by stamping and then usign a circle punch to cut it out. I then took scissors and cut around my circle.

For my tag I cut 2 pieces from the Labels 4 nesties and then layered and stamped.

I used some cute brown gingham ribbon and my EK Success border punch for my swags to finish the card off.

Make sure to head on over to Stamp Something go check out the rest of the DT's submissions. You don't want to miss this week's challenge because iCopic is the sponsor. Who doesn't want more Copics or to try them out!

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

PCP Clear Dollar Color Challenge - "Celebrate"

Good morning and Happy Saturday! Today is the last T-Ball game for the boys and you'll have to remind me to take my camera one last time. Hopefully Grandpa will be able to make it up here in time to see them play too.

This weekend, like every weekend offers up a chance to play the Clear Dollar Stamps Color Challenge over at Papercraft Planet. Alex is our host this weekend and has provided us with another set of great colors:

• Black
• White
• Pacific Point ( Moonstruck -CTMH)
  
• Summer Sun ( Sunflower - CTMH)
  

They are nice and bright and came together quite easily for me this time around.

I decided to make a graduation card for my best friend's son. What??? I have a best friend who now has an almost 18 year old? Sometimes I feel like an old parent (haha). Anyway, they are in a different state and I have no idea what "colors" his school has, but Alex's color combo worked perfectly for what I wanted anyway.

I used a great little Dollar stamp (grad cap) from the store and created a background and then basically worked on top of that. I didn't have the right "congratulations" sentiment so I decided to use the "celebrate" sentiment from a retiring aka clearance and/or cheap set called Military Sentiments. I actually find this font and size quite versatile.

I then used my Cricut to cut out my stars and then added the Icicles stickles to the top of my stars for some pizazz. He might be offended by ribbon, but I figured he wouldn't mind a little star bling.

Anyway, "celebrate" your graduation and success Brandon!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you can come and join in on the fun this weekend.

Papercraft Planet Clear Dollar Color Challenge #22

Hi all. Just a quickie post today. If you didn't know, Clear Dollar Stamps hosts a color challenge every weekend over at Papercraft Planet and this is a great way to get those CDstamps out and play. If you did know, there is still time to play :)

I got some extra time and created this card for it. Shawne is hosting this weekend and chose these basic colors: pink, grey, black/white. Of course, you use whatever brands you have on hand.

I searched through my stamps and wanted to pick a set that I hadn't used in a while and I landed on this winter/holiday set called Fanciful Flakes. The colors are a bit nontraditional for holiday or snow cards, but hey... ya gotta jump out of those lines every once in a while, don't ya?

I also added some spice with some new embossing powder from American Crafts. Its embossing powder with glitter added to it - not bad. I've got mixed feelings about it, but it looks great with this stamp. I also used a background stamp in the stamp to create my background and then added some pink stickles to it. Finally, added some Hero Arts rhinestones in the corner for a little more zip. And of course, added my new favorite shimmery ribbon. My sentiment was created with the combination of Card Categories and Card Categories Too.

Thanks for coming to visit and have a great Sunday!

Scrap or Dare Color Challenge and an award (twice)

Hi Everyone. I said I would be back for one more post today and here it is. First I'd like to thank Amy Shultz and Monique for sending this super cute award my way. I'm a little slow in posting, but its here and I want to send out a big mwahh to both of you.

So, now on to my card. This is how it went... having gotten the award from Amy, I of course went to visit her blog and I found some beautiful Close to my Heart projects on her blog and a color challenge that she is calling Scrap or Dare Color Challenge.

I have to say that most of the color challenges that I follow tend to use Stampin Up colors and I have to "translate" to Close to my Heart colors, which isn't that hard, but this time around it was fun to just know which colors I was using as soon as I read the names.

Amy's choices were Chocolate, Ocean, Sweet Leaf and Colonial White. I decided to do some random stamping and I used 2 different stamp sets. The background was created using a set called Its a Party! The set has some great circles in it, but they were all together, so I very carefully cut the circles out so I could use them independently.

The cake image is from a set that won't be available until the end of summer. It is a Stamp of the Month so make sure you write it down on your notes. It is going to be a great general birthday/celebration/invitation set. I like how the card turned out.

And finally, my last element was created by using what we call a Connections Club rewards. This is a little goody that my customers receive after every $200 they spend retail. These rhinestones are so cool and are self adhesive. I do have to fess up and say that it was a bit tricky to get placed evenly. I had thought I would stamp first and then place the rhinestone border down, but it worked out much better to do it the reverse.

Anyway, that is it for me! Enjoy your Monday, Happy Memorial Day, and finally... Thanks to all our Service men and women who have and are serving to protect our country!

Papercraft Planet Clear Dollar Color Challenge and Stamp Somthing Sketch

Hi Everyone! It Sunday and yesterday was pretty fruitful. We rented a trailer and spend most of the day clearing out the garage (again), but its always nice to reorganize. I'm hoping that this will inspire me to use the treadmill that is out there. Now there is a clear and easy path to get to it.

Well, today's card serves two functions. I wanted to play along with the Clear Dollar Stamps Color Challenge over at Papercraft Planet this weekend. You still have most of today to play along if you have time. Cassie is our hostess this weekend and she picked some awesome colors for this one. They are essentially Red, Dark Blue, and Brown with a neutral as usual of course.

I decided to use a set called Horse Heritage and because I felt lazy and didn't want to color it in, I decided to emboss instead and sponge my colors basically using a color emerge technique. I just did a tutorial on it which you can find -->HERE<--. To be honest, I didn't know what it would look like, but I knew I wanted to incorporate my 3 colors on my main image. I was pretty pleased with the results. The sketch aspect of this card came from Stamp Something Blog. They are continuing to say their good-byes to some of their Design Team members. This week focused on Emily and she provided this great sketch. I turned the sketch and it worked out perfectly with the stamp set that I wanted to use.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you continue to enjoy your (hopefully) long weekend.

Stamp Something Challenge

Hi everyone! Well, things are just fine in my household and life goes on. I want to thank everyone for their kind comments and messages. I really appreciate it a lot.

Today, we have another T-Ball game and I'm off to do a Close to my Heart party right afterward. It should be a fun day.

What was fun was doing this card. It is definitely Pretty in Pink (which I adored). I cased Lauren's Card as a farewell to her time on the Stamp Something Challenge Blog. Lauren has such a clean and elegant style and I never get tired of what she comes up with.

I used all PTI products as well because Lauren does such wonderful work with all that is Papertrey ink. I used the Hibiscus Burst for cardstock, ink, and the button. I accented with their vellum and the Spring Moss. The crochet flower is one that I made and of course the twine is from elsewhere. I used the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder on my vellum and placed my adhesive under the matted swirls and flower. It really doesn't take much and the vellum stays in place perfectly. The set I used is called Remember and I'm borrowing it from a friend. I love my internet friends... you are all so wonderful!!! And finally, the sentiment was punched out using an EK Success oval punch and the scallop is from a SU! punch.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Happy Mother's Day Card

Happy Mother's Day to all those Moms out there :) I made this card for all of you! Besides being a Mother's Day card, I JUST HAD TO USE this new crocheted lace that Lori from Clear Dollar Stamps sent me. She will be having it at the store soon. I LOVE, LOVE, this stuff. Its really quite substantial and as you can see I cut it and it doesn't seem to want to fray at all.

I started this card off by looking at the Our Creative Corner (OCC) challenge blog sketch and loved the sketch, but there were certain elements that I had my heart set on using, such as that felt flower. It originally had a red felt flower on top, but I took that off and added the button and ribbon instead.

I did do a little bit of stamping though. The flourishes are from a CTMH set called none other than Playful Flourishes (lol) and the Happy Mother's Day sentiment is a single stamp that can be found at Clear Dollar Stamps.

I did change the card though... I started out with some pretty little Basic Grey brads up at the top, but it just didn't look write withe the button, so I added the extra lace to hide the holes that I punched and then added the button and then added the 3 buttons at the bottom. In the sketch, the 3 embellishments were supposed to be at the top.

The paper is Basic Grey Porcelain and it can also be found at Clear Dollar Stamps too. The buttons are no longer available, but they were a screaming deal at the store too.

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Here are a couple of pictures of the boys at their T-Ball game yesterday. The wonderful thing about my camera is that it can take some video, so I did capture some live action too. I'll try to post those later if I can. Down below is a picture of Nate at bat.

Now this is what they did for most of the game. Attention span of a 3 year old.


Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day no matter what your plans are.

Another Color Challenge featuring Papertrey ink

Hi Everyone! I just got my long awaited Guidelines 2 from Papertrey ink and decided to play around with it. Ironically, I ended up only using this set slightly and ended up using some other stamp sets instead. I also tried out the new Guidelines Grid Cardstock too. I'm still holding out judgment though and haven't really decided if I like it or not.

Along with playing wiht my new stamp and some new inks that came along with them, I decided to play along with Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge. I've been following her challenge ever since it started and am glad that I finally got to play. Her color choices are: Dark Grey, Medium Pink, Bright Pink, and White. The pinks I used are from Papertrey ink and the dark grey is a Close to my Heart color called Grey Wool.

I ended up making 2 cards using these colors. The 1st one reminds of Neapolitan ice cream minus the chocolate of course and I did use the Guidelines Cardstock, but ended up using a stamp set called Shapes by Design. The circles work great and I like the overlapping design.

This 2nd card was also just as much fun to make. I did use a stamp from Guidelines 2, but then added the outline stamp from Boxes, Bags and Tags. Then to get even more confusing, I used the little outline circles from Shapes by Design since I already had it out.

But, what I love THE MOST about this card is the ribbon. I adore this sparkly sheer ribbon from May Arts. I purchased a lot of it from Limelight Papercrafts. It is white and you can see it in its original form at the bottom of the card. It has a wonderful "twinkle" to it and May Arts does carry it in other colors, but really you wouldn't need it when it colors so well. I took enough length and then ran it over my Hibiscus Burst ink pad from Papertrey to get it this color. Check out the difference between the ribbon. The Palette ink is wonderful becuase it virtually dried instantly on this ribbon. You will get a pink finger unless you use gloves, but it is well worth it for the results.

Here is a closer picture of the ribbon and I think you can still see the awesome shimmer.

And finally, I added some small Kaisercraft pink pearls to the center of my circles.

Ok, that's it for me today. The boys have a T-Ball "game" at 2pm. This is their first "game" - lol, I have game in quotes since we are talking about 3 and 4 year olds. The twins last about 30 minutes of practice and they are good to go. Even 30 minutes is a long time for them. The games have an hour set out for them so we'll see how it goes. It will definitely be picture time.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day/weekend.



Recipe:

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst , White, Guidelines Paper (PTI), Grey Wool (Close to my Heart)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst (PTI), Grey Wool (Close to my Heart)
Stamps: Guidelines 2, Shapes by Design, Boxes, Bags, and Tags (PTI)
Other: May Arts ribbon, Kaisercraft Pearls, misc. ribbon, sewing

I've got the Clear Dollar Stamps Weekend Color Challenge card to share with you today. Alex is our host this weekend and she picked some interesting, no great colors to play with. I have to be honest and say that color challenges are clearly harder for me than sketch challenges. I also have problems with inspirational challenges - I don't know... its just the way I am.

Alex's color picks for this weekend are:

Riding Hood Red
Blush Blossom
Certainly Celery

Neutrals if you want can be White or Kraft

Anyway, I liked the way this card turned out in the end. I don't have SU! colors so I ended up using Spring Moss and Pure Poppy from Papertrey ink and Taffy from Close to my Heart. And for my neutral I ended up using Vintage Cream from PTI too.
I actually started following a sketch and then ended up changing it and ending up with this instead.

I also have to say that I love these Prima Flowers. I just got them yesterday from Mandy at Limelight Papercrafts. I've been dying for some hydrangeas. The pearls in the center of them are Bazzill and the ribbon is some stuff from Michaels.

The background was stamped with a long stamp from Clear Dollar called Damask and the sentiment is from a set called Words of Sympathy.
Thanks for stopping by and make sure you stop by HERE to check out all the details for this weekend challenge. Its a great way to dig into those Clear Dollar Stamps you have. You've got all weekend... so get to work!



Recipe:
Cardstock: Spring Moss, Pure Poppy (Papertrey ink), Taffy (Close to my Heart0
Ink: Pure Poppy (papertrey ink)
Stamps: Damask, Words of Sympathy (CDstamps)
Other: Prima Hydrangeas, Bazzill Brads, Ribbon, Kaisercraft pearl

Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenges

Hi everyone! Ooops, where did the time go? It's already Thursday and the week has just whizzed on by. I've been working on several sketches that have been provided by a stamp company called Stamps and Smiles. I ran across it when I was visiting my friend Linsey's blog and she had some cute sample cards. These cupcake stamps are just too cute and I love their little arms and legs.

I decided to post all three challenge sketches all in one post since I have them all ready at once. I don't have any of the stamps yet, but will hopefully win some or all (maybe?) All you have to do is play along and you could win a set or all too.

Here's Monday's sketch card. Click HERE to see the original sketch and the sneak peek cards that the DT made. I used a super cute Stampendous set called Changito in Space and check out that super cute paper.

Click HERE for Tuesday's sneak peek, sketch and DT examples. Here is mine using a freebie Inkadinkado set that I got. I decided to use a "bar" like background for thief. He's awfully fashionable looking isn't he? (lol) Well, he did have to match my paper. The polka dot paper and cardstock is from Papertrey ink.


Finally, click HERE for Wednesday's sketch, sneak peeks, and DT examples. For this one I used a gifted stamped image from Elzybell. I totally stole this idea of adding texture for the rope swing from my good friend (thank you) and lately whenever I can I use my Flower Soft. I got all mine from Clear Dollar Stamps. Love that stuff!!

And check out those photo corners. I have another crafty friend that let me borrow her Storybook Cricut cartridge that I am definitely going to have to get as soon as I have to give this up. I cut one of the frames and then snipped it with scissors to create the photo corners.

And finally, check out her dress. I used my Copic colorless blender to create the polka dots. You've probably seen it before, but its so cool and I never get tired of seeing it happen each time I do it.



Buttons and sentiment are from Papertrey ink and that cute circle background paper is from TaDa Creative Studios.

Well, that's it for me today. Its wet, wet, wet here. Hope you are dry and happy where ever you may be.

Stamp Something Challenge - Something for Mom

Good morning everyone! I want to share a card that I made for the Stamp Something Challenge Blog. This week's theme is Something for Mom and along with the theme, the focus is on one of their DT members - Cindy. I decided to case THIS card of hers.

Ok, this isn't your typical Mother's Day card, but I love this sentiment anyway, and the ladies from this Close to my Heart stamp called Be Yourself are so cool. I've really enjoyed using this set... I hope you haven't been too bored seeing it. My mom would appreciate it and that's what counts!

This stamp set is only available this month so if you really like it make sure you pick it up now. You can purchase it outright or you can purchase it at a discount. Just ask and I'll tell you :)

The other thing I am just mad about are these buttons. I purchased all these buttons from Clear Dollar stamps for only $4.99. Lori had a Brights and Basics available and I ordered both, but then come to find out, they are being discontinued and the Basics are out and even though I had a fabulous bag of Brights already, I ordered another. See if you read yesterday, you have proof now that I do have real issues! Anyway, I'm sorry to get you excited but they are all gone. I'm so sad too.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day!



Recipe:
Cardstock: White, Hollyhock (CTMH)
DP: Lasting Impressions
Ink: Black (CTMH)
Stamps: Be Yourself (CTMH)
Other: Buttons, Ribbon, EK Success Border Punch

Clear Dollar Paper Craft Planet Color Challenge

Happy Saturday! We don't have much going on this morning, but the boys are scheduled to have their T-ball pictures taken today and then practice after that. Hunter and his friend are looking forward to going bowling with my friend Lisa and I hope the weather stays clear. According to yesterday's forecast we are expected to hit a chilly spell - yuck.

Well if you didn't know it already, Clear Dollar Stamps has some lovely members (present and past DT members) that graciously host color challenges over at Papercraft Planet. This weekend was hosted by none other than Shawne and her color choices were: Bashful Blue, Silver or Gray, and White. You should go check out what has been made so far - lots of eye candy.

I don't have Bashful Blue so I substituted with Papertrey ink's Spring Rain and then used a lot of silver embossing and embellishments. I also used Vicki's set called Beautiful Butterflies. I have to say that it has become a real favorite of mine. I used Versamark and stamped my butterfly image on the small Spring Rain piece of cardstock and then stamped another image, embossed, cut out, and then pop dotted it off the image. The white piece under that was embossed with a square nestability as well.

My background was stamped with a special stamp that came as a gift from Lori and Laurie and I snuck that in there. I love that little image. Both the photo corner and the little daisy charm can be found at Clear Dollar. The ribbon is May Arts and is a white shimmer and is just gorgeous. Its amazing how I fit inside that little flower charm and then tied it into a knot. The close - up is so you can see that pretty ribbon. And the little butterfly trail was created with my Silver Spica Glitter Pen.

Shawne, I have to say that I loved your color choices this weekend. So very classic. I'd like to thank everyone for coming by and I hope you are having a great weekend.



Recipe:
Cardstock: White, Spring Rain (Papertrey ink)
Ink: Versamark
Stamps: Beautiful Butterfly (Clear Dollar Stamps) and from Personal collection
Other: Square nestability, silver embossing powder, heat gun, SU! ticket punch, Kaisercraft Pearls, May Arts Ribbon, Charms, Spica Silver Glitter Pen

Hi

Good morning everyone! All my sneak peeks are done, but there are more sets to check out. Full views of the stamp sets can be found on Lori's blog - Clearly iStamp with some great samples by Candy.

For even more samples of the set called Lost at Sea go visit Laurie and Cassie.

To see samples of a set called Smooth Sailing, go visit Laurie, Kim, Linda, and Cassie

And finally, for peeks of the May Stamp of the Month go visit Laurie, Kim, and Linda.
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And now, I do have a card to share with you. The image was stamped and sent to me by a very good friend and the color choices are from Lauren Meader's Color Challenge from last Saturday.

I colored this Elzybell with my Copics and paired her with one of my all time favorite Papertrey ink stamp sets called Polka Dot Basics.

I used a mix of Papertrey ink cardstock and Close to my Heart cardstock. The tag is a Cuttlebug die and the sentiment was created using a CTMH alpha set.

Well, that's it for me today. I'll have something to share with you tomorrow over at Clearly iStamp :)

Thanks for visiting and have a great day.

Stamp Something Challenge Card

Hi everyone! I have to be honest here and say that this card does indeed look better in person, but even then, its definitely not my fave. I love the little froggy though.

I did this card for the Stamp Something Challenge Blog and this weeks challenge was a color challenge - green, blue, and yellow. I decided I wanted to go for the brighter version of these colors and this is what I ended up with.

I used Close to my Heart products except for the stickles, ribbon , and slot punch, and dies. I ended up stamping my frog twice and cutting out his body and popping it out, then added some stickles.

This is short and sweet, I need to get back to making a scrap layout :) Now that's been a while. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.



Recipe:
'
Cardstock: White, Topiary, Moonstruck, Honey
DP: Stardust Leve 2
Ink: Black, Topiary
Stamps: Fun Flies
Other: Labels 1 and Labels 2 nestabilities, SU! Punches, Ribbon, Stickles