No Chocolate in Heaven?!? for Bugaboo Stamps

It's  Tuesday, and that is New Release day at Bugaboo Stamps, or in today's case, it's re-release of a great Oldie that you might not have seen in awhile.  This digi sums up a common philosophy I have about heaven!

This  is Ruby - No Chocolate in Heaven, floating on her cloud, and philosophizing about a life well lived. You gotta love Ruby!

I colored Ruby - No Chocolate in Heaven with Copic markers, then used several Spellbinders dies to cut her out and create the card shape.

I used the current sketch at the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge to jump start my creativity.  Here it is:

Today is the last day of the challenge, so I'm sneaking in under the wire on this one.

Papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. The cloud paper is from the Back to Basics Collection, and the bright pink paper is from the Garden Dance Collection.

I tried making a Hershey's Kiss to use as an embellishment, but it ended up looking like the emoticon for a pile of poop, so I opted for chocolate ribbon instead!  Much more appealing to the eye!

Ruby - No Chocolate in Heaven -- she's 1/2 price this week, so head on over to the Bugaboo Store!  Then, head to the Catch the Bug Blog to see what the other uber talented Bugaboo Stamps DT did with this fantastic stamp!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- ends Sept. 3
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Make My Monday Challenge -- use shapes on your card
ART-astic Challenge Blog -- use humor
Outlawz Monday Challenge -- Layers

Jingle All the Way -- for Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog

It's Saturday, and it's time for a new challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog.  Our theme for the next 2 weeks is "Christmas in July".  Here's a chance to get a jump on those Christmas cards, while using one of Di Carubia's wonderful digi images.  You'll find them in the Di's Digi Stamps Store.

Di has wonderful Christmas images, as I mentioned above.  I treasure this Christmas Holly Parade image:

I colored up Christmas Holly Parade with Copic markers.  Is there anything cuter than those creatures?  Such a treasure this image is!  I wish I could color 50 of these for all my Christmas cards this year!

I used Spellbinders dies to cut out the adorable Christmas Holly Parade image.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Close To My Heart.  The papers are digital.  I found them at Pixel Scrapper.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  They are no longer in business. 

Christmas in July -- see what fun you can have with this theme and enter the challenge at Di's Digi Design Challenges.  I'd love to see what you make, and you could win the cutest digis ever -- like this one! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Chicks Challenge -- Christmas in July
Outlawz Festive Fridays -- Christmas
Christmas with Sweet Stampin' -- ATG
Watercolor Wednesday Challenge -- Occasions
CRAFT Rocket Challenge -- Animals
Crafty Animals Challenge -- ATG with an Animal
2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a Critter
Outlawz Monday Challenge -- Christmas in July

Hello, Fall -- a Bugaboo Stamps Friday Freebie

I continue to have so much fun guest designing on the Bugaboo Stamps Design team.  I'm well into my 2nd month now, and the stamps I get to work with, along with the super talented and friendly team make it such a joy!

Freebies -- every Friday!  Have you grabbed today's yet?  I love sunflowers, and I really like to color them, so today's card was such a joy for me to create, plus I got to use some of my favorite We Are 3 papers!  Wow!

This card uses Sunflower Vase, colored with Copic markers.  It's very easy to color -- took a matter of minutes.

The designer paper behind the sunflowers is from the Sunflower Collection at We Are 3 Digital Shop. 

The sentiment was cut out with dies, purchased at Peachy Cheap.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM (no longer in business).

I hope you check out the Catch the Bug blog today to see what the rest of the talented Bugaboo Stamps team did with this wonderful Friday Freebie.  Pick it up for yourself, then enter the Saturday challenges, the monthly Stella Says Sketch challenge, and try to win some more digis for yourself!  

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:
AUD Sentiments -- Fall plus a sentiment
Cards 4 Galz -- Thoughts of Fall
D.L. Art -- September Linky party
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- In the Garden

Slumber Sunflowertime -- for Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog

It's time for a new challenge over on the Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog.  The theme for the next 2 weeks is "Happy Fall, Y'all".  I love this time of year!  I love the chill in the air at night, and the cool, crisp days.  This weather suits me perfectly!  I think these little slumbering mice know exactly how to celebrate Autumn!

This image is called Slumber Sunflowertime. I colored Slumber Sunflowertime with Copic markers. then inked the edged with distress ink.  

The sentiment and the papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Fall set.  Papers are the Crisp Autumn Collection.

I used a Spellbinders die set to create the card base and the layers of the card.  The ribbon on this card is from 3 Girl JAM. 

I hope you find time over the next 2 weeks to join us at Di's Digi Designs for our "Happy Fall Y'all" Challenge.  I'd absolutely love to see what you create! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafter's Castle -- ATG/Optional Fall
Send a Smile 4 Kids -- Fall
Brown Sugar Challenge -- All Creatures Great & Small

Leaf Girl! for Scrapbook Stamp Society

Greetings, fellow stampers!  I'm on the Scrapbook Stamp Society Blog today.  I love coloring up My Besties images!  They always challenge and push me to be a better colorist. 

Now that Labor Day is over, and most schools are back in session, my thoughts are turning to Autumn.  

This adorable Leaf Girl digital image by Sherri Baldy, found in the My Besties Shop, was a joy to color up and create with!

I colored Leaf Girl with Copic markers, working hard to create dimension in all those leaves!

This little Leaf Girl is ready to celebrate the season of Fall, isn't she? 

There is a sale going on until September 18! 

Visit the My Besties Shop!

Papers on this card are from the We Are 3 Digital Shop. They are the Pumpkin Delights paper collection. 

The ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM, and the dies are used are from Stampendous.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Crafting from the Heart -- ATG

D.L. Art -- September Linky Party

Not Just Cards -- ATG

Color it Create It Show it off -- ATG

Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge -- ATG

My Besties Dutch Challenge -- ATG

My Besties 3D -- ATG with a Bestie

My Besties Spanish challenge -- ATG

My Besties Scandinavian -- ATG

My Besties Aussie Challenge -- ATG

My Besties International -- ATG

My Besties French -- ATG

Birthday Kitty -- a New Release at Bugaboo Stamps

It's New Release day at Bugaboo Stamps today, and I got a chance to get inky with this one!
Tuesdays are always exciting at Bugaboo Stamps, and today is no exception -- it's New Release Day!  This new release is called simply Cat Silhouette, but there's nothing simple about it.  It has a world of possibilities!  Here's what I did with it:

I had lots of different ideas swirling around for this Cat Silhouette, but in the end, I decided to get out my distress oxide inks and play with them.  I made the blue background with 3 different colors of distress oxide inks, then colored the Cat Silhouette with 2 shades of pink/red distress oxide inks, fussy cutting her out.  I have a sister-in-law who's a real cat lover, so I made this card for her for her birthday.  A matching crinkle ribbon finished off the card.

You'll find other ideas for how to use this Cat Silhouette New Release on the Catch the Bug blog today.  Check it out! Then come back tomorrow for more inspiration, and the next day, and the next...you get the idea!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
The Outlawz  Festive Fridays - Birthday
Show Us Your Pussies challenge -- Anything cat goes
D.L. Art -- August Linky Party
Less Is More -- Pets

Celebrate! It's almost Independence Day!

I can't believe that tomorrow is Independence Day here in the USA.  May your celebrations be grand ones!

I have a card I made using products from 2 of my favorite companies.  The digi is from Di's Digi Stamps, and the papers are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  I've made it red, white, and blue to celebrate the 4th!

The digi is Bluebell Bear, colored with Copic markers.  The digi papers, by We Are 3, are Roses Are Red. 

I used cutting dies by Yvonne to create the card, and some crinkle ribbon by a retired company, 3 Girl JAM.  

Here's a look at all the papers in the Roses Are Red paper pack:

It's time to finish getting ready for July 4.  I have to get the flags ready, hang the bunting, make more ice, and of course, find the sparklers!!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Monday Challenges -- Celebrate
Lemon Shortbread -- ATG
Papercraft Challenges -- Red, White, and Blue
Outlawz Tuesday Challenge -- Red, White, and Blue, plus a bow
Always Fun Challenges -- Patriotic
D.L. Art -- July Linky Party
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Red, White, and Blue
Cute N Crafty Challenge Blog -- 4th of July
Get Creative Challenges -- Shaped Cards

Fabulous Friend -- for MHKDesigns April Challenge

Happy Easter, crafty friends!  I hope you have a most blessed Easter holiday.  I am busy tinkling the ivories today, playing 2 church services at one church in town, and one at another church.  Then, we're heading to my husband's family for an Easter feast, in a town about an hour from where we live.  I just might nap on the way after my busy Easter morning!

Today is April 1,  so that means it's time for a new challenge at MHKDesigns challenge blog.  The challenges run all month.  They are Anything Goes if you use an MHKDesigns image, or there is an inspiration picture/mood board if you choose to use an image of your choice.

Today, there is also a new release at MHKDesigns.  It is Caring Crocus.  I used the Caring Crocus as part of my card for the challenge:

Besides the Caring Crocus image (colored with Copic markers, then inked around the edges with distress inks), I used several other MHKDesigns stamp sets on this card.  The chicken wire background is from the Chicken In digital stamp set.  The sentiment is from the Fabulous Flowers digital stamp set, and the gingham paper, also from MHKDesigns, is from the Going Gingham Pastels digital paper pack. 

MHKDesigns products used on this card:

Caring Crocus

Chicken In

Fabulous Flowers

Going Gingham Pastels

Here's the April Inspiration picture for you, if you choose not to use an MHKDesigns image:

I hope you are able to join us this month at MHKDesigns.  I'd love to see what you make, and the prizes you can win are fabulous! 


I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Flowers
IDCB -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Classic Design Team Open Challenge #24 -- ATG
Outlawz Thursday Challenge -- ATG

Deck the Halls -- for the MHKDesigns Nov. Challenge

November 1st, and I'm already making plans to "Deck the Halls."  It's also the start of a new challenge at MHKDesigns.   The challenge is Anything Goes, if you use an MHKDesigns image, or these is a mood/picture board if you choose to use something else.  But, with the many awesome MHKDesign images, why not go with the Anything Goes option?

Here's my card for this month's MHKDesign's challenge:

I used an image and sentiment from the Deck the Halls digital stamp set.  The stocking is colored with Copic markers, then fussy cut.  The card base and layers were created with a shape I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The base was duplicated and welded.  Papers on this card, also from MHKDesigns, are the Deck the Halls Digital Papers.  The crinkle ribbon and rhinestones are from my stash.

MHKDesigns products used on this card:

Deck the Halls Digital Stamp Set

Deck the Halls Digital Paper Pack

Here's a picture of the November mood/picture board, if you'd like to use it:

The challenge goes until November 30, so you have plenty of time. Please join us at MHKDesigns!

Growing Goodness -- an MHKDesigns New Release

Hello, good friends!  I   I hope you are enjoying this month's New Releases at MHKDesigns as much as I am!  Make sure to start at the MHKDesigns blog, then comment on each designer's blog for your chance to win!  

This is a card I made using the new Growing Goodness Digital Stamp set, available in the MHKDesigns Etsy Shop.

I used one of the images from the Growing Goodness digital stamp set and colored it with Faber-Castell colored pencils.  MHKDesigns images are so easy to shade!  They take very little coloring.  I LOVE this sentiment, and it is part of the Growing Goodness set.  The papers, also from MHKDesigns, are the Positively Purple Patterned digital papers.

MHKDesigns products used on this card:

Growing Goodness Digital Stamp Set

Positively Purple Patterned Digi Papers

Have you joined the MHKDesigns challenge?  There's still plenty of time.  They run from the first of the month to the end of the month.  If you use an MHKDesign image, it's Anything Goes!  I hope you link up!  Check out the MHKDesigners & Friends Facebook group, too, for news, inspiration, and fun!

Bloom Art Stamps Inspiration for September

I'm posting today for Bloom Art Stamps.  I have two cards to share -- one made with a clear stamp set, one made with a digital stamp.

I'll start with the card I made with the clear stamp set, Seasons: Tree with Fruit...

I inked up parts of the Seasons: Tree with Fruit stamp with different colors of ink, trying for a fall-like look to the tree.  Then, I inked up a squirrel and a bird from the set, fussy cut those, and added them to the tree.  I used a snowdrift die to make the grassy "hill". 

Card #2 uses the digital stamp, Coneflower Arrangement. 

I printed Coneflower Arrangement on Kraft paper, then colored it with Faber-Castell colored pencils.  I love using colored pencils on Kraft paper.  It's one of my favorite ways to use colored pencils!  

I used a couple dies from Lawn Fawn to cut out and back the Coneflower Arrangement digital stamp.  The designer paper in the background is from Snap Click Supply and is also digital.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. 

Bloom Art Stamps has some amazing stamps -- both clear and digital.  Please check out the store, then the blog for inspiration.  You'll also find us on Splitcoast Stampers. 

If Friends were Acorns -- for Imagine That! Digistamp

It's the weekend!  It's also time for some mid-month inspiration at Imagine That! Digistamp's Creative Playground.   I cannot believe we're more than 1/2 way through this month already!  Challenges at the Creative Playground are always Anything Goes.  If you use an Imagine That! Digistamp image, you get the set of the month for free, and this month's manatee stamp is sooooo cute! 

There's signs of Fall showing up everywhere here in Northwest Wisconsin,  so I made an autumn themed card for today's challenge:

This card uses Acorn Bunny by Imagine That Digistamp, colored with Copic markers, then fussy cut.  The sentiment is also from the Acorn Bunny set.   The digi papers are the Fabulous Fall papers by Imagine That! Digistamp.

Imagine That! Digistamps products used on this card:

Acorn Bunny

Fabulous Fall digi papers

I hope you find time to join us this month for the Anything Goes challenge and your chance to win the Manatee set if you use an Imagine That! Digistamp image.  The challenge runs until Oct 6. 

A Butterfly Thank You -- for QKR Stampede Challenge Blog

Haaaappppppy Friday, everyone!  I hope you have enjoyable things planned for the weekend.  We're nearing the ending of Harley riding season here, and every weekend counts, but there's rain in the forecast, so it might be a crafting weekend instead and that's OK!

This week at QKR Stampede, it's an Anything Goes challenge.  Yeah!  I love those!  

I've been wanting to color this image up for a long time, and I finally got the chance!

This is from the sister company of QKR Stampede, Eureka Stamps.  It's Butterfly & Sunflower, colored with Copic markers.  The sentiment, also from Eureka Stamps, is large Thank You.  Both are available in digital or rubber, but digital were used here.  Designer papers on this card are also digital and are from Snap Click Supply.  The card base is card stock from Close To My Heart.  The ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. 

I hope you can join us this week for our easy peasy Anything Goes challenge at QKR Stampede.  We've got great prizes, and I'd love to see what you make!

Thankful for Art -- and Path of Positivity Challenge Blog

Hello, crafty friends, and happy Labor Day to my American readers.  Today is the start of a new challenge at Path of Positivity Challenge Blog.  We have a 3-month challenge theme, exploring the concepts of art, literature, and music.  For September, the theme will be art.  To be eligible for the prizes, tell us how your project ties in with art -- how are you affected by art, artistic masters, art in your home, sculptures, whatever!

Our guest sponsor this month is Luna Girl.  You'll find the most awesome vintage images at Luna Girl!  I used one of the images from the Summer Garden Digital Collage Sheet to create this:

Studying the masters is a great way to learn about light source.  It can help in my own coloring and shading.  I love how this vase is shaded and how the artists used shadows behind the daisies.  We can learn so much from other artists and learn from them in our own artistic journeys.

I hope you can join this month at Path of Positivity for our "Surround Yourself with Art" challenge.  It runs until October 1.   You can also link up any positive themed project if you don't want to use the alternate theme. 

You Are Marvelous -- an MHKDesigns New Release

Today, the MHKDesigners are showcasing another fantastic New Release!  Start on the MHKDesigns blog

for inspiration and a chance to win the set for yourself!

Flowers are my favorite thing to color. I love to experiment with different color combinations.  

I'm featuring the New Release, 'Marvelous' Digital stamp set on today's card, along with one paper from the MHKDesigns Radiant Rainbow digital paper pack...

I colored the flower from the Marvelous stamp set with Copic markers, then used a Spellbinders die to cut it out.  The sentiment is also from the Marvelous Stamp Set.  The card base is a cut file from Pretty Paper Pretty Ribbons. The lace and crinkle ribbon are by 3 Girl JAM. 

MHKDesigns Products used on this card:

Marvelous Digital Stamp Set

Radiant Rainbow Digi Paper Pack

Have you entered the MHKDesigns challenge yet?  You still have plenty of time, as it runs all month.  Use an MHKDesigns image, and it's Anything Goes!  

Make a Joyful Noise! for QKR Stampede

It's Fri------------Daaaaaaay!   And time for a new challenge at QKR Stampede Challenge blog.  This week's optional theme is "Inspired by Music" or you can use an 'Anything Goes' theme. 

Here's my project for this week's challenge:

This card uses QKR Stampede digi Cat Calling (Q-digi14516), colored with Copic markers.  The sentiment is computer generated.  The papers were found at Pixel Scrapper.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM, and the paw print brad is from my stash.

I hope you can join us this week at QKR Stampede.  You may win some of the awesome digis for yourself, and I'd love to see what you make!  Don't forget our optional 'Inspired by Music' theme!

You Are Brilliant -- an MHKDesigns New Release

August 10 -- time for more New Release inspiration, starting on the MHKDesigns blog.  Today, we're showcasing the MHKDesigns New Release, 'Light of the World'.

I wanted this to be bright and bold, just like that lightbulb.  I accomplished the look using not only the Light of the World digital stamp set (colored with Copic markers) for both the image and the sentiment, but also using MHKDesigns digital papers, Sunflower Sampler. 

MHKDesigns products used:

Light of the World

Sunflower Sampler

Visit the MHKDesigns blog to start your journey of all the talented designers.  Leave comments on each designers blog and you could win this set (or all the New Releases!) for yourself.  Don't forget about the MHKDesigns challenge.  It's just getting started.  It's anything goes, if you use an MHKDesigns image, and it runs all month. 

Birthday Clematis -- for Bloom Arts Stamps

Flowers, nature, birds, bugs.  Bloom Arts Stamps is everything I love in stamps -- both clear acrylic and digital -- so when I saw their DT call at Splitcoast Stampers, I reached out to Lisa, and here's my first post!

I tried something new, for me, on this digital stamp, Clematis Vine.

I used Spectrum Noir Aqua Blend pencils on this Clematis Vine digital stamp, then used a shimmer brush to blend with instead of a water brush or paint brush.  It's difficult to see in a picture, but IRL, it's very sparkly, especially on the flower petals.  I really like the effect, and I'll definitely do it again!

Bloom Art Stamps has some amazing stamps that you really need to check out.  The design team is growing, so you'll be able to find more inspiration over on Splitcoast Stampers (Bloom Art Stamps has a gallery there), on the Bloom Arts Stamps blog, and there's a Bloom Arts Stamps Etsy Store. You can find the Clematis Vine stamp here in the Bloom Arts Etsy Store. 

Party Like a Princess -- for Crafty Sentiments Designs

It's Tuesday, and time for a new challenge at Crafty Sentiments Challenge Blog.  This week, the theme is 'Glitter'.  Everyone likes a little glitter, right?  This is an easy one!

I used the adorable Crafty Sentiments rubber stamp, Isobel - Take Me to the Ball to create this card:

I colored Isobel - Take Me to the Ball with Copic markers, then added some gold Stickles glitter glue to her crown.  The sentiment was computer generated.

The card was constructed using Lawn Fawn dies, papers from Close To My Heart, and ribbon from 3 Girl JAM.

I hope you join in on the Glitter challenge this week at Crafty Sentiments Designs.  We've got great prizes each week, and I'd love to see what you make!

How Great is His Beauty -- a New Release for MHKDesigns

Today is the final day of new releases at MHKDesigns.   It's been a great first new release for me -- I've so enjoyed the experience!

Today's new release just might be my favorite of the week.  It's called Pansy Corner, and it's so fun to color!

I used the image from Pansy Corner and one of the beautiful sentiments from the set.  I colored the Pansy Corner image with Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils on Canson Mi-Tientes paper.  The designer paper used to back the card front is from MHKDesigns.   It is part of the Country Farm digi paper pack.

The great part of this Pansy Corner was how quick it was to color.  It is already so shaded that it only took one or 2 colors to make it look really good.

I hope you enjoyed this week's New Releases.  I know I did!  I hope you visited the MHKDesigns blog each day to see what the other designers made because there's lots of inspiration there!

Come back tomorrow for my final MHKDesigns project of the week.  There's a new challenge starting tomorrow -- come back for the fun!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:


The Pencil Case -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG
IDCB -- ATG
D.L. Art -- August LInky Party
Let's Color -- Linky party 11