A Latte Birthday Wishes -- the Outlawz Progressive Freebie

Every month, I try to participate in the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge.  This month, Kristy Breach, of Imagine That Digistamp provided the freebie. Not only did she provide everyone with a darling image called Lorie's Mocha for all Seasons, she also provided us with fun coffee sentiments.

I took the easy way out this month, and used one of the cute coffee sentiments, also making a gift tag holder for a friend.  This friend celebrated her 60th birthday yesterday.  She has 4 Labradors, and is training another one to be a service dog for a family with an autistic child.  She has a huge heart, and loves her Labrador Retrievers.  This gift tag holder was a hit:

I found this Labrador gift tag holder file in the Silhouette Design Store, and cut it out on my Silhouette Cameo 3.  The paw print paper is from AMB Illustrations.  You can see the cute sentiment I used, from the Coffee Sentiments.  I cut out the tag with a die from Close To My Heart.  The black ribbon is from my stash.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge -- September
Outlawz Festive Friday -- birthday
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party

Life is All About Balance -- for Colour Crazy Challenge Blog

It's Friday, and that means there's a new challenge underway at the Colour Crazy Challenge Blog.  The theme is always Anything Goes, as long as you hand color your image, using whatever medium you prefer.  

Out sponsor this week is Little Blue Button Stamps. I colored up this darling image, Asana.

I'm not too good at standing on one foot since developing peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy, but I sure do admire Asana her sense of style here!  She has this yoga pose down well!

I colored Asana with Copic markers, computer generated the sentiment, found a paper that seemed to have a bit of an oriental flair to in at AMB Illustrations, and topped off the card with some puffy gold circle stickers.

Life-- it really IS all about balance!

I hope you can join us this week and every week at Colour Crazy Challenges!  We have great sponsors.  Like Little Blue Button!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode -- scrap your hobby (card making)

Sorry! for Di's Digi Designs Challenges

It's Saturday, and it's time for a new challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.  Our theme for the next 2 weeks is, Ribbon &/or Bows.   I think many card makers use ribbon on cards, and like bows, so this should be easy!  Di Carubia has the sweetest, cutest images in her store, Di's Digi Stamps.  Snoop around the store, find something you like, color it up, and join our Ribbon &/or Bows challenge. 

My inspiration card for this challenge uses the sweet image, Penny's Bouquet. 

 I colored Penny's Bouquet with Copic markers, then used several sizes of Spellbinders dies to create the card base and cut out Penny's Bouquet. 

The blue-on-blue  and pink-on-pink dotted papers are from AMB Illustrations.  The pink dotted ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Ribbon &/or Bows -- the theme for the next 2 weeks at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.  You have until Sept. 6 to join us.  I'd love to see what you create, and there are great digis for you to win!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Polkadoodles -- ATG
QKR Stampede -- ATG
TTCRD -- ATG
Outlawz Thursday Twist -- Favorite Embellishment (ribbon)

You're Super -- For Di's Digi Designs Challenges

These weeks go so fast!  It's been two weeks already, and it's time for a new challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.  For the next 2 weeks, the theme is:  Things with Tails &/or Wings.  Since so many of Di's adorable images are creatures, this is an easy peasy one!  Visit her store at Di's Digistamps, do some shopping, then join in the fun!  

I used the adorable Little Mouse to create this for the challenge: 

Little Mouse is available in both a black & white version and a colored version.  I chose the Little mouse in black & white, then colored it with Copic markers.  I fussy cut the image, then used my Silhouette Cameo 3 to cut out the center step card design used here.  The butterflies designer paper is from AMB Illustrations. 

The sentiment is from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  It is one of the Super Hero Sentiments.  

I used an image with a tail, then found butterfly papers and added butterflies to the card, just to make sure I had all angles covered with this Wings &/or Tail theme for this challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.  I'd love to see how you interpret the theme!  Link up with us!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- use a doily
A Gem of a Challenge -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Crafty Friends Challenge -- Summer Colors

So Good -- for Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog

It's Saturday, and it's so good!  It's Saturday, and it's time for a new challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.  For the next 2 weeks, the theme is "sweet summertime."  Fun, fun, fun!   Di has many great images in the Di's Digistamp store that will work for that theme!

I used Drinky Mice for 2 ( the black & white version) to create this:

I colored Drinky Mice for 2 with Copic markers.  It was much fun to color!

I found these great lemonade papers at AMB Illustrations.   I cut out the fruit and glass embellishments on my Silhouette Cameo 3 with files I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The sentiment is part of a set from Close To My Heart.  I used this month's sketch from Cheerful Sketches, so I will link up there. 

"Sweet Summertime" -- it's a great theme for the next 2 weeks, isn't it?  Color up any image that means summer to you, and link it up at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.  We've got great prizes you can win -- like this one!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Polkadoodles -- ATG
Cheerful Sketches -- June
D.L. Art -- June Linky Party
Not Just Cards -- ATG

Make a Splash! for Sasayaki Glitter Stamps

It's the 3rd of the month, and that's the day that a new challenge starts on the Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog.  Challenges run for a whole month, and this month, the theme is "making waves" -- perfect for summer themed projects!

I used the darling digi from Sasayaki Glitter called Swimmer Elly to create this: 

I colored Swimmer Elly with Copic markers, then computer generated the sentiment.  The dot on dot paper is digital, and is from AMB Illustrations.  

Making Waves -- a very fun theme for this month's challenge at Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog.  I hope you can join us!

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

Outlawz Festive Fridays -- Birthday

Artistic Stamper -- By the Seaside

Die Cut Divas -- Birthday

Why Blend in When you can be a Unicorn? for Aloha Friday Challenges

It's Friday, and that means there's a challenge underway over on the Aloha Friday Challenge Blog.  Challenges run for 2 weeks, so today, I have a little mid-challenge inspiration.  The theme of the challenge for these 2 weeks is Fairytale/Fantasy, and one of our sponsor is Paper Nest Dolls. 

I used the adorable Fairy Emma with Unicorn to create this: 

I colored Fairy Emma with Unicorn with Copic markers, blending some colors I wouldn't normally blend.  That's the fun of Copic markers and coloring!

I used this month's sketch from Cheerful Sketch Challenges to design this card. Here's the sketch:

The fun unicorn papers on this card are from AMB Illustrations.  They are the Magical Unicorn papers. The sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Close To My Heart.  The sparkly gems are from my stash.

You still have a week to join us at The Aloha Friday Challenges.  This Fairytale/Fantasy challenge ends on May 30th. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Cheerful Sketch Challenges -- May
D.L. Art -- May Linky Party
Jo's Scrap Shack -- ATG

So Glad You're My Friend! -- for Dies R Us

Friendly greetings, fellow crafters!  I'm on the Dies R Us Inspiration blog today.   I have several different friends that I send cards to every week.  One of them is a gentlemen that just turned 98!  I started sending him a card a week when he turned 90.  It's turned into quite a tradition.  I need lots of friendship cards, so I enjoy making them!

Today, I have a friendship card with a spring twist to it:

The hardest part of this card was finding the papers I wanted to use.  I played with papers quite a while to find a combination I like.  Here's a picture of all the supplies.  I'll link everything at the bottom of this post.

I cut out all the die cut pieces.  What I really like about this craft die from Sue Wilson is that it can be used in either a portrait or landscape direction.

Here's all the pieces once they were die cut.  Then, it was just a matter of constructing the card.

Ready for sending, don't you think?

Dies R Us supplies used on this card:

Sue Wilson Designs - Ornate Oval - My Friend

I used a Cheery Lynn butterfly similar to this one:

Best Glue Ever

Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below.

click below for:

STORE 

 CHALLENGE BLOG

  FACEBOOK

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

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party
QKR Stampede -- ATG
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode -- April Showers (bring May Flowers)

Hoppy Easter (shake, shake, shake) -- for Scribbles Designs

It's the 23rd of the month, and that means I'm up for some inspiration over on the Scribbles Designs blog.  Every 23rd, it's my turn to leave a bit of inspiration.  Since Easter isn't too far away, I decided to make an Easter card for my inspiration.

Here it is!

This card uses Scribbles Designs image, #440 Bunny Bum, colored with Copic markers. 

Papers on this card are from AMB Illustrations.  I computer generated the sentiment.  The bunny die cut is from Impression Obsession, and can be found in the Dies R Us Store.  I used dies and supplies from Close To My Heart to make the shaker. 

You can find the #440 Bunny Bum image,  and many more wonderful digis, in the Scribbles Designs Store.  You can find more inspiration, challenges, and even some free images on the Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog.  Check it all out! 

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

D.L. Art -- March Linky Party

Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- no twist
Polkadoodles -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG

Is it a Chick or a Bunny? for Kitty Bee Designs

Hi, fellow stamp lovers!  I'm posting today for Kitty Bee Designs, where I have a darling stamp to share with you. 

What do you think?  Is is a chick or a bunny? Isn't it the sweetest?

Papers on this card are from AMB Illustrations.

I added some chipboard so I can add it in the Outlawz Crash Your Stash Feb/March Challenge, where the theme is 'use some chipboard.'  I found a piece of chipboard in my stash, found an acrylic stamp with the 'Happy Easter' sentiment, then inked the edges of the chipboard. 

You can find many cute Kitty Bee Designs in the Etsy Store in both acrylic and digi stamps.  Join us, also, for the Aloha Friday Challenges! Each challenge lasts for 2 weeks, and we have wonderful sponsors! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Crash Your Stash -- Chipboard
Digichoosday -- ATG
D.L. Art -- March Linky Party

Happy Spring! Di's Digi Designs Challenges

It's time for a new challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.  For the next 2 weeks, we have a Tic Tac Toe theme, and I'll include the board later in this post.  First, though, my card, with the super cute image I colored up:

This is Parosol Mice, colored with Copic markers.   I always have fun coloring Di's sweet, sweet images!  You can find all of them in her online store here!

Here's the Tic Tac Toe board for the challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges:

I used the row: Sentiment, Digi image, Gems/Pearls;  or the row: Hand colored image, at least 2 patterned papers, gems/pearls.

Papers on this card are from AMB Illustrations.  I used a sketch from this month's Cheerful Sketch Challenge.  Here's the sketch: 

Remember, the challenges at Di's Digi Designs Challenges run for 2 weeks, so you have lots of time!  Come join in the fun!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Cheerful Sketch Challenge -- March
TTCRD -- ATG
Crafty Sentiments -- ATG
Dream Valley Challenges -- 4-legged Friends
2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a Critter
Colour Crazy Challenge Blog -- hand colored projects

I'm Yours -- for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

Valentine's Day has come and gone, but it's never too late to tell someone special that you love them.

My husband has been working very long hours lately, then coming home and shoveling storm after storm of snow that has moved through.  I made him this card to let him know he's appreciated and loved.  It uses a digital stamp from Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez called Hamster.

I placed the Hamster digi in my photo editing software so I could duplicate, then flip one of them. Then, I made a JPG of the 2 hamsters, placed it in a Word document to size, and printed it.  I colored the 2 Hamsters with Copic markers.

I used several different heart shaped dies from Spellbinders to create this shaped card, and used a heart paper left over from a Valentine's Day project that was on my desk.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Hot Off the Press. 

Have you visited the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Store? There, you will find acrylic stamps, digital stamps, digital papers, a Zazzle shop, and more.  It is worth a trip!  There's also a Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Facebook Group, with a monthly challenge, and for even more inspiration, visit the Kinda Cute blog.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Lemon Shortbread -- ATG 
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Crafting from the Heart - ATG
D.L. Art -- March linky party
Scrapyland Challenge -- dies they sell (Spellbinders)

Hoppy Easter -- Stella Says Sketch

It's Sunday, and Stella and laid down the gauntlet to sketch again.  When Stella says sketch, I do!  You can find the sketch and challenge on the Catch the Bug Blog for Bugaboo Stamps! 

Easter is still a ways away, but I'm starting on a few cards.  This is my first:

This card uses Simple Cute Bunny 01, colored with Copic markers. 

Here's Stella's Sketch for the next 2 weeks:

As you can see, I followed the sketch pretty closely.  I put the sentiment at the top instead of the bottom, and used some CTMH glimmer trim instead of the scallop border.  

Papers on this card are from AMB Illustrations.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Simon Says Stamp.  The candy dots were part of my stash. 

Have you picked up the Friday Freebie?  Use it to join in on the challenge.  I'd love to see what you create, and you could win even more incredible Bugaboo Stamps! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- March Linky Party
Crafty Sentiments Challenge -- ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack -- ATG
Send a Smile 4 Kids -- Cards 4 Boys (or ATG)
Animal Friends Challenge -- Rabbits
Crafty Animals Challenge -- ATG

Friends Furever -- for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

I love dogs, as you know if you visit here very often.  Dogs are my passion!  Golden Retrievers are my breed of choice, but I love dogs of any breed.  Today, I'm sharing a dog themed card, and I couldn't be more excited!  This image is from Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez.  It's entitled, Happy Dog!

I colored Happy Dog with Copic markers.  He does look happy, doesn't he?  The sentiment is from an acrylic set I've had for a long time from a company no longer in business.  I cut the heart border out on my Silhouette Cameo 3 with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store. The pink checkered paper is from AMB Illustrations.  The ribbon, also in my stash for a long, long time, is, I believe, from Paper Wishes. 

Speaking of happy dogs, here's my dog, Winter.  Isn't he beautiful?

He loves the snow!  He's almost 9 months old now and a bundle of energy.

Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez has a wonderful store with acrylic stamps, digital stamps, digital papers, handmade cards for purchase, a Zazzle shop, and more.  It is well worth a cyber trip there to check it out!  There's also a Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Facebook Group, with a monthly challenge to check out, and the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Blog where you can get up close and personal with this wonderful artwork!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope we'll be friends furever!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Crazy 4 Challenges -- Pets
Outlawz Sunday Songs & Rhymes -- How Much is That Doggy in the Window?

It's Your Day -- for Scribbles Designs

It's Saturday, and it's your Day!  Do what you want to do!

It's also the 23rd of the month, so it's my day for some inspiration on the Scribbles Designs Blog.  I wanted bright and cheerful, so I created this:

I used a free image you can find in the Scribbles Designs Store.  It's called "It's Your Day" (F158).  You can grab it in both JPG and PNG formats.  

I colored this up with my brightest, boldest, neon colored Copic markers, and some gel pens in my collection.  Papers are from AMB Illustrations.   The pink discs are from Close To My Heart. 

Simple, bold, effective.  My kind of card!  I hope you check out the Scribbles Designs Store and see all the wonderful images there (many of them free!)

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Festive Friday -- Birthday
Seize the Birthday -- ATG
Digichoosday -- ATG
As You Like It Challenge -- Birthday -- Christmas gets too busy

Reach for the Stars! for Sasayaki Glitter Stamps

It's time for some mid-month inspiration on the Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog.  The theme this month is 'Hearts  &/or Stars'.  Since I featured a Sasayaki Glitter stamp with a heart on for the first post, today, I'm featuring stars.

This is Reaching Stars:

I colored Reaching Stars with Copic markers.  I cut out the stars accent frame on my Silhouette Cameo 3 with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The sentiment was computer generated. The star paper is from AMB Illustrations. The silver star was on my work desk from a previous project.

'Hearts & Stars' -- Naz has many adorable digis in her Sasayaki Glitter Etsy Store that would work great for this challenge.  Do some shopping, color them up, then join us at the Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog. I'd love to see what you create, and their are great digis you could win -- like this one!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Jo's Scrap Shack -- ATG
D.L. Art -- February Linky Party
2 Crafty Critters -- ATG with a Critter

Come Stand Under my Umbrella -- for Bugaboo Stamps

National Umbrella Day -- did you know there was such a thing?  Everything deserves it's day, even umbrellas, I guess.   Sunday was National Umbrella Day, and today I am paying homage to the big event with a card featuring umbrellas for Bugaboo Stamps.  It's Humor Me Wednesday on the Catch the Bug Blog. 

Today's card features Umbrella Mouse:

I colored Umbrella Mouse with Copic markers.  I computer generated the sentiment.

Papers for this card are from AMB Illustrations.  I used a past sketch from Sketch Saturday.  The umbrella die cut is from a die that has been in my stash for so long, I don't know who's it is anymore.  

I hope you visit the Catch the Bug Blog to see what other design team members have done for other "historic" events of significance this week! Don't forget about the Catch the Bug Challenges, found on Saturdays, and the Stella Says Sketch challenges on every other Sunday. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- February Linky Party
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Digichoosday -- ATG
Lemon Shortbread -- ATG

Woof! Means I Love You! for Bugaboo Stamps

Monday!  It's not that bad a day when you're retired, and it's a fun day at Bugaboo Stamps!  We celebrate with Anything But a Card on the Catch the Bug Blog. 

It's almost Valentine's Day (I'm guessing this hasn't gotten past you!)  My Golden Retriever, Winter, has been hard at work making his gift for my husband, Shaun.  This tag will be attached to it. It uses the Bugaboo Stamps digi, Valentine Pup (from the Valentine Pup Set):

I colored up the Valentine Pup with Copic markers.  The sentiment was computer generated, including using some dingbats on the paw prints. 

I used a variety of cutting dies on this card from Paper Wishes.  The papers are from AMB Illustrations.  There's a bit of Timeless Twine, and a brad from my stash. 

You may be wondering what awesome gift Winter has for his 2-legged dad for Valentine's Day.  This tag will be attached to a bag of Winter's favorite dog treats.  It's always all about Winter, right?

Anything But a Card -- you'll find more inspiration at Catch the Bug! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Monday Greeting Challenge -- Love is in the Air

Time for Cake -- a New Release at All Dressed Up Stamps

It's new release day at All Dressed Up Stamps! There are 4 new releases this month, and I had the really, really great pleasure of designing with "Time For Cake".  You'll see why!

I'm such a dog lover, that I'm quite sure Wendy Burns drew this new release just for me!  Thank you, Wendy!  I think it is just the sweetest thing!  Time for Cake, colored with Copic markers, reminds me so much of my dog, Winter, and I.   There is a local coffee shop, where, in good weather, I sit out on the patio with him.  I get ignored.  He gets talked to like he's a prince.  The mayor walked by not too long ago and said, "That dog should run for mayor!  He'd get more votes than me."   Hmmm.  It's a thought!  Except I like our present mayor!

But, back to Time for Cake!  I already mentioned I colored it with Copic markers.   I had my E71 marker make a big blop on the paper.  Can you see where?  I worked and worked and worked with the colorless blender to try to fade it out.  I'm hoping it covered well enough.  Most of my coloring was done by that point, of course.   I computer generated the sentiment. 

The fun dog themed papers on this card are from AMB Illustrations.  I like how bright and colorful they were.  The frilly heart is cut out from a die by Cheery Lynn. 

You can find what the other talented All Dressed Up designers did with the New Releases by checking out the All Dressed Up Facebook group.  You'll also find a folder for this month's Facebook challenge -- All You Need is Love.  I hope you can enter.  I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- February Linky Party
2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a Critter
AUD Sentiments -- Love or Valentine Sentiment
Craft Rocket Challenges -- Valentine
Cute Card Thursday -- ATG
Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge -- Love is in the Air
Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode -- Girly Girl

You're Clawsome! -- for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

You're Clawsome!  I mean awesome!  I'm so glad you stopped by today.  I am posting today for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez.  She has the cutest, whimsical clear stamps and digis that I love to color!

Today, I have a bit of a Valentine theme to share with you.  This is Valentine's Lizard:

I colored Valentine's Lizard with Copic markers.  I cut the heart spray card base out on my Silhouette Cameo 3, with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store. The paper behind the Valentine's Lizard is from AMB Illustrations.  The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon's monthly ribbon club. The pink shimmer trim is from Close To My Heart. 

Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez has a wonderful store with acrylic stamps, digital stamps, digital papers, handmade cards for purchase, a Zazzle shop, and more.  It is well worth a cyber trip there to check it out!  There's also a Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Facebook Group, with a monthly challenge to check out, and the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Blog where you can get up close and personal with this wonderful artwork!

Thanks for stopping by today.  You really are Clawsome!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- February Linky Party
Crafty Sentiments -- ATG
Digichoosday -- ATG