First Prize -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

 September 1 -- there are signs of Fall and signs of kids returning to school.  There are also signs that there is a new challenge at All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Challenge.  It starts today and runs the month of September.  The theme is 'Free for All' (Anything Goes).

I have a young friend that I have been pen pals with for many years.  It all began when I was going through cancer and her grandmother (a friend of mine), thought it would be a good experience for her to send me some encouragement and cute artwork.  Well, 8 years later, we're still writing each other!  She is a very special young woman who should have dumped this old lady long ago!  One of her passions is horses.  She shows themselves, takes riding lessons, spends as much time with them as she can, and probably loves her horses more than most people.  I made this card for her using an old, but very appropriate, All Dressed Up image called, First Prize:

I colored First Prize with Copic markers. I cut the image out and backed it with dies from LDRS Creative. The papers are part of a nautical paper pack from Pink & Main,  The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions.  The star sequins I used to embellish the card are from my stash.

I hope you can join us this month for our Free For All challenge in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group.  I'd love to see what you make! 

Flamingo Splash -- a New Release at All Dressed Up Stamps

 It's time to feature a little new release inspiration for All Dressed Up Stamps. There are 3 new release each month, and this month, I had the fun of being able to design with the cute, cute Flamingo Splash:

I colored Flamingo Splash with Copic markers, then created some die cut for my card.  I thought she might enjoy a rough wave pool, so a created some stormy seas for her to ride through using a die set from Taylored Expressions and a stitched hill die from Close to My Heart that I used for a wave.  The bikini has been in my stash for many years.  I think it was a freebie in a magazine subscription.  Do they even have those anymore?  The sentiment is from Pink & Main. 

You'll find all the new releases in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop.  You'll find more inspiration in the ADU Facebook group and on the blog.  Check it all out! 

Beary Butterfly -- for Di's Digistamps Challenges

 Happy Saturday!  Saturday is a good day because a new challenge starts on the Di's Digistamp Challenge Blog.  The challenges run for 2 weeks.  The theme for the next 2 weeks is 'Use die cuts &/or Punches'. We love to see Di's images being used, but it's not a requirement.

Di has some new bear images in her shop, and I colored up one of those for today's challenge.  Isn't he Beary sweet? 

This is Beary Butterfly, colored with a combination of Copic and Olo markers. There is a pre-colored version of Beary Butterfly available also. 

After I finished coloring Beary Butterfly, I got to work using die cuts on my card.  I don't have many punches anymore.  I used to have a lot of them, but they took up so much room that I got rid of most all of them.  I cut and backed the Beary Butterfly  image with some old Spellbinders scalloped dies.  The 'Sending Cheer' sentiment is from Pink & Main, and so is the flag backer.  The lacy butterfly was one of the first dies I ever bought.  It is by Cheery Lynn and it's still my favorite of all the butterfly dies I own.   To finish the card off, I stamped an all over dot pattern by Taylored Expressions on the base of the card.

That's it for today's 'Use Die cuts or punches' card.  I hope you can join our challenge.  I'd love to see what you create! 

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

Passion for Markers -- for a child

Craft Rocket Challenge -- Animals

Creative Inspirations Challenge -- ATG

Elliebelle's Garden Party -- Anything in or from a garden

Little Ladybird -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

 July -- a new month, and a new challenge in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group.  The theme this month is "We Have Wings". The challenge starts today and goes all month.  Enter as many times as you'd like, as long as you use an All Dressed Up Stamps image. 

I have colored up a lot of All Dressed Up Stamps images through the years.  When I can, I try to find something new to challenge myself with.  I found this darling Little Ladybird image and thought, why haven't I ever colored this before? It's been around so long, I had to have Wendy put it back in the shop. But, it sure is sweet!

I colored Little Ladybird with a combination of Copic and Olo markers.  I used some oblong oval dies from Taylored Expressions tout out the Little Ladybird image, back her, and create the shaped card base. Everything else I used to create the card is from Pink & Main:  the cute designer daisy and ladybug paper, the ladybug die cut, the sentiment and the banner it's stamped on, and the little clay ladybugs I glued on here and there on the image and sentiment.

I hope you join us this month for our All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook challenge.  There's also another challenge on the ADU Challenge Blog.  I'd love to see your creations!  

Little Captain -- A New Release at All Dressed Up Stamps

 It's never too early to start teaching children respect, right?  That's what I thought of when I saw this new image from Wendy Burns at All Dressed Up Stamps.  It's one of 3 new releases this month, available in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop. 

Here's my take on Little Captain: 

I think this would be a darling "Just like Dad" image for Father's Day, too.

I colored Little Captain with a combination of Copic and Olo markers.  I desperately need to spend a day refilling my Copics, so I fill in with Olo markers where I need to.  

The designer papers are old, old, old.  I remembered I had some patriotic papers from long ago.  The company is Authentique.  Are they still around?  They are from my scrapbooking days.   I cut them out with some stitched dies from Taylored Expressions. The stitched star dies are from Pink & Main. 

You can see more great inspiration from all three cute releases in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group and on the All Dressed Up Challenge blog.  Check it out.  You'll be glad you did! 

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

A Perfect Time to Craft -- ATG

Crafter's Cafe -- Masculine

Send a Smile For Kids --Summer Fun cards 4 Kids

Avenue 613 -- For the Guys

Wishing You a Day of Calm -- for Di's Digistamps Challenges

 Wake up. Take bath.  Read a book.  Stay calm.  Now, that's my idea of the perfect day!  I cannot remember the last time I did it, but I can always dream!  

A new challenge starts today at Di's Digistamps Challenges.  The challenge will run for two weeks, and the theme is 'Animals acting like humans'. Many of us have stamps that fit that category, and Di has a store full of darling images of animals doing human-like things!  Take a look, pick something out, color it up, (or buy pre-colored) and join the challenge. I used Teacup Mouse for my challenge card:

I colored Teacup Mouse using both Olo and Copic markers.  That scene is so sweet, it makes me giggle! I found the sentiment in a set of Spellbinders clear stamps.  Lucky for me it had a backer to cut it out.  The paper behind the sentiment and the scalloped paper are from Pink & Main.  All the other card stock is from Taylored Expressions.  The bubble-like gems are from Concord & 9th. 

I hope you can join us this next 2 weeks.  I would love to see your take on 'Animals acting like humans"!

Small Things, Great Love -- For Di's Digistamps

 Hi, and thanks for stopping by!  It's Saturday, and time for a new challenge at Di's Digistamps Challenges. The challenge runs for 2 weeks with the theme of Sentimentally Yours (use a sentiment).  Now, that's an easy theme!  Use a Di's Digistamps image and increase your odds of winning a great prize.  She has such great ones in her Etsy shop and she's always adding new ones, too. Plus, they are often on sale!

For this Sentimentally Yours challenge, I used the darling Daisy Mouse image:

I colored Daisy Mouse with a combination of Copic and Olo markers.  I am smitten with how sweet this image is!  I used arched nesting dies by Hero Arts to cut out the image and back it.  The backing paper and the dotted background paper are both by Pink & Main.  The sentiment and die used to cut it out are by Taylored Expressions.  The sequins I used to finish off the card are by Nuvo. 

I hope you can join us these next two weeks at Di's Digistamps challenges for our Sentimentally Yours challenge.  I'd love to see what you create! 

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

CRAFT challenge -- ATG

Craft Rocket Challenge -- Flowers

Elliebelle's Garden Party -- Anything in or around the garden

Crafty Catz -- ATG

Cut it Up -- At least one die cut (has 3)

Passion for Markers -- ATG (special anniversary challenge)

Festival Boy

 It's May, and that means a new challenge is starting in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group challenge.  The theme this month is "Boy Time", and you must use an All Dressed Up image to enter. 

Boy Time -- I found a darling image for this theme!  And, it fits me and my love of music to a tee!  Here's Festival Boy: 

I colored Festival Boy with Copic markers. I think the boy and his dog, along with his guitar is just so heart warming!  It tells a story! 

I used dies by Spellbinders to cut out the image and back it.  The paper with musical symbols on it is by AMB Illustrations.   I thought the sentiment fit the image so well.  It is from Taylored Expressions.  The sticky back pearls are from Pink & Main. 

Thank you for visiting my blog today.  I hope you can join our "Boy Time" challenge this month in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group. I'd love to see what you make!

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

AS You Like it Challenges -- soft or bold (I've always liked soft, almost a watercolor look when I color)

Creative Inspirations Challenge -- ATG

DigiChoosday - ATG

Bunny Love -- For Di's Digistamps Challenges

It's Saturday, and time for another challenge at Di's Digistamps Challenges.  The challenge will run for 2 weeks, and has the them, "load on flowers". A Di's Digistamps image isn't required, but the prize is better if you use one!

I colored up the darling image, Bunny Love for the Load on Flowers challenge:

I colored Bunny Love with Copic markers, then used 2 sizes of Spellbinders oval dies to cut it out and back it.  The sentiment is from Pink & Main.  The purple gems are from Taylored Expressions. 

I hope you can join us at Di's Digistamps Challenges for the Load on Flowers challenge.  It's the perfect time to color up one of Di's delightful images.  Or, use a recolored one and make it really easy on yourself!

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

As you like it -- Floral

CRAFT Challenge -- Easter

Graft Gals Corner -- Adorable (this bunny)

Easter Prank -- for The Paper Shelter

 Hello, my crafty friends!  Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm posting for The Paper Shelter.  We are starting a new challenge today, with a theme of 'Something Funny', with an optional Anything Goes.  The challenge will last for a week. There are many humorous images in The Paper Shelter store. Pick one out, color it up, and play along with the theme. I used the hilarious image, Easter Prank for today's inspiration: 

I started with a black & white image of Easter Prank and colored it with Copic markers.  I used a set of mini slim dies from Taylored Expressions to cut out the image, back it, and make the card front.  The Easter egg paper is a digital paper from AMB Illustrations.  The stamped sentiment and the stamped Easter egg embellishments are from an Easter set from Pink & Main. 

I hope you can join us this week for our optional 'something funny' challenge.  Or, you can always enter as an ATG.  I'd love to see what you create! 

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

Classic Design Challenge -- optional bunnies

Crafty Animals --- ATG

Daisy Chain Challenges -- Animals

Bunny Daffodil -- for Di's Digistamps Challenges

 Here we are at the end of March, and Easter is less than a month away.  Today is also the start of a new challenge at Di's Digistamps Challenges.  The theme for the next 2 weeks is '2 or more patterned papers'.  I used 3 on my card, and the digital black & white image, Bunny Daffodil:

I colored Bunny Daffodil with Copic markers, then used decorative oval dies by Spellbinders Paper Arts to cut it out and back it.  The patterned papers are digital.  They are a set of papers by AMB Illustrations called Easter Chicks papers.  I used a set of dies from Taylored Expressions to make the card base. The sentiment, backer die, and gems are all by Pink & Main. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit today.  I loved having you stop by!  Join in the Di's Digistamps challenge these next 2 weeks, using the theme, 2 or more patterned papers.  I'd love to see what you create!

Bunny Hugs -- a New Release for All Dressed Up Stamps

 Hello, and welcome to some New Release inspiration from All Dressed Up Stamps. I love New Release days!  It's always so fun to create with Wendy Burns' wonderful digital images.I had the fun this month of creating with Bunny Hugs:

I created a mini slim card with this darling Bunny Hugs image.  I colored it with Copic markers, then used mini slim dies from Trinity Stamps and Spellbinders to create the card.  The floral background paper is digital.  It is from AMB Illustrations.  The sentiment is from Pink & Main, and the sequins are flat backed ones from Spellbinders. 

You'll find 3 NR images in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop. The design team has new release inspiration in the ADU Facebook group and on the ADU Challenge blog.  Please, check it out. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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

Passion for Markers -- Add a sentiment

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Flowers Coloring Page -- for The Paper Shelter

 It's Wednesday, and that means it's time for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter challenge blog. Every Wednesday, a new challenge begins.  This week, the theme is "For the Ladies."  I thought a sheet of colored flowers would definitely qualify 'For the Ladies'.  This is a page from the Flowers Digital coloring book.  I sized it quite small.  I made the watering can from Altenew dies.  The sentiment is from Pink & Main.

I made it into a mini slim card.  It is one of my favorite sizes of cards.  The flowers  were colored with Altenew Artist markers. 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you can join us this week for our 'For the Ladies' challenge!

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

Passion for Markers -- Add a Sentiment

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG

Pixie Caramel Macchiato -- For The Paper Shelter

 Hello, thanks for your visit to my blog today!  Don't these weeks go by quickly?  Here we are to Wednesday, so that means it's time for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog. The theme this week is: Food &/or Drink.  You'll find lots of images in The Paper Shelter store that fit that theme! You can enter with any image you want, but the prize is much better if you've used a Paper Shelter image.

For this week's Food & Drink challenge, I used the darling Pixie Caramel Macchiato: 

I colored Pixie Caramel Macchiato with Copic markers.  I used a set of nesting dies from Hero Arts to cut out the image and back it.  The designer coffee themed papers are from AMB Illustrations.  The sentiment and die to cut it out are from Pink & Main.  Some sticky backed gems from Altenew finish off the card. 

Here's a graphic explaining the prizes at The Paper Shelter Challenges.  

Please join us!  I'd love to see what you create. 

Guinea Pig Mom -- for Di's Digistamps

 Happy March!  Here we are, one day closer to Spring.  We've had a very long stretch of cold weather where I live.  Much of January and February were well below zero.  It makes me ready for Spring!

There is a new challenge starting today on the Di's Digi Designs Challenges.  It runs for the next 2 weeks and has the theme of 'Green with Envy'.  Use the color green on your project and you are good to enter.  Use a Di's Digistamps image and you're gold! 

My card for the 'Green with Envy' challenge uses a new image from the store, Guinea Pig Mom.  I used the black & white version, but there is also a preprinted version, if you prefer.

Here's my card featuring Guinea Pig Mom:

I used shades of greens, yellow greens, and blue greens through the card.  Isn't that a precious image?  I used it for spring, but I also think it would make a great Mother's Day card. 

I colored Guinea Pig Mom with Copic markers.  I used a set of stacking dies from Taylored Expressions to cut out the image, back it, and make the shaped card.  The sentiment and banner die are from Pink & Main.  The designer papers are from Crafter's companion. The enamel dots are from my stash.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my blog today and I really hope you'll enter our challenge at Di's Digistamps.  March is all about green!

Spring Hugs -- a New Release for All Dressed Up Stamps

 Hello, and thanks for stopping by today!  It's time for some new release inspiration from the Dressy Girls.  All Dressed Up Stamps released 3 images this month.  I had the honor and the fun of crating with Spring Hugs.  It's so sweet!

You can find all the new released in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop or Spring Hugs here. 

I colored up Spring Hugs with Copic markers.  I did some searching to find the papers.  They are some old Crafter's Companion papers I've had tucked in a drawer for years.  The dies used on this card are all from Taylored Expressions.  The sentiment is from a Pink & Main clear stamp set. 

Check out the All Dressed Up Challenge blog and the ADU FB group to see all of this month's images and inspiration. 

Coffee Break -- For The Paper Shelter

 Hello, and happy February!  Thanks for visiting my blog today!  Challenge #624 is starting at The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.  The theme is 'create your own background'.  You are free to use any image, but using a TPS image makes for a better prize if you win the challenge. 

For today's challenge I used the image Coffee Break II.  Isn't she adorable?

It must be the dreariness of winter that is making me reach for bright colors.  

I created the Coffee Break II image using Olo and Copic markers, then fuzzy cut her out.

The background was creating with watercolor markers by Altenew on watercolor hot press paper by Ranger.  The sentiment is from Pink & Main.  The dewdrops are from my stash.  

Here's a graphic explaining the prize structure:

I hope you can join us this week at The Paper Shelter challenge for our 'create your own background' challenge.  I'd love to see what you create! 

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

Passion for Markers -- all about love

Try it on Tuesday-- Romance

Digichoosday -- ATG

Snowy Day -- For All Dressed Up Stamps

 It's February 1, and it's time for the first challenge of the year at All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group.  The theme of the challenge this month is 'For the Girls'.  Wendy has dozens and dozens of adorable images that fit this theme in the ADU Store.  Check them out!

Since it's bitterly cold where I live this time of year (-11F today with windchills of -24), I wanted to work on an image that would fit my mood.  Snowy Days fit the challenge theme and my cold, cold feet, lol! 

I colored Snowy Days with a combination of Copic markers and Olo Markers.  I was originally going to cut her out, but I didn't want to lost the snowflakes that adorn the image.  I cut her out with a stitched rectangle die from Taylored Expressions instead.  I made the background using a piece of Arctic card stock from Hero Arts.  I blended 3 shades of Taylored Expressions inks around the outside edges, then used Unicorn White pigment ink by Hero Arts and a small dotted stencil from Taylored Expressions.  The sentiment and the backer are from Pink & Main.  I thought it was perfect for this image. 

The challenge ate All Dressed Up Stamps facebook group goes all February.  I hope you can join in the fun! I'd love to see your creations. 

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

Cards for Gals -- Anything but Square

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG

Polkadoodles -- ATG

Digichoosday -- ATG

I Love You -- For Di's Digistamps Challenges

February 1 -- the month we celebrate love.  February 1 is also the start of a new challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenge.  The theme for the next 2 weeks is "Have a Heart" (use at least 1 heart on your project).  You don't need to use a Di's Digistamps image, but we sure like it when we do!

I used the darling Di's image, Have the Micest Day for the "Have a Heart" theme challenge.  The image is available in both black & white and colored.  This is the black and white version: 

I colored Have the Micest Day with Copic markers. Aren't they adorable little mice? I recently found a mouse in my garage, and I have to admit, my first thought was NOT "how cute!"

I used a stitched rectangle die from Taylored Expression to cut this out, then backed it with a tiny hearts digital paper from AMB Illustrations.  I heat embossed the sentiment and the tiny red hearts with a stamp set from Spellbinders.  I small stitched heart from Pink & Main was the perfect size for the sentiment.  I heart embossed with white pigment ink and super fine white embossing powder.  It's my favorite way to heat emboss with white.  

I hope you enjoyed my card and your visit to my blog.  Please join in with our "have a heart" challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.   I'd love to see what you create!

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

Creative Fingers -- ATG

Cut It Up Challenges -- Have a Heart

Festive Fridays -- Valentines

Three Chilly Penguins -- for Di's Digistamps Challenge

 Hello, and welcome to 2025!  It's going to be a crafty. inspiring year!!

Today is the first day of the new challenge at Di's Digistamps Challenges.  Our month-long break is over, and it's back to the fun of creating. The theme for the next 2 weeks is "hand colored image".  You can use any image you want, but you'll be entered into a separate drawing if you use a Di's Digistamps image.  She has sooooooo many cute ones in her online Etsy shop.  When I wrote this post on 1-2-25, everything in the store was 50% off.  I hope you get in on the sale!!

For the hand colored image challenge, I colored up Three Chilly Penguins.  I had so much fun with this!

Three Chilly Penguins -- darling, aren't they? I colored the image with a combination of Copic markers and Altenew Artistry markers.  I used a mini slimline die from Spellbinders to cut out the Three Chilly Penguins.  The sentiment is from Pink & Main.  The gems are from my stash.

I hope you can join our challenge this next 2 weeks.  I'd love to see what you create! 

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

ABC Christmas challenge -- favorite color (rainbow) and animals (penguins)

Digichoosday -- ATG

Elliebelle's Crafty Corner -- ATG

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

AUD Sentiments -- Winter, with a sentiment

Promarker Challenge -- Mega Christmas Challenge