Muddy Paws &amp; Inky Fingers

D.L. Art - May Linky Party -- ATG

Just Be Creative Crazy - May Linky Party -- ATG

Brown Sugar Challenge -- ATG

One Stitch At a Time -- ATG
Red Carpet Studio -- Commemorate Memorial Day

A Masculine Graduation Card -- For Eureka Stamps

Looking for the Fitztown Challenge Celebration Blog Hop? Click here, please!
Are you looking for the Through The Purple Haze guest designer post? Please click HERE
Looking for the Timeless Twine Graduation post? Click here, please!

This week's challenge at Eureka Stamps is Masculine or Grungy. Since the grungy theme is a tough one for me, I went with masculine. And since I've needed a bunch of Graduation cards recently, that was the theme I chose to create this:

I used Eureka Stamps digi 18901 (522) on this card. In Microsoft Word, I merged it to get the repeating pattern, printed it and colored it with Copic markers. I used an old piece of designer paper that looked dignified and fitting for a graduate to me. Then, I added some Washi tape for a playful, masculine effect. The sentiment is a sticker.

Make sure you check out what the rest of the talented design team has made, and link up your masculine projects this week at Eureka Stamps Challenge blog. With Father's Day just around the corner, this should be an easy one!

Delightful Challenges -- Red, White, and Blue

Simply Create Too -- Fathers Day or For a Male

Wags N Whiskers -- For the Boys
One Stitch At a Time -- ATG
Stamping Sensations -- ATG

Spring!

Looking for the Fitztown Challenge Celebration Blog Hop? Click here, please!
Looking for the Eureka Stamps masculine card post? Please click here...
Looking for the Timeless Twine graduation post? Click here, please!

Yes, I think spring has finally arrived here in NW Wisconsin. We almost hit 80 degrees on Saturday, and we all got a little crazy after such a long winter!

DigiStamps4Joy is sponsoring the challenge this week at the Through The Purple Haze Challenge blog, and I've been asked to be a guest designer. The theme? Button it up. So, What could I do? I layered up the buttons!

I used the DigiStamps4Joy image, "Spring Sentiment"

I colored the sentiment with Copic markers, using springtime colors, of course! Then, I raided my stash of Basic Grey buttons. I created a rainbow with the buttons (Roy G Biv --the colors of the rainbow), threaded some Close To My Heart waxy Flax through each button, mounted it on a matching card base of CTMH Hollyhock, and the card was done!

Sunday, May 25, 2014

A Celebration blog Hop for Fitztown

Are you looking for the Through the Purple Haze guest designer post? Please click here
Looking for the Eureka Stamps masculine card post? Please click here...
Are you here for the Timeless Twine graduation post? Click here, please!

The Fitztown Challenge blog is officially one year old, and the team is celebrating! As a guest designer for May & June, I was asked to join in the celebration, and of course, I said, "YES!" All week long, on the Fitztown Challenge blog, you'll find posts about celebrations -- birthdays, graduations, births, weddings -- you get the idea -- any cause to celebrate! So check out the blog every day this week.

Here's the blog hop lineup, in case you just stumbled across my blog:
GD Diane
DT Ema
GD Hazel
GD Ivette
DT Judy
GD Julie
DT Kate
DT Lynn
DT Tracey

If you've been with us the whole hop, you know all the wonderful different collections from the Fitztown Store are being showcased today. I was given the Last Enchanters to work with, and chose image LE5 to create this:

Do you remember being young, and you thought you could be anyone, and do anything? I used to get so caught up in my imagination. That's what this image makes me think of -- Imagine!

I colored the Last Enchanters image with Copic markers, then mounted in on Patriotic designer papers, as this is Memorial Day.

Now hop on to Kate's blog. I know she has something fantastic to inspire you! We hope you enjoy the wonderful projects. Make sure you visit the blog each day this week, and link up your own celebration projects.

Supplies used:

Fitztown Digi stamp -- LE5

Unity Stamp company -- Sentiment

My Mind's Eye -- designer paper

Spellbinders die

Close To My Heart -- card base and bling

Copic markers

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

Delightful Challenges -- Red, White, and Blue

Challenges 4 Everybody -- ATG
Lacy Sunshine Challenge -- Dies &/or Punches
One Stitch At a Time -- ATG
Red Carpet Studio -- Commemorate Memorial Day
Stamping Sensations -- ATG

The Lighthouse -- for DigiStamps4Joy

It's Sunday, so time for more new releases at DigiStamps4Joy. This week, one of the digi stamps we were given to work with was a wonderful lighthouse image, drawn by DigiStamps4Joy owner, Margy. Margy is from S. Africa, where there is a lot of ocean, but lighthouses have significance for me, too. My favorite place on earth is Lake Superior. My husband and I love to kayak to as many lighthouses as we can. That was the inspiration behind today's card:

The lighthouse poem is a stamp that I obtained on one of our many kayak trips to Lake Superior. I snatch up anything lighthouse or lake-like I can find. I even have an ore boat stamp! The digi stamp by Margy is beautiful:

I colored the lighthouse image with Copic markers. This is Memorial Day weekend -- a time to honor fallen Veteran's in the USA, so I went with Patriotic colors on my card. My father, who was a veteran, recently died. I put a flag on his grave a couple days ago to pay my respects for serving his country.

I'm giving this card to my husband, as he is my lighthouse -- my beacon.

There will be many other beautiful examples of this new release and others on the DigiStamps4Joy blog today. Please take a look!

Supplies used:

October Afternoon designer paper

Close To My Heart card stock

Studio Calico Woodgrain Kraft

Copic markers

Northwoods Stamp Co -- sentiment stamp

DigiStamps4Joy -- lighthouse

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

Delightful Challenges -- Red, White, and Blue

QKR Stampede -- Clean & Simple

D.L. Art - May Linky Party -- ATG

Just Be Creative Crazy - May Linky Party -- ATG

Brown Sugar Challenge -- ATG

Keep It Simple Challenge -- Maritime

Simply Create Too -- Fathers Day or For a Male

Wags N Whiskers -- For the Boys
Red Carpet Studio -- Commemorate Memorial Day

Friday, May 23, 2014

It's Tulip Time!

Spring! My favorite time of year! The birds return, the flowers begin to bloom, and the mosquitoes have yet to appear! Tulips were the inspiration for today's card using a My Scrap Chick cutting file and Unity stamps.

This Tulip A2 card from My Scrap Chick is only $1.00, and it makes such a beautiful card! I used a stamp I got for free from Unity to stamp the butterfly and sentiment. The stamp set is called, "A Lovely Butterfly Day".

Here's a close up of the sentiment and butterfly:

And, I wanted you to be able to see those tulips up close. They are so pretty!

I used Ariana designer papers and cardstock from Close To My Heart. The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. I used some Stickles on the wood birds and butterfly-- also from Close To My Heart.

We're having a very late spring here in NW Wisconsin, not yet hitting 70 degrees. I have one tulip in my yard brave enough to bloom, so I included a picture of it for your enjoyment.

I'm linking this card up to Unity Friends With Flair.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Happy to Have you be my Side -- for DigiStamps4Joy

It's Hump Day! I haven't seen much of that camel lately, but I sure do miss him!

DigiStamps4Joy is in the middle of our "Anything Goes" challenge, sponsored by the owner of the company, Margy. Everyone likes "Anything Goes", and I had fun with this one!

When I first discovered DigiStamps4Joy, this is one of the images that attracted me to the company. I thought it was so endearing! It reminded me of childhood -- Julie and her dogs. The image is called, appropriately, "Best Friends".

I colored the image with Copic markers. Papers are by Pebbles Paper Company. The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. I used 2 Spellbinders dies on this card -- a label die, and a doily die.

Come join our "Anything Goes" challenge at DigiStamps4Joy!

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

613 Avenue Create -- Anything Goes with Optional Shape Challenge (I have rectangle, circles, square)

Anyone for Anya Challenge -- Use your Favorite Stamp

Challenges 4 Everybody -- ATG

Order of the Opus Guei -- best Friends

Stamping Sensations -- ATG

A Gem of a Challenge -- Your Favorite Color Combo (Pink and Blue)

Crafting At the Weekend -- ATG

Di's Digi Designs Challenge -- Use Those Markers

Krafty Hands Challenge -- ATG

Craftitude Challenges -- That's Die-licious (use a die)

Crafts 4 Eternity -- Use a Die

Digi Haven Challenge -- Spring Has Sprung (must use a digi)

QKR Stampede Challenge -- Punches or Dies

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Congrats, Grad! for SVG Attic

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It is definitely graduation time! I had two parties this past weekend and many more in the upcoming weeks. One thing about living in a small town, we always get invited to many graduation parties. So, I've been making cards.

I'm posting on the SVG Attic blog today. I used one of several great Graduation files to make this card:

This card is part of the SVG Attic "Hats Off" Collection. The card has many layers, and it is a 5x7 card. It has plenty of room for a message, or in this case, for lots of signatures. One of the employees in the nursing home where I work graduated from college and I had all the residents sign this card for her. She loved it!

Papers on this card are by Echo Park.

SVG Attic is having an "Anything Goes" challenge this month. Use any SVG Attic file, and enter the challenge!

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

Creative Cutting Challenge -- Graduation

Crafting At the Weekend -- ATG

Krafty Hands Challenge -- ATG

The Most Versatile Block EVER

I'm combining design team projects today, and the versatility of The Block from The Cutting Cafe made it all possible (thank you, Regina!). Here's the story: as a DigiStamps4Joy designer, we're given chances to guest design when DS4J sponsors other challenges. Today, I'm guest designing at the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge Blog, and the theme is "anything but a card". And, The Cutting Cafe assignment for today is The Block.So, combining these two projects worked -- you'll see!

I have multiple views of this block to show you.

The block can be made in several sizes and and styles. I made the 2.5 inch block, so my images could be shown off. Each image used is a DigiStamps4Joy image. This one is called, "Christmas Tree."

Here's another side of the block -- it uses the image "King 1 -- time to go". The 3D puffy star on top is from My Scrap Chick.

All the images were colored with Copic markers. Here's the 3rd side of the block, using "Christmas Paper":

And, the last side, uses "King 3 -- We're Late"

And, one last view, for good measure:

The "King 1 -- It's time to go" image is this month's image for the DigiStamps4Joy Christmas Challenge. I'll be linking this project up with that challenge.

I just know the other Cutting Cafe designers are going to have fantastic projects with this block! Check them all out HERE! Leave a comment and you could win 3 sets of your choice!

Entering into the following challenges:

The Glory of Christmas -- #33 Anything goes.

C.R.A.F.T. challenges -- #259 Christmas.

Crafty Hazelnuts Extra-- Anything goes Christmas.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Birthday Wishes for Eureka Stamps and Pinque Peacock

Are you looking for the Timeless Twine Photo Fun Challenge? Please click HERE!

Today is an exciting day for me! It's my first post for Eureka Stamps! I've been loving this world of digi stamps, and Eureka Stamps has some of the cutest I've found. And now I get to design with them. Yes! Each Monday, I'll be posting. And, each Monday there is a new challenge on the Eureka Stamps Blog. Today starts the "birthday" challenge. I can never have enough birthday cards on hand, so I was particularly excited to get started with this one!

I used digi stamp 56401 - Hummingbird Birthday, printed it, and colored it with Copic markers. I added layers of Close To My Heart cardstock in coordinating colors, used some ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and used a beautiful Beaded stickpin from Pinque Peacock to add the finishing touch.

Make a birthday card and come link up with us at the Eureka Stamps blog. And, check out the other great projects for the talented design team!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Photo Fun with Timeless Twine

Looking for the Fitztown Feminine Challenge Guest Designer post? Click HERE, please!

If you're looking for the DigiStamps4Joy new release post, please click HERE!

It's time for a little Photo Fun Challenge on the Timeless Twine blog. The whole darn, talented team is sharing projects that are photo themed -- it can have a photo in it, you can add a photo, a filmstrip, a photo booth prop -- well, you get the idea. I immediately thought of a camera shaped card. My faithful followers know I love shaped cards. But, then I came up with this idea, and went with it:

I found this card in the Silhouette Online Store HERE, if you'd like to try it yourself. The layered card is by Carinna Gardner, and is a 4x6 size.

I used papers by Echo Park on this card. The Timeless Twine that's wrapped around the layers is Olive Green.

And the darling camera image and sentiment are from the Bella Creationz stamp set, "Oh Snap". I love, love, love that little camera! I colored the camera and the sentiment with Close to My Heart markers.
We're hoping you'll join the "Photo Fun Challenge" with us. Here are the challenge rules:
"Linked" post MUST have above "challenge graphic" and linked
back to this Challenge Post. Project MUST be new.
Theme: "Photo Fun" - Make a project using the theme. See all the projects the twine-istas created
as inspiration!
Colors: Any
Shapes: Any
Embellishments: Timeless Twine of course =D
(If you haven't had a chance to purchase Timeless Twine yet, you may substitute with embroidery
ﬂoss, hemp, yarn, etc.) Off brand bakers twine will NOT be accepted.
You can purchase Timeless Twine here.
Need just a lil' bit of twine, you can
get 10 yd bundles here.
Or 5 yd bundles here.
Winner will receive:
1 Spool of Timeless Twine (in stock colors
only, excludes Christmas and Halloween
and one Photo Fun Clear Stamps by
Bella Creationz
Deadline for challenge entries will be May 31, 2014 11:59pm (EST)
Have a twine-tastic time with this challenge,
I know I did!
Thanks for stopping by.

Getting Moo-ving! It's New Release Sunday at DigiStamps4Joy

If you're looking for the Fitztown Feminine Challenge, please click HERE!
Looking for some Photo Fun with Timeless Twine? Please click HERE:

It's Sunday, so that means there are new releases at DigiStamps4Joy. This week, there is an animal current running through the new release theme. I love animals, so this was a really fun one for me. And, since I also love puns, I went a little crazy with this one!

Ha, I think my husband will smile when he opens this card! I used this new release DigiStamps 4Joy digi:

Isn't she sweet? She is colored with Copic markers. The backgroun paper is Basic Grey PB&J 6x6. The doily is a Spellbinders die. The flower ribbon is new at 3 Girl JAM and adds such a feminine touch to my sweet cow. I computer journaled the sentiment. The enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye.

Don't forget the current "Anything Goes" challenge --those are always favorites, so come link up here. You have until May 27th.

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

A Gem of a Challenge -- Your Favorite Color Combo (Pink and Blue)

Crafting At the Weekend -- ATG

Di's Digi Designs Challenge -- Use Those Markers

Krafty Hands Challenge -- ATG

Craftitude Challenges -- That's Die-licious (use a die)

Crafts 4 Eternity -- Use a Die

Digi Haven Challenge -- Spring Has Sprung (must use a digi)

QKR Stampede Challenge -- Punches or Dies

Savvy Handmade Card Challenge -- Zoo Animals (there are cows in the petting zoo)

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Isn't She Lovely? For Fitztown's Feminine Challenge

Are you looking for the Timeless Twine Photo Fun Challenge? Click HERE, please!
If you're looking for the DigiStamps4Joy new release post, please click HERE:

Happy Sunday, everyone! This is my second time guest designing for Fitztown, and I'm having sooo much fun! I particularly liked the image I was given to color for today's feminine challenge. Coloring her hair was the best!

I used Fitztown Cameo 18 on this card. And, as the title of this post says, Isn't she lovely?

The frills easel card is an SVG file from My Scrap Chick. I thought the card showcased the beautiful Fitztown Cameo image well.

Designer papers are by My Mind's Eye. The lace flower is a no-sew rosette made with 3 Girl JAM lace from the Distressed Lace Bundle. The bling button is from Close To My Heart.

Next Monday, Memorial Day (May 26), I'm hopping with the talented Fitztown design team. We're celebrating! It will be 52 weeks of challenges on the Fitztown Challenge blog. And, it will be quite a celebration -- great inspiration from the team, and prizes to be won from those hopping along. Please join us!

Friday, May 16, 2014

Lots of Hugs -- it's Friends with Flair!

It's Friday, so that means it's Friends With Flair, with Unity Stamp Company. I have a card to share with you from a guest designer spot I did recently for The Cheerful Stamp Pad. I somehow got my wires crossed, and while the card was posted on their blog, I didn't find out in time to post it on my blog. So, I saved it for today, as it features Unity Stamps. The challenge on The Cheerful Stamp Pad when I guest designed was to use embossing powder. So, I did.

Both the image and the sentiment are embossed with clear embossing powder on white cardstock. I used the Unity Stamp Company "May Hope Sustain You"-- March 2014 Sentiment Kit. Then, I used a bunch of bright colored distress inks. It's been so cloudy and rainy, I need bright!

It is definitely Graduation time. I have 2 parties to go to this weekend, so the season is upon us. Have a great weekend, whatever it is you do with yours!

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

D.L. Art May Linky Party -- ATG

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Never Give Up!

It's Thursday, which means I get to post today on the 3 Girl JAM blog. Yea! I can never get enough 3 Girl JAM! I'm particularly excited about today's card because it has special meaning to me. The sentiment really speaks to me. As we go through life, we can NEVER give up!

I used lots of 3 Girl JAM goodness on this card. I started with a layer of jute ribbon, added some distressed lace, then topped it off with some of the brand new tie dye ribbon. Works fantastic together, doesn't it? If you'd like some for yourself, use discount code JO10 in the 3 Girl JAM store for 10% off anything! Any thing!

The stamped image and sentiment are from Great Impressions Stamps. Their stickable stamps are some of the best out there. I love to work with them. They are having a design team call right now, and this is one of the cards I submitted for the call. Wish me luck!

Everywhere I turn, I'm seeing watercolor paints on cards, so I decided to try my hand at it with this card. I used a fine detail brush for the tricycle, then a wider brush for the wash.

The bicycle paper was given to me by a friend because she knows I love to bike. I don't know the company, I apologize. It seemed the perfect background paper for the stamped image.

So, never give up! Never. Give. Up!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

When it Rains....

I've got a quick post today, sharing a watercolor resist card I made to enter in a couple challenges. It's been raining non-stop here all spring, so I wish I had a pair of these boots!

The adorable image and sentiment stamps are from Great Impressions Stamps. I embossed the image and sentiment with black embossing powder, then used watercolor paints. The umbrella is a die from Memory Box. The black rhinestones are from my stash. The purple background paper is from Paper Wishes. The Sorbet and Smoky Plum cardstock are from Close To My Heart.

Enjoy your Wednesday, and heed my advice!

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

Great Impressions Challenge Blog -- use a Great Impressions Tutorial (watercolor Emboss technique)

Just Be Creative Crazy -- May Linky Party -- ATG

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

It's Raining Happy -- for My Scrap Chick

I'm posting today for My Scrap Chick. When deciding on my project, I was affected by the weather. We've been having an unusually rainy spring, so this darling Tiddly Inks cutting file from My Scrap Chick really spoke to me.

She's called "Rainy Day Donna". Isn't she the sweetest? I used designer papers from My Mind's Eye to make this card. The striped background paper is from Echo Park.

Here's a close up of Donna and her frogs. Do you see them both?

I just love those stylin' boots. I want a pair for myself!

And, here's a close up of the sentiment and darling umbrella:

The sentiment is a stamp from Unity Stamp Company. The triangle embellishments are from Close To My Heart, as is the colored card stock. I used some Viva Decor pearl pens on the frogs.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Celebrating the Special Women in My Life

Yesterday was Mother's Day, and although my own mother has been gone for over 9 years now, there are still plenty of women in my life that I like to celebrate.

I'm posting today on the Timeless Twine blog. This project is the perfect example of how just a little bit of twine can have a big impact. But, back to those special women... There are several women who live in the nursing home where I work that are very special to me. I tell them they are "like a mother to me." I needed something I could make a few of, in a relatively short period of time, that would look special, but whip up quick. Enter my Silhouette, favorite papers, ribbon, and Timeless Twine.

I found this Floral Envelope Bag by Jamie Cripps in the Silhouette Online Store. I thought it would work well for what I wanted -- I could tuck a tag inside, telling the ladies how much they meant to me, and I could make several of them fairly quickly.

I used Fancy Pants Park Bench 12x12 papers, 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon, and of course, a bit of Timeless Twine in Aqua Delight.

I have a close up of the rose. I have some shimmer paper I purchased at a Scrapbook store that's going out of business. You can see the shimmer better in the close up, and the Timeless Twine, too ;)

I hope all you mom's had a beautiful Mother's Day yesterday, and to all you women out there, know that you are one-of-a-kind individuals, and that's certainly worth a celebration!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

A Sunday Hello

Looking for the Pinque Peacock May flowers blog hop? Please click HERE!
Looking for the DigiStamps4Joy new release post? click HERE:

It's time for another challenge at Sunday Sketch & Stamp. It's my week to make a sketch, and here's what I came up with:

Using the sketch, I made this card:

The papers are from Lawn Fawn. The stamps are from Unity Stamp Company, and the embellishments are from Close To My Heart. I colored the image with Copic markers.
I hope you enjoy the sketch and join the challenge this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp!

Best Fishes -- for DigiStamps4Joy

Looking for the Pinque Peacock May Flowers blog hop? Please click HERE!
Looking for the Sunday Sketch & Stamp post? Please click HERE:

It's Sunday, which means there's new releases at DigiStamps4Joy. Every Sunday, there's new goodness to play with in the DS4J store -- how fun is THAT?

Here's what I made with one of this week's new releases:

I colored this school of fish with Copic markers. I wanted them to be bright and fun. Then, I found some bright paper to match -- it happens to be My Mind's Eye Indie Chic "Citron". I also used some American Crafts glitter paper on this card. Spellbinders dies were used to cut the shapes, and 3 Girl JAM Harvest Orange ribbon from the Harvest Bundle finishes the card.

Here's the digi stamp I used from DigiStamps4Joy new release:

The digi is appropriately titled: "School's Out"

Make sure you visit the DS4J blog to see the other new releases and the great projects the other design team members created with them. You're sure to be inspired!

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