Friday, September 28, 2018

Live, Love, Bark -- a Bugaboo Stamps Freebie Friday

It's Friday!  Or, I should say, it's Freebie Friday over at Bugaboo Stamps.  With my love of dogs, today's Freebie is just PERFECT!



This card uses Flower Puppy, colored with Copic markers.  This flower puppy looks a bit like my new pup, always pulling my flowers and ferns out of the beds.  He's a natural pruner!

I cut out the card base on my Silhouette Cameo 3 with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store. The sentiment is from an acrylic stamp set I have from Stampendous. 

The Catch The Bug blog has some other great examples of what can be done with this Flower Puppy stamp on it today, so check it out.  Then, pick up the freebie, and enter the Catch the Bug Challenges.  Join the fun! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky party
Not Just Cards -- ATG
2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a Critter
Polkadoodles -- ATG

Heartfelt Thanks -- for QKR Stampede

Friday!  Fri-yay!  That means it's time for a new challenge at QKR Stampede, where challenges start every Friday, and are always Anything Goes.

This week, I'm feeling thankful, and showing it with this card:



This card uses Fine Pumpkin (ES-digi2701), colored with Copic markers. 


The pumpkin designer paper in the background is from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  It's from the Pumpkin Delight collection



I hope you can join our challenge this week at QKR Stampede.  It's Anything goes, so link up whatever you make.  I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Gals Corner -- ATG Fall
Lil Red Wagon -- Falling Leaves
Mod Squad Challenge -- Fall is in the Air

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Don't Bug Me -- Guest Designing at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday

It's the last Thursday of the month, and The Twisted Thursday challenges at The Outlawz has guest designers the last Thursday of every month.  Today, I get the pleasure!

By Miss Rach is the sponsor this month, and I may have gone a bit overboard with this ladybug!



I printed the ladybug all over the background paper, copying and pasting myself silly!  Then, on a slightly different shade of red, I made that ladybug large, and computer generated my sentiment.  I added some red Timeless Twine to tie it together, and I had a fun card for the challenge.

Thanks to By Miss Rach for being such a great sponsor, and thanks to the wonderful DT at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday for letting me play along with them today! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Happy Fall -- The Outlawz Challenges

Happy Fall!  It certainly feels like Fall here in NW Wisconsin.  we've made it all the way up to 55 degrees this afternoon, and that's with the sun shining.  The wind is blowing leaves off the trees, and even with a southerly breeze, it is Fall!

So, I stayed inside this afternoon and colored up this month's progressive freebie image from The Outlawz.  This month's image was kindly provided by Createful Heart Design and is called Ms. Scarecrow with Squirrels:



I colored up Ms. Scarecrow with Squirrels with Copic markers.  Papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are the Pumpkin Delight Collection and the Rainbow Gingham Collection. The sentiment is part of the Itty Bitty Fall Sentiments.

Here's the sketch that I used:

And that, my dears, does it for this post.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
The Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge -- Sept. 2018
The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- Sept. 26
TTCRD -- ATG

Happy Fall, Y'all! A Bugaboo Stamps Tutorial (Tutor-y'all?)

Hello, fellow stamp lovers!  As part of my duties as a guest designer for Bugaboo Stamps, I have the honor of making a monthly tutorial.  This month, being in full Fall mode (it is officially Fall now, right?!?), I'm sharing a technique I like to use for embellishing leaves I use on cards and 3D projects.

First, I'll show you the finished card, then, I'll take you step-by-step through the process of embellishing the leaves.

This card uses the digi, Pumpkin Crow (only $1 in the shop!!!!):



Now, for my secret in creating this (hopefully) realistic looking leaves.

I make a bunch of these at a time because it is a bit time consuming.

Cut your leaves out however you prefer -- electronic cutter, with dies, whatever your preferred method is.  I happen to have a Sizzix die that cuts a bunch for me at once.  I ran it through twice to get all of them that I painted for this demo.  It's probably enough to get me through all Fall.  You'll also need watercolors of your choice  -- this can be watercolor pencils, crayons, actual watercolors, it doesn't matter.  I used watercolor crayons here.  

Here's a picture of my supplies:



You can see my pile of leaves and twigs that I'm going to paint.  I just cut them out of white card stock.  They are so small that they don't really warp, so I save my watercolor paper for larger projects. There's my watercolor crayons (I prefer Caran D'ache Neocolor II) in the colors I used on the leaves, a couple of brushes, a glass of water, and some liquid pearls to add some sheen to my leaves.  There's also a piece of glass on the bottom of it all.  That's my palette.

Now, let's get painting.  Here's my palette, and my first leaves, ready to paint:



I really like using this piece of glass for a palette.  I can scribble my crayon colors on it, and have my liquid pearls there ready to apply.  When I run short of a color, I scribble some more down.  When I'm ready to switch to another color palette, it cleans up quickly with a sanitary wipe.  

This can all be done with a water brush, but I prefer paint brushes because I keep my bush fairly dry.  I either pinch it dry with my fingers, or keep a towel in my lap, and dry it with that.  

OK!  First leaves -- painted.  After I apply the color, I put a THIN coat of Liquid Pearls on the top with water and a paint brush to give the leaves a nice sheen.  You can used this same technique with glitter glues like Stickles.  It looks really nice on snowflakes!



I start out with my lightest colors first so I don't need to change my water.  I work in the basement with no sink, so I don't want to have to keep running up and down the stairs.  Starting light and working to dark saves me steps.  

Here's all my painted and pearled foliage: 

Unfortunately, it's hard to see the pretty pearl sheen on the leaves in the pictures, but when you see the card in real life, it adds a very pretty touch.

Here's the card once more, then a few details about the card itself:

I colored the Pumpkin Crow with Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils.  It had been awhile since I broke out of the Copic mold, so I figured it was time! 

Papers and sentiment on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Fall Sentiment set.   Papers are from the Thankful paper collection (pumpkins) and Birthday Bouquet.

I hope you visit the Catch the Bug blog often.  There is soooo much going on there!  Challenges, Oldies but Goodies, Humor Me Wednesday, New Releases, and of course, Freebie Friday! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Always Fun Challenges -- ATG
Crafty Cardmakers -- Autumn Colors
Cutie Pie Challenge -- Shades of Autumn
MMM Challenge -- Fall Colors
D.L. Art -- September Linky party

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Witch -- Good or Bad? A Bugaboo Stamps New Release

It's Tuesday, so it's New Release day at Bugaboo Stamps.  Every Tuesday, something new!  How great is that!

I just love Stella and her dry wit.  As I age through life, I can relate to her humor more and more.  Today's New Release is Stella at her best!



This is Stella Witch - Society, colored with Copic markers.  She comes with her own sentiment, but I chose this one instead.  I thought it fit her expression rather well!

I used the sketch from this week's Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge on this card.

Papers are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  Bonnie is running a small Moon Light sale, good through today, on select papers, including the Into the Night paper used on this card.  I also used a paper from the Halloween collection.

I hope you check out what the rest of the talented Bugaboo Stamps design team did with this new release on the Catch The Bug Blog.  You won't be disappointed!  Then, do some shopping at the Bugaboo Stamps Store when you pick up this delightful Stella Witch

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Wednesday Sketch -- Sept. 19
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party

Time to Get Spooky -- for The Scrapbook Stamp Society

Hello, fellow crafters.  I'm on the Scrapbook Stamps Society Blog today, featuring a My Besties Halloween sweetie!  It won't be long until it's October, and then Halloween will be here before we know it!  It's time to start those Halloween creations.

Today, I have a delightful Fall/Halloween image to show you:

This is img620, found in the My Besties Shop, colored with Copic markers.



She's sweet, yet spunky, isn't she?  Img620

Check out all the wonderful images, clear stamps, coloring books, papers, printables, and so much more in the My Besties Shop.

The papers on this card are from the We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are from the Halloween, Holiday Wishes, and Best of Autumn Collections. 

I'm going to go wish upon the moon -- or is that a star?  Then, I'm going to see what else I can create for Halloween!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
My Besties 3D -- ATG with a Bestie

Monday, September 24, 2018

Flamingo Couple -- for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

It's nowhere near Valentine's Day, but anytime is the right time to say, "I love you."  I like to give my sweetie sentimental cards "just because."  I'm a card maker.  My husband should get a few of my creations, right?

Well, this one is for the hubs, for no special occasion at all, besides he's a special guy.




This card uses Flamingo Couple from Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez, colored with Shinhan markers.   I was trying out some new (for me) alcohol markers, and I don't have too many color choices of Shinhan Touch Twin markers, so my shading on the Flamingo Couple is pretty limited.

I found a lot of digital flamingo paper, but finding some with brown in it to match those cattails proved a challenge.  I found this at Imagine That! Digistamp.  It's from the Tropical Breeze digital paper collection.  The pink ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

There are many cute and fabulous stamps in the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Store.  Check it out and do some shopping for yourself!  Check out the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Facebook Group, too, for a monthly challenge, more inspiration, and FUN! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Send a Smile 4 Kids -- ATG Cards 4 Kids
Addicted to CAS -- Tweet
Outlawz Monday Challenge -- Love & Animals 

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Fabulous Friend -- for Scribbles Designs

September 23 -- that means it's the day I post on the Scribbles Designs blog.  It's my day for a little Scribbles Designs inspiration.

I found this really fun owl in the shop, complete with sentiment and frame, and I decided to color it up and create with it.  I really like how it turned out! 

I used Fab Friend to create this: 



I colored Fab Friend with Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils.  I colored the leaves with Caran D'ache Neocolor II artist crayons and Liquid Pearls.  They were cut out with a die from Sizzix.  The papers are from Echo Park.  

There are many wonderful designs in the Scribbles Designs Store, and they are priced VERY reasonably (plus, lots of freebies!).  Check them out!  There's also a monthly challenge to check out on the Scribbles Designs Blog.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Crafter's Castle -- optional Fall 
Send a Smile 4 Kids -- Fall Cards 4 Kids

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Sleepy Time -- an All Dressed Up New Release

Today, the new releases at All Dressed Up Stamps are being showcased. I had the joy of working with Sleepy Time


I colored Sleepy Time with Copic markers, using Fall colors on that cute floral bouquet. 

The papers, sentiment, and embellishments on this card are by Echo Park.  I used dies by Craftin' Desert Divas to design the card. 

There will be more examples of the new releases this month on the All Dressed Up blog, and in the All Dressed Up Facebook Group.  I hope you visit both places to see the great work from this awesome design team!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Friends Challenge -- Fall Colors
2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge -- ATG with a Critter
Classic Design Team Challenge -- ATG
The Crafters Cafe Challenge Blog -- Autumn
Scrap From Your Heart -- Autumn colors

Friday, September 21, 2018

Always Look Fore-ward -- for Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog

It's Saturday, and a new challenge is starting today at Di's Digi Designs Challenge Blog. For the next 2 weeks, the challenge theme is "For the Boys".  

I used the adorable pre-colored image, Fore You from Di's Digi Stamps to create this: 



I computer generated the sentiment.  The designer paper behind the adorable Fore You image with golf clubs and golf bags is from Pixel Scrapper.  There's also a bit of Timeless Twine to finish off the card. 

I hope you find time to join the For the Boys challenge the next 2 weeks at Di's Digi Designs Challenge blog.  There are the absolute cutest digis you can win!  Like this one! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge -- ATG with a Critter
D.L. Art -- September linky party
A Bit More Time to Craft -- ATG

Too Cute to Spook -- for Aloha Friday Challenges

It's Friday, and time for a little mid-challenge inspiration on the Aloha Friday Challenge Blog.  This time, our sponsor is The Paper Shelter, and the theme is "Kiddy Cards".

I used the adorable Bewitched Night to create this shaker card:



I used the pre-colored image that comes with the Bewitched Night set, computer generated the sentiment, and used a cutting die from Close To My Heart to make the shaker card.  The papers are and embellishments also from Close To My Heart. 

A great card for a kiddy, don't you think?  I hope you join our challenge at Aloha Fridays.  You have until next Friday to enter.  I'd love to see what you create, and The Paper Shelter has wonderful digis you can win! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments -- Fall Colors
Digi Choosday -- ATG
Lemon Shortbread -- ATG

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

Happy Fall, Y'all! for QKR Stampede Challenge Blog

Yea! It's Friday!  That means it's time for a new challenge at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog, where the challenges are always Anything Goes. Since Fall starts tomorrow, I thought I'd showcase an Autumn card for this week's challenge:


This card uses Cornstalk & Pumpkin (ES-digi29802), colored with Copic markers, and Happy Fall, Y'all! Mosaic (ES-digi38904) 

The designer papers are digital.  They are by We Are 3 Digital Shop. They are the Thankful Paper Collection.

I hope you can join us this week at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog for our Anything Goes Challenge.  We have great prizes you can win, and I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Polkadoodles -- ATG
Crafting with An Attitude -- ATG
Elliebelle's Crafty Wednesday -- signs of Autumn

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

What Does PC Stand For? A New Release at Bugaboo Stamps

It's Tuesday, and that's new release day at Bugaboo Stamps.  I whipped up this card in a hurry yesterday, in-between packing, errands, and cooking -- all getting ready for a trip to Mayo in Rochester, hoping to find some relief for the peripheral neuropathy I've experienced from chemo.  I'm leaving early this morning.

OK.  So, the sentiment on this card just cracks me up.  I've felt like this more than once!


This digi is called Crabby Cathy - PC, and I colored her very simply with Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils on Kraft paper.  

The designer papers are long retired, from Close To My Heart.  The glittered stars are from my stash.  The glimmer trim is from Close To My Heart.

Check out the Catch the Bug Blog to see the other cute creations that the design team made with Crabby Cathy - PC, then grab her for yourself.  There must be someone in your circle of friends and family that would enjoy this!  

Monday, September 17, 2018

Happy Autumn -- for Path of Positivity

It's time for some mid-challenge inspiration over on the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog.  Challenges are Anything Inspirational Goes, with an optional color theme.  This month's color is 'Orange'.   At least 51% of your project should be orange to qualify for the prizes from our awesome sponsors!

Speaking of sponsors, I had the fun of working with a collage sheet from Luna Girl


I used the rose from the Orange Digital Collage sheet on this card. 

I created this center step card with a Sizzix die.  The papers and sentiment on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Fall Sentiment Set.  papers are from the Pumpkin Delight Paper Collection.  There's also a bit of Timeless Twine to finish off the card.

I hope you find time to join us this month at The Path of Positivity Challenge Blog for our optional Orange Challenge.  It runs until September 2, and I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Dragonfly Journeys -- Fall Festival of Colors
Always Fun Challenges -- Fall Colors
Crafty Cardmakers -- Autumn Colors
Make My Monday -- Fall Colors

Books -- How I Love Them! for Sasayaki Glitter Stamps

It's time for a little mid-challenge inspiration over on the Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog.  This month, there is a school theme going on.

I love books!  I love to read many kinds of books, and I think these Library Ants (image #26) do, too!



I colored Library Ants with Copic markers.  I found the quote online and really liked it.  The background paper is digital, and is from Pixel Scrapper.  

I hope you find time to join in on our School-themed challenge at Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog.  It run until October 2, so there's still lots of time to create and link!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
IntAAS -- Nature
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Outlawz Festive Friday -- ATG

Sunday, September 16, 2018

You Float My Boat -- Guest Designing at The Outlawz

It's Sunday, and I have the pleasure of guest designing today at the Outlawz Sunday Challenges.  Sunday is the day for the Songs & Rhymes challenge.  I love today's theme!  It's using the song "Row Your Boat."  Remember that one?

Here's what I created for the challenge:


Here's how the song goes:

Row, row, row your boat,
gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
life is but a dream.

When I thought about the song, I decided to use the rowboat portion of the song for my card.  I found the 2 lovers in the rowboat in the Silhouette Design Store and cut it out with my Silhouette Cameo 3.   I created the inky background behind the lovers with Tim Holtz distress oxide inks.  The sentiment was computer generated.   

The designer papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are from the Back to Basics Collection.


The Outlawz have a different challenge everyday of the week to check out.  Join us for the Sunday Songs and Rhymes challenge this week, and have fun with the Row Your Boat theme! 

Friday, September 14, 2018

Reading is Dreaming with Open Eyes -- a Bugaboo Stamps Friday Freebie

Friiiidaaaayyyyyyy!  That means FRREEEEEEE-day at Bugaboo Stamps

I love to read, closing in on 50 books so far this year.  My goal was 25, but I'd met that goal by March, so I've upped it to 52.  I'll have that met in a week or two.  Like I said, I love to read!  That's why today's Friday Freebie from Bugaboo Stamps is particularly fun for me! 



This is Big Books Girl.  It comes with a different sentiment, but this is one of my favorite quote about books, so I used it instead.

I colored Big Books Girl with Copic markers.  I used cutting dies from Paper Wishes to make the bookmark.  The papers and the fibers are from Close To My Heart, and have been retired for quite some time.

The Catch The Bug blog has some other great examples of what can be done with this Big Books Girl on it today, so check it out.  Then, pick up the freebie, and enter the Catch the Bug Challenges.  Join the fun! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Polkadoodles -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Crafting with Attitude -- ATG
Southern Girls Challenge -- Tag, You're It

I love Autumn -- for QKR Stampede

It's Friday, and that means it's the start of a new challenge on the QKR Stampede Challenge Blog.  Our challenges start every Friday, go for a week, and are always Anything Goes!  Come join the fun!

This week, in honor of my love of sunflowers, I colored up a pretty one.  It's part of a Fall Set of 4 (digi stamps) at QKR Stampede



I colored up this Fall sunflower from the Fall Set of 4 with Copic markers, then cut out around the block shape.

Papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are the Sunflower Collection and the Pastel Burlap Collection.  The sentiment is from the Itty Bitty Fall Sentiment Set.  A bit of Timeless Twine finishes off the card. 

I hope you join us this week at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog.  We have great digis you can win for prizes (like this one!) and I'd love to see what you create!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
CAS on Friday -- Flowers
Colour Crazy Challenge -- ATG
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
AUD Sentiment Challenge -- Fall plus a sentiment
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- ATG
Cards4Galz -- Thought of Fall

Monday, September 10, 2018

Live, Laugh, Bark -- for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

I just love dogs, so I also love all things dog, including images of dogs.  So, when I saw this dog and girl stamp in the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Store, I knew I HAD to color it up!

This is Happy Puppy...


I colored Happy Puppy with Copic markers, then used a couple of oval stitched dies from Lawn Fawn to cut out the Happy Puppy image and back it. 

I cut out the paw print spray card front on my Silhouette Cameo 3 with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The sentiment is a clear acrylic stamp from Stampendous.

There are many cute and fabulous stamps in the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Store.  Check it out and do some shopping for yourself!  Check out the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Facebook Group, too, for a monthly challenge, more inspiration, and FUN!

I'd like to  enter this in the following challenges:
Brown Sugar Challenge -- All Creatures Great & Small
2 Crafty Critter Crazies challenge -- ATG with a critter
D.L. Art -- September linky party
Colour Crazy Challenge -- ATG
SendASmile4Kids Challenge -- ATG

Saturday, September 8, 2018

So Sweet -- for Kitty Bee Designs

I'm the featured designer today at Kitty Bee Designs. I'm still trying to hang on to summer, even though it's feeling very much like Fall where I live.  In attempt to "think summer thoughts", I created with this super cute Watermelon Panda, and made this:


Copic markers, bright fruity papers from Imagine That! Digistamp, and I have a card.

I hope you enjoyed today's Designer Spotlight, and take time to shop the Kitty Bee Designs Etsy Store for many wonderful digi and acrylic stamps. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Allsorts Challenge -- Bears
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Friday, September 7, 2018

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

Little Puppy Love -- for Aloha Friday Challenges

It's Friday, and it's time for some mid-challenge inspiration on the Aloha Friday Challenge Blog.  The challenges are always Anything Goes, with an optional twist.  This time, the optional twist is "Animals".  I, of course, found something with a dog!  Our wonderful sponsor, Limited Runs Stamps, gave me this great image to create with:



Isn't he adorable?  He is called Little Puppy Love, and I colored him with Copic markers. 

Papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. The Dog Love Collection and the Nautical Love Collection were used. 

The red bone in the middle of the envelope is a stamp from Close To My Heart (retired). 

I hope this card has inspired you to join in the Aloha Friday Anything Goes Challenge.  The optional twist is "animals".  I'd love to see what you create, and we've got awesome sponsors, with wonderful prizes you can win! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Jo's Scrap Shack -- ATG
2 Crafty Crazies Critters -- ATG with a critter
Crafty Sentiments -- ATG

Marriage and cards -- for Bugaboo Stamps

It's Friday!  Fridays are such good days!  Not only do they mark the start of the weekends, but they also mean it's time for a freebie at Bugaboo Stamps!  Woohoo!  

Stella and Gus are such fun, and they are featured in today's freebie.  Their wisdom just can't be improved upon!

I just love that sentiment! "Marriage is like a deck of cards...In the beginning all you need is two hearts and a diamond.  By the end, you wis you had a club and a spade."    Oh my, how that makes me chuckle!  Even as much as I love my husband, there's some truth to this wisdom!  Some days!

I colored up Stella and Gus Deck of Cards with Copic markers. Their expressions are priceless!

I found the deck or card ephemera at Pixel Scrapper.

I hope you check out what the rest of the talented design team did with this fantastic freebie over at Catch The Bug blog.  Then, grab the freebie and color it up yourself! Join in on the Saturday challenges, the Stella Says Sketch challenge, and you could win even more freebies for yourself!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Creative Fingers Challenge -- ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack -- ATG
A Bit More Time to Craft -- ATG

In Sympathy -- for QKR Stampede

As church organist, I often get asked to play for funerals.  When it's someone I know personally, I feel a sympathy card is in order.  So, I need lots of sympathy cards throughout the year.  For the QKR Stampede Challenge this week (they are always Anything Goes), I created this:



I printed the Tree digital stamp (ES-digi15302) and the In Sympathy sentiment (ES-digi4505), then got busy with Tim Holtz distress oxide inks.  I used several different orange/yellow colors, and a couple different blues, and blended them together.  The sequins are from Close To My Heart.

I hope this card inspires you to enter the QKR Stampede challenge this week.  They are always anything goes.  You have all week!  I'd love to see what you create! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- 3 of any one item (or ATG)
D.L. Art -- September Linky party
Alphabet Challenge -- 'L' is for leafs