Seasonal Treat Boxes -- for Dies R Us Inspiration Blog

I am posting for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog today, where I am pleased to be starting out the new term!  You are going to be seeing some great inspiration here from a talented group of crafters, so enjoy the ride!

I like making treat boxes to take to my friends in the nursing home where I worked for 33 years.  They love seeing my homemade creations, and a little bit of chocolate often hits the spot.  When I saw this versatile Small Box from Leane Creatif, I knew I would get a lot of use out of it.  Here are what they look like completed:

They are each large enough to hold approximately 3 chocolate kisses, so they are fairly small.  I used a 6x6 piece of paper for each of these.

Here's a picture of the supplies I used on these:

You can see a picture of the die, along with all the extras that come with it.  You can make a Santa box, a bride and groom box, and a sheep.  I got this on one of the Dies R Us special orders, so it's not currently available.  Sign up for the Dies R Us newsletter so you hear about these fun special orders and you won't miss out on these great specials.   You can see some other dies I used, too, and I'll explain them as I go.

Here's a picture of everything after I got it die cut.  I cut out enough goodies for 3 boxes, then embellishments for each box.

You may have noticed how the boxes curving in.  I curled them like they were ribbon in order to get them to look better.  Otherwise, they sort of collapsed in on themselves.  Here's a photo of just one of them, with the edges curling in:

The bats on this box are a Spellbinders die, but these small bats from Impression Obsession would work just as well. 

This box is embellished with another Spellbinders die, but this Cat Set by Impression Obsession would work great.

Each box is held together at the top with twine or ribbon.  I found it a little easier to thread twine through the holes.

Not everyone celebrates Halloween, so I made an Autumn treat box, too.  This box is embellished with fall leaves, cut from the Yvonne Creations Fabulous Fall - Autumn Leaves Collection. 

The papers on these boxes are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  The 2 Halloween boxes use the Autumn Flannel paper pack.  The Autumn themed box uses the new Howdy Autumn papers.  The ribbon is from my stash, and the twine is from Timeless Twine.

Please visit the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog often to see wonderful projects from my talented team mates.  I'll be on the team for another 6 months, and I'm very excited about that! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art --October Linky Party
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Make My Monday -- Autumn 
Dies R Us Challenge Blog -- ATG

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

Scary Cat -- for Sketch Saturday Challenges

It's Saturday (YEA!!!), and that means there's a new sketch and a new challenge starting on the Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog.  Every Saturday, there's a fantastic sketch, a wonderful sponsor, and inspiration to get you started.  

Our sponsor this week is Scribbles Designs.  I found this darling freebie in the store.  I used it earlier this week for my inspiration post on the Scribbles Blog, and enjoyed it so much, I used it again today, knowing it would work well for today's sketch.  What do you think?

The Scribbles Designs digi is Scary Cat. Like I mentioned above, he is free, and very cute, don't you think? Follow this link to grab him for yourself. 

Here's today's sketch:

In order to get the cat to fit right, I rotated the sketch 90 degrees.  Other than that, I followed the sketch closely. 

Papers for this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are the Halloween papers.  Both the ghost and the "Boo!" sentiment are dies from Spellbinders. The scalloped oval dies are from Cottage Cutz. 

I hope you enjoy this sketch as much as I did.  Link up, and you could win a prize from our wonderful sponsor, Scribbles Designs!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Crafty Sentiments --ATG
Pink Gem Challenge -- ATG
Elliebelle's September Challenge -- Things Beginning with 'B'-- Boo!

Miss You a Bushel! for Bugaboo Stamps

It's Freebie Friday at Bugaboo Stamps!  Every Friday, there's a new freebie!  Doesn't that just make your Friday better?  Today's stamp is called Autumn Brat Leaves Girl and she's a real cutie!

I colored up Autumn Brat Leaves Girl with Copic markers.  I used 2 cutting dies from Cottage Cutz to cut her out and back Autumn Brat Leaves Girl. The sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Joy's Life.

The fun papers are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. They are from the Autumn Woodland papers.  The leaves are cutting dies from Yvonne Creations. 

Check out what the other talented Bugaboo designers did with this girl over on the Catch the Bug blog. Grab her from the Bugaboo Stamps Store, color her up, and enter her in the challenges.  You might win more Bugaboo Stamps! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
QKR Stampede -- ATG
Lemon Shortbread -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Cute N Crafty Challenge Blog -- ATG
Cute Card Thursday -- Sentimental
Twisted Thursday -- ATG  (or something that begins with the first letter of your name)

Believe in the Magic -- for Colour Crazy Challenges

It's Friday, and that means there's a new challenge starting today on the Colour Crazy Challenge Blog. The challenges are always Anything Goes, as long as your images are hand colored with any medium you choose.

This week, our sponsor is Fred, She Said.  I had the absolute pleasure of working with this Hat Tipping Snowman:

I colored up this Hat Tipping Snowman with my favorite coloring medium- Copic markers.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Creative Expressions. The snowman is cut out and backed with 2 Spellbinders dies.  The snowflakes are cut out with Lawn Fawn dies. 

The fun papers are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are the Snowmen papers. 

I used the sketch from this month's Cheerful Sketches Challenge to create this card. Here's the sketch:

I hope you can join us this week at the Colour Crazy Challenge.  We've got a great sponsor, and I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Cheerful Sketches Challenge -- September
Winter Wonderland -- use your favorite embellishment (die cuts)
CHNC -- anything Christmas
Outlawz Festive Fridays -- Christmas

Birthday Butterfly -- for Lavinia World Challenges

It's time for challenge #10 at Lavinia World Challenges!  These 2 weeks go so fast, but I don't lose my enthusiasm for these incredible Lavinia stamps and papers found in the Lavinia World Store. 

First, a few guidelines: Challenges are Anything Goes, as long as you use an acrylic or rubber stamp.  Lavinia Stamps are not a requirement, however, we love to see them! You can win a prize of a gift certificate to the Lavinia World store, based in the US. There are also some Honorable Mention entries for each challenge. 

I wanted to make a birthday card, with an Autumn color scheme.  Here's what I created for today's challenge:

I used the Lavinia Stamps, Zen Butterfly on this card.  I stamped it using Versafine Clair ink in Paradise, then heat set it using clear embossing powder.  I repeated this 3 times, making it so it looked like there were Zen Butterflies flying off the paper.  After I got the stamping and embossing done, I got busy inking.  I used a variety of Tim Holtz Distress inks to achieve this effect. 

A piece of designer paper, a "Happy Birthday" die, a card base, and the card was complete.

Join us this next 2 weeks at the Lavinia World Challenges.  Uses a Lavinia Stamp and you'll double your chances of winning the Designer's Choice Award, and the $15 gift certificate!


I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Outlawz Festive Friday -- Birthday
Digichoosday -- ATG
Outlawz Monday Greetings -- Distress Inks or Edges (inks, in this case)

Eek! for Scribbles Designs

It's the 23rd of the month, and this is the day I'm featured of the Scribbles Designs Blog with a Scribbler's Showcase feature.  I've begun thinking of Halloween, and I've made my first card of the season for today's post: 

This card features Scribbles Designs digital image, #96 Scary Cat.  It is a freebie, and perfect for those Halloween cards!  Go grab it following this Scary Cat link.

I printed Scary Cat unto some purple card stock, then used a wide stitched square die by Cottage Cutz to frame it with.  

The fun spiderweb paper is from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  It's one of 8 papers in the Web Works Collection.  

The black cat and the 'Eek' sentiment are Spellbinders dies. 

There are some talented designers on the Scribbles Designs team, so check out the Scribbles Designs blog often, then join in the challenges!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
AUD Sentiments -- ATG with a Sentiment
Digichoosday -- ATG
Outlawz Festive Fridays-- ATG

Happy Pumpkin Season -- for Bugaboo Stamps

It's Monday, and that's "Anything But a Card" day on the Catch the Bug Blog.  I'm starting to think ahead to Halloween, and know I'll need a few treat bags and boxes, so I created a treat bag for today's Anything But a Card post at Catch the Bug:

This treat bag is 5x7, and holds these 3 pieces of my favorite chocolate perfectly!  I wonder if it will last until Halloween?  Hmmm.  

I used Bugaboo Stamps digi Pumpkin Season Tag (only $1.00!) on this gift bag.  I colored Pumpkin Season Tag with Copic markers, then used a couple or circle dies from Lifestyle Crafts to cut it out and back it. I then used a scalloped stitched edger die to add the trim.  Once the chocolates are safely in the treat bag, I will turn the top down several times and probably staple it.  That should keep me out of it!

Check out what the other talented designers created today for Anything But a Card at Catch the Bug Blog!

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

D.L. Art -- September Linky Party

Crafty Gals Corner -- Fall Colors

Creative Moments --Fall Colors

Beret Girl -- a New Release at All Dressed Up Stamps

It's the 22nd of the month, and that's one of the days each month that New Releases are showcased at All Dressed Up Stamps.  You'll find these  new releases (and all Wendy's wonderful are!) in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop.  You'll find DT inspiration in the All Dressed Up Facebook Group and on the All Dressed Up Blog. 

I present to you the wonderful New Release, Beret Girl:

Oh my gosh!  I'm all  a-swoony over this one!  Isn't she the cutest?  She truly is fabulous!  It is the only word I could think of to use with her!  

I colored her with Copic markers.  I set out to use Fall colors, so I could use some fall papers with her, but she wanted to be pastel.  When you are as pretty as Beret Girl, you easily get your way!

The designer papers on this tag are digital.  I found them at Pixel Scrapper.  The 2 tags were cut out with dies from Paper Wishes.  The 'Fabulous' is a die from Crafter's Companion.  The paper flowers are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Beret Girl is one of 4 new releases, so check out the sources I named above to see the other inspiration for the other 3 new releases.  They, too, are fabulous!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Pink Gem Challenge -- ATG
AUD Sentiments -- ATG plus a sentiment
Crafting with an Attitude --ATG
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- rounding the corners (on the tags)

You Are Pawsitively Wonderful! for Dies R Us Inspiration Blog

I'm posting today for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  I love the days where I get to play with the wonderful dies offered in the Dies R Us Store, but today's was a particular joy!   If you know much about me at all, you know I'm a dog lover.  I had sooooooo much fun creating today's card!!!!

This card is created with a die from Frantic Stamper called Walking the Dog.  Frantic Stamper describes it as a card panel die.  You can see what it looks like in this picture:

I did a lot of paper piecing with this die, and tried out various papers to see what look I liked.  Here's everything cut out, having run the die through my die cut machine quite a few times!

All those little pieces needed to pieced together.  It felt kind of like putting a puzzle together.  I used Stick It Adhesive Sheets to accomplish the task.

Here's the panel put together:

I have to tell you that my dog and I go on several walks a day, but I fear I have never looked this glamourous!

Dies R Us Store supplies used on this card:

Walking the Dog

Stick It Adhesive Sheets

I hope you visit the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog often to see the wonderful dies in use that available in the Dies R Us Store.  There is also a Dies R Us Challenge Blog where you can use all those great dies you purchase!   Join the fun!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Polkadoodles Challenge-- ATG
TTCRD-- ATG
Crafty Animals -- ATG
2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG
Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode -- all about trees

Just Because -- for Di's Digi Designs Challenges

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 "2 or more patterned papers."   I love using patterned papers, so this was a very fun challenge for me!

At Di's Digi Stamps Store,  I found the delightful Autumn Penny image to color up and play with for today's "2 or more patterned papers" challenge:

I colored Autumn Penny with Copic markers using, well, Autumn colors, of course!  

Once I got the Autumn Penny digi colored up, it was time to find the perfect papers to match.  The first place I turn to for papers is always We Are 3 Digital Shop.  Most of the papers come from the Just Autumn Collection.  The only exception is the piece at the bottom that the sentiment is stamped on.  That's from the Dreamy Creamy Collection. 

I used a Spellbinders die set to create the card base and the card layers.  The leaf dies are also from Spellbinders.

I hope you join in at Di's Digi Designs Challenges for our 2 or more (or in the case of this card, 5!) patterned paper challenge.  I'd love to see what you create, and Di has the cutest digis ever in her Di's Digi Stamp Store!

There's a sale at We Are 3 Digital Shop!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Lemon Shortbread -- ATG
QKR Stampede -- ATG
Crafty Sentiments -- Fall Colors
Outlawz Sunday Songs & Rhymes -- See You in September 

Just Sailing By....for Scrapy Land Challenges

It's the 3rd Wednesday in September, and we're starting a new challenge today over at the Scrapy Land Challenge Blog. We've started switching things up a bit, and we're now giving away one $15 gift certificate chosen by Random.org.  The design team chooses top 3 and honorable mentions.

I often like cards without too much "clutter".  I want the image to make a statement, so I keep them pretty simple.  I don't want the viewer's eye to get lost looking for the message in the card.  Today's card is a case in point.  Clean and simple, and to the point:

There's just one die on here, but it makes an impact, doesn't it?  The Scrapy Land Store sells 7 different sailboat dies.  This one is by Impression Obsession.  I like the clean lines of it.  It's called Sailboats, and there are 3 dies in the set.  This is the biggest die in the set. 

The papers on this card are from the We Are 3 Digital Shop.  I thought it needed some nautical themed papers.  I computer generated the sentiment, then glued that sailboat at the edge so it could sail right off the card.

Scrapy Land products used on this card:

Sailboats

I hope you are able to join us at the Scrapy Land Challenge Blog.  Our challenges are Anything Goes, as long as you use a die found in the Scrapy Land Store.  Scrapy Land sells many brands of dies, so chances are, you already own one!  Make something and link up!  I'd love to see what you create! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
TTCRD -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Die Cutting Divas -- Just Because

Well, Doggone! for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

I'm posting today for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez.  She has more than just kinda cute digis. They are darling.  You'll see what I mean in a second!

For today's card, I used both a digital image and digital papers created by Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez. 

This is Girl Running with Dog:

I colored Girl Running with Dog with Copic markers.  The designer papers are called "Red & Blue Basic" digital paper.  There are 12 different papers in the set, and they are all fantastic! I've used 3 of them here. 

I used the current sketch at The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  Here's the sketch: 

I added a couple of die cuts that I cut out from a Cheery Lynn set.  The sentiment is computer generated.  The border is a die from Diamond Press. The image is cut out with a Spellbinders die.

Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez has a great Facebook Group.  You'll find it here.  You'll also find great inspiration on her blog here.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- ends Sept. 17
Animal Friends Challenge -- ATG
Crafty Animals Challenge -- ATG
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party

Never Lose Your Sense of Wonder - for the Path of Positivity

It's the 3rd Monday of the month, and it's time for some mid-challenge inspiration on the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog. This month, the optional theme is, "curiosity".  Our sponsor for this month is Bugaboo Stamps, and our ongoing sponsor is Scribbles Designs. 

I used the adorable Deacon Bugs to create this card:

I colored Deacon Bugs with Copic markers, then computer generated my sentiment, sticking with the theme of 'curiosity'.  Deacon Bugs definitely seems curious, going off to explore nature, with his bug net and pail to collect his specimens.  He's a boy after my own heart!  I, too, love to go on hikes exploring.

I used 2 papers from the Autumn Woodland Collection from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  The Fall ephemera was cut out with dies from Yvonne Creations.  

The 'Curiosity' theme is optional.  You can link up any positive themed project you make at The Path of Positivity Challenge Blog.  You have until Oct. 6.  I'd love to see your creations!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Crafty Friends Challenge -- Autumn Colors
Send a Smile 4 Kids -- Cute Fall Cards 4 Kids
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- rounding the corners

Always Beside You --Stella Says Sketch at Bugaboo Stamps

It's time for a Stella Says Sketch on the Catch the Bug Blog.  The Bugaboo Stamps team is using a sketch today.  Every other Sunday, Stella has us get our sketch on!

I feel like I'm often in need of sympathy and thinking of you cards. I created a card today that I think could be used for either purpose:

I used Right Beside You Silhouette on this card.  And now, here is the sketch for this week:

As you can see, I used a square instead of the circle, and didn't need to add a sentiment, but other than that, I followed it closely.  

I printed Right Beside You Silhouette onto smooth card stock, then used a variety of shades of Distress Oxide inks to get the effect I did.  The black floral print paper was purchased long ago at Hobby Lobby (my first trip there EVER).

The current Stella Says Sketch challenge will run for 2 weeks, so you have through Sept. 29 to enter.  I hope you can join us!

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

You Are Fabulous! for Dies R Us Inspiration Blog

I'm posting today on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  It means that I had a chance to play with some really fun dies and paper supplies found in the Dies R Us Store!  The Dies R Us Store has so many different manufacturer's dies for sale in it, and one that they have all the time now is Birch Press Design.  I am in love with these dies!!

Here's what I created using the 4 layers of the Regal Peacock die set:

Here's a picture of the supplies I used on this card.  Along with the Regal Peacock die set from Birch Press Design,  I also used a 'Fabulous' word die from Frantic Stamper, and a Birch Press Design stamp set called, "Just Because" (ordered during a special pre-sale event).

I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out what colors I thought I would use, then ended up changing my mind as I went along.  This picture shows what the dies look like, and what I thought I was going to use for the layers.  They ended up being a bit different than this in the end:

Here are the pieces once they've been die cut.  I have several pieces with different color options because I still wasn't sure which would look best with the background paper I had in mind:

Once I had them die cut, it was time to assemble that glorious peacock tail.  I used Scraperfect Best Glue Ever for all the layers except the top layer.  For that layer, I used Stick It Adhesive Sheets.

Here's the peacock  (still unsure of body color):

I wanted to add the words "You are"  to the "Fabulous" sentiment.  So, I only needed the first 2 words of the sentiment stamp I was using. I could have cut the stamp apart, but decided to mask it instead.  Here, you can see I covered the portion of the stamp I didn't want to use with tape.  Once I inked the stamp, I removed the tape, and could then stamp just the two words I wanted:

In the end, I thought the dark bodied peacock had the most contrast against the paper I used, so that's the one I used.  It took me a long time to decide!

Supplies used on this card found in the Dies R Us Store:

Regal Peacock

Fabulous Word Die

Best Ever Glue

Stick It Adhesive Sheets

I hope you visit the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog often to see the wonderful dies in use that available in the Dies R Us Store.  There is also a Dies R Us Challenge Blog where you can use all those great dies you purchase!   Join the fun!

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

QKR Stampede -- ATG

TTCRD -- ATG

D.L. Art -- ATG

Crafty Animals Challenge -- ATG

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge -- ATG

Hello, Bear -- for SheepSki Designs

SheepSki Designs is sponsoring this weekend's event at Kit & Clowder's Facebook Group.  If you visit the Kit & Clowder group and follow the instructions, you can get this image for free.  Color it up and join in the fun!

This free (for this weekend) image is Panda/Bear (image #161).  I chose to color mine like a young Kodiak bear, though he doesn't look very fierce! 

I colored Panda/Bear with Copic markers, then fussy cut it.  I got the texture in his fur using a colorless blender.  

The double stitched squares are cutting dies from The Scrapping Cottage.  The 'Hello' sentiment is a cutting die from Crafter's Companion. 

The papers on this card are some very old Close To My Heart papers. 

Come join the fun and get the freebie from SheepSki Designs.  Check out Andrea's Etsy Shop here.  You'll find challenges for SheepSki Designs images on the Challenge blog here, and in the SheepSki Designs Facebook Group, too. 


I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafting with An Attitude -- ATG
Through the Purple Haze -- furtastic
Animal Friends Challenge -- ATG
Crafty Animals Challenge -- ATG