You Make Life Sweet -- for The Outlawz Paper ala Mode

It's Saturday, and every other Saturday, a new challenge begins at the Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode Challenge. The challenge that begins today has a theme of "Fruit", and it will last for 2 weeks.  I love fruit!  Apples, pineapples, watermelon, how about a strawberry cone?

Bonnie, of We Are 3 Digital Shop, is the sponsor if this challenge and every Paper ala Mode challenge all year. This card uses Fruity papers. Itty Bitty- Sweet Sentiments, and Strawberry Cone.  It comes in both a pre-colored and a black & white version.  I used the pre-colored here, fussy cut it, and used some Nuvo Glitter Drops in White Blizzard on the strawberries. The die cut strawberries around the tag are by Impression Obsession, purchased from the Dies R Us Store. The oval stitched dies are from the Scrapping Cottage. 

I hope you can join us this next two weeks for the Fruit themed challenge at The Outlawz Paper ala Mode!  I'd love to see your creations! 

New Teacher in Town --for Bugaboo Stamps

It's Friday!  Fri-Yay! It's Friday Freebie at Bugaboo Stamps!  Every Friday, there's a new freebie, that's up for grabs for a week.  You'll find it in the Bugaboo Stamps Store. 

This week, Stella has taken up the teaching profession, but I'm not sure how popular she's going to be.  I'm not sure I'd want her either as a teacher or teaching my children.  I think it's something about her attitude.....

Ah, Stella!  She does have a way with words, doesn't she? This is Stella Calendar September.  It comes with the image and the sassy sentiment.  I colored Stella Calendar September with Copic markers. I think Stella could use some lessons in fashion myself, but hey, I'm no expert!

Do you like those cute papers on this card?  They're much more coordinated than Stella is! They are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  The apple paper is from the Apple Delight Papers.  I also used 2 Dotted Swiss papers. The 2 sets coordinate beautifully.  

Visit the Bugaboo Stamps store to find this darling freebie.  Visit the Catch the Bug blog to see what the other talented Bugaboo designers created using it.  Then, enter the current challenge.  There's a new one starting tomorrow.  It's all happening at Catch the Bug!  

R-e-a-c-h for the Stars! a New Release at All Dressed Up Stamps

Today is the day I get to show you one of the new releases from this month's wonderful selection of 4 beauties from All Dressed Up Stamps. Every month, Wendy draws up 4 wonderful creations, and the design team showcases them.  You'll find inspiration on the 7th and 22nd of each month.

Reach High!   It's a good goal, and an even more adorable digital image!

Isn't she fantastic?!?  I colored Reach High with Copic markers, then fussy cut her.

The background looks like I worked a long time on a mixed media background, but it's a paper from We Are 3 Digital Shop. It's one of the Fairy Dreams papers. The brick effect is done with a die from Crafter's Companion.  The sentiment is computer generated, then cut with a die from Queen & Company.

Check out the 3 other new releases, and what the other talented designer created with all of them in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group, and on the All Dressed Up Stamps blog. You'll find challenges in both places.  If you see something you like, they are for sale in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop. Buy it, color it, and enter it in a challenge!  I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- August Linky Party
Polkadoodles challenge -- ATG
Pink Gem Challenge -- ATG
AUD Sentiments -- ATG + a sentiment
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
QKR Stampede -- ATG

Thinking Good Thoughts -- For JDS Challenges

It's time for some mid-challenge inspiration on the Jan's Digi Stamp Challenge Blog.  Challenges run all month, and are always anything goes -- cards, crocheting, gardening, your sand castle at the beach, whatever it is you've created, we'd love to see it linked up at JDS Challenges. 

Jan Mayhew has many fantastic digital sets in her shop.  Each set has black & white and pre-colored images, and the sets come with several sentiments.  You are sure to find something you'd enjoy creating with.  Stop on by and take a look at her beautiful art work at the Jan's Digi Stamps Shop. 

One of my new favorite sets is the Wildflower Blossoms.  I love the delicate flowers, and this month, I also colored up the awesome vase!

I colored Wildflower Blossoms with Copic markers, then used one of the sentiments in the Bonnet Bouquet set.

My card base is 5x7.  I cut a piece of black glitter card at 6.75x4.75, then I cut out the mosaic corner die by Crafter's Companion on a piece of blossom card stock the same size.  I glued this to the black glitter card.  All the other dies are from Spellbinders.  The black ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. 

I hope you can join us at JDS challenges this month! The current challenge runs until Sept. 6.  There will be two gift certificates awarded.  One for a Jan's Digi Stamp image and one random winner.  There will also be 3 designer choice awards.  Come join in the fun! 

Born a Princess -- for Bugaboo Stamps

It's Tuesday, and it's New Release day at Bugaboo Stamps.  Every Tuesday there is a new release, or occasionally a re-release.  This digi is 1/2 price for a week, so grab it while you can! 

Today's Bugaboo Stamps new release is Bobblehead Big Eyes Princess. She is quite adorable, don't you think?

I colored Bobblehead Big Eyes Princess with Copic markers, then used a variety of circle dies and a square die from Crafter's Companion to make this easel card. 

The designer papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are from the Fantasy paper collection. 

Grab this freebie while you can, color it up, and enter it in one of the challenges at Catch the Bug! While you're there, check out what the other talented designers have created with Bobblehead Big Eyes Princess. 

It's Hot Outside Challenge -- At Dies R Us Challenges

It's the 15th of the month, so it's time for a new challenge at Dies R Us Challenges. Every 1st and 15th, a new challenge starts, with a new theme.  The theme for this challenge is "It's Hot Outside" (use hot colors -- reds, oranges, yellows).

I decided to take a different take on this challenge, and not go with the obvious summertime theme.  I stuck with red, orange, and yellow, but, well, you'll see...

I started out by inking my background with Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink in Barn Door, Carved Pumpkin, and Squeezed Lemonade.  I let the background get good and dry before I went any further.  I've learned I easily get fingerprints!

The feathers are called Fluffy Feathers by Poppystamps, but this set by Impression Obsession are very similar, or this other set, also by Impression Obsession. 

The 'With Sympathy' sentiment is by Sue Wilson Designs. 

Lastly, a piece of twine from Timeless Twine finished off the card.

Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxide Ink

Barn Door Distress Oxide

Squeezed Lemonade 

Sue Wilson Designs 'With Sympathy'

I hope you can join us for our "It's Hot Outside" challenge (use reds, oranges, and yellows).  It will run through the end of the month.  One gift certificate to the Dies R Us Store will be awarded and 3 Designer Choice awards. 

If you live in Canada, The Didi Crafts Store ships to both Canada and the US.  Check to out for some great products and prices! 

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

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Pink Gem Challenge -- ATG

Crafty Calendar Challenge -- ATG

Wishing you Sunny Days -- for Outlawz Paper ala Mode Challenge

Another Saturday, another challenge!  Every other Saturday, you'll find a new challenge with a new theme starting at The Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode.  This week, we start a Nautical theme.  I love water, and all things nautical, so this is a great one!  Every challenge all year long is sponsored by Bonnie at We Are 3 Digital Shop.  One of my all-time favorite paper packs in her store is Nautical Love, so of course I used it on my card! 

Not only does this card use 3 papers from the Nautical Love collection, I also used one of the wonderful digital images in the shop -- Waddles Playtime. There is a pre-colored version, but this is the black & white version of Waddles Playtime, colored with Copic markers. I also used the Happiness Sentiments (set of 4). 

I hope you can join us this next two weeks at The Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode!  I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenge:
D.L. Art -- August Linky party
Cute Card Thursday -- Bright Colors
My Time to Craft -- Travel (why not an inner tube?)

Yappy Birthday -- for Bugaboo Stamps

It's Friday!!!!! It's Freebie Friday!  and it's a Yappy good time because today's freebie is a pup!  Yea!  It just keeps getting better and better!  I'm so excited!  It's a Yappy day for sure!  Every Friday, there's a new freebie at Bugaboo Stamps.  You can find it for free for a week, so go grab it while you can!  color it up and enter it in our challenge.  A new one starts tomorrow at Catch the Bug. 

Today's Bugaboo Stamps freebie is Pup Balloons:

Cute, isn't he?  I think Pup Balloons is perfect for anyone with a dog, but also good for a child.  I might even use this for my husband's birthday card from our dog.  He gets one from him every year. We're funny that way.

I colored Pup Balloons with Copic markers.  The Yappy Birthday sentiment is from Crafter's Companion.  It's part of a larger photopolymer stamp set. I used a piece of Celebrate paper from We Are 3 Digital Shop, and some Nuvo Vintage drops in two different colors to finish it off.

I hope you can check out what the other talented designers did with this cute Pup Balloons digi  today over at Catch the Bug.  Then, enter our challenges.  You could win some more wonderful digis, and I'd love to see what you make!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG
D.L. Art -- August Linky Party
Crafty Animals -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Doggone Cute -- for Colour Crazy Challenges

It's Friday, and that's the day a new challenge starts at Colour Crazy Challenge Blog. Challenges are always anything goes, as long as your image is hand colored -- any medium you want.

Our sponsor for the current challenge is Fred She Said. I was provided with this darling Rosey with Flower:

I colored Rosey with Flowers with Copic markers, working hard to add some texture to the fur.  

The fun dog papers are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. They are 3 of the Muddy Paws papers. The sentiment is from a retired acrylic stamp set.

Join us this week (and every week) at Colour Crazy Challenge!  We have great sponsors! and wonderful prizes for you to win. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Animals Challenge -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Aud Sentiment -- ATG plus a sentiment

Good-bye Summer Challenge at Catch the Bug

It's Saturday, and that means there's a new challenge starting over at Catch the Bug challenges for Bugaboo Stamps.  Every Saturday, a new challenge begins.  Now that August is underway, summer is starting to wind down.  That's the theme of this week's challenge -- Goodbye Summer.  One last chance at those summer activities you haven't gotten enough of yet!

So, with the good-bye summer theme in mind, I thought, hmm?  What should I make for a card?  What way should I go?

When I think about summer, I think about not wanting to leave beaches and swimming behind, so...

This card uses Kidz Beach, colored with Copic markers, then fussy cut out.  She looks like she's missing the summer sun already, doesn't she?

The papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  I used 3 different paper collections on here.  The greenish tint paper is from the Burlap Beach Collection.  The Sand paper is from the Warm Sand collection.  And the pink boards are from the Exotic Seaside Collection. 

The Hello Summer sentiment is a die from Impression Obsession and the sun is a die from Crafter's Companion. 

I hope you join us this week at Catch the Bug for our Good-bye Summer Challenge!  I'd love to see what you create, and we have the best prizes for you to win! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
QKR Stampede -- ATG
Polkadoodles -- ATG
D.L. Art -- August Linky Party
AUD Sentiment -- ATG + a sentiment

I Love You More -- for Bugaboo Stamps

It's Friday!  It's Freebie Friday!  Every Friday, you can get a new freebie at Bugaboo Stamps.  You'll find it in the Bugaboo Stamps Store for the entire week.  Free!  How great is that?!? 

Today's freebie works great for a variety of occasions -- summer, celebrations, love, just because.  You name it, you can probably make it work.  I think it's darn cute.  What do you think?

This is Ice Cream, colored with Copic markers.  I used luscious ice cream colors -- mint chocolate chip and bubble gum flavor!  Yum yum!  And Red Cherry, of course!  I cut Ice Cream out with a Spellbinders die, then used a Sizzix die to cut out the front step card.  I found the fun ice cream papers at Pixel Scrapper.  I computer generated the sentiment.  I found a font called Baskin Robbins.  That seemed appropriate!  I little piece of bubblegum twine from Timeless Twine finished off the card.

You can see more fantastic designs with this Ice Cream image over on the Catch the Bug Blog. Check out what they made, then come back tomorrow for the start of a new challenge.  I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Lemon Shortbread -- ATG
Crafty Friends -- ATG
Send a Smile 4 Kids -- ATG for Kids

Flowers in Memory -- for JDS Challenges

It's the first Monday of the month, so it's time for a new challenge at JDS Challenges.  Jan's Digi Stamps Challenges are always anything goes, and run for a month, so this challenge will go until Sept. 6.  You can link up absolutely anything you have made from crocheting to paper crafts to gardening -- anything goes!  There will be 2 gift certificates given away at each challenge -- one for a Jan's Digi stamp image, and one random project.  There will also be 3 designer choice awards. 

For this month's inspiration, I used the beautiful Church Sympathy Set. I used it to create this:

There are several images in the set, both in black & white and in pre-colored.  I used one of the black & white images, and one of the sentiments, and colored the image with Spectrum Noir water color pencils and a damp paint brush.  I cut that layer out with a stitched oval die.  I foiled the layer directly behind that, using my Gemini Hot Foil Press machine, then cut that out with a slightly bigger stitched oval die.  The 2 papers behind that are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  The paper behind the ovals is from the Glorious Collection.  The largest piece of printed paper is from the Fairy Dreams papers. The 2 largest dies are from Crafter's Companion. 

Check out the Church Sympathy Set and other fantastic set in the Jan Mayhew store. Then join us this month in our Anything Goes challenge at JDS Challenges.  I'd love to see what you make!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafter's Cafe -- ATG
D.L. Art -- August Linky Party
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Love to Craft -- ATG

Butterflies & Berries -- for Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

It's the first Sunday of the month, and there's a new Anything Goes challenge starting at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends.  Challenges run for a month, so you have plenty of time to link up with us, and we have wonderful sponsors!

Speaking of wonderful sponsors, this month's sponsor is Ching-Chou Kuik.  I just love her images, so I jumped at the chance to color up this Butterflies & Berries image, found in her Etsy Shop.  

Here's Butterflies & Berries, colored with Copic markers:

The pretty background papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are from the Shirley's Roses Collection. 

I used dies from Crafter's Companion to cut this out, then added ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I hope you join us this month at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends for our always anything goes challenge.  Remember to check out our wonderful sponsor, Ching-Chou Kuik!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Ching-Chou Kuik Challenge blog -- Autumn/Fall Colors
Ching-Chou Kuik Facebook Group -- Autumn/Fall Colors
Dragonfly Dreams -- ATG
D.L. Art -- August Linky Party

Walk, Anyone? for SheepSki Designs

It's August 1, and it's time for a new challenge at SheepSki Designs.  Challenges are always month-long, beginning on the first of the month.  This month's theme is "No Rules"  You can create anything you like!  Now, that's a great theme!  There are so many wonderful images in the SheepSki Designs Etsy Shop.  Why not pick your favorite and enter this month's challenge? 

I've been wanting to color up the darling Walkies digital image, so this month's challenge was the perfect excuse:

I colored Walkies with Copic markers.  I had fun experimenting with my blues and my greens on this card.   I computer generated the sentiment.

The fun papers are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are from the Fantasy Textures collection. I used some Nuvo Jewel Drops to finish off the card. 

I hope you can join us this month for our " No Rules" -- Anything goes challenge at SheepSki Designs Challenge Blog. I'd love to see your creations! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Animals
Crafter's Castle -- ATG
Polkadoodles -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Crafty Gals Corner Challenges -- Fantasy World

You Are Llamazing! for All Dressed Up Stamps

It's August 1, and that means a brand new challenge over on Facebook for All Dressed Up Stamps.  You'll find it in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group.  This month, the theme is Fur, Feathers &/or Wings.  You'll find many great images in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop that fit this month's theme. 

I've been looking for an excuse to color up the darling Llama image, and this month's Fur, Feathers, and Wings theme gave me the opportunity:

I colored up Llama with Copic markers, making sure mama and baby were slightly different colors of fluffy white.  I found that awesome llama paper at AMB Illustrations.  The sentiment is computer generated.  The sun is a die from Crafter's Companion. 

I hope you can join us this month at All Dressed Up Stamps for our Facebook Challenge!  I'd love to see your Fur, Feathers, and Wings creations made with an All Dressed Up Stamps image. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a critter
Crafty Animals -- ATG with an animal
Pink Gem Challenge -- ATG
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Animals

Birthday Cake for You! And for Dies R Us Challenges

It's August 1, and that means a new challenge starts today at Dies R Us Challenges.  Every 1st and 15th of the month, it's challenge time! The theme for the next 2 weeks is: Desserts.  Any kind of desserts.  The only requirement about your project is that you use at least 1 die of a brand sold in the Dies R Us Store.  And, there are many brands sold there, so the door is pretty wide open! 

Desserts -- what would like be without them?  Chocolate, ice cream, cake, the list is endless.  One of my favorites is birthday cake because it also marks a special occasion.  So, when thinking of desserts, I thought of birthday cake and birthdays, and created this:

The die that is front and center is by Tutti Designs.  It is called Birthday Topper.  I cut it out using a sky blue foil paper by Tonic Studios.  The balloon and string are by Frantic Stamper.  They are part of a set called Birthday Icons. 

The confetti background paper is by We Are 3 Digital Shop. It is one of the papers in the Celebrate Collection. 

Tutti Designs Birthday Topper

Frantic Stamper Birthday Icons

I hope you join us for our Desserts Themed challenge.  There will be a gift certificate given away at the end of the challenge, and 3 designer choice awards.  I'd love to see your take on the dessert theme!  Don't forget, for Canadian customers, Dies R Us has a sister store. Check out Didi Crafts -- shipping to both Canada and the US!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L.. Art -- August Linky Party
Seize the Birthday -- Anything Birthday Goes
Crafter's Castle -- ATG

Fall Colors Challenge -- at The Outlawz Paper ala Mode

It's Saturday, and every other Saturday, a new challenge starts at the Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode.  The theme for the next 2 weeks is Fall Colors.

It's hard to believe we're heading towards fall already isn't it? But here in the Northwoods, there are already signs...

Our sponsor at Paper ala Mode challenges all year long is We Are 3 Digital Shop.  We are so blessed!  The papers are the cute digital image are from the We Are 3 Digital Shop Etsy Shop. That cute bird is the Hearts and Home Digital image. I colored it with Copic markers, but it also comes in a pre-colored version.  The 2 fun papers I used here are part of the Thankful paper collection. 

I used the largest circle die I own.  I believe it's about a 6 inch circle, used my scoreboard to score it down the middle, and voila!  I had a rocking card.  I added the couple smaller circles and some colored leaves die cut from Crafter's Companion dies to complete the card. 

I hope you can join us the next 2 weeks at The Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode for our Fall Colors Challenge.  I'd love to see what you create!