Spring Rain Boot -- for Stella Says Sketch

 It's Sunday, and a new challenge it's starting at Catch the Bug Challenges.  It's time for a Stella Says Sketch Challenge.  It's all for Bugaboo Stamps! The challenge starts today and goes for the next 2 weeks.

I'll show you my card first, and eventually the sketch for this time's challenge.  Using Spring Boot, I created this:

I colored Spring Boot with Copic markers, then used a set of Spellbinders oval dies to cut them out.  

Here's the Stella Says Sketch for this challenge:

As you can see, I followed the sketch pretty closely.

Papers on this card are by We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are from the Ladybug Lace and Ladybug Lace Too papers. 

The sentiment is from an acrylic stamp set that has been in my stash forever.  The company is no longer in business.  The watering can is a die from Crafter's Companion. 

I hope you can join us this next 2 weeks at Stella Says Sketch.  You'll find all the action on the Catch the Bug Blog!  We've got awesome prizes that you can win!

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

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Colour Crazy Challenge -- ATG with a  hand colored image

Rabisco Challenge -- ATG

Sparkles Monthly Challenge -- April Showers bring...

Sweet Stamping -- Lots of Layers

Heartfelt Thanks -- for Paper ala Mode Challenges

 It's Saturday, and that means it's time for a new challenge at The Outlawz! It's the Paper ala Mode Challenge time! The challenge runs for 2 weeks, and the theme is "thinking of you". 

We Are 3 Digital Shop is the sponsor of the challenge.  You could win a gift certificate to the We Are 3 Digital Shop by entering the challenge! 

I tweaked the theme just slightly, and made a thank you card.  All the products on this card are by We Are 3 Digital Shop:

The papers on this card are from the Shirley's Roses collection.  The sentiment is part of the Sending You Sentiment Set. 

The dies on this card are from Anna Griffin, except for the stitched circle die that the sentiment is on.  That is from Crafter's Companion. The floral embellishment is part of a card kit from Anna Griffin.

I hope you can join us the next 2 weeks at Outlawz Paper ala Mode for our Thinking of You Challenge.  I'd love to see your creations, and you could win a prize from our wonderful sponsor -- We Are 3 Digital Shop. 

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

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

A Bit More Time to Craft -- ATG

A Perfect Time to Craft -- ATG

A Bit More Time to Craft Extra -- ATG

Classic Design Challenge -- ATG

Let's Create & Craft -- AG + add flowers

Bugs & Kisses -- for Bugaboo Stamps

 It's Friday, and even though Bugaboo Stamps and the Catch the Bug Blog have made some changes recently, one thing has stayed the same.  Every Friday, there is still Freebie Friday, with a new free stamp for customers to enjoy! 

This week's freebie is a cutie, and paired up with the right sentiment, it can be used for any number of occasions.  This is Bees - Small Flower:

I colored the Bees - Small Flower image with Copic markers, then used Spellbinders dies to cut out the octagon shapes. The sentiment is computer generated. 

Papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. The bright yellow paper is from the Bumble Bee Collection. The aqua paper is from the Honeycomb paper collection.

The bee and the black honeycomb die cuts are from a freebie I got in a magazine. 

I hope you grab this freebie, then join in this weekend's Stella Says Sketch Challenge.  You'll find that on the Catch the Bug blog this Sunday! 

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

Polkadoodles Challenge -- ATG

QKR Stampede -- ATG

Pink Gem Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Dog Walker -- An All Dressed Up Stamps New Release

 It's the 22nd of the month, and this is the day I get to share a creation with one of this month's New Releases from All Dressed Up Stamps.  On the 7th and the 22nd of each month, you'll see wonderful inspiration from the current months new releases.  You'll find these new releases, and all the beautiful images, in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop. 

This month, I had the absolute joy of working with the New Release image, Dog Walker:

Isn't this image adorable?  You'll find Dog Walker here.   I started by colored Dog Walker with Copic markers. Next, I inked the edges with a Spectrum Noir Quick Dry Ink in Baby Blue.  I computer generated the sentiment.

The papers on this card are by We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are part of the Muddy Paws Collection. 

Check out what the other talented designers have made by visiting the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group, and the All Dressed Up Stamps Blog. You'll find challenges you can participate in in both those places too!

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

TTCRD -- ATG

Digichoosday -- ATG

Crafty Sentiments -- ATG

Colour Crazy -- ATG with a colored image

2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a Critter

Crafty Animals -- ATG with an animal

Stay Paw-sitive! for Ching-Chou Kuik

 Happy Tuesday, fellow crafters!  It's my day to post over on the Ching-Chou Kuik Inspiration & Challenge Blog.  Our 4-legged Friends challenge is still going for another 10 days, so I hope you are able to join us!

I like many 4-legged creatures, but dogs are my absolute favorite.  I find myself gravitating towards all the amazing doggy images in the GJZCCK Etsy Shop.  Like this one!

This is Yorkshire Terrier, available in a black & white digital image.  I colored the image with Copic markers, then fussy cut it out.  The swath of paw prints is a die by Elizabeth Craft, purchased at Dies R Us.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp by Close To My Heart, stamped on a die cut by Queen & Company.

For more great inspiration, check out the CCK Inspiration blog often.  For another challenge, and even more great inspiration, visit the Ching-Chou Kuik Facebook Group. 

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

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Colour Crazy Challenge -- ATG with a colored image

Morgan's Artworld -- ATG

2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG

Crafty Animals challenge -- ATG

I'm Glad You're my Mom -- For JDS Challenges

 It's time for some mid-month inspiration at It's the first Monday of the month at Jan's Digi Stamps Challenges (or JDS Challenges). Challenges are absolutely Anything Goes -- knitting, glass etching, scrapbooking, woodworking -- we want to see it all!  There is a gift certificate for a project using a Jan Mahew image, and another random winner each month. There will also be 3 designer choice awards. Awesome!

Jan Mahew has some awesome flower files.  They are some of my favorites.  I have lots of flower stamps, as they are my favorite thing to color.  Jan's are so great because they come in black & white and precolored versions.  There are also sentiments included with each file. For today's mid-month inspiration, I used the beautiful Botanical Orchids digital stamp to create this:

I colored Botanical Orchids with a combination of Spectrum Noir TriBlend Brush markers and Copic Markers. I cut it out with a Spellbinders label die, inking around the edge with ink from Close To My Heart while it was still in the frame.  The sentiment is from the newly released set called, My Mom. 

Papers on this card are by We Are 3 Digital Shop. The background paper is from the Fairy Land Collection. The butterfly border (by Crafter's Companion) paper and the sentiment paper are from the Sentimental Canvas Collection. 

The pretty crinkle ribbon was a recent prize I won from Diana Larson.  It is available in her D.L. Art Etsy Shop.  The butterfly was found in my stash.  I've been waiting for the perfect project to use it on. 

There's still time to join us this month at JDS Challenges.  I'd love to see what you create, and I'd also love to see you have a chance at the 2 gift certificates.  Use a Jan Mahew image to increase your chances! 

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

Morgan's Artworld -- ATG

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Passion for Markers -- Feminine

Colour Crazy Challenge -- ATG with a colored image

You're My Rainbow -- a New Challenge at Catch the Bug

 It's challenge time at Catch the Bug Blog for Bugaboo Stamps.  Have you adjusted to the new schedule yet?  I know I'm not in the rhythm of it yet.  It's going to take awhile, after many years of the other one.  There's a new challenge starting today.  They are Anything Goes now, and they run for 2 weeks, so our fantastic customers have more time to participate.  There are still Friday Freebie every Friday.  Don't miss out on those!

I used the image from yesterday's Freebie Friday to create my card for today's Anything Goes challenge.  It is called Fancy Floral Umbrella 7. 

I colored Fancy Floral Umbrella 7 with Copic markers.  I found an old sketch at Sketch Saturday that I used to jump start my creativity on this.

The papers and the sentiment on this card are by We Are 3 Digital Shop.   The papers are from the Rainbow Skies Collection. The sentiment is one of 4 found in the You Know Sentiments. 

I hope you join us the next 2 weeks for our Anything Goes Challenge over at Catch The Bug. You can find digis for any occasion and any mood in the Bugaboo Stamps Store. 

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

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

QKR Stampede -- ATG

Polkadoodle Challenge -- ATG

Colour Crazy Challenge -- ATG with a colored image

Cut it Up -- How's the Weather?

I Miss Seeing You -- For Dies R Us Challenges

 It's the 15th of the month, and that means it's time for a new challenge at Dies R Us Challenges.  Challenges are always Anything Goes, as long as you use a brand of die sold in the Dies R Us Store. 

I've had this set of glasses dies by Impression Obsession for quite awhile, and I decided it was way past time that I did something creative with them. Here's what I made for this challenge:

I started out by inking my background with Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks in Squeezed Lemonade, Kitsch Flamingo, and Peacock Feathers (all found in the Dies R Us Store).  Then, I cut out various layers of the card with a set of Stitched Scroll Frame dies from Frantic Stamper.  The sentiment was computer generated, and cut out with the smallest of the Scroll Frame dies. Then, I used 3 of the glasses dies by Impression Obsession as focal points on the card. 

I hope you join us this next 2 weeks at Dies R Us Challenges. You could be the lucky winner of a gift certificate, or one of the designer choice recipients.  

If you are a Canadian crafter, check out the Didi Crafts Store for great products and excellent shipping rates! 

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

D.L. Art -- April LInky Party

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

AUD Sentiments -- ATG + a sentiment

TTCRD -- ATG

Spring Blooms & Fairy for Ching-Chou Kuik

 Hello, fellow crafters!  I'm posting today on the Ching-Chou Kuik Inspiration & Challenge Blog.  The 4-legged friends challenge is still underway, so join us for that!

I used one of Ching-Chou's partially colored images on today's card. This is Spring Blooms:

The partially colored version of Spring Blooms comes with the hair and eyes already colored.  I colored everything else with Copic markers, then cut her out and backed her with dies from The Scrapping Cottage.

The background paper is from We Are 3 Digital Shop. It is one of the Bokeh Blends papers. The cute little die cut bunny is from Peachy Cheap.

I hope you check out the inspiration often at Ching-Chou Kuik Inspiration & Challenge Blog. 

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

Morgan's Artworld -- ATG

2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a Critter

Crafty Animals -- ATG with an Animal

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Passion for Markers -- Feminine

Colour Crazy Challenge -- ATG with a colored image

Under the Sea -- for Paper ala Mode Challenges

 It's Saturday, and it's the start of a new challenge today at Saturday Paper ala Mode Challenges at The Outlawz. All year, our challenges are sponsored by We Are 3 Digital Shop. You could win a gift certificate for the We Are 3 Digital Shop, and try the papers, printable, and sentiments for ourself!

For the next 2 weeks, the theme at the Paper ala Mode challenge is 'Under the Sea'. Interpret that any way that you want!  I was looking for mermaids and seashells!

The cute mermaid is called Seaside Mermaid, and I colored her with Copic markers.  She also comes in a pre-colored version. The background paper is one of the Under the Sea papers, and the sentiment is part of the Mermaid Wishes Sentiments set. 

The fishing net die is by Tutti Designs.  The label dies and seashell dies are by Spellbinders.  All the inks I used for inking are by Close To My Heart. 

I hope you can join us this next 2 weeks at Paper ala Mode Challenges for the theme 'Under the Sea'!

Fairy Magic -- For Cute Card Thursday

 It's Thursday, and it's time for a new challenge at Cute Card Thursday. Every Thursday, a new challenge begins.  This week, our sponsor is All Dressed Up Stamps, and the theme is "wings".  You can find many images that fit this theme in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop (or however you want to interpret the theme).

I used the darling Fairy Magic image for my DT inspiration today:

I colored Fairy Magic with Copic markers, then inked the edges of the die cut with Close To My Heart inks while she was still in the stitched oval die. 

The background is a retro floral die cover by Pinkfresh Studio. The pink crinkle ribbon is from the D.L. Art Etsy Shop.

I hope you join us this week for our "wings" challenge at Cute Card Thursday! I'd love to see what you create.

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

A Bit More Time to Craft -- ATG

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Aud Sentiment -- ATG + a sentiment

The Paper Shelter -- With a Sentiment

Classic Design Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Sweet Bunny -- for Ching-Chou Kuik

 Greetings, everyone!  I am posting today on the Ching-Chou Kuik Challenge & Inspiration Blog. We have a new challenge getting underway on the CCK blog.  This month, our theme is 4-legged friends.  My 4-legged friends mean as much to me as some of me 2-legged friends, so I highly approved of this theme!

There are some wonderful images in the GJZCCK Etsy Shop that are perfect for this theme, including Sweet Bunny, which I used on this card: 

I used the black & white version here of Sweet Bunny, then colored it with Copic markers.   I cut her out and backed her with nesting dies by Crafter's Companion.  The stitched background is a die from Diamond Press.  The sentiment is computer generated and cut out with banner die by Crafter's Companion. I used my We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper on this, too.

You'll find wonderful inspiration on the Ching-Chou Kuik Inspiration & Challenge Blog, so check there often.  You'll find another challenge and more inspiration in the CCK Facebook group. 

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

Colour Crazy Challenges -- ATG

Give A Crafter a Cookie -- #155 April

613 Ave. Create -- Spring

Crafty Calendar -- Spring or Easter

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

The Paper Shelter -- Easter

Promarker Challenge -- Animal Antics

It's Bird Chirping Weather -- For JDS Challenges

 It's the first Monday of the month, and that can only mean one thing -- it's time for a new challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps Challenges (or JDS Challenges). Challenges are absolutely Anything Goes -- knitting, glass etching, scrapbooking, woodworking -- we want to see it all!  There is a gift certificate for a project using a Jan Mahew image, and another random winner each month. There will also be 3 designer choice awards. Awesome!

Jan had several new releases in March.  One was called Springtime, and it's what I used to design today's card.  One of my favorite parts of spring is having the birds return.  I eagerly await the first robin, the first loon on the lake, and the first bluebird.  We have bird feeders and bird houses throughout our property.  So, I really love this new Springtime set, with its bird and birdhouse theme.  There are black & white and precolored versions available.  I used the black & white on this card:

I picked up some inexpensive alcohol markers by Diamond Press, and used them on this project.  You get what you pay for.  I don't recommend them.  Their shading was terrible.  The light orange looked brown, and was darker than the medium and dark shades.  I was very disappointed with them.   After suffering through coloring the birdhouse and bird from the Springtime set, I fussy cut them both out.  The sentiment is also from the Springtime set. I used a set of Spellbinders label dies to cut it out and back it.

I made the slimline card using a slimline cutting die from Tutti Designs. 

I hope you join us this month at JDS Challenges.  I'd love to see what you create, and I'd also love to see you have a chance at the 2 gift certificates.  Use a Jan Mahew image to increase your chances! 

Spring Butterfly Girl -- for Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

 It's the first Sunday of the month, and that means we are starting a new challenge over on the Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Blog. The challenges run for a month, and they are always Anything Goes!

This month, we are sponsored by The Paper Shelter. The Paper Shelter has wonderful digital images.  They come with a black & white version, but also a pre-colored version, and some background papers.  It's fantastic! I was given the opportunity to color up the darling Enchanting Butterflies, and I created this:

I colored Enchanting Butterflies with Copic markers, then cut her out with an inverted nesting die from Crafter's Companion.  The 'Hello Spring' sentiment is also a Crafter's Companion die.  The butterfly dies are from Paper Wishes. The floral background paper is from Crafter's Companion.  It sang 'springtime' to me. 

I hope you can join us this month at Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends.  We have such wonderful sponsors -- like The Paper Shelter.  Link up, and you could win a gift certificate from their store.

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

The  Paper Shelter -- Easter

Crafty Calendar -- Spring or Easter

Cut it Up -- Spring Flower & Butterflies

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Spring is B-a-a-a-ck! for SheepSki Designs

 It's April 1st, and we're starting a new challenge on the SheepSki Designs Challenge Blog. The challenge runs the whole month of April, and the them is "Animal Magic".  You can find many wonderful images that will fit this theme in the SheepSki Designs Etsy Shop. 

For my DT inspiration, I colored up the wonderful image, Spring Lamb:

I colored Spring Lamb with Copic markers, then used some papers from AMB Illustrations.  I computer generated the sentiment.

I hope you can join us this month at SheepSki Designs Challenges for the Animal Magic challenge. I'd love to see what you create! 

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

Everybody Art -- Easter

Try it on Tuesday -- Hello Spring

Cutie Pie Challenge -- Bunnies & Blooms (spring)

Be Yourself Today -- For All Dressed Up Stamps

 April 1!  How did we get to April already?  April 1 means it's time for a new challenge over on the All Dressed Up Facebook Group.  The challenge will run throughout April.  The theme this month is "Use Embellies", and you also have to use an All Dressed Up image.  You'll find tons of beautiful ones just waiting to be colored and embellished in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop.

Here's my DT inspiration using Butterfly Kisses Girl...

I colored Butterfly Kisses Girl with Copic markers.  The designer papers are by We Are 3 Digital Shop. They are from the Spring Butterflies and Spring Butterflies Too papers. The sentiment is also from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  It is one of the You Know sentiments.  There are 4 in the set.  All of them are amazing. 

And, there you have it!  My embellished Butterfly Kisses Girl for the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Challenge for April. Come join the 'Use Embellies' challenge!

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

TTCRD -- ATG

DigiChoosday -- ATG

Crafty Sentiments -- ATG

Lemon Shortbread -- ATG

Promarker Challenge -- Something beginning with 'B' (butterfly)

Lessons from the Easter Bunny

 It's another Thursday, and that can only mean one thing!  It's time for another challenge at Cute Card Thursday. Every Thursday, you'll find a new challenge starting on the Cute Card Thursday Blog. This week, our sponsor is Whimsy Stamps, and the theme is Anything Goes. 

I used the Whimsy Stamps digital image Esther Bunny for today's card. She's a release by Some Odd Girl. 

I colored Esther Bunny with Copic markers, then fussy cut her out.  Here's a close up of the coloring: 

She's got sort of a sassy look on her face, doesn't she?  Maybe she's already eaten all the jelly beans?

Here's a close up of the sentiment:

I found the sentiment while cruising Pinterest. Where else, right?

The floral stitched background is a slimline die from Diamond Press.  The floral background paper is part of the Caring Thoughts paper pad by Crafter's Companion.  The paper flowers are from my stash. 

I hope you join us this week at Cute Card Thursday for our Anything Goes Challenge.  Whimsy Stamps is such a great sponsor.  You could win some great digis -- like this one! 

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

The Paper Shelter -- Easter

Shopping our Stash -- Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Cutie Pie Challenge -- Bunnies & Blooms

Stamps & Fun -- Easter

Easter Greetings -- For Dies R Us Challenges

 April 1 -- it's a new month, and it's a new challenge at Dies R Us Challenges. Our challenges are Anything Goes, as long as you use a brand of die sold in the Dies R Us Store. They last 2 weeks, with the next one beginning the 15th of the month. 

Since Easter is just around the corner, and I really like to send Easter cards, I took advantage of today's challenge to create one last Easter card:

This card uses an Expressions Interchangeable Butterfly Foliage Die from Crafter's Companion. You can interchange it with the sentiments "Happy Birthday" & "Happy thoughts".  Very cool concept! The adorable little bunny is part of the Impression Obsession Bunny Die Set. There are 3 small bunnies in this set.

The flowered background paper is from AMB Illustrations. 

I hope you can join us the next 2 weeks at Dies R Us Challenges. You might be the lucky winner of a gift certificate, or one of the designer choice recipients.

If you are in Canada, check out the Didi Crafts Store for fantastic products and great shipping rates! 

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

Shopping our Stash -- Here Comes Peter Cottontail (anything Easter)

D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

A Bit More Time to Craft -- ATG