Outside Looking In -- for Paper ala Mode Challenges

 It's Saturday, and it's time for a new challenge at The Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode Challenges. Challenges run for 2 weeks, and are always sponsored by We Are 3 Digital Shop. Today's challenge has the theme of "Outside Looking In".  You can interpret this however you'd like.  Use those window dies that you own.  Make an outdoor scene, if you wish.  I used the awesome Window View and Window Layer from the We Are 3 Digital Shop.  Layer everything together, I created this:

The deer looking in the window is from Window Layers Collection. The window frame with the floral bouquet is part of the Window View Collection.

I framed the whole card with a die from a company no longer in business (Craftin' Desert Divas), I cut it out with a piece of paper from the Happy Birthday Collection.  The pretty pink textured paper is from the Sentimental Canvas Paper Pack.

The banner die and stamp are by Crafter's Companion. 

I hope you can join us this next 2 week's for our Outside Looking In Challenge.  I'd love to see how you interpret this, and we have great prize for you to win!

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

Crafty Animals Challenges -- ATG with an animal

A Gem of a Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art -- February Link Party

Hello Friend -- For Di's Digi Designs Challenges

Hello, Friend!  It's time for a new challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges, and a mouse and butterfly have become the best of friends today!  The theme for the next 2 weeks is "hand colored images", so link up anything that you color, with whatever is your medium of choice.

This card uses Mushroom Mouse.  It is available in both black & white and colored, but of course, for this challenge, you'll want the black & white variety.  

I colored Mushroom Mouse with Copic markers.  There are signs of Autumn showing up in the trees and plants where I live, so I was striving for Autumn colors in Mushroom Mouse. 

The papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.   They are the Fairy Delight papers.   I used 4 of the papers from the pack on this card.

The fun woodland/mushroom border and falling leaf is a die from Craftin' Desert Divas.  She just closed her business.  I will miss her fun dies. 

The last few days I have had the most fantastic butterfly in my yard.  It is similar to a Tiger Swallowtail, only bigger, and the markings aren't quite right.  It loops along, flying in the breeze, and brings me such joy!  Two days ago, there were 8 Blue Jays trying to catch it, but it eluded them all.  I was so pleased to see it the next day!  

Check out all the wonderful stamps and digis at Di's Digi Stamps Store.  Purchase something that strikes your fancy, color it up, and enter our 'hand colored image' challenge.  You have 2 weeks!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- Stitching Real or Faux (in this case, faux)
QKR Stampede -- ATG
DigiChoosday -- ATG
Animal Friends Challenge -- ATG
2 Craft Critter Crazies Challenge -- ATG with a critter

Thanks for Sticking by Me -- for We Are 3 Digital Shop

I'm posting today for We Are 3 Digital Shop, where you can find papers, images, and sentiments for almost anything you could want.  

I have friends that go to Arizona every Winter.  He has RA, and the winters here in Wisconsin get the best of him, so they escape the cold and enjoy the warmer, drier climate of the desert southwest.  Recently, they helped us out with some clean up of our property, and I needed a thank you card for them.

This card uses plenty of We Are 3 products.  The cactus is called Camille's Cactus, and it comes in both a pre-colored and a black & white version.  I used the pre-colored version on this card. I printed Camille's Cactus on a piece of paper from the Coneflower Love Collection.  The cactus paper is one of the 8 papers that come in the Cactus Paper Collection.  The sentiment is one of 6 sentiments in the Cactus Greetings Set. 

I used the current sketch at the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge to help me construct this card.  Here's the sketch:

I cut the stitched oval shape and scalloped oval shape out with dies from Spellbinders.  The small cactus die with the flower is from Craftin' Desert Divas. 

I hope you can check out the We Are 3 Facebook Group for more inspiration. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- through Sept. 3
Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode -- Kindness
D.L. Art -- August Linky Party

You Are My Moon & Stars -- for Path of Positivity

It's Monday, and it's time for some mid-month inspiration on the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog.  This month, the optional challenge theme is 'Admiration', or you can enter any positive themed project you'd like.  Our ongoing sponsor each month is Scribbles Designs.  

My husband is a source of great inspiration for me, and I admire him very much.  He has a work ethic that few can rival, calling in sick once in his nearly 30 years with the company he works for.  His 8 hour work days are 10-11 hours each and every day, although he's paid for 8, and I could go on and on.  I made him this card, using a free image found in the Scribbles Designs Store, to show him my appreciation for the things he does for me:

I used #F146 Moon & Stars, colored with Copic markers.  The star and moon die is from Craftin' Desert Divas.  The sentiment is computer generated and cut out with a die from Spellbinders.  The starry sky background paper is from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  It is a new release this month. It is one of the Moon Desert papers. 

'Admiration'-- the optional theme this month at the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog.  I hope you can join us!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- May Linky Party
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- 3 circles (not 3 squares)

Sympathy Rose - Color Challenge for Bugaboo Stamps

It's Saturday, and it's time for a new challenge at Catch the Bug Challenge Blog. Today, we start a color challenge.  They are always a bit intimidating for me.  I love a sketch challenge -- I find they are a great stepping stone for my creativity.  A color challenge, though, stifles me.  I spend way too much time wondering if I'm staying within the guidelines, and not enough time enjoying the creative process.  So, perhaps color challenges are good for me?

I recently needed a sympathy card, so I decided today's theme would work well for making the card.  Using Rose Circle from the Mini Rose Set and the March Color Challenge (see below), I created this:

I colored the Rose Circle with Copic markers, then use a couple of circle dies to cut it out and back it.

Here's the color challenge mood board I used:

I probably spent as long looking for the right papers as I did coloring up the Rose Circle.  I found this flower paper in my stash.  I've had it forever, and I don't know where I got it.  I think it's part of a card kit from Spellbinders (both patterned papers).  The sentiment is from Craftin' Desert Divas.  The gold shimmer trim is from Close To My Heart. 

I hope you can join us this next 2 weeks for our color challenge at Catch the Bug.   I bet you are way better at these than I am!  I'd love to see your creations so I can better learn the process! 

I'd love to enter this in the following challenges:
AUD Sentiments -- Any sentiment but 'Happy Birthday'
Jo's Scrap Shack -- #274
QKR Stampede -- ATG
Outlawz Festive Friday -- Spring Flowers

I Love you a Latte -- for Aloha Friday Challenges

Aloha!  It's Friday!  And it's time for a bit of mid-challenge inspiration at Aloha Friday Challenge Blog.  The theme this time is "Food & Drink".  

One of our awesome sponsors, Sparkle N Sprinkle, provided me with an awesome digital stamp to create with, and I used it to make this for the Aloha Friday's Food & Drink challenge:

This was created with a digital image and a sentiment from the Espresso Yourself digital set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I used a pre-colored image from the set.

Papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.   The paper behind the latte is from the Tea Time paper collection. The coffee stain paper is from the Inspirational paper collection.  The sequins are from Craftin' Desert Divas.  

Join us at Aloha Fridays Challenges for our Food & Drink theme.  There's still another week! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Challenge -- ATG
Digichoosday -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Birthday Boots -- for Aloha Friday Challenges

It's Friday, and it's time for some mid-challenge inspiration at Aloha Friday Challenges.  The theme for this challenge is "Birthday".

We have 2 sponsors this challenge, and I was lucky enough to be able to work with an adorable image and papers from We Are 3 Digital Shop. Here's my card:

This image is Color Me Garden, colored with Copic markers. The paper behind Color Me Garden, also from We Are 3 Digital Shop, is from Peonies Ballet.

The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Craftin' Desert Divas.  The orange crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM -- long retired now, but I'm still well stocked!

Birthdays -- we all need cards for them, so get busy creating, then enter the challenge at Aloha Fridays Challenge Blog.  You have through Feb. 7 to join us!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Outlawz Festive Friday -- Birthday
Crafty Sentiments -- ATG
Papercraft Challenges -- Bright Colors

So Grateful -- for Dies R Us

Greetings, fellow paper crafters!  Today is my first post on the Dies R Us inspiration blog!  Woohoo!  I'm so excited! 

I love shaped cards!  If you're a regular visitor to my blog you'll see many shaped cards. You can use many different dies to make shaped cards.  Follow this post, and I'll show you how.

First, the finished card, then how I did it --

Here's  the supplies I used (more details later):

I created the card base using the largest Spellbinders die.  Pictured below is how I did it.  

Notice that I left one edge of the die hanging off the paper, which is already folded in 2, like the card base.  I like to use washi tape to hold my dies in place.  You can easily remove it after you run it through your die cutting machine.

Here's the card base after it's cut out.  I cut out another piece of paper using this same die and tape it over the top, hiding the flat edge on the left.  

Here's the card again!  A fun shape, easily constructed.

Supplies found in the Dies R Us Store:

Die-Versions Grand Piano

Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes 6x6 paper

Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog. There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store. For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below.

click below for: STORE CHALLENGE BLOG FACEBOOK INSPIRATION BLOG FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Thank you card

Heartfelt Thanks -- for QKR Stampede Challenge Blog

It's Friday!  Fri-yay!  That means it's time for a new challenge on the QKR Stampede Challenge blog, where there's a new challenge every week, and every challenge is Anything Goes! 

I got out my colored pencils for this week's card, and used the Eureka Stamps digi, Waterfall Border (ES-digi37401) to create this: 

Once the image was colored with Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, I backed it with black card stock.  Then, I used 2 digital papers from the We Are 3 Digital Shop, At The Beach.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Craftin' Desert Divas.  The aqua shimmer trim is from Close To My Heart. 

I hope you're able to join the challenge this week at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog.  I'd love to see your creations, and we've got great digis you can win! 

Celebrate! for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

Celebrate!  It's not too long now until Independence Day here in the US.  My small town goes all out.  It's the 2nd biggest day of the year, next to Christmas.  The population of our city is just over 2000 people, but on July 4th, we swell to over 10,000.  The crowds love our festivities, too!

To start getting in the patriotic spirit of the 4th of July, I created this card using the Cupcake image from Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez, and went with a patriotic twist, then made it into a shaker card for even more of a festive feel. 

I colored the cupcake digi with Copic markers, then fussy cut it. The patriotic papers are also from Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez.  They are the Red & Blue basics collection.  Don't they work well for this shaker card?

Well, that's it for me for today.  I have to get out the bunting, the flags, find the sparklers, get Gracie the dog decorated -- there's TONS to do before the 4th of July!  

I hope you find time to visit the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Store, and the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Facebook Group.  
You'll be glad you did! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Addicted to Stamps & More -- Holidays
Shopping Our Stash -- Red, White, and Blue
DigiChoosday -- ATG
Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode -- Framed

Smile -- for Path of Positivity

Smile!  It's Monday!  It's also time for a new challenge at The Path of Positivity Challenge Blog. This month's alternate color theme "neutrals".  We have 2 sponsors this month:  Mari Digis, and A Day for Daisies. 

For today's post, I'm showcasing a digi from Mari Digis, B99, Inspired by Jane Austin:

I colored this image using Copic markers and concentrating on neutral colors.  The papers came in a card kit, so I don't know who they're by.  I used Spellbinders dies to cut her out and back her.  The gold foil paper is from Close To My Heart.  The sentiment is from Craftin' Desert Divas.  I used a card sketch from this week's challenge at The Outlawz Wednesday Challenge.

The challenges at The Path of Positivity run for a month.  You have until July 2 to link up with your optional "neutral" projects, or  link up any positive themed project you'd like.  I'd love to see your creations!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Mari's Digis Challenge Blog -- ATG with a Maris Digi
D.L. Art -- June Linky Party
Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- Week of May 30
IDCB -- ATG
Challenge Up Your Life -- Gold

Be Brave -- a Tribute

 It's Memorial Day, and I'm spending the day working at the nursing home.  The VFWA will be in in the afternoon, putting on a program, hoping us all remember those that have gone before, paving the way for the freedom we have today.  Our country is so blessed because of our forefathers!

I have a tribute of a slightly different kind today, featuring a stamp set from Craftin' Desert Divas.  I have a friend going through chemo for the 2nd time in 2 years.  I barely made it though once, so I don't know where she's getting the courage to go through it twice. I admire her so much!  This time around isn't easy, but she's 1/2 way through the treatments.  Prayers, friends, and family are helping her on her journey.   

This card is for my friend:

I created the background by blending 3 colors of blue-ish Distress inks together.  I used Tumbled Glass toward the middle of the card, and Salty Ocean and Mermaid Lagoon around the edges.  I used a Bubble stencil and Mermaid Lagoon to create the background design.

The sentiment was stamped with Memento ink and hit with a heat gun.   I stamped 2 sizes of fish from the Be Brave Stamp Set to create the card front.  Pixie Dust Sequins, also from Craftin' Desert Divas,  finish off the card.

I hope this card gives my friend strength &/or a smile!  There's so little I can do for her.  I like to show my love with cards.

Craftin' Desert Divas is having a design team call.  I'm using this card as one of my entries for the call.  Wish me luck!!

I'm planning on entering this card in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create -- Optional twist - mostly blue
Cute Card Thursday -- Little Boy Blue
D.L. Art -- May Linky Party
IDCB -- ATG

Friendship is the Sweetest Flower

It's Memorial Day weekend, and our 2nd 90 degree day of the summer.  Some summers, we can go all summer without hitting 90, so this is very unusual.  It could stay this hot for a few more days yet.  Yeesh!

I have a card I created today while staying cool in my air conditioned craft room.  I made it using Craftin' Desert Divas products and Tim Holtz distress inks -- some of my favorite products!  

I'm going to send this to my best friend, who recently moved to Idaho.  What do you think?

I started by making the card base using 4 distress inks and blending them together.  I blended 2 greens - Mowed Lawn and Shabby Shutters (I shouldn't argue with the great Tim Holtz, but I don't think he's found the perfect green yet), then Picked Raspberry and Salty Ocean.  After hitting them with a heat gun to dry, I stamped the delightful sentiment from the Craftin' Desert Divas stamp set, Friendship. 

I stamped the delightful hedgehog image from the Friendship stamp set on Xpress It paper, colored it with Copic markers, and fussy cut it.  I used a circle die from the Craftin' Desert Divas Stitched in Circles Die set.  The sun, colored with Squeezed Lemonade Distress ink, is another circle die from the Stitched in Circles Die Set. 

The butterflies were on my desk and seemed to add the final touch I was looking for. Plus, I can now enter this in The Outlawz Twisted Thursday challenge (use a butterfly)  :)

Craftin' Desert Divas is having a design team call, and I've decided to try my luck.  This card is one of my entries for the call.  Wish me luck!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- Butterflies
D.L. Art -- May Linky party
Stars Stampz -- No squares Allowed
AUD Sentiment -- Summer plus a sentiment
TTCRD -- ATG

Life is Sweet -- for Scribbles Designs

Hey, hey crafty friends.  Happy Monday to you all!  This month is cruising right along, although spring is taking it's time at arriving here in the Northwoods.  We still have lots of snow to melt, but we made a bit of progress this weekend, with temperatures a little bit warmer than they've been.  Yes!

I'm posting today for Scribbles Designs, where I have the honor of being a part-time team member, posting every 23rd of the month. That's today!  I have 2 projects for my inspiration post on the Scribbles Designs blog today.  Here they are: 

This first card uses flower pot 2 and the 'Life is Sweet' sentiment from Words 3...

I sized the flower pot 2 image large enough to fit the sentiment, then colored it with Copic markers.   I found the blue dotted background paper in my stash.  I thought the twine went well with the twine around the pot in the image.  

The second project, the tag, uses Farrah Flamingo:

Farrah Flamingo is a hottie, isn't she?  You know where she stand in the flock!  She is also colored with Copic markers.  Papers on this tag are from Imagine That Digistamp.  The sentiment is computer generated, and just seems to fit.  The fibers are long retired from Close To My Heart.  I've had them for years, but keep reaching for them.  

I'm enjoying my chance to play with Scribbles Designs images.  I'm finding so many fun ones in the Scribbles Designs store.  You really  owe it to yourself to explore the store. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #116 -- April Showers Bring May Flowers
Not Just Cards -- April challenge
D.L. Art -- April linky party
IDCB -- ATG

Bee Loved -- for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

Happy Thursday, crafty friends.  Thursday -- almost as great a day as Friday, isn't it?!?  I guess that's because Friday is just just around the corner!

I'm posting today for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez.  I've been having so much fun with her digital stamps!  The one I colored up today was such a joy!

This card uses digital stamp, Honey Bee.  The stamp comes with the bee, the hearts, and the Bee Loved sentiment.  (I added the bee flying pattern to the sentiment). You can use the bee separately, the hearts separately, or combine them, like I did here with this Honey Bee card.  I colored the Honey Bee with Copic markers and printed the sentiment on my computer.

The card base is an SVG file from My Scrap Chick.  I thought the honeycomb pattern worked so well with this card, and the colors went together perfectly!  I used a couple of circle cutting dies from Lifestyle crafts and Craftin' Desert Divas to cut out the Honey Bee.

I hope you check out the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez store.  She has darling stamps -- both clear acrylic and digital.  She also has some digital papers, printable cards, Zazzle files, and freebies.  It's worth a snoop around for sure!  Check out her Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez blog, where many of her images are featured by herself and the design team.  You won't be disappointed! You'll find the Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez Facebook Group here, and there's a monthly Anything Goes challenge we'd love to have you participate in! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L.Art -- April Linky Party
IDCB -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday-- ATG

Lemon Shortbread Challenge -- ATG
TTCRD -- ATG
Ellie Belle's paper Crafters Linky party -- #11
If you Give a Crafter a Cookie -- Challenge #92

A Christmas Santa -- Wisconsin Style -- for QKR Stampede

Woohoo!  It's Friday, and it's VERY close to Christmas!  We can stop hustling and bustling very soon now!

It's also time for another challenge at QKR Stampede challenge blog.  This week's optional theme is Santa.  Well, here is Wisconsin, we're all about cows, so I thought this would be a good Santa alternative for this challenge:

This card uses Christmas Cow (ES-digi2401), colored with Copic markers, and fussy cut, and Merry Christmas Script (Q-digi7817).

The colorful snowflake paper for this card is from Imagine That! Digistamp.  All card stock is from Close To My Heart.  Dies are from My Die Deals (Snowflake flourish corner die), Craftin' Desert Divas (circle die), and Lawn Fawn (stitched oval).  The gold foil tape is also from Close To My Heart.

I hope you find time during this busy Christmas week to join us at QKR Stampede.  You can use the optional Santa theme, or enter anything you like.  Next year's challenges will be Anything Goes every week!  Yea!  Can't wait!

Merry Christmas, everyone!  

A Non-traditional Merry Christmas -- for QKR Stampede

It's Friiiidaaayyy!  The 2nd Friday of December already!  How can this be happening!

It's also the start of a new challenge at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog. This week's optional theme is 'Non-traditional Christmas Colors'.  I like this theme as I get tired of the usual red, green, and blue.  I had fun with this one!

I used the digi stamps Christmas Ball with Ribbon (ES-digi12702) and Merry Christmas (ES-digi3206) to create this card. 

I colored Christmas Ball with Ribbon with Copic markers, then fussy cut it. 

The designer papers are digital papers that I found at Snap Click Supply.  The plain colored card stock is from Close To My Heart.  The snowflake stickers are from Hot Off the Press.  The card base is a cutting die from Tattered Lace.  Other circle cutting dies are from Craftin' Desert Divas (scalloped die) and Lifestyle crafts. 

I hope you find time to join us this week at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog.  I know things are getting busier and busier, but enter anything you make -- I'd love to see it, and we've got great digis that you can win!  

Thanks a Bunch -- for Imagine That! Digistamp

Have you joined in at the Imagine That! Digistamp's Creative Playground yet?  It's time for some mid-challenge inspiration with this month's free image. I hope you link up, as this is a great image!

I made this shaker card using Thanks a Bunch and colored it with Copic markers.  The papers, also from Imagine That! Digistamp, are the Tea N Roses digi papers. I used dies from Lawn Fawn and sequins from Craftin' Desert Divas to create the shaker. The ribbon is from my stash.

Imagine That! Digistamp products used on this card:

Thanks a Bunch

Tea N Roses digi papers

Link up any Imagine That! Digistamp image and the Thanks a Bunch set is yours!  You have until Nov. 3! See you in the Playground! 

In Sympathy -- for QKR Stampede

It's Friday!  Yea!  I'm traveling today 3 hours to see my BFF.  She was washing the windows on the second story of her house and the extension ladder collapsed!  She now has 13 screws and a plate in her left heel, and a broken tibia in her other leg.  She's in a wheelchair for at least a month, maybe longer, so several of us are road tripping today to see what we can do to cheer her up and help out around the house.

It's Friday!  That means it's time for a new challenge at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog.  This week, our optional theme is 'Autumn Leaves'.  I found a beautiful digital stamp in the Eureka Stamps store (the sister company to QKR Stampede) that I used for this week's challenge:

This card uses 2 Eureka Stamps digis:  Tree Losing Leaves (ES-digi34502) and In Sympathy (ES-digi4505).

I used a combination of Copic markers and distress inks on the Tree Losing Leaves image, coloring it with markers first so I didn't ruin the nibs, then using distress inks.  I fussy cut it, and backed it with Fall colored papers.  I love the script on the In Sympathy digital stamp! The sequins on this card are from Craftin' Desert Divas.  

I hope you can join us this week at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog for our optional "Autumn Leaves" challenge, or link up whatever you'd like.  I'd love to see what you create!  

No Worm for the Early Bird! For Path of Positivity

Happy October, crafty friends!  It's time for a new challenge at The Path of Positivity Challenge Blog. We're midway through our 3-month theme of exploring how the arts impact our lives and our crafting at the Path of Positivity.  This month, the optional theme is "Surround Yourself with Literature."

Our guest sponsor this month is Sparkle N Sprinkle. I used the very fun digital stamp, Wilson Birds to create this:

I printed the Wilson Birds digital stamp on Kraft paper, then colored the mirrored image with Faber-Castell colored pencils.  The sentiment, also part of the Wilson Birds set, is SO darn cute!

I chose this stamp set, and this particular theme because, after perusing my husband's bookshelf, I found 11(!) bird books.  He and I are what you could refer to as diehard "birders".  We even have our own life lists of birds we've seen and identified. 

I hope you can join us this month for our optional "surround yourself with literature" theme.  Tell us how your project connects to the theme in your post -- maybe it's a particular book that speaks to you, a poem, or a quote.  Our challenge will go until Nov 5.