To Ride a Horse is to Fly Without Wings! Outlawz Progressive Freebie

Every month, I try to participate in the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge.  The images are always free.  Even if I'm not crazy about them, I figure they are good coloring practice.  This month, though, the image just tugs at my heart strings!  It is the sweetest thing!  A girl and her horse are very much like the bond between a woman and her dog, I believe!

This Outlawz Progressive Freebie image is by Hettie Clare Art, and it's called Pony Plait.  

I have made a young friend through this pandemic.  It must be pure boredom on her part, but she lives a state away from me and has taken to making me cards and sending me letters.  She has a horse that she wasn't able to see for quite awhile because it was boarded in a stable a ways away from where they lived.  She shared this quote with me as her all time favorite quote.  I thought I'd put it on a card and send it to her.  I believe she may see a bit of herself and her horse in this card.

I colored Pony Plait with Copic markers, then used 2 sizes of wonky stitched dies from The Scrapping Cottage to cut it out and back it.  The papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop. I used 2 of the papers in the Howdy Collection.

Check out all the wonderful papers, digital images, and printable at We Are 3 Digital Shop.  You can find something for whatever project you are working on!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Progressive Freebie -- June
D.L. Art - June Linky Party
2 Crafty Critter Crazies -- ATG with a Critter
Crafty Animals Challenge -- ATG with an animal

You're the Cat's Meow!

I try to participate in the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge each month.  I've broken my streak a month of two due to illness, but overall, I keep the streak going.  This month's image is provided to us by Star Stampz.  It's called Red String.  I'm not a cat lover.  Think "dog" and you have me figured out!  My mother-in-law, though, is living with 2 of them, and she's recovering from a major surgery, so I'm trying to send her cards every few days.  This is another one heading her way:

I colored the Red String digital image with Copic markers.   I used a card base from Sizzix that cuts out the front stepper design.  The papers are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are the Dotted Swiss papers.  I computer generated the sentiment, and added a bit of twine from Timeless Twine to finish off the card.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge -- April
D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

Gnome one loves you like me --the Outlawz Progressive Freebie

I try to participate in the Outlawz Progressive Freebie whenever I can.  I've missed an occasional month due to illness, but I'm pretty consistent and loyal to the challenge.  I generally love the images we get for free to work with.  This month is no exception!

SheepSki Designs provided the image for March, and its the darling.  It's called Giant Mushroom, and here's what I made with it: 

I colored Giant Mushroom with Copic markers.  Then, I was off to find papers for this creation.  I found them at We Are 3 Digital Shop, of course.  The cute mushroom print paper, and dotted paper paper are part of the Autumn Woodland Collection.  I computer generated the sentiment.

I used the sketch from the current challenge at The Outlawz Sketch Challenge to jump start my creativity.  Here's the sketch: 

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

Outlawz Monthly Progressive Challenge -- March

Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- March18-31

Outlawz Monday Greeting Challenge -- square cards

D.L. Art -- March Linky Party

My Best Friend -- The Outlawz February Progressive Challenge

I've missed playing in the Outlawz monthly progressive challenge the last 2 months, but when I saw this month's sweet image, I knew it was time to jump back in!

Can you see why?  This adorable image from All Dressed Up Stamps is perfect for a dog lover like me! Thanks to Wendy Burns for donating My Best Friend for this month's challenge!

I colored My Best Friend with Copic markers, then cut out that paw print swath on the card base on my Silhouette Cameo 3. That piece of ribbon that I used to "tie" the card together has been in my stash for years. 

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

Outlawz Progressive Freebie -- February

Outlawz Festive Friday -- ATG

D.L. Art -- February Linky Party

Cute Card Thursday -- 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

Love You to the Stars & Back -- Outlawz Progressive Freebie

I try to participate in the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge each month.  I enjoy the variety of images we are given to work with, and the fact that we have a whole month to color them up and design something with them.

This month, the sponsor is All Dressed Up.  Wendy Burns has the cutest art, so I was very excited for this one!  I enjoyed creating with Stars & Back!

I colored Stars & Back with Copic markers, and added some touches with Wink of Stella pens. 

Papers on this card are by We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are from the Outer Space Collection.  Bonnie has a paper for every card! 

I cut the stars panel out on my Silhouette Cameo 3 with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The light blue glitter stars are from Close To My Heart.  They are part of a kit that is retired. 

It's time to find some challenges for this card:
Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge -- August
Outlawz Festive Friday -- Anniversary
Craft Rocket Challenge -- ATG
Crafting With an Attitude -- ATG
D.L. Art -- August Linky Party
Allsorts Challenge -- Sun, Moon, &/or Stars

Love You -- Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge

It's Saturday! Yea!  Even though I've been retired for a few months now, Saturday is still my favorite day of the week.  It's a day to sleep in, make pancakes, and relax a bit more than I have time for during the week.

I've been participating each month in the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge.  This month, Di Carubia, of Di's Digi Stamps, was the sponsor (thanks, Di)!  She provided the darling image for this card:

This is Ava, colored with Copic markers, then fussy cut.   I printed her very small, so I could fit her on a heart.  The coloring was a challenge!

The papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  The paper behind Ava is from the Roses Are Red collection. The other 2 designer papers are from the Hearts in Love collection. 

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

The silver foil trim and the sentiment stamp are both from Close To My Heart, as are the heart dies that I used.

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

Outlawz Monthly Progressive Freebie Challenge-- February

Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- through Feb 19

D.L. Art -- February Linky Party

Bear Love -- Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge

I'm writing a quick post, displaying my card for the January Outlawz Progressive Challenge.  A big thank you to Andrea Norris of SheepSki Designs for the wonderful image she gave us to play with this month!  If you follow my blog, you know I love SheepSki Designs! 

This card uses Bear Love:

I colored Bear Love with Copic markers.  I used a sketch from Outlawz Wednesday sketch to create the card. Some Timeless Twine finishes it off. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Monthly Progressive Challenge -- January
Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- Jan 23-Feb 5
D.L. Art -- January Linky Party
Cards in Envy -- Love me or love my pet

Music = Joy -- Outlawz Progressive Freebie

I'm writing a quick post, combining a couple challenges at the Outlawz -- one of my favorite places to play.

This image is the progressive freebie for December, from Star Stampz (thank you!). 

I colored him with Copic markers, then used a stitched die from Spellbinders to cut him out.

I used a sketch from The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge for the design of the card.  Here's the sketch:

I followed that exactly, didn't I?

Papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  They are part of the Holiday Wishes collection. 

The jute string was purchased from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and the gems are from Close To My Heart.  Off to find some challenge to enter this card in:

Outlawz Progressive Challenge -- December
Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- Dec. 19
D.L. Art -- December Linky Party

Happy Fall -- The Outlawz Challenges

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

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

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

Here's the sketch that I used:

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

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

Donut Be Afraid!

Woohoo!  I managed to get this month's progressive freebie colored and made into a card for The Outlawz Progressive Challenge.  It took me nearly all month to do it, but it is done, and here it is!

This Donut Hippo is by Sandra Caldwell, I sure appreciate her sponsoring the challenge this month.  

I colored Donut Hippo with Copic markers, then fussy cut it.  The sentiment is computer generated.

Papers on this card are from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  I used 2 different paper collections -- Happy Birthday, and Celebrate. 

Happy Birthday Collection

Celebrate

The silver flower things that kind of looks like a dish scrubby is from Close to My Heart.  It has been retired for a long time, but I still had one in a package, and I thought it matched well with the hippo.

OK, time to wrap this up and start some supper for the hubs.  

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

Outlawz Progressive Freebie -- August

D.L. Art -- August Linky Party

Crafty Friends Challenge -- Animals

Sending Smiles -- Outlawz July Progressive Freebie

It's Saturday, and after the tragic loss of our beloved Gracie a couple weeks ago, we're heading a couple hours away to look for a new puppy.  We're looking at a male this time.  We can't even think about having a female spayed.

Gracie, 2017-2018

We loved that girl!  She was the dog I was going to go into retirement with.  Instead, she died 4 days after her one year birthday, and 3 weeks after I retired from a mistake the vet made during surgery.  

These are 2 of the males from the new litter.  We'll have 5 to choose from.  We'll check them out today, at 5 weeks, and bring one home at 7 weeks.  No one can replace our Gracie, but the house is just too quiet, and there is room in our hearts for another dog.  

But this is a blog primarily about paper crafts, and I have a card to post today.

I've been participating in the Outlawz monthly Progressive Freebie all year now.  This month's freebie is by SheepSki Designs, a team I happen to design for.  I love coloring Andrea's flowers! 

This is Tulip Border, printed twice, and colored with Copics.  The tulip edger die is from Technique Tuesday.  The butterfly die is from Sizzix.   I stamped the sentiment on the card.  It is a stamp from a retired Close To My Heart set. 

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

Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge -- July
AUD Sentiment Challenge -- Flowers plus a sentiment
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
D.L. Art -- July Linky Party

You're Tweet

Happy Flag Day!  I was at the nursing home this afternoon to play piano and help with the Flag Day program.  The flag and what it stands for means so much to our older generation.  I hope that kind of patriotism doesn't die out when they do!

I colored up this image yesterday and made it into a card this morning in-between commitments. It's the freebie this month of June at the Outlawz Progressive Freebie.  It's by We Are 3 Digital Shop.  

I colored this Tweet bird with Faber Castell colored pencils.  It took a lot of coloring to get this image colored.  My hand was cramping up!   I used a sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday sketch to help me design the card.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Progressive Freebie -- June
Outlawz Wednesday Sketch -- Week of June 13
D.L. Art -- June Linky party

Don't Forget You're Beautiful -- Outlawz Progressive May Freebie

It's been a beautiful weekend, and I found a little time for crafting this afternoon.  I did a little coloring, including the May progressive freebie image from The Outlawz.  This month's free image is provided by Sandi's Samples. Here's what I created with it:

I colored the perfume bottle from Sandi's Samples with Copic markers, then used the sketch from this week's Outlawz Wednesday sketch challenge to create the card.  

I used a couple of Spellbinders dies to cut out the image and back it.  The tag die was cut out with a Paper Wishes die.  The sentiment is from an MHKDesigns digital stamp set -- Beautiful Bottles.  A Darice embossing folder created the quilted looking pattern in the pink paper.  The rhinestone flourishes are by Close To My Heart.  A little Timeless Twine finishes off the card.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge -- week of May 2
Outlawz Monthly Progressive Freebie -- May
D.L. Art -- May Linky Party
IDCB -- ATG
Di's Digi Challenge -- for a special lady
Hiding in My Craftroom -- Freestyle
Jo's Scrap Shack -- ATG
Lemon Shortbread Challenge -- ATG

Happy Birthday - Outlawz Monthly Progressive Challenge

Happy Monday, crafty friends!  I've been participating in the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge all year, and I've got the April image colored up and made into a card.  This month's freebie is by Sheepski Designs.  It's the wonderful Virgo, or Virgo Cat.  Thank you, Andrea!

My sister-in-law has 2 cats, so I thought I'd make this card into a birthday card for her.  Always good to be ready when her birthday rolls around!

I colored up Virgo with Copic markers.  The front step card was created using a die by Sizzix.  The cat papers are from Imagine That Digistamp and are called Cat Pack. There's some Timeless Twine to finish off this card.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Outlawz Progressive freebie Challenge -- April
Dragonfly's Journey -- Baker's Twine
Sheepski Designs Monthly Challenge -- Animal Magic
Sheepski Designs Facebook Challenge -- optional spring theme
Cat Lover's Challenge -- Furry Thing Goes
D.L. Art -- April Linky Party
IDCB -- ATG

Enjoy Your Special Day!

Hello, and happy Tuesday!  Are there signs of spring where you live?  The sun is getting more intense here, and slowly reducing our snow piles.  Yes!

I've been trying to participate in the Outlawz Monthly Progressive Freebie Challenge this year, and I've managed to get this month's done before the month is even 1/2 over.  Wow!  This month's free image was kindly provided by Anne's Digital Art.  The image is called, appropriately, "Catch of the Day":

I colored up Catch of the Day with Copic markers.  I found some rustic designer papers in my stash of old Close To My Heart papers, and thought they worked well.  The sentiment is also a Close To My Heart stamp.  The dies used on this card are all from Paper Wishes. 

Off to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Progressive Monthly Freebie -- March
D.L. Art -- March Linky Party
IDCB -- ATG
Outlawz Festive Friday -- use a diecut

Birthday Wishes -- Outlawz Monthly Progressive Challenge

I'm trying to play along with the Outlawz Monthly Progressive Challenge.  I really like this month's image called Wild Rose from Beccy's Place.  

I colored the Wild Rose image with Copic markers.  I didn't plan to fussy cut it, but a blop if ink made me do it, LOL.  

The sentiment is from Power Poppy.  The digital background paper is from MHKDesigns. The stitched oval die is from Die-namics. 

See you at The Outlawz!

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

Outlawz Progressive Freebie -- February
Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog -- ATG (optional twist real stamp - Birthday Wish is acrylic)
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- pink or red
D.L. Art -- February Linky Party

Sweet Birthday Wishes!

I've got a quick post today.  I made a card for the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge.  It's been well over a year since I've been able to participate in their awesome challenge, so it feels good to be back at it.

The image this month is from Di's Digis, called Bunny Cupcake Wagon.  Part of the reason I decided to jump back in the challenge was the adorableness of this image!

I colored Bunny Cupcake Wagon with Copic markers.

The frame is a cutting die from Craftin' Desert Divas.  The oven mitt is a stamp and die from Close To My Heart.  The sentiment was computer generated.

I'll be entering this little cutie in the following challenges:

The Outlawz Challenges -- Progressive Freebie - January
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- Anything Goes

Just Keep Juggling

I had a little extra time to play today, so I colored up this adorable image from Gerda Steiner.  This is the November freebie at The Outlawz progressive challenge.

Love this tiger with his positive attitude!  He's concentrating so hard to keep it all together.  That's exactly how I feel these days.  I just might have to send this card to myself!

I colored Juggling Tiger with copic markers, then fussy cut it.  The papers on this card are from Echo Park.  I wanted them to be as bright and cheerful as the coloring.  I used a variety of circle dies from Craftin' Desert Divas and Lifestyle Crafts to make the card.  The sentiment is computer generated.

I'm entering this in the following challenges:
Gerda Steiner -- Share your Design
Outlawz Progressive Freebie -- October
Outlawz Monday Challenge -- More than 2 Layers
Critters & Creatures Linky party 8 -- ATG
D.L. Art - October Linky Party
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Sunny Day Challenge -- ATG
IDCB -- ATG

What's Up, Mom?

I have 2 monthly progressive challenges that I like to enter each month. Here are my entries into both the challenges -- Gerda Steiner's Monthly Challenge and The Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge.

I'll start first with my entry for the Outlawz Progressive Challenge.   The image this month is provided by my talented friend, Andrea Norris, of Sheepski Designs.   She has 2 versions, depending on what you call your mother in your neck of the woods.

Here's what I created for my Mother-in-law for the upcoming Mother's Day holiday:

I printed the Mom digi on Copic X-press It Blending card, then colored it with Copic markers.  I have some new dies from JustRite Dies that I used on this.  The Ribbon is from D.L. Art's Etsy Store.  It is part of the Valentine Bundle.

On to the entry for the Gerda Steiner Challenge:

This tag uses 'Hang In There Monkey,' a digi found in the Gerda Steiner Store.  I colored the Monkey with Copic markers, then used a variety of dies by Paper Wishes to create the tag.  The plaid paper is from Lawn Fawn, as is the sentiment and the word bubble die. The card stock and fibers are from Close To My Heart.  Love that hanging monkey!

That's all for me today.  Off to find some challenges to enter these in:
Gerda Steiner Progressive Challenge -- April
Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge -- April
Outlawz Monday Greetings -- ATG
Critters & Creatures Linky Party -- ATG with a Critter
IDCB -- ATG
D.L. Art -- April linky party
Not Just Cards -- ATG
PDE Linky Party -- ATG