A New Pastel Ribbon Challenge for 3 Girl Jam and FWF! -- and a Give Away!

There's a new ribbon challenge starting today on the 3 Girl Jam Challenge blog and this time of year, it seems easy to use pastel colors and ribbon.  I have a couple of projects to share today using 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon and Unity stamps.  The two go together like bread and butter.  Or jelly beans and chocolate bunnies.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a couple double decker bird houses.  Spring is coming late here in NW Wisconsin.  Those birds are going to need every advantage, so I gave them a two-story house!

I only decorated one of them up so you could see both stories of the front of it, but both houses are exactly the same.  I used MME Miss Caroline paper on the houses, daffodil  crinkle ribbon from the Spring Flowers bundle, and a 3 Girl Jam Flair button that matched the paper PERFECTLY!  The stamped bird image you can see from this angle is from the Feb. 2010 Unity Kit of the Month.

 

Here's a couple more angles of the decorated house...

 

 The singing bird on the front of the house is from the Unity set, "Could I be Any Cuter?".

 



The "birds of a feather" sentiment is a Market Street Stamp set by the same name.

 

 

And, I finally had a chance to play along with the Unity challenge this month.  I used both the sketch challenge:

 

And the color challenge,

to make this card:

I used 3 Girl Jam  Baby Boy crinkle ribbon from the Baby bundle on this card, playing along with the Pastel challenge just getting under way today. I also used the Unity Stamp of the Week, "No.Bunny".
Card base is Carta Bella Kraft, DP is Fancy Pants Be You.  I used some Basic Grey fibers on the tag, CTMH twine around the framed portion of the bunny, Creative Inspirations paints in Mocha Latte, Blush, and Peach.  A little Eucalyptis Stickles finishes off that bunny with style. He's going to the nursing home to bring a smile to a resident's face on Easter Sunday morning. I used Memento Espresso Truffle throughout this project.

And, the giveaway I mentioned.  While organizing my Stickles collection last week for a  tutorial I did on All That Stickles blog, I found I had some duplicate Stickle colors.  So, I decided they needed a good, loving, crafty home.  I also have a couple Unity stamp of the week stamps I haven't used and probably won't, and a 6x6 paper pad, plus some embellishments.  To win, follow this blog if you don't already and leave me a comment.  To increase your chances of winning, leave a comment on my post from Tuesday also.

I'm entering these projects in the following challenges:

Creative Inspiration Paints Anything Goes challenge
Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge
Ribbon Carousel's Spring is in the Air challenge
Oozak's Anything Goes with Spring challenge
Crafty Creations Challenge's blog Easter theme
The new Unity challenge
Raisin Boat's Easter/Spring challenge
Cameo Creations Easter challenge
Sweet Stamps Easter challenge

Please link up your own pastel color projects with the 3 Girl Jam ribbon challenge. You can use any ribbon. Of course, we prefer 3 Girl Jam ribbon (and you will, too, once you try it!), but any ribbon or twine will do. You can link up on the  challenge blog. The pastel color challenge with ribbon goes from March 29-April 11.

Snow Angels

When I made this layout last month, I was hoping the snow would be gone by the time it posted on The Crop.  Little did I know we'd still have two feet of snow on the ground, and nearly 30 inches of ice still on the lakes.  The calendar may say spring, but it still seems very much like winter here!

I have a layout to share with you today with a nature theme in mind.  I gathered twigs and birch bark from my yard and used them on a 2-page layout with photos from an ice fishing expedition in January.  Well, maybe I should call it a walk across the ice to the ice shacks in January.  The guys never actually let us in the shacks. 

There were 7 of us walking about 3 miles across the lake.  Three of us were on 2 legs, 3 were on 4 legs, and 1 was on 3 legs.  We took our time, enjoyed the mild 20 degree January day, and walked to the shack.  We thought it would be about 1.5 miles, but the fishing wasn't good in that spot, and the guys had moved further down the lake.  But, we found them.  We just had to walk a little further.

I wanted to use non-winter papers on this layout, so I went with Echo Park For the Record 2, purchased from my favorite place to buy most of my scrappy supplies, cropchocolate.com. I also used Clear Rock Candy Distress crackle paint from CC to adhere the letters to the birch bark, Tim Holtz distress ink in Frayed Burlap from CC to accent the crackle effect of the paint on the birch bark and for inking the edges of the papers. The letters in the title are by Making Memories (CC). The base of both pages in Carta Bella kraft cardstock, also purchased from cropchocolate.com.  There's also some My Mind's Eye Follow Your Heart twine used to tie the pictures to the twig.

Here's a close up of the left page:

My friend, Sheri's jacket says, "it's not where you walk, but its who walks with you that matters."  Perfect for the day, don't you think?  The wood veneer snow flakes are by Studio Calico.

And, the right page.  I used more wood veneer snowflakes from Studio Calico.  I also used a piece of wood veneer that I got at my LSS.  I ran it through my Big Shot, using a Spellbinders die.  I used 2 different stamps on it, the "Jan. circle" is a Unity SMAK kit from Nov, 2012.  The "2013" is a Studio Calico/Hero Arts stamp.

And, there you have it.  Ice fishing in Wisconsin. Friendship at it's finest, whatever the weather!

Leave a comment on this blog and on The Crop for a chance to win some blog candy.  Tell me a story about friendship, and double your chance to win!  I'll announce the winner on Saturday, along with some other exciting news!

A card and a winner. Is it YOU?

Happy Monday, everyone!  Here we are at the start of Holy Week.  For those of you involved in a church, it's a busy week.  Last week (or is it last month) was busy rehearsing with the choir for the Palm Sunday services.  This week, rehearsal's continue with the choirs, the trumpeters, the youth groups, then add in Maundy Thursday services, Good Friday services, & the 3 Easter services.  And, my 40 hour work week.  Yes, it's Holy week, all right.

But, I had a little time to get crafty yesterday afternoon after church, and I made a couple things, including this Easter card for a friend.

I made it for a couple challenges.  The cropchocolate.com challenge this week requires the participant to make a homemade flower.  I used a circle punch for a base, then layered hearts from 2 different heart punches on top of the circle. I'll list the other challenges at the end of this post so I can list the winner of my Stickle give away.

I used random.org to choose the winner.  Denise P, from the All That Stickles blog was chosen!  Congratulations, Denise P!  And, yes, that darling little duck is a Unity stamp.  I'll send you some Stickles, a 6x6 paper pad, a Unity stamp to help build up your collection and some more bling that I know I've got in my stash. Send me your address, Denise, and I'll get your goodies heading your way.

Now, for the challenges I'm entering this in:

Crafty Creations Challenges -- embossing
Creative Inspirations Paints -- anything goes
Oozak's Anything Goes with Spring
Really Reasonable Ribbon -- flowers and ribbon challenge (#68)
Ribbon Carousel's Spring is in the Air challenge
Raisin Boat's Spring/Easter challenge

Come back tomorrow, if you can.  I have a really fun layout that will also be on The Crop at cropchocolate.com.  It's nature based.  I raided my backyard for this one!

I'm still thinking green -- FWF

I have 3 cards to share with my FWF peeps this week.  Both have some Unity stamps and some others on them.  I'll get to it.

First, a St Patrick's Day card I made for my husband.  It's the first digi stamp I've used.  I know, I know.  I'm late jumping on this band wagon.  But when I have a scrap room full of red rubber I haven't need to try to master yet one more thing.  But it's intrigued me.  So, I found this cute little freebie and decided to see if I could figure out how to size and print him.  Here he is:

I'm not even sure what sort of character he is, but there you have it, my first digi.  I used a sentiment from the Unity Feb. Kit of the Month.  I also used green Stickles and Creative Inspirations paints in sage and mellow yellow on the shamrocks. He's colored with Copic markers.

My next card is a birthday card for one of my staff.  She lives on a lake that is still very much ice covered.  On last report, the ice fishermen tell me there are 28 inches of ice.  It'll be awhile until she's sitting on her dock, even if the calendar says it's spring.  Here's her card:

The dock and birds are from Raisin Boat. The sentiment is from the Unity set "Sweet Celebration Birthday".  My friend, Miwa, first introduced me to this stamp set and I just love it. 

I used a brayer on this second card.  It was one of the first stamping tools I got and I haven't had it out in a couple years.  I almost forgot how to use the thing.  I was trying to get kind of a sunset effect, but then I realized I had started the wrong direction on the paper.  Instead, I have green water.  I made two of them, and on the second one, when I turned the paper around, it looks more like a sunset, but the sentiment doesn't show up as well in the darker ink on the bottom.  What's a girl to do?

And, one more card with no Unity at all, but I want to get it on my blog for some challenges.  The stamp is from Wild Rose studio. I got it so I could practice coloring with my Copics.  I used MME Nostalgia 12x12 papers and ribbon from the Ribbon Carousel. Glitter Domes are Marc Richards.

I have a giveaway going on right now.  I was a guest designer yesterday on the All That Stickles Blog. I realized when organizing my Stickles for that post that I have some duplicates that need a good home. There's also 6x6 paper, stamps and some bling. To be eligible to win, just make a comment sometime this weekend on any of my blog posts (including this one), follow my blog if you don't already, and I'd appreciate it if you'd check out my Stickles post from yesterday.  It uses one of my favorite Unity Itty Bitty stamps.

I'm entering these cards in the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations -- Go Green
Reasonable Ribbon's -- flowers and ribbon challenge
Ribbon Carousel's Spring is in the Air challenge
Simon Says Stamp -- Easter/Spring
MarkerPop Challenge -- use glitter
Raisin Boat's Easter/Spring challenge

Enjoy your weekend!  Thanks warm, happy weather.

 

No Matter The Weather!

I'm guest designing today over on the  All That Stickles blog, and it's a sunshiny day no matter what the weather is!  I have a step-by-step tutorial there on how I made this card, so I'll spare you that here.  I do want to share, though, the card again, 'cause that bird makes me smile!  AND!!!!

    
I wanted to let you know that I have a give-away going!  When I was organizing my Stickles for this tutorial, I realized I had some duplicates.  They need a good, loving, crafty home.  So, please follow my blog if you don't already, leave me a comment, and you'll be eligible to win some blog candy that will include a 6x6 paper pack, some stamps, and of course, Stickles!  (plus some other things)

I'll leave you with a close up of the glammed up bird.

 

Supplies used: a Unity Itty Bitty stamp set, "Dance in the Rain", My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Jack & Jill 6x6 paper, Spellbinders dies -- small oval and Opulent Ovals, Stickles in Lime Green and Icicle, Copic markers, Memento Tuxedo black ink, Close To My Heart twine, Close To My Heart Easter Wishes (B1422) for sentiment, Carta Bella kraft cardstock base. 

I'll be linking this card to this week's All That Stickles linky party -- lime green
I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Marker Pop's glitter challenge
Ribbon Carousel - Spring is in the Air Challenge

I'll choose the winner early next week. Check back then!  And, as this little cutey says, "Easter wishes" to you and your families.

Hoppy Easter

It's snowing -- AGAIN! -- here in Wisconsin as I write this post. I need to go shovel as soon as I post this.  Weird, right?  Well. think spring!  Hoppy Easter!  I made these treat boxes using my favorite 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon.  I wasn't much of a bow tie-er (somehow I don't think that's spelled right) until I discovered this ribbon.  It's no-fail, I swear.  LOVE this stuff!

I used my Silhouette to cut the shape, glued them together, and added 3 Girl Jam ribbon from the Pink & White bundle because the colors matched the Echo Park cardstock so perfectly.  Then, I drove all over this small town looking for Cadbury eggs to put in them. I could not find them anywhere in town, so I settled for a substitute.  Oh well.  Sammy thought these were just fine...

Is it the smell of chocolate? or rabbit?  Something caught his attention!  Thanks for checking out my latest creations!  Hoppy Easter and keep thinking spring!  Let me know if it's still snowing where you live.

I also wanted to let you know that I have a give-away going.  I'm guest designing today on the All That Stickles blog.  To be eligible for the blog candy, follow my blog if you don't already, leave me a comment, and I'd love it if you'd check out my tutorial there and my other post today.  I'll choose the winner early next week.

I'm linking this up to Cameo Creations Easter Challenge.

Don't forget the All About the Green plus Ribbon Challenge going on until March 28th on the 3 Girl Jam Challenge blog!

It's All About the Green -- and Orange!

Top O' the morning to you, 3 Girl Jammers and Friends With Flair peeps!  Remember in school when the non-Irish kids wore orange on St. Patrick's Day?  I was somehow taken back to that period of my life when I found this My Mind's Eye paper, and thought it would be fun to mix green and orange on the same card to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

My Silhouette helped with the initial design of this card, and a Unity stamp set was used for the sentiment and label.  The gorgeous harvest orange ribbon is all 3 Girl Jam! (harvest bundle)  Aren't those pops of orange fun on there?  It makes me feel like a teenager again! Notice the green Stickles on there too, to really bring you good luck.

And, here's a close up of the ribbon and one of the lucky four leaf clovers (dusted with lucky leprechaun ink, of course!)

I made another, more traditional, toned down version of the card, too.

 

It uses the same Silhouette card file and the same Unity Lucky Friend wood stamp, but different paper and ribbon gives it a totally different look. This card has sterling ribbon from the Celebrations 3 Girl Jam bundle. And an angel pin from the Pinque Peacock. The twine is Close To My Heart. I used some Creative Inspirations paints in sage and sunshine yellow on the 4-leaf clover.

 

I'm entering this card in Unity's Friends With Flair

Creative Inspirations Paints Go Green Challenge

All That Stickles Green Linky Party

Ribbon Carousel's Spring is in the Air challenge

Oozak's Anything Goes with Spring challenge

 

Please link up with us at the 3 Girl Jam All About the Green with Ribbon Challenge