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

Let It Snow -- for The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up

June 1, and it's time for a new challenge at the 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. It's also time to add another Christmas card to the 2018 Christmas card stash!  Yea!

The alternate theme this month "Make It Masculine".  We'd like you to make a card that would be considered masculine in order to qualify for the prize from our guest sponsor.

This month, we have a new sponsor at The 12 Month of Christmas Link Up, and it's a great one! We're sponsored by SheepSki Designs. 

I used Snowmen Selfie (image #100) to create this: 

I colored Snowmen Selfie with Copic markers.  Each month, Decosse's Dynamite Doodles creates papers for the 12 Months of Christmas Link Up.  Link up 2 cards and you'll get one of her awesome papers for yourself!  I used 3 different Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Christmas papers on this card. The snowflake stickers are from Hot Off the Press.

I hope you can join us this month for our "Make it Masculine" challenge at The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up.  I'd love to see what you create, and you can win some awesome images or papers! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
The Merry Christmas Challenge -- ATG
Outlawz Festive Fridays -- Christmas
A Snowflakes Promise -- ATG

You Give Me Wings -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

It's June 1, and that means we're starting new challenges at All Dressed Up Stamps.  You'll find one on the ADU Challenge blog, and in the All Dressed Up Facebook Group.  I'm on the Facebook team, so you'll find my inspiration posted there.  You'll find an album with this month's theme, "As You Like It" (Anything Goes).  

In May, there was a New Release of Butterfly Girl.  I just loved her, so jumped at the chance to use her today!

I colored Butterfly Girl with Copic markers, then cut her out with a Spellbinders die.  The card base was cut out on my Silhouette Cameo 3 with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.   The gold foil butterfly is a Sizzix die. 

I think Butterfly Girl is so beautiful!  I feel honored I had a chance to create with her today!

I hope you join in our 'As You Like It' challenge in the ADU Facebook Group.  I so enjoy seeing all your incredible creations.  It's such a talented group of ladies!  

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
TTCRD-- ATG
IDCB -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG

Today is a Good Day to be a Butterfly -- for QKR Stampede

Friday!  The first day of June, and the first day of retired life for me!  Yea!  It's also the start of a new challenge at QKR Stampede Challenge Blog. 

Today, I'm featuring a super cute Butterfly digi (8505) from QKR Stampede:

I colored up the Butterfly stamp with Copic markers.  I used 2 Spellbinders dies to cut it out.  The plaid paper is from Lawn Fawn.  The white glitter trim is from Close To My Heart. 

I hope you can join us this week at QKR Stampede Challenge blog where the challenges are always Anything Goes.  I'd love to see what you create, and we've got great digis you can win -- like this one!!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Designs -- Summer
Digi Choosday -- ATG

Fly Away -- Guest Designing at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Today is a REALLY big day!  It is the last day of my work career.  After 33 years working at the nursing home here, another 3 years in other jobs before I took this one, I am retiring TODAY!  Starting tomorrow, I am RETIRED!  I never thought I'd actually get to this point in my career.  It's come earlier than planned due to health issues from cancer/chemo complications, but nonetheless, I am retired and ready to enjoy life!

Today is also a big day because I'm guest designing at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenges.  I love playing at The Outlawz, and when given the opportunity to guest design again this month, especially using my favorite All Dressed Up images, I said, "Yes, yes, yes!!"

Today's challenge is Anything Goes (no twist this week).  Here's what I created using Fly Away Butterfly:

I colored Fly Away Butterfly with Copic markers, then used 2 sizes of Spellbinders dies to cut her out.  The card base was cut out on my Silhouette Cameo 3 with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The gold foil butterflies were also cut out on my Silhouette. The gold foil trim is from Close To My Heart. 

The Anything Goes Thursday Challenge at The Outlawz goes all week.  I so hope you can join in the fun!  The Outlawz has both site wide and challenge prizes, depending on the challenges.  

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- May Linky Party
TTCRD -- ATG
IDCB -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Allsorts Challenge Blog -- Insects, Bugs, and Butterflies

Love Bug -- for Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez

Hello, fellow stamp lovers!  I have been having such a good time coloring up and designing with the images of Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez.  This is my last post as part of my 3 month guest designer stint.  It has been such a joy!  I thank Patricia and her design team for having me. 

Today, I have a card featuring Bee Sketch, and digital papers by Kinda Cute by Patricia Alvarez, Red & Black Love Papers.

I used the Bee Sketch image, printed it twice, flipped one of the images, and matched them up side-by-side.  I colored them both as similar as I could using Copic markers, so they'd look like "love bees".  I used 2 of the papers from the Red & Black Love Papers digital set to create this card.

The sentiment is from a retired acrylic stamp set I have.  The shaped card was created with a set of Tattered Lace dies.  The black twine is from my stash. 

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! This month's challenge is almost over, but a new one starts on June 1.  

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- May Linky Party
IDCB -- ATG
Allsorts Challenge Blog -- Insects, Bugs, and Butterflies
Outlawz Monday Greetings -- ATG
Stars Stampz -- No Squares

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