Friday Sketchers & Unscripted Sketches

OK so this little stamp called Annie from Stamping Bella just might currently be my favorite stamp.  SHHHHHH - don't tell the others.  hee hee  I just love her.  I love to color her, I love to paper-piece her dress... I just love her.  So I used her to make this card for the:

Friday Sketchers Challenge #147

Rub-on sentiment, cardstock, designer paper and glitter from Stampin' Up!  Her hair and face are colored with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.

This next card is for the:

Unscripted Sketches #99

 The devil and angel are from the Greeting Farm's Naughty or Nice set, stamped on SU! Whisper White cardstock and colored with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.  DP and ribbon are from my stash. Hearts are from a punch (SU!).

Be back tomorrow with more Bella goodness for Bellarific Friday.  :)  Peace.

Digi Design House!

My friend Stephanie told me about this new challenge blog, so I had to check it out and participate!  :)  I used a freebie image from Bodils Scrappeverden and made this sweet & simple card for the:

Digi Design House Sketch Challenge

I used DP from the Welcome Neighbor 6x6 pad (SU!) and colored her in with a combination of markers and Prismacolors blended with mineral spirits.

Go check out the challenge, you still have a few days to enter!  :)
Peace. 

D2D & Cute Card Thursday

This morning I am posting for the:

Delightful Inspiration Stamp of the Month Challenge

and combined it with the sketch challenge over at:

Cute Card Thursday

I used the freebie from Designed2Delight and colored it with Prismacolor markers.  I'll be back later today with another card, I was a busy girl yesterday.  :)  Peace.

Craft Us Crazy & DDCC

I had already started coloring this digi image from the Greeting Farm called Twisted Tea when I saw this challenge that had to be posted by tomorrow, so I finished her up quick in time for the:

Craft Us Crazy - Cupcakes and/or Celebration

and I'm also entering it into the:


Dutch Dare Card Challenge #105 - Celebrations

I used Prismacolor pencils & markers, SU! markers, and cardstock, DP, ribbon and glitter all from SU!  Colors are Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Almost Amethyst & Certainly Celery.

Peace.

ATS - Taurus

2nd post for today - I am loving the new zodiac digi images from All That Scraps.  I decided to use the Taurus image for this week's:

All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge

The challenge this week was a sketch - here is my interpretation of it:

I colored her in with Prismacolors & mineral spirits, and SU! markers.  Cardstock and papers are from SU!  Flower is just cut out from the matching designer paper.  Hope you're all having a great week.

Peace.

Michelle Perkett - Make Your Flowers Bloom! & Paper Playtime

It's Tuesday and that means another challenge at the:

Michelle Perkett Studio blog!

This week our theme is "Make Your Flowers Bloom" - the design team came up with some fabulous creations, and here is mine:

 

This beautiful mermaid is called Harmony Mermaid and you can find her in the shop here.  We hope you join us - Michelle's images are a dream to color and there are so many to choose from!  I colored Harmony with Prismacolors and mineral spirits, layered her onto SU! cardstock in Gable Green and Orchid Opulence.  Flowers are from my stash - colored brads and glitter are from SU!

I am also entering this card into the:

Paper Playtime Challenge #42 - Digi Mondays/Anything Goes

Peace.

Pink Elephant #96

Wow - where did Sunday go?  I ended up with a really bad migraine, and slept the entire day away... and then slept the entire night.  You know you don't feel good when you basically sleep for almost 24 hours!!!  UGH.  I feel drained today... I always feel that way after a migraine.  But - I also have good news... Jeremy's cousin Leia & her hubby Steve had their first baby yesterday, a little girl.  She's absolutely beautiful and a reminder of how precious and wonderful life is.

Luckily, I make lots of cards ahead of time, so I am almost always prepared to take a day off if I don't feel good.  So for today, I'm going to share a card I made for the:

Pink Elephant Challenge #96 - sketch challenge

I used a new image from Tiddly Inks called "Heartbroke Happy" - she's colored with Prismacolors & mineral (why, oh why, do my fingers insist on typing "minderal"  every time?!?  LOL) spirits.  Cardstock and DP by SU! in Real Red & Cameo Coral, glitter, red brads and heart punch from SU!  I cut the heart in half to resemble the heart she's holding.  Ribbon is from my stash and has been "dragged" through Cameo Coral ink.  Peace.

Ella Umbrella

I have not been feeling great this past week - I think I am just emotionally drained between Jeremy's dad, my mom, the state of the world... I am very appreciative of the fact that I have a wonderful husband and 2 fantastic children, a home to live in, a sister and friends who are always there for me.  And stamping, making cards, for therapy.  :)

I was able to use today's card for four challenges, they are:

The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #101

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Weather

Stamp Something Challenge - Spring

This was my first time using this new digi image from the Puddle Jumpers collection at By Lori Designs called Ella Umbrella, isn't she sweet?  She's colored with Prismacolors & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  I used a bunch of papers, ribbon, and stuff from my stash.  Rub-on sentiment and glitter by SU!  Peace.

Mojo Monday and Tuesday Throwdown

Today I used one of Lori Boyd's Puddle Jumper images called  Darla and created this pink, red, vanilla and chocolate colored card for the:

Mojo Monday Challenge #183

I colored her with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.  Ribbon is from my stash - flower brads and all cardstocks and DP by Stampin' Up!

Next is a bookmark I made for my cousin Leia, who is about to give birth to a baby girl any day now... :)  The bookmark opens from the top, and inside it says "You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.  Richer than I you could never be, I had a Mother who read to me."  I am entering this into the:

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #41 - anything but a card 

This one also uses a digi image from By Lori Designs, this one is called Maisie Lollipop.  I used Pretty in Pink cardstock, DP, brads, marker, and ribbon by Stampin' Up! Have a great weekend!  Peace.

US & Hello Cutie

I have 2 separate cards today - the first one is for the:

Unscripted Sketches #98

This week was a sketch along with a color scheme - this is the color scheme:

 and here is my card:

I used SU! cardstock, DP, rub-on sentiment, gemstone brads, and glitter.  Stamps by The Greeting Farm.

I got a few new stamps from Stamping Bella and I had to dig right in - I used Florence the Flowerpot Girl first, she's just toooooo cute - for the:

Hello Cutie Challenge

The challenge is a photo inspiration, this is the photo:

 

and here is my card:

I used Georgia Pacific white cardstock for the card, layered with a strip of blue cardstock.  Yellow cardstock from SU!  Butterfly stamps and sentiment from The Greeting Farm.  Glitter, ribbons, and circle punch from SU!  Peace.

Delightful Inspirations - Caught a Bug

I am so thrilled to be participating in this progressive challenge again - I simply adore Faith's images at Designed2Delight!  You can find the challenge blog here:

Delightful Inspiration Challenge Blog 

These bugs are from a set called "Caught a Bug" - colored with a combination of SU! markers and Prismacolors with mineral spirits.  I used some ladybug paper from my stash - the circle punches, cardstock, glitter and Crystal Effects from SU!
 
That's all for now but I have one more post for today - be back later!  Peace. 

Pink and glitter and monochromatic Challenges!

I absolutely love pink.  I love glitter, I love pink, and I adore the Creepin' kids stamps from the Greeting Farm.  So I decided to make a card for these challenges:

Paper Playtime Challenge #41, and I chose "choice 2 - pink and glitter"

My Sheri CRAFTS #49 - MONOCHROMATIC

Simply Create #39 - MONOCHROMATIC 

Cupcake Craft Challenge #134

 I used Harlow from the Creepin' Kit, paper-pieced her jacket.  She's colored with Prismacolors & mineral spirits and SU! markers.  Cardstock, DP, glitter, and ribbon by SU!  Don't you love her pink eyeshadow and cool aviator glasses?  hee hee

Peace.

Secret Crafter, D2D & Friday Sketchers

Trev got his stitches out the other day, and the "lump" they removed from his elbow did not show any signs of being cancerous.  Yay!  Everyone is finally feeling healthy in our household and we are so ready for Spring - unfortunately, Mother Nature just laughs at us... it snowed for hours on Monday and we are expecting more today/tomorrow.  BAH HUMBUG!

I was excited to have a reason to show off one of the new ATC's I made, and this was the perfect opportunity:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - "anything but a card"

 I used Tyler (Creepin Kit from The Greeting Farm) - the ATC is 3.5 x 2.5 inches, basically the only "requirement" for ATC's.  I colored him in with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.  Cardstock and glitter from SU!  The cool star background paper is actually digi paper from Tiddly Inks.  This was my first time using digi papers and I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun they are. :)

Next up is a card I made using another adorable digi image from The Paper Shelter... this one is for 2 challenges:

Designed2Delight Card Ideas Challenge Blog (use colors chocolate, caramel, and one other color... I chose strawberry/pink)

and

Friday Sketchers Challenge #146

I colored this adorable hippie girl in with Prismacolors & mineral spirits as well as SU! markers.  Cardstock, glitter, rub-on sentiment, ribbon and sticky accent from SU!  DP is from Pressed Petals.  

I have a question for you all - how many of you bloggers use word verification for your comments?  How many of you use comment moderation?  And what are your reasons for choosing either or neither? Do you respond to people who ask questions in the comment section?  I ask because I use comment moderation - I do so because I am afraid I would never see the wonderful comments, kind words, and questions asked that people take the time to write.  When I "approve" the comment, it prompts me to either visit their blog or answer their question.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.  Peace.

Michelle Perkett Challenge, Totally Papercrafts & BLDC9

First of all, I have to say happy birthday to my dear friend Missy.  :) I couldn't have made it through the last year without you.  xoxoxoxo

I have 2 cards for you today.  First up is the weekly challenge at Michelle Perkett Studios!  This week's challenge is going to be a COLOR CHALLENGE so get out those blues and browns and start creating!  We do require that you use Michelle's images, there is an absolutely gorgeous variety of them to choose from here.  Michelle is also sponsoring the challenge at Totally Paper Crafts this week - the challenge being to add buttons to your creation, so I am linking my card up with them, too.  Good luck to everyone and here is my card:

 I colored the girls with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.  Cardstock, DP, ribbon & buttons from SU! 

Next up is a card for the:

I love this image that Lori's daughter Hannah drew - her name is Molly from the Bug & Roo line and you can find her here.  I colored her with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.  Background papers by Scrapbook Wizard, ribbon & glitter from SU!  Flower button from My Favorite Things.  Peace.

ATS Wednesday, Fairy Knoll & Anyone for Anya

Back quickly for a 2nd post today - wanted to get this posted for the:

All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge - Birthdays!

and

Fairy Knoll Fun - Birthday Challenge

and

Anyone for Anya - Birthday Challenge

 I used this sweet digi image called Hippie Honey from the All That Scraps store. She's colored with Prismacolors & mineral spirits and SU! markers.  I printed the text out on SU! cardstock in So Saffron & Bashful Blue.  Ribbon, buttons, cardstock and DP by SU!

Be back tomorrow!  Peace.

The Sugar Bowl

So Trevor informed me yesterday that he has 50 actual days of school left.  Holy cow, that's not very many!  LOL  He's graduating from high school, his last day of school is May 27.  I am so very proud of him, happy for him, and just so thrilled to have reached this milestone.  He is still talking about becoming a police officer or a firefighter, and I think that would be wonderful.  He's such a great kid, and it's such a relief not to see him struggling so much anymore - it's such a good feeling to see your child start to turn into a wonderful, happy, successful young adult.  *sigh*  :)

On to business!

Today's card is for the:

Sugar Bowl Challenge #55

I used a Diane Duda image from Sugar Nellies, she's colored with Prismacolors & mineral spirits and SU! markers.  Cardstock, DP, glitter, and rub-on sentiment by SU!

Peace. 

Flutterby Wednesdays

Good morning!  You guys rock, do you know that?  Thank you so much for all of your comments, e-mails, kind words... it means a lot to me.  I try to focus on the good all the time, I consider myself a positive person who is pretty much always happy.  I guess that's why it hits me hard when I feel so sad, or mad, or hurt... but I never let it keep me down.  :)  I try to surround myself with positive people, and you all sure do fit the bill.  xoxo

This is for the:

Flutter By Wednesdays Challenge #26 (Sketch)

The fairy image is from Bugaboo Stamps, she's colored with a combination of Prismacolors & mineral spirits and SU! markers.  Cardstock colors are cLovely Lilac & Tempting Turquoise by SU!  Background papers are the last of some retired paper I had by SU!  Ribbon & dragonflies are from my stash.  Peace.

ABC Challenge - Q is for Quote

Good morning - I don't know how many of you are aware, but tonight's full moon will be a "super full moon".  Basically, the moon will appear bigger and brighter than it has in 20 years.  The best time to view it will be between 7:15-7:20 p.m. EST.  I am going to bring my camera outside and see if I can get any good pics.  I will, of course, share them if I manage to get any good ones!

For today, I have a card for the:

ABC Challenge - Q is for Quote

I used a quote I had in my stash, and the Raggedy Anne & Andy images, as well as the "Love" heart, are all freebies from MelonHeadz - Nikki is one of the most generous artists out there and has literally hundreds of images available on her blog.  If you grab any, please make sure you leave a comment thanking her.  :)

I had a "poor me" day yesterday - do you ever have those?  You know, I just kind of felt sad and crappy and sorry for myself.  I very rarely feel that way - I try not to let things get to me, but I am only human. My poor father-in-law is going through a lot, and tomorrow would have been his and Maryann's 18th wedding anniversary (she died last Memorial Day in a motorcycle accident).  Unfortunately, there are still certain members of her family who refuse to let her rest in peace and I know they read this blog so I will just say that if you don't realize by now that what you are doing is disgusting and that Maryann would be ashamed of you, I guess you never will.  I actually feel bad for you - it must be awful to be you. Too bad you can't SUE ME for expressing my feelings and invoking my right to freedom of speech, huh?  Anyway, yesterday was a beautiful day outside, so I decided to step away from the computer and even my card-making stuff, and go outside to just enjoy the day.  I also opened a few windows and did some cleaning, it was so nice to get some fresh air!  We ended up taking Trevor out to dinner last night with a gift certificate we had received and we had a great time.

Make sure you check out the moon tonight!  Peace.

Paper Shelter, US & Sketch Saturday

2nd post for today...

I found a new digi stamp company yesterday (new to me, anyway) called The Paper Shelter (click to view site) and OMG I was hooked right away.  Talk about CUTE.  So I bought their Taurus image (Cassidy is a Taurus) and made this card for the Paper Shelter Spring Fling Challenge (Taurus is the sign for April 21 - May 20) and I followed the sketch for the:

Unscripted Sketches #97

 I colored her in with Prismacolors and mineral spirits.  Cardstock, brads and glitter from SU!


Next I have another card for the Sketch Saturday challenge, just because I wanted to use this cute new image that I won from Softpencil Studios:

I did some paper-piecing and colored them in with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.  Cardstock, DP, punches, flower brads, ribbon and glitter all from SU!


Peace.

Bellarific Friday - Sketch

For the Bellarific Friday challenge this week, which was a sketch challenge, I made this nice and bright card:

She's colored with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.  The DP is cardstock-thickness, so I used it for the card as well as the layers.  Gemstone brads & rub-on sentiment by Stampin Up!
So I need to find a good place to buy 5.5 x 5.5 envelopes... at a reasonable price.  Anyone have any ideas or tried and true places? Hope you all have a great weekend!  Peace.

Stamping Vacation & Creative Card Crew

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  This is one of my favorite Irish blessings:

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

I like challenges that are different, ones that truly challenge me - today's challenges are a bit different, they are:
Stamping Vacation - Pick 3 from the list provided (I used yellow cardstock, 2 different ribbons, and green)

and

Creative Card Crew - Show Us Some Green

I used Paul from the Wild Sprouts kit, colored him with Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write markers and Prismacolors blended with Gamsol.  Cardstock and DP, as well as ribbon & brads, by SU! in So Saffron, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip.

Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day!  Peace.

Pixie Dust - Thank You for Being You

I very rarely decorate the inside of my cards - do you?  When I printed out the image for this card, I didn't realize it was going to take up almost the entire card front, so part of the sentiment wasn't going to fit.  This inspired me to decorate the inside of my card... and this is for the:

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge #65 - Thank You for Being You

I used this cute digi image from Pixie Dust Studios called "When Will My Prince Come?"  She's colored with Prismacolors and mineral spirits.  Cardstock, designer paper, and glitter by Stampin' Up!

The other day, I told you I was going to spend some time cutting cardstock into ATC-sized pieces... here are the results of that endeavor:

 

It was well worth the short time I spent trimming up my scraps to have this pile of ready-made ATC's!  

Peace.

D2D & Paper Crafting Journey

Please scroll down for my Michelle Perkett GO GREEN for St. Patty's Day post!  Thank you!

I was so glad I did the Delightful Inspiration challenge last week, because the freebie that Faith gave out for this week is just too precious for words, her name is Cute Angel Caroline.  LOL  So for this week's Delightful Inspiration challenge, as well as the Papercrafting Journey - Things with Wings challenge, I have this card:

I colored Caroline in with Prismacolors & mineral spirits.  The cardstock and DP's are all from my stash of papers that people have given to me or I've won.  Ribbon is by SU! in Old Olive.  

Everyone seems to be coming along nicely health-wise in the house... knocking on wood now... we are really looking forward to Spring, but I have to say the snowflakes I saw falling yesterday were not very encouraging.  HMPH.  Did I tell you all that Cassidy is going to the PROM?  Her first one.  With her first real boyfriend.  I'm really proud of her and how she is handling this relationship, she's very mature about it all for an almost-16-year-old.  I'm really proud of both of my kids, actually, they are growing into lovely young adults.  I love nothing more than being their mom.  <3  Trevor came home yesterday with his progress report (he's a senior in high school), all A's and B's.  That's my boy.  :)

Peace. 

Michelle Perkett Go Green - St. Patty's Day!

Ooooh - how exciting!  My first "official" challenge week being on the Michelle Perkett DT!  hee hee  For today, I have this beauty to share for the:

Go Green - St. Patty's Day challenge!!!

This gorgeous image is called Fiona, and you can purchase her here.  I used SU! papers in Whisper White, Old Olive and So Saffron.  Glitter & ribbon from SU!  Image is colored with Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits.  
We would love for you to get out your green this week and celebrate with us by using your Michelle Perkett images to create a St. Patrick's Day card!  :)  You could win a new Michelle Perkett image, and she keeps coming out with new, more gorgeous stuff!
Peace.

Whimsie Doodles & Friday Sketchers

Second post for today - I haven't participated in this challenge in a while, and going through my digi images the other day inspired me!  This is for the:

Whimsie Doodles Whimsie Wednesday Challenge - Glitter!

and I also followed the sketch for the:

Friday Sketchers #145 

The Whimsie Doodles image I used is called Maylee, and I think this was the first time I printed her out! I colored her with SU! Stampin' Write markers and Prismacolor pencils with mineral spirits.  Cardstock and papers, as well as glitter, are by SU!  Colors are Rose Red, So Saffron, Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery. 

Peace.

BLD#8 and Truly Scrumptious Sketch

Good morning!  Hey - there is still time to participate in the RIBBON AND LACE challenge at Michelle Perkett Studios - come play along with us, you have until tonight at 5:00 p.m. MST to get your card posted (so by 7:00 EST).  Good luck!

I have another boy card for today, I used the adorable new digi image I got from By Lori Designs called Landon and used the colors for the:

and I also followed the sketch for the:

Truly Scrumptious Challenge #52 (sketch)

Landon is colored with Prismacolors and mineral spirits. I used SU! cardstocks and papers in Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Gable Green and Old Olive.  Buttons are also from SU!

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the new Michelle Perkett Studios challenge - and wear your green.  ;)

Peace. 

Sassy Cheryl's & Sketch Saturday

Good morning!  I am a bit late this morning, I blame it on the Daylight Savings Time change.  ;)  Trev is feeling better and his arm is healing up nicely - so far, so good.  I have to call the dr. tomorrow to make an appointment to have his stitches removed and find out the results of the biopsy, it'll most likely be another week before we go back.

So I spent some time organizing my digital stamps/images on my computer the other day - holy cow.  I realized that I had a lot of images I have never used and probably never will, so I deleted a whole bunch of them.  Then I organized the rest by putting all of my favorites and the ones I use often into one folder, and the rest into another.

While doing this, I realized I had downloaded a few freebies from Sassy Cheryl's and had never used them.  What a shame - they are adorable!  So I printed one of my favorite ones (All the Frills) out and made a card for the:

Sassy Cheryl's Digi Stamps Challenge #54 - Pink & White

and I also followed the sketch for the:

Sketch Saturday Challenge #146

I colored her with Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits, as well as Prismacolor markers.  Designer paper is by Scrapbook Wizard - cardstock by SU!  Sentiment "It's Your Day" and image with glasses/makeup/brush are by SU!  

I recently got interested in Artist Trading Cards, or ATC's.  I found a great site where you can read about them here.  I had made one or two in the past, but I started making more this weekend and OMG - they are so much fun!  I'll post some later, I made a few for Scrapbook News & Review magazine for the next few upcoming issues - I can't share those on my blog until 30 days after they are published.  But I'm having so much fun, I'm sure I'll make some for challenges or something this week.  

I don't know about you, but I have several gallon-size zipper bags full of cardstock scraps.  I try to force myself to use them, but it can be difficult and to be honest, I am getting sick of looking at them!  LOL  So I decided to spend some time today cutting those scraps down to my most-used sizes - which for me, would be 3.5 x 2.5" for ATC's and 5.25 x 4" to mount to the front of a standard-sized card.  Then I'll get out a couple more of my trusty zipper bags and start saving them by size instead of color.

Hope you all have a happy Sunday - see you tomorrow.  Peace.

All That Scraps - Buttons

I have really been having a great time making cards these last few months - my teenage daughter sat at my craft table the other day and was looking at my cards.  I can't even tell you how good it felt when she said "Mom - you have gotten really good at this - you've gotten much better in the last year or so!"  My goodness, you would have thought I'd just won an award!  :)  Thank you, Cass, you made my day.  

Today's card was made for the:

All That Scraps Challenge - Buttons

 I used this sweet image called Tulip Trevor from the All That Scraps digi store and colored him with Prismacolors and mineral spirits. Cardstocks & papers (his shirt & shoes are paper-pieced), as well as ribbon, are from Stampin' Up!  Buttons from my stash.  Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Peace. 

Paper Sundaes & Tiddly Inks

Happy Friday!  Well, Trev had surgery on his elbow yesterday - he had some kind of "growth" called a lipoma (which is basically fatty tissue) growing on his elbow, and it was starting to bother him because it was so big!  It didn't hurt him, though.  Anyway, he had it removed yesterday and had to have 3 stitches to close it up.  In the meantime, the poor kid also got sick this week - feverish, white bumps on his throat... so he was tested for strep while we were at the doctor's, and he has only been to school one day this week for a couple of hours.  He didn't have strep, but he did have ear infections in both ears!  So he's home again today. I sure hope the sicknesses are done with us for this season!!!

I made this card for the:

Paper Sundaes Challenge #59 - Stripes!

TiddlyInks is sponsoring this challenge, so I decided to use a TiddlyInks image "Petite Q".

 She is colored with Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits.  Cardstock and ribbon by SU!  DP from Pressed Petals. Crown and wand brads from my stash.  

And.... while I was playing with my Tiddly images, I decided to make a Father's Day card for the:

Tiddly Inks Challenge #41 - Kraft With Me

 I used these manly toolbox and hammer images, printed them on SU! Kraft cardstock and colored with Prismacolors and mineral spirits.  I also used Kraft as my base.  DP in Kraft and Ruby Red, brads in gold and Ruby Bed - all by SU! I had a hard time coming up with the layout and stuff, but overall I really like the rustic look of it.  Peace.