Michelle Perkett Studio - BINGO Challenge! & Allsorts Challenge Blog

I know most of you come here to see the cards, but sometimes I also write about my life.  It's my blog, and writing is therapeutic for me.  Yesterday was... bearable.  One of Maryann's sisters sent Richie a terrible text message right before the graveside service (which she knew about, so it was definitely intentional), but we didn't let him see it until later - we wouldn't allow you to upset him even more on what was already an extremely emotional day, Sue.  Nice try, though.  I saw you visited my blog yesterday, probably looking to see if I said anything about your little antics.  We also hope Maryann is resting in peace - but it's probably hard to do when you won't let her.  It's no wonder you all miss her so much - she was obviously the one kind soul who held you all together.  My heart goes out to you, because I cannot help but feel pity for someone who has no compassion at all for anyone but themselves.
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I loooooove Tuesdays - it's challenge day at Michelle Perkett Studio!  And this week, we have a really fun one for you - it's a BINGO challenge!  So basically - here's the board:

And all you have to do is create a project using an image from Michelle Perkett Studio AND any 3 in-a-row on the board to get BINGO!  Or you can be really brave and do a cover-all - include one of everything on the board!  LOL  I'm not quite that brave - I went with glitter, ribbon, brads/eyelets (I used brads) for a diagonal BINGO and here is my card:

I am also using this card for the:
Allsorts Challenge - Things with Wings

I used the gorgeous Peace Fairy image from Michelle's Etsy Shop, printed on Very Vanilla cardstock from SU! and colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  I used DP, ribbon, glitter & flower brads in Old Olive from SU!

I also wanted to share another card I made using Michelle's Soul Mates image - this one was for my husband's 40th birthday last week:

I colored with Prismacolor markers and used cardstock from SU! and DP from 7Gypsies, added a little glitter on their tails.  It says "Your true soulmate brings out all of the beautiful colors of your heart."  Isn't that beautiful?

OK make sure you play along with our BINGO challenge and make sure you use an image from Michelle's store!  If you are a member of her Paper Craft Planet group, she's got a TON of freebies posted there, too!  :)  Peace.

Tiddly Inks, Craft Your Days Away, Paper Creations

I must start today by remembering Maryann, my father-in-law's wife who passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident one year ago today.  In some ways it's been a really long year, and in other ways, it seems like it all happened just last week.  I hope you are resting in peace, Maryann.  Memorial Day will really never be the same again.

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I don't know about you all, but I have a hard time making "manly" cards.  I just can't NOT do cute.  LOL  But I wanted to play along with the Tiddly Inks Challenge - Manly Men so I came up with this sorta-kinda manly cutie.... (hee hee) - I am also entering this into the:

Craft Your Days Away Challenge - Father's Day/Special Man

I used the adorable "Geekatude" image from Tiddly Inks, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Stampin' Up! Markers.  Cardstock, DP and large brown brads are from SU!  Button is from foof-a-la.

I also have this cool card for the:
Paper Creations Challenge - sketch

I used the awesome Bumble Bee Girlie image from Dilly Beans, colored with Prismacolor Pencils, mineral spirits, and Prismacolor markers.  Cardstock in Basic Black and YoYo Yellow from SU!  DP is from 7Gypsies - buttons from my stash.  This card was made for someone special, she'll know it's her if she sees this.  :)

This post was done ahead of time and scheduled to publish on Memorial Day, so I hope you all have a safe & relaxing day!  Peace.

All That Scraps & The Sweet Stop

I was on a ROLL yesterday!  Made my cards for today's post, tomorrow's, AND Tuesday's!  Because today I'm going to a cookout and tomorrow we're spending with Jeremy's dad remembering Maryann... so I had to prepare!  :)  It feels good to spend the entire day creating, I'll tell you - it really gets your mojo flowing!

For today, I made my card for the All That Scraps Challenge - Use Felt

and...

I also followed the sketch for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #110

I used the adorable Honey August stamp from the All That Scraps store, colored with Prismacolor Pencils & mineral spirits, Prismacolor markers, and SU! markers.  Cardstock, DP, ribbon, and felt flowers are all from SU!

Peace.

2 Sisters, 365 Cards & Anyone for Anya

Good morning!  Some reminders for you today before I post my card... first - don't forget you've still got another week to participate in the Just Some Lines Challenge - it's our first one, and the theme is Graduation!  Check it out - you don't have to use JSL images, but you do get an extra entry into the challenge for the prize if you do.

Also - check out the current calls at Scrapbook News & Review magazine!  Want a real chance to be published?  Click here and start submitting!

My card today is for the:
2 Sisters Challenge - Anything Goes

and

365 Cards Challenges - Caught in a Corner

I used the adorable Emo Amber & the Heart Balloon, which you can find in the shop at Just Some Lines by clicking here.  She's colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  Cardstock & ribbon from SU!  DP is from My Mind's Eye - buttons are from my stash.  The "Caught in a Corner" challenge is all about using 12x12 paper that is meant for scrapbooking by cutting it down for cards instead... my confession is that I always buy/use 12x12 paper!  LOL  I really like that there are usually parts of the paper that you can actually cut out and use as embellishments, etc.  For this card, I just used 2 different pieces and cut them down to fit the card.

Next up is my card for the Anyone for Anya challenge, which was a sketch this week:

I used Country Anya digi image, paper-pieced her clothes and colored the rest with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP is from My Mind's Eye - brads are from my stash.

Everyone - have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.  Peace.

Ribbon Girl & Pink Elephant

This is it - Trevor's LAST day of high school.  OMG.  I can hardly believe it.  We have a pretty low-key weekend planned, I am going to a little party/cook-out on Sunday and then we are having a graveside memorial service for Maryann (my father-in-law's wife)  for the one-year anniversary of her death on Monday.  A few people will come back to the house after - this is important to Richie, because he was in the hospital with life-threatening injuries at the time of the calling hours and funeral last year, so he really hasn't had that chance to grieve with others even after all this time.  People ask me how he's doing - and you know, you feel like people don't want the real answer, you know?  Because the real answer is - he'll never be "doing good."  He will never get over losing the love of his life.  His life will never be the same.  So some days are better than others, you know?  The cruelest truth of all is that life goes on after we lose someone we love - but sometimes we have a hard time going on with it.  Luckily, he's got a good support system between family and a few good friends.  Monday will be hard, but we'll help him get through it.

OK I know you're here for the cards - so here you go... I had a BLAST making this card for the following 2 challenges:

The Ribbon Girl Challenge - pinks and lilacs

and

The Pink Elephant #100 - fave color combo, polka dots, and crinkle ribbon

I used the adorable Syren from The Greeting Farm, along with the Seaside Rocks digi image from Just Some Lines.  Everything is colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits, and Prismacolor markers.  Cardstock, punches, brads, and pink crinkle ribbon all from SU!  Purple ribbon is from my stash.  Peace.

D2D, Hanglar, JUGS, Flutter By Wednesdays & Spoon Full of Sugar

Good news all around this week - now I'm braggin' on my girl:  As many of you know, we had a bad year last year, lots of tragedies and chaos in our lives.  The beginning of the school year was rough and Cassidy's grades suffered because of it.  She has since totally pulled it together and is getting almost all A's and B's now - and she's in 10th grade honors classes.  I'm so proud of her, but I knew she could do it.  :)

First up today is my first time playing along with the:

Lovely Hanglar Only Challenge Blog - Dots

I colored the adorable image with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits, and used a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter on her hat, shoes, and pants.  Buttons are from foof-a-la, DP is from My Mind's Eye.

Next is my card for this week's challenge at:

Designed2Delight Delightful Inspiration Challenge

I colored the image (called Summer Days) with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP, button, and ribbon scraps from Stampin' Up!  

Quick addition for today - wanted to get this posted in time for the:

I am also entering this into the A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge - Things With Wings

and 
The Flutter By Wednesdays Challenge - Clean and Simple

I love this image - it's called Rainbow Dreams by Tiddly Inks.  I colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  Cardstock & glitter are from SU!  Buttons are from my stash.
Peace.

By Lori Designs/Card Makin' Mamas

Jeremy's birthday was great and Trevor's graduation breakfast was fantastic yesterday!  The sun even came out for a few hours, which was wonderful. We're down to 2.5 days left of school, with the graduation ceremony next Wednesday.  So exciting!  :)

Today's card is for the:

Theme:  All About Boy

And I also followed the:
Card Makin' Mamas Recipe Challenge #20

I used Cole, one of the cute Puddle Jumper digi images from By Lori Designs - he's colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  He's carrying the skateboard behind his back.  My 2 DP's are from My Mind's Eye - the 3 embellishments are the light blue brads, silver charms, and ribbon.  :)  Peace.

Michelle Perkett & Stamps R Us

First things first -

H*A*P*P*Y   40th  B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y 

to my wonderful, supportive, loving, awesome, handsome hubby, Jeremy.  We've spent half of our lives together at this point, and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together and celebrate many more milestones.  I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow.  xoxo

 Today's Tuesday, so that means it's time for another challenge at Michelle Perkett Studio!  Come join us mermaids - just make sure you use an image from Michelle's Etsy shop!  The theme this week is Make Your Own Patterned Paper.  I'm also entering this card into the:

Stamps R Us Challenge - Use Any Digital Stamp

I used the gorgeous "Just Breathe Mermaid" image from Michelle Perkett Studio, of course, colored with Prismacolor markers.  Cardstock & background stamps are from  SU!  Ribbon & buttons are from my stash.  Peace.

Pizza Box?!?

OK this is the 2nd post today because I came reallllllly close to not playing along with the:

All That Scraps challenge - Pizza Box

I had never made one of these before, and didn't think I'd be able to - boy, was I wrong!  It was soooo easy and so much fun, I'll definitely do it again!  Here's what I came up with:

I used Hippie Honey (digi image) from All That Scraps, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  Cardstock is from Stampin' Up!  DP is from My Mind's Eye.  Peace sign embellies have been recycled from an old broken bracelet.  I am also entering this into the Polka Doodles Challenge #20 - Anything But a Card
Peace. 

Tiddly Inks & Sweet Stampin' Challenge

This is it, we're in the home stretch... Trevor's last week of high school.  *sigh*  Seems like just yesterday I was sobbing outside his pre-school classroom on his first day as he happily played with blocks and didn't even realize I was gone.  hee hee

I almost forgot to post my card for the:
Tiddly Inks Inspiration Challenge #50

I used Going Swimming, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I took the inspiration photo quite literally, and layered my cardstock (SU!), cut with scalloped scissors.  Buttons are from my stash - donut hole glittery things are from Stamping Bella.

Next up I have a really cute card for the:
 

Sweet Stampin Challenge - Sketch

 I used this sweet digi image from Heather Ellis, and I paper-pieced her dress & tights.  The rest is colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  Cardstock, DP, ribbon, glitter, punches, and "my friend" stamp all from SU!  Peace.

Graduation & Fairy Fae

Today is my day to post at the Just Some Lines blog, so please go check it out!  You can read all the details about this card below and also see the invitations I made for Trevor's graduation party!  :)  I am entering this card into the following challenges:

 Craft Your Days Away -use white with one other color (I used black)

2Sisters Challenge Blog - use a digital stamp

I have one other card to share with you today - this one is for two challenges:

Polka Doodles Recipe Challenge (I used pink, a fairy, ribbon, and gems but OOPS - I guess I missed the deadline for the challenge, oh well!)

and

Tuesday Throwdown - baby or child card

I used the adorable Fairy Fae Caches a Star image from Tiddly Inks, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and SU! markers.  Backround paper is digi paper from Tiddly Inks, and the sentiment is also from Tiddly Inks.  Cardstock, gemstone brads, glitter & ribbon are all from SU!

We FINALLY had some sunshine yesterday, OMG it felt FAB-U-LOUS!  Cass and I sat outside, slathered in sunscreen of course, for a good hour or two.  My freckles popped out and it just felt so good to soak up those rays.  Hope you are all having a great weekend.  Peace.

Just Some Lines - New Challenge!

Good morning!  I am one of those early birds, I am almost always up by 5:30/6:00 a.m. every day.  This morning, I slept in - I was awakened by my phone ringing at 8:45... it totally threw me off to have slept so late, but it sure did feel good!  :)

As you know, I am on the Design Team for Just Some Lines digital stamp company.  Today we kick off our new bi-weekly challenges!  Please join us for our very first challenge:

Just Some Lines - Graduation Colors (make a card or project using your graduate's school colors)

Here is my card, which I am also entering into the following challenges:

Craft Us Crazy - Something New or Fave Embellies (I did both - image is new, buttons are my fave embellies!)

and

Scrap-Creations - Graduation Theme!

I used the Just Some Lines image Emo Graduate Alek, which you can find here.  I colored him with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I found the additional diploma image by searching Google, it was a freebie I found on this blog called the OK Cricuteer.  I used DP from 7Gypsies, cardstock from SU! and buttons from my stash.  

To play along with our new challenge, you do NOT have to use an image from JSL - BUT you will receive an extra entry into our random.org generator for the winner if you do!  The deadline for the challenge is Friday, June 3 - winner will be posted along with the next challenge (hosted by yours truly!) on Saturday, June 4.

Have a lovely weekend, friends!  Peace.

2 Sisters - Garden Minnie

I finished making the invitations for Trevor's graduation party finally - I'll be posting a pic on Sunday when I post for the Just Some Lines blog, so be sure to check back then.  :)

I spent some time cleaning up my blog yesterday, removing some old links and blinkies and such.  I play in a LOT of challenges, and I've noticed lately that some of them just don't "play fair" - they choose winners that didn't follow the rules, or they never post winners, or never send the prize to the winner, etc.  And although I play because I love to make cards, I also spend a lot of time trying to be sure I followed all of the rules for each particular challenge - and let's face it, I wouldn't play if I didn't at least hope I had a chance at winning!   LOL  So I decided that the only thing I could really do is 1.) stop playing in those challenges, and 2.) only promote the great challenge blogs that are out there - and there are a LOT!  So check out my side bar for fun challenges that I love to play in - and be sure to take a few seconds to read each blog to be sure you are following the rules!!!  ;)

For today, I had a blast making this adorable card for the:

2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Garden Theme

I used the sweet Minnie from Tiddly Inks, colored with a combination of Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits, SU! markers & Prismacolor markers.  I used Crystal Effects on her glasses, which you can't really see in the picture but it makes them look so realistic!  DP, ribbon & flower brads from SU!  Quote/sentiment is printed on DP from my word processing program.  I love the colors in this one, and I absolutely adore Minnie's hair... hee hee

Enjoy your weekend!  Peace.

Circus Seal Snow Globe, Pink Amy & Sk8er Boy

Spent 2 hours with Trev at the dentist the other day while he had 2 cavities filled... the dentist says to me after she finished, "Well, I don't think it bothered him too much - he took a nap for 45 minutes, he was even snoring."  Only my kid could SNORE while they drill his teeth!  ROFL

I decided to use one of my Whimsie Doodles images and followed the tutorial here to make this next card for the:

Sketch Saturday Challenge

and

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Let it Shine

and

Penny's Paper Crafty Blog - Anything Goes

I used the Circus Seal image, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and SU! Stampin' Write markers.  DP is from My Mind's Eye.  Cardstock, star embellies & ribbon are from my stash.

Next up is a card I made for the Stamptacular Sunday - All Pink Challenge and also followed the sketch for the:  Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

I used Lollipop Amy from By Lori Designs, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  DP is from My Mind's Eye.  Sentiment is a rub-on from SU!  Pink embellies and ribbon are from my stash.

Last up for today is my card using the adorable Sk8er Boy image from Designed 2 Delight for their monthly progressive challenge:

I paper-pieced his shorts and hat and colored the rest with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  DP is from My Mind's Eye.  Brads are from SU!  Button is from foof-a-la.

Peace.

Crafty Catz, Things With Wings & CS Designs

I am enjoying this rainy weather we've been having... seriously.  Don't hate me but when the sunshine disappeared, so did my allergies.  LOL  I am finally able to breathe again, and it's a nice feeling, breathing.  ;)

I made this card with one of my images from By Lori Designs for the:

Crafty Catz Challenge - pink/black/white 

and

Dutch Dare Challenge - Winged Things

I colored BLD Lollipop Butterfly with Prismacolor pencils &  mineral spirits and SU! markers.  Cardstock & DP from SU!  Ribbon is from my stash.

This next card is for the month-long challenge over at:

CS Designs

I used the "Floral Sun Montage Square" from CS Designs, colored with Prismacolor markers.  Cardstock, DP, glitter & buttons from SU!

Peace.

Michelle Perkett, Prairie Fairy, Fresh Brewed & Charisma Cards

I can hardly believe it's already Tuesday again!  Gotta take my son to the dentist for a filling today - ouch.  I hate dental work, but I try not to say that in front of the kids so they don't get any pre-conceived ideas about it being negative.  I just happened to have a horrible dentist when I was growing up, and it made an impression on me.  Ugh.

So anyway - being Tuesday, that means it's time for another fun challenge at Michelle Perkett Studio!  This week our challenge theme is "Say it with Die Cuts" - I don't own any die cuts, believe it or not, so I printed out the words "Sweet Dreams" using a die-cut font, and voila - homemade die cuts!  hee hee  Whaddya think? I am also using this for the:

Prairie Fairy Friday Challenge - Here Come the Girls

I used Sleepytime Fairy from Michelle's Etsy store, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.

 And while I was using this pretty paper from My Mind's Eye, I decided to make a card for the:

Charisma Cards Challenge - Under the Weather (weather or get well card)

and

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Beach or Summer

I used one of the adorable Honey images from All That Scraps, and I paper-pieced her cap, bow, bathing suit & flip-flops.  I colored the rest with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits. Buttons are from foof-a-la. Ribbon scraps from SU!

That's all for now!  Peace.

Wedding Card & Change Holder

I made this card for a friend of mine who is getting married this Summer - him and his fiancee are totally perfect for each other, they remind me of my husband and myself... best friends.  I thought this was perfect for the "Friendship Theme" at:

I used the adorable wedding couple image from By Lori Designs, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  The bride's dress is covered with Dazzling Diamonds glitter from SU!  DP is from My Mind's Eye.  I am also entering this card above into the following challenges:

Stamp Something - Anything Goes

and 

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Sketch and/or Spots, Stripes & Sparkle (I did both)

Next up is a little project I embarked on turning an empty coffee container into a change holder for my daughter Cass - this is for the:

Flutterby Wednesday Challenge - Anything but a Card

 

I used the Autumn Fairy and the Spring Fairy digi images from The Greeting Farm - cardstock is from Stampin' Up! 
 
Hope you enjoyed my projects for today - and that this Monday flies by for those of you who want it to.  :)  Peace.

Tiddly Inks, ABC, Dutch Dare & All That Scraps

~Happy Sunday~

I can hardly believe it but Trevor only has 2 more weeks of school.  Yesterday I received graduation info in the mail and it just made it so.... real.  LOL  Trev goes to a small school that specializes in kids with "social and emotional disorders" like Asperger's, so everything is done on a smaller level and feels more personal.  I love it.  On May 24th, they are having a "graduation breakfast" at a local restaurant for the graduates and their parents.  I bought a special gift for Trev's favorite teacher (she's my favorite, too - shhhhh) and the principal of the school.  I will write more and share pics once I have given the gifts, I don't want to spoil the surprise!  I also made thank-you cards, bookmarks, and gift card holders for some of his other teachers, his clinician, and the assistant principal.  It definitely comes in handy having a hobby that results in unique and special hand-made gifts!

Anyway - on to business!  First up is my card for the:

Tiddly Inks - Anything Goes

and

The ABC Challenge - "U" is for "Under Something"

 

I used the Tiddly Inks "Old Book" image and "Schoolgirl" image and the sentiment is under the book's cover... I had fun making this little notecard so that the book cover opened instead of the entire card.  Cardstock is from SU!  Letter stickers are from my stash and the Dr. Seuss quote was printed out in my word processing program.

Next up - I cannot put down this new paper I got from My Mind's Eye, I had to use it for this next card, which I am entering into the following challenges:

All That Scraps - Paper Piecing

and

Dutch Dare Challenge - Things with Wings

I used one of the Swiss Pixie angels and paper-pieced her clothes and boots. I used Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits on her skin and hair, and SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter on her wings.  I like the simplicity of this card, hope you do too.  :)

Peace. 

Stuff

I spent the day with my friend Linda the other day and had a great time - I got Trev a really nice calligraphy set super cheap, because it was marked the wrong price AND I had a 50% off coupon.  Gotta love deals like that!  LOL  

My allergies are acting up somethin' fierce, so I am taking it easy this weekend.  My head feels like it's in the clouds, I hate that feeling!  I have 2 cards to share with you today - first up is a card I made with one of my adorable stamps from The Greeting Farm, it's for the:

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Sketch

and

The Crafty Pad Challenge - Spots & Dots

I used that yummy new paper I got from My Mind's Eye - I absolutely adore it.  I paper-pieced the tub and her headband, and colored her with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits. That cute ribbon is from Stampin' Up!

Next up is a card for the:
Digi Design House Challenge - BLING

The image is one I won in a previous Digi Design House challenge (The Angel Company) I colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits, and accented with glitter.  Cardstock, ribbon, & yellow gemstone brads from SU!  DP from My Mind's Eye - I just love how versatile this paper is!  Hope you all have a great weekend!  Peace.

Magical Mondays

It was pretty frustrating to see Blogger down for so long, wasn't it?  I had several posts that got wiped out - mostly ones I had prepared ahead of time, today's being one of them.  But it's a gorgeous day out and I am going to go enjoy it - so I just wanted to quickly post one card for today - this one is for the:

Magical Mondays Challenge - SKETCH

I used a Michelle Perkett image, isn't it sweet?  Have a great weekend, friends!  Peace.

Aggravation & challenges

I am SUPER ANNOYED with blogger and the fact that it deleted this post - I don't have time to do the whole post over so I am just trying to re-create the challenge cards I posted:

Stamping Bella Bellarific Friday

Just Us Girls #83 - Sketch Challenge

Crafty Catz Challenge - Quote or Sentiment

This next one is for the:

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #107

And last - this one is for the:

Designed2Delight Monthly Challenge

That is all for now - gotta get Friday's post back up now.  GRRRRRRR!
Peace.  :)

BLD & Charisma Cards

Hellooooo!  I spent the last couple of days making lots of cards, it really is like therapy to me.  :)  I love the sketch challenge this week at:

I was excited to see I had won one of the April challenges at By Lori Designs, and the prize was a free digi.  So I chose Puddle Jumper School Time Lucy and made a card with her for this week's challenge, and here it is:

Next up is my card for the:

Charisma Card Challenge #  - Anything But a Card

I made a little gift-card holder to give to one of Trev's teachers as an end-of-school-year gift.  I used Stamping Bella's Perk Me Up Peeps stamp - isn't it too cute?  

I'm off to have lunch with my sister today at one of our favorite Middle Eastern places - mmmmm..... chicken shwarma.... hee hee
Peace.