Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Hugs, Kisses, and Birthday Wishes

 Hello there!  I had so much fun creating with purple & pink yesterday, I decided to make a few more projects with those colors.  This card is for the following challenges:

Cupcake Inspirations



Cutie Pie Challenge - Starts with B (birthday)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (optional Hot Colors)



I used Unicorn Birthday Anya from The Greeting Farm (no longer available), colored with alcohol markers & Stickles glitter glue.  My DP is from Doodlebug Designs.  Peace.

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

You bake me so happy!

 I had SO MUCH FUN creating this card below - I recently discovered the Colorado Craft Company and I played along with their last new release contest and ended up winning a stamp set.  I had bought the adorable Bake Me Happy because I was afraid it would sell out, so I chose the coordinating Secret Ingredient set as my prize.



I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Cupcake Inspirations #599

Simon Says Stamp Monday - 4 Legged Friends

Cutie Pie Challenge - Begins with a B (Baking!)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Classic Design - Anything Goes

Wednesday's Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

I created my background on watercolor paper with Ranger Distress Ink (blended with my blending brush), stencils and water. I colored the image with alcohol markers and used Glossy Accents on the kitty's glasses.  I finished it off by adding pink Pops of Color. Peace.

Monday, July 29, 2024

with love - Foxy

 Rainy day here - catching up on all the stuff I never have time to do lately.  Got a banana bread in the oven right now -  the house smells so good. I'm also making American Chop Suey for dinner tonight, I LOVE cooking but I don't do it much in the Summer so I'm excited to have the chance today! 

Today I have a card for the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - 4 Legged Friends

Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Polkadoodles - Anything Goes

We Love to Create - Anything Goes

Inkspirational #321 - Woodland (you can definitely find fox in the woods!)



I love this adorable stamp from Creative Expressions called Me & Mine.  I made my background by splashing some Liquitex Gloss Varnish onto my white cardstock (Neenah 80lb), then applied Distress Inks over it with my blending brush.  I stamped the foxes with Versafine black and embossed with a clear sparkling embossing powder.  I used some texture stamps around the edges.  I really love the simplicity of these beautiful backgrounds with just a stamped image on it.  Peace.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Crabby but Cute

 Popping in quick with a fun card I made for the following challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

We Love Stamping - Anything Goes/Optional Sun-Sea-Sand

Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes

AllSorts - Season's Delights/Anything Goes

My Time to Craft #539 - Summertime Fun

Simply Ellibelle - I Spy Simply Summertime Vibes



I love how this background came out with the Distress Inks blended and then water spritzed on it.  My cute little crab & sentiment stamp are from Colorado Craft Company.  I added some sand dollar die cuts, embossed with sparkly embossing powder.  Peace.

Saturday, July 27, 2024

a sprinkling of christmas magic

 Oh you guys - my sweet little brand new grandson had to have emergency surgery this morning for "Pyloric Stenosis"!  He's been having trouble keeping food down (my daughter breastfeeds) and Thursday it got really bad, projectile vomiting EVERY meal.  She brought him in and he had lost weight.  They made an appointment for him the next morning for an ultrasound and he lost MORE weight by then!  It was scary!  They admitted him right away and I went up the hospital with her until her boyfriend could get there, and it was just heartbreaking.  He could barely even cry - he was dehydrated and I can't even explain how sad it was.  Anyway, they finally did the surgery this morning (basically the muscle that goes from the stomach to the small intestine had thickened and they had to snip it to allow food to get through) and he's doing MUCH better already!  As long as he eats and doesn't vomit, they will most likely be home tomorrow.  Positive thoughts are always appreciated!  Here's my poor little guy before surgery:



And here's the cutie pie after surgery (still a bit groggy!) with his very-relieved mama:


PHEW!  That was not fun - having children is not for the weak.  I find myself still bursting in tears randomly... so emotional.  My daughter and I are wicked close, too, so I've been just as worried about HER as I was about HIM!

OK so on to business... I have a card today that I made for the All Dressed Up Facebook Seasons Challenge, and I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

Daring Cardmakers - Christmas in July

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas

Creative Knockouts - Christmas in July

The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Christmas with the Cuties - Clean and Simple



My image is from All Dressed Up, printed on DP and colored with alcohol markers and Stickles glitter glue.  Peace.

Friday, July 26, 2024

Storm/Sunshine

 Hi everyone!  I'm running out to lunch with a friend, so here's a card I made that I'd like to enter into the following challenges:  

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional: Hot Colors

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Add a Sentiment (4th entry)

Everybody Art Challenge - We Love Stamps (3rd entry) 




Background was made using Distress Ink and water.  Stamps are from Visible Image.  Peace.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

living the life

 OMG my daughter had her 4th (yes, FOURTH) baby a couple of weeks ago and they were all here today and by the time they left I felt like I just ran a marathon.  ROFL  I wouldn't change it for a thing, though.

Today I have an ATC I made that I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

ATC Around the World #115 - Animals (3rd entry)

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Add a Sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Beautiful Blooms

Inkspirational Challenge


Tic Tac Toe Challenge (I used Die Cuts - Free - Any Sentiment)


I used Designer Paper & stickers from Doodlbebug Designs combined with an inlaid die cut from Altenew.  Peace.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

bee kind honeycomb

Back to Wednesday again!  Seems to happen every week!  ;) I stepped out of my comfort zone with my color scheme for this one but I love how it turned out: 


I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Add a Sentiment (2 of 5)

 Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Beautiful Blooms (1 of 5)

Tic Tac Toe #252 (I used bees/flowers/green and yellow)



The image I used is called Honey Bee by Jeremiah Ketner (beautiful digis at very fair prices), colored with alcohol markers and glittery Stickles. Bee, honeycomb & "bee kind" stamps are from Visible Image
Peace. 

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

happy summer

 I often just create for fun and then try to find challenges that my creations will fit into, but today I really wanted to make something special for a couple of specific challenges. Here's one that I did today:  

I was inspired by the Mood Board at Just Us Girls #736

And I'd also like to enter this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Add a Sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Add Some Sparkle

Tic Tac Toe (die cut, free, any sentiment)

Inkspirational Challenge - Feature Products from 2 or More Companies

Background was created with Distress Inks and stencils.  My image is from Saturated Canary/Krista Smith Stamps - I used a die cut peace sign & polaroid frame.  Pineapple and flower stamps are from Lawn Fawn.  I used some Stickles glitter glue for the sparkle.  Peace.

Monday, July 22, 2024

Tags

 Popping in quick today with another tag post to share!  I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' - Tags (2 of 3)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes (1 of 3)

Gem of a Challenge Week 14 - Anything Goes (2 of 4)

AllSorts Challenge - Flowers (Using the FLOWER tag for this one - 1 of 3)

A Place to Start - Anything Goes (3 of 8)



I made a set of 3 mini tags using some stamps I had in my stash from Globeland.  Ribbons, papers, and sentiments were all from my stash too - I love using up that stuff! Peace.

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Waving Hello

 What a beautiful weekend!  The weather is perfect, I spent the day with a good friend yesterday and then came home and had another friend over for dinner.  Today I'm off to a 4-year-old's birthday party at a lake - life is good!

Today I have a tag to share with you all:



The "waving hello" sentiment is a stamp from The Greeting Farm.  I used a piece of netting in the back of the dies, the seahorse & sand dollar die are from Spellbinders, the sea grass dies are from Crafter's Companion.  I used distress inks to create my background on the tag.  I used coordinating colors of distress inks to press the die cut pieces into, then embossed them with a clear sparkly embossing powder.  I love the texture on this tag!

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

We Love to Create #6 - Anything Goes with Mixed Media

We Love Stamping - Anything Goes/Optional Sun, Sea, and Sand

Sweet Stampin' - Tags

As You Like It - Favorite Non-Card Project and Why

(this is my favorite non-card project because I love the colors and the way the die cuts shimmer and shine with the embossing powder!)

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Critter Crazy

Have a great Sunday everyone!  Peace.

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Friday, July 19, 2024

with love

Happy Friday! I just got back from a quick little one-night camping trip in our fifth wheel with my parents.  We went up to Mount Washington and drove our truck up the absolutely terrifying Auto Road.  LOL  I'm glad I can say I did it but I wouldn't want to do it again! My husband wants to rent a sports car and race up it - he's nuts. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

The Paper Funday - Anything Goes/optional Critter Crazy

Critter Crazy - Anything Goes w/ a Featured Critter

PolkaDoodles Week 28 - Anything Goes

The Male Room Challenge - Animals

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

I made my background with Distress Inks and water but I used colors that I don't normally gravitate to, I like how it came out!  The fox and sentiment stamps are called Me & Mine by Creative Expressions.  I stamped them with Versafine black and used a sparkly clear embossing powder on them.  Peace.

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Leo - Child of Fire

 Ooooohhhh it's almost here, can you feel it?!?  LEO SEASON!  hee hee  Can you guess my zodiac sign?  ;)

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

Cupcake Inspiration - Jungle Animals (2nd entry)

Critter Crazy - Anything with a featured critter (3rd entry)

Crafty Animals - Anything Goes with an Animal

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (optional Make it Cute) 3rd entry

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes (2nd of 3 entries)



I used the little lion from the Cosmic Stars set by Mama Elephant, the text and constellation are stamps from Picket Fence. The "LEO" text & Leo symbol are stamps from Studio Calico (they appear to be sold out but the Gemini, Aquarius, and Pisces acrylic stamp sets are only $5 right now!!!). Background was created with Distress Inks & water. Peace.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Christmas Elf

 I was so excited to see a challenge posted for The Greeting Farm Fan Page - they are some of my all-time favorite stamps/digis to play with! They are doing a Christmas challenge on Facebook, so I decided to make a Christmas card and enter it into some other challenges:

Addicted to Stamps #472 - Christmas

Daisy Chain Challenges - Christmas in July

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes

Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Christmas in July

Dragonfly Dreams - Christmas in July

Peace on Earth - Christmas

I used an older digi stamp called Anya Elf from The Greeting Farm, colored with alcohol markers and some Stickles added to the bell on her hat.  Background was created with Distress Inks & water.  I added a piece of red rickrack, and the sentiment is a stamp from Mama Elephant, stamped with Versafine Black & embossed with sparkly clear embossing powder.  Peace.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Baby Sage

 Hello all!  I made a card for my new grandson's birth, and I decided to use a sketch to spark my inspiration.  I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

TGIF Challenge #481 #tgifc481


Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Add Some Glitter (#3)



This adorable digi is called Little King I by Emmanuelle Colin.  I colored him with alcohol markers and added some gold Stickles to his crown.  I used die cuts for his name, Sage. Finished off with some gold gem stickers & text stickers.  Here are some pics of the big sisters with their new baby brother - first one is Analiz (4) and Raeana (5):


Milena is 2:


Thanks for looking!  Peace.

Monday, July 15, 2024

mermaids & chickens

 Man, it's so good to be back to crafting and blogging on a regular basis! Today I have a card for the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Lots of Layers

Unicorn Challenge - Not Square

Heart's Quest Fantasy Challenge - Optional Mermaids

Die Cut Divas - Add Some Glitter

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (optional Make it Cute) 2nd entry

Art Impressions - Magical Creatures 2nd entry

The Crafting Challenge - Flowers


My mermaid is a digi stamp from Saturated Canary/Krista Smith, colored with alcohol markers and Stickles.  I layered on lots of tropical DP (Crafter's Companion), including some circle die cuts, and a text sticker.  

...............................................................................................

This next card was fun to make - I would like to enter it into the following challenges:

FarmQuest General Challenge #18

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes


This chicken was from a free coloring page I found online.  DP/chick sticker is from Doodlebug Designs.  I added a piece of ribbon, some gemstone stickers and a text sticker.  Peace.

Sunday, July 14, 2024

A Happy Hello

 Happy Sunday!

Today I just have a little ATC to share for the following challenges:

ATC Around the World - Animals (2nd entry)

Critter Crazy - Anything Goes with Featured Critter (2nd entry)

Die Cut Divas - Add Some Glitter 

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (optional Make it Cute)




I love making ATC's - they are quick to make, fun to give away, and I love using up my little scraps of paper. I tend to make a whole bunch of them at once.  This one uses a snake stamp from Mama Elephant's Lunar Animals set. The background is just a scrap left over from one of my Gelli plate pulls.  The leaf was die cut from the same scraps and then darkened with distress ink and embossed with sparkly clear embossing powder.  I finished him off by adding some Stickles glitter to his crown. Peace.

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Mermaids & Christmas

Hello everyone!  Popping in quick to post a couple cards for the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Let's Get into Shape

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Summer Fun

Unicorn Challenge - No Squares

Heart's Quest Fantasy Challenge - Mermaids 

Polkadoodles - Anything Goes



I used a mermaid and sand castle from The Greeting Farm's Little Mermaids  set.  I made the background paper with my Gelli plate and some acrylic paint & stencils.  

And I also have a cute little card to share for the following challenges:

Sweet November FB Challenge - Christmas

Christmas Crafts All Year Long - Anything Goes

Daisy Chain - Christmas in July

Tuesday Morning Sketches





The digi is called Fairwee Snow Flurry Emaline by Sweet November Stamps, I colored her with alcohol markers and I used DP & coordinating stickers from Doodlebug Designs.  Peace.

Friday, July 12, 2024

Stay Wild Moon Child

 Happy Friday!

I made this card for the Fun with Funky Fossils FB Challenge (Flowers).  I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

The Crafting Challenge - Flowers

A Place to Start - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

I Spy With My Little Eye - Something Blooming Lovely


I created my background with Distress Inks and water on watercolor paper.  I colored the image with alcohol markers and sponged the edges with brown and black ink.  Peace.

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Lions and Flamingos, Oh My!

 I have been spending so much time in my crafting room, it's been so great.  It's too hot & humid to do much of anything else! I start cleaning and I start sweating and I hate to sweat soooooo... crafting it is!  LOL

I'd like to enter this little ATC into the following challenges:

ATC Around the World - Animals

Critter Crazy - Anything Goes with a Featured Animal

Little Red Wagon - Something You Love (I love lions because I'm a Leo!)

Cupcake Inspirations - Jungle Animals




I used the adorable lion from the Mama Elephant Cosmic Stars set.  I stamped the sentiment & some texture stamps along the edges.  Monstera leaf was die cut from paper that I painted with my Gelli plate and then embossed with clear sparkly embossing powder.

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

Paper Funday Challenge - Critter Crazy

Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes (1 of 2)

Everybody Art Challenge - We Love Stamping

Crafts Galore - Anything Goes (2 of 3)

Four Seasons - Summer - Inspiration Board





I make a lot of 5.25" square cards, and when I do, I'm left with this size "mini card" from the way I cut the cardstock.  So I have a huge pile of these "blanks" just waiting to be made into cards. Every once in a while, I pull them out and make a whole bunch.  For this one, I used my adorable Sunny Studios Flamingo stamps, stamped directly on DP.  I used some leaf dies cut from coordinating DP as accents.  Peace.

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Blooms & Butterflies

 OK so it's not just hot - it's GROSS.  The air feels like you're breathing soup - it's almost 80% humidity.  I am not leaving my house today.  LOL

Today I have a card that I created for the

Simon Says Stamp IG Challenge - Summer Color Challenge

(my computer won't let me link to IG but it's @simonsayschallenge


I'd also like to enter this into the following challenges:

The Crafting Challenge - Flowers

Triple B - Birds, Blooms, Butterflies

Everybody Art Challenge - We Love Stamps

Try it on Tuesday - Things with Wings



I created my background using Distress Ink Pads and water - I use a nice heavy watercolor paper for this and it's my favorite technique for creating backgrounds.  I love using my Gelli plate too, but I am not good at being patient and waiting for my prints to dry!  LOL  I stamped this beautiful image from Woodware Craft Company using Versafine ink & a sparkly embossing powder.  I finished it off with some black brads in the corners and sponged some black ink around the edges.  Peace.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Have a Wicked Time

Man, it's hot.  I'm dreaming of Halloween.

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

TGIF - White/Basic Black/Real Red  #tgifc480

Crafts Galore - Anything Goes

The Crafting Challenge - Flowers

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - Anything Goes


I love this stamp from Woodware Craft Collection - I stamped it directly onto my background (created with Distress Inks and water) with black Versafine ink, then embossed with a glittery clear embossing powder.  I colored the rose only to highlight it, I'm very happy with the finished result!  Peace. 

Monday, July 8, 2024

Babies and Stuff!

 Introducing my first grandson (4th grandchild), Sage Julius!  9 pounds, 9 ounces - 21 inches long born on 7/7/2024!  Welcome to the world sweet baby!



I have so many stamp from The Greeting Farm, it's ridiculous.  LOL  This one just screamed to be paper-pieced so that's what I did (papers from Doodlebug Designs).  I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Stars & Stripes

Colorful Options - Flags

Get Creative - Red/White and/or Blue


This next card is super simple - I made this for the:

Just Add Ink Challenge (use at least 3 colors)


I used Azure Afternoon as my card base then cut the bubbles out of a die cover plate using Night of Navy.  The fish was die cut on Daffodil Delight.  I added some gemstone teardrop stickers and a sticker sentiment.  Peace.