Books and Cats!

 I love to read - Stephen King is my absolute favorite author (and no, I'm not mad at him about his silly "tweet" - I took it for what it was, he was making fun of the POSOTUS and being sarcastic) and I've always prided myself on reading every new book as soon it comes out. However, I've found myself distracted by social media in the past few years, which has resulted in less reading.  I decided to actively change that when I realized I've got the last 4 Stephen King books just waiting to be read!  So the other night, I turned off the TV and went into the grandkids room and just read for hours.  It felt so good, and I am going to continue to make the effort to do that instead of watching mindless TV and doom-scrolling!  LOL

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

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Girlz Rebel #40 - Anything Goes With an Image

Inky Paws Sketch Challenge #240

Color Throwdown #832

I created all of the background papers by blending Distress Oxide inks on watercolor paper and spritzing with water. I love this color combo - it's one of my favorites from Color Throwdown (I use their challenges as inspiration all the time when I'm feeling stumped!). I stamped the sentiment directly on the red paper with Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I stamped the kitty from Newton's Nook Newton's Book Club set with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, and colored with Copics. I used the Deckled Circle die cut from Mama Elephant to cut it out and attach with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

and so the adventure begins...

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

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes/Optional Feminine

Dream Valley #336 - Things with Wings

Craft Alnica #383 - Butterflies

Little Red Wagon #806 - Yellow Brick Road

The Color Hues Challenge #109

It's hard for me not to "create" a background - LOL!  I used a white cardstock base to create the card and simply stamped on it.  The stamps are from the Let Adventure set at Unity Stamp Co., stamped with Distress Oxide Inks and embossed with clear embossing powder - simple but effective! Peace.

Thank You for Believing in Me

 One more for today - this one is for the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes/Optional Feminine

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - The Great Outdoors

My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique with Distress Oxide inks and a lot of water added to make it flow. The stamp set I used is called Yuzu Darling Dragons - I love this set. I stamped in Versamark Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and fussy cut the dragon, then attached with foam dimensional tape. The grass border die was cut from a scrap piece of previously distressed watercolor paper. Peace.

Best Mom Ever

 I just wanted to squeeze in one more card for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stencil Fun because I have so many projects made with these gorgeous stencils from A Colorful Life Designs - and because it's Mother's Day so this was appropriate for today! If you like this stencil, please feel free to visit the shop and use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order.

I created the background for this one using Lindy's Magicals on a piece of watercolor paper. I then used Distress Oxide inks through my Happy Thought Wreath stencil from A Colorful Life Designs and embossed with clear sparkly embossing powder. Peace.

Birthday Fishes & Mermaid Kisses

 Happy Mother's Day! This is a tough one for us, but we'll all draw strength from each other. I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Stencil Fun

Stencil Fun May - Anything Goes/Optional Bouquets

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Birthday!

Dragonfly Dreams - Sea Life

AAA Birthday #73

Color Dare #650

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide inks through a mermaid scale stencil. I printed out this adorable Mermaid Gnome from the Scrapflower Ko-Fi shop (FREEBIE), colored her with Copics and used the same stencil to draw scales on her fin with a white gel pen. I fussy cut her and attached with foam dimensional tape. Sentiment is from CC Designs. I finished it off with some seashell die cuts. Peace.

Thanks a Bunch!

 One more quick card to share today - this one is for the following challenges:

Creative Inspiration #26 - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Let's Craft & Create - No Patterned Paper

AAA Colourful #15

I blended multiple shades of blue Distress Oxide Inks on a piece of watercolor paper and die cut it with a leaf frame die cut from Simon Says Stamp.  I die cut the sentiment from the same paper (die cut from Mama Elephant) and attached them both to a black cardstock base. Added some gemstone stickers to finish it off.  Peace.

Good Mom

Hi everyone!  We have some more inspiration for you at the Polkadoodles Challenge blog where the theme is always ANYTHING GOES!

Come play along for your chance to win a $50 gift certificate OR one of 3 $10 gift certificates!

This tent easel card was fun and super easy to make!  You basically just take a piece of 8.5x11 cardstock, cut it in half the long way and score at 4.25 and 8.5.  You make the folds and decorate however you like - you just have to make sure something pops up on the bottom piece to hold the tent up for displaying.  I used Fairy Ballerina, colored with alcohol markers, embossing, and glitter.  I fussy cut her and attached her with foam dimensional tape.  The papers are from the Rebel Papers bundle 3 and the Flower Meadow paper pack and the sentiments are from the Spring Flower Mother's Day Friends pack. 

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

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Dream Valley - Things with Wings

Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes

Peace. 

Sorry...

 Good morning!  I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Cut it Up #329 - So Sorry

A Cut Above May - Anything Goes With a Die Cut

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - R is for Rude

Colorful Options May

I created my background by ink blending a rainbow of Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper, then using a die cut to layer it on top of a black cardstock base. Stamp is from Ink Road Stamps, colored with Copics, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  Sentiment is from a snarky Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace.

Change - Metamorphosis

 Today is a better day - I woke up feeling more optimistic and ready to face the day. Hubby took me out to a nice dinner last night and I have some yummy leftovers to heat up for lunch.  The sun is shining, I've got a good friend stopping by for a visit later in the morning... yup, it's a better day!  :) I greatly appreciate all of your comments of support and your messages - they really do help.

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

Craft Alnica #383 - Butterflies

Dream Valley #336 - Things with Wings

Alphabet Challenge - B is for Butterflies (more than 2)

Triple B May (Butterflies, Birds, Blooms)

CAS Colours & Sketches #559

I created my background by blending Lucky Clover, Broken China, and Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide inks on a piece of watercolor paper and spraying heavily with water, then blotting with a paper towel. I stamped the butterflies and sentiment from the Wings of Change set from Visible Image Stamps directly on the background and embossed with clear embossing powder. Peace.

Happiness Depends on Ourselves

I woke up sad today. Most of you are aware that I lost my baby grandson in March.  He would be 10 months old today. There has been so much heartache in my life the past few months, some days I'm not sure how I can possibly bear it. I am never a negative person, ever, and this is an awful feeling for me. So this morning when I went to do my blog post, I realized the card I wanted to share today is one with a message that I needed to hear.  Happiness depends on ourselves. I need to read that over and over.  It's crazy how each day can feel so different when you're experiencing grief like this. I made this card just 2 days ago and I was feeling happy. I woke up today feeling like I'll never be happy again. But I know I will. And writing, sharing my feelings, it helps me.  I've started journaling again, it's cathartic.

Anyway. I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes/Optional Feminine

Let's Craft & Create #219 - Anything Goes/Optional No Patterned Paper

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Something New

Path of Positivity #131

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique along with some Gold Mica Spray Stain. I printed the adorable fairy from Javier Origin (IG @javierorigin) and spot-colored her with Copics. I fussy cut her and attached with foam dimensional tape.  Added some gemstone stickers and a sentiment from a Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace. 

Be YOU-nique

 Hello everyone!  We have a new challenge for you at:

We are now an ANYTHING GOES challenge - our optional theme this week is FLORAL DELIGHT!

I printed out Psychedelicate from The Paper Shelter and colored her with Copics.  I found this fun paper in my stash and thought it paired perfectly, I'm sorry I can't give credit to the manufacturer. I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Outlawz Main May Linky

Outlawz Festive Friday - Say it With Flowers

Crafter's Cafe #318 - Anything Goes/Optional Feminine

Peace.

I'm So Sorry

 OK I know it's Spring and we need rain but geez - it's been raining for days with no sun in the forecast at all!  Makes it difficult to get a good picture of my art projects!  LOL  First world problems, right?  

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

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Cut it Up #329 - So Sorry

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional May Flowers

My Favorite Things - Color Challenge

Retro Rubber #294 - Sweet Spring Flowers

I stamped the girl and sentiment Crazy for Daisies (this stamp set is at least 10 years old and no longer available) from My Favorite Things with Scorched Timber Distress Oxide ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics, fussy cut, and attached with foam dimensional tape. I used some very old papers from my stash - manufacturer is My Mind's Eye - that reminded me of the color scheme, die cutting the sentiment & background for it and the Deckled Circle from Mama Elephant behind the girl. Peace.

Celebrate - Birthdays

 I have to do a 2nd post today so I can enter this card into a few challenges that are ending tomorrow!  I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Let's Craft and Create #219 - AG/Optional No Patterned Paper

A Place to Start May - AG/Optional For a Child

Crafty Calendar May - For a Child

AAA Birthday - Anything Birthday Goes

Seize the Birthday #304 - Anything Birthday/Optional Stenciling Topping

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide Inks through my Escalator stencil from A Colorful Life Designs, then embossing with a clear, sparkly embossing powder on Kraft cardstock (use code JennFan10 for 10% off in the store). I stamped the image from Tracey Hey Designs with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, then colored with Copics and fussy cut.  I attached him and the die cut balloon with foam dimensional tape. I added a die cut Polaroid frame and stamped the word "celebrate" on it. Peace.

A Delightful Adventure

 Back to Monday. It comes quick, doesn't it?  I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

A Cut Above May - Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Watercolored

AllSorts #822 - Inspired by a Song/Optional Anything Goes

Heart's Quest Fantasy Challenge #5 - Anything Goes/Optional Mermaids

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

I used the ink smooshing technique with Distress Oxide inks to create my watercolor background. I die cut some seashells and layered them in the corner with adhesive and foam dimensional tape.  I printed Current Gliding from Sweet November Stamps, colored with Copics and fussy cut her, then attached with foam dimensional tape.  Sentiment is from a Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace.

Sympathy Flower

 Hope you all have a nice, relaxing Sunday!

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

Cut it Up #329 - So Sorry

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Triple B - Birds, Blooms, and Butterflies - Mood Board or Anything Goes

I created my background with alcohol inks on Yupo paper - I had a point where I was obsessed with just making backgrounds with alcohol inks, and I have a huge stack of them already made!  I kept this one very simple, just die cut the flower on white cardstock and then stamped the sentiment on another piece, and die cut that as well. Peace.

With Deepest Sympathy

 Happy Saturday! I am finding this grief process to be just crazy - like how can some days I get through everything life throws at me like a rock star, and others I'm like a blubbering 4-year-old every time something doesn't go my way?  Sigh. I'm getting through it though. Day by day. With lots of love and support from my people. And I'd like to share a picture of my sweet grandbaby because I'm trying desperately to keep his memory alive. This is Sage with his silly sissies a couple weeks before he passed away:

He was always smiling, always happy. Life is just not fair. I've found myself saying that a lot lately, like a petulant toddler. But it's true. We are waiting for autopsy results before a lawyer will take the case, but I'm 99.9% sure there will be a lawsuit against the hospital. So tragic. So unavoidable. So unbelievably not fair. Hug your loved ones - tell them how much you love them. I'm so grateful that I got to hold, hug, and kiss my sweet Sage the day before he left us forever.  Having no idea it would be the last time. So many firsts we'll never get to experience... I have to stop now before I can't stop crying, I have things to accomplish today and I cannot allow myself to wallow in my misery, even though sometimes that's all I want to do. Thank you for reading this.

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

Anyway, crafting is truly like therapy to me so I've made an effort to get back into my craft room this past month. Luckily, I tend to make a lot of projects at once so I was all caught up with my DT commitments when this awful tragedy happened.  And unfortunately, I'm not the only one experiencing grief - I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Triple B May

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional May Flowers

Creative Artiste - Anything Goes Mixed Media

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Colorful Options May

I made this card for one of my best friends whose husband passed away unexpectedly. I used some texture paste on black cardstock, let it dry and then applied alcohol inks on top. I stamped the butterfly from the Tree of Love stamp from Unity Stamp Co and the butterfly from the Let Adventure set directly on the alcohol ink. I finished it off with some gemstone stickers. Peace. 

Goldfish Fishing

 Popping in quick to post the card below to the following challenges:

Star in My Pocket Star Stampz - Anything Goes/Optional Pastel Colors

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes/Optional Masculine

The image I used is called Goldfish Fishing from Star Stampz.  I colored with Copics and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I used some designer paper from Doodlebug Designs and a fish tank that I die cut from a previously distressed piece of watercolor paper. Peace.

Hello Little Pirate

 We have a new challenge for you on the All Dressed Up Facebook group - theme is Boy Time!

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

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Cardz 4 Guyz #371 - Body of Water

As You Like It - Soft or Bold Colors (and why)

I love bold colors - I love bright and cheerful creations, and I love to make things stand out so I often use bold patterns, colors, and images!

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes or Masculine

I used Little Pirate from All Dressed Up, isn't he just so sweet?  I colored with Copics and a white gel pen - I used a die cut but traced around it on the one the image was printed on to fussy cut the telescope so it would stand out.  Papers are from Doodlebug Designs. I added a little anchor charm from my stash tied off with a piece of twine. Peace.

AAA Birthday Guest Designer - Gemini

 Hi everyone!  I was honored to be the May guest designer for the 

ANYTHING BIRTHDAY GOES 

challenge this month at: 

I would love to enter this into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Feminine Birthday

Passion for Markers #786 - Birthdays

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

I used the Floral and Stars Zodiac and the Horoscope stamp sets from Unity Stamp Co, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder then colored with Copics. I die cut the panel and then matted it on a die cut piece of watercolor paper that I had blended yellow & black Distress Oxide Inks on. I matted that onto a kraft cardstock base and sponged the edges in black. Peace.

A Little Witch

Good morning! I cannot believe April is almost over! I'd like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Halloween Crafts All Year Long #25 - Anything Goes Halloween/Birthday/Spring/Easter

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes

AllSorts #822 - Inspired by a Song/Anything Goes

(Song: Witchy Woman by the Eagles)

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes

As You Like It - Clean & Simple or Fussy & Fancy (and why)

I love fussy & fancy - I love making busy backgrounds and adding lots of embellishments.

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide Ink on a piece of watercolor paper through my A Lot of Angles stencil from the April release at A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off at the store).  I stamped my witch from Stamping Bella with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I added a witch hat die cut and another die cut with the sentiment stamped on it.

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And I have one more card I made with the same stencil - this one is for the following challenges:

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

I blended Distress Oxide Inks all over a piece of watercolor paper, then I pressed my A Lot of Angles stencil that was covered in black acrylic paint on it. I added the "you're a gem" die cut sentiment and a bunch of gemstone stickers. Peace. 

A Good Heart

 Hello all!  I'm doing a giveaway on my IG page if you'd like to check it out - my page is @craftywitchyjenn

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

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Make it Girly

Make My Monday #250 - Things with Wings

A Place to Start - Anything Goes/Optional Black, White, and Red

Crafty Gals #266 - Adorable

Path of Positivity #130

This sentiment on the card below really resonates with me. I am part of an industry that seems to be filled with fake beauty. Fake boobs. Fake lips. Fake eyelashes. Fake people. It exhausts me. I truly believe that stuff doesn't make you beautiful - a good heart is so much more important and meaningful. I'll keep my chubby hips and my thin lips and my wrinkles and my good heart, even if it means having to feel heartbreak sometimes. Because that only makes me stronger in the long run.

I created my background by blending Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink through my Vertical Swerves stencil from the April release at A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off in the store).  I did a reverse stencil on the piece that I die cut. I stamped the adorable fairy from The Greeting Farm with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, then colored with Copics & white gel pen, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. Added a sticker sentiment and some gemstone stickers. Peace.

Let Your Weirdo Light Shine

 Hello there - I'd like to enter this card below into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Make it Girly

AllSorts #822 - Inspired by a Song (or Anything Goes)

(Inspired by the song Creep, by Radiohead)

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes/Feminine

Just Us Girls #772 - Stencil Week

I created my background by using the Op Art Bench stencil from the April release at A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire purchase),I blended Distress Oxide Inks in Black Soot and Villainous Potion through the stencil to create a stage look. I stamped Tuesday Premier from The Greeting Farm (old red rubber stamp) with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and colored with alcohol markers. I fussy cut her and attached her with foam dimensional tape.  I stamped the sentiment with Villainous Potion Distress Oxide Ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder and used a die cut to cut it out, then added some gemstone stickers to it. Peace.