Gnome Love Always

 Happy Friday! I'm having a birthday dinner for my good friend Kim tonight - I'm making her shortrib stroganoff with candied carrots. I'll probably whip up a chocolate lava cake, too - OK I'm getting hungry now.  LOL

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

Make My Monday #244 - Gnomes

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Have a Heart

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Time Out Challenge #281 - Pick 2 Words (Love, Heart)

I created my background by blending Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide Ink on watercolor paper, then using a heart stencil to apply Candied Apple Distress Oxide Ink. I spritzed with water & dried, then sprayed some Yuletide Mica Spray Stain all over it.  I printed the Polaroid Gnomes from Miss Sandia's Ko-fi shop, colored with alcohol markers and white gel pens, and attached with foam dimensional tape. I used some text stamps from Recollections for the "love always". Peace.

Our Love is Written in the Stars

 Everyone finally seems to be starting to get over all of these awful winter illnesses, thank goodness! My youngest granddaughter, Millie, has asthma so it's really scary when she gets respiratory illnesses!  Hubby and I are picking up our oldest granddaughter, Raeana, from kindergarten today and bringing her to her dance class and then out to eat! She's an absolute pleasure to spend time with and I love getting to do stuff like this with her!

I had fun making this card below for the following challenges:

Lawn Fawnatics #189 - Lots of Heart

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Have a Heart

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Ellibelle's Corner - I Spy... Something with Feathers or Fur

Time Out Challenge #281 - Pick 2 (Love & Heart)

I created my background by simply spraying Gold Mica Spray Stain on watercolor paper.  I used Lindy's Magicals on another piece of watercolor paper and die cut a large circle from one piece, stamped the heart constellation on another and die-cut that, then used decorative scissors to cut a border from another piece.  I stamped some stars on them and layered a yellow piece of cardstock for the ground. I stamped the bunny & fox from Lawn Fawn's Upon a Star set with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, then colored with alcohol markes, fussy-cut, and attached with foam dimensional tape.  Peace.

Live your dream with passion

 Hi all!  We have a fun new challenge for you today at The Paper Shelter!  The theme is:  Pretty in Pink!

I used Ballerina, colored with alcohol markers and fussy-cut out.  I attached her with foam dimensional tape under a Polaroid die-cut.  My granddaughters are both into dance and I love watching them live their dreams with passion!  I will always encourage them to do the things that make them happy and not waste time on the things that don't.  

Come play along with us for your chance to win some free digis from The Paper Shelter!  

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

Creations in Pink - Anything Pink Goes

Lil Red Wagon - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Peace.

Wild About You

 Hello all!  Managed to get through yesterday with the 2 little sick grandkids, and so far I seem to be avoiding the sickness.  LOL  I don't even care, they're totally worth it. 

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

Addicted to Stamps & More #485

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts - Something to Say

Die Cut Divas - Something New (new digi from Lee Holland)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie - Anything Goes

I used papers from Doodlebug Designs for my background (my favorite DP!) - the inlaid die-cut is from Altenew and the leaf is from a set I found on Amazon here. I printed my new digi stamp - Panda with Flower from Lee Holland - and colored with alcohol markers.  I finished it off with a text sticker from Tim Holtz. Peace.

No Desire to Fit In

 I've got 2 sick kids here while my daughter brings the 3rd to the doctor, so I'm popping in quick to post the card below for the following challenges:

Just Us Girls #759 - Stencil Week

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Lift Challenge - Partial Die Cutting

Try Stampin on Tuesday - Sketch

The Color Hues Challenge #102

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper, then using a mermaid scale stencil to apply a darker blue oxide ink.  I used my Altenew Piped Waffle die and partially cut it out to fit the Lift challenge.  I used some sand dollar dies (the large one is from Simon Says Stamp here and I cannot for the life of me remember where the small one came from but SSS has the same big one in a smaller version also which you can find here) and then stamped Syren from The Greeting Farm with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored with alcohol markers and white pens, fussy-cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. I added some pearl stickers and text stickers to finish it off. Peace.

The Greeting Farm Guest Designer - Hocus Pocus

 Hey friends!  I was so honored and flattered when I was asked to be a guest designer for the month of January for one of my very favorite stamp companies - The Greeting Farm!  I'm sad that this is my last post, but I honestly don't need a "reason" to play with my TGF stamps, so you'll definitely be seeing more anyway!  LOL

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

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Try it on Tuesday - Oh What a Night!

Let's Craft & Create - Anything Goes

Just Us Girls #759 - Stencil Week

Two Old Bats - Anything Halloween

I used the Hocus Pocus Big Kit set to create my card - I love the Big Kits, they are so much fun to play with, I have about 10 of them!

 

I created my background by first blending Distress Inks through my Spellbinders Moon Phases stencil on watercolor paper, then I used the mask and blended purple & blue Distress Inks all around the moon, then misted with water and blotted with a paper towel. I stamped the bats, the gems, and the sentiment directly on the background. I stamped the witch with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, and colored with alcohol inks.  I fussy cut her out and attached her with foam dimensional tape. And just in case she's not in the shop anymore, here's a direct link to The Greeting Farm shop main page.

And she looks so cute here on my shelf with all of my witchy things, I might just leave her here on display:

Thank you again to The Greeting Farm and Rosemary for having me - I thoroughly enjoyed it! Peace.

Best Birthday Ever

Monday again and my poor daughter - all 3 of her girls have been sick.  It started with the oldest, who missed the entire week of school last week - and then the youngest got it, and now the middle has it.  I told her I'd watch any of them for her so she can work this week so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and taking lots of Vitamin C!  LOL

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

Pink & Main - Let's Celebrate

Addicted to Stamps & More - Any Occasion

AllSorts - Close to Nature/Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky #508 - All Things Bright & Beautiful

Colorful Options - Mood Board

I created my background by blending distress inks on watercolor paper and spritzing with water.  I stamped the sentiment (all stamps from the Pink & Main Floral Wings set) directly on the background, then stamped the dragonfly on white cardstock, colored with alcohol markers & glitter, then fussy-cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I added some gemstone & pearl stickers.  Peace. 

"Herd" It's Your Birthday!

 Hi everyone!  I keep saying I am not buying any more craft stuff for a while but then I find these adorable stamps and my fingers click "add to cart" and before I know it, I have cute new stamps! ;) LOL  I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator back in 2002 (my husband bought me the starter kit as my graduation present when I got my BA!) and I had a ton of wood-mounted stamps.  I started using more digi stamps about 10-15 years ago and got rid of most of my real stamps.  I saved my favorites and now I am back to loving real stamps - but most of them are now acrylic or unmounted rubber, so they are much easier/less bulky to store!

One of my favorite "new to me" companies is Tracey Hey/Alpaca Pals - I used the Legen-Dairy set for the card below, which I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Funny or Punny

AllSorts - Close to Nature/Anything Goes

Crafty Calendar - Add a Die Cut

My Time to Craft #552 - Masculine/Make it Male

Krafty Chicks #752 - Masculine

I created the background by blending Distress Ink through a cow-patterned stencil and using a die-cut from the Altenew Circular Elements Die Cuts set, cut from blue cardstock, matted behind the cow.  I stamped the cute little balloon & text on blue cardstock, then the cow on white and colored him with alcohol markers.  I fussy-cut them out and attached with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

LOVE - My Enchanted Colors

Hello all - busy weekend! I've been making a point to NOT make so many plans, I tend to overdo it when I'm feeling well and then I run myself down.  So I've made an effort to slow down and it definitely helps.  But I do have a busy weekend, company coming for dinner today (which I'm looking forward to!) and tomorrow I have the calling hours, funeral, and mercy meal for a very dear friend's husband who passed away unexpectedly last week.  Obviously not a fun event, but I cannot wait to give her a big hug.  :(

I'd like to share the card below with the following challenges:

Cut it Up #322 - Have a Heart

Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes

Time Out - Fave Things to Do in January (make Valentine cards!)

I created my background by blending Black Soot & Candied Apple Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper then heavily misting with water and blotting with a paper towel.  My digi stamp is from the Ko-Fi shop of My Enchanted Colors, colored with alcohol markers & a white pen with some glitter on her crown, fussy-cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I die cut the LOVE once on black cardstock and once on watercolor paper that had been distressed with Black Soot Oxide Ink and sprayed with water, then layered them to create the outlined look.  Peace. 

We Make the Purr-fect Blend!

Good morning! I woke up with a headache this morning, so I took some ibuprofen and snuggled back into the blankets and fell back asleep for an hour!  Definitely helped.  I'm making fudge this morning and then heading to my daughter's to watch the grandkids for a few hours this afternoon, which always makes me happy.  :)

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

TGIF Inspiration Challenge (tgifc509)

As You Like It - Favourite Pearls or Gems (& why)

I love both but I'd have to choose gems, I love the sparkly look they add to my cards and projects!

Creative Knockouts #539 - Something to Say

Time Out Challenge #280 - Favorite Things to Do in January (drink hot beverages and craft! LOL)

I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes/Optional Spring

Inky Paws Challenge #236 - Color Challenge

I loved this color combination.  My papers are from Doodlebug Designs, I stamped Newton & the coffee cups from the Newton Loves Coffee set from Newton's Nook onto white cardstock and again onto the patterned paper with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder,  I then colored with alcohol markers, fussy-cut and paper-pieced.  I used a paw die cut and added lots of gemstone stickers. Peace. 

Happy Birthday in Space

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

Hero Arts January - Those Were the Days (any challenge from 2024 - I chose July 2024, Color My World)

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky - All Things Bright & Beautiful

AllSorts - Close to Nature/Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps & More #484 - Any Occasion

I created my background by blending Distress Inks on watercolor paper and misting with water, then blotting with a paper towel.  Stamp set is Hero Arts Peekaboo Parts Galaxy Stamp Set. I stamped the background stamp directly on the distressed background with Vesafine Black and embossed with sparkly clear embossing powder.  I stamped the astronaut separately, colored with alcohol markers, fussy-cut and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I stamped the sentiment on another piece of paper that I blended some Distress Ink on, used a circle punch and attached with foam dimensional tape. Peace. 

What's Up, Gnomie?

 Good morning!  Grandkids are coming over today, and the oldest isn't feeling well so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and taking high doses of Vitamin C.  LOL  Wish me luck!

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

Night Owls - Create - Beautiful #45 - Three Colors of Your Choice

(pink, blue, white)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie - Anything Goes

As You Like It - Fave Paper Brand and Why

(I love Doodlebug Designs Designer Paper because there are so many different adorable, fun patterns to choose from!)

Cheerful Sketches

My papers are from Doodlebug Designs, from the Over the Rainbow 6x6 pad.  I stamped my little gnome & snail from CC Designs Cutie Gnomie set (sold out but go check out the other absolute steals in the clearance section!) with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored them with alcohol markers and a white pen and fussy-cut, then attached to the die-cut Polaroid frame with foam dimensional tape.  I added some die-cut clouds, sponged lightly around the edges with Cool Shadows Distress Ink. Peace.

Your Love Makes Everything Extraordinary

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

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Clean and Simple

Crafts Galore Encore #131 - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts #539 - Something to Say

Creations in Pink - Anything Goes in Pink

My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge

I kept this super simple and followed the sketch - I cut strips of designer paper and layered them along the bottom third of the card.  I stamped this adorable dragon from My Favorite Things, colored him with alcohol markers and a white pen, fussy-cut him out, then attached with foam dimensional tape. I stamped the sentiment with Candied Apple Oxide Ink, embossed with clear embossing powder, sponged the edges, and also attached with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

The Greeting Farm Guest Designer - Mermaid Anya

 Super excited to be back for my 2nd week as a guest designer for The Greeting Farm! I seem to have amassed quite a collection of mermaid stamps, and this one is one of my absolute favorites!

I created my background by blending Distress Inks through a mermaid-scale stencil, then I spritzed some Mica Spray Stain on it. I die-cut the seaweed from a previously-distressed piece of watercolor paper. I stamped the sentiment & anchor from Mermaid Anya 2 directly on the background with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I stamped Mermaid Bday Anya on a separate piece of cardstock, colored her with alcohol markers, Stickles Glitter Glue, and some Liquid Pearls for accent, fussy-cut her out and attached her with foam dimensional tape.  I also paper-pieced her tail by stamping her again on another previously-distressed scrap piece of cardstock that already had a smaller mermaid scale stencil applied to it.

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

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky #608 - Bright & Beautiful

We Love Stamping - Anything But Square

Stamping Sensations - Hand Colored Image/Anything Goes

Thank you so much and be sure to visit again to see my last guest designer post on January 28! Peace.

A little birdie told me...

 Good morning!  We got some snow yesterday - when I was a kid, we used to get BLIZZARDS!  Like the famous Blizzard of '78!  LOL  As my kids grew, we seemed to get less and less snow and now we hardly get any (I'm in central Massachusetts).  It's weird.  So I actually enjoy a good snowstorm once in a while - of course, I'm not the one who has to go out and clean it up!  I get to sit inside drinking hot chocolate or tea in my pj's!  hee hee  ;)

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

Triple B - Birds, Blooms, Butterflies - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - Hand Colored Image/Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Clean & Simple

Lil Red Wagon - Use a Window

Inspiration Station #69 (I was inspired by the bird & colors)

I tend towards the "cutesy" in my creations, so it's fun for me to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone.  I created my background by blending Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink on watercolor paper and then heavily spraying with water.  I used my Leaf Branch Oval Wafer Die from Simon Says Stamp and layered the paper on a white cardstock base.  I stamped the birdie from a Dina Wakley stamp set with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored the bird with alcohol markers, fussy-cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

Best Birthday Ever Bee

 Hello! I've got a friend coming over to hang out today so I'm looking forward to relaxing and having a good meal and some good wine!

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

Pink & Main Challenge 1 - Let's Celebrate

Cut it Up - Something New (stamp set)

Die Cut Divas - Something New (stamp set)

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Add Some Texture

Creative Inspiration #22 - Anything Goes

I created my background by spritzing Mica Spray Stains on watercolor paper and letting it dry before using the honeycomb die cut. I recently bought a couple new stamp sets from Pink & Main so I used the beautiful floral bee from the Floral Wings set, stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored just the bee with the same Mica Spray Stain (Flickering Candle), then fussy-cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. I stamped the sentiment directly on the background. Peace.

Thankful

 Hello all!

I love making ATC's.  I used to run an ATC Challenge blog called Wicked Wednesdays and it was so much fun.  I had to let it go when I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and I was working 2 jobs and super stressed out trying to, you know, LIFE.  LOL  But life is much less stressful these days and I have recently been considering bringing the challenge blog back.  I will obviously keep you posted but if I do, I'll be looking for sponsors and it will most likely be a monthly challenge just because I'm so busy! But I do miss it!  Anyway, this little ATC below is for the following challenges:

ATC Around the World - Anything Goes

Try it on Tuesday - Feeling Blue

Sparkles Challenge - Monochrome Blues

Addicted to Clean & Simple - Code Word Blue

We Love Stamping - Anything Goes/Optional Anything But Square

I used a scrap piece of distress watercolor paper to create the base of the ATC.  I stamped the image from Soul Mail from Unity Stamps on the ATC with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I added some gemstone stickers and a little text sticker, then sponged the edges of the ATC with black ink. Peace.

Polkadoodles - Valentines

 Come check out the DT's inspiration for the current challenge at:

Our challenges are now MONTHLY with bigger prizes!  You get 4 chances to play, so 4 chances to win!  $50 gift certificate for the random winner and 3 $10 gift certificates for the top 3!

I used a die-cut to create a little tag for Valentine's Day. I used a piece of watercolor paper and used pink pigment powders blended on it, then sprayed some gold Mica Spray.  I used Love Bird Heart - Blank Valentine - Wings of Love, colored with alcohol markers and fussy-cut then attached with foam dimensional tape.  I added some glitter glue to the heart, eyelashes, & shoes. Finished off with some yellow & white floss-type ribbon. 

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Critter Crazy #94 - Anything Goes with Featured Critter

Peace.

Aloha & Mahalo

Hi there!  I discovered these stamp sets from Newton's Nook a while back and then realized they have challenges so I had to buy a few sets!  I used one of the ones I hadn't played with yet and I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges today:

Die Cut Divas - Something New (stamp set)

A Cut Above - Anything Goes

Cut it Up - Something New (stamp set)

Fab n' Funky - All Things Bright & Beautiful

Inky Paws #236 Color Challenge

I created my background by blending Distress Inks on watercolor paper and then swiping a baby wipe through a floral stencil.  I stamped the Aloha and Mahalo text directly on the background. I used a die-cut Polaroid frame, in Kraft, sponged the edges and stamped LIVE*LOVE on it. I then stamped Aloha Newton and the flowers on white cardstock, colored with alcohol markers, fussy-cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. Peace. 

Not my circus, not my monkeys...

 Hey everyone!  Did you see the fun challenge at:

AllSorts #814 - Matching Pairs

???

I love "real" challenges and I had fun with this one for sure!  I created a card with a matching bookmark/tag:

I would also like to enter this bookmark/tag into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Add Some Texture

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - Never Been Used Before (the coffin dies)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

I had fun playing with my Gel Plate for this one - I used some circle stencils and acrylic paint for the background.  I then found a Distress Oxide Ink in a coordinating color green and distressed some watercolor paper before using my new nesting coffin dies on them. I added a skull die, some text stickers from a Tim Holtz sticker book, and a white ribbon to the bookmark.  For the card, I colored the Stamping Bella stamp with alcohol markers and fussy-cut her out, then attached her with foam dimensional tape and finished off with some more text stickers from another Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace.

The Paper Shelter - Winter Blues

 I am SUPER excited to announce that I am now on the Design Team for The Paper Shelter!  I'm on Team A, and this week we have a fun new challenge for you - the theme is Winter Blues!  You can either do a winter project, a blue project, or combine the two!

Click here or the image below to shop the vast array of adorable digi stamps at The Paper Shelter Store!

For my card, I created my background by using Distress Inks on watercolor paper and then blending a darker shade through a stencil.  I spritzed it with water and blotted with a paper towel.  I printed the Aquarius image out and colored her with alcohol markers, then fussy-cut her out and attached with foam dimensional tape. I stamped "Aquarius" along the edge of the card (stamp from Picket Fence Studios). I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

Try it on Tuesday - Feeling Blue

Stencil Fun - Anything Goes/Optional Hello/Winter

Paper Funday #72 - Anything Goes/Optional Monochrome

613 Avenue Create

Thanks for visiting! Peace.