Be Unique! The Paper Shelter

 Hi everyone!  We have a new challenge for you at 

The Paper Shelter - and we've changed things up!  We are now an Anything Goes challenge with an OPTIONAL theme.  This week's theme is:

Alter It!

The image I used is called My Little Dragon Army - I fussy cut the dragon out of the entire image, colored him with alcohol markers and a white pen, and attached him to the background. I made the background by using the ink smooshing technique on watercolor paper with Distress Oxide inks. I took another piece of watercolor paper and applied Scorched Timber Oxide ink all over it, then cut a keyhole die out of the middle (Whimsy Stamps). I attached the dragon with foam dimensional tape, added a die cut key and a chipboard sentiment with some twine, then finished it off with some gemstone stickers. 

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

Simon Says Stamp Monday - A Bit o' Green

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Critters Real or Imaginary

A Cut Above - Anything Goes

Make My Monday #247 - Use a Die or Punch

Peace.

a lucky woman

 Good morning! Both big girls off to school today, so I have the almost-3-year-old (lil miss sassy pants) today before we pick them back up and have our 3rd sleepover of the week! LOL Tomorrow they'll go with their daddy for the night and then hopefully to my parents (their great-grandparents) for Thursday night.  I really hope they figure something out with the baby and my poor daughter is home with her little guy by then!

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

Simon Says Stamp Monday - A Bit o' Green

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #202 - Lucky in Green

Colorful Options - Green or Rainbow

Make My Monday #247 - Use a Die or Punch

Color My Heart Color Dare #642

I used one of the scrap cards leftover from when I cut my 5.25 square cards as the card base, stenciling a darker shade of green with a polka stencil.  I die cut a tag from a darker shade of green scrap paper. I printed out leprechaun cutie from Sami Stamps, colored her with alcohol markers and a white pen, fussy cut and attached to the tag with foam dimensional tape. I added a little sticker sentiment from a Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace.

Shenanigans and Pixie Dust

 Jeremy and I took the girls to the Ecotarium in Worcester, Massachusetts yesterday - they had a blast. We came home, ate dinner, watched a movie, had popcorn & ice cream, and then the oldest and youngest (ages 6 and almost-3) literally asked me if they could go to bed.  LOL  Yup!  Goodnight! I've got them for 2 more nights in a row - I'm tired just thinking about it, but this is what family is all about, right?  Being there for each other when we need each other. And I'd do absolutely anything for my daughter and those precious girls.

Anyway, luckily, I create most of my projects ahead of time, so I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Colorful Options - Green or Rainbow

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes

Festive Friday (choose 3 - I used green, gold, rainbow, leprechaun)

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide Inks into a rainbow patternon watercolor paper, then spritzed with water. I printed out the cute Leprechaun Peekers digi stamp from Sweet November Stamps, colored with alcohol markers, and fussy cut before attaching to the panel. I created the sentiment in Canva and printed out, then die cut.

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

And this next one is for the following challenges:

The Color Hues Challenge #105

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

I created my background by using the Half Tone Circle stencil from A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off), then I used the same color ink to blend on another piece of cardstock, sprayed with water, and stamped the sentiment on it, then used a circle punch to cut it out.  I stamped Tinks from CC Designs on Neenah cardstock with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored her with alcohol markers and fussy cut, then attached her with foam dimensional tape and added some glitter to her wings. Peace.

Witches & Cocktails

 Popping in quick to enter some challenges!

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

Di's Digi Designs - Green With Envy

Crafty Catz - Add a Sentiment

Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes/Optional Spots or Stripes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Colorful Options - Green or Rainbow

Digi image is from Di's Digi Designs.

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

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

The Color Hues Challenge #105

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - Anything Halloween Goes

Halloween Crafts All Year Round (March - Halloween, Birthdays, St. Patrick's Day, Caffeine)

FarmQuest Homestyle Kitchen Challenge - Anything Kitchen or Dining

Cheerful Sketches

Stamps are from Unity Stamp Co. Peace.

Hi Cutie Gnomie!

 Totally almost forgot to share this one, which I absolutely love!  I just really love making St. Patrick's Day cards, they are so much fun!  I'm entering this one into the following challenges:

Passion for Markers - Week 778 - Anything But Square

Moving Along with the Times - Pets

(I'm hoping his lil caterpillar counts as a pet! LOL)

Die Cut Divas - Critters (Real or Imaginary)

A Cut Above - March Anything Goes (with a die cut)

Colorful Options - Green or Rainbow

I used a circle die cut to create a circle shaped card (I left an edge of the circle card uncut for the fold, then cut the same size circle out of a piece of watercolor paper that I had ink blended on, then used a stencil and some Mica Spray in gold). I stamped these adorable images from the Cutie Gnomie set at CC Designs with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder, and colored with alcohol markers and a white pen.  I fussy cut them and attached with adhesive & foam dimensional tape.  I added a die-cut fern from Hero Arts, and the "Hi!" is stamped on a speech bubble die cut. Peace.

Leprechaun Friend

 Hi all - so the baby was admitted to the hospital yesterday for tube feedings. My parents are taking the girls tonight, then Jeremy and I will take them tomorrow night. I'm so hopeful that they can figure out what is going on and get this little guy fattened up and healthy!  It's just so stressful watching my daughter deal with this and feeling so damn helpless.  :(  At least once I have the girls with me, I won't have time to think or worry about it! LOL  Silver linings, right?

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

Festive Friday 

(I used green, gold, cloverleaf, rainbow, leprechaun, funny sentiment) 

AAA Colourful #13

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #202

I created my background by blending distress inks in a rainbow pattern on a piece of watercolor paper and misting with water.  The little leprechaun is an old digi from Drawn with Character (I don't think they exist anymore), colored with alcohol markers, fussy cut, and attached with foam dimensional tape.  I added a little die cut cauldron, filled it with Gold Stickles, added some gold pearl stickers along the edge and a text sticker from a Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace.

Don't go bacon my heart!

 Hey guys.  My little 8-month-old grandson is having trouble gaining weight.  Please keep him and my sweet daughter in your thoughts - she's working with a nutritionist to get him admitted to the hospital for tube feedings to see if they can figure out what's going on.  It's extremely stressful worrying about things you can't control - when your kids/grandkids are involved, it's 100 times worse.  I am just so anxious and worried, my neck is so tight and sore from the stress.  UGH.

So what else to do but craft and try to maintain the little bit of sanity that I have left? I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Cupcake Inspirations #612

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes/Optional Add a Sentiment 

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Weather Related

I created my background by blending Distress Oxide inks through my Square Cut Out stencil from A Colorful Life Designs (this particular stencil is 6x9 - the square will fit center and all four corners of an A2 card). Use code JennFan10 for 10% off at the shop!  I stamped the adorable pig stamp from the Streaky Bacon set from Tracey Hey Designs with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with alcohol markers and a white pen, fussy cut and attached to the center with foam dimensional tape. I stamped the sentiment & hearts/circles directly on the background. Peace.

All Dressed Up - March Release

 Hi friends!  We have a new release for you today at:

There are 3 new adorable digis available in the shop here.

Come play along with the Dressy Girls in our Facebook challenge here or our blog challenge here!

Little Sailor:

Little Painter:

Bunny Hugs:

I used Little Sailor:

I colored her with alcohol markers and fussy-cut her out, then attached her with foam dimensional tape.  I used random papers from Doodlebug Designs and some fun Navigation Items Dies from InLoveArts. Finished off with some red gemstone stickers and a text sticker from a Tim Holtz sticker book.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Red or Pink

Try it on Tuesday - For a Lady

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Thank you! Peace.

When it's dark, look for stars

 I wanted to play along with this sketch challenge but I didn't see it until the last minute, so I'm posting quick to make the deadline for the:

Lift Challenge #194 (CASE the designer)

I used some fun stamps I bought on Amazon from a company called Globeland. I used papers from DCWV, fussy-cutting the tarot cards from the papers to use as embellishments. Peace.

Enjoy Your Special Day!

 Hello everyone!  I don't have many embossing folders, but I love the texture they give to cards. I tend to go through phases with the art supplies I play with - for a long time, I was obsessed with my Gel Plate and made HUNDREDS of prints... and then I did the same thing with alcohol inks & Yupo paper... and then I did the same thing with Oxide & Distress Inks on watercolor paper.  LOL  I just LOVE making backgrounds! Which is nice because I always have a stash of backgrounds that I can dig through to help inspire me but when I'm looking for something particular, I can just create it!  I love that. 

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

The Flower Challenge #100 - Add Circles 

(my circles are the little postmarks in the stamp!)

Try it on Tuesday - For a Lady

SSS Wednesday - It's a Stitch Up (real or faux stitching)

TGIF #514

Time Out Challenge - CASE the Designer

I used the Checkered Scallops embossing folder from Spellbinders after stamping my image onto it (Garden Daisies from Woodware Craft Collection) and spot-coloring with a Yellow Copic marker (Y06).  The Happy Birthday stamp is from the Birthday Your Way II set from Papertrey Ink, stamped with Versafine Black, embossed with clear embossing powder and die-cut with a postage stamp die from the Nested Postage Labels & Tag Dies from Spellbinders. I attached it with foam dimensional tape to make it pop off the card. Peace.

Color Throwdown #828 Featured Stamper

I was thrilled to be a Featured Stamper on the Color Throwdown #826 challenge last month - which means I get to be a featured stamper (guest designer) this month!  Here's the color board for you to follow along with:

Color Throwdown #828

I used the ink smooshing technique for my background - I used Distress Inks in Brushed Corduroy and Mermaid Lagoon for the background, and then Scorched Timber for the stamping.  My stamps are from Unity Stamps from a set called Let Adventure. I added a filmstrip die at the top, cut from a dark brown cardstock, and some large gemstone stickers in the bottom corner.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge - W is for Wings

Triple B - Blossoms, Birds, Butterflies

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Use Your Favorite Technique (ink smooshing)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Peace. 

miss you & Aries Birthday

 I have really been enjoying playing with my stencils from A Colorful Life Designs.  When I was first asked about joining the Design Team, I was a little nervous.  I didn't have much experience with stencils, but I have found that the more I play with them, the more comfortable I get. I just got my package for April, May, and June and I absolutely LOVE the April stencils!  My favorite release so far.  But this card below was made with one of the stencils from the February release, and I think it was my favorite one from that particular release!  I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Just Us Girls #764 - Stencil Week

Triple B (Birds, Blooms, Butterflies)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Stencil Fun - March Anything Goes

As You See It #342 - Birds

I created my background by blending brown & blue Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper, spraying heavily with water, and blotting with a paper towel. I love that there's no stamping on this card!  I used the Message Bird Stencil from A Colorful Life Designs and the Shadowed With Love stencil from a previous release. You can use code JennFan10 for 10% off anything in the store! 

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

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

TGIF #514

Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Flowers Goes

The Four Seasons Challenge - Spring

A Cut Above - Anything Goes with Die Cuts

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Use Your Favorite Technique (ink smooshing!)

CAS on Friday #303

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique with Mustard Seed Distress Oxide ink on watercolor paper. I blended the same color on another piece and cut a tag out of it, then blended some Rustic Wilderness one another piece & Walnut Stain on another and cut strips out of them.  I stamped the Aries stamps (Studio Calico) on the tag with Walnut Stain Oxide ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I stamped the flower from Unity Stamps Floral & Stars Zodiac set on white cardstock, embossed with clear embossing powder, colored with alcohol markers, cut out with a circle punch and inked the edges with Rustic Wilderness. Peace.

Bottled Posies - With Love & When it's Dark Look for Stars

 Hello all!  I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Just Us Girls #764 - Stencil Week

Triple B - March 2025 (Birds, Butterflies, Blooms)

Dragonfly Dreams - Gardening

The Paper Players #727 - Spring Flowers

I used watercolor paper with Lindy's Magicals and the Bottled Posies stencil from A Colorful Life Designs to create this card.  I then outlined the middle flower with an alcohol marker.  The "with love" is another stencil from A Colorful Life Designs called Shadowed With Love (use code JennFan10 for 10% off anything on the site!).  I love the pretty, soft, watercolor look of this one! 

Here's another card I made with the same stencil - I think this was my favorite one from the February release:

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

This next card I made to slide in at the last minute for the:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - In the Night Sky

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

I created my background by blending Chipped Sapphire & Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide Inks on watercolor paper and spritzing with water, then blotting with a paper towel.  I stamped the constellations around the edges with Versafine Clear ink & embossed with white embossing powder.  I stamped the moon & sentiment in Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide Ink and embossed with a clear sparkly embossing powder.  I seem to have lost the packaging from the stamp set so I apologize that I cannot give credit to the manufacturer.  If you know who made this set (it's a clear stamp set), please let me know and I'll update the post.  Thank you!  Peace.

Sometimes You Have to Take Chances

 Squeezing one more in for today - this card was made for the color challenge specifically, I though these colors looked so pretty together!  I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Just Add Ink - Color Challenge

Path of Positivity #128

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique with Distress Inks in pink, red, and blue.  I stamped Aquarius from The Greeting Farm's Hairoscope Big Kit set (no longer available - I found it on Ebay) with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I used alcohol markers and a white pen to color her - my pen did a "glob" on her cheek and I was not too happy with that, but I've learned not to stress too much over little things like that (OK I stress but then I let it go - LOL). I added some gemstone stickers, a piece of red rick rack ribbon, and a sentiment sticker from a Tim Holtz book. Peace.