Why I Am AWOL for a Few Days......

If I don't get my cards into challenges this week, this is why..........

This is my beautiful niece Alexis who lives near Portland, Oregon.  She flew into Branson yesterday for a 5-day visit with me.  Alexis is my brother's only daughter. She is 19 and lights up my life! She did bring this coat with her and it's a good thing, too.  It's going to get C-O-L-D here!

I am so thrilled to have her here and we have already enjoyed some wonderful girl-time today.  I think I already have her hooked on making cards!! We have three days of snowy weather ahead of us so we joined the throngs at Walmart and loaded up on staples and comfort food.  Now we can hunker down with the fireplace going and get to some serious cardmaking! There is no better way to spend these winter days.

Be safe out there this week.  It's going to get nasty again. Thanks for stopping by!

Sassy Cheryl Challenge L-O-V-E!

What's L-O-V-E got to do with it?  Well, everything, especially with Valentine's Day just 18 days away! So Sassy's challenge this week has us busy making all sorts of cards to give to ALL the folks we L-O-V-E so much!  With her fun and loveable selection of digis the possibilities are endless!  I chose this shy pair of lovebirds for my project this week:

I don't know about you, but I think this ponytailed little miss made the first move here!  The little guy appears to be prepared, tho'... see the Valentine card in his pocket?  Oh, I remember those childhood crushes!  I don't think we ever really get too old to have a crush on someone.  I'm not embarrassed to admit my crush on Colin Firth!  Who do you have a crush on?  Hmmm?

This image is colored with Copics and cut out with the new Nesties Wonky Squares die.  The papers and matching embellies are from Making Memories "Love Story" stack that I found last year. The pink and black plaid is so fun.  I could see giving this card to a guy.  Hmm, I wonder if Colin would like it?  **wink**

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm glad you were here!  Now, for more inspiration for cards for your honeys and crushes hop on over to Sassy Cheryl's to see the fantabulous projects from the design team.

Mo's Digital Pencil 2 Challenge #66 --- A Trip Around the World

It's time for Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge:  A Trip Around the World.  Mo has so many wonderful images of children and grown-ups that reflect the world's diversity.  I was very excited to be the winner of the drawing last week and I chose this image which has been on my wish list:  Little Girl in Kimono. 

Recently I found the Cricket Pagoda cartridge on clearance.  Oh, what a find that was! I love the delicate cutouts of this set.  The background dp is a very pretty print by My Mind's Eye that I cut into a fan.  Then using various scraps I Cricket cut out the tree and the pagoda pieces.  The flowers are EK Success Sticko and the dragonfly and butterfly are rhinestone accents from Prima. 

The image is colored with my Copics.  On the sleeves I used a feathering technique to blend the pink and tan (I forgot to make note of the color numbers).  Oh, she's such a pretty little girl --- so is the little kitty!

Thank you for stopping by today and for more stops around the world be sure to hop over to the Digital Pencil Challenge.  What a nice way to see the world!

Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge #8

Here it is Monday already (where does the time go?) and time for another challenge over at Happileigh Scrappin'.  Leigh has more wonderful images available and is also giving sneak peeks of coming attractions, so be sure to check those out at the challenge blog.  But don't run away yet!  Let me show you the photo inspiration for this week and my project to go with it.

I really like the vintage quaintness, or is that quaint vintageness?  Anyway, I wouldn't mind having one of these in my house.  Well, this inspired me to make a door hanger with Leigh's beautiful angel, which I had already colored, just waiting for the right project.  She reminds me of a lovely Dutch angel figurine I have so I colored her with Copics in mostly primary colors with accents in metallic gold gel pens.

I think the door to every room should have an angel to greet those who enter.  Hmm, I think I'll be making a few more door hangers!  The white background is just plain cardstock but I use the Martha Stewart all-around punches with birds and branches.  Then glue on a bunch of paper flowers with florest pearls in the centers.  The cardstock for the hanger is #80 for sturdiness and the circle was cut with a Nestie. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you have a great week!  Ok, now you can hop over to Happileigh Scrappin'.  You'll want to see all the wonderful projects by the DT AND more surprises from Leigh.

A TWO Blog Hop Day!!

I know that lately I've been posting a couple of cards per day, but today is EXTRA SPECIAL!  I do have two cards, but each is in a BLOG HOP!  The first is the DEVINE D.I.V.A.S. and below that is FRESH BREWED DESIGNS Valentine and new releases.  So please be sure to scroll down, and I hope you are able to take in both hops.  You'll be inspired and smiling for the rest of the day!

Facebook Design D.I.V.A.S. First Monthly Blog Hop

I am so excited and honored to be part of a new Facebook group of talented and supportive papercrafters.  This group is called Design D.I.V.A.S. which stands for Divine, Inspirational, Virtuous, Artistic (or annointed) Sistahs!  There is also a Design D.I.V.A.S. group at Splitcoast Stampers. Many of these ladies are already blogging friends, and I have met so many more.

This is our first monthly blog hop.  You can look forward to a new hop on the 3rd Wednesday of each month which will feature some of the most talented crafters I have ever seen.  If you have been following the hop you probably came here from Sandy H. at Stamp Mine. If you would like to start at the beginning, so you don't miss a single inspiring project, visit Sue at Sue's Sentiments.

For this blog hop we are dusting off our oldies but goodies.  These can be stamps, papers, tools, or whatevers that we haven't used for at least six months.  I know I'm not the only one hoarding, or neglecting, some of my "toys".  The problem was, what gets to see the light of day for the first time in a long time?  I chose this lovely Sarah Kay image that I had colored eons ago.

The image is colored with Copics.  The dp background is also and oldie but goodie from my stash of scrapbooking papers. It actually turned out to go so well with the colored image.  Mixed in with the oldies are some newbies.  Like the lavender panel which is punched around with the large MS set.  It's so pretty I just have to use it again and again, especially with spring coming.  The scalloped circle is a new Nestabilities die set that I just bought at Michael's.  Yep, the Michael's here in Branson just got in a handful of Stampabilities and I am thrilled!  Not many pieces yet, but it's a start!  The flowers are from the bridal department at Hobby Lobby. 

Here's a close-up of the girls.  They remind me of my sister and me.  I am the older, but shorter, sister so I'll leave it up to you to decide which is who!  I'm thinking this would make a very special Valentine for her.

Also in the oldies category is this bubble sticker that says it all.

I hope you continue through the hop.  You'll be inspired and probably make many new friends.  So, move on now to Sharri at I Stamp 4 U. Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope to see you again soon.

Fresh Brewed Designs Valentine's Blog Hop and New Image Release!

Good Morning and welcome to the FRESH BREWED DESIGNS Valentine’s Blog Hop and New Image Release! If you are getting here from awesome Camilla's blog then you are at the right place! If not, then please go back to Heather’s Coffee Break to the start of the hop!

For those of you who are staying right here, we want to begin by thanking you for taking time out of your schedule to hop along with us. This hop will feature some of the many newly released Valentine’s digis available TODAY in the Fresh Brewed Designs Shop. These images are all lovey and sweet; the perfect way to tell your someone special how you feel about them. I created a card with the image Cutie Pie Holding Heart.  I colored Cutie Pie with Copics (love the rich reds!) and used very fine glitter on the heart and wings.  What would Valentine's Day be without roses?  The dp is paper I keep on hand for those very special cards that call for these American beauties.  I added a patch of hearts embossed with Cuttlebug, a rich green frame, and more glitter in the flowers.  The charm "Love" just might be a pretty accurate clue that I intend to give this card to my honey....... it's doubtful that he will see this before Valentine's Day, I hope!

Everyone hopping today will be entered in a random drawing for a Fresh Brewed Prize, so be sure to leave a comment on each blog you hop to. Everyone who snagged the Jan 19 blog badge and emailed Heather will be entered twice!

For every 10 hop participants, there will be an extra image added to the prize package for this hop, which means the more you share; the more there will be to win.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Your next hop stop will be a visit to the lovely and talented Stacey D.

BUT…..

Before you leave I want to let you in on a little secret! Fresh Brewed Designs is getting ready for another Rubber Stamp Release!!! Heather has designed several new stamps to add to the shop including the Cutie Pie featured on the badge below and some new coffee girls. The hop and release will be on March 1. Heather has created this badge and is asking us all to help spread the word by adding it to our sidebar and linking it back to Freshly Brewed Challenges. IF YOU DO add the badge, head over to the challenge blog, email Heather and let her know. She will add you to a drawing for a special prize that will be announced after the March 1 hop.

Thanks again for hopping with us at Fresh Brewed Designs. Have a LOVEly day!

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #2 --- Stencils

I don't know where the Bah! Humbug! beauties come up with these challenges each week! They really keep things interesting.  This week I think they sent over a spy to find the dustiest, most unused toys in my toy box!! Stencils!  I went through a fervent, albeit short, craze for stencils a few years ago.  So, after a frantic search for my light box I was ready to pick out one of my beautiful brass stencils.  Oh my goodness, I'd forgotten how many I have.... and how many have never been out of the packages.  Ooops!  Well, now I just might have to create a stenciling station in my studio because I feel that crave for stencils coming on again!

I started off with this simple "Joy" stencil from Dreamweavers and dry embossed it with a stylus and light box.

The gold cardstock accepted the embossing beautifully!  I left the stenciled image unadorned, though looking at it now I might go back and put some tiny red crystals on the holly berries.  The cardstocks are textured red and forest green.  Then simple plaid ribbon bows.  I could make cards like this all day!

Thank you, ladies of Bah! Humbug! , for the inspiration!  For more inspiration be sure to visit their blog -- you'll be pulling out your dusty old stencils, too!

Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge #7

Here it is Monday already and that means a new Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge!  Leigh has been busy creating bunches of new images and the DT has had so much fun playing with them.

The challenge: 

As announced last week the challenge is now inspired by a photo posted each week.  Leigh has posted a picture to inspire you to create fantastic projects. This week she has posted this adorable photo:

My card combines two images:  the Hearts and Flowers and Tatter's Valentine.  I paper-pieced the Hearts and Flowers. Tatters is colored with Copics and placed with the larger image.  The dp for the background, green label, and Heart is from the Luxury Stack by DCWV.

The challenge rules: 

• You may now use any image from any artist to enter in the challenge. (Inappropriate images will be withdrawn)
• You will receive 1 entry point for your entry.
• If you use a Happileigh Scrappin' image you will receive an extra entry point.
• The winners will now be chosen randomly.
• There will still be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place drawings.
• You must become a friend of the Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge. 
• You may enter as many projects as you like but you can win only 1 prize per week.  

Oh! Don't forget about the PRIZES!! 

Hop over to the Challenge to find out more about those!

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you go on to visit the Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge blog and play along with us.  Oh, and tell a friend or two!

Mo Manning's Digital Pencil Challenge #65 -- It's Playtime!

My creative mojo has returned!  I think it took an extra-long holiday, but I've been making cards like crazy this week.  This is my second post today, so please scroll on down to see the first one. Actually, I think the challenges like Mo's DP2, have me all fired up!  This week the challenge is "playtime" and Mo has so many beautiful images of children at play that I could have colored up a dozen or more!  I've had this image of "Diva" for awhile and just had to have some fun with it.

What little girl hasn't played dress-up?  My mom always had clothes and shoes and jewelry for me to dress up in.  It seemed I just couldn't wait to grow into them!  Now, Mom didn't have the feather boas but I'm sure I would have totally strutted my stuff if she did! 

Diva is colored with Copics and I used a silver metallic ball-point pen for her crown and beads.  The dp is from the Que Sera Sera stack by K & Co.  Feather embellishments were a must, as well as the rhinestone flourishes.  Oh, to be able to play dress-up again!  The trouble is, I not only grew into Mom's clothes, but went on to outgrow them.  She is such a skinny little thing!

If you are not having enough fun then hop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge blog to see the DT's playtime fun.

Whiff of Joy Challenge #95 --- Janes's Sketch

Now that we are past the holidays I've been able to visit challenges I had been neglecting.  Whiff of Joy challenge is one of my favorites and DT member Jane provided the sketch for this challenge.  With the cold spell we've been having lately I have treated myself to a nice cup of hot chocolate every evening, which made me think of this image of Willow.  It's one of the original WOJ images but I never tire of it.

I colored the image of Willow with Copics in a combination to match the Basic Grey Sugared dp collection.  I love this paper and dread the day when I run out of it!  Pink and green is one of  my favorite combinations. The embellishments are rather simple: some antique lace, a Prima flower with a sheer bow, pink pearls, and a charm that says "Some things are meant to be."  The butterfly is a MS punch that I positioned over one of the flowers on the dp then lined up some pearls along its body.

Here is the inside.  Since I often don't know what I will be using the card for I leave the inside blank for a handwritten note.  I'm thinking this might be a note for my future daughter-in-law, whom we all love so much!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope the coming week will be extra special for you.  Be sure to hop over to the WOJ Challenge and take a look at the DT's fabulous projects, as well as the participants.  There's still time to jump into the challenge if you haven't already.

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #45 ---- Let It Snow!

In keeping with the weather across the country this week, Cheryl's challenge calls for "Let It Snow!"  I think many would say, enough already, but how can you deny the adorable snowmen and snow-loving characters that Cheryl is famous for?  But, how many times do you see a snow-themed card in red, yellow and green??  Hmmmm?  Well, have a look:

I just couldn't resist coloring this jolly snowman in bright colors, with Copics, of course.  He's just been sitting around waiting for the right project to call home.  I'm on a clean and simple kick, and wanting to use my MS punches more, so I came up with this card.  I can't wait to use it, maybe sometime soon, according to the forecast!

Look for this fellow after it snows --- he'll be the happiest kid on the block!

Thanks for stopping by!  And speaking of stopping by, be sure to hop over to Cheryl's to see the wonderful projects by the design team and other participants.

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #1 of 2011 --- Fairies and Holly

It is so good to see the ladies of Bah! Humbug! back after the holidays.  And they have started off the 2011 Christmas card-making with quite a challenge:  fairies and holly.  Of course we could choose to do either one, or both together.  Well, I'm up for the challenge and combined them. 

I actually made a set of four simple notecards using group of fairies from Mo Manning's Digital Pencil 2 and metallic holly paper from K & Co.  By the time I had the cards finished the daylight was gone so I had to use flash to take the photos.  I really don't like to do that with metallic paper, or any for that matter.  But, I had to make the deadline!  So, here are the cards:

Card One

 Card Two

 

 Card Three

 

 Card Four

 

 

All of the fairies are just adorable and can be used to celebrate any occasion.  They are colored with Copics, fussy cut, and flat mounted to the dp.  The card stock doesn't show up very well, but is a lovely light green to match the fairies outfits.

From the number of comments already on the Bah! Humbug! site, there are A LOT of us ready to get into the Christmas card-making again with Ann, Irene, Max and their guest designers.  Be sure to hop over and take a look at the DT's wonderful projects and, if you hurry, you can get a card in before the deadline!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mo's Challenge #64 --- Going Retro

Mo's Digital Pencil 2 challenge this week has us going retro, leaving that to our own imagination.  I chose to make a collage of old postcards, vintage photos, antique lace and old buttons.  The center attraction is Mummu who always brings such joy, whether she is reading to her granddaughter, hanging the laundry, or dancing as she is doing here.

Mummu is colored with Copics. The dp background, postcards, and stamps are from K & Co. The buttons were in a big jar I keep on my shelf and the one in the lower right corner actually came from my grandmother. One of my grandmothers actually looked a lot like Mummu and she would have loved this card.

I haven't done a vintage card like this for quite awhile.  It makes me want to get out my box of old black and white photos and my childhood stamp collection.  What treasures they are!  Our most cherished memories are our richest treasures..... and one happens every moment!

Thanks for sharing this treasured moment with me...... enjoy creating your own!