Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge --- Ring the Bell!

This week at Happileigh Scrappin' we have a very special challenge.  It all started with crafters and designers coming together to make cards for Andrew, a 12- year old, baseball-loving boy who is suffering from cancerous brain tumors.  That is just so sad.  You can read more of his story here.  The good news is that Andrew has finished his chemo and got to "Ring the Bell!" 

I recently became aware of the celebration of ringing the bell when the last chemo treatment is finished.  My sister-in-law rang the bell after chemo for breast cancer.  What a joyful gesture for her, my brother and our entire family!  So this card is dedicated to Beth and to Andrew.

The digi stamps are by Leigh and are available at Happileigh Scrappin' Store.  There are also digis for a boy (Andrew) and a girl (Anne).  If you are interested in putting a big smile on a little boy's face you can take part in a challenge to make cards for Andrew.  Details about the challenge are at Leigh's blog here.

Also, this week my future daughter-in-law had surgery to remove her thyroid due to papillary carcinoma.  She is doing well and will have radiation treatment to make sure all cancer is removed.  This just five months before their wedding!  Naturally, this was a bump in the road that stopped them in their tracks, but only temporarily.  She is in good spirits and my son is providing lots of TLC.  Soon Paula will be ringing that bell..... then let the wedding bells ring!!

God bless Andrew, Beth and Paula and everyone struggling with this horrible disease.  May they all get to ring that bell!

Mo Manning's Digital Challenge #71 --- Make Your Own Flowers

What is probably THE most popular embellishment on a card?  My guess would be FLOWERS, probably because I use BUNCHES of them.  Some are packaged as embellies, some are silk, some are pressed, and I've even used some gorgeous stickers.  This week Mo Manning's Digital Challenge has us making our own flower embellishments.  Once in awhile I make my own, but with so many gorgeous blooms just waiting to be quickly attached I just don't think much about making them very often.  But after I finished this card I was happy with the outcome.  It's a good thing I had the flowers die set from Spellbinders! 

With St. Patrick's Day just a few weeks away I couldn't resist this amazing Little Irish Dancer by Mo.  The dp came from my stash, much of it quite ancient!  The centers of the die cut flowers are brads by Basic Grey and the Kiss Me sticker came from Michael's. 

The Little Irish Dancer is colored with Copics.  I love the rich greens -- and I should have kept track of what I used, I know.  The gold trim on the dress is actually a Copic, the only one I know of that is metallic. 

I found the sketch over at Anita Be Stamping, a new challenge blog with very talented ladies.

It has been a busy day!  This is my second post of the day and dancing seems to be the theme.  Please scroll on down to see my post with the happiest dancing bunny you will ever see!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you do something fun this weekend.  I know -- you could go dancing!!

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge #52 --- Spring and Easter!

Even though we are still seeing snow and cold weather around the country, I choose to trust the ground hog's prediction that we will have an early spring!  Over at Sassy Cheryl's this week they are doing their part to bring in spring, too!  Even though spring could be early, Easter is very late in April this year, the 24th, actually.  That gives me more time to make Easter cards, and there are so many beautiful and adorable images out there for this season.  Instead of coloring eggs, I will be coloring images!!

Sassy Cheryl has been releasing more images than I could ever keep up with, but I'll sure give it a try!  Here is just one of them:

I don't think I have ever seen a happier bunny!  I pulled out some very fun double-sided dp by Heidi Grace for this card. This pattern comes in a variety of color schemes, also, so you might see the yummy cupcakes in yellows or greens or reds or true blues.  For this I picked up the pink and brown for the flowers so that they didn't overwhelm the brilliant blue.   

The dancing bunny is colored with Copics and I tried a technique of Marianne's at I Like Markers to make the scattered clouds.  It was so easy!

This sketch caught my eye over at Phindy's Place Challenge Blog, so I am also submitting this card in her challenge.  It's a new blog to me, but I did see some good friends over there, too. 

Well, the weekend is upon us and I hope you all have a great one!  Thanks for stopping by!

Card for a New Baby Boy

One of the great things about a large family is that it just keeps on growing larger! My nephew is a new daddy! He and his wife welcomed their new baby boy, Aero Evan, last month.  That makes me a great-aunt 4 times over with #5 coming in July! I don't often make baby cards, but when I saw Mo Manning's new infant images I just knew I had to ink them up.  Of the three "hairstyles" she offers, the straight hair made me think of my nephew's own hair, that is when he doesn't have it buzzed.  This little guy is just the sweetest!

I colored him with Copics, mostly B0000 and B000.  The dp is from Daisy D's that has been in my stash for years.  The scalloped frame is Nestabilities.  I kept the card pretty flat this time because my nephew's wife is an avid scrapbooker and this will be easier to put in the baby's scrapbook.  Easier to mail, too, since I don't anticipate being able to visit them any time soon. 

From the pictures I've seen of Aero on Facebook, he looks very much like this little guy.  I'm pretty sure I selected the right hairstyle!  Many blessings, baby boy!

Thank you for stopping by today! The time you spend here is very much appreciated!

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #7 --- Using a CD or DVD --- Really!!

Oh my goodness, those ladies at Bah! Humbug! must be drinking the water from the Humbugger Castle moat!  That's what I thought when I saw the challenge to use a CD/DVD in this week's project.  So I thought, oh, they must mean making a card or case to HOLD a CD/DVD.  Then I saw their projects.  Hmmm, altered art, high tech style.  Well, ok.  Not one to do much in the way of altered art I pondered this project for a few days, looking at their references, so kindly added to the post, and the projects that other participants had done already.  What really sparked my interest and creativity were the CDs I saw at Anne's and Aquarius' blogs.  I didn't know that CDs could be so gorgeously colored with alcohol inks, so that's what I had planned to try.  But I didn't.  With all my various inks (anyone who has seen my studio will find this hard to believe) I haven't a single alcohol ink!!  Bah humbug!  And I was at Michael's just yesterday and Adirondacks were on sale!  Arrgghh!  Well, I know what my next Michael's coupon will be used for!

Well, anyhooooo........ I resorted to making a very simple, but well-embellished, CD holder card. 

This adorable little guy from Mo's Digital Pencil couldn't be happier on Christmas morning with his stocking full of treasures.  He is colored with Copics.  The dp is Basic Grey Mistletoe and Pear collection.  The definition is a rub on and silver metallic ribbon ties the holder closed.

Here is the inside of the holder with matching dp medallion and label tag.  The ornaments are lovely silver peel offs and the tag sentiment is made from two rub ons.  How lovely would a cd of Christmas pictures be for grandparents and other relatives?  I hope someday I get one of these!

Here's a close up of the little cutie........

... and of the stocking definition.

One of the things I love about the Bah! Humbug! challenge blog is their never-ending quest to stretch our creativity.  They most certainly did that this week.  I must come back later with a colored CD! 

Another thing I love about their blog is the amazing DT and their guest designers.  I am so excited to announce that they chose me as one of their monthly guest designers in 2011! How cool is that??  Oh, my! One of the months this year I will join with another GD and with Ann and Max. I am honored to be in such good company.  To see the list of GDs just click here.  You probably know many of these talented ladies. 

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you visit Bah! Humbug! also.  

Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge --- A Sketch and New Releases

It's Monday and time for a new challenge at Happileigh Scrappin'.  After a week of scrumptious cupcake inspiration from last week, Leigh gave us a challenge sketch to work with this week.  Much lower in calories, but definitely as much fun! 

My card features Jenny in Jeans, available at Happileigh Scrappin' Store.  I colored a regular image with Copics, but the same image is available beautifully colored and ready to use.

I used some very fun DCWV dp and Making Memories embellies on my card.

Leigh's images are so much fun to color! Jenny will steal your heart away!

Leigh gave us two sketches, which are basically the same. The first one is clean and simple and the second one is more embellished.  I go crazy with the embellies so I did the second sketch and turned it on its side to accomodate the image. 

This is a very versatile sketch, no matter how you turn it!  Please hop on over to Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge to see what the DT has in store to inspire you!  All the details are there, too, for the challenge wonderful new releases.  Thank you for taking the time to stop by!  Happicrafting, everyone!

Mo's Digital Challenge -- A Sketch

This is my second post today.  Please be sure to scroll down for my first post which includes a little idea for easy-peasy gifts.

We've had so many fantastic ideas at Mo's Digital Challenge lately! Always fun to see what comes each week.  This week we have a fun sketch by Cathy, our hostess.   I like using sketches now and then to just go crazy with a theme and colors.  After sub-zero temperatures and lots of snow a couple of weeks ago, we've been thrust into balmy weather with highs at 70 and above.  Of course with weather like this our thoughts will turn to more outdoor-type activities, like the BEACH!

This image just might get you in the mood for a trip to the shore of your favorite ocean, lake or watering hole.  I had colored (with Copics) her last summer, but ran out of time to make a card before the leaves started turning.  I'm not one to use a lot of orange, but it really works for this project. In my scrap box I had these wonderful sunny pieces and added embellies to match.  It seems that this is a good time to use up stray materials and scraps.  Sort of a spring cleaning!  I'd much rather do this kind of spring cleaning than cleaning closets and the refrigerator!!

Here is Cathy's sketch.  I turned it sideways to accomodate the image.  Either way it is loads of fun!

Thanks for stopping by today.  Your time visiting here is very much appreciated.  Be sure to visit Mo's Digital Challenge to see the DT's amazing projects.

Sassy Cheryl Challenge --- Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse

At Sassy Cheryl's this week Peggy has challenged us to recycle or repurpose or reuse something in our project.  I struggled to find a card to recycle or an item to reuse.  It's a stretch, but my project could come under the repurpose category.  I took a pocket-sized composition notebook, the kind you get for 3 for $1 at the Dollar Store, and covered it with a scrap of dp, attached the adorable Dancing Raggedy Ann, added some bling and a ribbon page marker.  Voila! A fun little book to carry in my purse for shopping list and notes to self.  This was really way too easy!  But I'm thinking that a bunch of these would use up scraps and all the images I love to color so much. And they would make great Easter basket fillers, party favors, thank you gifts.... even RAK gifts for someone who touched your heart. 

Dancing Raggedy Ann is colors with Copics.

I hope you all are enjoying this holiday weekend.  Thanks for taking time to stop by and be sure to visit Sassy Cheryl's for more inspiring ideas from the DT.

Facebook Design D.I.V.A.S. February Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop

It is time for another Facebook Design D.I.V.A.S. "Oldies But Goodies" Blog Hop!  This newly formed group of very creative papercrafters has designated the third Wednesday of each month to dust off our toys, tools, and techniques that haven't been used for awhile (read: a long time!).  I, for one, have been happily reunited with all sorts of fun craft supplies.  Before I show you my card, let me just mention that I am number 6 on the blog hop.  If you came here from the awesomely talented Sue Walsh you are on the right path.  To start at the beginning you will want to visit Brenda Turner. 

This month I became reaquainted with another of my brass stencils for this card:

I dry embossed this beautiful heart and flowers stencil by Dreamweavers.  The paper is canvas style Core'dinations with a white core.  After I dry embossed I sanded the surface to bring out more of the core.  Then I cut it out with the Labels Sixteen Nestabilities die and sanded the embossed border.  The ivory lace on the left side is another oldie but goodie.  It was in a bag of antique laces I picked up at a local antique shop.  The flowers are a mix of Prima and mini-roses from the bridal department at Michael's.  Leaves are MS punch along with pearls and a charm. 

Hmmm, stencils and Core'dinations paper..... nice combination!

Thanks for stopping by today! Feel free to leave a comment, and be sure to move on to visit the lovely and talented Cindy Grigiski.  Enjoy the rest of the blog hop.  I hope we have you digging out your oldies but goodies, too!

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #6 --- Doilies!

This is my second post today! I made three cards last night for challenges and wanted to get them posted well before the deadlines -- what a concept!  So, this card is for the Bah! Humbug! challenge calling for the use of doilies.  Oh, goodness, wait till you see the DT cards over at BH Hall!  But first, here is mine:

I must say, I never thought a simple paper doily could look so elegant.  This was very simple: red cs for the card base, moire metallic gold cs, and black cs.  Then add a gorgeous rhinestone swirl and a glittered velvet paper poinsettia.  The poinsettia is from a bag of various sizes that I have had for a couple of years and didn't keep the label, but isn't it gorgeous?  The sentiment is a gold peel-off, part of a bag full of goodies I won from Bah! Humbug! last year.  It would look better if I'd put it on straighter -- those little suckers stick!

I would love to give credit for the sketch where credit is due.  Unfortunately, I merely printed it and forgot to note the challenge.  Now I can't find it, but it is a lovely sketch and I thank the creative genius who shared it.

Your visit here made my day!  Thanks for coming and be sure to scroll down to see my earlier post, a Valentine for a teacher.  Tomorrow I will be part of a blog hop with the Facebook D.I.V.A.S.  You'll want to come back for that one, too!

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #69 --- A Valentine in Non-traditional Colors

We've all had fun making Valentine cards for the past few weeks.  It's been great fun to see all sorts of sentiments, images and color schemes.  Mo's challenge this week takes the direction of non-traditional colors --- no pinks or reds. I already had most of my cards already made, but in thinking about my sis-in-law who is a teacher, I realized I had one more V-Day card in me.

Meet Trinity, one of Mo's school kids.  She is holding a shiny red apple and declaring "I love my teacher". The dp is from the DCWV Nana's Kids stack. The sketch is the SC317.  I had already colored her so the apple and backpack are in red, but I think I can get by with that since the rest of the card is anything but red!

Trinity is colored with Copics. Of all the school kids, I can really relate to Trinity, her blonde hair and glasses and the saggy socks.  Yep, that would be me a "few" years ago.  Oh, and don't you just love the apple button?  It's from my stash.  Sure wish I could remember where I got it.

If you are a teacher, let me just say a big "Thank you" for all you do for our country's kids!  It takes a special person to be a teacher!  This Valentine is for my sis-in-law and all the teachers I had in school. 

Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge Inspiration --- Cupcakes!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!  May all your hearts be warm ones and all your kisses sweet!  And speaking of sweet, we have another challenge inspiration at Happileigh Scrappin' for you.   Here is the inspiration photo:

It was so hard to look at this pretty picture and not run to the local bakery for some cupcake lusciousness!

And here is my cupcake card: 

I enlarged the image to make a 4" x 6" cutout card.  It is colored with Copics and dotted with mini rhinestones. This image and many more are available at the Happileigh Scrappin' Store.

Side view and inside view show the cutout and sweet sentiment..

I sure hope you have some cupcakes handy, or strong will power, because when you see what the rest of the design team has put together your sweet tooth will start to itch!  Please join in the fun over at Happileigh Scrappin'.  Leigh had been creating so many adorable images you'll just have to have some!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Snow Much Fun!!

As I watch yet another snow storm drop about five inches on top what we had last week, it just seemed to make sense that I would color another of Sassy Cheryl's fun snowmen.  This image called "Dance In the Snow" is so fun and happy, even though I think many folks around here aren't finding anything fun or happy about another round of snow days and road closings.  (Someone told be back in November that the Farmer's Almanac predicted this to be a mild winter.  Where?  In Hawaii??)  There is good news, though.  The temperatures should reach the 50's here next week.  Woo hoo!

Well, Cheryl's challenge this week is a color challenge that my friend Peggy set before us.  It's a great one!  Here is the picture she used for the colors:

The dp I used is from The Paper Studio and has wonderful coordinating pieces.  I like this one because of all the colors and the patchwork quilt motif.  I also used the new Beaded Circle die from Spellbinders.  It's a great look and works well, on this card, with the snowball embellies.

These happy dancers are colored with Copics.  It looks like they are doing the jitterbug, but with our sub-zero temperatures I would call it the "chatterbug".  Brrrrr!  For more fun be sure to check out the amazing projects by the Sassy Cheryl DT!

I am also putting this card in A Gem of a Challenge because I liked their sketch for this week. It's my first entry there.  After looking at that challenge, I like it, too.  Here is their sketch for this week:

They have a sensational blog hop going on to celebrate A Gem of a Challenge's first birthday, so be sure to hop on over and join in.

I Think I'm Too Ooooollldd for This ,,,,,,,, OOPS!

It is just amazing how fast the digistamp market has grown! The world is full of brilliant artists. And I can always count on my dear friend Chrissie to lead me to more fun images than I can shake a Copics at! We discovered early in our friendship that we have much the same likes in images. She also makes awesome cards for several design teams and challenges. Last week my niece and I were exploring some of my favorite blogs and stopped dead in our tracks when we saw Chrissie's cards for the Sketch 'n' Stash challenge.  Both are terrific and Alexis and I both went crazy for the Kenny K images.  Well, we hopped right over and filled our shopping cart with several, including "Skate Chick" for this card.

This reminded me of the days I wanted to try in-line skates but never got around to it.  Actually, the bad luck I had with roller skates was a deterrent, too.  After I colored this image I envisioned bold colors and a simple layout.  I cut the serpentine curve on the red, aqua, and orange cs, then ran them as a unit through the Cuttlebug 5" x 7" Art Deco embossing folder.  The card base is black. It was easier to lay the colored pieces on top of the black than to try to make skinny curves to lay on top!  The two Nesties Wonky Squares are cut from the same black cs as the card base.

The image is colored with Copics with touches of silver metallic gel pens on the earrings and arm bands.  Opaque white adds action and shine highlights.  This image is great fun, and I have a few more to color. 

I have to say many thanks to Chrissie for her inspiration and encouragement.  Please pay her a visit.  You won't be disappointed.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I appreciate your time.