Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge #24 --- My Sketch!

Happy Sunday, everyone! Does it feel like spring where you are?  With all the snow we've had here in the Midwest section of the U.S. one would never believe that it is officially spring!

It's time for another sketch at Sunday Sketch and Stamp.  For this fortnight it is MY sketch!  Woo hoo! We always get such fantastic projects from participants and I can't wait to see what you all come up with for my sketch.  So, here it is:

It's pretty easy and a lot of fun.  I've already used it a few times!  For this challenge I am celebrating the beginning of baseball spring training here in the U.S. and here is my card:

There is no better sign of spring than baseball!  I love this image (and I love baseball) from Mo Manning and I colored it with Copics. The papers are a variety of scrapbook papers I had on hand.  The ribbon and baseball buttons are from Walmart.  The inside sentiment reads "When life throws you a curve ball, swing! (Alyssa Knight, age 12)"  This is a stamp from a set of Inkadinkado "kid quotes". 

I hope you all join us for the next two weeks over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp. Be sure to jump over there for all the deets of this challenge.  I'll be hoppin' to all your blogs for a peek at your projects, as will the rest of the DT. 

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see y'all later!

Whiff of Joy Challenge #71 - Easel Card

Wow, it has been a few days since I posted a card!  Not long ago I was ahead of things, this week I've been quite distracted.  But, I did finally finish my card for the Whiff of Joy challenge.  This week the theme is easel card.  I so love to make easel cards!  And I have a very special one for this challenge. 

One of the highlights of my week was getting the new WOJ Blooming Spring stamp kit.  This kit is available at stores only and I was able to get mine from Stamp and Create.  Talk about getting in the mood for spring!  I also incorporated the WOJ Tutorial for making a 3D aperture easel card.  This is such a sensational card and really quite easy to make.  Oh, but that's not all!  The fabulously talented Heather at Rica's Haven generously shared her tutorial for making an "envelop/box" for these especially thick cards.  Without further ado, here is the whole project:

This gorgeous is the new Penny Lane collection from My Mind's Eye.  All the die cuts and the aperture are cut with Nestibilities.  The images are colored with Copics:  Hair: E41, E35, E31; Skin: E00, E000; Dress: R22, R27, R29; Apron E41.  Bouquet and tulips BV11, BV13, BV04 for flowers and YG23, YG25, YG00 for the leaves.  The sentiment is part of the WOJ stamp kit and I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black on PaperTrey white cardstock, which is the combination I use for all of my stamping.  It works great with the Copics!  The red gingham ribbon just seemed perfect as a finishing touch.

Here are more views of the card and box:

So many inventive cards are popping up everywhere and I just love them all!  One other thing about this envelope box is that it also fits inside the Clear Bags box for extra protection.

I'm so glad you stopped by today and I hope you like the projects.  If you like these then you will LOVE the projects over at WOJ and the other links above. 

Have a great weekend and come back soon!

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #9 --- Cool Combo

The lovely ladies at Bah! Humbug! are very clever!  Our challenge this week is to use three (or more) of the elements we've had so far.  Those elements are:

recycling

new stash

glitter

baubles

holly

snowmen

trees

stitching

Well, since I am running very late with this challenge this week, I chose recycling, baubles, trees, and glitter.  The card face is a recycled card that features a Christmas tree branch with ornaments (baubles) and is mounted on a piece of green glitter paper.  It does seem like a bit of a stretch, but you have to admit that the cute cat makes up for it in the humor and "aaahhhhh" factor!

I hope you hop on over to Bah! Humbug! to see the fun creations.  Better yet, join in!  It's a great way to get a head start of the holiday cards. 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you are having a great week and the luck of the Irish!

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #22 --- Any Shape Card Except Square or Rectangle

Mo's hostess for March, Cathy Edgar, threw us quite a curve - literally - for this week's Digital Pencil challenge.  No squares or rectangles!  Hmmm.  I've had this lovely "Abby Celebrating" illustration colored for a couple of weeks and thought the action in the swirl of her dress would be great on a round card.  Well, round just wasn't good enough, to I created a pinwheel design that I hope reflects the motion of her skirt.

The card base is a circle and the pinwheel wings are embellished with tiny rhinestones.  Wouldn't this be pretty if it actually spun?  Abby is colored with Copics B21, B24, B27, YG67, G12, Y15, Y17, and E00, E000 for her skin.  The inspiration for the color scheme came from a quilt bedspread I saw in the Penney's

catalog.  I love using these when I am stuck for inspiration. 

And here is a close-up of Abby:

This is such a happy card and I hope it goes to someone and makes their day very happy!  I will put a sentiment on it when I know the occasion.  It could be birthday, Easter, graduation!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to hop over to Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge to see so many magical creations.  You won't find any squares there!

Fresh Brewed Blog Hop --- March Releases

Welcome to the March Fresh Brewed Designs blog hop.  Our lovely and talented Heather has all new releases that are sure to whet your appetite, in more ways than one!  The word game we did last month was very popular so we are doing it again.  As you go through the hop, beginning with Mary, you will pick up one word from each of us.  When the words are strung together you will have a tasty request. 

So if you came here from Kelly's fun and fab blog you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning lovely Mary will welcome you to her blog.  I'll tell you in a minute what my word is, which blog to hop to next and what to do at Heather's blog.

I don't want you to get away without seeing my tasty treats from FBD's new images.  We are all holding out hope that warm weather will be here soon, so this hot fudge sundae is first on my list of summer treats:

Back in Arizona we had an ice cream parlor called Swenson's.  I don't think they are around anymore, but they served up delicious ice cream smothered in hot fudge, whipped cream, and a waffle cookie wedge, just like this image.  I think they put cherries on top, but I really like the strawberries!  Yum.  With the cuttlebug embossing folders and Nesties die cuts I kept the card somewhat simple.  Believe it or not the image is colored with Bic fine point permanent markers (What!? No Copics?) The colors are limiting but fun to use.  The vanilla ice cream looks more like lemon, but we'll just call it a rich French vanilla! I also made an envelope to match.  With the new Martha Stewart scoring board and envelope template I really have no excuse for not going that little extra step. 

-----------------------

Now, what could be better in the summertime than refreshing lemonade?  Gotta start with lemons and here is a beauty.  She will make you pucker up, so don't forget the sugar!

Again the Cuttlebug and Nesties were valuable tools, as well as the MS scoring board and envelope template.  The lemon was also colored with the Bic markers.  The rub-on words here and on the hot fudge sundae are from the KI Memories Juicy Summer collection of embellies.  So, are you ready for summer yet?

Thank you for looking at my cards.  Now I will reveal my word to you:

w i t h

and from here you will want to hop over to our guest designer Carol.  (We are happy to have you with us, Carol!) Carol is the last designer before reaching Heather where she will let you know where to send your tasty phrase from the list of words as well as other deets about the blog hop.

I am so glad you stopped by and hope you are enjoying the FBD Blog Hop.

Copic Colour Challenge #55 --- Warm Gray, Bush, Cool Gray

As promised, here is my second post for today.  The Copic Colour Challenge #55 is a great color scheme this week. 

This is a beautiful color combination and, I must say, quite a challenge!  But I think I pulled it off.

Using the adorable artist by Sarah Kay, I colored her using the basic color theme.  I did have to substitute the BG96 Bush, but came close.  So here is the complete list of Copics:

Pants: W7, W5

Smock: BG75, BG72

Easel: E44, E71

Bear: C7, C3

Skin: E00, E000

Hair" E41, E53

All of the paper is from an Autumn Leaves mega pack called The Manhattan Collection.  The colors of the papers and punch-out embellishments are a perfect match for the color scheme.  I've had this paper for a long time and was so excited to be able to use it here. Everything but the pearls in the corner came from that pack.  The layers of rectangles were cut with my Nesties.  Here's a close-up:

You know, this may be one of my favorite color themes since I started with CCC!  I have lots more of the DP to use, too!  I hope you enjoyed your visit here.  Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to hop over to CCC for a look at the DT's projects!  Hey, hop on board with your own project, too.  I'll come see it!

Whiff of Joy Challenge #70 --- Jane's Sketch

Happy weekend, everyone! This has been a busy week and it doesn't look like it will be slowing down any time soon.  That's a good thing, tho'!  But it has put me a little behind in creating and posting cards for my favorite challenges!  I hope to do two posts today, but let's get to the first one.

The Whiff of Joy challenge this week is a sketch designed by Jane.  She does really interesting and challenging sketches, like this one:

For my card I pulled an image from the WOJ Fall 2009 collection, Willow Holding Baby Turkey.  I've had it colored for some time (with Copics, of course!) and thought this would be a very nice showcase for it.  The papers are from 7 Gypsies, as are the tags.  Even though I don't usually use the tags and labels in the scrapbooking kits, I really liked these.  I rubbed the word "Life" on the sentiment.  It's been awhile since I colored it and didn't keep track of the Copic colors.

I hope to post another card this evening (after I do photos for THREE small weddings).  It will be a color challenge and this time I kept track of the Copic colors I used! I hope you come back to see it.

Thanks for stopping by and taking time from your weekend.  I appreciate it!  Be sure to hop over to the Whiff of Joy challenge blog to see the DT's amazing projects!

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #8 --- Stitching, Real or Faux

Thanks to Bah! Humbug! challenges I have several Christmas cards done for the next holiday.  I look forward to this challenge each week and the spirit of the holidays it brings.  This week's challenge is to use real or faux stitching. My sewing machine is still packed away somewhere and I haven't been in a hurry to find it! I started sewing at the machine when I was 5 years old and went on to make all of my own clothes, my husband's clothes -- even tailored suits, my son's clothes and lots of sewing crafts over the years.  Then I found paper!

I have a stack of images I colored for last Christmas and didn't get them made into cards, so I chose this fun image of Whiff of Joy's Willow.  I had colored it in monochromatic Copics to use on a clean and simple card.   Notice the cross stitches at the top of Willow's boots?  My Cuttlebug embossing border folder of zig zag stitches was a great accent and I traced the embossing with a fine point Sharpie.  Then I drew straight stitches around the oval.  The Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder carried through the winter theme.  With some black brads in the corners and silver stick-on dots next to Willow I have a card better than the original plan!  I hope you like it, too!

For a great start on holiday cards hop on over to Bah! Humbug! and join in the fun!  If you are already "Humbugging" I'll stop by and take a look! Thanks for stopping by today!  I appreciate your visit and comments.

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #21 --- Color Theme

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge #21 is the color theme blue, brown and a neutral like white or cream.  This seems to be the week for color theme challenges!  But that's ok.  It gives me the chance to work on my own sketches or use some that I have admired. 

For my card I found the paper to go with Mo's "Rae with journal" and followed the design for my sketch.  The DP is from K&Company Wild Saffron collection.  One of the papers looks like graph paper, a perfect choice for a crafter's journal!  I cut the butterfly from one of the papers.  The blue grosgrain ribbon is wrapped with twine.  The only embellies are a few light blue rhinestones.  The wonderful illustration has so much character!  I used Copics E31, E41, B99 and B91 for her hair and outfit, layering the colors for shadows and depth.  E00 and E000 are my favorite colors for skin.  The grass and flowers are a variety of greens and yellows.

Believe it or not, when I was in high school I painted my bedroom light blue and did the decor in blue and brown.  This card really brings back memories!  I journaled "back then", too.

Thank you for stopping by!  I appreciate your time and comments!  Oh, and don't forget to hop on over to Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge and take a look at the DT's amazing projects, too!

Two Challenges, Two Color Themes

Whiff of Joy Challenge #69 
and Copic Colour Challenge #54

Whiff of Joy, one of my favorite challenges as well as stamp creators, has a color theme this week which tingles the senses of taste and smell as well as sight.  Coffee and Cream --- Mmmmm!

WOJ's "Willow Reading a Story" is such a sweet image.  I've colored it a couple of times, but this one I really like.  The warm coffee colors make this scene look like a quiet evening of reading and togetherness.  I used Copics E07, E17, E29, E31, E37, and E41 along with E00 and E000 for the skin.  The DP is from a brand new DCWV collection called "At Home".  Flowers from my stash, and a lovely angel charm from Blue Moon Tokens.

Copic Colour Challenge, because I LOVE Copics, presented quite a challenging color theme.

I didn't have the exact colors so I substituted BG13 and B91.  I do have Y21, which I use a lot!  For depth and shading I used BG10, B95, and Y15.  Here is my card:

The illustration is the adorable "Savannah on Easter" by Mo Manning, a brand new digital image.  She absolutely makes me laugh!  The DP is from Making Memories "English Garden", which I am going to miss when I use it all up!  Flowers, ribbon, and buttons are from my stash.

I hope you enjoyd looking at my cards as much as I enjoyed creating them.  I've had the opportunity to meet so many incredibly talented people in this blogging community.  The inspiration, sharing and encouragement I've received makes this the greatest network for our craft.  So, many thanks to all who visit here and for your comments.  Please be sure to visit Whiff of Joy and Copic Colour Challenge for more inspiration and oooos and aaaahhhhs!

Have a wonderful week!

Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge #23 --- Arianne's Sketch

Welcome back to another Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge. Thank you for joining in our challenge the past two weeks!  So many beautiful creations!

This fortnight we have a wonderful sketch from our very own lovely and talented Arianne.

I really like the variety of shapes in the sketch and had a great time with it.

I used an adorable illustration from Mo Manning and made this a birthday card.  He just looks so happy!  Kids love balloons and who can blame them.  The DP and decorative brads are from the Basic Grey Marrakesh collection.  Die cuts by Nestibilities on my Cuttlebug. 

I hope you are happy you stopped by!  I know I am! Thank you for your time and I invite you to leave comments.  Most of all, I invite you to join in the Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge.  Wait till you see the DT's projects!! Talk about gorgeous! 

Busy Beauties Blog Hop Today!

The Busy Beauties Boutique is celebrating the March release today with a blog hop of all new images and more surprises!  I would normally be in the blog hop rota, but due to a family emergency I am actually in Iowa, supporting my Busy Beauty sisters this way.  These ladies are not only amazingly talented, but are the most loving and supportive group I could ever wish for.  Ladies, I love you all! 

I am posting three cards I had ready to for the hop and encouraging you to pop on over to the incredibly talented Catherine for all the deets and where to start the hop.

For the first time, BBB is hosting a challenge along with the hop.  The challenge is "Go Green".  You will find the details on Carolyn's blog and all through the hop.  This is my "green" card in celebration of St. Patrick's Day this month.  I hope you all find your pot of gold!! 

Below is little Miss Attitude, I call her!  This image is based on one of Carolyn's nieces Savannah (could be my little niece, too), but I have a feeling a younger Carolyn is also reflected here!  (I say that with tons of love, my friend!) So I chose to color the hair dark and use lots of red and yellow, a salute to Carolyn's style.

"Braces are beautiful" so says Cheyenne, Carolyn's other niece.  She looks like a beautiful young lady, confidently flashing a very flashy smile!

So, if you like these images and haven't been over to the hop yet then git goin'!! You're missing out on the best!  Thanks for stopping by and I plan to be back on track in a couple of days.

God bless my beautiful Beauties sisters!

Bah! Humbug! Challenge 7 --- Trees

The great ladies at Bah! Humbug! are back from a fun and well-deserved vacation.  The theme they posted for us this week is TREES. 

With our recent snows I was out taking photos of the pine trees laden with heavy whiteness.  So with this challenge I decided to go a different route and use my photography rather than a stamp or other media.  For the Christmas season I put together boxed sets and I think this one will be one of them.  These are easy to make as the card is printed on double-sided matte photo paper from Staples, photo, inside greeting, and credits on the back.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your week is going well.  Do be sure to hop over to Bah! Humbug! to see the DTs lovely creations, and check out the participants.  If you haven't already, join in the fun, too!