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Friday, February 21, 2025

CIU Challenge 324: Tie it up (Strings, Twine or Ribbon)

Good morning,
A new Cut it Up Challenge as started. You can find the challenge HERE.

For these challenges, a die-cut is anything made with a manual or an electronic die-cutting machine. (Spellbinders, Cricut, MFT dies, Silhouette, etc.). Store bought die-cuts are also acceptable. Please note that handheld punches and/or paper-piecing DOES NOT count as a die-cut

Because I go it fits and starts using it, I donated most of my ribbons and heavy twine when I had to move. I did keep some but in limited colors mostly in neutrals. Lucky for me a friend sent me some lovely heavier twine in purples and its was perfect for this card. 

My card
I do like the mix of yellow and purple. Reminds me of our deserts here in Arizona when our bushes and such are in full bloom!


Sketch used


Supplies: 5 x 7 card
Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base), Hammermill Color Copy (image) and Stampin Up!
Design Paper from Colorbok (Marbled)
Die from Spellbinders (Hearts)
Embossing folder from Spellbinders (Tiny Dots)
Image from Unity Stamps (Celebration Time)
Inks: Momento & Wink of Stella
ProMarkers
Sequins from my stash
Sketch: Mojo Monday 318  
Twine was a gift

Thanks for stopping and remember to stop by the challenge to check out all the DT projects and play along!
Cara

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Birthday Gnomes ...

Good morning,

Sharing another January Birthday card…

One of my co-workers is really into the animal print stuff … like décor, clothing etc. and she likes gnomes!

I’m still sure about this new set of alcohol markers I bought… I am no expert at coloring, but I really struggled with getting them to blend out like I wanted so it took multiple layers to get the look I wanted. I’m still not super happy with the edges of their caps but it is what it is. I’ll keep playing with them but so far … meh.

I do love this image from Andrea though. One of my favorites of hers. I did a little fussy cutting around the top so they would show up a little more againsts the design paper,

Sketch Used

Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies
  • Alcohol markers from The Creative Expert
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base)
  • Design Paper from Heidi Swapp (Sugar Chic)
  • Image from SheepSki Designs (Garden Party) and is printed on Hammermill Color Copy
  • Ink from Tsukineko
  • Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Life’s a party gnome)
  • Sketch used Always Playing With Paper #8
Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Monday, February 17, 2025

Birthday Candles ...

Good morning,

Sharing another January Birthday card…

Although I am making more complicated or embellished cards, my comfort zone has always been CAS cards so when I saw a sketch from Cas(e) this Sketch, I had to make it and I had just the new die that I bought during one of the Holiday sales that was perfect to use!

The card just looked so unhappy with a plain background, and I don’t have a suitable embossing folder that was large enough to fit the paper. And then I remembered my crimping tool from Fiskars! Do any of you remember or still have yours? I think they were all the rage when I first started paper crafting. Anyway, I still have mine because it comes in handy now and again.

I decided to use it as the backdrop for the candles. I think it really brought the card up a couple levels.

I wanted to add some sparkle and used some gems I had in my stash that I colored with a yellow alcohol marker. Perfect and soooo cute!

This is probably one of my favorite cards I’ve made!


Sketch Used


Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
  • Crimping tool from Fiskars
  • Design Paper from my scrap bin
  • Die from Sizzix (Birthday Candles)
  • Gems from my Stash
  • Ink from Tsukineko
  • Punch from Stampin up! (Pick a banner)
  • Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Hugs, Kisses and Birthday wishes)
  • Sketch from Cas(e) this sketch #258
Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

CHALLENGES ENTERED



Thursday, February 13, 2025

You're a Star! ...

Good morning,

Sharing another January Birthday card…

I came across a super fun sketch from Mette Witus and thought it would be a great way to use up some of my plentiful paper scrap pile!


Sketch used



Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
  • Design Paper from my scrap bin
  • Ink from Tsukineko
  • Punches from Creative Memories, Marvy, Recollections, and one is unknown (Stars)
  • Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Hugs, kisses & birthday wishes)
  • Sequins from my Stash
  • Sketch from MetteWitus.wordpress.com
  • Stamp from Stampin Up! (Starring You!)
Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Monday, February 10, 2025

Birthday Balloons ...

Good morning,

Sharing another January Birthday card…

The design paper I used for the balloons was a tad lighter than I wanted so I layered them onto some super heavy-duty cardstock. I used scraps from that same cardstock to create some lift. This works great when I want just a bit of dimension but not so extreme as you can get when you are using foam.


Inspired by this sketch


Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
  • Design Paper from Ms Sparkles & Co. (Woodgrain) and Unknown
  • Dies unknown (Stitched Balloons)
  • Ink from Tsukineko
  • Punch from Stampin up! (Pick a banner)
  • Sentiment from Stampin Up!
  • Shimmer paper from Neenah
  • Sketch: Scrapbookandcards.com
  • Twine from American Crafts
Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Friday, February 7, 2025

This makes me Smile … Challenge 323

Good morning,

Sharing my card for the current Cut it Up Challenge. You can find the challenge HERE.

For these challenges, a die-cut is anything made with a manual or an electronic die-cutting machine. (Spellbinders, Cricut, MFT dies, Silhouette, etc.). Store bought die-cuts are also acceptable. Please note that handheld punches and/or paper-piecing DOES NOT count as a die-cut

My card



Supplies: 5 x 7 card
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (bae) and Stampin Up!
  • Design Paper from Close to My Heart (I think)
  • Dies fare unknown (Stitched Scallop Hearts)& sitting bunny I bought off Amazon
  • Embossing folder from Creative Expressions (Heart to heart)
  • Ink from Tsukineko (Versafine Clare)
  • Sentiment from a Unity Stamp grab bag
  • Sequins from Close to My Heart
Thanks for stopping and remember to stop by the challenge to check out all the DT projects and play along!
Cara

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Happy Birthday ...

Good morning,
Another birthday card from our January group. The adorable pre-colored image was a gift from a friend, so I do not know the name of the image.


Sketch Used


Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
  • Design Paper from my scrap bin
  • Die from Sizzix (Lace Edging #2)
  • Flower punches from Stampin Up!
  • Ink from Tsukineko
  • Pre-colored image from Elisabeth Bell.
  • Sentiment from Close to My Heart (Short & Sweet Sentiments)
  • Sketch from Silhouette Sketch Studio
Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

The Outlawz February 2025 Sketch Challenge

Good morning
It’s time for The Outlawz February 2025 Sketch Challenge! Our challenge (located HERE)

You can check our Main blog (HERE) as well as our FanPage (HERE)  

This month we are asking you to use a circle with a twist of Celebrations.

The felt bird on my card is from a packet of felt birds a friend sent me a while back. I’m really trying to use all these fun sticks and add-ons.

I did add some tiny white circles to the eyes though to make them stand out a bit more.

Sketch used


Supplies: 5 x 7 card
  • Cardstock from the Paper Studio (base) and Stampin Up!
  • Design Paper from scrap bin
  • Dies from Sizzix (Classic Circles)
  • Double circle punch from Stampin Up!
  • Embossing Folder from Stampin Up! (Subtle)
  • Glitter cardstock from scrap bin
  • Ink from Tsukineko (VersaFine Clair)
  • Sentiment from Unity Stamps (Too Much Cake)
  • Sketch from mette witus
(Hugs) Cara

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

The Outlawz Color Challenge: Think of Mom (or Grandma)

Good morning!
A new Color Challenge has started at The Outlawz Challenges. You can check it out HERE

Our challenge this month is a pretty pallet featuring dusky blues and pinks with a twist of thinking about mom (or Grandma)

Sadly, I lost my mom in 2020 after a stroke, but there is another strong, independent woman in my life that is like another mom to me so I made my card with her in mind and will be sending this to her for Valentines Day!

I got a new light box with adjustable lighting and I am still trying to get it figured out. My card is a bit dark but the colors really are soft dusky blues and pinks...


Colors

Sketch Inspiration

Supplies (5 x 7)
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and Stampin Up!
  • Design paper from Colorbok (Marbled) and I think the pink design paper is from Close to My Heart
  • Die unknown
  • Ink from Tsukineko
  • Punch from Stampin Up! (Treasured Tags)
  • Sentiment from Inkahootz!
  • Sequins from Close to My Heart
  • Sketch Inspiration from Isbaha's Home
Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to stop by The Outlawz Challenges for more challenges and Inspiration and join our Fan Page on Facebook!




Monday, February 3, 2025

Dreaming of you ....

Good morning,
Lots of birthdays in our department this past January. I made 6 cards and since so many people sign them I made them using a whole sheet of 8.5 x 11 cardstock folded in half to accommodate te signatures.


The pre colored image on this card was a gift from a friend so I am not sure who the artist is but the initials look like mjm.

Card size: 5.50 x 8.50
Supplies
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and scrap bin
  • Design Paper from my scrap bin
  • Ink from Stampin Up & Tsukineko
  • Pre-colored image artist unknown
  • Sentiment from Stampin Up!
  • Sequins from my Stash
Thanks for Stopping By,
((Hugs)) Cara

Challenges entered:

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Sonday Song & Rhyme: How do I love thee?

Hi everyone!

Today is the start of a new Outlawz Sunday Song & Rhyme Challenge located HERE. This challenge has Changed from bi-weekly to monthly with a new challenges the fist Sunday of each month!

I’m helping this month as we are a bit short-handed so if you are interested in joining a great team, Let’s chat!

This months challenge is to take inspiration from the Sonnet “How do I love thee?” written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

I took my inspiration from the line “Most quiet need, by sunlight and candle-light.”



Supplies, 5 x 7 card
  • Cardstock from The Paper Studio (base) and paper from my scrap bin
  • Die from InLoveArts (Vintage Candle)
  • Embossing folder from Sizzix (Sparkle)
  • Ink from Tsukineko
  • Nuvo Drops
  • Promarkers
  • Sentiment unknown
Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the main blog located HERE to see the other challenges we offer and join us on The Outlawz Facebook Fan Page located HERE.

(Hugs) Cara

Challenges Entered
Can you Handle the Pressure: Anything Goes with a Twist of SNOW (1/25)
The Creative Crafters: Challenge #84
Love to Craft Challenge Blog: LTCCB #84 Anything Goes