Card Design: A Doodle Pantry Card using a From The Heart Stamps Sketch for a Special Little Boy

Phew!  That was a mouthful now wasn't it?!  Given the lack of time I always seem to have, I always enjoy when I can combine challenges or ideas in the same creation and post.  While I've been able to do 2-in-1 posts in the past, I believe that this is my first 3-in-1 post!  

Here's the scoop:  

1. It serves as my monthly card for the Doodle Pantry Challenge.
2. It is my very first entry into a From the Heart Stamps Sketch Challenge.
3. It is going to be sent to a VERY special little boy.

Read on for more details!

First up is Doodle Pantry...

I had the absolutely perfect set from Doodle Pantry to create a birthday card for a young boy who you will learn about momentarily.  Remember, Doodle Pantry challenges are unique.  If you use a Doodle Pantry image (not just a sentiment) then not only will your name be entered for a final prize coupon BUT you will also get the featured product for free.  That is pretty darn incredible!!!  Now of course, you are welcome to submit cards following the rules and theme using an image from any digital company but you will only be entered into the draw for the final prize coupon.

Check out the adorable featured product up for grabs in this month's challenge, for those who do enter using a Doodle Pantry image...

Aren't the images so sweet?!  Perfect for any Easter card that you'll need to work on in the next few weeks.  That little sheep or even the bunny would also be great on a 'thinking of you' card and there are the perfect sentiments in the set to accompany it.  Now I don't know about you, but for me that it is darn good incentive to create a card and enter the challenge.  Everyone is a winner AND unlike progressive challenges where if you miss a challenge you lose the opportunity to play in future ones, the challenge at Doodle Pantry is set so that ANYONE can enter at ANY time, and still have the opportunity to earn the freebie package (following the rules of course).  

Here are the great kits I worked with for this month.  They are both sets that I have had for awhile.  Check them out...

The image I used on the front of the card is a precoloured image available in the Tiny Triceratops set.  The background paper on the front along with the patterned paper that I used for two of the smaller strips on the front are also from the set.  The versatility doesn't stop there though as I also used one of the sentiments available in this set for the inside of my card.  Click HERE or also on the watermark to head to where it is available in the store.  You get two papers, two images and two sentiments all for only $2.50.   
  

I also took advantage of using a sentiment from another set called Celebrations Sentiments.  To find this set in the store, you can click HERE or also on the watermark.  You get 12 beautiful sentiments for only $2.00.    

Next up is From the Heart Stamps Sketch Challenge...

I don't know about you, but I just LOVE the sketches available from over at From the Heart Stamps (FTHS).  I've been wanting to enter into one of their sketch challenges for ages but since they are weekly, I am somehow always too late to be able to pull it off.  Not this time however!  I checked on Friday and saw that there was roughly 48 hours to go.  Knowing I was going to spend Friday night designing my card digitally and then assembling it on Saturday, I was determined to get it all done in time. 

Now what I didn't know, is that if you enter the challenge, you receive a $1 gift certificate for FromTheHeartStamps.com. You are allowed to use it as a discount on a purchase, or save them up to earn a free stamp.  Guess I am going to have to work out a way to make the FTHS Sketch Challenge a weekly stop.  Oh dear, I better calm down.  All those visions of earned sets from the store is making my heart go a flutter!  

My dear friend Calypso, is responsible for creating this week's sketch.  She did a wonderful job, right?!  

For the purposes of this particular card, I decided to flip the sketch 90 degrees.  You can click HERE or on the watermark to head over to the FTHS Sketch 054 Challenge.  Now while this challenge is closed in just a few short hours, a new one will begin tomorrow.

Finally, that brings us to the recipient of this card, a VERY special little boy named Colin... 

So while visiting two dear friends this week, Vicky from Crafting-Vicky and Naomi from Creative Bug on the Loose, I learned about a rather special young man named Colin, who is about to turn 11 years old on March 9th.  Vicky came across the story on Facebook.  Here is what Colin's mom had to say:

I am Colin's mom, I created this page for my amazing, wonderful, challenging son who is about to turn 11 on March 9th. Because of Colin's disabilities, social skills are not easy for him, and he often acts out in school, and the other kids don't like him. So when I asked him if he wanted a party for his birthday, he said there wasn't a point because he has no friends. He eats lunch alone in the office everyday because no one will let him sit with them, and rather than force someone to be unhappy with his presence, he sits alone in the office. So I thought, if I could create a page where people could send him positive thoughts and encouraging words, that would be better than any birthday party. Please join me in making my very original son feel special on his day.

Over two million people have liked the page and close to a million on Facebook are talking about it.  That is simply incredible!  Colin is receiving birthday wishes from all over this great big world.  It is unfortunate that individuals with special needs have to deal with being ostracized.  It isn't bad enough that they have to deal with the limitations and effects that their particular condition sets, they then have to deal with all the social crap from many of the people around them.  I worked for over 12 years with individuals with disabilities of one nature or another.  First with children and then with adults in the later half of my career.  I have had more rewarding experiences than I can add up.  There needs to be more effort to teach kids from a young age that being different isn't a bad thing and that you don't ostracize someone with disabilities for ANY reason.  I truly believe that if more people were educated on the subject, the self esteem of individuals facing disabilities would be so much higher.  

After reading this story I decided that I wanted to join the many others out there that are sending Colin a birthday card.  Since his birthday is on the 9th, there is still lots of time to do so.  If you would like to join in on the millions sending him birthday wishes you can do so over at FB or better yet by sending Colin a card.  You can find his address on the FB page (click HERE).  Naomi helped me locate it.  If you click on the area that says community right at the top underneath his picture, it will open up an 'About' page that contains his address.  I really hope that my card, along with the many others he will receive, will help to send Colin smiles, laughter and the assurance that just because he is different, doesn't mean he is unworthy of friendship and love.

Here are my card and details, hopefully I haven't forgotten anything...

FRONT

Digital Image, Sentiment and Papers: 

• As mentioned earlier, the image, sentiment and digital papers are all from Doodle Pantry.  You can find out the specific details above. 

Digital Embellishments:

• I created the frame around the sentiment using a shape from Shelby Kate Schmitz of graphicssoft.about.com.  It was adapted using a felt layer style from The Scrappin' Cop.
• The matting used in behind the image along with the solid patterned strips on the front are just shapes I created using the colours found within the paper and then added a bit of texture to them so they wouldn't look so flat.
• The buttons are elements I created using a template from Marisa Lerin, a designer with Pixel Scrapper.
• The curling ribbon is an element I created using a template from Brooke Gazarek, also a designer with Pixel Scrapper. 

INSIDE  

Digital Sentiment: 

• Info on this Doodle Pantry sentiment can be found above. 

Digital Embellishments:

• The matting in behind the sentiment, the curling ribbons and the buttons have all been repeated on the inside.  You can find the details for each of these in the 'digital embellishments' section above. 

OVERALL

Paper Products: 

• Card base: Michael's Recollection's Card Kit, white, lg.

Other Notes: 

• Once again, I have relied on digital creation for putting this card together.  Precoloured images just lend themselves so well to this kind of creating.  This card is 100% digital and then printed off as a one layer card.
• Once again, since all the depth is achieved digitally, it is a bonus as it doesn't create any extra bulk or weight, keeping the mailing cost down!

Challenges I am entering:

• Doodle Pantry -- Challenge #42--Any Digi Goes
• From the Heart Stamps Sketch Challenge-- Sketch 054
• Avenue 613 -- Anything Goes with optional twist
• http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes
• ...other challenges may be added to this list later in the week...

 

Well guys, that is it for this post and would you look at that, it only took me three hours to create!!!  *Ü*  Now I need to go see the hubs so we can put some laundry in, then it is right back upstairs to work on tomorrow's Digi Darla post.  I also have to get a reminder post done and a winner post completed.  Plus I still have to watch Canada go for gold with the men's hockey game.  I'm just praying that we came out on top AND that I don't find out what the score is until after I've watched the game!  It is going to be another long day.  See you later!!!   

Until next time,

Time for a Thank You Card

If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started "Thursdays Are For Thanksgiving", please go HERE.

As is always the focus on Thursdays, I give thanks.  This time it is in the form of a card.  When we went away for a few days at Christmas, my wonderful friend Laurie came over and took care of our furbaby Marigold; so, I've created this thank you card for her.  I hope she doesn't see it here first.  However, that is a distinct possibility since it hasn't been mailed yet.  It is sitting right next to the birthday card that I still haven't sent my cousin Blair yet.  What is that saying about the best of intentions...Oh well, the people in my life are used to getting everything late.  If it arrived on time or early, my family and friends would wonder what had happened to me.

Here is the front of the card...

And here is the inside...

Here are the card details, I hope I haven't forgotten anything...

• Sketch:  When I was over at Great Impressions, checking on the winners list from a previous card challenge, I took note that their next challenge involved a sketch. This is the very first time I have seen a sketch offered for a challenge and then followed that sketch to enter said challenge.  I hadn't created the thank you card yet so I decided to model it after the sketch.  I thought, "what the heck, it certainly isn't going to hamper me in any way."  In fact it helped give me some focus for creating the card.  I've included a link to the sketch I used a little lower in this post.
• Digi-Image:  The image, appropriately called Round Cat, was a coloured freebie offered by Little Scraps of Heaven Designs.  Isn't it just adorable?  Now while Marigold isn't quite that round, she does have oranges, reds and brandy colours running through her fur so I figured it was the perfect choice.
• Sentiments:  The 'Meow" sentiment on the front and the inside sentiment were created by moi.  Who else out there would actually have a conversation from a cat as a sentiment?  Both are printed onto Recollection's Cardstock White Paper.
• Paper:  While you actually can't see it I used a bright yellow paper for the card base purchased as part of a paper pack I got awhile back at Michael's so I'm afraid I don't know what the pack is called.  I wasn't worried about keeping any packaging back then.  The yellow/white/pink paper I used in the background for the front and inside is from Recollection's All Girl paper pad purchased at Michael's; the hot pink paper I used to back the image (ie. shadow) is from some of Michael's open stock scrapbook paper.  And no, you are not imagining that you've seen this same sentence somewhere before.  I finally used the leftovers from when I put Karen's birthday card together eight months ago.  Now if I could only find a challenge that wanted us to use up scraps and stash items.  Note to self:  Look for above mentioned challenges to enter.
• Embellishments:  That little strip of yellow with the white dots is a piece I cut out from a paper in the above mentioned All Girl pad.  The flower is from a bunch I picked up at Dollarama.  I can't believe how well the colours matched.  I also used a little pink coloured brad for the centre of the flower.  
• One of the challenges requested flowers.  I have one obvious flower but there are also pink flowers in the background paper.  Okay, maybe you can't see the whole flower but if I add up the six partial flowers that gives us a total of four full ones.  Does that work for you?
• Here is the sketch from Great Impressions that I eluded to earlier:

 

Challenges I will be entering the card into:  

• Make It Monday -- MIM #123:  Anything Goes (always)
• Pin and Tack -- SYCN Challenge #5: Anything Goes
• MyPaperCrafting.com -- Weekly Link-Up Party
• Great Impressions Stamps -- Sketch Challenge
• ATCs and Cards With Attitude  -- Challenge 31:  Add A Tag or Sentiment/Anything Goes
• Fat Pages and Cards with Attitude -- Challenge 31:  Add A Tag or Sentiment/Anything Goes
• Paper Crafting Journey -- Anything Goes
• Artistic Inspirations Crafts  -- Challenge 24:  Anything Goes
• 613 Avenue Create -- Challenge #2:  Anything Goes
• Glitter 'n Sparkle Challenge Blog -- Challenge #15:  Use a Digi
• Lexi's Creations -- Challenge #81:  Anything Goes
• Word Art Wednesday -- Challenge #63:  Anything Goes
• Digi Darla's -- DDC #45:  Anything Goes
• Joyful Stamper -- Inspire Me Fridays 91: Anything Goes 
• One Stitch at a Time Challenge -- Challenge #146:  Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly  -- Anything Goes
• Inky Chicks -- Anything Goes
• Bunny Zoe's Crafts -- Anything Goes
• Digital Tuesday Challenge -- Flower Power
• Top Tip Tuesday -- Fur or Feathers
• Cards Galore Challenges -- Anything Goes
• Crafty Blogger's Network -- Flowers 
• Crafter's Digital Art Centre --  Anything Goes

Some more challenges may be added to this list throughout the week or month.

Thanks so much for stopping by and please leave some love if you have the time.

Until next time,

Tuesday Alchemy Challenge #47

It's time for my first challenge as a Design Team member over at Tuesday Alchemy today!  Challenge 47 is about Hopes, Dreams & Resolutions, and there's TWO awesome prizes up for grabs!

A $10 Gift Certificate from

AND

count them, seven Digital Images from

 

  

So head on over to

and join the challenge!

Now, it seems fitting that we had to make a project based on our hopes and dreams and/or a new year's resolution.  I'm not one for making resolutions but I do try to set goals for myself.  Thus, I came up with the perfect thing for me to work on this year--CONFIDENCE!  If you've been following my blog these past two months you know that I've struggled with the issue of believing in my own talents and abilities.  So, working on building confidence as one of my aims this year just seems fitting, doesn't it?

Here is the front of the card I created as my very first project as a design team member (can you tell I'm proud of that fact, or what)...

 and here is the inside of the card...

Hmmmm.....Maybe I should mail this card to myself as incentive.

Anyways, here are the card details, I hope I haven't forgotten anything...

• Digital stamp of the mouse and bear is from Beccy's Place (clicking on the link will take you directly to the free image).  It is coloured using Copic(R) markers.  Flower:  Y11, Y13, Y15 and Y17. Mouse:  R20, R22 (ears); C1, C3, C5 (body).  Bear: R20, R22 (ears); W1, W3, W5 (body); B00 (eyes); B00, B02, B05 (jacket); G20, G24 (ascot and hankerchief).  Ground: G00.  I also used a black watercolour pencil to add the texture of fur to both creatures.
• Paper:  The card base and thin turquoise blue vertical strip on the front is from Recollection's Cardstock Paper--Cape Cod collection purchased at Michael's; the green and yellow/green floral paper and the blues/greens/ivory floral paper I used are both from the K & C Company--The Best of K & C 360 page paper pad that I got at WalMart.  The small blue square from the front and rectangle from inside is from a pastels collection I picked up at Dollarama awhile back.  The base for the 'believe' tag and the inside sentiment are from Recollection's Cardstock Paper--White paper pack.
• I cut the tag out by hand after stamping it with a Studio G stamp using Mememto Bahama Blue.  The inside sentiment is an awesome one from TLC-Creations.  Thanks Paulette for the inspiration behind the creation of this card.
• The theme over at Stamp Your Life is New Beginnings and your interpretation of that.  For some that may be a new baby, a new house, or a lifestyle change.  For me it is all about a new attitude of believing more in myself and working on my confidence.
• This is also my first official use of a sketch (okay, well there was that one I stole I mean borrowed from a design I saw Crafting Vicky use).  It is from My Favourite Things, sketch 99.  Now, since I've never posted a sketch on my blog before, I'm going to assume I'm allowed to since I've seen other people do it.  Someone please let me know if I'm in the wrong.

 Challenges I will be entering the card into: 

• Hiding In My Craftroom  -- HIMCR #78: Freestyle
• ATCs and Cards With Attitude  -- Challenge 30:  Anything Goes/Celebrations
• Lady Anne's Challenges -- Sentiment - Anything Goes
• Fat Pages and Cards with Attitude -- Challenge 30:  Anything Goes/Celebrations
• Fussy and Fancy Challenge --  Challenge 79:  Furry Friends
• Pause Dream Enjoy Challenges -- Challenge 52:  Anything Goes
•  Stampin' for the Weekend -- Challenge 24:  Anything Goes 
• Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps -- Challenge 94:  Anything Goes 
• Crafty Ribbons Challenge --  Challenge 35:  "Blue & Green"
• Delightful Challenges -- Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations Paint -- Inspired By: Anything Goes
• DYSU Challenge Blog --  DYSU #104:  Turquoise 
• Little Miss Muffet Challenges -- Challenge 51: Anything Goes 
• My Heart Pieces Digital Stamp Challenge -- Anything Goes
• Paper Crafting Journey -- Anything Goes Challenge
• Simply Create Challenges -- Linky Party #15 
• Make It Monday -- MIM #121:  Anything Goes (always)
• Challenges For Everybody --  Challenge #10:  Anything Goes 
• Simon Says Stamps Challenge -- Simon Says...Anything Goes
• Word Art Wednesday -- Challenge #60 - Faith/Anything Goes 
• Paper Makeup Stamps  -- Digi Makeover Challenge #69:  Anything Goes 
• Artistic Inspirations Crafts  -- Challenge 21:  Celebrations/Anything Goes 
• Simon Says Stamp and Show -- Anything Goes
• Tuesday Throwdown -- Bright and Happy Colours
• Divas By Design Challenge -- Challenge 66:  Anything Goes
• Stamp Your Life LLC  -- New Beginnings (see above for expanation of how card fits this theme)
• Through the Craftroom Door --  TTCRD Challenge #51:  Anything Goes
• Beccy's Place  -- January Challenge
• Papertake Weekly  -- Anything Goes

There may be a few more added to the list throughout the week.

Well I guess that is it for my very first post as a DT member.  Thanks so much for stopping by and don't forget to leave some love if you have the time.

Until next time,