Gone Fishing

Now that summer is basically over, I bet a lot of people are longing for these lazy days again...even if fishing isn't their thing.

Today I have used product from Daisy & Dandelion, which I won from Brenda, in a blog hop at Moving Along With the Times. I was very lucky to receive a decoupage kit along with matching rub-ons and stamps to complete a number of lovely cards.


Here I have made an aperature card, whereby I cut an opening in the card front. The decoupage layers are on the inside of the card, as shown here, and protrude through the opening when the card is closed. This all went together quite well, except for the aperature opening, I definitely need more practice at this...

As this is a first for me, with no stamping other than the sentiments, I am not sure which challenges I can enter, but I am going to try with the following:

Donna's Den of Crafts - Lots of Layers
Cooking It Up With Katie - Check out that Boy In Brown (recipe)
Charisma Cardz - Hot, Hot, Hot
Allsorts - Park Inspiration
Cards For Men - Long Summer Days
Meljen's Designs - Happy Birthday
3D Cards Challenge Blog - Sports (I believe fishing counts as a sport)

Just a Note

Well, summer is nearly over, and soon the kids will be back in school. This nice summery card will soon be just a reminder of summer days.

For this image from Daisy Doodles I have used water colours, and I've followed the colour theme for their current challenge, Yellow and Cream or White. Note the clouds, made by sponging blue ink around a scalloped edge, easy to do and quite effective.

I have worked with this sketch from The Pink Elephant for the card layout, and the ribbon used is actually wrapped around the front of the card through a slit made in the fold.

The yellow background paper is embossed and then inked, while the lacey white panel, made with a Martha Stewart punch, is edged with clear stickles.

The sentiment tag, and the butterfly embellishment also have stickles added.

Other challenges entered:
Cowgirl's Sunday Stamp'en Challenge - Summer Time Feeling
Lexi's Creations - Emboss It
Craft Your Days Away - With Wings
A Pocket Full of Posies - Winged Things

Born to be Wild

Okay, come on now, you must know someone that you could give this card/image to! Of course, they would have to have a sense of humour, or they might not speak to you again. As soon as I saw this image, I knew I had to work it up! (four brothers... but maybe not my dad...) This image by Just Inklined, called Albert, can be found here, and I am entering it into the current Just Inklined Challenge.

For the layout, I started out by following this week's sketch (#32) at Raise the Bar Challenge. Although I have made a few changes, hopefully it will still qualify.

The paper behind the image has been cut using my Silhouette, from a design I created myself. Then I used assorted distress inks to make a somewhat crazy pattern with a lot of orange. The card blank itself has been stamped using a marble stamp and black and brown inks.

The sentiment, cut with my Nestie die, was computer generated, and of course, there is a saucy verse inside.

Other challenges entered:

Anything Goes challenge #9 at Aud Sentiments
Anything Goes challenge #45 at Stampin' for the Weekend
and ... the special contest co-sponsored by Letraset at Polka Doodles

Vintage - Letter Writing

Well, I'm back! I was MIA for a few days with family visits and gatherings, and now I hope to get a few cards made. This one actually fits with a few challenges and was a lot of fun to do.


I started by using the layout sketch from Priscilla Styles Midnight Sketch Challenge #68. You have a choice of a simple or more detailed sketch, and I have used a bit of both.

Using some vintage style paper from my stash, I paired it up with burgundy and kraft cardstock. The kraft panel was stamped using a marble texture stamp, and both panels were distressed with brown inks.

The cute image used is called Letter Writing and was a freebie from Nana Vic's for the current Theme challenge at CDAC - Make It Old. It reminds me of the coming Christmas season, and how my mother likes to enclose a letter with many of her cards. Be sure to check out this site, as there are many challenges and free images to be found.

Other than a bit of ribbon, the only other embellishment used are the metal brads. One other note, the die used for the frame around the image is from Nellie's and I found it just this weekend. I had never seen this product before and it is so nice to find something new.

Other Challenges entered:
August Digi Day Challenge at Stamp Something
Use the colour Kraft challenge at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle
Anything Goes at Aud Sentiments

and then three challenges looking for a vintage theme:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge #3 Vintage
Creatalicious Challenge #13 Vintage
Polka Doodles Challenge #33 Vintage Style

and ... the special contest co-sponsored by Letraset at Polka Doodles

To Brighten Your Day

This is my third post for today, and then I am off to bed. Working on cards while encouraging my granddaughter in her efforts was a little taxing....but I did want to get a couple done myself. Next visit, I will plan things a little differently.

For my layout, I have used the current sketch #77, from Card Patterns. This worked well for what I had in mind, as I was using a lot of colours and pattern.

The three flowers are made from clear recycled packaging. After cutting the flower shapes, I added different coloured Stickles and gem stones. Using glue dots, I attached these to small buttons, and using glue dots again, attached them to the card.

The Cynthia image, which I have used, can be found at the Stamping Boutique. I have coloured her using water colour pencils and Tombow markers. Detail has been added with glitter pen, and of course, for the wings I have used Stickles, as this fairy has to sparkle!

The colour theme of this card uses the new TSB colours for the challenge at the Latte Lounge. The DP is from Basic Grey.

Other challenges entered:
The Pink Elephant TPE80 - Ribbon and Sparkles
Everybody Art Challenge #104 - In the Garden
Aud Sentiments #9 - Anything Goes

Did Someone say Cake......

This card was made by another of my little Treasures, this time Martina, who is 11. She chose to make a card for a very special wedding, and this cake looked sooooo delicious.

The image she used is from Delicious Doodles, and was one of the free digis being given away each day this week. They are having their first ever challenge, and this is Martina's first ever entry! Be sure to check them out.

In addition, this card is also being entered into the Little Hands Do Crafts Challenge. For both of these entries the project could be ANYTHING.

Bubbly Bath

Well, it has been a while since my last post, as I have had a housefull of company and one of my little treasures is staying for a few extra days.

This image from the Stamping Boutique provides my idea of a relaxing moment to be enjoyed, especially on a birthday. I am entering this card into one of their current challenges over at the Latte Lounge.

In addition, I have followed this sketch #59 from Moving Along With The Times (oops, missed the deadline!), and the Colour Challenge, Pink Black and White, from Totally Stampalicious. Both the colours and the sketch seem to suit this image perfectly.

I have used Prisma pencils to colour the stamp, with some glitter pen for detail. The DP is from my stash, along with the little glass bubbles and the fluffy white feathers. Hopefully it all provides a soft feminine feel.

Other challenges I have entered:
Birthday Challenge #29, at Crafty Cardmakers
Get Dotty ASC#23, at Aly's Sunday Challenge
Easy Craft Projects #19 - Girly Theme

Featured Stamper

Well now....if you are visiting me via the Stamp-n-Doodle website, you will know that I am their Featured Stamper this week!

This card could almost be a follow up to my previous challenge entry, which was a wedding card. Now we have what could be either another wedding card, or in my case, an anniversary card.

I have used their sweet image 'Spring Love', colouring it with Prisma pencils, adding some chalk for the background, glitter pen highlights, and micro-beads for the flower centres.

Designer paper from Basic Grey provides the flowery backdrop, and a corner punch provides a little interest....and then there is the paper lace frame. The cutting file I used can be found at Monica's Creative Room, a site where a lovely lady provides a number of these fancy designs for free.

You may notice I added glitter around the inside of the frame, and a number of pearls and gems here and there. The sentiment was computer generated and then cut out with my Nestibilities die. A bit of green sheer ribbon added the final touch.

I do hope you have enjoyed this post, and be sure to follow the different links for further inspiration.

Some challenges that I have entered:

Cupcake Craft Challenge - #103 Lace
Sentimental Sundays - #15 Anything Goes
Digital Tuesday Challenge - #71 Butterflies or Lace
Papertake Weekly - Something Old, Something New....
Crafty Cardmakers - Spotlight Challenge - Punches
Charisma Cardz Challenge #32 Easel Card
Oh, and I almost forgot, the special contest co-sponsored by Letraset at Polka Doodles

Get on your bike and RIDE...

Well, I'm sure you are all thinking 'What a fun card for a little boy', and you could be right...but you are wrong! It was inspired by my little brother's purchase of a motorcycle. Of course, the verse inside reflects that he is no longer little, or young...it sure works for me!


My card layout follows the sketch for DZ Doodles current challenge on PCP. I have used their Tricycle image which can be found here, in their store.

This challenge runs until August 17th, and there is a free digi available until that time.

I have always liked red for a bicycle, so I used Tombow markers to achieve the rich colour, and silver metallic pen for the handle bars and spokes.

Then, I followed the Allsorts Challenge this week (#64), using the Primary Colours of red, blue and yellow. The DP and buttons are from my never ending stash, and the sentiment was computer generated.

Other Challenges that I have entered:
One Stop Craft Challenge #92 - Summer Fun
The Pink Elephant Challenge #79 - Summer Fun
Little Red Wagon #41 - Summer Theme
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #71 - Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Buttons and Brads

Well, summer is moving along waaaay too fast! Spring was early this year, here in Ontario (Canada), and we were expecting a very hot dry season. It has been hot, but we have had a fair bit of rain, and the umbrellas have had extended usage.

So, for today's card I have used the image 'April Pixie' from Pixie Dust Studios, which I've entered into their challenge, #34 Cute as a Button. Buttons have been used as embellishments and also adorn Pixie's coat.

I have chosen water colours this time around, and no glitter pen or stickles. This must be a first for me, but I was trying for a simpler style.


For my layout, I have used this week's sketch from over at Crafts 4 Eternity (#45), and going with their challenge theme, chose to use the colours 'Lemon & Lime'.

I have not used this colour combination before, but I was quite pleased with the end result. Navy buttons add some contrast, with some navy ink to sponge the edges.


Note the metal medallion under the largest button, this was a dollar store find! I just had to find a place to use it... Add to this, a few brads and a metal yellow flower, and I can enter this card into

..............Challenge #30 at Paper Sundaes and
..............Challenge #37 at Kaboodle Doodles
both of which are looking for metal to be used. Be sure to check out all of the above website links to see the lovely projects that the design teams have created.

Embossing

Something different for me again today, a card with a simpler line, without all of the added embellishments. It was nice and easy to make, and quick to put together.

Using a piece of golden orange card stock I embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I then added colour with markers and glitter pens, and a complementary mat.

After attaching to my card with double faced tape, I added a gold Peel-Off border. Then, just the sentiment and a bow, and I was finished.


I have entered this card into the following challenges:

Sentimental Sundays #14 Switch It Up (different technique)
Little Red Wagon - Circles,Circles,Circles (flowers are really circles)
Stamp,Scrap and Doodle Saturday - No Image, Only Sentiment
Simple Doodles - #23 Get out of the Box (try something different)
Craft Your Days Away - #1 Favourite Things (Embossing)

Sealed With a Kiss

What do you think takes the most time, colouring the image, creating the rest of the card, finding the verse for inside the card, or.....making up the blog post. If it were numbers and spreadsheets I would be fine, but....oh well, here goes.

Using the Sarah Kay stamp, 'A Kiss for Chloe', this card can be entered into the Stampavie Challenge #29 Hot/Summer.

They may be wearing long pants, but they have bare feet, so I gave it a summer evening theme, with the sun setting behind them. Except for a few layers of paper and a gold dragonfly, the image is the card.

The image was stamped and heat embossed to preserve the outline definition, then coloured with water colours.

The background is made with distress inks and a brayer, masking with paper scraps to protect the image and also to create different layers and depths of colour. I still have a lot to learn with this technique, but it was fun to do.

Other challenges that this card can enter:
..Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Sing it Baby (Sealed with a Kiss)
...Practical Scrappers - Use your #1 favourite product (distress ink)
....Simple Doodles - #23 Get out of the box (new technique)
.....Whoopsie Daisey - use the colours Blue and Green

In addition, I am entering into the competition at Polka Doodles, in conjunction with Letraset,for a set of Aquamarkers.

Start with a sketch

Up until now, I have always started my projects by colouring my image and then creating the card.

This time around I tried something different, I started with the sketch.

I chose this one from Card Patterns Weekly Sketch Blog, which I found very appealing, and only then did I select my image.


I just received this "coffee/cake" image yesterday, from Fresh Brewed Designs on CDAC. Be sure to check out this site for information on their current contest and blog hop, with chances to win great prizes.

Once again I have used Prisma pencils to colour the image, which I then cut out with my Nestabilities die. The edges have all been sponged with distress inks, and a bit of rubber stamping has been added using black ink.

All of the materials have been in my stash for ages, and I don't think I will ever use them up....

This card is also being entered into the challenge at The Pink Elephant, where the theme is 'Something Yummy'.

Teen Scene

It can be a little difficult to find the right image for a Birthday card for a teenager, but you will find a few at Sassy Studio Designs. This image, Happy Teen, fits the bill perfectly, and can be entered into their challenge for this week, #31 Freestyle.

Water colour pencils were used on the image, and the edges were sponged with distress ink. I felt bold colours were needed to complement the bouncy theme of the stamp, and chose red and a golden orange. Stars seemed to be the perfect embellishment. The large star is chipboard that has been inked and then embossed with UTEE.

Gold 'Peel Off' star stickers add to the effect, along with the DP found in my stash. Assorted gems and yellow and red stickles add some further detail, and fill in the holes of the punched border.

Other Challenges entered:
..Challenge up your life - #26 Celebrations + Blog Hop
...PaperPlay Challenges - #30 Anything Goes
....Raise the Bar - #29 A Sticky Situation
.....Digital Tuesday Challenge - #69 Dazzle Me
......The Stamp Man Challenges - #2 Take 2 Colours
.......C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #61 Hot and Spicy Colours