A Baby......Elephant?

It's Sunday afternoon, I have two little treasures visiting for the weekend, and one is down for a nap.....so a bit of time for a quick post.

This little number uses an image from Dustin Pike.....from ages ago.  I really don't think it is still available, but it's a cutie and works well for a baby card.  I've used water colours this time with some prisma pencils for added shading.  Her nails and belly also have pink stickles......of course!  More stickles, plus pink pearls and yellow liquid pearls dress up the die cut circle.

The card blank was purchased from Michaels and already embossed.  I applied the colour with a brayer this time, and it works much better than a sponge.  Use it lightly with only a light layer of ink.  A few pretty flowers, a nice big bow and a sentiment.....then I was done.

Now I just need to wait for one of my nieces to have a girl!   Well, I'm ready even if they're not!

And a few fun challenges.....be sure to check them out!

Dustin Pike - Girl Power

Stampin for the Weekend - #12 Paws for Thought

Forever Friends - Pastel Colours

Hooked on Craft Challenges - #4 Cute and Cuddly

Top Tip Tuesday - #44 Make it Girlie

Deep Ocean Challenge - #4 Ribbons

Allsorts Challenge - #114 Free and Easy

Totally Papercrafts - #77 Bling It Up

Moving Along with the Times - #109 Brand Spanking New

Pretty in Pastels

Today's card uses lots of pastels, and a stamp from a company in Sweden that is looking for some guest designers.  This one is a freebie this month, and goes with their challenge.  I'm always looking for something new and/or different so I thought I would give it a try.  You can find their challenge here, or click on the link below for their blog.

Supplies used:
Paper - Winter Joy collection from Bo Bunny
Tools - Nestibilities - Inverted Scalloped Circles and Beaded Circles dies
Other - Ribbon, stickles

Here's hoping you have yourselves some fun today, and thank you for visiting.

Some challenges:

Stampelkallan - GDT call Papercraft Star - #55 Anything Goes The Paper Shelter - #24 Anything Goes Allsorts Challenge - #113 Free and Easy Stamp and Create - Ribbons and Bows The Crazy Challenge - #77 Ribbons Crafts and Me Challenges - #45 Ribbon Digi Doodle Shop - #69 Anything Goes

If It's Snowing, It Could be Christmas....

We actually had two days with some rain.....so yesterday I just had to go work in my garden.  Not much good for too much else afterwards, as the temperature is still too hot for my liking.  Had no trouble getting to sleep come bedtime though....

Another Christmas card today, although I suppose it could also be used for other occasions.  Notice the nice cool colours rather than the traditional!  What do you think of that silver glitter piece.  The paper was actually a dollar store find, and it came in a two pack.  I never realized it was a peel and stick until I ran it through my big shot.  It came apart while I was separating the pieces. (lol)

This image is another cutie from Sassy Studio Designs, and it's called First Snow!   I've added glitter to all the snow, so there is lots of sparkle.  It's coloured with some older markers that I've had for ages, and Prisma pencils for extra shading.  The papers are from my stash, of course, and I've finally gotten around to using some flowers again...adding these doesn't come easy to me, although I love seeing them on everyone else's cards.

I really can't believe that I'm making Christmas cards in July....next I'll be starting my Christmas shopping!  Summer seems to be flying by.  Now, if it would just cool down some, maybe I could enjoy the sunshine.

Have yourselves a great day, and try to enjoy the moment.

Some challenges:

Sassy Christmas Challenge - #4 use a NON-holiday SSD image

Polka Doodles - #29 Christmas in July

Delightful Inspiration - Christmas in July

Pollycraft - #103 Ho Ho Ho  Christmas in July

Top Tip Tuesday - #44 Make it Girlie

Scrap-Creations - Favourite Holiday (Christmas)

Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge - #6 Glitter

Christmas Stampin' - All About You (your favourite colour)

Little Darlings - #4 Girly

Crafty Creations Challenge - #129 Christmas in July

The Centre of Attraction...

Hurray, we had some rain yesterday...so maybe you had some sunshine!  I think it had been nearly 4 weeks, so the grass and gardens were very parched.  I'm still willing to trade off a few more days....

Today's entry uses Lil Lad Eric, one of the newer images from Tickled Pink Stamps, and I've teamed him up with Spots and Stripes for their current challenge.  He looks so sweet and innocent, but when he takes off those Clark Kent glasses......look out!

This striped paper is from my stash, but I've added some brown detail stripes so that I could accent with brown.  I've played with the paper, reversing and matching the stripes on the bottom section, which draws your eye to the image.   So do the arrows, which are transparent stickers placed over cardstock and then cut out.  It's is amazing what cool stuff you can find hiding in drawers!  Have you checked your's lately....just pretend it's a bargain bin!  lol

A bit of ribbon and some faux stitching on the borders basically finishes it off, definitely leaving the image as the focal point.

Hopefully you all have a wonderful day, staying safe and sound and healthy.   Until next time, be sure to check out these challenges for some more inspiration:

Cute Card Thursday - #174 For His Eyes Only

Totally Papercrafts - One for the Boys

Allsorts Challenge - #113 Free and Easy

Craft Us Crazy - #13 Anything Goes

Crafter's Companion - #14 One for the Boys

My Mums Craft Shop - #15 For a Teen

2 Sisters Challenge - #49 Anything Goes

Stamps R Us Challenges - Happy Birthday + Blog Hop

Kaboodle Doodles - #77 Stitching - Faux or real

Breaking News

Good morning folks!  I'm sending this post from my cave....or at least that is what it seems like.  With the temperature so hot and the sun so bright, we have to keep the blinds closed to help keep the house cool, especially in the afternoons.  Not quite my type of summer.....  Oh well, at least I have a good excuse to craft! (as if I need one)

So how about this little tyke, delivering the news on her bike.  This is another fun image from Just Inklined, which is available to purchase here.   She's coloured with a number of mediums, some copics for her skin, and both markers and coloured pencils for the rest.  I've partially cut her out, leaving the rest as a circle, which I've inked with DI.  Do you see the gold border....I simply traced the whole thing onto gold paper, then cut it out 1/8" larger.

For the layout, I've followed this week's sketch over at Mojo Monday.  I really liked this one.  If you notice the vertical panel, I've cut some printed DP into strips....hence the sentiment 'Breaking News'. (lol)

For both sentiments, I've dug into my stash and pulled out some rub-on letters.  Never really thought of doing that before.  I haven't used those in so long, it was like getting new stuff!  I'll have to have a look and see what else I can find!

Well, I do hope you are having a wonderful weekend, but please be extra careful in this heat!  Once again, thank you for visiting.

A few more challenges for you to check out:

Papertake Weekly - Getting Cute

Simon Says Stamp! - use NEWSPAPER

CES Challenges - #46 Humour/Funny

Do It With Digis - #15 Summer Fun

Craft Your Days Away - #25 Summertime

Christmas (card) in July...

Good morning!  Has anyone noticed how many challenges are out there for Christmas in July?  We are in the middle of a significant heat wave at the moment, but even the stores have promotions going for this same theme.  Seems like a crazy idea, so what the heck.....I too jumped in with a card!

 

This was a quick little number, using a stamp from Hero Arts which doesn't appear to be available anymore.  This was one of my little must have purchases that then got lost in a drawer......how could that be?  I've stamped with brown ink and then treated the edges to a fancy 'cut and colour', giving it a distressed look.  Using some DP from last year's Basic Grey Jovial line, I think I've actually achieved a vintage look.  Not a style I go with too often, but it works with this stamp.  Not many embellishments, but I did add the gold filigree corner piece, which  is from Wild Orchid Crafts.

You might see this stamp again before Christmas, because I've thought of another idea I might try!   Or maybe I'll dig out another stamp .... that might be lost in the drawer. (lol)

Have yourselves a nice day, and stay cool!

Some fun challenges:

Stamp Something - Christmas in July Somethings

CES Challenges - #45 Christmas

Paper Sundaes - #78 Christmas in July

The Crazy Challenge - #76 Christmas in July

Tuesday Throwdown - #58 Something Metallic

2 Sisters Challenge - #48 Christmas in July

Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog - #64 Xmas in July

ABC Christmas Challenge - O is for Older Image

Craft Us Crazy - #13 Anything Goes

Allsorts Challenge - #111 Free and Easy

'Iced' Tea for Two

Good morning everyone!  It's a lovely day outside with beautiful sunshine, but it's even nicer inside where it's nice and cool....another hot steamy day today!  Must mean it's time to play.....

I played a bit in photo shop with this one....shrinking the digi image and adding the circle border sentiment before printing.  The image, called Tea for Two, from Just Inklined is another one of their many fun designs, useful for so many occasions.

A lot of distressing this time, along with some stamping and a cardstock branch cut on my Silhouette.  Going for a jungle scene here!  The flowers are picking up the colours from the DP, and I've added liquid pearls and stickles.  For something different, while still wet and sticky I've dropped some micro beads into the mix.  This worked quite well for a bit of extra sparkle!

Other stamps used:  Foliate Cube from Stampendous, Recreate Yourself from Stampotique, the birthday circle sentiment was a freebie from Digital Design Divas.

Thanks again for visiting, and your lovely comments.  Have yourselves a wonderful day!

Some fun challenges:

Allsorts Challenge - #111 Free and Easy

Creative Card Crew - Animal Antics

Cute Card Thursday - #173 Going Round in Circles

Crafting For All Seasons - #5 Furry Friends

Fab & Funky Challenges - #82 Animal Magic

Birthdays and Butterflies

Good morning everyone!  I hope you all had a fantastic weekend....lots of fun and plenty of relaxation.  I just have a quick post today.  I had a couple of  specific challenges in mind for this card and the deadlines are fast approaching.  No one can ever accuse me of being early! lol

I've followed the sketch at Pink {Ink} Sketch, a new challenge blog and their very first challenge.   I've switched it around a bit, adding a faux stitching border, but I think it works okay.

Check out the butterfly!  Remember those inside pieces that are left after you use the peel off sticker?   Well I finally made use of some, adhering to velum, which turned out quite well I think.  You just need some sticky medium to lift the pieces....and a lot of patience!

Supplies used:

Stamps - Lil Birthday Kellita (Tickled Pink Stamps), sentiment from Nettie's Cards

Papers - DeLovely paper pack (Cosmo Cricket), vellum for butterfly, card stock

Tools - Nestibilities - Fleur de Lis Rectangles die

Other - stitching stencil, peel off stickers, stickles

We had a wee bit of much needed rain overnight, but now the sun is shining again.  It will probably be another hot one, but I will be inside today catching up on some work.   Maybe tonight I can get to play again.

Some more fun challenges:

Tickled Pink - #28 CUTE... WITH A BUTTERFLY

PaperPlay Challenges - #28 Things With Wings

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #111 Butterflies

Totally Papercrafts - #75 Girly Girls

Birthday Sundaes - #18 Anything Goes

Emerald Faerie Garden - #5 All Things Nice (Girly)

Daisy Doodles - #38 Anything Goes

Scrap-Creations - Recipe Challenge

Bearly Mine Challenges - #14 Anything Goes Crafty Sentiments - Use stitching challenge  Do You Stack Up - #28 Sew: Faux or Real Simon Says Stamp! - Anything Goes

I Dream of Jeanie

Good morning!  It looks like its shaping up to be a lovely day......forecast - 'Plentiful sunshine. High 78F'.  What more could I ask for!  I hope your day is looking good too!!

I'm not sure if this image from Sassy Studio Designs is likely to make you feel hot or cool, but it is the perfect choice for one of my daughters with a birthday in July.  She used to take belly dancing classes!

I've used one of my favourite colour combos....bright and bold, and I've also played with some gold metallic and bronze sparkle card.  You'll see that my Nestie die has been used in three sizes, using the out of the box technique for the first layer.  A flourish stamp worked well on the DP and for a bit of interest around the image.  The border panel is shaped with a MS punch, and then accented with gold pen and some black doodling.  A piece of metallic ribbon, a few gems and a few dabs of stickles gives it a bit more sparkle.

The sentiment is aother freebie from Paulette at Create with TIC.

Here are some challenges, with lots of inspiration for a crafty day!  Thanks for visiting, and for all your lovely comments.  Have a great day!!

Sassy Studio Designs - #81 Let's get edgy

Emerald Faerie Garden - #4 SUGAR & SPICE- ALL THINGS GIRLY

Southern Girls Challenge - #23 Happy Birthday

Delightful Inspiration - European Inspired

Simon Says Stamp! - Anything Goes

Digi's With Attitude! Challenges - #32 Anything Goes

Do It With Digis - #14 Spots or Stripes or Both

Birthday Sundaes - #17 Colour Challenge - orange, green & white

There's Magic in the Air with Paper Cupcakes - Birthday Card

Digital Tuesday Challenge - #119 Spellbound (use one or more dies)

Papertake Weekly - Hot Hot Hot

Scrap-Creations - Recipe Challenge

Moving Along with the Times - #107 Favourite Things

A Garden of Green...

It's hard to believe that it's Wednesday already....and July is almost half over!  My gardens have taken a beating this year.  First they were late getting in, then the lack of rain, and now something has been having a real feast on my Asian lilies!  Although a little orange bug may be the culprit, I'm leaning towards birds or chipmunks.  One week they are loaded with buds and then a few days later....no buds, and now of course, no flowers!   I do have other flowers, but in truth, at the moment I have an awful lot of green.....

Hence, the colours in this card.  I've used a different technique here....one that I found in a magazine a long while ago.  The stamping is done on glossy card stock, but first I scored the card in a tile pattern.  Then, the floral background image is stamped with black ink, and coloured in with green distress inks.  If some of your colour seeps into the recessed score lines, simply touch up with white pen.  The stamp is from Cornish Heritage Farms, which has gone out of business....but I understand the images have been sold and may be 're-born'.

The black panel underneath was made with a MS punch, and the butterfly was cut on my Silhouette.  Just a flower to match the yellow mat, and a tag to finish it off.

This was very simple and fun to make.  Why don't you give it a try?

Now for some challenges, (some of which are looking for something you might find in the garden...if you are lucky!)

Charisma Cardz - #27 All about flowers

Stamp Something - Something with Bugs or Butterflies

Sentimental Sundays - #63 Inky Fingers

One Stitch at a Time - #70 Anything Goes

Stampin for the Weekend - #12 Wings and Things

Stamps R Us Challenges - Through The Garden Gate theme

Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes

By the Cute and Girly - Things with Wings

Allsorts Challenge - #111 Free and Easy Stampotique Designers Challenge - #34 Flower Power Simon Says Stamp! - Anything Goes

School's Out...

Good morning everyone!  I have one of my little treasures visiting for a few days, and this one likes to sit and craft with me.  I'm hoping to get a few cards made up while she is here....what a good excuse, no?

I've been trying my hand at a few different card designs, and this time it's a tent card.  I quite enjoyed making this one, and I'm quite please with the result.  If it's a new one for you, I followed the tutorial by Dena and you can find it here.  I used a folded piece of cardstock though, instead of two separate pieces for the front and back.

This time I've used the Kenny K image, Cool Kid.  As the intended recipient is a teenage boy, I've tried to keep the design very simple.  You will notice there are no embellishments, just some doodling on each side using a stitching stencil, and the Nestie frame around the opening.  I know he's extremely happy that school is out, and I think this card reflects that theme.  I'm not so sure that his parents feel the same way.....

The sentiment is one of the many freebies that can be found over at Create with TLC.  Thanks Paulette.

Again, some fun challenges!  Be sure to check them out, as there is lots of inspiration there.  Until next time.....Happy Crafting!

Allsorts Challenge - #111 Free and Easy

Totally Stampalicious - Anything but a Square or Rectangle

Cupcake Craft Challenges -#150 Your Favourite Cupcake (#8 Aperture card)

Bearly Mine Challenges - #14 Anything Goes

Paper Crafting Journey - #14 For Him

Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps - #58 Birthday

A Gem of a Challenge - #25 Let's Hear It For The Boys

Craft Your Days Away - #24 FANCY FOLDS

Kenny K Krafty Girlz - Anything Goes + Blog Hop

Crafter's Companion - #14 One for the Boys

Digital Tuesday Challenge - #119 Spellbound (use one or more dies) Deep Ocean Challenge - #3 Cards ABC Challenge - Y is for Yesterday (January 2011 - nesties)

Playtime Fun

Well, it was a warm one today....but I'm not complaining...YET!    But really, that's only because I don't have to be outside.  I enjoy the summer and the sun, but I also enjoy my AC.  I remember years back, when the only comfort was a window screen and a fan....I don't know how we did it!

So how about a card with some nice cool colours....some soft creme/beige DP from my stash, along with a couple of Cosmo Cricket pieces from the Wanted pack.  As the kids are on vacation now, looking for something to do....the Robot Boy image from Just Inklined, seemed like perfect playtime inspiration!  After colouring with Prismas, I've used the out of the box technique (or circle in this case).  I've sponged the outer edge with blue DI, then added yellow chalk to the centre area to give it some glow, then another layer made with my Nestie die.

For the layout, I've actually followed a sketch!  Not something I do too often, but I really liked this one from Sketch Saturday.

The two stripes on the right edge are drawn in using a stencil, and then I've added stickles for accents.  The sentiment is from Crafts4Eternity.

So find out those boxes, and let the kiddies have some fun ..... you might just get some peace and quiet for some crafty time!

Thanks for visiting, once again, and now for some fun challenges:

Sketch Saturday - #163  Sketch

Kaboodle Doodles - #75 Use Those Scissors

Aud Sentiments - #32 AT LEAST 2 Words

Crafts 4 Eternity - #27 Colour Recipe - COFFEE AND CREAM

Stamp Scrap and Doodle - Color Challenge - cream, brown + 1 other

Lots of Sparkle!

Well now, if I keep this up I may just be ready come Christmas!  Sometimes it is just a little more fun to do your shopping prior to the Christmas rush, and I guess the same can be said for making cards and gift bags.  There are a number of challenges out there right now, working with a Christmas theme....so why not!

Here we go with a gift bag, using the colours Red, White and Blue.  No DP, just cardstock and a blue gift bag, all dressed up with a Christmas floral stamp and silver tinsel embossing powder.  I've used Copics to colour the Tilda and Edwin on Ice, from Magnolia, adding white flocking for the fur on their little outfits.  The red and white poinsettias have also been stamped and heat embossed with silver, and a nice shiny bow adds the final touch.

Here's hoping you are all enjoying your weekend and the season at hand.....let's not worry too much about Christmas just yet!

Be sure to check out some of these challenges if your are in need of some crafty inspiration:

Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes

Crafting For All Seasons - #4 Red, White and Blue

7 Kids College Fund - #25 Red, White & Blue

All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

The Pink Elephant - #106 Red, White & Blue

Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog - #63 RED WHITE BLUE

Moving Along with the Times - #106 Christmas in July

Craft Us Crazy - #12 CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Sassy Studio Designs - #80 Red White and Blue

Little Miss Muffet Challenges - #13 Anything but a card

I Think It's Going to Melt.....

Here we are in the heat of summer.....and I'm making another Christmas card!  We could definitely use some rain, but please.....NO SNOW!  I can assure you, I have no problem waiting another six months for the white stuff.

My card today fits in with a number of current challenges, and I'm using the Lil Christmas Frankie image from Tickled Pink Stamps.   It's perfect for a Christmas in July card, as I'm sure he's thinking his little snowman is going to melt!   To help him out, I've played with some nice cool colours....purple and green, with lots of glitter.

This is my first time making a card with this fancy fold, and I'm happy to say it isn't as difficult as it looks.  My problem seems to be finding the right papers to make it all work, as I usually colour the image up first.  I could probably cut my time in half if I could only reverse the process.  Maybe next time.....

Supplies used:

Colouring medium:  Prisma pencils and OMS

Tools:  MS snowflake punch & lace border punch, Nestibilities die (labels 18)

Other:  glitter paper,glamour dust, brads, gems, ribbon and DP from stash

And now, thanks again for visiting, and here are some wonderful fun challenges to enter with this card:

Tickled Pink Christmas Challenge - #5 Anything Goes

Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge - #6 Glitter

Sweet Stamps - Christmas in July

Stamp Something - July Digi Day

Allsorts Challenge - #110 Free and Easy

Digital Tuesday Challenge - #118 Bling It Up

Tuesday Throwdown - #56 Christmas in July

Little Red Wagon - Christmas in July

Fab & Funky Challenges - #80 Purple Haze

Winter Wonderland - Christmas Buffet (patterned paper, ribbon, brads)

We have a Winner!!

Good morning everyone!   

Do you feel lucky?  

Mine was one of the mystery blogs yesterday, in the Just Inklined Blog Hop....sooooo, someone is a winner of the White Rabbit image that I used for my project.  

Many thanks for all the lovely comments, and with a little help from the random thingy I get to choose.......

The winner is....

Patty C

Congratulations!!

 

Please contact me with your e-mail address, and Jak will send it out to you.

Celebration Blog Hop at Just Inklined

There are so many things to Celebrate at this time of year....summer, holidays, end of school term......as well as the regular birthdays, anniversaries, etc.   This month our challenge at Just Inklined is hosted by our very talented Toni, who also chose the colours of Red, White and Blue.  If you have arrived here from Heidy's blog, all is well.  Otherwise, you may want to go back through the looking glass to Toni's blog.  Also, be sure to leave some comments along the way as there will be a couple of spot prizes at two mystery blogs!!

Today, I've worked with two Just Inklined images, merging them in Photo Shop Elements before printing them out.  The White Rabbit image can be purchased here, or as part of the Wonderland Set, here.  The Fairy Toadstools image is still available as a freebie, over on CDAC, and makes for a great fanciful background.

In case you are wondering, I coloured the background with Prisma pencils and OMS, and White Rabbit with Tombow markers......and no, I didn't colour it twice!  The card is made with my original work, which I then scanned into my computer.  The colours ring fairly true when printed out onto matte photo paper, and now I can make something for each of my grandkids!  I think they might like it....my husband did. (lol)

So now, if you'll head on over to Jeni's blog, you are sure to find something special.  Should you lose your way, you could ask Alice.....lol, but I've also listed the blog hop order below.

Toni, Karen, Heidy, Joyce (you are here), Jeni, Jak, Tammy

Enjoy!...and have a wonderful day!

A Little Quickie..

For those of you enjoying a long weekend...hope it's a good one!  We are enjoying some beautiful weather at the moment..not too hot!  Not sure yet, if we are doing anything today, so here is a little quickie that I made a short while ago.

A simple little card using Kraft coloured cardstock and a left over scrap of DP.  The Spring Daisy stamp is an older one from Inkadinkado, and I've used it twice but coloured them both differently.  Inked the edges for a bit of distressed look, and minimal embellishments.  No dies, no punches....what can I say.

So have yourselves a wonderful day, and here are a couple of challenges that I've found for my card.  Be sure to check them out if you need some inspiration!

Pear Tree Designs - #55 STAMP SOMETHING

Do You Stack Up - #26 Squares

Birthday Sundaes - #16 Anything Goes

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #118 “Seeing DOUBLE!”

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - #22 Anything Goes

Hooked on Craft Challenges - #2 Show us your flowers!

'She's Krafty!' at Christmas Stampin'

Good morning everyone!  How about another Christmas card?  As  a winner at 'Christmas Stampin' All Year Long', I'm delighted to be their guest designer this week!   The challenge is an easy one....just use Kraft paper somewhere on your card or project.  Let's see....there are (yikes) only 25 weeks until Christmas!!!

As you can see, although I've fancied the Kraft up a bit with some stamping and a DP panel, other than the bow I've added no extra embellishments.  The image, however, is another matter! 

 

This week's sponsor is Pink Cat Studio, and they've provided this little cutie...Betty & Snowman Decorate Tree.  If you look closely, you will see I've added stickles (tree), glossy accents (hat and candy cane), glamour dust (snowman), and flocking (hat).  Just a few of my favourite things....

So, get those crafting caps on and get Krafty for your chance to win five digi images!   When you head over to the challenge, be sure to take a look at what the Krafty DT has created for you too!

A few challenges that I will also enter:

Creative Craft World - Christmas in June

Paper Crafting Journey - #13 Anything Goes + Blog Hop

Stampin for the Weekend - #11 My Favorite Things

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - Christmas in June  + Blog Hop

Top Tip Tuesday - #40 T is for.? (tearing, tag)

Whoopsie Daisy - Christmas in June