Coffee Break -- For The Paper Shelter

 Hello, and happy February!  Thanks for visiting my blog today!  Challenge #624 is starting at The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.  The theme is 'create your own background'.  You are free to use any image, but using a TPS image makes for a better prize if you win the challenge. 

For today's challenge I used the image Coffee Break II.  Isn't she adorable?

It must be the dreariness of winter that is making me reach for bright colors.  

I created the Coffee Break II image using Olo and Copic markers, then fuzzy cut her out.

The background was creating with watercolor markers by Altenew on watercolor hot press paper by Ranger.  The sentiment is from Pink & Main.  The dewdrops are from my stash.  

Here's a graphic explaining the prize structure:

I hope you can join us this week at The Paper Shelter challenge for our 'create your own background' challenge.  I'd love to see what you create! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Passion for Markers -- all about love

Try it on Tuesday-- Romance

Digichoosday -- ATG

Snowy Day -- For All Dressed Up Stamps

 It's February 1, and it's time for the first challenge of the year at All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group.  The theme of the challenge this month is 'For the Girls'.  Wendy has dozens and dozens of adorable images that fit this theme in the ADU Store.  Check them out!

Since it's bitterly cold where I live this time of year (-11F today with windchills of -24), I wanted to work on an image that would fit my mood.  Snowy Days fit the challenge theme and my cold, cold feet, lol! 

I colored Snowy Days with a combination of Copic markers and Olo Markers.  I was originally going to cut her out, but I didn't want to lost the snowflakes that adorn the image.  I cut her out with a stitched rectangle die from Taylored Expressions instead.  I made the background using a piece of Arctic card stock from Hero Arts.  I blended 3 shades of Taylored Expressions inks around the outside edges, then used Unicorn White pigment ink by Hero Arts and a small dotted stencil from Taylored Expressions.  The sentiment and the backer are from Pink & Main.  I thought it was perfect for this image. 

The challenge ate All Dressed Up Stamps facebook group goes all February.  I hope you can join in the fun! I'd love to see your creations. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Cards for Gals -- Anything but Square

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends -- ATG

Polkadoodles -- ATG

Digichoosday -- ATG

I Love You -- For Di's Digistamps Challenges

February 1 -- the month we celebrate love.  February 1 is also the start of a new challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenge.  The theme for the next 2 weeks is "Have a Heart" (use at least 1 heart on your project).  You don't need to use a Di's Digistamps image, but we sure like it when we do!

I used the darling Di's image, Have the Micest Day for the "Have a Heart" theme challenge.  The image is available in both black & white and colored.  This is the black and white version: 

I colored Have the Micest Day with Copic markers. Aren't they adorable little mice? I recently found a mouse in my garage, and I have to admit, my first thought was NOT "how cute!"

I used a stitched rectangle die from Taylored Expression to cut this out, then backed it with a tiny hearts digital paper from AMB Illustrations.  I heat embossed the sentiment and the tiny red hearts with a stamp set from Spellbinders.  I small stitched heart from Pink & Main was the perfect size for the sentiment.  I heart embossed with white pigment ink and super fine white embossing powder.  It's my favorite way to heat emboss with white.  

I hope you enjoyed my card and your visit to my blog.  Please join in with our "have a heart" challenge at Di's Digi Designs Challenges.   I'd love to see what you create!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Creative Fingers -- ATG

Cut It Up Challenges -- Have a Heart

Festive Fridays -- Valentines

Three Chilly Penguins -- for Di's Digistamps Challenge

 Hello, and welcome to 2025!  It's going to be a crafty. inspiring year!!

Today is the first day of the new challenge at Di's Digistamps Challenges.  Our month-long break is over, and it's back to the fun of creating. The theme for the next 2 weeks is "hand colored image".  You can use any image you want, but you'll be entered into a separate drawing if you use a Di's Digistamps image.  She has sooooooo many cute ones in her online Etsy shop.  When I wrote this post on 1-2-25, everything in the store was 50% off.  I hope you get in on the sale!!

For the hand colored image challenge, I colored up Three Chilly Penguins.  I had so much fun with this!

Three Chilly Penguins -- darling, aren't they? I colored the image with a combination of Copic markers and Altenew Artistry markers.  I used a mini slimline die from Spellbinders to cut out the Three Chilly Penguins.  The sentiment is from Pink & Main.  The gems are from my stash.

I hope you can join our challenge this next 2 weeks.  I'd love to see what you create! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

ABC Christmas challenge -- favorite color (rainbow) and animals (penguins)

Digichoosday -- ATG

Elliebelle's Crafty Corner -- ATG

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

AUD Sentiments -- Winter, with a sentiment

Promarker Challenge -- Mega Christmas Challenge

A Cheerful Snowman -- for The Paper Shelter

 Hello, crafty friends!  It's time for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter.  This is our Christmas Break challenge.  It will run for a month to give the design team a little break.

I used one of my favorite winter images from The Paper Shelter -- A Cheerful Snowman -- 

I colored A Cheerful Snowman with a combination of Copic and Olo markers.  The wonky stitched oval dies that I used tout out and back the image have been in my stash for a long time and no longer have an identifying label on them.  The snowflakes were cut out with glitter card byAltenew.  I used a combination of snowflake dies by Cheery Lynn and Lawn Fawn.  The sentiment is by Hero Arts, cut out with a die from Pink & Main. 

I hope you can join us this next month at The Paper Shelter.  The above graphic explains the rules of the challenge and the prizes you could win.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

The Holly and Ivy Challenge -- AT Christmas Goes

AUD Sentiment -- Christmas or Winter

A Cut Above -- ATG

DigiChoosday -- ATG

Passion for Markers -- ATG

Singing Snowman -- for Di's Digistamps

 Fa la la la laaaaaaaaaaaaa! It's almost Christmas. 

I've been in the mood for coloring up Snowman and cute critters.  This darling image from Di's Digistamps, called Singing Snowman, definitely fits the bill!  

Here's Singing Snowman: 

See? Isn't that adorable?!? I think the receipient of this card will definitely smile upon opening it.

I colored Singing Snowman with Copic markers.  The dies I used to cut it out and mount it are from Taylored Expressions.  The sentiment is part of a stamp set from Pink & Main. The gems are from my stash. The red dotted paper is from Crafter's Companion. I thought it was a perfect match with the ribbon on the snowman's hat. 

I hope you like my Singing Snowman.  I enjoyed creating it very much.  Di's Digistamps are too cute not to color up! 

Thanks for visiting my blog! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge -- 'S' is for Silent Night (singing)

Aloha Friday Challenge -- Winter/Christmas

Creative Fingers -- ATG

Holly Jolly Mice -- for Di's Digistamps

 December -- are your Christmas cards done?  I'm sharing another one I made today, just in case I need it. You'd think I'd know exactly how many I need, but honestly, I never exactly know.  So, therefore, here's another to add to the growing pile.

I made this with a Di's Digistamp image.  I just love her stamps, and color them up whenever I have a chance.  They are so precious! This card is made using Holly Jolly Mice:

I colored up Holly Jolly Mice using Copic markers.  I thought a circle die best fit the shape of the Holly Jolly Mice digi, and I tried a few different shapes.  The designer papers are from Crafter's Companion.  The sentiment is from a Pink & Main stamp set.  Thek die cut snowflakes are from my stash.  I've had them for years. 

I hope you visit the Di's Digistamps Etsy Shop to see all her wonderful images. 

I hope to enter this card in the following challenges: 

2 Sisters on the blog -- blue Christmas card

Love to Craft -- ATG

The Holly and the Ivy -- Christmas

Peace on Earth Challenge blog -- Christmas

My Big Scarf -- for The Paper Shelter

 Hello, fellow crafters!  Thanks for stopping by today.  It's  time for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.  The theme for challenge #618 is 'Dots &/or Stripes'.  I love combining dots & stripes, so this was a fun challenge for me.  Have you visited the Paper Shelter store lately?  There are so many fantastic sets to color, and each set comes with a pre-colored image, if coloring isn''t your thing.  There are also wonderful coloring books and pages. 

For this week's dots & stripes theme, I used the image, My Big Scarf: 

I started out by coloring the .jpg image of My Big Scarf with Copic markers, then started the hunt for dots & stripes papers to match the colors of the My Big Scarf image. I found both dots & stripes to match in a retired paper collection from Taylored Expressions.  

I created the card with mini slim cutting dies from Pink & Main.  They made constructing this card very easy. The sentiment is from a stamp & die set from Hero Arts. The gems to complete the card are by Altenew. 

The above graphic explains the the prizes given away each week at The Paper Shelter Challenges.  I hope you enter because I'd love to see what you create! 

Thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Passion for Markers -- Dies &/or punches -- used dies

Unicorn Challenges -- Christmas/Winter -- used winter theme

A Cut Above -- warm it up

Christmas Deer -- for all Dressed Up Stamps

 Greetings, fellow crafters. Thanks for visiting today.  It's November 1, and it's time for a new challenge in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group.  The theme this month is "Christmas is Coming".  It is, isn't it?  It's coming all too fast.  I've been busy making Christmas cards, but it will soon be time to send Christmas cards.  Eek!  I'm not ready for the busy-ness of it all.

Christmas is coming.  With that theme in mind, I made a card to add to my Christmas stash using the beautiful Christmas Deer image, found in the ADU Etsy shop. Here's my inspiration card...

I colored Christmas Deer using Copic markers.  I used some stitched arch dies from Pink & Main th frame it.  The dotted paper is from a Christmas paper pack from Crafter's Companion.  The holly & berry dies were from a one-day card making retreat sponsored by Scrapbook & Cards today.  I don't know what company made the dies for the class. The 'Joy' sentiment is by Taylored Expressions. 

I hope you can join us this month for the 'Christmas is Coming' challenge found in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group. It runs all month.

Enchanted Roses -- For The Paper Shelter

 Hello, crafty friends, and welcome to this week's challenge at The Paper Shelter!  This week's theme is 'Add Flowers'.  I love flowers, so this was a fun challenge for me.  

Usually I choose to color flowers with Copic markers.  This time, I used a preprinted flower that I found in the Paper Shelter Store. It's called Enchanted Nature- Romantic. I used one of the rose images, but there are many pretty flowers in this design resource.

Here's the card I created with the preprinted Enchanted Nature image:

The dies and sentiment are from Pink and Main. 

This set from The Paper Shelter would really help you develop shading skills in your coloring! 

I hope you can join us for our 'Add Flowers' challenge.  You can use a flower in your image, like I did, or you can add them with dies, diecuts, bling, or whatever pleases you.  The above graphic explains the prize structure for wins at The Paper Shelter challenges. I hope to see your pretty creations this week!

New Hair Do -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

 Hello crafty friend!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

It's a new month, and that means a new challenge at the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group.  The theme this month is 'Girls Rule'.   Yeah, I like that theme! 

I used the darling ADU image, New Hair do for my card:

I colored New Hairdo with Copic markers, then I used a sketch I found on Pink & Main.  The papers and flowers are from Pink & Main. The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions, and seemed to fit the monthly theme well. 

I hope you can join us this month for the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group. I'd love to see what you make!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations Challenge -- ATG

Simon Says Stamp, Wednesday Challenge -- Add a Sentiment

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

My Little Elf -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

 Dec. 1--How did we get here so fast!  I'm NOT ready for this busy Christmas season!

Dec 1 -- it's time for a new challenge in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook Group.  The challenge is the whole month of December.  Our theme this month is Layer It.  

I used a fairly new release on my project, My Little Elf, found in the All Dressed Up Stamps Etsy Shop. Here's my creation for the challenge: 

I colored My Little Elf with Copic markers. I tried for some not-so-traditional Christmas colors.

Here's how I layered up the card to fit the challenge criteria:  I cut My Little Elf out using a stitched arch die by Pink & Main.  I layered this unto another (bright green) arch layer.  These are both layered unto a piece of burgundy snowflake designer paper.  This was all glued unto a 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inch top folding card base. To add another layer, and a holiday embellishment, I added a candy cane die cut by Hero Arts. It is a 2-layer die.  The sentiment was 2 parts.  Both words are layered up 3 times and glued together to add some dimension.  

I hope you like My Little Elf.  Color up your own All Dressed Up Stamps image. Add some layers and enter the challenge.  I'd love to see what you create! 

Bushy Tail -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

 Welcome to November, and welcome to my blog!  Since it's a new month, there is a new challenge beginning today in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group. The theme this month is Gems, Sparkle, and Shine. 

November is the month of thankfulness for me.  I don't like to skip right over the Thanksgiving holiday.  With that in mind, I created this card for the challenge using Bushy Tail:

I colored Bushy Tail with Copic markers and Olo markers. I fussy cut it and mounted it on a piece of woodgrain cardstock from Crafter's Companion.  The paper with tress and a forest scene on it is from Brutus Monroe. 

It is hard to see in this photo, but there are orange gems all over the Bushy Tail.  They, and the clear gems, are from Taylored Epressions. The sentiment was embossed with white embossing powder.  The sentiment is from a Pink & Main stamp set. 

I hope you can join us this month for the All Dressed Up Facebook group challenge.  The theme of Gems, Sparkle, and Shine is a fun one!

I'd like to enter this in:

Passion for Markers Challenge -- Embellish It (lots of rhinestones on his tail)

Halloween Dress Up-- a New Release at All Dressed Up Stamps

 It's new release day at All Dressed Up Stamps! There are 3 new releases, all available in the ADU Etsy Shop.  You'll find inspiration for all 3 new releases in the ADU Facebook group and on the ADU Challenge blog. 

I had the pleasure of being able to create with the Halloween Dress new release.

Isn't this image darling?  I love Halloween Dress!   I colored her with a combination of Copic and Olo markers. I think Halloween Dress is all ready for the spooky holiday!

The spiderweb papers in orange and purple on this card are by We Are 3 Digital Shop. They are the Spider Webs papers, printable in 8 colors. 

The scalloped edge die and stitched rectangle are from Pink & Main.  The cute witch hat and Boo! sentiment are from Crafter's Companion.  The purple gems are from Taylored Expressions. 

I hope you enjoy this new release as much as I do!  Remember, she's available in the ADU Etsy shop.

Entering this in:

Passion for Markers-- Dies &/or punches (dies)

My Favorite Things -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

 Hello, August!  Summer is going so fast, but it is August.  That means that a new challenge is starting today in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group. The challenge will run all month.  This month's theme is "My Favorite Things". Such a fun theme!  Remember, you have to use an All Dressed Up Stamps image. You'll find them here.

I thought the image Summer Ice Cream portrayed many of my favorite things: summer, dogs, denim, and ice cream!

Here's what I created with Summer Ice Cream.  

I colored Summer Ice Cream with Copic markers. It doesn't show up in the pictures, but the light blue paper is embossed with clouds.  It is an embossing folder from Pink & Main. The kraft paper frame is by Taylored Expressions, as is the sentiment and strip. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you can join us for the 'My Favorite Things' challenge!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Passion for Markers challenge -- Your favorite color combo (red and blue)

DigiChoosday challenge -- ATG

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge -- ATG

Wellie Boots -- A New Release for All Dressed Up Stamps

 It's New Release day at All Dressed Up Stamps!  You can find great inspiration from the design team on Facebook, and on the ADU challenge blog. You'll find inspiration for 3 incredible new releases!

I had the joy of being able to create with Wellie Boots.  What could be cuter than a creation with this Wellie Boots digital stamp? 

I colored Wellie Boots with Copic markers. I then used a new set of stacking dies from Spellbinders to cut her out and layer her on the shaped card.  The papers are from AMB Illustrations and the watering can is from Crafter's Companion.  The sentiment is from a Pink & Main stamp set. 

I hope you check out the other great inspiration from the talented DT, and join us in our challenges.  I'd love to see what you create with this, or any other ADU image.

Happy crafting!

I'm entering this in the:

Passion For Markers challenge -- dies & or punches (dies)

The Paper Funday -- ATG/optional twist -- no squares 

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Digichoosday -- ATG

Hedgehog Flower -- For All Dressed Up Stamps

May day, May day!  It's the first day of May!   It's time for a new challenge in the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group.  The theme for May is Flower Power.  Easy peasy, right?  There are many amazing All Dressed Up Stamps images you could use to fit this theme. 

I love the Hedgehog Flower digital image, and used it for my challenge card:

I colored Hedgehog Flower with Copic markers,  then cut it out and layered it with dies from Pink & Main.  

I used digital papers from We Are 3 Digital Shop.  These are the Spring Fling papers. I used them on each layer of the card, and also to create the die cut flowers.  Dies used are from Queen & Company. I decorated them up with some gems from Pinkfresh Studios. 

I hope you enjoy Hedgehog Flower.  I'd love to see what you create! 

Egg Painting -- an All Dressed Up Stamps New Release

Hello, crafty friends!  Today is a New Release day at All Dressed Up Stamps.   You can find all the New Release inspiration on the All Dressed Up Stamps Challenge Blog, and in the ADU Facebook group. Today, I have the pleasure of designing with the awesome Easter image  called, Egg Painting.  Isn't it the sweetest?

I colored the darling girl and her bunny (Egg Painting) with Copic markers.  The sentiment is from an old Close To My Heart acrylic stand.

I cut out the Egg Painting image and backed her with dies from Pink & Main. The floral background paper is from Crafter's Companion.

Check out all the new release inspiration, and don't forget to enter the challenges!

Valentine's Girl -- for All Dressed Up Stamps

 Twice a  month, All Dressed Up Stamps DT members feature the new releases.  Today is one of those days.  Fun!! This month's new releases have a Valentine's feel for them, but definitely can be used for other occasions.  I made a "just because" type card with the New Releases, Valentine's Girl. Here she is!!

I colored Valentine's Girl with Copic markers, then used a set of large heart dies I have to construct the card and layer up Valentine's Girl.  The background paper is by We Are 3 Digital Shop. It is the Romantic Hearts paper. I heat embossed the sentiment, used a die from Pink & Main to cut it out, cut out another old heart die for the embellishment, and the card was done.

Visit the All Dressed Up Stamps Facebook group and the ADU blog for even more inspiration. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Sea You Soon -- For Dies R Us Challenges

 August 1 --the months keep flying by!  August 1 means there is a new challenge starting on the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  This month, the theme is Summer.  Yea, that's a fun theme! Make sure to use a brand of die sold in the Dies R Us Store, follow the theme, and you're all set! 

I love lighthouses, and kayaking to my favorite ones in the Apostle Islands.  When I think of summer, I think of kayaking trips on Lake Superior.  Those were my thought when I created this card:

The lighthouse scene die is from Hero Arts.  It's called Looking Glass Lighthouse. I colored it with Copic markers. I also used the Hero Arts Looking Glass Circle & Square Frames die. The sentiment is from the Hero Arts  Seas the Day clear stamp set.  I cut the sentiment out with Pink & Main Large Sentiment Strip Dies. The card is finished off with some Unicorn Pearls -- also from Pink & Main.

It's been nearly a month since I fractured my knee.  I had this card made before it happened.  I This will be my last post until I'm allowed to put weight on my knee.  I can't navigate stairs, and my craft room is in the basement.  It's looking like a couple more months of being in a wheelchair, and I'll hopefully be ready to walk again!

I hope you can join us this month for the Anything Goes Challenges. Enjoy the summer!