Hang In There!

Here's my card made for Skipping Stones sketch challenge #70!

I have loved these papers from Cosmo Cricket for a long time, but never quite knew what I would use them for. Most of my layouts are for boys. I'm really branching out with my card making!

I layered several of the patterns from the Cosmo Cricket, "Hey Sugar" collection, added the punched edge, and am absolutely in love with the little wire hangers!   The sentiment from Skipping Stones, Bras, Volume #1, was stamped repeatedly on the squares, and simple cream twine added. 

I made this card to enter in the sketch challenge at Skipping Stones. 
Yes, my wish list for their marvelous stamps continues! 
Check them out!

TWO!

The little guy I babysat for from the time he was 3 months old is turning 2 in a few weeks and I get to see him this Friday!  "Mom" is going for her follow-up ultrasound and we'll see if he's going to have a brother or a sister! How fun!  The best part is that I'll get to spend a morning with him! He is so adorable!
And since he's learning to recognize and count his numbers, I wanted to include elements that he can read on the card!  I am constantly bragging to anyone who will listen how he can identify all the letters of the alphabet!

I know it's not the BEST card I've ever made, but I believe that we often loose track of who the recipient is.  I wanted to make a card that Noah would like.  
The papers are Martha Stewart; Dr. Seuss alpha's and images, Fiskars scallop; EK Success punch;  sentiment by TPC Studio; and buttons from Bazzill.

                                   My little guy - Noah.

I will be entering this card in the sketch challenge at Walting Mouse.

Cardabilities Sketch Challenge #27

This week at Cardabilities, we have yet another great sketch from
Karan Gerber!

Maybe it's just me, I immediately thought "Turn it on it's side, and it's a domino!"  I have been drawn to my red and black papers (ever since I bought the DCWV, "Immortal Love" paper pack.  So I started looking there and ended up with this!

The paper I ended up using was Pink Paislee, Twilight collection; Bazzill white cardstock; twine from Kraft Outlet; Dritz thread; and Helmar 450 adhesive. 

It's difficult to see in the picture, but the white cardstock was embossed with my Cuttlebug folder, Swiss Dots.  It made a very subtle, but nice addition.

I like the symplicity of this card. It doesn't have glitter, lace, ribbon, or even a fancy border...but it has a romantic look none-the-less. I don't think it would scare most men away!  (wink, wink)

Check out the challegne this week and join in!  See you there!

This card also meets the challenge requirements for:

Cuttlebug Spot Challenge (Twine)

Bo Bunny Blings It On!

The challenge at Bo Bunny this week is to use Bo Bunny papers and to add bling to your project! I have also been dying to use this image from Kraftin' Kimmie. With all the home projects we have scheduled over the next month, and friends who are renovating their own homes, I thought what a good idea for a Spring "housewarming" gift card!

Let's clean, paint, and decorate our way into Spring!

Bo Bunny papers used: Popsicle collection; Stickles; and acrylic paints. The corner paint "spills" really sparkle!  Sorry they are not so sparkly in the picture. I also used my Creative Memories circle cutter for the first time in a while!

The sketch I used was from Stamptacular Sunday.  I took some liberty with the corner pieces, but I think the paint really works!  Their sketches are so unique!

This card will also be entered in the challenge at
Kraftin'Kimmie (Anything Goes)

你 好 (HELLO)

To see how to enter to win a
Spellbinders Grand Calibur, scroll down to bottom of this post....

My card today is for the challenge at Imaginisce. 
The sketch is:
                      

and the requirements were :
3 Papers
3 Colors
3 Embellies

I loved this Imaginisce paper as soon as I saw it, but had no idea what I would use it for! This will make a perfect little "Chinese greeting" to someone, perhaps next Chinese New Year?

I think the little panda is adorable, and found the Chinese translation for "hello" online (what can't you find on the internet?)


I used papers from the Wild Things Collection, and the Cricut cut Flower, Life is a Beach; leaf ribbon; and an Imaginisce crystal. 
HELLO - Simply said.

For those hoping to win one the new Grand Calibur Die Cut machines from Spellbinders, go to FaveCraft, see the details, and enter daily!

Happy Happy Koi Card!

A very special friend is having a birthday tomorrow, and I knew I had to make a very special card.  She has a beautiful koi pond in her yard and this is one of her passions. It is such a relaxing, calm part of their yard where you can watch the fish for hours and hear little but the trickling water fall.
Knowing how much she enjoys her koi, I put together this card with a fish brooch attached so that it could be removed and used again and again.

I had spotted on the SEI Scrapbookaholic by Abby's Blog that March 3rd was "I Want You To Be Happy" Day and I can't imagine anyone I would want to be happier on her birthday and every day than this dear friend.

SEI, "Moonrise" paper; gold ribbon; Spellbinders Nestibilities, Labels 4; fish brooch.  These papers reminded me of asian water lilies.

I assembled the card, with the last step being applying a large foam dot covered with a circle cut from the gold pattern paper. I then pushed the brooch through to attach it temporarily to the front of the card. 
This makes for a very sweet and easy reusable gift with your card!

This card will also be entered in the challenges at:
KaboodleDoodle (Birthday)
Paper Sundaes (Keep it Simple)
ScrapFit (Glitter and Glam)
Simon Says (Anything Goes)
Woodware Clear Stamps (Spring is coming!)
Secret CrafterSaturday (Flowers for Mum)
One Stop Craft Challenge (Clean and Simple)
CraftyCatzWeeklyChallenge (Yellow and Green)

Sassafras March Layout Challenge

BLOCKING!
This month at Sassafras, the challenge is to use the "Blocking" method on your layout. I love all of their papers, but have not been able to add to my lines in a while. Sooo, I pulled out my older Sassafras paper packs, and put together my 5 year old grandson's soccer page.  I will add a second page to it eventually, but really adored this picture of him so intently waiting in the goal for the ball!  His the team's official goalie!  How cool is that!

I popped up the journal card and added felt "grass". I know there's no green grass on the field, but in Arizona, this is what you get....brown dirt. 
The paper lines I used primarily were Sassafras Lass, Bungle Jungle and Hog Heaven. The ribbon is Queen & Co.
With all of the little co-ordinating die cuts and ready-made stickers that Sassafras includes, I really didn't feel as though I needed to add much more!  Gotta love that!
The prize this month is $50 worth of goodies! Wish me luck! I need some new papers!

My Mind's Eye Anyone?

I love that My Mind's Eye has started having both layout and card challenges! The only problem is that it brings it to my attention that I have only older lines of the paper. I have been fairly good about NOT buying any more paper until I use some of what I have in my stash!
Guess I desperately need to WIN some! LOL!

The sketch is a fairly simple one and the request was to include a sentiment relating to the theme, "Celebrate Today".  I chose to celebrate a longtime friendship.

I used papers from My Mind's Eye, "Simply Delightful" stack; chipboard bird is MME, Bohemia, "Bliss Shapes"; stamp is Fiskars, Flower Sentiments; Recollections, pearls; and lace from JoAnn's.

I inked all my edges and made the scalloped edge by cutting a 1 inch strip of paper with my ProveCraft scallop scissors and pleat folding it. The pleats are more multi-dimensional because of pop dots applied to the back of the raised pleats.

Second post for today:

Ummm...okay.....

I had a very pleasant surprise today when UPS delivered a box to my door. I have been expecting a prize package from Zva, so you KNOW I was watching and waiting for that truck! 

After the guy pulled away, (I never go to the door while they are there because I'm usually in my sweats and t-shirt) I ran out to grab the box! It wasn't from Zva at all!  What??? I asked.  I didn't order anything recently(really, Larry) so what could it be?  

I opened it up and discovered I had WON a two piece saute set from WearEver.  I don't recall entering a contest, and had received no prior notice that I had won anything.  Wierd, eh?  Oh well, I never look a gift horse, or free cookware, in the mouth!  Most of you already know how I love to cook, so they will be well-used!

Here's wishing everyone a happy and lucky rest of the week!

Cardabilities Sketch Challenge

I have a grandson's birthday coming up and realized that I have not made a child's card in a bit. I had a stockpile of simple cards I had made duplicates of to send out to Send Love Today, but nothing specifically for a birthday. What better place to find a great sketch?  Cardabilities! And since I will be joining the design team in April, I had better start using each and every sketch! This one left lots of options for embellies.

I had also decided to use up the products that I already have. My scrap room is going to need re-organizing very soon. 
The paper die cuts and strips are Cosmo Cricket, Cogsmo; the pre-painted wood robot was purchased at Michaels' on a clearance table for 20 cents; the screw brads I picked up at last year's CKC; and the vellum sentiment is from Colorbok. My 6 year old grandson will love it, if only for the robot!
(I miss my pretty papers, doilies, lace, and ribbons...)

Be sure to check out the other cards at Cardabilities this week! And enter one of your own! They always have some super sponsors!

WOOHOO!

I came home from three days caring for my mother who just had hip replacement surgery on Tuesday to find out that I had made the Cardabilities Design Team! 
I'm still reeling from the news!

 Talk about something coming at just the right time!  Any of you who know me are aware that I have been wanting to get on that team for a very long time. My time spent as a design team member on "Thoughts 2 Paper" left me wanting more!
So, as of April 15th, you will be seeing bi-monthly cards and projects here on my blog made for the sketch challenges at Cardabilities. I hope to see many of you join us! They have some great sponsors and so many wonderful ideas!
 They also have a terrific forum that anyone can join! Check it out here!

My fellow Design Team Members names' can be found on my side bar!
I will still be posting projects and entering many of the other challenges I have been taking part in. With summer coming, and the HOT, HOT Arizona weather, I may be indoors even more now! LOL!

Birthday Gift Card - Card!

I am always at a loss when it comes to a man's birthday card! Especially when you want to include a gift card!  I thought about the little "critter" from Paper Smooches, and decided he would deliver the perfect message!

                                 
Inside of card....

 This would work for any holiday or occasion.

I used Kraft cardstock for the base; Bazzill cardstock for sentiment and inside of card; Fancy Pants pattern paper, Kraft Kuts; Image, Paper Smooches, Birthday Buddies; twine, Kraft Outlet, and Momento Rich Cocoa ink. 

I pulled out my Zutter Distrezz-It-All and roughed up the edges a bit. To make the little tassle, I merely looped some embroidery thread and attached it to the hat!  The inside pocket is stitched with my sewing machine.



Entered in challenges at:

Sassy Little Card Sketches

Kraft (Cute as a button)
Paper Smooches (Guest Design challenge)
Woodware USA (Anything Goes)