I'm Baaaaaaack

I'm back from my week taking care of my parents. All are well and I want to thank everyone for their many thoughts and prayers. No time to craft while I was there, so today I got into my room and felt right at home. This is for Bugaboo's Wacky Wednesday challenge over at Paper Craft Planet and CDAC -- doodles and dimensionals. It's actually their last Wacky Wednesday challenge and I'm sad, but I'm looking forward to what else they may have up their sleeve. I used a digital from Bugaboo Stamps called Raggedy Critters - Bunny. Pitiful doodles are done around the designer paper scraps and that layer as well as the bunny layer are each popped up. Wish I didn't insert that loop of ribbon, but it is so glued in there, I didn't want to try to pull it out!! Time to go pass out candy to all the ghost and goblins, so have a spooky Halloween!!

Spooky and Sweet

Hehe, I always like to push the envelope a little bit, it keeps life interesting. My card is for the "Spooky Sweets" challenge over at the Fresh Brewed Blog. Mine is spooky (well, sorta) AND sweet (pumpkin spice latte, yum). What can I say, I did my best to get ahead of the game for this week. I am out of town right now at my parents and hopefully this will post as scheduled. I used a digital image from Fresh Brewed Designs called Pumpkin Latte. Two bat brads and two googly eyes and now it's spooky for sure!!!! Enjoy your day. Find time to stamp today and join us at the Fresh Brewed Blog for some "Spoooooooky Sweets."

A Fruitful Fall

At the time this post goes live, I will have been at my parents for several days. Mom is having a knee replacement and Dad is early Alzhiemers so I will be helping them both out. They don't own a computer (GASP) so I bought a smartphone so I can have a mobile hotspot...hopefully I can get it to work. So if you don't hear from me in awhile, you'll know I didn't!!!!
Here is Arlana's super fun sketch for this week. Play along, you'll be glad you did...

Especially now that you see Bugaboo Stamps is our sponsor!! The grand prize winner will receive 7 FREE DIGIS!! How fabulous is that!!!

I had so much fun using the digital image Bobblehead Thanksgiving Indian Boy. I paired him up with some scraps I pulled out of my scrap bin. My goal is to make a dent in that box filled with scraps!!!! Not anywhere close to that yet. Now I hope to see you playing along with our sketch challenge this week, you'll have a blast!

Picture Perfect Creations

Welcome to the Picture Perfect Creations color challenge. This will be our last challenge until further notice. You can read all about it on the Picture Perfect Creations blog. But we certainly want you to play along because, like all the other challenges before this, it's a winner!!! Check it out, Not quite navy, Pool party, Daffodil delight and Pretty in pink.

I created my card using a digital stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps called October Flower of the Month. Like a lot of my cards this past week, this one was kept simple too. I haven't made a tent card in awhile so that's what I did. Now please be sure and join us for this fabulous color combo! And thank you to all who have created with us, it has been a blast.

Happy Fright Night

Isn't this a wonderful picture? Absolutely perfect for fall. It's actually the inspiration photo found at Paper Lovin' Gals challenge blog. This is their second challenge and I've been having a blast with them both. Now of course I went with the pumpkin theme...

And created this card! These cute little pumpkin digis are from Fresh Brewed Designs. I love that you can size digital stamps to fit your needs. I love their expressions - the one on top is really quite happy, the middle one has an uncertain smile on his face while the one on the bottom is yelling "oooooooh noooooooo!!" So fun to make, that's for sure. This also fits the monthly challenge theme at Fresh Brewed Blog of pumpkins!!

Is it Coffee??

No, it's witch's brew!!!!! Hehehehehehehe - done in my best witch's laugh!! I wanted to show you this card for the Inspirational Card Sketches challenge blog. I messed up last week not making a card for their sketch, one that was being sponsored by Fresh Brewed Designs, for whom I am a DT member. Ooops! So this week I will play, using a Fresh Brewed Designs digi called Coffee in Cake. I wanted to keep with the Halloween theme because I had just bought that gorgeous ribbon at my local stamp store and simply had to put it to good use. This card also fits the color challenge going on at the Fresh Brewed Blog, orange, black and purple.

It's Sunday...are you ready for some football?!! We always eat dinner sitting in front of the TV Sunday nights so we can watch and cheer. I know, bad parenting, but gosh it's fun!!!

Flying By

This is my second post for today. I adore Doodle Pantry images. I had printed off several of the pre-colored images and wanted to put them to use. I found that Doodle Pantry was sponsoring The Corrosive Challenge so why not play! Their theme is "Flying Things." Now yes, balloons do fly, but ants on balloons???? I'm gonna say they will fly too!!! I'm rather busy getting ready to spend next week taking care of my parents so I've been keeping my cards simple. The paper is in the set of these Balloon Ants that you can find HERE. I stayed with the blue and white, Pacific point to be exact.

I'm off to get more cards done and scheduled for next week. Hopefully all will work out as planned.

S'More Bears

There's nothing like making s'mores over a campfire on a cool autumn evening. I've tried making them in the microwave and they just don't measure up. Isn't this digi adorable?!! It was just released this month at Clear Dollar Stamps and you can find it HERE. I loved the sketch over at Come and Get it Challenges, so hopefully I will get this submitted before it closes!!!

I might be out of action next week. I will have some posts scheduled though. I am heading to my parents', Mom is having a knee replacement and Dad is early Alzheimer's. I'll be busy taking care of them but plan on taking lots of stamps and images to color!! I can dream, can't I?! I went phone shopping the other day and came home with a Smartphone so I can have a mobile hotspot to connect to the internet with my laptop. We'll see how that works as hubby is the computer whiz and will be busy himself with work and the boys! Like I said, I may be out of action!!

Inspired by Pink

Welcome to our latest Clearly Inspired Challenge. The challenge is to use pink, lots of pink!! I used a Clear Dollar Stamps clear acrylic set called Graceful Skater. My pinks are Melon mambo and Pretty in pink. The designer paper is a scrap - hooray that I used from my scraps, but only one piece!!!! I need to make a bunch of backgrounds with nothing but strips of scraps...maybe by then I will think I've made a dent in that collection!!!! Anyway, join us for our PINK challenge then mail it off to a friend, just to let her know you were thinking of her.

EEEEEEK!!

Open if you dare!!!! But why would you want to when there's an adorably spooky monster on the front! Heheheheh! This card is for the latest challenge at the Fresh Brewed Blog...use the colors orange, black and purple. I used the scariest monster, Lollipop Monster, from Fresh Brewed Designs. He is one of three monsters that are a definite must have for your monster collection!! I used Copic markers and Crystal Effects on his teeth and the lollipop. The cute little felt spider sticker with the googlie eyes helps to cover up an oops!!! I know, I should never give away my secrets!!! Now join us this week at the Fresh Brewed Blog for our color challenge. Don't forget, the monthly challenge is also still going on, and that one's a Pumpkin theme. Have a fun Thursday.

Let it Snow!

Actually, no snow yet please...or ever for my liking!! I actually want to welcome you to another Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Look at that great sketch Arlana has created for this week!!! You really must join us because it's a fun one.
You want to know what else is fun? Why our sponsor of course! Digi Stamp Boutique has the most adorable images, be sure and check 'em out! Sally Ann is the owner and most generous person in the world. She sponsors us every month!!!! And the prize...why it's 6 free digital images!!
Now here's my "Let it Snow" card using Winter Chloe from Digi Stamp Boutique. Oh what a cutie she is. I had to put to use my brand new drippy goo Martha Stewart border punch - I think it works great as icicles too. Thanks for stopping, be sure and check out what the rest of the SSW DT made...their blog links are all along my right sidebar. Have a great Wednesday.

Paper Lovin' Gals

I found a new challenge blog featuring two talented ladies I "work" with on the Picture Perfect Creations challenge blog called Paper Lovin' Gals. Their first challenge is to find inspiration in the picture above.

Here is my card using a very old and never before used (shame on me!) TAC stamp set. I was inspired by the colors and, sure, the pic is of a pitcher and mine is a watering can, but it was still my inspiration (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!!). I had "one of those days" yesterday so keeping it simple was the best I could do. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.

It's Still Lookin' Like Fall

What gorgeous colors the leaves are changing into this year. But darn, those silly things have to fall leaving us with all that raking!! Guess that's why they call it Fall! It's Monday, and you know what that means, a challenge from Picture Perfect Creations. Instead of a color challenge, we are looking for a fall or Halloween creation. I decided to use a Bugaboo Stamps image, AKV Fall Leaves. This is the second time I've used this color combo and I think it's now my favorite fall colors! This is actually the color challenge that I'm submitting this card to for Bugaboo's Wacky Wednesday. Now we would love to see what you've got for our Specialty Challenge (Fall or Halloween) here at Picture Perfect Creations.

October's Clear Dollar Stamps Blog Hop

Welcome to our October blog hop here are Clear Dollar Stamps. You should have arrived here from Lori's blog. She is the beginning of the hop so be sure to start there because you don't want to miss out on a chance of being our winner of a $25 gift certificate for digital stamps...and you are so in luck because we just had a new release yesterday!!!

Our theme this month is "Happy Fall Y'all." I used the stamp set Harvest Hellos for the pumpkin and acorn (I love 2 step stamping with solid stamps) and the sentiment is from a digital set just released called Harvest Charlie. I loved being able to size it to fit the sketch, which is from Sketch Frenzy Friday. The designer paper is from Bo Bunny's Forever Fall collection.

Now be sure and keep hoppin'. Your next stop is Lorie's blog, Live-Love-Laugh-Create 2.

New Digis at Clear Dollar Stamps

It's digi release day at Clear Dollar Stamps, and I couldn't be more excited to show them off to you! What a fabulous release!!! Check 'em all out HERE on Lori's blog. This first card is from the set Autumn Critters Color. I even used one of the digital papers included in this set.
Here's another set already colored up called Christmas Cuties Color. Once again, I used one of the digi papers included. I love these sets that not only are colored but also include paper. Talk about coordination without the need to search for designer papers!
Now I had to show you this one, January Flower of the Month, to prove that I will put marker to card stock when I need to!!!!! The sentiment is from the stamp set Assemble Together. Wanted to keep this one clean and simple, but still had to hit that sewing machine, didn't I!!!

Be sure and check out all the other samples created by the very talented Digital Design Team. You can see it all on Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp. Now come back tomorrow, we are having our CDS monthly blog hop. You are going to be amazed by what you see! And by leaving lots of comments, you get a chance at a very sweet prize! See you tomorrow.

Quirky Crab

I adore the quirky critters from Doodle Pantry. My favorite are the ones already colored!!!! Talk about a time saver. This one is called Quirky Crab. I'm going to send this one off to my niece who is doing an internship in Disney World...lucky girl! I'm hoping to get down there while she's still there, maybe she could give us some behind the scenes tours!! I didn't print off the digital papers that are also included in this set, my printer was giving me grief at the time. That's okay though, it gave me the opportunity to use up a bit of scraps. I'm submitting this to the Doodle Pantry challenge found HERE on their blog. For playing along, you receive the featured product, Quirky Penguin, for free...how wonderful is that!!!!

Criss Cross Christmas

I always get all hot and bothered with challenges that take me out of my comfort zone. Don't laugh, but the challenge over at the Fresh Brewed Blog of "Fancy Folds" did just that. To the resource pages at Splitcoast I went and found this tutorial for Criss Cross cards. I've been working on Christmas cards so why not keep it going! I used a digi from Fresh Brewed Designs called Cat and Mouse Nap. These two friends are so adorable, fast asleep waiting for Santa. I think they ate up all the milk and cookies and that's why they are sound asleep!!! The card inside says "Purrfect Holiday." Very fun and easy to make.

Enjoy your Thursday. I've got lots of things going on today so it's go, go, go!!

It's Lookin' Like Fall

The trees are looking lovely this time of year, showing off their ever changing colors of red, orange and yellow. Welcome to another installment of the ever popular Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Play along this week with this fabulous sketch and you could be in the running for a fabulous prize. Please be sure and leave a comment too.

Speaking of a prize, Sassy Cheryl's is our very fine sponsor this week!! Just take a look in her store, you will be amazed at the whimsical images. The prize up for grabs this week is a $5 gift certificate...how fun that would be to win!!!

Here's my card, using the digital image Pumpkin Wagon Boy. And, I'm always happiest when I have a sketch to work with that has lots of layers, that way I can use lots of dsp scraps, like I did here! I couldn't believe it when I found this ribbon in my stash too, absolutely perfect in olive and white. Now be sure and check out the rest of the wonderful creations by the Sweet Sketch Wednesday DT. They are such a talented group of ladies!!

I am submitting this card to the pumpkin challenge over at the ABC DT Challenge blog.

Bugaboo Sketch Challenge

I enjoy playing along with the Bugaboo Stamps Wacky Wednesday challenges at Paper Craft Planet and Crafters Digital Art Center. This one is a sketch challenge and I only had a few hours to finish it and get it posted if I wanted to be eligible for the prize drawing!! And of course I do because the winner receives 5 free Bugaboo images!!!!! I used the image AKV Fall Wheelbarrow Kids. I found some old SU designer paper called Apple Cider and used Close to cocoa, Dusty durango, and River rock as my cardstocks. I'm finding the colors a little dull for me, but like I said, I only had a few hours to get this done and posted. Can't wait till tomorrow to see what the next challenge will be.

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down to see the card I created using one of the digis you can purchase as part of the fund raiser going on for fellow crafter and DT member for Clear Dollar Stamps, Katie Renz. Details on how you can help is also included in that post.

Help for Katie

There is another blog hop going on to raise money for Katie Renz, DT leader of Clear Dollar Stamps. You can check out all the details HERE. As many of you in the stamping world know, Katie is battling gastric cancer. Exclusive stamps and digis are available for purchase as well as a chance to simply donate with 100% of the money raised going to Katie and her family. I'm using a precolored digi by True :D Doodle Designs as well as two of the digi papers included in the set.

I hope this fund raiser is over the top successful in an effort to help out Katie and her family. Dear Katie, know that you are ALWAYS in my thoughts and in my prayers.

Peace on Earth

What wonderful colors we have for you to work with at Picture Perfect Creations!!!! Of course they made me sweat for a moment because of that purple!!! I have to learn to embrace the purples!!
And here it is, a Christmas card using Wisteria wonder, Crumb cake and Early espresso. Just what you were thinking, perfect colors for a Christmas card!!!!! Anyway, I followed the tutorial for making this tree that I found HERE (thanks Jan). Very fun to make! Now it's your turn to have some fun and make something with these colors. Be sure and post it HERE for all to see.

Day #3 of Product Parade

I only have one card to show you today for the third day of our Product Parade at Clear Dollar Stamps, but boy was it a fun one to create. Lori has release a new stamp set and coordinating die set called Build a Quilt. Here is a link for the stamp set, and here is for the die set. I had fun going to different quilting sites and checking out the different patterns out there...and wow are there a lot of patterns. The one I used is called All American. I just bought Bo Bunny's Liberty Collection designer paper pack, and I couldn't wait to get into it. So this seemed like the perfect pattern to use. And I was able to die cut out all of the red pieces as well as stamp the stitching lines in place. Of course I'll make more with this set, it is just way too much fun!!

Head on over to Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp, for more inspiration.

Product Parade Day #2

Welcome back to Day 2 of our Product Parade at Clear Dollar Stamps. So many wonderful stamp sets were released this quarter and you can find them all HERE. I have a few samples to show you so enjoy.

This is a set called Windowbox Wishes. An absolutely stunning set and a total must have!! I used a nestability to cut out the squares in both my white top layer as well as the top of the yellow card layer. Two thin strips of white were then adhered to a clear piece of acetate. I taped that to the white layer and with dimensionals popped it up on top of the card. The windowbox itself was heat embossed and colored with Tombow markers and a blender pen. There's an SVG file available to cut out these images for you...what a time saver.

Here is a single sentiment stamp called Window from Heaven. How perfect it would be with the Windowbox Wishes set!!! I chose to use it by itself with a sketch from Operation Write Home.

Doesn't this little bunny just make you smile?! He is a cutie and from the stamp set Snow Friends. I heat embossed him too and colored with Tombow markers. The cardinal I stamped directly on to the blue and colored with Copic markers. The bunny is popped up in between the two layers of "snow."

Talk about simplicity, this is it. The wonderful stamp set Christian Friendship is being shown here. What a lovely set to use to let a friend know how much they mean to you.

My last card shows the latest release, Mark 16:15. I included it with Cross Messages stamp and die sets.

That's all I have for today. Still more coming tomorrow so be sure and come back. Head on over to Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp, to see what the rest of the DT created.

Product Parade at Clear Dollar Stamps

Welcome to our Product Parade here at Clear Dollar Stamps. There are so many wonderful sets to show you over the next few days you won't want to miss a minute of it. Today I have six cards to share so be sure to have your cup of coffee or tea, something to munch on, and get ready for some fun.

The sentiment is what's been released this quarter..."Jesus is the best gift of all." I paired it with another individual stamp, Pretty Present. Being one who loves non-traditional Christmas colors, I thought this could be used for the holidays.

Next up is another single sentiment, Celebrate the Reason. I wanted to keep the card simple so this lovely sentiment could be the star. The flower is a die cut and my attempt at creating a poinsettia!! Once I had it made I realized it looked nothing like a poinsettia, but I still liked it, so on the card it went!

Here is a gorgeous set called Little Bethlehem. My inspiration for this card came from the designer paper, Basic Grey's Marrakech. I loved the colors and patterns of it. I heat embossed the village and used my Tombow markers to watercolor. The angle cut along the left side was actually a mistake on my part that needed cut away - guess I shouldn't be giving away my secrets!!

Here we have a card showing off the set Antique Ornaments. What a lovely set! We all have grown up with Christmas trees decorated with these ornaments, I just know it. I wanted to keep mine simple, yet throw in that twist of non-traditional colors. So fun.

So glad you're still with me. This next set is so much fun, Christmas Inch Stamps. There's even an SVG file that coordinates with this set, and you can find it HERE. I must have been in the clean and simple mood, because here's another one!!! I love the white on white with just a hint of color here and there.

The last card I have to show you today is from Poinsettia Joy. A gorgeous large flower, perfect for stamping multiple times and layering away. I wanted to show this flower in a different color than the usual red. If I may say, I love how it turned out. Almost vintage, yet very simple. The card is my fave 4.25 inches square. I wanted to showoff the beautiful flower without alot of other papers and embellishments. Just a bit of lace and that's it.

Thank you for staying with me, be sure and check out Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp. You will see each set and what all is included in it. We have several more days of our Product Parade so be sure and come back. In the mean time, head on over to Clear Dollar Stamps and start shopping.

Be Thankful

I have such a long list of things I am thankful for, but this week, I am thankful for finding an itsy bitsy bit of time to get into my craft room and create. We all need that outlet and when I don't get to stamp every day, I have so many ideas in my head that it's hard to concentrate to get anything done! I made this card for the wonderfully fun monthly challenge over at the Fresh Brewed Blog, pumpkins. I used a Fresh Brewed Designs image called Angel Cake Fall Wagon. As a kid I too had a little red wagon that I remember putting all my dolls and stuffed animals in and outside they would go with me to play. Ahhhhh the memories! Now I must admit, this is a total and completely shameless CASE from a kit I purchased at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. Thank you Korin for the inspiration.

Be sure and come back tomorrow. We begin our Product Parade of the new quarterly release from Clear Dollar Stamps. You won't want to miss it!

It's a Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Hello and welcome to another Sweet Sketch Wednesday. I am always amazed at all of the wonderful cards that are created with Arlana's sketches. Here's the latest one you get to have fun with, I know I did.

Our sponsor this week is Saturated Canary, and the winner will receive 2 free digis. Krista is the owner and a little bit about her is below, in her own words. Thank you Krista for sponsoring us!!

"My name is Krista Smith. I am the artist behind the Etsy shop, Saturated Canary Digis. I began working in the stamping world about a year ago when I was hired to create rubber designs for the sweet Scottish company, Sugar Nellie. They launched my artwork under the name 'Simply Sassy.' I moved into the digital world just this past month (it's been a super busy month, indeed!). And-- I love it!! There is a little more freedom here, as I can create anything that pops into my head:)! I am so humbled by the artistic talent of the girls coloring in my designs-- it is truly an inspiration! Likewise, I am so thankful for the friendships I've made in this wonderful and lovely crafty community! It's been a true delight! I'd love for you to stop by my challenge/inspiration blog, Saturated Canary Challenge, and join in the fun...And, while you're there, click over to my personal blog (Saturated Canary) and introduce yourself! I am a bit eclectic and touch on everything from family (I've got me a great one!) to fashion (obsessed!)...Please say 'hi!'...I'd love to be friends!:)"

Here's my card showing off one of Krista's adorable Ragamuffins. You really need to head over to her shop and look around, you'll find them irresistible. Be sure and check out what the rest of the DT has created HERE, they always inspire me.