God Bless America

Can you believe it's almost July already?!! And with it comes Independence Day and that patriotic vibe. I wanted to share my card that I made for the color challenge over at The Outlawz Challenges - use the colors to that represent where you're from. I debated using black and gold since I'm such a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan, but went with red, white and blue instead!! The fact that I had my image already printed off and cut out helped make the decision for me!!! The image is from Doodle Pantry, a set called Let Freedom Ring Color. Now everyone knows what country I'm proudly from.

We leave early in the morning for vacation on the beach at the Outerbanks. I'm tired right now from stressing over it all...looking forward to a week of relaxation and sun.

Cala Lilies

My post will be as quick as it was to make this card!! These beautiful cala lilies are part of the Freebie challenge over at The Outlawz Challenges. It didn't even take me long to color. I've been using yellow more on my cards recently as a highlighting color. This time I wanted to let it stand proud front and center. And, like a lot of people, I never have a sympathy card on hand when I need it. Thanks for stopping.

Outlawz Sketch

The Outlawz Challenge site is having a 2000 member party, and the deadline to enter has been extended! This is the sketch and they wanted a card that tells where you are from.

I love creating with red, white and blue so Patriotic Charlie (I used the colored version) from Clear Dollar Stamps seemed like an obvious choice. Such a fun sketch, will have to use it again.

I'm trying with all my might to get myself ahead of the game with my DT requirements since we leave for the Outer Banks on Sunday. I can't wait!!! We rent a different house each year which is part of the fun. The forecast says sunny and HOT while we're there...I'll take that!!!

Peace

Happy Wednesday to you! Time for a new fun challenge over at the Fresh Brewed Blog, and this time it's a sketch. In case you didn't know...I LOVE SKETCHES!!! They are the perfect starting off point for card making.

In my constant attempt to get order into my life, I do my darndest to follow a sketch perfectly. Well, this time, I stretched it a bit. First of all, you can make a circle card or, if you prefer square, use the sketch within the square (make sense?). I'm still in a groovy mood from yesterday's post that I decided to use this digi called Peace Love Coffee. I actually cut out the cup and have it popped up in the circle, I love the dimension. Now let's see what you have up your sleeve with this sketch...be sure and have some fun with it.

Sweet 4th of July

Next week this time we'll be celebrating the 4th of July on the beach!! I thought I would get in the spirit early with this week's sketch and sponsor at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It's a fun and fabulous sketch so I hope you can join us.

Our sponsor this week is the wonderful Bugaboo Stamps. Our prize is 7 digital stamps of your choice absolutely free!!! How fun!

 Everything That You Ever Wanted to Know About Bugaboo Stamps: As if raising five children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the world of paper crafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. That was two years ago. Today Bugaboo Stamps is one of the leading companies in digital images, and we're still growing! From seriously snarky to sugary sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects. Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!


If your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo Stamps stamps at Totally Stampalicious. And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for weekly challenges at Catch the Bug.

Here's my card using the adorable Fancy Sunbonnet July USA digital image. I pulled some scrap papers out of my bin and some new ribbon (I just joined the Really Reasonable Ribbon Club). This card went together in no time! Again, I hope you can join us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

A Day to Celebrate

A quick post, it's time for bed, but I couldn't wait to show you this card I made for one of the challenges over at The Outlawz Challenges. They are having a party this week filled with games, challenges, and prizes. This challenge theme is Your Country, and nothin' says the good ole USA like fireworks on the 4th of July. I used a Doodle Pantry image, Fireworks Birdie Color. You know me and my colored digis, I LOVE 'EM!! This set even comes with digital paper. I didn't use it here but instead grabbed a piece of scrap from my pile. Thanks for stopping and good night.

Groovy Chick

This image reminds me of the Woodstock era. "In 1969, a monumental music festival changed our world. More than half a million people came together - united in a message of peace, openness and cultural expression - and demonstrated how a generation could be heard." I hate to admit this, but I was alive during that time, but too young to know what it was all about. My groovy chick is from Fresh Brewed Designs, a digital image called Flower Child. I had bought some really fun ribbon in wonderful bright colors and nothing but peace signs, but, as you can see, I put my card completely together only to leave out the ribbon!!!! Guess that means I'll need to make another card!! Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow our new fun challenge will be posted on the Fresh Brewed Blog, and I hope you can join us.    

Enjoy Your Summer

I felt better today so I spent my evening making cards. Here's one for the CAS challenge over at The Outlawz Challenges. They're have a party this week with lots of wonderful prizes so I hope to finish quite a few of the challenges. The CAS challenge theme was summer, or whatever season you are in in your part of the world. I had to put to use the adorable Doodle Pantry set Kite Ants. I had printed this image and sentiment off for a previous challenge that I never got around to doing. How lucky was I, it fit right in for this challenge!! 

Seems a Little Sketchy Sweetie

Yes, I know it's Monday, but that's a good thing today, because it's time for a new challenge at Seems a Little Sketchy. We've got another wonderful sketch for you to put your spin on it. 

Our sponsor for this challenge is Whoopsi Daisy. I had fun creating with this darling image, holding her bouquet of hand picked flowers no doubt!! I used some Basic Grey paper (Perhaps) and kept the colors soft. I hope you can join us, you have two weeks to do so. Now enjoy your week.

A Tweet Day

I'm still not feeling well so a quick post is in order. This card is for the OWH Sunday sketch that is being sponsored by Doodle Pantry. Play along for your chance to win three digis of the winners choice absolutely free! I used a freebie called Tweet House Color. I used some scrap paper I found in my bin, but there is a Tweet House digi paper pack available and you can find it HERE.

See you tomorrow, hopefully feeling better by then.

Masculine CAS

Thank goodness this is for a CAS challenge because I got it done in the nick of time. Every Sunday at The Outlawz Challenges is the CAS challenge and this week the theme was masculine. I pulled out some stamps by Avocado Arts called Let's Catch Up and Sweet Treat Sweetie. The sad part is some of these stamps are seeing ink for the very first time!! I'm also using one of the OWH sketches, #3. I love their sketches for their clean and easy style. Perfect for this type of challenge.

I'm off to lie down again, I've been not feeling well...again! YUCK!! A summer cold is the worst and tough to kick. It's actually kicking me and hard. Enjoy your weekend.

I Heart You

Hello and welcome to our Clearly Inspired Challenge. It's a rainy day today, but that's okay, we definitely need it after the scorcher days we've been having. This time, we are challenging you with color...red, green and white to be exact.

Perfect colors for me to use the recently released What a Melon digital set by our very own Lisa Lara. I love the cross-stitched sentiment too. I kept it simple...why can't I do all my cards like that?!!! I hope you can join us for our challenge, you have the chance to win some fabulous prizes!

The Outlawz Challenge Cards

I wanted to show you some cards I made for different challenges over at The Outlawz Challenges. This is a social network that requires you to sign up, and I urge you to do so. They have lots of fun challenges and loads of freebie digital images. And I'm using one on this card for the Creative Freebie Challenge. You receive two digis and must use at least one of them during the two week time frame. If you do, you are emailed two new digis absolutely free!!! How fun is that!!

Sketch challenges are my absolute favorite. This sketch had me stumped for a little bit, but when I sat down and started to play, it came together quite quickly. I kept my main circle in the nestie die after cutting and embossing it. I sponged on my green then stamped the leaves, all while still in the die. I did pop it out to stamp the sentiment. The stamp set is from GinaK Designs.

And here is a CAS card for the Twisted Thursday challenge, use an animal on your card. I went with a new PaperTrey Ink set I had just received. The sketch is for the Clean & Simple Stamping challenge. Fun, quick and easy!!

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure and join The Outlawz Challenges, they're having a party starting on Sunday. Should be loads of fun.

You Scream, I Scream

We ALL scream for ice cream!!! Definitely a weakness of mine this cool summer treat. And summer is what we're celebrating this month at The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog, but with a twist...include swirls and pearls with your summer themed creation.

Our sponsor is Meljen's Designs, and it was her Sweet Sundae image that I used here. And I made it my favorite, hot fudge with whipped cream and a cherry! I'm making myself hungry!!!

Thanks for stopping by. I have three posts today, all for new fun challenges that I hope you can join in on. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Daisy the Elephant

Good Wednesday morning to you!! I'm here bright and early to share with you our latest challenge over at the Fresh Brewed Blog -- Color challenge with red, yellow and teal. What yummy colors these are together, so why don't I ever use 'em?!! I decided to pull out an oldie but goodie for this challenge, Daisy the Elephant. She was the first elephant digi at Fresh Brewed Designs, and my how the family has grown!! Check out all the elephant digis HERE. Be sure and order some up for yourself, you'll have just as much fun creating with 'em as I did!! And be sure to join us for our color challenge too.    

Sweet Daisy

There are so many reasons to love Wednesdays, so let me give you one more. Check out the fabulous sketch we have over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Totally awesome!!

Now check out our wonderful sponsor...why it's Sally Ann at Digi Stamp Boutique. She is always so generous to us, sponsoring us once a month. And up for grabs for the grand prize winner are 6 free digis from Digi Stamp Boutique!!

Here's my fun card using one of the Daisy images. I hope to see you this week with your wonderful creation. Please read the rules at Sweet Sketch Wednesday for your chance to win.

I submitted this card for the monthly challenge over at the Digi Stamp Boutique blog.  

Hello Friend

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet. A serious sinus headache is hampering my creativity as well as my desire to remain upright!! Time for a dark room and some ibuprofen. But I did want to show you my quick card, using one of the newly released Fresh Brewed Designs rubber stamps called You+Me=BFF. One of my good friends is blonde so I wanted to be sure and include her here (hi Shelli!). Nothing too fancy, but I must admit I love those cute little button brads. Thanks for stopping by, and like I promised, keeping this short and sweet!!

Enjoy Summer

Before I go into my cards, let me remind you that I still have two blog hops going on. You can find the one for Fresh Brewed Designs HERE, and the one from Clear Dollar Stamps HERE.

Now let me get into today's set of cards, all created with the adorable digital stamp set from Doodle Pantry called Popsicle Ants. They certainly scream summer, don't you think?!! Of course I couldn't make just one, showing you my three favorite flavors of Popsicles. First up we have orange...YUM!

Next is grape. As much as I don't like the color purple, I love grape flavored Popsicles.

And finally, there's cherry, every kid's favorite but every Mom's worst nightmare (because it would ALWAYS drip and stain the clothes!!). Yep, I used the same sketch and was lucky enough to find the three colors of scrap designer paper in my scrap pile. It was meant to be. I'm using one of these cards for the Twisted Thursday challenge over at The Outlawz, Anything Goes with Animals.

Speaking of challenges, don't forget the current challenge over at the Doodle Pantry Blog is still going on. Hurry up and play for your chance to receive an adorable digi set absolutely free! Play using a Doodle Pantry image and the free set, Kite Ants, will be sent to you absolutely free!!! Now you certainly can't pass that up!!

ConGRADulations!!

I have two blog hops going on this weekend. To see the hop for the rubber release at Fresh Brewed Designs, please go HERE. Today's blog hop is from Clear Dollar Stamps. You should have arrived here from the Lovely Lisa's blog. If not, please start at the beginning at the CDS Blog. There you will also find the blog roll list. 

Each month we have a theme to interpret any way we want, and this month's theme is CELEBRATE. We are deep in graduation mode here, not because either of my sons have graduated, but because so many of my oldest son's friends have. This is a card I made using the digital stamp set ConGRADulations Graduate. Yes, that is our school's colors, blue and black, and going to the neighbor girl who is having her party this afternoon. High school graduation is definitely a reason to celebrate!

Now continue on our hop to your next stop, and that is Kathy's blog.   

Fresh Brewed Rubber Blog Hop

Welcome to the June Fresh Brewed Designs Three Day Blog Hop! If you are getting here from the Fresh Brewed Blog, then you are right on track. That's the beginning of our hop so be sure you start there.

The Fresh Brewed Designs Team and Guests have put together an exciting blog hop TODAY and ALL THIS WEEKEND featuring handmade cards inspired by our new released Rubber Stamps: Hello Girlfriend and You+Me=BFF.

For this hop weekend only you have the chance to purchase both stamps 

at an extra special deal!You can get both stamps for $10!!!  

This set also includes two bonus badges and 4 sheets of 4x6 double sided paper

 I Do Dahlias by American Craft. 

BONUS** One lucky person who purchases this set will also receive some extra goodies in their package!! Stop by the shop to see what you could win!! 

For my card, I chose to create with Hello Girlfriend. And you know what else, I chose to go with purple on my card -- GASP, I hear you, being the non-purple lover that I am!!! I used the I Do Dahlias paper (the very same paper you will receive when you order the June stamp set!) and thought, why not use black and purple with it. Crazy!!!! 

The next stop on our hop is Cheryl's blog. You will be thoroughly amazed by what you see there!!!!

Here's a complete list of all the participating blogs in today's hop - be sure to hit every stop!  You really don't want to miss out!!!

Freshly Brewed Challenges: http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/

Linda: http://stamperstouch.blogspot.com/

Cheryl: http://shestamps.blogspot.com/

Vanessa: http://vanessaspapercreations.blogspot.com/

Yolanda: http://www.justyolie.com/

Jessica: http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com/

Sheryl: http://butterflykisscards.blogspot.com/

Celeste: http://www.touchedbyabutterfly.com/

Kenzie: http://kraftyhugzz.blogspot.com/

Catherine: http://paperaddictcatherine.blogspot.com/

Heather: http://joemamainks.blogspot.com/

Clear Dollar Stamps Digi Release

Welcome to digi release day at Clear Dollar Stamps. I can't begin to tell you how awesome this release is. There's a little something for everyone. To see them all at once, check out the CDS blog, Clearly iStamp. First sample up for me is a darling set by Deedee Anderson called Stitchy Star. I know you'll be shocked to hear that I used the colored version AND cut it out!! I did a little sponging around the edge of it too. The embossed layer I used the stars folder, inking it up first with Memento Rich Cocoa ink first. The red paper behind the star is the digital paper from this same set. 

And here is a set that you may remember in acrylic version (you can find it HERE) that has also become digitalized with colored images (which I used here) and additional sentiments. I wanted to keep it simple so that nothing over powered this beautiful image and quote.

I hope you found some fabulous digi sets to add to your shopping list. You won't be disappointed. 

U R Sweet

Okay, I am really getting into the CAS style of cards lately, ever since joining The Outlawz Challenges and playing along with their Sunday challenge. This week it's a fruit theme. How perfect for me as I just got my Lawn Fawn order in the mail! I used two sets here, Make Lemonade and Harold's ABCs. Yes, I cut out the pitcher of lemonade, something I don't often do being the lazy stamper that I am!!! Inside the card it says "thanks" and I stamped and colored the smiley lemon from the lemonade set. So fun and so quick & easy.

Sweetness, Thru & Thru

Happy Wednesday morning to you. As always, thank you for stopping by. Time to show off the new sketch over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Isn't it fabulous?!! If it looks familiar, it's an oldie but goodie, pulled out of the vault for another go 'round. 

This week our sponsor is Heather Ellis at Digi Stamp Characters. I adore her images. I might have to go to her shop myself and make a few purchases!! Here's a little bit about her in her own words:

 Hello you talented crafters!

My name is Heather Ellis and I live in Birmingham in the UK with my husband and two children.

I am a writer and illustrator and I come from a very creative family. I have always drawn ever since I can remember. I love creating cute characters and children are my inspiration and hope it shows in my work.

I hope you all enjoy using my characters in your card and scrapbook making. I always enjoy looking at all of your creations when you create with my images and I am always amazed at YOUR talents.

Enjoy creating!

Love Heather Ellis X

 

Heather is graciously offering the grand prize winner 3 digis of their choice from her store.

And here's the cutie Pure Innocence image I got to play with (Hooray for me!!!). What a fun card to create, and it all started with a wonderful sketch. I hope you can join us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

100th Challenge Celebration!!

Hello and welcome to our 100th challenge here at the Fresh Brewed Blog!! That's quite a reason to celebrate!!! Our theme is Anything Goes so be sure and join us!

And if we're celebrating, might as well do it with coffee and a cupcake!!! I used a rubber stamp from Fresh Brewed Designs called Love Mug. I did lots of paper piecing on it, something that I don't always do because it takes time. Remember, I'm a self-proclaimed lazy stamper, so cutting out is not my thing!!! I also thought the patriotic colors screamed celebration too!

Join us for our Anything Goes challenge this week. Become a follower at the Fresh Brewed Blog or Like us on Facebook so you don't miss all the happenings. And when you go shopping at Fresh Brewed Designs, use the code Lfbd2 in the comment section of your order form, letting them know that Linda had sent ya!! Also, you'll receive a 10% discount on your order with that code!!!!!! (only one discount code may be used at time of purchase)

Congrats on Your New Home

Happy Tuesday! Four more days of school left for Phillip...not that he's counting down or anything!! Anyway, I wanted to show you a card I made to give our new neighbors. They haven't officially moved in yet but I am ready! I used a Fresh Brewed Designs newly released digital image called My Neighborhood. Wouldn't it be fun to live in a neighborhood full of colorful houses like this?!! Once again, I hit up my scrap pile for my dp.

A couple of Fresh Brewed announcements, be sure and play in our 100 Challenge that starts tomorrow on the Fresh Brewed Blog. There are prizes to be had, and we all love prizes!!!!

One other thing to make note of, Fresh Brewed Designs will be having it's June rubber release starting this Saturday. I can't wait for you to see the new stamps!!!

Lucky #15

15 is my lucky number, and I feel very fortunate to be a new DT member at Seems a Little Sketchy for our newest challenge, sketch #15!! I often played along with their challenges and now I am thrilled to say I am a DT member!!

Our wonderful sponsor is the Digi Doodle Shop. What a fun store!!! Be sure and check it out!

I had so much fun working with this sweetie of an image, Mouse Nap. I do love a good nap, just to re-energize and give this old lady some extra pep!! My family just doesn't get it when it comes to naps, and I don't even try to make them understand. I used Copics on dear Cecil the mouse along with some scrap dsp, ric rac die cuts and pearls. Be sure and check out what the rest of the DT has created with over at Seems a Little Sketchy. Then, after your nap, join us for some fun!

Floating By

I've slacked off making cards to send to my nieces, so I decided to get a round of 'em made so Aunt Linda can say hello. This one uses the sweet Doodle Pantry set Balloon Ants Color. As you can see, these guys come in lots of fun colors, so I just may make a few more of these to send to other family and friends. I followed the sketch over at The Outlawz Challenges 'cause I love sketches! And it's a quick and easy one to create a card with too!

Don't forget about the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge going on the Doodle Pantry blog. Read all about it HERE. And check out the sweet set you get free called Kite Ants just for playing along using a Doodle Pantry image. Those ants not only float on a balloon, they also fly kites! They are so mischievous!!!

 It's really warm here already, maybe I'll get some housework done then sit and look thru my new Stampin' Up catalog. I'll be getting the new In Colors for sure, not sure what else after that! Thanks for stopping by.

I wanted to edit this post to add that this card was featured today at The Outlawz Challenges!!! How fun!!