Reach for the Sky

So raise your hand if you said in your head "reach for the sky" like Woody from Toy Story!!!! Believe me, every time I see my card that's exactly how I say it!! I made this card using a recently released digi from Fresh Brewed Designs called Kite. I couldn't resist using the new Summertime digi paper too from FBD that coordinates perfectly. I sure hope you are sitting down right now because, as you can see, I cut out the kite!!! I know, the laziest stamper ever and she fussy cut out something!! What is this world coming to?!!! In case you haven't seen, there is a whole set of Keep It Simple digis at the Fresh Brewed Store. Yes, there's one of a sun peeking out from behind two clouds which I could have used here, but I simply could not see myself cutting out a second image to put on my card!!! That's going above and beyond the lazy stamper's oath!! So a die cut it ended up being. Enjoy your day. See you back here tomorrow where I will have LOTS of new creations to share.

Thank You Berry Much

The clean and simple challenge this week over at The Outlawz is a berry theme. I wanted to use this new Berries and Vines paper I got from Gina K Designs - yes, I failed my personal challenge to not buy any paper besides card stock until my birthday the beginning of September. Well I lasted 10 months which I will take as a victory. Besides, the paper was on sale which made it far too tempting!!! The strawberry and sentiment are from PaperTrey Ink. I'm liking these kinda cards - CAS as well as Q&E (quick and easy)!!!

Mistletoe

Ho ho ho and Merry Christmas!! What, I'm a little early?!!! Well I found this digi (Mistletoe from Clear Dollar Stamps) already printed up and a wonderful sketch and Christmas themed challenge at 2 Sisters, so I stayed up late last night making this. I was too tired to post it till this morning...besides, I had already turned the computer off before this was finished!!! Here's the sketch I used:

A couple other challenges I would like to submit this card to are:
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - Christmas in July
Sweet Stampin' - Christmas in July
Dare to be Sassy Thursdays -  Christmas card using 3 different patterned papers

Enjoy your today. Today is hubby's birthday...Happy Birthday Brian, I love you!! He was away this weekend for a college reunion. Sounds like he had a great time. Now when he gets home, it's to cuttin' the grass he'll be doing. Forecast is for a beautiful sunny day!!!

Hello Sunshine

Actually we've had several days of rain here. Mind you, I'm not complaining, just wish it wasn't a complete downpour, especially when I'm driving. Anyway, thought I'd get to creating something fun, and this one fits the bill. It's for the CAS challenge over at The Outlawz Challenges - clean and simple with a summer event theme. Of course I was thinking about our awesome summer vacation at the beach! The Hello Sunshine Stamp TV kit from GinaK Designs just happened to be on my desk, so I put it to use. Coloring the flip flops took me longer to do than making the whole card!!! That's how quick it was. I wish I could fully embrace the CAS style, but I still love my layers. I need to ease into it slowly!!!!

Howdy!

Making this a real quick post as it's going on midnight and I'm a little tired. I wanted to show you a card I made for the Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge that Doodle Pantry is sponsoring. It really is a fun sketch! The image I used was Cowboy Birdie and the papers came from the Western Digi Paper Pack. After all, you can't have one without the other!! Anyway, hope you can join in on the challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches, it sure is a great sketch.    

Sweet Christmas Carols

Welcome back to another installment to our Sweet Sketch Wednesday line-up. We have another fabulous sketch for you to try, sure hope you can join the fun!

Our sponsor this week is Digi Doodle Shop. So many wonderful images!! Shop thru the end of July, they're have a 10% off storewide sale! Here's a little bit about the ladies of Digi Doodle Shop:

"Digi Doodle Shop is the results of a mother and daughter’s love for the arts and crafts. It was started a little over 3 years ago with a little more than 100 stamps, and has since then grown to almost 500 stamps. Joy (the mother of this team) designs realistic images, while Judy (aka/daughter) loves the “fun side of life”, and create images with a cartoon flair. Having these two complimenting styles have enabled Digi Doodle Shop to offer a wide variety of stamps. It is a real honor and pleasure to sponsor this challenge, and we look forward to seeing all the amazing creations. We thank the design team for their incredible creations, and wish all the participants the very best of luck in this challenge.Thank you so much for having us, and again the very best of luck to all of you."

Sincerely,

Judy and Joy
 
Prize: $10 Store Gift Certificate Good for 10 days upon receipt.
 
 

And here's my card using A Christmas Carol. I'm keeping with the Christmas in July theme! A darling trio singing their hearts out. Have I got any carols stuck in your head yet? Looking forward to seeing what you create with our latest challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.   

Lots of Lattes

I wanted to show you my card today, highlighting the new Lots of Lattes digital paper from Fresh Brewed Designs. I knew immediately when I saw this paper I wanted to do a Christmas card. Crazy, I know, but oh so fun to make. I so enjoy using non-traditional colors on my Christmas cards, and I think black, white, and red hit that note strong!!! Don't you just love this snowman, You Melt Me by Fresh Brewed Designs?!!! Okay, you're right, I think I love all things snowman!!!

Just so you know, purchase a rubber stamp at Fresh Brewed Designs and you will receive the Lots of Lattes digital paper absolutely free!! So totally perfect!!!

Ooops, I Goofed!!

Yep, I sure did goof. I totally forgot to post for the new challenge starting today at Seems a Little Sketchy!!! Anyway, welcome to sketch #18...you're gonna love it. It's simple and fun!

 Our sponsor for this challenge is Crafty Sentiments Designs with a prize of 3 digis of the winner's choice and Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps with a prize of 5 digis. My card I used a sweet Crafty Sentiments Designs image called Kai. Isn't she the cutest?!! Anyway, I had fun coloring her up with my copics and using some Basic Grey Sweet Threads paper. Now I sure hope you can join us at Seems a Little Sketchy.  

More Bugaboo

In case you haven't guess it by now, I am a huge fan of Bugaboo Stamps. I was even a winner of some free images from their Christmas in July challenges from last week...hooray for me!!!!! I found this sweetie of an image, Isabella Beach, already colored up so I decided to play in Saturday's sketch challenge over at Catch the Bug.

   And check out this pup, Rottweiler Puppy Hello, a card I made for The Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Challenge, have a dog on your project. Because of him, I had to pull out my Basic Grey's paper Max & Whiskers. Such fun papers and colors.

Well it's back to the daily grind. I didn't get as much done this weekend as I had hoped, so what else is new. A few ups and downs - I met up with my friend from Las Vegas (a definite highlight of my yesterday!!), Kevin's new trampoline got put together without too much hassle, but then a spring broke on our garage door so the cars are all parked out in the driveway. A bit of a pain but we can handle it! Now to try and get the repairman to come when it works for me!!! Enjoy your Monday.

Another Christmas Card???

Yep, it sure is another Christmas in July card!!! And this one is for the twisted Thursday challenge over at The Outlawz. I'm trying real hard to keep my Christmas cards flat so I can mail them without extra postage. This image and sentiment is by Doodle Pantry, a set called Holiday Ants Color to be exact. I love that there are 4 different colors of ornaments to choose from, which can only mean one thing, I can make a set of these cards using all the different colors and finding different papers to use as well!! That way I don't get bored making multiples of the same card if I use different colors and papers. I'm off to get started.

I wanted to edit this post to shout out that this card is being featured this week in the gallery at The Outlawz Challenges!!! I'm so excited!!!

An Outlawz Sketch

What a lovely day! Laundry is drying nicely on the line and I got to have breakfast with a friend I haven't seen in a few years. She moved out to Las Vegas 7 years ago and I sure do miss her. We had lots to catch up on.

I wanted to share a card I made for the sketch challenge over at The Outlawz. I used a Clearly Digital Stamp called Christmas Cuties Color. I even used the digital paper from the set. Keeping it simple and mailable!

And here's the sketch. A fun one that I could see myself using again and again!!!

Have a happy Sunday.

Sympathy Card

Here I was, all day long thinking I had already posted something for today...guess what, I didn't!!! So I apologize for the lateness of this post, but I wanted to show you a sympathy card that I made in no time. These are cards, like many of you, that I don't keep a lot of on hand. Why, I don't know because it's a little stressful to try and make one at the time you need it. Anyway, I went to my favorite pre-colored digi images, this one from Doodle Pantry called Pelican Dreams. I used the digital paper included in this set as well. The sketch is a previous one from OWH, #127 to be exact.

Speaking of Doodle Pantry, you still have time to enter the challenge over at the Doodle Pantry Blog. Do so, for your chance at winning a $15 gift coupon for the Doodle Pantry store. How fun!!!

Season's Greetings

Well, here it is, my final card for the Catch the Bug week of Christmas in July challenges. This was Thursday's challenge - Sparkle and Shine. I used this sweet Bugaboo image, Elf Pocket. The sparkle is on his hat and along the top of the pocket while the shine is on the bells. Super fun participating in these challenges. And now I have a nice start on my Christmas cards.  

Celebrate the Season

I got my card for today's challenge done for the Christmas in July celebration going on over at Catch the Bug. Today's theme is "It's a Wrap" - have a bow on your project. I used the image Mary, Joseph and Child. I wanted to keep the layout simple...to ensure I get all the challenges done!!!!! Six down, one more to go, and I'm waiting for it to dry! Be on the look out for me later tonight (and knock on wood, no headache!!).

Oh That Blitzen

How funny, Blitzen is blitzed!!!! And humor is the theme for Wednesday's challenge over at the Catch the Bug blog. I've been having fun playing along with their Christmas in July challenge week, and I'm almost caught up. Better hurry, they all need to be done and posted by Friday evening!!! Right now, as I'm writing this, I'm battling yet another headache. Too many lately and they hurt so much. That's why I'm cutting this post short and wishing you a wonderful Friday.

Santa in the Tropics

I have no doubt that this is where Santa goes after his big night! I know how relaxing our beach vacation was so I'm sure Santa needs the same!!! This is for the Christmas in July challenge going on over at Catch the Bug - using this freebie image think tropical. My papers are a bit brighter in real life which helps with the theme. Okay, I'm getting caught up. I feel an evening of mad card making coming on tonight!!!

Baby's 1st Christmas

No surprises here, I'm running behind on the Christmas in July challenges at Catch the Bug. This card is for Monday's challenge, use a non-traditional Christmas image on your project. This was a fun one! I used this Bugaboo Stamps image called Sock Monkey Boy. Thought it would be fun to make a card for baby's 1st Christmas. I wanted to stay with the blues so I pulled out some wintry papers and felt snowflakes. Okay, now on to the next challenge.

Santa and Rudolph

Happy Wednesday and welcome to our latest challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It's a fun and fabulous sketch so I hope you can play along with us.

We are being sponsored by our monthly sponsor Digi Stamp Boutique. Can you believe owner Sally Ann is offering 6 free digis to our winner?! I know, pretty fabulous!!

 And here's my card - yes, I'm still celebrating Christmas in July!! I used this darling image from the Cute Santa collection. I just loved Rudolph!! I pulled out some Basic Grey paper (Nordic collection) that I have yet to use, until now! A little glitter to Santa's hat and some crystal effects to Rudolph's nose were the perfect addition to this jolly pair!! Look forward to seeing what you create for us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. 

I want to submit this card to the monthly Digi Stamp Boutique challenge on their blog.

I Don't Have a Problem With Caffeine

I have a problem without it!! Ain't that the truth!!I don't have a chance to go to Starbucks like I do with the ''me time'' I get when the boys are in school, so I'm going thru a little withdrawal. Anyway, welcome to our latest fun challenge at the Fresh Brewed Blog. Our theme this week, Food & Drink. I'm using the newly released rubber stamp I'll Take Mine to Go. I love the new smaller size, that way I can show you the food portion of my card, the cupcake paper!!! I'm making myself hungry (and thirsty!) just thinking about it! I hope you can join us for this fun challenge. And if you have any Fresh Brewed Designs rubber or digi stamps, use 'em, we love to see what your create with Heather's designs.  

Merry Christmas

Happy Wednesday and welcome to The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog challenge - Christmas in non-traditional colors. An easy challenge for me because I love using colors other than red and green for Christmas. Like this one, using one of our sponsor's images, Guylou Inimitability, called Angel Chuck. Gray, blue and green are my main colors, but I did add a touch of red with the twine and brads. This fabulous paper is Nordic Holiday by Basic Grey. A simple layout, letting the papers and image do the talkin'! You have the whole month to join us at The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog to show off your Christmas project in non-traditional colors. How fun!!

It's CDS Digi Release Time!!

This is my second post for today, so many goodies to share. Today is digi release day at CDS - Clearly Digi Stamps. Yes, that's right, Clear Dollar Stamps is now releasing only digi stamps, and some pretty adorable ones at that!!! Read all about the change from Lori herself HERE at the old CDS blog.

I have two sets I'm sharing that I simply adore. First up is Ice Cream Sticks. This set simply makes me smile, so cute...and yummy with all that ice cream!!! I paper pieced this guys shirt, figuring the patterned shirt would help hide any drips from all that different flavors of ice cream!!!

Next up is the darling Bugs & Blooms set which includes both color and outline images. Yes, I used the color image of this lovely ladybug (after all, it's colored way better than I could ever hope to do it!!!). Black, red and white...a very classic color combo that I decided to stick with. Kept it simple to highlight this adorable bug, and it's not often I call a bug adorable!!!

There's lots of wonderful sets being released today. Check 'em all out at the new CDS Blog. And if you're new to digital stamping, please scroll down on the blog for a wonderful tutorial. Enjoy your day.

A Little Hello From Under the Sea

This week's fun challenge at the Fresh Brewed Blog is Under the Sea. Yes, I know it will change tomorrow, but I wanted to show you the card I almost had made for last Wednesday. The image was colored but a nasty headache prevented me from finishing the card...I couldn't let it go to waste so I had to show you what I ended up with. This Fresh Brewed Designs digital image is called Marina With Pearl. I think she is a beautiful mermaid! And I colored her while on vacation at the beach...rather appropriate, don't you think?!!!

Tis the Season

Good morning and welcome to my second installment of Christmas in July creations for the Catch the Bug. challenges. This time it's a sketch challenge, and I do love my sketch challenges.

I used an adorable Bugaboo Stamps image called AKV Elf Ornament. I love these stick figure characters, they are so cute. Now as you can see on the sketch, it shows two star embellishments. I used snowflakes instead, but didn't have any small enough to fit so I layered them together and added some bling. My take on the sketch I guess!!

Don't forget my two blog hops: Fresh Brewed Designs and Clear Dollar Stamps.

Christmas Cards for Kids

I have two blog hops going on - for the one with Fresh Brewed Designs go HERE, and the one with Clear Dollar Stamps go HERE. And this card is for the Christmas in July challenge over at Catch the Bug, Christmas card for kids. They are having a holiday celebration all week that is always so much fun. I have lots of Bugaboo images colored up so I should be able to play! For this card I used from Bugaboo Stamps, Poppi Christmas Stocking. He is such a cutie!! I thought I would also submit this card for the Twisted Thursday challenge over at The Outlawz - anything goes with a twist of at the zoo. Now I know penguins can be found at the zoo, I just don't know if they have one dressed so fine for the holidays like this one!!!  

The Bright Colors of Summer

I have two blog hops going on this weekend. Please check out our hop at Fresh Brewed Designs HERE. But I sure hope you stay and hop along with us at Clear Dollar Stamps too, you're gonna be glad you did. Now you should have arrived here from Jen's Blog. If not, be sure and start at the beginning at the new and improved CDS blog, Clearly iStamp. Also, be sure and read about the future of Clear Dollar Stamps from Lori herself HERE.

This month, our blog hop theme is "The Bright Colors of Summer." I love color, all kinds of colors (well, except purple...that I simply tolerate!). So summer and the bright yellows, vibrant greens and glorious turquoises go hand in hand. I pulled out a colored digi set, Toucans of Love. I liked being able to use pops of black along with my bright colors. The designer paper is from Basic Grey, the Lauderdale line.

Thanks for sticking with me during my second blog hop this weekend. I am the last stop on your journey of summery brightness! Be sure and leave comments to increase you chances of being the winner of a $25 gift certificate for digital stamps at Clear Dollar Stamps.   

Fresh Brewed Designs HOT Blog Hop

Welcome to the July Fresh Brewed Designs Three Day HOT Blog Hop! If you are getting here from Rhonda's blog, Bumblebee Creations, then you are right on track. If you are just finding your way to our super HOT,  fun filled, extra caffeinated, and mega sassy blog hop, then please start at the beginning here: Freshly Brewed Challenges.

The Fresh Brewed Designs Team and Guests have put together an exciting and oh so HOT  blog hop TODAY and ALL THIS WEEKEND, featuring handmade cards inspired by our newly released Rubber Stamps. Now you may be thinking, I have seen these before. Why, yes! Yes you have!!!  But not like this!!! They have all been carefully  re-sized. They are approximately 1/2 inch smaller than the original stamp, but just as sassy and hot as ever!  For you, this means that more of your card will be visible so you can add your layers, embellies, use your nesties and all of that other fun stuff just a bit easier than before. The larger size is still available and still wonderful ... but now you have the option to choose which size works best for your stamping style!
All re-sized stamps are available cling mounted on 1/8 inch cling foam to use with your acrylic blocks or un-mounted. All of Fresh Brewed Designs stamps are made in the USA with deeply etched red rubber so you get a perfect impression every time!

Okay, okay, I hear ya...Linda, what are you doing? It's not even close to autumn, so what are you doing? Well I've been confused all month, making Christmas in July cards, so I figured, why not use the newly released rubber stamps from Fresh Brewed Designs, Spicy Pumpkin Latte!!! She was so fun to use and coloring was so quick and easy too. I love all the new stamps and so will you!!! You can check 'em all out HERE. And for all your answers to any blog hop questions, please check it all out HERE.

Your next stop on our HOT blog hop is Tracy's blog, Eat Sleep Stamp.

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
Vanessa: Vanessa's Paper Creations
Rhonda: Bumblebee Creations

 Linda: The Stamper's Touch
Tracy: Eat Sleep Stamp
Celeste: Touched by a Butterfly
Yolanda: Just Yolie, Just Create
Catherine: Paper Addict Catherine
Sheryl: Ink and Lace With Sheryl Cauble
Sarah: Sarah's Stamping and Stuff
Heather: Heather's Coffee Break

To You & Yours

Happy Friday!! I'm having a late lunch with a friend today...can't wait. I wanted to share with you a card I made for the Greeting Cards challenge over at The Outlawz. The theme was Christmas in July AND a shaped card. A greeting is always required on the front of the card for this challenge. Since it was on my desk from a previous card, I used the Gina K Designs Heirloom Ornament stamp set. I have the coordinating nesties so making my ornament card was easy. First I stamped the ornament onto vanilla card stock, cut it out and embossed it. Then I used the same die to cut out a folded card base. I then glued the stamped ornament onto the folded card. I added the grey topper, punched a hole, and tied some linen thread thru it. Sounds like a lot of work but it really isn't. This could also make a nice gift tag. Well I'm off, hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Joy to the World

Last night I found myself in a nice quiet house and a little mojo inside! So before I fell asleep, I made this fun CAS card for the Outlawz Challenges - Christmas in July clean and simple card with a Christmas song inspiration. With these challenges, I try to use stamps that haven't seen ink in a long time, and this card is no exception. I used the Music Background stamp from Hero Arts and the sentiment from GinaK Designs (I should be getting my latest order any day now, can't wait!!!). The ribbon is recycled from something, can't remember exactly. I'd love to make more of these, but I need more of the designer paper I stamped the music background on. The only disadvantage to a 6 x 6 paper pack.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. I have two blog hops you won't want to miss, the first one starting on Saturday. Enjoy your today!

Just Sittin' Here...

Okay, now that I've recovered from a nasty headache from last night, I'll post our latest challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. We're re-visiting an older sketch, so have fun creating another project with it!!!

Our sponsor this week is Pattie's Creations. So many fun images in her shop, be sure and browse! Our grand prize winner will receive 3 free digis from Pattie...how fabulous!!! 

I had fun creating with this darling image, Floating Bear with Lemonade. Does this not make you think of summer?!!! Got a chance to use those fun bright colors too. I like how the scallop circle reminded me of the sun, shining bright and hot while we were at the beach last week. You knew I had to throw that in somewhere!!! Anyway, sure hope you can join us this week and show off your creations with our oldie but goodie sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

Ahhhhh the Beach...

What a wonderful vacation we had at the beach. I was so NOT ready to come home. But now that we are, I need to get my rear in gear and get my act together with getting back to reality! To remind me of our fun time at the beach, I decided to use another newly released digi from Fresh Brewed Designs called Owl Build a Sandcastle. Check out all the new beachy owl  images HERE. They are definitely ones to add to your collection. And if you do make a purchase, be sure and use the code Lfbd2 in the comment section to not only let 'em know Linda sent ya, but to also receive a 10% discount!!!

Thanks for stopping by. Today is Phillip's birthday...he is 17!!! How did that happen?!!! Last night we surprised him with his birthday present, an iPhone. Talk about a win/win situation - he needed a new iPod, broke his on vacation. And, this way he can't give me the excuse that he didn't answer his phone when I call or get my text because it will always be on with him listening to his music! Finally, Mom and Dad get smart!!!!!

Sending Love Your Way

I'm also sending a new sketch from Seems a Little Sketchy you way as well. Isn't it fabulous?!!! I love all the elements and room for embellishments.

Here's my card, using one of our sponsor images, Mermaids by Ai Factory. She is so precious, floating along sending her love! I had so much fun with this sketch and I hope you do too. Be sure and check out what the rest of the DT created HERE at the Seems a Little Sketchy blog. 

I know my post is a quick one, but I just got home from vacation (we drove 9 hours!!) and I am exhausted. I had my card done before leaving for the beach, I just didn't get my blog post done. Now that it is, I'm off to bed (it's late Sunday night now, gotta get up early and cheerful tomorrow morning...not always an easy task for someone who isn't a morning person!!).

Just for Fun

And that's exactly the reason for this card, just for fun!! I had it made before leaving for vacation but never got it posted! Too much other stuff on my mind I guess. This is an adorable colored image and digital papers from Doodle Pantry called Gummy Worms. It's a freebie set so head over to Doodle Pantry and scoop it up. You might need it so you can participate in the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge over at the DP blog. And as if this freebie isn't enough, there's another one at the DP blog called Tiny Triceratops. Join in the challenge simply by creating a card using a DP image and you could be the winner of even more free stuff!! Talk about just for fun!!!!

Owl Goes Swimming

Another post for today...and lucky for you because I get to show off one of the new digis being released today from Fresh Brewed Designs. Owls are so popular, and talk about excited about this collection of owls and their beachy theme!! I love it, being at the beach myself right now!!! And a Summertime Theme happens to be the challenge we have for you this month over at the Fresh Brewed Blog. And a month long challenge also means a prize challenge! I used the newly released Owl Go Swimming digital. The papers are from an Echo Park collection called Splash. The yellow came out a bit brighter than it actually is, but that's what summer is all about, right? Bright colors! Now head over to the shop at Fresh Brewed Designs and pick up your set of beachy owls. In the comment section at checkout, use the code Lfbd2 for a 10% discount!!!!! Then start creating and join us for our monthly Beach Themed challenge at the Fresh Brewed Blog.  

Santa's Sweet Helper

Happy 4th of July! You probably have a picnic planned followed up with fireworks at night. We're on vacation right now and having a wonderful time. It's Wednesday and time for a new challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

We have a wonderful sponsor this week, Stamp Fairy.
"Stamp Fairy officially launched on November 5th 2010. Gerda Burghardt, artist and owner, creates cute and whimsical digital images for the young and old, inspired by her life, love and 4 cute cats. You will find adorable teddies bears, young boys and girls, fuzzy little bunnies and whimsical critters. Stamp Fairy has new releases along with a free image every Friday and Guest Designers each month. Please visit the store and browse StampFairy’s wonderful images. We hope StampFairy’s images inspire YOUR creativity."

The winner will receive a $10 gift certificate!! HOORAY!!

And here's another Christmas in July card, using a Stamp Fairy image called Santa's Little Helper Candy Canes. He is such a darling. And I love the Basic Grey papers, the Jovial collection. Not your traditional bright red and green. Now I hope you can join us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. The beach is calling so I must be going!!