Baby It's Cold Outside

And talk about windy too!!! Yesterday it was in the 60s, today the 20s with ice and snow. I need to move south. Anyway, I thought the photo inspiration challenge over at Catch the Bug couldn't be more appropriate.

The sentiment tells it all!!! This Bugaboo image is called AKV Boy Winter and can be found HERE. I was inspired by the blues and browns too of the photo and I found in my stash a Gina K Designs kit that I used for the  papers, ribbon and brads. Now if I could just start using up all these wonderful paper kits that I have from various companies, I could then buy more!!!!!! It truly is an illness, isn't it??!! Enjoy your today and stay warm.

Sending You Smiles

It's day 3 of the online CAS card classes and I'm lovin' them! Now I didn't do my homework yet from yesterday, a single layer card. That's a very hard one for me. Today's class was all about fun techniques with ink. I played with the gradient stamping technique, using the Hero Arts ink I had on hand - Tide pool, Soft pool and Ocean. I used a stamp and die from PaperTrey Ink, Simple Sunflower. Now I know sunflowers are yellow, but that's the joy stamping gives, anything goes as far as color, there are no rules. Good thing for me as I am always breaking the rules in the color world!!! Now this is my third post for today, so be sure and scroll down for my usual Wednesday posts, Fresh Brewed Designs and Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

Sweet Mr. Snowman

Happy Wednesday. We have a new sketch for you to try at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It really is a fun one so be sure and give it a try. We have a new sponsor this week too...

 A loud shout out of a welcome to Birdie Brown. Thank you for sponsoring us this week, offering our winner 3 digital images of their choice!!

 Hello everyone! I'm Torico, the owner of Birdie Brown. I'm a mom to two kids who live in Japan. I've been loving doodling since I was a child, and have a passion for card making now!
At my Etsy shop, Birdie Brown, I'm offering whimsical and cute (Japanese "kawaii") digital stamps created from my original illustrations. I love "simple & cute" designs. So, most of my digital stamps are designed to match such a style. If you also like "simple & cute" style, you'll find something you have been wanting on Birdie Brown!!

Here's my card using the adorable Just For You image. Have I mentioned to you before how much I adore snowmen? So imagine how happy I was when I received this image to play with!!!! Now it's your turn to give our sketch a try, can't wait to see what you come up with. 

I Heart You

We have a new challenge for you over at the Fresh Brewed Blog and it's called the Caffeine Crazy Challenge. Now it will only happen on the 5th Wednesday of a month and lasts for only 24 hours -- talk about fun!! The theme for today is to use red. I put to use one of the new digis just released on Monday, You Captured My Heart from Fresh Brewed Designs. I don't know what species of spider he is, all orange and dressed to the nines, but he sure is a cutie...for a spider!! Hope you can find time today to join us for our red Caffeine Crazy Challenge. 

Hooray for Hockey!!

I am quite the sports fan, so I am super excited that hockey is back!! I so enjoy watching the Pittsburgh Penguins, jumping up and down cheering when they score! I couldn't resist making a card using an image from Fresh Brewed Designs called Boy Hockey Player. What's fun is Heather also has a girl hockey player image too! I went with the black and gold colors of Pittsburgh sports teams as well as keeping it clean and simple with two strips of washi tape and brads. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. 

Another CAS

I simply had to make another card from today's Online Card Classes CAS 2. Each month two of my friends come over and we make 4 - 6 clean and simple Christmas cards. I design them, cut up all the papers, and we spend the morning stamping and, of course, talking! I immediately went with a Christmas theme for this sketch so I can now use it for our February get together. I used a PaperTrey Ink stamp set (Peaceful Poinsettia) for the flower and sentiment, and from Hero Arts (Looped Flower Pattern) for the background. Quick and easy! Looking forward to tomorrow's class.

Love You Forever

We had some nasty weather overnight - lots of ice, snow and rain mixed. There was a 2 hour delay for the boys, and once everyone was gone, I hit Starbucks and sat at my computer for day 1 of the Online Card Class CAS. Several great videos to watch, lots of awesome tips, and of course, some wonderful clean and simple card samples. Our homework today was to create our own cards using the sketches from today's class. I went with a card created by Amber Kemp-Gerstel. I did change mine up a bit - I added a layer and the twine as well as used a different stamp set (Trendy Tree Tops from PaperTrey Ink). So much fun, I hope to create more from today's inspiration. And just think, there's still more to come!!!

An Ode to Snow

And boy do we have enough of the white fluffy stuff. This morning our crisp and undisturbed front yard now shows evidence of the romping party the deer had, even spots where they were laying down. I'm not a big fan of snow, but our White Out Challenge at The Outlawz is a fun way to appreciate the white...from inside!! We're asking for a CAS project that has only white. The image and sentiment can be colored, but the rest of the card must be white. I put to use my new die from Memory Box and a stamp set from Paper Smooches. The panel is popped up on the main card base, something I've seen done before and really like the effect. I even had some white twine to add to this. Another card to add to my Christmas pile for this year. Fabulous.

Happy Easter

The midweek throwdown challenge at Operation Write Home is Easter (you can find the post HERE). I printed up this darling Easter Birdie from Doodle Pantry - already colored so a quick card could be made. I was inspired by OWH's Sunday sketch as well (found HERE), changing up the placement of the brads. I copy and save all their sketches, and this will definitely be one that I come back to. Stay warm.

Poodles of Fun

Well today has not been poodles of fun, a dusting of snow that turned into 5 inches to shovel and worry about everyone getting home...no fun at all. What was fun though was getting into my stamp room and creating this card for the Seize the Birthday challenge - follow the sketch and make a girly birthday card. I've had this adorable image from Doodle Pantry printed off for quite some time now and finally found the perfect sketch to go with it (isn't it supposed to be the other way around?!!!). The image is called Poodle of Fun and can be found HERE. Now normally I use the coordinating digital paper that's included with sets, but my scrap paper bin is still full so why not raid it!!

I hope you enjoy your weekend, stay warm. The crock pot is full of homemade vegetable soup for dinner tonight...mmmmm, it's smelling so good in here! 

Be True to Your Heart

This is my week for going green...the color that is!! Our challenge at Color My Heart is New England Ivy, Topiary and Sweet Leaf. I do love doing monochromatic, as long as I have a neutral to break it all up. These three Close to my Heart colors are great, going from dark, to medium, to light. Once again I used two retired stamp sets (the new catalog comes out February 1st, I can't wait!), Be True and Spot on Backgrounds. Yes, I'm trying to keep it clean and simple, but I always find myself adding just one more layer! Guess that's just my thing! Now I sure hope you can join us at Color My Heart for our wonderful, and green, color challenge. 

Monochromatic Green

Stars and Stamps, the challenge blog for Operation Write Home, has started a new segment on Mondays called Design Boot Camp. This week is all about the ABC's of color. For my homework assignment, I chose the monochromatic color scheme - using variations (tint, tone, and shades) of a single hue. I went with two greens (fresh asparagus and green apple from Gina K Designs) plus vanilla as my neutral. I also decided to case the idea I've seen on various blogs using both the die cut as well as the negative layer. Fresh asparagus ink was sponged on the leaf while it was still in the die then popped up. Some linen thread and a sentiment and another card is born!!! I am slowly filling up my box bound for Operation Write Home!!  

Sweet Clown

It's Wednesday - HOORAY!!! Time for a new challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. A great sketch indeed, thanks to our new sketch designer Sally Dube.

I know it's always fun to reveal each week our generous sponsors, and this week we have a new one to SSW - Floppy Latte.

Hi. I'm jessica (or FLOPPY) of FLOPPY LATTE DESIGNS. I design digital stamps and papers, and also rework old woodcuts and drawings and put them into digital stamp form.. and i'm stef (or GLITTERBABE) as i'm known in blogland. I also design digital stamps but not quite as intricately as FLOPPY does. Together we're the LATTE LADIES, or better known as FLOPPY LATTE DESIGNS. Jess is the more serious one and stef is the clown – always trying to make people laugh. ok. So she likes the limelight. Keeps me (jess) in the background creating. Together we offer a variety of stamping and scrapbooking images and items reaching out to everyone's tastes (so we think). Do drop by FLOPPY LATTE DESIGNS ( www.floppylattedesigns.com/catalog ) and have a look around. We are sure you'll see something you like and we guarantee it'll put a smile on your face!

Jessica and Stef are graciously offering up a prize of a $10 gift certificate to our winner!!! 

And here's my card for our new sketch, using the sweet Clown Doll image. In general, clowns are not my favorite thing, but this one is way beyond cuteness to absolute adorableness!!! I couldn't resist going with the bright primary colors either, and did you notice, no designer paper!!! What is this world coming to?!!! Hahaha!! Now I can't wait to see what you will create using our latest sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.
 

I'm Ready for Summer

Single digits will do that to you, make you wish it were summer!! Wind chills have been below zero...now that's cold!!! We rented our place for summer vacation in the Outer Banks for this summer, one of my joys of summer - beach and warm sunshine. To make me think of summer, I made this card for the bingo challenge over at Catch the Bug. The Bugaboo image is Flamingo Car. My bingo line is Bugaboo image, sentiment and ribbon. Okay, it's twine, but I hope I can get away with it!!! I'm off to dream about warmer days. School is already on a two hour delay for tomorrow, then Thursday and Friday we're to get snow. YUCK!!!

Tuesday Morning Sketches

Happy Tuesday! My card today is for Tuesday Morning Sketches. And Doodle Pantry is their sponsor this week, so of course I had to play along!! I absolutely couldn't resist using the ADORABLE Honey Bear Birdie - it's the color version along with one of the digital papers you get with this set. The moment I saw this bear, I mean birdie, I knew I wanted to create something with him. Talk about cute!!!!! Anyway, join them at Tuesday Morning Sketches this week and you could be the winner of a fun Doodle Pantry prize.

Cupcakes, YUM!!

I wanted to share with you a cutie card using one of the newest rubber stamps just released this weekend at Fresh Brewed Designs. Her name is Cherry Cupcake Cutie and you can find her HERE. What fun she was to color up in a wild array of colors. Of course I had my scrap of pattern paper picked out first so I could use those colors. When reading blogs, sounds like a lot of you are trying to use up your scraps of paper. I hope we all can rid the world (or at least our own craft spaces) of those little pieces of paper that multiply and divide within the very bin we store them in!!! Initially I wanted to add Stickles to this card, but then decided to add it to my box for Operation Write Home so went with no glitter. Quick and easy...my kind of card!  

Miss You

Hello and welcome to our latest challenge at Seems a Little Sketchy. This will be my last sketch with them as a DT member as I am stepping down. I will continue to play along though when time permits. Isn't this a great sketch? I love it. And I love our two sponsors too - Bugaboo Stamps and Eureka Stamps.

I was thrilled to receive this adorable Patriotic Kitty digi from Eureka. How perfect for my shipment of cards I want to send out to Operation Write Home. That's why I turned it into a Miss You card. Now I sure hope you can join us at Seems a Little Sketchy for your chance to win some great prizes.   

A Dino-Mite Blog Hop

If you are looking for the Fresh Brewed Designs blog hop, please go HERE.

Hello one and all and welcome to our monthly blog hop at Clearly Digi Stamps. I hope you arrived here from Kathy's blog. If you didn't, please go back to the start at Clearly iStamp. We've changed things up this year with our prize - there will be one winner chosen from each participating DT member's blog!!! And what do you win you ask??? Why the digi set (as a zip file) that the Design Team member used on their card!!! How fun is that??!! When posting comments on EVERY blog in the hop (which I highly recommend you do!!!), please provide an email address so you can be notified if you are the winner!

Our theme this month is "Something New" - and my something new is the newly released digi set Tiny Dinos. I used some of the digital papers also included in this set. I think I may have to include this card into my ever growing stack for Operation Write Home.

Now remember, every DT member will have a winner, so please provide an email address when you comment. I am your last stop on our hop so good luck. We will announce our winners on Thursday, January 24th.   

Tea Time

If you're looking for the Fresh Brewed Designs Rubber Release Blog Hop, please go HERE. 

It's Sunday, and that means a new clean and simple challenge over at The Outlawz. Our challenge this week celebrates January's Hot Tea Month - create a CAS card that features a beverage. Since I really enjoy a cup of piping hot tea, I went with it. I used a die cut and stamp set from PaperTrey Ink called Tea for Two. Some washi tape and bling and this get well card is ready for mailing. Please join us for our Tea Time challenge over at The Outlawz.   

Fresh Brewed Designs Rubber Release Blog Hop

Welcome to the First FRESH BREWED DESIGNS

 Rubber Stamp Release and Blog Hop for 2013!

If you are just arriving to the hop, you will need to go back to the start.

Please do a little skip over to the Freshly Brewed Challenges blog to get started. 

If you are arriving from Celeste's blog, then you are right on track!!!

  

We are so excited about all of the fun things we are getting to share with you

in 2013. We have  had  our stamps for months, just WAITING for this day!

WAIT NO LONGER!!!

Here they are:

  She Loves Lattes and Cherry Cupcake Cutie

For my post today, I chose to feature the new stamp She Loves Lattes:

 

And let me tell you, she isn't the only one who loves lattes!! My usual drink at Starbucks is a caramel latte...talk about yummy.And could that sentiment be any truer?!! And what is fabulous is that sentiment along with several others are included with this stamp. 

Our stamps have gone through a little transformation this year. 

They are STILL on the DEEPLY ETCHED, thick, gorgeous, made in the USA

red rubber ... but in designing the layout we took special care in making sure that we left

a lot more room between the images. This means you get a cleaner looking cut out and have more room

to trim around your stamp! We have added SENTIMENTS to some of our stamps this year! 

AND Our packing for the NEW stamps have changed as well:

Here is a little preview for you. 

 

 As if that wasn't enough...

We also have something else that is NEW to share with you!!!

We have a NEWSLETTER now available for purchase. 

Stop by the shop and read more about it HERE. 

Thank you so much for hopping with us this month!

I hope you have enjoyed your time here at my blog. 

It is time for us to say goodbye and time for you to head over to my friend

Sarah's blog  to check out what she has prepared for you. 

Have a very blessed and wonderful day!

 

 

Here is the hop order in case you get lost along the way

Freshly Brewed Challenges Blog

Sheryl

Vanessa

Celeste

Linda

Sarah

Hannah

Heather 

 

 

 

 

Final Birthday Card

Yep, I made it, I have now completed all 7 challenge for the birthday celebration of Bugaboo over at their blog, Catch the Bug. Today's challenge is to add texture onto your card. A freebie was provided (like they do every Friday) but once again, I didn't use it!! Instead, I used this image, Flower Pocket 5, that I've never used before. My texture comes from my favorite embossing folder as well as dimensionals popping up the main image, and Glossy Accents on the flowers. Note to self, when on a bit of a time crunch, do not use Glossy Accents, you have to wait for them to dry!!!!!! I'm thrilled to have finished all seven challenges. Like I said before, I've added them all to my stack of cards going to Operation Write Home. 

Ruff Day?

We've all had 'em, days that nothing seems to be going our way. Well all I can say is one look at this face and it will have you smiling again! This card is for our newest challenge at Clearly Inspired Challenges - use red and brown. With brown being one of my favorite colors, this was a real fun challenge for me!!! I used our featured digi, Mr. Spike, because I simply couldn't resist! Of course I went with the color version as well as one of the digital papers in the set. I hope you can join us at the Clearly Inspired Challenge over the next two weeks, the more who play, the more prizes up for grabs!!

This Sunday will be our monthly blog hop at Clearly Digi Stamps. We've changed things up a little bit as far as our prizes go...but you'll have to come hop with us to find out what those changes are!!!
  

A Maculine Birthday

I've got a busy day ahead, but I wanted to first get my day 6 card posted for Catch the Bug birthday challenges. Thursday's challenge is all about the guys - Make a masculine birthday card. I thought of my Dad when I saw this image, AKV Men - Golf. Hooray for these challenges because two more pieces of scrap paper got put to use!! I've even been trying to use images that I've already had printed off, just never put them on a card...until now!!!

Thanks for stopping by. I've got some errands to run then I will finish up the week long array of birthday related challenges over at Catch the Bug. Only one more left, can't believe I got myself caught up. (Thanks for the push Nancy!!)

Humor Me

Another quick post to show my "Funny Card" for Bugaboo's birthday bash over at Catch the Bug. When it comes to humor, Stella and Gus have got it! I couldn't resist using Gus Birthday - Optional because it simply makes me laugh. I followed the sketch over at Seize the Birthday, it's one I will be going back to time and time again. Okay, almost caught up with the challenges...good thing since today is the last day!!!! Be on the lookout for more to come. 

Birthday Tic Tac Toe

I am back with another card for Bugaboo's third birthday celebration. You can read all about it on their challenge blog, Catch the Bug. Tuesday's challenge was tic tac toe and the three in a row I used was a Bugaboo image, Free, Pink. Now a freebie was offered to use but, as you can see, I am quite the rebel and didn't use it!!! Instead, I used Pig Cupcakes because I thought I could more easily incorporate pink into the card by using it!! Talk about lazy!!!!!

Color My Heart

I knew I was going to be cutting it close getting my card done for the Color My Heart challenge, I just didn't expect all the interruptions along the way!! Okay, taking a deep breath right now.......

Welcome to another new color combination challenge, brought to you by Color My Heart. This week we are looking for creations using Black, White, and a pop of one other color. So fun!! Here is my card using Dutch Blue as my pop of color. And my stamp set is an older retired Close to my Heart set called My Farm. My husband grew up on a farm and tells me all kinds of stories. His family laughs at my reactions to some of them!!!!! Hey, I'm a city girl, through and through.

We sure hope you can join us for our black, white, +1 color challenge at Color My Heart.  

Birthday Card #3

I'm on a mission now, and I choose to accept it!!!! I WILL get the rest of the challenges done for the birthday celebration going on at Catch the Bug!! After all, there are some wonderful prizes up for grabs!!! This is Monday's challenge - black and white with a pop of color. As you can see, I went with a sports theme on this one, and my favorite teams are the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins. So black, white and bright yellow it is. My image is the sweet Bugaboo image called Kidlet - Baseball Girl. Again, a piece of scrap paper was used along with some ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon. Quick and easy for sure. 

Pink Penguin Wishes

Yes, I'm back already with my 2nd installment for the Bugaboo Birthday Bash. Check it out on their blog, Catch the Bug. This time we have a sketch challenge and you know how I LOVE sketches!!! It's perfect for a quick and easy card. The other part of the challenge was something with threes.

 And here is mine, using the sweet Bugaboo image, Birthday Penguin - Gift. Why did I color in the penguin pink you ask? And I answer, just for something fun!!! I'm sending all the cards I make this week to Operation Write Home, and figured this would make a wonderful card for a soldier to send home to their little girl. In my quest to use up as many as I can, the papers are scraps. And my something of 3 are the brads. Now let me see if I can get one more card done before the boys get home from school...fingers crossed.  

Happy Bee-day!

Bugaboo Stamps is holding a Birthday #3 celebration on their challenge blog, Catch the Bug. I am desperately behind on the daily challenges, so here goes...for Saturday's Anything Birthday challenge. Told you I was behind!!! Found this adorable image, Bee Bear - Flowers, already colored, so to a quick birthday card it goes!! I pulled out some scraps (my goal to use up as many as I can) and just some brads for embellishments, and it's done. I plan to add all the cards I make for this week of challenges into my pile for Operation Write Home. I figure birthday cards are always needed. Okay, now on to day #2!!

A Sweet Valentine

I always love when it's Wednesday, but for a different reason than most. It's because I get to show the newest challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It's a beauty, isn't it?! Great for using up some pattern papers, even scraps!  

Our monthly sponsor, Digi Stamp Boutique, is offering our winner 6 free digi stamps. Can I just say I wish I could play along!! Sally Ann's images are simply adorable!  

Here's my card, using Valentine Zoe. She is so sweet. I pulled out some scraps of paper and in no time this card was together. So fun, I hope you can all join us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday for your chance to win some free digis from Digi Stamp Boutique.  

I am submitting this card to the monthly challenge at the Digi Stamp Boutique Blog - use a Digi Stamp Boutique image

New Release at Clearly Digi Stamps

Happy Tuesday and welcome to the January release at Clearly Digi Stamps. We are so glad to have you join us for yet another fun and fabulous release. I'm thrilled to be able to share two cards with you. First up, say hello to Little Chickie. Is this not a cutie of an image?!! I love the digital papers that are also included. Such fun springy colors.

We are proud to have illustrator DeeDee Anderson back with us, and she has designed this adorable set called From the Heart. I used the color version of this darling little mouse holding a Valentine treat. I found this scrap piece of brown argyle paper so why not put it to use. And when going through my stash of crafting goodies (in an attempt to organize them), I found these heart brads. It's amazing what we find when we clean!!!

May I suggest heading over to the CDS blog, Clearly iStamp, to see all the wonderful digital sets being released this month. You'll be glad you did.  

I To-tea-lly Love You

I don't know why I waited until this morning to post my card. I should have stayed up a little longer last night and scheduled it because now I am soooooo tired, I don't know if this will make any sense or not!!! I've already goofed big time - I moderate comments and have recently been invaded by lots and lots of spam. Well in my zest to delete the spam, I also deleted two lovely comments from two beautiful ladies - so sorry Stacy and Glenda (hanging head in shame). So bear with me as I try to break thru the cobwebs in my mind and make sense with what I'm typing!!!

January is National Hot Tea month, so how perfect this adorable Fresh Brewed Designs image, I To-tea-lly Love You, is! I found this paper with the gorgeous pinks, grays and black and went with it. Inside it reads "You're my Cup of Tea." So fun!!

Just wanted to add a quick reminder about our blog hop this weekend, starting at the Fresh Brewed Blog. You won't want to miss it. And don't forget about our month long challenge also at the Fresh Brewed Blog, Anything Goes. Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Gone Country

Yee-Haw, gone country is the challenge over at Craft Your Passion, and Doodle Pantry is the sponsor. Well I could not resist joining in and showing off the newly released Saddle Ants. Don't they just make ya smile?!!! And I absolutely adore this digital paper also included in the set!! When I first saw it, I knew I HAD to use it!! This will be perfect for one of my nieces, a true country girl at heart. She and her husband breed, raise, and show horses so how perfect! A great way to brighten up the mailbox!!  

Rock On

I'm really lovin' the clean and simple style thanks to the Sunday challenge at The Outlawz. Now you too can join in with us by embracing your CAS style!! Our theme this week is to create a CAS card showing something that depicts music. I let my inner rock star come out for this one!! I used a stamp set and die from PaperTrey Ink, Rock On. Another definite quick and easy card. Now join us for another fun CAS challenge at The Outlawz.   

More Valentines

I wanted to post a reminder of our Clearly Inspired Challenge still going on.The theme is "Puppy Love"  -  show some cards of love featuring animals. The more players, the more prizes up for grabs!!! Here are two cards I made, both using the digital set Loving Critters. Isn't this beaver adorable?

And here's my favorite of the bunch of critters, the penguin. Love the heart banner he's holding. Two quick and easy cards, especially when you use the same layout!! Enjoy your day and I hope to see you at the Clearly Inspired Challenge. 

Special Friend

Next to sketches, color combos are my favorite challenges. And, in case you didn't hear, I've been selected to be on the Color My Heart DT!!!!! So now I get to share some fun and fabulous colors challenges from Close to my Heart in hopes you will join in with us. I've been "collecting" Close to my Heart stamps and inks for awhile now, so this is a perfect way to start putting them to use!! Our challenge this week is Indian Corn Blue and Ruby. I found an old CTMH paper packet called Blue Ribbon for the pattern paper. The coordinating stamp set is called Whimsical Wings for the butterfly and the sentiment is from Be True. I'm really trying for the quick and easy cards, and this one fits the bill. I hope you can join us at Color My Heart for a fun color challenge.