Beary Merry Christmas

Christmas is coming, whether we like it or not, and we at Holly Jolly Christmas want to say relax, it's an Anything Goes Christmas challenge this next two weeks!! You have a chance to win some sweet pickin's from our sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps. I used a darling image, Christmas Bear Trio, and an old paper pack with fun colors of blues, greens and reds.

Challenges I'm submitting my card to include:
A Gem of a Challenge - Clean and simple
Hiding in my Craft Room - Any holiday
ABC Christmas Challenge - Something festive
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Christmas critters
Crafting by Designs - Christmas

Stamp TV Kit

I wanted to share another card I made using the latest Stamp TV kit by Gina K Designs, The Simple Things. This is actually for the September challenge over at the Stamp TV Kit Addicts group, use any kit to create your project but no designer paper allowed!! That's a tough one!!! It's also tough to make a sympathy card when you really one, so I always try to have one on hand. No designer paper means pulling out the embossing folders!! Love those things.

Challenges I'm submitting my card to include:
Crafting When We Can - No designer papers
The Outlawz Paper a la Mode - Use a sentiment
Brown Sugar - Anything goes

Happy Sweet Fall

Boy, life sure is getting in my way this week!!! Yesterday we hosted a taekwondo tournament at the school for our students. It was loads of fun but lots of work getting ready for it, the day of, and the clean up afterwards. I came home and realized I had to get several of my DT cards worked on. Here's the one for our latest CAS challenge over at The Outlawz. Fall is upon us -- the nights are cool, it gets dark early and the trees are starting to show their beautiful autumn colors. Fall is our inspiration for the challenge this week so I went with a pre-colored digi from Doodle Pantry, Quirky Scarecrow. I found a piece scrap paper on top of the pile that worked perfectly with the colors of this cute image. Join us at The Outlawz for some sweet fall fun, keeping it clean and simple of course.
  

Have a Jolly Jingle Holiday

This is my second "forgot to post" post for today!!! Doodle Pantry is sponsoring the Christmas themed challenge over at Fab 'n' Funky. I couldn't wait to use this Doodle Pantry image and sentiment, Carousel Deer. This pre-colored image is stunning and I absolutely adore the jolly jingle sentiment. I used a little bit of the digital paper included in the set. Sure hope you can join in the Christmas challenge at Fab 'n' Funky and you could win some fabulous Doodle Pantry goodness for yourself!!   

Sweet Halloween

Seems like I had an OOPS moment and forgot to post to my blog for today!! Well here we go, a great blast from the past sketch for the last Wednesday of the month at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. We also have a twist...anything coffee themed. 

And who better to sponsor us with our coffee theme twist than Heather at Fresh Brewed Designs, where creativity is brewed fresh daily (I love that!). And did you know Sept. 29th is National Coffee Day?! Let's get ready to celebrate with a full pot of your favorite blend! 

Here's my card, using one of my absolutely favorite Fresh Brewed Deigns image, Pumpkin Latte. I paired it up with the fun sentiment, Java Happy Halloween. Would you believe it wasn't until now that I realized I mixed up the words!!!!! How crazy!!!!! So to all you coffee drinkers out there, from me to you, Happy Java Halloween!!!!! And join us for some coffee fun at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. 

Falling Leaves Challenge

I made two cards last night using the Stamp TV kit by Gina K Designs, The Simple Things. This one is for the Falling Leaves challenge...have a leaf or leaves as the primary image. I heat embossed my leaves, a technique I don't seem to do very often anymore. The cardstock, twine and leaf wooden embellishment also come from the Stamp TV kit. Stay tuned for my second card using the kit, I'll be posting it later this week.

Other challenges I'm submitting my card to include:
2 Cute Ink - Fall 
Corrosive Challenge - Fall
Simply Create Too - Fall

Home Sweet Home

Fresh Brewed Designs is sponsoring Cupcake Inspirations this week. What a grand picture!! People are so creative when it comes to decorating cakes and cupcakes. I just smear on the icing and gobble 'em up!! That's my extent of decorating!!

I was inspired by the pink color and "buildings" theme. From Fresh Brewed Designs I used House on a Hill digital stamp, coloring it in fun shades of pink. My background is 1" strips of paper laid on a diagonal and sponged with caramel ink. This is going to a young couple I work with  who just bought their first place. Sure hope you get a chance to play along in the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge this week, you could be the winner of some fun Fresh Brewed Designs goodies.

I Love You Always & Forever

It's time for a new CAS challenge over at The Outlawz. This week challenge hostess Charlene is going with a favorite movie of hers for inspiration, Six Days Seven Nights. Some hints include island, vacation, umbrella drinks, beach, airplanes, pirates, treasure and/or love. I've had these Flourish Seashells from Sweet N Sassy watercolored and die cut for quite some time. How wonderful to finally put them on a project! The sentiment is by Reverse Confetti, Lots to Say, as is the die I used for the waves, Doin' the Wave. Sharing my favorite colors again, blue and brown.
   

From the Heart

I'm in a bit of a creative slump. I sit down at my desk and my mind goes blank for what to do! I've had this adorable  From the Heart Stamp of the Month (Flappy Birthday) colored for quite some time, just not certain where to take it from there. I tried my hand at clouds once again...and once again I can tell I still need practice! I'm also desperately trying to use up some designer paper, either scraps or paper packs I've had for quite some time. After all, companies keep coming out with irresistible new designs!  

Sweet Holly

Hooray, it's time for a new challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. Great sketch, don't you think?! 

Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Sally Ann from Digi Stamp Boutique. She sponsors us monthly and we are so thankful for that. THANKS SALLY ANN!! 

My card makes use of a fun Digi Stamp Boutique Christmas image, Christmas Frames. I actually printed it off twice, cutting out and popping up the leaves and bow. That says a lot coming from a lazy stamper like me!!! The holly berries are all shiny thanks to glossy accents as well. A fun card to make! I hope you can join us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.
 

Mid Month Release at Doodle Pantry

SURPRISE!! We're having a mid-month release at Doodle Pantry!! That means more sweetness to share, like Praying Birdie that I used on my card. Yes, I used the color version, but check this out, I did not use any digital paper!!!!! What's up with that?!! I actually found this piece of green plaid in my stash that I simply went for it. And I had to use a new embossing folder on the strip of green along the right. Super quick and easy to create, perfect for a friend in need.

Let's Be Merry

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!!! Yes, I've officially lost my mind!!! Just kidding, I'm actually here to share with you our latest challenge over at Holly Jolly Christmas - Ribbon or Lace. I used one of our sponsor's image, Bubbles Jolly Elf from Lacy Sunshine. I love using non-traditional colors for Christmas, so orange, purple and green it is! Actually I found an old line from Cosmo Cricket and thought it would be fun to go with it. The ribbon and bottom eggplant layer are actually an almost perfect match in real life. This little elf got some sparkle on her hat thanks to Stickles. Join us over the next two weeks for some Christmasy ribbon or lace at Holly Jolly Christmas.

 

Happy Fall

Hello and welcome to our Fresh Brewed Flashback! We're revisiting all the fall themed images found at Fresh Brewed Designs. And there are lots of 'em, like the one I used, Happy Fall Girl. Autumn is my favorite season with the beautiful colors of the changing foliage. I just wish from fall it could go directly into spring!!! I'm so NOT a fan of winter!!! To keep in the beautiful colors of fall, I stretched myself to use pattern paper that was not originally created for autumn projects. These papers come from a very old line by Basic Grey. The colors were perfect...so why not use 'em!!! I hope you have some time to check out all the rest of the DT projects. And read more about our Fresh Brewed Flashback HERE on the Fresh Brewed Blog.

Challenges I'm submitting my card to include:
Come and Get It - Use a digi with an autumn theme
The Corrosive Challenge - Autumn
Simply Create Too - Fall
Milk Coffee - Colors of autumn
Creative Moments - Fall colors

A True Friend

It's Clean and Simple Sunday over at The Outlawz, and I am the challenge host. This week, I want to see "girly" cards. What makes a card "girly" to you? Being a bit rebellious, I didn't want to go with anything pink. What's wrong with a blue flower (blue and brown are my favorite colors after all)? NOTHING!!! I heat embossed this Papertrey Ink flower (Friends 'Til the End)  and the leaves from Bold Blooms by Gina K. Designs.  I used my Copic markers to add color and must admit, I really like the way it turned out. Join us and share what makes a card girly to you at The Outlawz.

Challenges I'm entering my card to include:
We Do Doobadoo - Something feminine 
Alphabet Challenge - "P" is for pretty petals
Crafts 4 Eternity - Favorite color combo
Crafty Catz - Clean and simple
Delightful Challenges - Clean and simple
Hobbybook Designer Challenge - Girly

Happy Anniversary Finale

This is my final anniversary card for this month. And the biggest surprise of all...they were all mailed out on time!!!! That so rarely happens in my world. I cased a card I saw browsing thru a friend's craft magazine, unfortunately I don't have the name of the original creator. Just a few squares of designer paper, a happy die cut out 2 times and glued together for a little thickness, and some fun sewing. Now to get to work on some birthday cards!!!

Thanks Snow Much!!

I have to get ready for work soon, so this post will be quick. Being in an odd mood today, I went with a Christmas theme. After all, who doesn't love a cute snowman!!! This one is from Fresh Brewed Designs, A Snowman Christmas. I got a little crazy with the Stickles, odd for a girl who isn't a fan of glitter!!! I did get to use some scraps for this, always a plus in my book. Added some wonky stitching across the top, just for fun.

Challenges I'm entering my card into include:
Loves Rubberstamps - Glitter or Sparkle 
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Sweet Honeybee

Welcome to Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. We have a great sketch for you to work with. Now don't let the shape frighten you, you can use a circle instead. This week we don't have a sponsor, so we're asking you to use your favorite stamp. 

With ALL the stamps I have, I couldn't possibly pick just one as my favorite. Instead I went with my favorite type of stamp, 2 step. And I went with a favorite stamp company, Papertrey Ink. The stamp sets used here are Honey Bees and Honey Bee Sentiments. I used a honeycomb embossing folder for the background piece (can you believe I didn't use any designer paper!!!) but I liked the debossed side better than the side that was raised. A quick, easy and fun card to make, especially when you get a chance to get inky!!! Join us, you'll have fun too at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.

  

Happy Anniversary

Here's my second anniversary card that I need this month. Actually, we have 3 anniversaries (my hubby's parents, his sister, and his niece) within five days of each other!!!!! The rebel in me came out, making sure our wedding was not in September!!!!! This is a Doodle Pantry digital set called Forget Me Nots. The papers are digital too, but they were what I had left over from the Quirky Frog set. Now I only have one more anniversary card to go.

Challenges I'm entering my card into include:
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes 
Glitter n Sparkle - Use a digi
Robyn's Fetish - Anything goes

The Color of Fall

We have a new Clean & Simple challenge for you over at The Outlawz -- use your favorite colors. Now if someone were to ask me my favorite color, I'd have to say blue and brown. But now I want to add fall to that list!!! Nothing warms my heart more than seeing the beautiful colors of the leaves as they change into their coats of yellows, reds and oranges. I put my dies to use on this one, starting with the Leaves 1 by Paper Smooches. The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp, Banner Greetings stamp set and die. The background stamp is by Hero Arts and can be found HERE. This actually was a quick card to make too...my kind of stamping!!!

Challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Hiding in my Craft Room - Think fall 
Just us Girls - Leaves

Unfrogettable Love

September is the month for anniversaries in our family so I thought I would get started on some cards. Here's one using a set from Doodle Pantry called Quirky Frog. You know me and the color version of digis...I LOVE 'EM!!! I also think this sentiment is adorable, perfect for the 2nd anniversary of my husband's niece and her hubby. Now off in the mail it goes.
 

Happy Fall!

Well it certainly doesn't feel like fall in the air yet, we hit 90 degrees today!! I love the colors of fall, and this adorable new release over at Imagine That, Humphrey's Sunflower. The monthly challenge is a little bit different this month over at the Imagine That blog - use any Imagine That digi, link it HERE, and receive October's challenge set FREE!!! How fun!!!

Challenge I'm submitting my card to include:
Delicious Doodles - Colors of autumn

  

School Days

It's Thursday...I need to keep reminding myself of that!!! Those darn Monday holidays! Anyway, I'm here to share our latest challenge over at the Fresh Brewed Blog - School Days. I'm so happy everyone is back to school, routine is a good thing! I used from Fresh Brewed Designs the digi image School Time for Apple. Such a sweetie, don't you think?! I covered the apple with glossy accents, love the shine. My sentiment is from PaperTrey Ink, Teacher's Apple stamp set. Quick and easy...hooray!!

Challenges I'm submitting my card to include:
Milk Coffee - Back to school    
Creative Moments - Back to school
Little Red Wagon - Back to school
Lexi's Creations - Sparkle & Shine

Who Doesn't Love a Good Purse!!

 Time for a new challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. Another great one, perfect to use those designer papers I'm always "collecting!!!" 

And what else is great is our sponsor, A Day for Daisies. They're offering our winner a $12 gift certificate for their store. Be sure and check 'em out, they have many wonderful images! 

Like this one, Curvy Purse. Many of my friends have a thing for shoes, I have a thing for purses!! So I knew this image was a must have. And how perfect for paper piecing too. That way, I could match her purse with her dress!! This sketch really goes together quickly, so be sure and join us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.
 

Blessed Christmas

Welcome back to our new challenge at Holly Jolly Christmas. The theme for the next two weeks is RED - use something on your project that begins with one, two or all three of the letters R E D. I used the color Red, my background is Embossed, and my poinsettia is a Die cut. The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp, Holiday Hellos. The poinsettia die is from Paper Smooches and can be found HERE. Let your imagination run wild and join us for a fun challenge at Holly Jolly Christmas.
    

Doodle Pantry September Release

It's the first of the month and time for a new release at Doodle Pantry. I am always so excited to share cards I create using Laurie's images and papers, they are such fun to work with. Here is a set called Glory Days, a clear stamp set from Clear Dollar Stamps that was turned into digis. I went with the F-18 Hornet because, and you'll laugh at this, I was absolutely drawn to the digi paper that goes with this plane!!!!!! Love those colors and stars!

Don't forget the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge over at the blog, it starts at noon. Play along using a Doodle Pantry image and you'll receive the featured set, Cheer Spirit, absolutely free! Also, when you make a purchase, don't forget to add this free set, Ageless Antiques 1, to your cart. Speaking of making a purchase, use the code LABORDAY14 at checkout and get 30% off your cart. Some restrictions apply so read all the details HERE.

Challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Robyn's Fetish - Use a digi
The Corrosive Challenge - Let's hear it for the boys
Daring Cardmakers - Clean and simple
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Sentiment other than birthday
My Heart Pieces - Use a digi