Buttons and Bows

Buttons & bows, that's the challenge over at A Day for Daisies blog. You must use A Day for Daisies image along with a button, bow, or both. I adore this image, called Birds for Bree. I pulled out a piece of scrap paper and had enough to use both sides of it on this card! I'm into using linen thread lately, creating a bow with it and tying it up with a button. A quick, easy and fun card to create.

A Happy Hello

Today has been "one of those days," something I know we all have experienced! My card took me longer to make than I planned, not looking exactly like the sketch. But I'm claiming creative liberties here by changing it up to something that I liked!!!!

Here's the sketch, Stella's sketch from Catch the Bug. For my card I had to put the circle image on top of my washi tape and scallop border strips. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!! My image from Bugaboo is Rottweiler Puppy Hello - he is such a cutie. My sentiment stamp was simply too long so I cut it up after stamping it, and now I was able to make it fit.

Enjoy your Monday. See you tomorrow...the first of October!!!!! YIKES!!
 

It's a Girl!

Here's my card for our Clean & Simple challenge over at The Outlawz. Our theme this week is babies in all their cuteness! I used a Doodle Pantry image (color version) and sentiment from the set Quirky Stork. What's funny is I've had this printed out, even cut out, for quite some time now. How lucky for me this challenge came along so it could finally get made into a card! Let's see your sweet baby card, CAS style, for our challenge at The Outlawz.

Jingle All the Way!

Aren't these guys adorable?!!! This is the color version of the Doodle Pantry set just released this month called Jingle Ants. Even the paper is digital and from this set. A quick card done this morning before heading into work. But I'm just now getting it posted...oh bother!!

Some challenges I'd like to submit my card to included:
Totally Gorjuss - Traditional Christmas Colors (red, green and silver)
Delicious Doodles - Eyelets or brads
Digitally Sweet Challenges - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Keepin' it simple when it comes to Christmas cards...they mail so much easier this way. I'm playing along with the current challenge over at Catch the Bug, it's their September Bingo. I went with circle, twine, and player's choice - that's my Bugaboo image, Poppi Christmas Candy Cane. After I made this, I realized I had used linen thread...sure hope that will pass as twine!!! Always trying to cheat!!! Hahaha!! Enjoy your day.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge

Here it is, our latest and greatest sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It is such a fun one so I hope you can play along!

Our sponsor this week is Eureka Stamps. 

 Finally, The Stamps You've been Looking for! Eureka Stamps offers a large variety of images and sentiments in many different categories for all of your stamping needs. Our Paper Sculpting stamps add an extra dimension to your creations. Or, Mix and match our Balloons and Balloon Holders to celebrate every occasion. Our Stamps are available as unmounted, deep etched, natural red rubber stamps OR as digital stamps. If Eureka Stamps aren't exactly what you are looking for, Don't miss out on the sister companies: QKR Stampede, Biblical Impressions Rubber Stamps, or the newest addition; Alluring Impressions.

Our winner will receive 5 digital images of their choice from Eureka Stamps. 

Here's my card using the digital image Harvest Basket. Oh how I love the colors of fall, and with the chilly nights we've been having, it's gonna be here before ya know it. Enjoy your week and join us for our fabulous and fun challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

   

A Christmas Card!

Can you believe there are only 91 days until Christmas?!!! YIKES, I'd better get to work on those cards!! Here's one to add to the mix, using the adorable image from Fresh Brewed Designs called Boy With Gift. I found him in my stack of digital images I've printed off with specific projects in mind that never got done. Time to start working on that pile!!!

Speaking of Fresh Brewed Designs, there's a sale going on as well as a fun challenge. Enter the code "surprise" at checkout for a discount of 35% off your entire order. The challenge is a sketch (my favorite kind!) and you can read all about it HERE on the Fresh Brewed Blog.

Pirate Birdie

It's Monday, and I'm actually lovin' it! Everyone's at work or school and the house is very quiet. I should go to the grocery store but...we'll see! Instead I wanted to share with you my card for the Send a Smile 4 Kids challenge blog. Doodle Pantry is one of their sponsors so of course I had to play along! Having two boys of my own, I am always drawn to the male type of images, and a Pirate Birdie is perfect for an Anything Goes for Kids challenge theme.

Sapphire Blue

Good morning and welcome to our latest clean and simple challenge over at The Outlawz. Since sapphires are the birthstone for September (lucky for me too!!), we're asking you to make a monochromatic CAS card with blue as your predominate color. The more I look at my card, I haven't decided if blue or white is my main color!! But it's definitely CAS!! I use from Taylored Expressions their stamp set Spectacular and the Spectacles die. Such a fun card to make!!

Stella Says Sketch

Stella is back from her summer vacation and has a wonderful new sketch!! Ain't it a beauty?!! I thought it was fun. Check it out HERE. 

I'm in need of a couple thank you cards so that's what I went with. I also decided on using Bugaboo image that I haven't used before, AKV Smelling Flowers. Brown has been a favorite color of mine, so anything paired with brown is good in my book!! So pink it is!! The designer paper is some scraps...of course.

Indian Summer

While waiting for the furnace guy to finish up servicing our furnace, I made this fun card for the Indian Summer theme challenge over at Catch the Bug. This time of year is when all the carnivals and fairs are in action. So I had to use this adorable AKV Carnival Apple. As kids, whenever we left the fair for the night, we could get a treat. I picked either the cotton candy or candy apples. My tastes haven't changed much, except now I prefer caramel apples. My fabulous fall designer papers are from Gina K Designs, Grateful Heart. 

Something Quick

I didn't want to miss the challenge over at A Day for Daisies - monochromatic. I totally adore the freebie that was provided and simply had to use her - Growing a Flower. And as you can see, my color is brown. This is my first time participating in their challenges, and all you need to do is follow the challenge theme AND use A Day for Daisies image. I used the wonderful sketch I found at Sketch Saturday. And can you believe it, I didn't use designer paper!!! GASP! Off to get ready for work now.

Sweet Halloween Witch

Happy Hump Day!! We are thrilled to see you here at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. We are actually re-visiting a past sketch - so fun!!! And below is my card using this sketch the first time around!!

Our sponsor this week is our monthly sponsor, Digi Stamp Boutique. Thanks Sally Ann for your continued support every month, we love you!!

All images/designs are created and copyright owned by Sally-Ann Hancock. My work means the world to me - it allows my passion to draw and create, to fit with my family life too - often the inspiration for my designs. Hope you enjoy as much as I enjoy creating.

Here is my card using the adorable Halloween Hattie. Talk about a sweet witch!!! Now I hope you can join us this week for our blast from the past sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

I will be submitting this card to the monthly challenge at the Digi Stamp Boutique Blog.
   

Life is Sweet

I just wanted to remind you I have two blog hops going on. First is for Clearly Digi Stamps found HERE - the winner will be announced Thursday so be sure and comment. My second blog hop is for Fresh Brewed Designs found HERE - now this one you have until 3pm eastern time today to get your hands on a really great deal!!! For my card I used Spicy Cupcake Cutie who is part of this fabulous rubber stamp bundle!

*$20 for cling mounted ---- $17 for unmounted

I know you are thinking "WOW, that is an awesome deal!"
 but wait ...  there's more!!!
Not only can you score this awesome bundle deal, but
everyone who purchases the new bundle will be sent a code to
purchase ANY other FBD Rubber Stamps for 50% off ...
NO LIMIT!
You can choose from any stamp that is in stock, cling mounted or unmounted! 

 

Fresh Brewed Blog Hop

Good Morning and welcome to our
 RUBBER STAMP RELEASE AND BLOG HOP!
We are so happy to be sharing this fun event with you. 
This will be our LAST BLOG HOP and STAMP RELEASE for 2013

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

at Freshly Brewed Challenges.

If you are getting here from Sheryl's blog then you are good to go!

I am so happy to  introduce to you the newest addition to the FBD rubber stamp family:

I know you are thinking "WOW, that is an awesome deal!"
 but wait ...  there's more!!!
Not only can you score this awesome bundle deal, but
everyone who purchases the new bundle will be sent a code to
purchase ANY other FBD Rubber Stamps for 50% off ...
NO LIMIT!
You can choose from any stamp that is in stock, cling mounted or unmounted! 

 For my project, I decided to create using Chocolate Cupcake Cutie. She is so adorable! I also used the sentiment "have a sweet day" cutting it up like I so often do. This way I can make a sentiment fit anywhere. 

**REMEMBER**
You have until 3:00 PM EST, Sept 17th to HOP
AND to receive our special RUBBER STAMP BUNDLE deal!

Thank you so much for hopping with us!

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

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

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

Here is the full hop order :

Freshly Brewed Challenges Blog 

 Vanessa

Rhonda
Sheryl
Linda
Heather
Celeste
Yolanda
Sarah

You're an Angel

Hello and welcome to our last blog hop for Clearly Digi Stamps. What do you mean "last" blog hop? Lori has decided to close Clearly Digi Stamps September 30th. Read her blog post HERE. In the meantime, I'm glad you're here! You should have arrived here from Kathy's Blog. If not, please go back to the beginning at Clearly iStamp. Each DT member participating in today's hop will be giving away the digital stamp set they used. Winners will be drawn from the comments so be sure and do so and each blog!!

For my card I used the digital set Patchpal Angel. I think she is the sweetest!! And each of the participating DT members will be sending their cards off to the owner of Clearly Digi Stamps, Lori. Talk about fun mail!!! So of course I kept it simple to make it easy to mail.

Be sure and make your purchase at Clearly Digi Stamps before the 30th. From now until then, all digis and SVG files will be 25% off. Simply enter the code SEPT30CLOSING at checkout.

Now I am the last stop on our hop. Thank you so much for joining us! Be sure and come back on Thursday to see our blog hop winners.
    

Who Wants a Hug?

Doodle Pantry is sponsoring the 2 Sisters Challenge Blog this week. It's a fabulous sketch:

Being without mojo I find sketches to be a huge help. This one is great for showing off your designer papers! I used the newly released Doodle Pantry image called Franken-Birdie. The papers also come from that set. I just love this birdie, so sweet in a spooky sort of way!!

The Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge is still going on but only until the 24th. Create something using a Doodle Pantry image and you'll receive via email a darling set called Jingle Ants.
    

Let's Be Merry

Card making has been a struggle for me lately. I know we all get caught in a rut at some point and I'm having a hard time pulling myself out. I decided to challenge myself and make a Christmas card using this adorable Fresh Brewed Designs rubber stamp called Cherry Cupcake Cutie. Red, green, and pink was my color scheme...that way I could pull some papers out of my scrap bin. Another thing that's fun for me is cutting up the sentiments. I also need you to bear with me as it's almost 2am and I seem to be rambling on and not making much sense. I'll re-read this in the morning and wonder what I was trying to say!!
 

Just Saying Hello

It's hump day, so it time to share our latest challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Isn't it absolutely fabulous?!!! I think so too! 

And what else is fabulous is our sponsor, A Day for Daisies.  A DAY FOR DAISIES provides themed categories of over 1000 fun and whimsical digital images, including fairy tales and magical mermaids, cutie kids, vintage illustrations, sentiments and lovely designs for all occasions! Up for grabs for our winner is a $12 gift certificate to the A Day for Daisies shop. 

And here's my card, using the adorable Acorn Cutie C. Such a sweetie. I thought the curtain affect on the left side of the card would highlight this darling little image perfect. I hope you can join us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. 
  

Marine Life

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed the past few days. I'm all out of sync with my blog posts and card making!! Deep breath.............
Here's my card from our Clean & Simple challenge over at The Outlawz. Our theme this week is Marine Life - anything that lives in or around the water. I finally got the chance to use this sweet digital image from Doodle Pantry called Dolphin. My strip of digital paper is also from this set. I added a few sequins and they made me think of bubbles. Please join us for a fun CAS challenge over at The Outlawz.
  

Howdy

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, just can't seem to get my act together to get cards made AND posted!! Crazy, crazy! Anyway, this week Doodle Pantry is sponsoring Sentimental Sundays, and their theme is Something "Tweet." A perfect theme because Doodle Pantry has so many tweet birdie images!! I used Farmer Birdie not only because he's cute, but because it was already printed out and in my stack of digital images!!!! Keeping it simple so I could also show off the fun and bright papers. Hope you can join them at Sentimental Sundays for some "tweet" fun.

Doodle Pantry Release

Today is the day for the new release over at Doodle Pantry. Every month I am in total awe of what Laurie creates...and you are going to LOVE what you see new for this month!!! Check out all the newest items HERE. The set I got to work with is called Vintage Stocking. The colors for this set are out of this world gorgeous! I love non-traditional colors for Christmas and this set really takes the cake!! I kept my design simple, wanting the bright white to really pop. The button was added as a cover-up to a mistake of mine...embellishments are a good thing!!!

The Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge will start at 12noon eastern time on the Doodle Pantry Blog. The super sweet set you will receive for playing along with the challenge (must use a Doodle Pantry image) is called Jingle Ants...a must have for your Christmas card collection.
   

You're the Best

We have a new challenge this month over at the Fresh Brewed Blog -- fall themed and the spotlighting technique. Now I am one who likes to follow the rules, but lately I feel like I mess something up then need an excuse as to my reasons. This time, I simply only did the spotlighting technique. No fall theme to a cup of coffee and cupcake...unless it's a pumpkin spice latte and warm pumpkin muffin, with cream cheese frosting!!! Okay, okay, that might be a stretch! But here's my fun card, using a rubber stamp by Fresh Brewed Designs called Love Mug. I'm spotlighting the heart on the mug, so fun! A lot of paper piecing and cutting apart of my sentiment. Like I said, so fun.
  

Sweet Sleeping Kitty

I am posting this at 1:00 in the morning so please pardon any and all mistakes! I have no doubt there will be many! What isn't a mistake is how fun our latest sketch is at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It's another absolute winner.

Our sponsor this week is Broken Box Designs. Be sure and check out this fun store!

 Broken Box Stock is a fun, imaginative and unique clipart shop featuring hand-drawn illustrations and digital stamps by Wendy Sefcik. Crafters, digital stampers, scrapbookers, business owners, teachers, bloggers, website owners, etc. adore the collection of clipart and find endless ways to spruce up their look with Broken Box Stock graphics. 

Our winner this week will receive a $5 gift certificate from Broken Box Designs.

Here's my card using the fun and fabulous Cozy Toodle. I couldn't resist this image because, you guessed it, of the sleeping kitty!! When I'm asleep or on the computer, my two kitties can always be found near by. I wanted to try making her hair a wild color...such a fun trip outside the box!! Come join us for the fun at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

   

Masking Tape Block Stamping

I tried a new fun technique from the Labor Day virtual card making party this weekend at OWH. The challenge, found HERE, called for the Masking Tape Block Stamping Technique. I looked high and low but could not find any making tape in the house! I decided to substitute with washi tape. Well to my surprise after stamping was some of the red of the polka dots from the tape transferred. I decided to go ahead and use the panel anyway! It helped me decide on my color palette!! I stamped the city scape (Landscape Silhouettes by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps) then a second time without re-inking. The plane and sentiment are from my monthly card kit at Simon Says Stamp. Such a fun technique! Guess I'd better put masking tape on my next shopping list!

Sending Warm Fuzzies

Would you just look at this cutie!!! How sweet! This is one of the new images released yesterday at Fresh Brewed Designs. I instantly fell in love with this darling little fox and couldn't wait to create with him! Every so often there's a red fox running around in our woods, never staying out long enough for me to snap a picture. I was inspired by the sketch over at Sketch Saturday. And now that it's September, I've got autumn on my mind so oranges, browns and greens it is. My sentiment is by Hero Arts. The stamp in one long stamp so I inked it up onto cardstock then cut the individual words out, mounted them on brown, then popped them up for some fun.

Enjoy your today, and remember, it's Tuesday!!!!!! That's more a reminder to myself than anybody else!!

My Forever Friend

Told you I was out of order with my OWH Labor Day challenges!! This is challenge #3 - Triple Die Cutting Technique. It's amazing how much less weight there is on your card for all these layers. So clever and so quick. I just got my new Grateful Heart Stamp TV kit from Gina K Designs so I had to get those stamps inky (with the new Gina K ink too!!). Such a fun card to create, I will definitely be making more with this technique.

 

A Fun Fall Card

I've been slowly working on the Labor Day challenges over at OWH - they have really been fun! I'm a little out of order here but couldn't wait to share this one. This is challenge #7 - create a fall themed card. I used this fabulous Bugaboo image, Jar Autumn.  I decided to go with nothing but embossed layers which is something new for me!

I'm also playing along with the color challenge over at Catch the Bug. When I pulled out these colors of cardstock, I immediately saw fall. And the fact that I had just purchased that image I knew it was meant to be!!!! One of those AHA moments! 

 

Waving Hello

I'm slowly working my way thru the OWH Labor Day Weekend Virtual Card Making Party challenges. Challenge #2 asked us to create a card with elements that represent each letter of Operation Write Home. My card is of an Octopus Waving Hello!! Hehehe, I thought that was so clever!! This digital image is the color version of Little Octopus from Clearly Digi Stamps. Be ready, I have a few more cards to share throughout the next few days.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

I am so ready for the regular football season to start! We plan our weekend around when our teams are playing!!! With our son now going to the University of Pittsburgh, we'll definitely be watching their games on TV too. This card is for our CAS challenge over at The Outlawz -- it's a sports theme. I just happen to have football on the mind, but any sport will do. I happen to have this adorable Bugaboo image, Football Boy,  already printed off so I went with it! Of course I used my black and gold colors too!! Have fun and join us this week by sharing your favorite sport themed card, CAS style.

An update on my knee - saw the doctor who felt I just "tweeked" a ligament, nothing torn or requiring surgery. HOORAY! He gave me a shot of cortisone and it feels great! I told him about my trip to Disney in November so he offered to give me another cortisone shot before we leave...I may have to take him up on his offer!