Reindeer Carols

I couldn't resist using the Reindeer Carols set from Imagine That Digistamp, it is SOOOOO adorable!! It is also the featured set for playing along in our monthly link up challenge at Creative Playground. Link up an anything goes project using an Imagine That Digistamp image and you'll receive Reindeer Carols absolutely free!!! So be sure and join us for our monthly challenge at Creative Playground.
 

Humor Me Wednesday

Welcome to Humor Me Wednesday over at Catch the Bug. We take some obscure holidays and create a card using a fabulous Bugaboo image. Today I'm celebrating "Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day" with JJ Housework - Cook. Isn't she hilarious?!!! The sentiment says it all!!

Challenges I'm entering my card to include:
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges - Add a Sentiment
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything Goes


 

Happy Everything!

I seem to be running late but here is my card for the latest CAS challenge over at The Outlawz. It's a fun theme too...to only "decorate" so to speak 1/3 of your card front. Fun, fun, fun!!! I used washi tape from Stampin' Up (Year of Cheer) and a sentiment from Paper Trey Ink. I hope you can join us for this fun clean & simple challenge at The Outlawz.
  

Anything Goes

We have a new challenge this week at Catch the Bug, and the theme is Anything Goes. I found myself running behind this week so a pre-colored Bugaboo image it is...THIS ONE to be exact! Kept it simple, used scraps of pattern paper and no embellishments this time!!! Now show us your anything goes creation this week at Catch the Bug.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's the 1st Saturday of the month and time for a new link-up challenge at Imagine That Digistamp's blog, Creative Playground. If you link up an anything goes project using an image from Imagine That Digistamp, you will receive the adorable featured set Reindeer Carols FREE!! For my card, I decided to create using the lovely Harvest Basket set. Keeping it simple, but of course, and pulling out some scraps of pattern paper. I actually added some embellishments, a few red rhinestones and a linen thread bow. A quick card to then pop in the mail and wish a heaping big thanksgiving wish to someone. I sure hope you can join us this month at Creative Playground for our link-up challenge and your chance at winning a gift certificate to the Imagine That Digistamp store.
  

Pumpkins

We have a new CAS challenge for you over at The Outlawz and the theme this week is Pumpkins. I pulled out a new favorite stamp bundle of mine, Pick a Pumpkin. Actually, everything on this card came from my Stampin' Up store (be sure and check it out). For a complete listing of all products and their links, check out my SU only blog, Linda Lou Creates. Also, be sure and join us at The Outlawz and share you pumpkin creation!!
 

Moosing You

This week at Catch the Bug we have a photo inspiration challenge. So many possibilities!

I was inspired by the forest animals that, even though you can't see them in the photo, I know they're there!! I used from Bugaboo the image A Kids View (AKV) Moose. Found an old Basic Grey paper pack that was at the bottom of my drawer -- figured it was time to pull it out and put it to use. Now join us this week for a photo inspiration challenge at Catch the Bug.
  

Thanks Sew Much

Did you see the latest release at Imagine That Digistamps? It's a super fun set called Punny Thanks and I'm using one of the images and sentiments today. I couldn't resist the adorable sewing machine!! Wish mine was all blue with flowers!!! Now head on over to the Creative Playground to see more inspiration from other design team members of Imagine That Digistamps.
 

Christmas Cards

I made 5 Christmas cards using the latest 5 In Colors from Stampin' Up. Here is lemon lime twist, my favorite of the 5 colors.

This one is done in tranquil tide, my second favorite. I love the blue/greens.

Here is berry burst, a wonderful bright pink.

Fresh fig is a must have for making Christmas cards, it's a fabulous burgundy.

And last is powder pink. It's a lovely soft pink.

I added Nuvo glitter drops for that much needed sparkle to any snowflake card! Now head on over to my SU blog, Linda Lou Creates, for links to all the SU products I used.

 

Cats vs. Dogs

It's time to share the latest CAS challenge over at The Outlawz, Cats vs. Dogs. Of course I went with cat!!!

Some refer to my style as clean and simple...I like to say it's quick and easy!! 10 minutes was all this card took thanks to the Pick a Pattern Washi Tape. I even included a scrap of Gold Glimmer Paper that I almost threw away (GASP!!). I used the Cat Punch from the Spooky Cat bundle (gosh I love that thing!!) and the sentiment from the Spooky Cat stamp set (also part of the bundle). I think I must make a few more of these...they were that quick and easy!!!


I'd like to submit my card to the following challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge - Spots/Stripes or Halloween
Allsorts - Halloween
My Time to Craft - Halloween or Cats (haha, I've got both!!)
Aud Sentiments - Halloween + a sentiment
Try it on Tuesday - It's Halloween Time

Happy Birthday

Thursdays are Oldie But Goodie days at Catch the Bug. That's when we pull out some older Bugaboo images and get creative. I found this cutie, Brat Cupcake Wagon, in my stash and decided to put her to use. I added a little sparkle and shine to her cupcake with wink of stella and crystal effects. Pink and yellow, one of my top 5 favorites of color combinations. Now head on over to Catch the Bug and check out what a few other members of the DT have created.
  

Grouchy Without Coffee

Today is Humor Me Wednesday over at Catch the Bug, and I've created this card for National Grouch Day. We all have those grouchy moments, that's for sure!! My Bugaboo image is Grumpy Gertrude - Touch Coffee. She just makes me laugh!! I do thoroughly enjoy my hot drinks, tea and coffee, and get rather grouchy myself when I keep getting interrupted with questions, phone calls, text messages, etc  while I'm drinking them. Now be sure and check out other humorous cards by the Bugaboo DT over at Catch the Bug.   

Challenges I'm submitting my card to include:
Color Inspiration Monday - Anything goes with hand colored image
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Happy Halloween

I don't know what's going on, I can't seem to get into my stamp room and make a card!!!! So many ideas are running around in my head but when I sit down, I don't know where to begin!!

Okay, now that I'm done with the pity party, here's a card I did get made for our Halloween clean and simple challenge at The Outlawz. A few die cut spiders (EEEK!!) and a sentiment and a card is born!! I hope you can join us this week at The Outlawz to share your Halloween creations!!

Happy Christmas

I made a fun Christmas card last night, using the non-traditional colors that I love to do!! Now everything on this card is from Stampin' Up. A month ago I signed up to become a demonstrator and am lovin' every minute of it!! Now for all the details about this card, go to my SU only blog, Linda Lou Creates. And, if you leave a comment there on this card post, I will enter you in to a drawing for a fun little give away!!! Everyone loves happy mail!!! So be sure and leave your comment on my SU blog, Linda Lou Creates.

 

Stella Says Sketch

Time for a new sketch over at Catch the Bug. So many possibilities! Be sure and check out what other members of the design team created, they are fabulous!!!! 

I've been in a bit of a creative slump lately so sketches are always a big help for me. I already had this fun Bugaboo image, Autumn Critter Stack 1, printed off, in the color version no less. I happen to have the pumpkins die cut too so it was a no brainer!! I hope you can join our sketch challenge at Catch the Bug for your chance at winning some Bugaboo images of your very own!!

I Can't Thank You Enough

Our latest CAS challenge at The Outlawz is focusing on the sentiment. Mine comes from a stamp set by My Favorite Things. And the background is the Modern & Marbled Kit from Paper Trey Ink. Yes, I used a little gold gilding flakes for fun...and boy is it messy!!! Just like glitter!! Thank goodness I had some swiffer cloths to help with the clean-up! I hope you can join us this week at The Outlawz for some clean & simple fun!! 

Thanks a Bunch

 It's time for a new challenge at Imagine That Digistamp's blog, Creative Playground. And like previous months, there's a fun featured set that you receive FREE just for playing along AND using an Imagine That Digistamp image. This month the featured set is Thanks a Bunch. How perfect for those much needed thank you cards! I added a piece of digital paper from the Flamingo Beach set. It's hard to see but I mounted that zig zag paper to a piece of vellum. Now be sure and play along with our monthly challenge at Creative Playground. Be sure and use an Image That Digistamp image so you can get the Thanks a Bunch set absolutely free!!
   

Merry Christmas

Time to share an Oldie But Goodie card using a sweet Bugaboo image - Christmas Prim Angel Tree. She was in my pile of already printed and even cut out images, screaming to be used on a project!! I did a little watercoloring on the background, something I still need to work on because the randomness of it drives me crazy!!!!! Hahaha! Always need to be in control!! Anyway, some fun pattern papers and a little sparkle and linen thread make the card complete. Now head on over to Catch the Bug to see more OBG creations using Bugaboo images you may have forgotten about and must add to your collection!!

Ellie's Flower Costume

Here's another card for yet another sweet set released today at Imagine That Digistamp, Ellie's Flower Costume. Like my card from my previous post featuring Ellie's Pirate Costume, I used the color version of darlin' Ellie along with some of the digital paper also included. And this time I made a baby girl card...so I'm all set!! Hahaha!! Now head on over to Creative Playground to see more samples of the latest releases at Imagine That Digistamp.
  

Would you like 15% off your order of $5 or more? I know, who wouldn't!! Well use the code Linda15 at checkout over at Imagine That Digistamp to save 15%!!!

New Release at Imagine That Digistamp

Today and tomorrow marks a new release at Imagine That Digistamp...of the adorable Ellie the Elephant!! My card features Ellie's Pirate Costume, the color version along with a strip of the digital paper also included. I don't seem to have many baby cards on hand so when I saw the sweet sentiment in this set, I knew I had to use it!! Check out what other members of the IT design team created with this set over at the Creative Playground.

Would you like 15% off your order of $5 or more? I know, who wouldn't!! Well use the code Linda15 at checkout over at Imagine That Digistamp to save 15%!!!

Enjoy Your Special Day!

At The Outlawz this week, our CAS challenge is to use yellow and turquoise. I don't know why I rarely use these colors together so this is a perfect challenge!! Earlier this month I signed on as a Stampin' Up demonstrator so I thought I would hit up some of their stamps sets. This one is called Dragonfly Dreams and the die is Detailed Dragonfly. I did a little watercoloring for the background to bring in the yellow. I die cut the dragonfly twice, once in turquoise and once in black then layered them offset ever so slightly. Can you believe it, no pattern paper on this one!!!!! Now if you are interested in following me on my SU only blog, you can at Linda Lou Creates. I've got lots of plans in the works to expand my business so by following me, you won't miss out!! Also, if you're interested in any SU products, you can purchase them HERE. Now enough with the infomercial!! Instead, sure hope you can join us for the CAS color challenge at The Outlawz.

 

Treat Holder

Mondays are Anything But a Card days at Catch the Bug and today I'm sharing a quick and easy treat holder. First of all, let me give credit to WOW NOLA Creations for coming up with the idea. Be sure and check out her video HERE for all the measurements. She put a cute little notebook inside hers, and of course I went with candy!!! I had the Sign It Cute Halloween image from Bugaboo already printed off and decided to just color and cut out this sweet cat. I can't believe how fun this project was to make...and that's saying a lot from someone who prefers to only make cards!! Now head over to Catch the Bug to see other ABC inspirations have been whipped up for you!
 

Just Because

We have a fun CAS challenge over at The Outlawz -- use scraps. Easy peasy!!! I pulled out pieces of pattern paper and got to work! I love the starburst pattern and it's so easy to do, and it's great for those little leftover pieces of paper. The sentiment is from the Word Up set by Paper Smooches, Now get out your scraps and make a clean and simple card. Post it over at the CAS challenge at The Outlawz and, if your card is featured, you could join us as a guest designer!! See you there!

Happy Fall!

What? Not fall already!!! I do love the colors of fall!! And today I wanted to share a fun fall card using the adorable Crows & Pumpkins  digital set from Imagine That Digistamp. Of course I went with the color version because I was running late (a real shocker there!!) and really don't like to color (don't hate me!). A fun chance to use up scraps too. Now for more inspiration from members of the Imagine That Digistamp design team, check it all out at the Creative Playground.

Stella Says Sketch

 

Now that summer is over (sniff, sniff), we are back to our regular schedule of Stella Says Sketch at Catch the Bug. It's a great one, and you have 2 weeks to play along.

  Here's my card using the adorable Candy Cane Bear from Bugaboo. He is such a cutie!! The candy cane is covered in wink of Stella -- so sparkly!! The pattern papers are not Christmas themed but the colors worked so on my card they went!! The sentiment is from the Candy Cane Lane stamp set by Catherine Pooler. Now be sure and join us for Stella's sketch challenge over at Catch the Bug.

Challenges I'm submitting my card to include:

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything goes Christmas

Addicted to Stamps & More - Holiday 

The Merry Christmas Challenge - Anything goes Christmas

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything goes Christmas

L is for...

We have a fun new CAS challenge at The Outlawz - use the first letter of your first name for something on your card. Fun, fun, fun!!! I went with lemons and linen thread. The lemons are from the Fresh 'n Fruity set by Reverse Confetti. I did a little bit of the rock & roll technique on the lemons, added a strip of orange then popped the panel up onto a white card base. Quick and easy, just the way I like it!
 

Freebie Friday

Oh my, this freebie from Bugaboo simply made me laugh!!! Like I said, it's the latest freebie from Bugaboo and can be found HERE. When I printed mine off I didn't realize I had made it so large!! That's one big pile of, dare I say it, crap!!! Just a tiny piece of ribbon held on with a staple and that's it for embellishments. Now go check out other card samples using this set at Catch the Bug.
  

Mmmmm, Cake!!

And the inside reads..."and it sure was yummy!" Haha! I love to bake, especially cakes and cookies, but my favorite is the batter and dough!! I know, I know, it's not good for you to eat raw cake batter and cookie dough but I do it anyway!!! This card is my Thursday inspiration share for the Imagine That Digistamp blog, Creative Playground. I used the adorable Baking Chloe. I especially love the digital papers included in this set! Talk about good timing with making this as I was in need of a birthday card!! Now head on over to Creative Playground and look at all the wonderful inspiration.

Peace Joy & Love

Two more cards for the Christmas card challenge at Stamp Nation. The inspiration this time was tablescapes. One image on the mood board had a mix of silver and gold along with some snowflakes. I heat embossed the snowflakes on a piece of cream cardstock then cut it in half. I am making two cards after all!! Silver and gold cardstock was used along with some silver bakers twine. The snowflake layer is popped up along with the sentiment banner. I even stamped on the inside!! How crazy to try and be ahead of the game for a change!!!

Deck the Halls

I decided to play along with some Christmas challenges over at Stamp Nation. The theme for this one is plaid. I found a pack of pattern paper that had several plaid designs in it so I created two cards. The background is a Hero Arts stamp that is heat embossed with clear powder. The sentiment is from the Carols of Christmas bundle at Stampin' Up. I have lots of challenges to get caught up on so back to my stamp room I must go! Maybe I'll have my Christmas cards completed this year!!!!!

Submitting my cards to the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps - Christmas
Sweet Stampin' - Heat embossing
Jingle Belles - A Caroling We Will Go (Fa la la la la)



 

Happy Birthday Little Buccaneer

It's time for a new Clean and Simple challenge over at The Outlawz. This week we're "talkin' like a pirate"...arrrrgh!! Whenever I need a little boost when my mojo is low I go to a pre-colored digi and pattern paper. This image and paper is from Doodle Pantry which I'm very sad is no longer in business. I mean look at this cute pirate ship and paper!!!!! Anyway, I already have a little boy in mind who is turning 3 next month and will get a kick out of this!! Now come join us at The Outlawz and share your piratey themed project, CAS style of course!!

Challenges I'm joining include:
Crafty Friends - Birthday
Kitty Bee Designs - Birthday
Cute Card Thursday - Too Cute
Seize the Birthday - Birthday

Picnic Ants

This is my second post today so be sure and scroll down to see 'em both. But not until you hear me out about the Anything Goes challenge we've got going on over at Catch the Bug. I found this cutie, part of the Picnic Ants set from Bugaboo, in my pile of printed images. This one was even already cut out!! I couldn't resist using the Checkerboard stencil from the Catherine Pooler shop...made me think picnic all the way!! Now it's your turn to share your Anything Goes project with us at Catch the Bug.

Flamingo Christmas

It's a new month and time for a new Link Up Challenge at the Creative Playground. Our theme is Anything Goes and if you use an Imagine That Digistamp image, you'll get the featured set emailed to you for FREE!!! And this month the featured set is Manatee Painter:

 

For my card, I used the wonderful Flamingo Christmas.  I simply can't get enough of these fabulous flamingos!! I even used one of the digital papers included. So easy, when you use the color version!! Now be sure and join us this month at the Creative Playground for your chance at winning a $10 gift certificate to Imagine That Digistamp.

 

 

Boys and Frogs

Can you say A-DORABLE?!!! It's Thursday and time for a little Imagine That Digistamp inspiration. My card uses the sweet Raymond's Frogs and two pieces of scrap pattern paper. Not only do I have a stack of digital images I've printed off but never used on a project, but I also have digital papers printed off!!! I am addicted and proudly admit it!! I'm just trying to make myself use up what I've got in these piles...I'll let you know how that goes!!!!! For more inspiration from members of the Imagine That Digistamp design team, head on over to the Creative Playground.
 

Gift Card Holder

Welcome to the Anything But a Card Monday over at Catch the Bug. Today I have a gift card holder to share. I found the "how to's" on Pinterest and used the Balloon Monkey image from Bugaboo. Let me tell ya, in case you don't know, but you can spend HOURS on Pinterest if you're not careful!!! Great place for that much needed inspiration sometimes! The monkey was cut out using my Scan N Cut and colored with copics. He's popped up on a panel that I sponged green and blue ink. Now I planned on putting on a small cloud die cut or two but, as I mentioned about spending a lot of time on Pinterest, it was 2am before I knew it and I simply forgot!!! Check out some other fun ABC projects over at Catch the Bug.

Challenges I'm submitting my project to include:
Craft Rocket - Animal Kingdom
Cute Card Thursday - Bright Colors

Sending Hugs

 Our CAS challenge this week at The Outlawz is to create a card with at least one butterfly. Simple, right? I'm into butterflies lately so I had lots of options to choose from! Here is my card using the Large Butterfly Frame from WPlus9, Big Hugs die from Papertrey Ink, sentiment from Stamp of Approval collection by Catherine Pooler, and the ombre paper from Stampin' Up. This was so quick and easy, I ended up making 4 cards!!! 

 Here it is in old olive.

 Here it is in crushed curry.

And here it is in dapper denim.

Looks like I've got a fresh supply of cards for my stash. And thanks to the simple statement, they can be used for any occasion. Now join us at The Outlawz and share your butterfly card.

I'm submitting my card to the following challenge:

Addicted to CAS - Friends

Fussy and Fancy - Things with wings

Victorine Originals - Wings

Moving Along With the Times - Starting with the letter B

Crafty Gals Corner - Punches or dies