Friday, March 31, 2017

Hopping by

After my little fall last week, I've become a bit lax in blog posting but quite good at hopping.  Under the circumstances, I thought a bunny card might be appropriate today.  
 Don't you just love this cute colored digital bunny from the Sweet Easter Set at Beccy's Place?
This card went in the Easter box for SAS4K,
but I can see using this little guy on a get well card with a flower in his hands; or a birthday card holding a balloon; an invitation "I'm hopping you'll come to my party"; a Thank You; and several other occasions.  Plus, he was super easy to fussy cut.
The sentiment is from the same digi set.
The papers and puffy butterflies are CTMH products.

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #176 - Any Sentiment Except Birthday


 

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #336 with All Dressed Up

For this week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge DT Card, I brought out my glitter paper so it would really
 sparkle.
We'd like to see lots of sparkle in your entries, too.
I've used the digi image, Little Birdie, from All Dressed Up Stamps, our sponsor for this challenge. 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/alldressedupstamps 
It would be lovely if you'd share a sparkly creation with us at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge this week. 

Challenges:
Southern Girls Challenge #156 - Dies (I used a die for the red scalloped frame.)
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #343 - Punches or Dies ( I used a die for the red scalloped frame.)
Cutie Pie Challenge #109 - Dies and Digis 
The Ribbon Girls March Challenge - Use any image + ribbon

Monday, March 27, 2017

Making do on Mojo Monday

Today's Mojo Monday card required a bit of resourcefulness, as I was only using materials within arm's reach.

Using things close at hand was not a blog challenge but, rather, a personal challenge.
Please, allow me to explain.
 
After a little misstep Friday evening, I find myself with a very swollen and colorful left foot.  Forced to navigate with a pair of crutches,  I prefer to stay in one place as long as possible.   This is why my Mojo Monday card contains only items that did not require crutching around.
Mother's Day stamp is from CTMH.  Decoupage image and matching papers were a magazine freebie.
 
You may also see a few similarities between the card and my present circumstances.  Notice the little deer is holding up his left foot.  I can totally relate to that.  And the colors in the card, purples, green, and yellow, reflect the colors of my foot.  I have not, however, had any cute little squirrels bring me flowers.
Thankfully, my DH is filling my tea cup on a regular basis.

Challenges:
 
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #232 - Mother's Day/Female
My Time to Craft Challenge #342 - Woodland Animals or Easter
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - Spring into Spring



 Stop back tomorrow to see a card with lots of 
sparkle

Sunday, March 26, 2017

heARTful stamping challenge

Wouldn't you like to sit with me, 
and enjoy a cup of nice, hot tea?

One of my favorite folding techniques is iris folding.  
And it's been quite a while since I made an iris fold card.

Not too long ago, Chris Franco, a CTMH demonstrator was looking for a few individuals who might like to join a design team for her stamping challenge, heARTful stamping.  Since I was playing in her challenge regularly, I decided I might as well volunteer.  It's a fun challenge with simple rules, 3 top picks and a monthy prize winner.    Inspiration projects will feature Close to my Heart products.  But they are not required to enter the challenge.  
 
This week's challenge theme is Anything Goes.  
With the CTMH Artistry Cricut cartridge I cut out a tea cup, and
then set it aside so I could use the negative aperture for my iris folding frame.  All these papers are from the Some Kind of Wonderful paper pack.  The "Hello" on the little tag is from the Some Kind of Wonderful stamp set.

I can't invite all of you over for a cup of tea, but I can invite you play in the heARTful stamping challenge.

Challenges:
Scor-pal More Than One Fold Challenge # 35 - Anything Goes (Each of the 1" strips in the tea cup was scored at 1/2" and folded.)
Frilly and Funkie Challenge - You've Got to Know When to Fold 'Em 
Brown Sugar Challenge #243 - Anything Goes 
Crafty Friends Challenge #54 - B is for ............bling, black
Coffee Loving Cardmakers Spring Blog Hop - Coffee, Tea or Cocoa Themed Projects 

Enjoy your day! 

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Sedentary Saturday

Just a quick post for you, my crafty friends, 
and for a few favorite challenges.

This card features a bird from the Hey Chick set from the 
 Sale-a-bration Stampin Up catalog, 
These chicks are so darn cute!
Challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #176 - Any sentiment except birthday 
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #343 - Punches or Dies 
Brown Sugar Challenge #243 - Anything Goes 
Crazy 4 Challenge #378 - Owl or any feathered creature
Crazy Friends Challenge #54 - "b" is for ............Bird 

 

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Layered flower & CTMH Cards Class 3/21/17

When I first spotted this layered flower packet at a flea market, I knew it was the perfect shade to match the CTMH Hello Lovely Paper Pack.  I just added some foam tape between flower layers and it made a perfect birthday card.

Challenges:
Inky Chicks Challenge #80 - Flowers, stamped or as an embellishment 


***************** 
Here are the cards I made this afternoon at 
Joyce's CTMH card class.







Missed you Mickey! 


 

Monday, March 20, 2017

Miracle on Mojo Monday

As I was making this morning's Mojo Monday card, I received a call from my BFF in Yuma, AZ.  After speaking with her, I've decided it is only appropriate that this card goes to her.
Her youngest daughter just announced she is pregnant.
Due to some old medical issues, we never expected this to happen. 
What absolutely wonderful news!
Happy Mother's Day, Dawn!
 Guess I'll be making another baby layette.
The one I am working on is almost finished.

I picked up this sheet of Bo Bunny double sided dp last year.  It sings spring to me with the robins and the hyacinths.   The flowers are a CTMH stamp, stamped in 1st and 2nd generation and then fussy cut.  The sentiment is a Joy Clair stamp, heat embossed with SNS black detail EP.  The stitched circle is a La La Land die embossed with a SU folder.
 

Challenges:
Cardz 4 Gals Challenge #43 - Pretty in Pink
Fussy and Fancy Challenge #183 - Springtime
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Mother's Day/Special Lady
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #151 - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #175 - Just For Fun
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge - Girly with Die Cut/Punch
Come and Get It Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #184 - For a Special Woman
Oh La La Creations Challenge #224 - Spring is in the Air
 

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Goofy Cat Birthday Card

This digi image from Bugaboo Stamps is called
 I think he makes quite an adorable goofy birthday cat, too!

Challenges:
Catch the Bug March Bingo Challenge - Twine, Green and Stripes (bottom row)
 
Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Animal Cards 4 Kids 
Crafty Catz Challenge #182 - Anything Goes with twist: touch of pink
Show Us Your Pussies Cat Challenge # 16- St, Catrick's Day (I've used green) 
Come and Get It Challenge - Anything Goes 
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #231 - Anything Goes
Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #54 - Anything Goes


Well, now what trouble should I get into next?  I've already made 2 pounds of meatballs for in the freezer, and 2 pans of lasagna, one for dinner and the other is in the freezer. 

I can't wait to show you the adorable baby sweater I'm crocheting.  It just needs the neck edging and then I'll start the hat.  Can't decide if I want to make the booties, too.  I don't think today's young mothers use them.  Feedback?

See you tomorrow for Mojo Monday! 

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Skinny Bird Easter Digi

Just couldn't resist the current Catch the Bug March Bingo Challenge.  Here's my entry using the Skinny Bird Easter Digi from Bugaboo Stamps.
 
I used the last column: bugaboo image, flower (in image),  and chevron striped paper.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Animal Cards 4 Kids 
Alphabet Challenge - A for Anything with Wings
Aud Sentiments Challenge #175 - Easter or Spring




Thursday, March 16, 2017

Pocket cards for my Tuesday Throwdown Challenge tags/bookmarks

This week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Theme is tags or bookmarks.  My teammates rocked this challenge with some awesome tags.  Today, I thought I'd make a couple of cards with pockets to accompany my ho-hum tags/bookmarks.

These cards are 5x7 in size to accommodate the tag.
My intention was to show the stamps in both a masculine and feminine way.
If you want to see the tags themselves, click the link above or scroll down a couple of posts.

Once again, I've used Joy Clair's
Uh-oh Ink Splatter Clear Stamp Set 
and the Be Joyful stamp which is a freebie that 1st time buyers receive.
The "Life is Good" stamp is from CTMH, as are the papers on the second card and the shimmer trims on both cards.

What really surprises me, is that there are very few entries in this week's challenge.
I mean, really?  How difficult is it to make a tag or bookmark?
Come on, crafters! 
Punch a hole in something and thread a string or ribbon through it!
Then link it up at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge!
Challenges:
 

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Gotta love this Penguin!

A few days ago I posted 3 cards using the fun Easter Penguin from Great Impressions Stamps.
Today I pulled this little guy out once more to make a card for the GI March Theme Challenge - Easter/Spring.

The photo inspiration is so pretty with all the shades of pink and peach.  I used 4 different shades to sponge the pre-embossed background paper on my card.

 
 

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #334 with Joy Clair

This week we'd like to see your fabulous Tags/Bookmarks entered in the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge.
 Hoping to inspire you, Design Team B has been designing their own tags or bookmarks using products supplied to us by Joy Clair, our sponsor for this challenge.
Joy Clair

I've used the
Uh-oh Ink Splatter Clear Stamp Set 
to create the two tags below.
The Be Joyful stamp is a freebie that 1st time buyers receive.

*I'll be entering this tag/bookmark in the challenges listed below.



The pictures below show off the pretty shine on the tags from an ink mist I used.




I knew the stamps I was to use for this challenge would have arrived here in Pennsylvania while we were still in Florida, because my Tuesday Throwdown teammates were posting that they had received theirs.  When we picked up the huge pile of mail that had collected at the PO while we were away, I rifled through the tub searching for a package from our wonderful sponsorship coordinator, Emily.  Then I was so excited when I saw the stamps, I immediate got busy creating this card:
 
I totally forgot that the challenge theme was Tags/Bookmarks!
Duh!


After you visit the Joy Clair Store
 Joy Clair
please take a moment to stop over at the Tuesday Throwdown Blog and see the wonderful tags/bookmarks my fellow teamies have created to inspire you 
and, please, leave some love for all their hard work. 


We'd be so happy to have you join the fun
at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #334.

*Challenges:
Craft-Dee Bowz March Challenge - Anything Goes with a handmade bow
Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge - Living Things with Wings
Artistic Inspirations Challenge #174 - Always Anything Goes 
Come and Get It Challenge - Things with Wings



I've also made pocket cards to go with the tags/bookmarks above.  You can check them out here.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Sunrise Mojo

Actually, I was awake way before the sun rose!  In fact, after a cup of tea and 2 games of Alpha Betty, my eyes were ready to close for a few more hours of sleep.  Then, I just happened to check the Mojo Monday blog, although I knew the new sketch didn't usually appear until 7am.  
But there it was! 
So much for a bit more shut eye!

Yesterday I colored up a few Bugaboo images, while the boys (my 2 grandsons,10 and 12, and my DH, old enough to know better) were playing a boisterous game of inside ball.  They were throwing, hitting, bouncing a foam baseball into the center of a large snow tube*.  There were bodies rolling, wrestling, and diving and very much laughter.  When we took the 2 younger boys home, our son immediately noticed the red mark on his youngest son's cheek.  My DH was quick to pull up his sleeve saying if Matt's cheek looked bad, our son should look at his battle wound, revealing a lovely dark purple bruise on his forearm.  Not overly impressed, Rob turned to his other son and asked if he had been injured.  I guess Nick won the "ball" game because he went home unscathed.   Finally, our son turned to me with a questioning gaze.   My DH piped in again to say I was fine, I had been upstairs coloring. 

Upon seeing the Mojo Monday Sketch, I quickly decided that the Cute Bee with Flower Bugaboo image would work best and went in search of paper, now wide awake.  The sketch was easy and this card rapidly took shape.
I propped it against an acrylic block and used the dining room light, still no sun, to snap a photo which actually shows the glitter on the bee's wings and the flower.  

Challenges:
 
Catch the Bug March Theme Challenge - Birds, Bees and Butterflies 
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #113 - Polka Dots and/or Stripes 
Patties Creations Challenge #132 - Any Image with Wings
Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge - Living Things with Wings 
Come and get It Challenge - Things with Wings 
Bugaboo Crafty Challenge #2 - Use a Bugaboo Image

*In case you wondered why there was a snow tube in our family room....  The forecast for tonight into tomorrow is a chilly 18" of snow.  That stupid snow tube belongs to our adult son and has been collecting dust on the top of the refrigerator in our garage for at least 20 years.  Yesterday, we decided it was time for the snow tube to find a new home in our son's garage and hopefully our grandsons will enjoy a few rides on it.  

18 inches of snow!!!!
We should have stayed in Florida!
 

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Saturday Mojo Card

You don't often find me posting a Mojo Monday Card on a Saturday.  I generally take care of that first thing on a Monday.  But, 
occasionally,
 when it's a contest week,
 I might use the sketch multiple times.  
And today I need a card for a friend who's had a bad break, 
quite literally. 




That's it for today.  I'm off to find the perfect yarn for a baby layette.  
The mother is expecting a baby girl and doesn't want pink stuff.  What's wrong with pink? 
 

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Joyful Stars Close To My Heart March 2017 Blog Hop

Welcome to the March
Close to My Heart Joyful Stars Blog Hop.  

Have some fun hopping between the blogs of this group of talented Close to My Heart consultants, and me, where we share creative projects using CTMH products.
 photo JoyfulStarsBlogHopBadge3_zpsa824a544.jpg 
My blog hop contribution this month is a pocket get well card.
 


This card features the CTMH Get Better Sentiments Stamp Set (B1543); the Some Kind of Wonderful Paper Pack (X7217B); Art Philosophy Cricut cuts; Black and Gold Ribbon (Z3197) and retired glitter dots.
Now, since this is a blog hop, you might have arrived here from Jenifer Benner's blog.

Your next stop is  Nickie Hoffer's blog.   
 The hop is circular. So if you are just starting here, simply continue hopping until you find your way back, making the full circle.  If you get lost, the complete list of participants is on Joyce's blog

Thanks for hopping by. 


Challenges I am entering:
The Paper Shelter Challenge #284- circles/dots and/or stripes
Ike's World Challenges #83 - Anything Goes w/ twist add a sentiment
Unicorn Challenge #19 - Go Green
Through the Craft Room Door Challenge March 7th - Anything Goes
Pile It On Challenge #128 - Humor/Puns
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #183 - Go Green
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #79 - G is for Green with Envy
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #159 - Show me the green with ribbon or trim
Scor-pal More Than One Score Challenge #35 - Anything Goes (I used the scor-pal to score the side and bottom to form the pocket, and the center fold.)

More March Mojo Monday

When I returned home this afternoon from a yummy brunch to celebrate my granddaughter's birthday, there was a package for me waiting on the table.  The two stamp sets I had ordered from Joy Clair Stamps had arrived.  After putting away a few groceries, I got right to work making this card for a Tea-rrific Mother.  
I've used flowered paper for spring, intending this card for Mother's Day.  Although, this card would be suitable for any tea-rrific mother, for any occasion.
The teapot image was stamped and then embossed in white before being fussy cut.  Circles were cut on the cricut.  The scalloped circle was punched.  The center strip was covered with off white sheer ribbon and then embossed.  After embossing the large half circle, I went over it with a dauber and blue ink to make the hearts more visible.  Finally, I added a glitter dot on the teapot lid and a couple more just for so. 

Once again, I followed the sketch from this month's Mojo Monday Sketch Contest.  You can find my first Mojo Monday entry, an Easter card, here
Challenges:

Wow Embossing Powder March Challenge -  Spring  (flowers for spring, teapot is embossed in white)
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - For a Special Lady or Girl 
Creative Moments Challenge #113 - Anything Goes, option:blue
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #113 - polka dots and/or stripes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #468 - For Mothers/Ladies only
Cardz 4 Gals Challenge #42 - Name Your Powder (No fancy technique.  Just regular heat embossing using Rubber Cottage White Embossing Powder over colonial white pigment ink.)
Southern Girls Challenge #155 - Pop it up with foam (the tea pot is popped with 1/8" foam tape) 

 
I hope you'll stop back tomorrow to see the pocket card I've made for the March Close to My Heart Joyful Stars Blog Hop.
 
 

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Wednesday Post + CTMH Card Class 3/7/17

How catchy is that post title?
For some reason, that's what popped into my head.

The card I have to share is a bit more interesting.
Stamps are all CTMH.  Die cut is Spellbinders.  The eggs are fussy cut.  And the bunny's clothes are paper pieced.
Challenges:
Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Spring Colors 4 Kids
Animal Friends Challenge #47 - Animals with Big Ears
Come and Get It Challenge - Cards for Kids
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #149 - Always Anything Goes 
Scrapyland Challenge #61 - Anything Goes (Spellbinders Nestabilities)
A Gem of a Challenge #189 - Use 3 B's (bunny, blue, border)


************
And, now that I'm back in Pennsylvania, I can again share with you the cards we make at Joyce's 
CTMH card class.  Most of the cards we make are cased from cards Joyce has found on Pinterest or elsewhere.  If you happen to see one of your designs, thank you for sharing it for others to enjoy.
Here are the cards we made yesterday:








Joyce used a lot of the thin cut dies because they are all on sale at CTMH.  
Besides, not many of the gals in our class enjoy fussy cutting as much as I do.

 Make sure to stop by on Friday for the 
March Close to My Heart Joyful Stars Blog Hop.
I have a get well pocket card to share.
 

Monday, March 6, 2017

March Mojo

Don't you just hate waking yourself up with a huge sneeze?
That's how my morning started.
It's not like I have a cold or anything.
And how could I go back to sleep when it's 
Mojo Monday?

I think I can squeeze one more Easter card 
in the box I'm mailing to SAS4K.

 The sentiment is a stamp from The Craft Lounge.
Bird stamp,ink, papers and bling are CTMH.
Flower by Prima.
Die cuts are Spellbinders.
Embossing folders are Sizzix (doily) and Cuttlebug (dotted swiss).

Challenges
 
Come and Get It Challenge - Cards for Kids
HeARTful Stamping Challenge - Animal + stamp
Send A Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Spring Colors 4 Kids

Thanks for visiting.
BTW, I've posted a second card for the Mojo Monday Sketch Contest here

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Easter Penguin?

Tomorrow the box of Easter cards for SAS4K will be on their way.  Here are a few cards I made using one of my favorite stamps from Great Impressions Stamps, Easter Penguin.   I thought these 3 cards would be good for boys.

 



Challenges:
Come and Get It Challenge - Cards for Kids
Scrapyland Challenge #61 - Anything Goes (I've used stitched circle dies from LaLaLand) 

Come back tomorrow to see what I make for the 
Mojo Monday Sketch Contest.