Friday, July 31, 2020

Where are my googly eyes?

Today I decided to make another gift card holder to use up the piece of dp from yesterday.   Actually I had enough paper pieces to make three different ones, but I only got one finished.  I've used a fun Tim Holtz stamp from Stampers Anonymous.  I almost went into panic mode because I couldn't find my larger googly eyes, and this really needed googly eyes.  Luckily I remembered that my grandson is quite fond of googly eyes.  I pulled out the kids' craft box and there they were!  Now they are back in my stash.
Here's the finished project:
Holder measures 4.25" x 4.25"

inside sentiment is a CTMH stamp  
Challenges:
Ike's World Challenge #134 - Show Us Christmas 
Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #127 - Stamp on Kraft (I stamped the reindeer on kraft and then fussy cut.) 
Jingle Belles Rock Challenge - Holiday Leftovers

It was nice of you to visit.
Come back tomorrow to see what I've made for the 
August Challenge at Send a Smile For Kids.
 

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Fancy Fold Gift Card Holder

When I saw the video on You Tube (Thanks, Vicki!) for this gift card holder, 
I had to give it a try.
I really should stay away from You Tube.
I was planning to mop the kitchen floor this morning.
Here's what I did instead...



The digi image is from Bugaboo Stamps and was colored with markers.  The scalloped square was cut on the cricut (CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge).  The remaining die cuts are from the Geometric Winter Frame set by Sizzix.  The inside stamps are by CTMH.

If I start making and filling gift card holders now, I'll have my shopping done in time for Christmas.

Challenges:
Sweet Stampin' Christmas in July Challenge - AG (The stamping is on the inside.)
Sweet Stampers Challenge #46 - Christmas in July
Die Cut Divas Challenge - Christmas in July 
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #462 - Favorite Embellishment (ribbon)
Crimbo Crackers Challenge #212- AG Christmas or Festive related 

Thanks for visiting!
I suppose I still have time to do the floor!  Yippee! 
  

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Top Heavy Christmas Tree

This is actually a good idea for those times when you select a tree, bring it home, and find it is too tall.
Hang the heavy ornaments at the top and a ribbon or banner that reaches to the fall, and it will appear to be leaning on purpose.

Here's a card I made using a Bugaboo digi stamp that I really like. 
 The tree is colored with markers; the papers and green ribbon are from CTMH.

Challenges:

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Tuesday Morning Sketch #565


Tuesday Morning Sketches

Welcome to my blog, where I have
a new card
to share with you each week for


Here's the sketch for this week.

Not only do I have a stash of crafty stuff, but I usually have a candy stash somewhere, too.  I kept a mason jar of Hershey Kisses on the dining room hutch, very close to where I craft. There were only 2 kisses left.  But, when I went to get a chocolate fix, I discovered that a wee someone had apparently found it.  The remains of one wrapper were behind a picture.  And the other kiss was half eaten next to the jar.  I guess mice don't like mint.
Now I need to buy more Hershey Kisses, find a new place to stash my chocolate stash, and get rid of the wee mouse!

BTW, Here's my card for this week! 
I used a set of old rubber stamps from Sparkle 'n Sprinkle
and some freebie papers.

I hope you'll play along at
this week. 
The Design Team would love it if you'd visit our blogs.
You can be sure that one of us will be visiting yours!
Have a great and crafty day!

Challenges:
Alphabet Challenge - H is for Hungry (favorite food - definitely chocolate!) 
Unicorn Challenge #56 - Food/Drink 
Fab n Funky Challenge #491 - Use a real stamp; no digis 
Crafting Happiness Challenge #59 - AG
A Place to Start July Challenge - Flowers
 

Saturday, July 25, 2020

At the Beach

Even Santa needs to get away sometimes!
His busy season will be here before we know it!
The image is from Bugaboo stamps
and the sketch is from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.
Markers were used to color all but the image background.
That's watercolored. 
Sentiment is a CTMH stamp.

Challenges:
Double "D" Challenges - Let's Go to the Beach 
The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Anything Ocean or Beachy 
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge - No Patterned Paper 
 Top 3 Bagde
 

Friday, July 24, 2020

Catch the Bug Christmas in July Day 7

The final Catch the Bug Christmas in July Challenge is a color challenge 
 
and, if you are interested, Bugaboo Stamps has a freebie available.  It's not required for the challenge, but it's so cute I thought I'd use it anyway.
This small scrap of double sided paper is the last of its kind.  Just yesterday I was thinking of throwing it out.  And then when I looked at the color chart, I was glad I hadn't.
The frame is a cricut cut from the CTMH Artbooking cartridge.
I colored the digi with markers and Wink of Stella and added Liquid Pearls to the hat.
The sentiment is a CTMH stamp. 

Challenges:
Pearly Sparkles Challenge #52 - 3 of a Kind (Pink bling) 
Crimbo Crackers Challenge #211 - AG Christmas or Festive 
Daring Cardmakers Challenge - 3 of something (Pink bling) 
 

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Catch the Bug Christmas in July Day 5

Today the Catch the Bug Challenge has asked us to make them laugh.  If I were to explain the procedure involved in the specimen  collection for an at home medical test I recently took, they'd be laughing for sure.  But, I'm assuming the card we make is supposed to be funny.  Here goes:
Bugaboo image is Kidz Christmas Elf, colored with markers.
Papers are from CTMH.  Sentiment is computer generated.
Stitched rectangle dies from ODBD. 


Challenges:
Double Trouble Challenge # 62 - Christmas in July, Elves, Heart2Heart entry
Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Favorite Crafting Tool (My fine tipped CTMH scissors are essential in doing all the fussy cutting I do.)
 
 
Have  a wonderful day! Stay cool!
I'm going to do some housework.
(Now, that's funny!)

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Catch the Bug Christmas in July Day 4 & Double Trouble Challenge #62

Today I'm combining the Catch the Bug Christmas in July Challenge with another of my favorite challenges, Double Trouble.
Catch the Bug has a Bingo Challenge
and Double Trouble is celebrating Christmas in July, with elves and has paired with Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week.  Whew!
My Christmas card has everything on the bingo grid with the exception of distressing, the Bugaboo freebie for today with Deacon the Elf, Friday's freebie. 

The sentiment is a CTMH stamp.
The image was colored with pencils.
Die cuts are by Sizzix (pink and purple circles), La La Land (white glitter stitched circle), and Paper Roses (white glitter sentiment frame).

Challenges:
Catch the Bug Day 4 Christmas in July - Bingo (bow, Bugaboo image, die cut) 
Double Trouble Challenge # 62 - Christmas in July, Elves, Heart2Heart entry
Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Favorite Crafting Tool (My fine tipped CTMH scissors are essential in doing all the fussy cutting I do.)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #499 - ACG option die cuts or punches
Fezziwig's Festive Frolics Challenge - Christmas with summer colors 


 

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #564






Welcome to my blog.
It's Tuesday and I have a new card for
to share with you.

Tuesday Morning Sketches
 
Melissa designed this great sketch for us to follow.

Unfortunately, I needed a sympathy card for someone who had lost a dear friend, not my favorite cards to create.  Having a nice sketch to follow, helps tremendously.

That is not a blue and white flower!
It may appear to be blue, but it is not!
The white die cut is glued to a piece of CTMH holographic paper.  It really looks more purple/pink on the card.  When I took the photo I was wearing a blue shirt and that was reflected onto the card.  You can see how it mirrored the lace in the piece the sentiment is mounted on.  It actually looks really sharp on the card.   visiting your
The textured background was created using an Altnew Cross Stitch Canvas die. When I first saw that pattern on a card, I hunted all over until I found the die.  It just gives the card a little something. 

The TMS Design Team enjoys visiting the blogs of those who play along at

And we love it when you visit our blogs too.



Have a great and crafty day!
Challenges I am entering: 
CAS on Friday Challenge #184 - Anything but White
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Clean and Simple 
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge - No Patterned Paper
 

Monday, July 20, 2020

Catch the Bug Christmas in July Day 3

ABC - Anything But a Card
That's the challenge for Day 3 of this fun event.

There was a time that I started my Christmas shopping in the summer and was finished by Thanksgiving.  
Now I start making gift card holders in the summer instead.
I used a Bugaboo image of Frosty, Santa, and Rudolph 
for this gift card holder.  This trio is so fun and easy to color.

Papers and inside sentiment are from CTMH.
Here are the challenges I am entering:
Always Fun Challenge #172 - Anything But a Card 


If you read yesterday's blog post, I was on the way to watch our grandson play in a baseball  tournament.  It was a very, very hot day.  We were lucky to find a parking spot on the hill above the ballfield and could watch the games (3 altogether, 1:00, 3:15, and 6:15) from the car with the AC on.  Our boys finished 2nd in the tournament and this proud nana did not melt.  (I was really glad I wasn't taking one of those sweaty 15 year olds home with me.)

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Catch the Bug Christmas in July Day 2

A fun sketch has been provided
for Day 2 of this week long challenge at Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxPNy_yMn-I/XxJN07kjcGI/AAAAAAAAkdM/Mji558gfEy8Gs_RprF29ujZoXURDs9KAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sun1.png 
 Here's my card for today:
 
While the elves are busy making toys, Santa takes a little break.

Sorry for the short post but my grandson has possibly 3 baseball games today and I must  go out and melt in the heat.  
I'll be wishing I had a drink in a pineapple myself!
 

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Finally!!!! Catch the Bug Christmas in July Day 1

Seventeen days.  That's how long I've been waiting for the Catch the Bug Christmas in July Challenge.  And, finally, on the eighteenth day of July the fun has begun!

Day 1 starts with a theme challenge : Santa's Workshop.
 My card features one of the Bugaboo Stamps - Elf 003

I'm not sure where those patterned paper scraps originated.  The sentiment is a CTMH stamp.  And the elf is colored with markers.
This is one of my favorite yearly challenges.   I'm so excited!

Challenges I am entering:
Catch the Bug Christmas in July Challenge - Day 1 Santa's Workshop Theme
Christmas with the Cuties Challenge #39 - 2 or more patterned papers 
Ike's World Challenge #134 - S is for Show Us Xmas
Aud Sentiments Challenge #255 - Christmas in July + a sentiment
Inkspirational Challenge #217 - Painting/Coloring
Di's Digi Challenge - Use Your Scraps

Friday, July 17, 2020

Leftover Magic

As is normally the case, I had a few leftovers from my last card.  Using odds and ends immediately is easier than finding them a home in my stash.
 This castle is cut from white glitter paper with holographic paper in the windows and my last card was the opposite.  The carriage, wand and castle are Spellbinders die cuts.  The papers are from the same retired CTMH paper pack, Magical, that I used yesterday and also for last week's TMS card.  The sentiment was computer generated.  It's just as easy to print 2 as it is to print one.  

Challenges:
 

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Magical Birthday Shaker Card

My niece will soon celebrate her birthday.  She, her husband and son are big fans of Disneyworld.  I know I bought a Mickey Mouse die cut at Petticoat Parlor when I was there this past winter to use on her card.   But, I have no clue where I put it.  Instead, I went with a castle theme instead.
Challenges:
Allsorts Challenge Week 580 - Something beginning with B (Blue)

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #563


Welcome to my blog.
It's Tuesday and I have a new card for
to share with you.

Tuesday Morning Sketches
 
Melissa designed this great sketch for us to follow.

July seems to be a popular month to get those Christmas and Holiday cards started.  Thought I might as well get mine started, too.


There is so much Christmas paper in my stash, I will never use it all.  For the past couple of years I have really tried not to buy any more but it so hard!  
This card features some retired CTMH paper and stamps.  The three circles are die cuts from Spellbinders, La La Land, and Sizzix.
I hope you'll play along at
Tuesday Morning Sketches 
this week. 
Please visit the blogs of my TMS teammates and leave them a virtual hug.

You can be sure that one of us will be visiting yours!
Have a great and crafty day! 


Challenges I am entering:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #498 - AG, option:use some red 
Allsorts Challenge Week 580 - Something beginning with "b"  Bling
Daring Cardmakers Challenge - Deck Chair Stripes and Sunny Dots 
Crafty Catz Challenge #514 - AG, option:Christmas  ***********
Just Add Ink Challenge #513- Just Add Two (I chose a tree with the little bow for texture)

  
Aud Sentiments Challenge #255 - Christmas in July + a sentiment 
Make My Monday Challenge #126 - Stars (on top of the tree) and Stripes (in paper)
 


**********










Sunday, July 12, 2020

Candy Cane Bear

Yesterday was a coloring day for me.  I'm getting ready for the Christmas in July Challenge with Bugaboo Stamps that starts next week.  This week their challenge is Bear With Me.  It just so happens that the last digi I colored was this cute little bear.
 I used ProMarkers and pencils to do the coloring.  I have had my Berry Red marker at least 8 years.  With all the coloring I do at Christmas and Valentine's Day, I can't believe it is still working!
Challenges
I Love ProMarkers Challenge #414 - AG; option Christmas in July
Catch the Bug Challenge - Bear with Me 
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #424- Christmas in July 
Aud Sentiments Challenge #225 - Christmas with a Sentiment
Crafty Catz Challenge #514 - AG; option Christmas 
My Time to Craft Challenge #436 - Christmas in July 
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #498 - AG; option use some red 
Allsorts Challenge Week #580 - Something beginning with "B" ( brown bear )
AAA Cards CAS Game #169 - Made in Minutes; option Christmas in July


Don't forget....
 

Friday, July 10, 2020

Guy Birthday

After I finished yesterday's card, I should have cleaned up the paper scraps a little better.  Today when I walked by the table, those darn scraps spoke to me.   One thing led to another and before long I had made this card.  It will be perfect for my grandson's birthday next month.

Papers are KaiserCraft; Stamps are CTMH
    
Inside die cut from MFT      
Challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Moving Parts (I'm hoping that cute googly eye counts.) 


BTW, in celebration of their 11th Anniversary Tuesday Morning Sketches has really awesome prizes  for 6 lucky crafters.  If I wasn't on the Design Team, I'd be entering!  

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Llama Thanks

After being out and about most of the day, but unable to nap, 
I relaxed at my craft table. 
Using scraps on my table, I put together this Thank You card.
The stamps are from CTMH 
and the scrap papers are from a KaiserCraft Gypsy Rose paper pack,
all on a kraft card base.

Challenges:



Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #562

It's Tuesday, 
which means I have a card for
to share with you.
Tuesday Morning Sketches 

This week we are using the very first sketch that appeared for the very first Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge 11 years ago.
Look familiar?



There is a box in my stash labeled matching patterned paper pieces, full of sandwich bags with dribs and drabs from various paper packs.  Each bag has the name of the paper pack and the ink colors that match the papers.  This particular group of papers I have used, sadly now retired, is called Magical from CTMH.   
It is a really fun paper pack deserving of an equally fun card.

The little camera was cut on the cricut.
Stamps are from CTMH.


I hope you'll play along  
this week at
Tuesday Morning Sketches 

.
It would be lovely if you had the time to visit the blogs of my TMS teammates and leave them a virtual hug, too.


Challenges:
Krafty Chicks Challenge #513 - Stamp Act (I used a CTMH stamp for the sentiment and frame)