Butterfly Birthday Wishes

This is one of the cards I quickly made before leaving home so all my January and February birthday cards ready to mail.  I know Dawne received this card a week ago, so it is safe to post it on my blog now.

I stamped the butterfly on a circular tag with gingham ribbon, adhered it to embossed dark pink CS with dimensional tape, added a few skittles and a butterfly charm.

Challenges: 

Crafting with Friends Challenge #13 - Always Anything Goes

Fussy & Fancy Challenge # 156 - Monochrome 

Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Friday Challenge # 123- Anything Goes

Just Add Ink Challenge #296 - Just Add Nature 

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #133 - Show me the pink + ribbon

Jade's Sparkling Butterflies Challenge #11 - Add a tag 

Double Click Skittles Challenge - Anything Goes 
Moving Along with the Times Challenge - Embossing, wet or dry 
Through the Purple Haze Challenge # 94- Things with Wings

Chin Up!

What a rainy day today!

 

Tomorrow the sun should be back! 

This card is a collection of paper scraps, CTMH stamps, ribbon, tulle, butterflies, and pearls, and a distressed die cut scalloped oval.

Challenges to which I submitted this card:
Crafting for all Seasons Challenge #118 - Ribbon & Pearls
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #56 - Anything Goes
Moo-mania & More Challenge - Use Your Scrap
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Craft-dee Bowz January Challenge - Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow
Crafty Boots Challenge - Ribbon or Lace
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #156 - Punches and/or Dies

Valentine Hearts

It's time to make a few Valentine's Day Cards. 

For this card, I started with an A2 card base and then cut 1 1/2 inches off the right hand side of the front where I planned to place a row of hearts.   I used the Whoo's Your Valentine set from CTMH and Red Momento ink to stamp a dozen hearts.  I fussy cut the hearts and attached them to the card.  Next I added the sentiment from the January SOTM set, Beloved Bouquet.  So far, so good.  

I decided to add a strip of red CTMH shimmer trim behind the row of hearts.   Surprise!  When I opened the card to add the tape, I realized I had used a piece of  white CS scrap which had been stamped on the opposite side.  And that discarded stamping showed on the back of the hearts on the inside of the card.  So I stamped and fussy cut another dozen hearts for on the inside, added a few more hearts for good measure and, finally, the sentiment.  A bit of corner rounding and some baker's twine finished the card.

Challenges I am entering today:

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #56 - Anything Goes 

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Love Letters

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Stampin Royalty Challenge #314 - photo inspiration (I used the color scheme from the photo) 

Choux Choux Paperart Challenge #3 - Valentines/Hearts 

Bunny Zoes Crafts January Challenge - Hearts 

Eureka Stamps Challenge #177 - Love is in the Air 

Allsorts Challenge Week 347 - Valentine's Day 

My Sheri Crafts Challenge # 173- Feeling Fussy 

 

Perseverance

That's what it took to finish today's card.  

Perseverance.  

Please humor me while I explain, or just scroll down to the card if you'd rather.

Anyway... last evening, while half watching a terrible new TV show pilot and half browsing through cards on Pinterest, I came across a tutorial for a tile look card.   I also put a new tape cartridge in the new tape gadget that Santa (aka my mother and her helpful elf) brought me for Christmas.

This morning I set to work trying the tutorial.  It was easy, and the design turned out great.  I cut some complimentary layers, all from the CTMH Charlotte papers and began putting the card together.  I applied about 3 inches of adhesive to the first layer and the tape snapped.  Don't you just hate when that happens? It was a brand new cartridge!  Did you ever try to repair an adhesive tape cartridge?  It ain't easy!  and definitely not fun!  But, after multiple attempts, declining the cracker that my mother helpfully offered, taking a moment to unwind the tape stuck to my fingers and the table in order to go in the next room and fix a problem on her computer, and checking with my DH before he left for his golf game to make sure he was stopping for some milk, I managed to get the tape cartridge reassembled, the gadget working properly and the card finished.  

Stamps are from the January CTMH Stamp of the Month set.  The gold bow is a CTMH Fundamental accessory.  And the darling little metallic nail heads are by Queen & Co.

A CTMH online friend, Tracey Pierce, posted a beautiful card using these soft colors from the Charlotte papers and I just had to try one, too.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

 

Challenges:  

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge - Anything Goes

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #51 - T is for technique (faux tiles) 

Simply Create Too Challenge #101 - Something New (I just picked up the orange nail heads last week.  I got purple, too!) 

That's it for now!  I have a new challenge badge to add to my blog.  Then I'm going to go get a cup of tea and, maybe, that cracker.

No Flies on Mojo Monday

Wow! It's already the last Mojo Monday Sketch Contest of the month.   
I really wasn't looking forward to today's sketch because I thought it would be a tall & skinny design.  But it wasn't!  Then I remembered Julie saves that design for the 5th Monday of the month and got busy making this card....

All the papers, stamps, and the embellishment are from La Vie En Rose Scrapbook Kit by Close to My Heart.

Today I am entering these challenges:

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge # 432 -

613 Avenue Create Challenge - Anything Goes with no twist this week

PDE Linky Party - Always Anything Goes

DLArt January Linky Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #96 - Always Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion Challenge #296 - Always Anything Goes

Love to Scrap Challenge #70 - Anything Goes

Where the heART is Challenge #5 - Anything Goes

****************

When my son was in cub/boy scouts, the boys would divide into 2 groups, face each other and one group would say to the other: 

There ain't no flies on us!

There ain't no flies on us!

There might be flies on some of YOU guys,

But there ain't no flies on us!

The second group would respond, a bit louder:

There ain't no flies on us!

There ain't no flies on us!

There might be flies on some of YOU guys,

But there ain't no flies on us!

 The first group would reply, even louder:

There ain't no flies on us!

There ain't no flies on us!

There might be flies on some of YOU guys,

But there ain't no flies on us!

and on and on it would go until the boys had no more voice and were ready to quiet down to get to other activities.

The weather of the last few days reminded me of this little exercise.  And to all my buds in Pennsylvania, digging out from 2 foot of snow, I'd just like to say....

There ain't no snow on us!!!!!!

There ain't no snow on us!!!!!!

 There might be snow on all of you guys,

 There ain't no snow on us!!!!!!

************** 

Stay safe, my friends!

Happy Birthday, Nick!

I made this card a few months ago and saved it for my grandson's 11th birthday today.  I'm afraid the chances of his receiving it yesterday aren't good.  Thirty inches of snow is a bit much for any mailman.  

Birthday stamp by CTMH

Challenges:

QKR Stampede Challenge # 175- I'm Feeling Blue

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #282 - Sports 

Creative Knockouts Challenge #125 - Embossing 

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #409 -  Just Boys 

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #35 - 

 

Still playing with the SOTM

Here's another multi-purpose card I made using the CTMH January Stamp of the Month.  
 
I random stamped the flower in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation on a piece of white cardstock;  cut the CS in 4 pieces, edging each by dragging all 4 sides across the ink pad; mounted the pieces on black CS before adding it to the card base.  Then I added a piece of patterned paper on the left, a strip of gold foil tape, and a strip of red glitter tape.  The CTMH sentiment was stamped on an oval which was edged in black, and popped on the card with dimensional tape. Finally, I added the bow and a self-stick button embellishment from La Vie En Rose Assortment.  

Challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge #147 - Anything Goes 

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #142 - Fabulous Flowers

Southern Girls Challenge - Anything Goes 

Fab n Funky Challenge #288 - Buttons and/or Bows

The Ribbon Girls January Challenge - Any Image 

My friends in Pennsylvania are in the middle of a nasty blizzard.  

I hope they are all safe, warm and crafting!

Recipe Challenge

Hiding in my limited vacation stash, I discovered one lone Bugaboo digi stamp, which I saved for the final day of the 6th Annual Bugaboo Birthday Celebration at Catch the Bug.  Since the week long theme has been Jungle/Zoo, I've colored this feline to look like a black leopard and the rodent as an opossum.  

(Brithday stamp by CTMH; colored with Promarkers and Sharpies; clear glitter Wink of Stella on balloon; gold Wink of Stella on star; background embossed paper is CTMH fundamental paper)

 

Today's challenge is a recipe challenge which calls for 1 Animal, 2 Layers and 3 Brads, Bling or Buttons.  I was going to cut off the possum so I would only have 1 animal, but he's so cute.   And the recipe doesn't say only 1 animal.  I know I'm stretching the recipe.  I'm just so happy that I could make at least 1 card this week with a Bugaboo image.  

Additional challenges:

Crafting with Friends Challenge #12 - Anything Goes

Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #83 - Anything Goes + Add 3 of something (gold bling) 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Create with Critters 

Sieze the Birthday Challenge - Clean & Simple 

Craft Rocket Challenge # 7 - Clean & Simple 

Cardz 4 Gals Challenge #14 - Cupcakes

Aud Sentiments Challenge #247 - Anything Goes 

I Love Promarkers Challenge - Use something new (gold bling) 

 
I've had such a fun week of improvising.  Next year I'll remember to pack some more printed Bugaboo digis 
and a rolling pin.  
Why a rolling pin?, you might be wondering.
Last evening I made homemade pot pie noodles and had to roll the dough out with a bottle of salad dressing.

Have a great day!

Day #6

Today Bugaboo Stamps has given crafters an inspiration photo to help them create a card for Day 6 of the Catch the Bug Birthday Bash Challenge.I am certainly glad I brought the CTMH Operation Smile Animal Greetings Stamp Set with me on vacation.  Even though I can't print up Bugaboo digis for the challenge, at least I have some jungle/zoo animals which I can use to participate.  Today I created a birthday cake with washi tape layers and 3 of the cute little animals from the CTMH stamp set.  

Why is it there is absolutely no wind outside until I attempt to take a photo?  I had to pick up this card 4 times and delete 4 photos of the palm tree with no card.

 

Additional challenges I am entering include:
Robyn's Fetish Challenge #299 - Animals
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #171 - Monochrome
Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #40 - It's a Jungle Out There
Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #83 - Anything Goes + Add 3 of something (3 animals)
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #95 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge # 295 - Anything Goes
Kraftin Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Through the Purple Haze Challenge #93 - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #147 - Anything Goes

 

Jungle Funny

Catch the Bug's Birthday Bash Challenge continues with today's theme of Make It Funny.  Splitcoast Stamper's newsletter pictured some adorable pyramid treat holders that provided me with the inspiration to make this pyramid card.

Pyramid cards are so fun to make, they fold flat for mailing, display easily and begin with 3 simple, square pieces of paper.

 

This card is sitting upon the second jigsaw puzzle of our vacation, a view of New York City.

Jungle Bingo

Once again I "moose" apologize for not having a bugaboo digi on my card for Day #4 of the Catch the Bug 6th Birthday Bash Challenge.  But I did find enough items (buttons, easel card, and kraft cardstock) in my small vacation stash to play in the Jungle Bingo Challenge.

Stamps are CTMH

Additional challenges I am entering include:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #7 - Anything Goes

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #235 - 3,2,1 (I used 3 buttons, 2 designer papers, 1 image) 

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge - Anything Goes

Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #83 - Anything Goes + 3 of something (3 buttons)

Classy Cards n Such Challenge #120 - Buttons

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #26 -Anything Goes

Catch the Bug's Birthday Celebration - Day #2

Sunday's Birthday Bash Challenge at Catch the Bug was a sketch challenge.  Here's my jungle/zoo themed entry:

using CTMH stamps

 

Challenges:

Catch the Bug Birthday Challenge - Day 2

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart Challenge #95 - Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion Challenge #295 - Anything Goes

Hope you are having a great day!

 

Catch the Bug's Birthday Celebration - Day #3

As promised, here is my card for the Monday Challenge at the Catch the Bug 6th Birthday Celebration:

I was lucky to get this photo.  The little bit of wind here kept blowing the card off my picket fence easel.

 

Pre-colored digi image, Milton Catching Snowflakes, from Beccy's Place.

I only brought a few printed digis and small stash of paper with me on vacation.  I'm sorry this can't be a Bugaboo image, but it does fit the zoo/jungle theme of this week's birthday celebration.  Last Monday I picked up a few fun pieces of designer paper at a fabulous scrapbook store in Lakeland.  The striped sheet I used for this card is actually the flip side of a great piece of baseball themed paper.  I gave the white paper on which the sentiment and image are printed a fake matted look with a red marker.  It really is kind of fun to improvise.

Challenges:

Catch the Bug Day #3 Birthday Celebration Challenge- color

 

Beccy's Place January Challenge - Anything Goes 

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Birthday Fun 4 Kids

Creative Knockouts Challenge # 124 - Card for a child

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #408- A Bit of Fun

Now, after I take a sunny afternoon walk to the mailbox, I think I'll get busy with a sketch card for Day #2 of the 6th Birthday Celebration at Catch the Bug.  This is my kind of Monday!  My DH's on the golf course and I have nothing pressing on my agenda but challenge deadlines. 

I totally forgot...

that I was planning to use the color scheme for the  Monday Challenge at the Catch the Bug 6th Birthday Celebration

for my Mojo Monday Sketch 431 Challenge Card.  So first I'll show you my Mojo card and I'll be back with a card for Catch the Bug.

I've used CTMH stamps, a sheet of CTMH fundamental paper, and a sheet of American Crafts paper, white Liquid Pearls, markers, and Glitter Glaze.

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #431 

Note to self:

Next year take printer along on vacation so I can use Bugaboo Digi Images for the Catch the Bug Annual Birthday Celebration Challenges!

I brought a few stamp sets with me, but

I'm sorry I didn't think to pack more printed digis in my craft bag.  They certainly wouldn't have taken up much room.  So, for the Saturday Challenge of the Catch the Bug 6th Birthday Celebration: Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing, I am using CTMH stamps and sentiments.

The paper is from the new CTMH Charlotte paper pack. 

Additional challenges include: 

Connie Can Crop Challenge #42 - Beary Sweet
Crafty Hazelnut's January Patterned paper Challenge - Anything Goes
Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Birthday Fun 4 Kids

 

SOTM card

This card is going in my stash.  I just felt like playing with this month's CTMH Stamp of the Month.  

With a sentiment of "Best Wishes", 

I'll be able to use this for a birthday, anniversary, wedding, etc.

(Hope you can see the 2nd generation stamping on the raised tag!)

Challenges: 

Gem of a Challenge #160 - Female Birthday 

Crafty Friends Challenge #23 - Anything Goes

My Time to Craft Challenge #313 - Tag It

Through the Purple Haze Challenge #93 - Anything Goes

Crafting by Designs Challenge - Seeing Red

Chocolate Baroque Challenge #18 - Inspiration Photo/Color Challenge

 

Craft-Dee Bowz January Challenge - Anything Goes with a handmade bow

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #132 - Looky What I Got (Everything is new)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Monday's Field Trip

It was only 41 degrees here in Florida early (for me, anyway) Monday morning when I climbed in the car and headed to Lorraine's to meet her and Sybilla.  We stopped and picked up 2 more lovely ladies before heading south to Lakeland, Florida and Violette's Scrapbook Store.  At first glance, Violette's is a very inconspicuous and unassuming shop, a bit off the beaten path.  But, once inside, we immediately realized it was everything but!  Twelve small, interconnected rooms filled floor to ceiling with fabulous papers, embellishments, stamps, dies, embossing folders and more.  I picked up some fun papers, a bit of bling, a cute hat stamp, and a pretty nativity die, proud that I was able to exercise as much restraint as I did.   Most of the papers I purchased have designs that will be perfect for this person or that.  But a few are just for fun while I am away from my stash at home.

The birthday card above features a Bugaboo Digi Image, colored with both markers and pencils, and a piece of chicken wire paper I purchased Monday.  

The balloon, cherry, beaks, and eyes have a thin layer of CTMH liquid glass over them for a shiny look.

I am entering this card in the following challenges: 

Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #39 - You Crack Me Up

Cardz 4 Guys Challenge #102 - Happy Birthday

613 Avenue Create Challenge #158 - Anything Goes with optional Birthday or Anniversary Twist 

Sisterhood of Snarkey Stampers Challenge #50 - O is for old 
Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge - Anything Goes 
Craft Rocket Challenge #6 - Happy Anything
Craft Your Passion Challenge #294 - Always Anything Goes
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #94 - Always Anything Goes
Doodle Pantry Ants in My Pantry Challenge #13 - Anything Goes

Now I'm off to see what kind of mischief I can get into today.  
I'll let you know.

Monday was just too busy...

... to get my Mojo Monday Card finished and posted.  And this morning I was out early to attend a simple 3 cards class.  Now that I've gotten a load of wash started, I have time to show you what I've been making here at my home away from home.

First, here is my card for Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge # 430:

The digital image is Snow Friends by Bugaboo Digi Stamps.  The hearts and sentiment are CTMH stamps.  I colored the image and wood heart button with promarkers and used liquid pearts for the snow.

I am submitting this card to the following challenges:

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #430 -  

Crafting When We Can Challenge #110 - Something New (the wood button, yarn bow, liquid pearls and red momento ink)  

Great Impressions January Challenge - Lovey Dovey (valentine or bird)

Send a Smile 4 Kids - Valentine or Love Card for Kids

Catch the Bug January Bingo Challenge - (I have a bow, blue, and a sentiment)and red momento ink)

*************

Now here are the 3 cards I made this morning.  Two of the cards are simple 1 layer cards, which aren't always that easy to do.  The 3rd card involved some watercoloring using a waterbrush and ink from the lid of a stamp pad and was then embossed. The stamps and products used were all by Stampin' Up.

***************

We've also finished our first vacation jigsaw.  

(Actually, my mother and hubby did most of it.) 

Owl be back another day,

 because I must tell you about yesterday's field trip!!!

January 2016 Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Stars January 2016 Blog Hop!****

When I was helping Joyce (my CTMH consultant, stamping guru, and friend) at one of the stamping shows last fall, Betty asked me why I didn't do Joyce's blog hop.  I said because I had never been asked and because everyone participating was a CTMH consultant and I'm not.  Well, a couple weeks ago Joyce asked me if I'd like to join the hop.  So here I am, the last stop on the hop, following a group of very talented CTMH consultants and stampers.  Actually, the hop is a circle, so it doesn't matter if you are coming from my friend Betty's blog or if you start here on my blog.  Just continue from blog to blog until you're back where you started to make sure you see all the fabulous projects.

For my project, I made an anniversary card following a tutorial for a Big Buckle Card.

It's a bit like a Bendy Foldy Card, but not exactly.

The papers are from the new CTMH Charlotte pack and the stamps from the current SOTM set, Beloved Bouquet.

If you didn't start with Joyce's blog, that's definitely where you want to go next. 

I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Flowers 

Brown Sugar Challenge #180 - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz Challenge #306 - Flowers

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge - Looky What I Got (except for the stamp on the card front, it's all new)

Cardz 4 Gals Challenge #13 - Something New 

Fab n Funky Challenge #286 - Something New 

Inky Impressions Challenge #281 - All Things New 
Double Click Skittles Challenge - Use a Flower

Thanks for stopping by!

****

If you're thinking of making a Big Buckle Card and have a Cricut Explore, my friend Crystal has made a design space file for this card which she shares on her blog, Crafting with Crystal.

Speedy recovery

Knee surgery has to be one of the worst!  Anyone who has to endure the rehab deserves a card and wishes for a speedy recovery!  

(Using new products from CTMH: Charlotte Paper Pack & Kiss It Better Stamp Set)

Challenges: 

Hiding In My Craft Room Challenge #233 - Super Scraps Saturday 

Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Friday Challenge #120 - Anything Goes

As You Like It Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts Challenge #123 -  Anything Goes

That's it for today.  If you have time, stop back tomorrow to see my first Big Buckle card.  

Vacation Card Class

Normally, come Wednesday I am posting the cards that I made at Joyce's Tuesday CTMH card class.  It was just too far to go to Joyce's class yesterday,
 (Hopefully, Joyce will post the 4 cards they made back home, so I can see what I missed.  hint! hint!)
but I did find a much closer class to attend.  It was a very congenial group of women with 2 instructors.  We moved between 4 tables to make these 4 cards: 
 

There is a beautiful stamp under these matching die cuts flowers. 

inside sentiment

There was a lot of die cutting to this card.

inside of card #2

This is a Pure Innocence stamp cut with a Pierced Oval Die from My Favorite Things.

My Favorite Things has a store in Eustis which I plan to visit before returning home.
 

(When I get home I'm sure I'll be adding just a few ribbons and embellishments.)

I know.  I know.  
That's only 3 cards.  
The 4th card was the last one I made.  Since it required a lot of coloring and it was getting late, I decided to finish it at home.  After dinner last night, I pulled out my colored pencils and promarkers and got to work.  

Unfortunately, the markers bled through the paper.  

This morning I returned to my "away-from-home closet craft room" to remake this card.  

Why the closet? you might ask.  The table is a bit busy at the moment...

Getting back to the card ....
I did some cutting and added some patterned paper so you couldn't see the places where the marker bled through...

Time for a walk.  Thanks for stopping by.