Mother's Day Trio

As I was putting away some of my papers today, I came across half a sheet of double sided patterned paper.  I didn't know quite where to put this lonely half sheet.  I set it aside and when everything else was properly stored, I made these three Mother's Day Cards.  They will be perfect to send off to Send A Smile 4 Kids.

The colored digi image is from Doodle Pantry.

I added the sentiments in my Paint program.

And that's what I do with a lonely half sheet of paper.

Challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut's April Patterned Paper Challenge - AG 

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #25 - AG

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #230 - That Special Someone

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics

Moo Mania Challenge #188 - Polka Dots

Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday Challenge - Wings, Tails or Spring Blossoms

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #576 - AG

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - For Moms from Kids

A Gem of a Challenge week 6 - AG

Crafty Calendar Challenge - 1 ribbon; 2 or more designer papers

 

Great Impressions Stamps May Challenge

It's time for a new challenge at Great Impressions Stamps. 

This month we're excited to see your feminine cards and projects.

I've used Great Impressions Stamps Springy Molly (F121S) and A Special Mom (C346S) to make this Mother's Day Card.  Both stamps can be found in the Great Impressions Stamps Store.

card front

inside

 The lucky winner of the May Challenge will be receiving this Great Impressions Stamp....

The challenge lasts for the month of May, which gives you plenty of time to make something for a girl.  

We love visiting all of you and seeing your creations!

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a lovely day! 

*****

Challenges I am entering:

The House That Stamps Built DCC53 - For a Special Lady 

Southern Girls Retro Challenge #159 - Use an actual punch (I used an actual corner punch.)

DL.Art Thankf ul Thursday Challenge #203 - Mother's Day

Aud Sentiments Challenge #179 - Flowers + a sentiment

QKR Stampede Challenge #242 - Feminine 

Polkadoodles Challenge Week #18 - Anything Goes 

Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge #94 - Anything Goes, twist: for Mom 

 

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge # 340 with Sweet n Sassy

Today I am sharing some inspiration for this week's

 Tuesday Throwdown Challenge, 

where the theme is Embossing.  

Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is 

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

 

  Sweet'n Sassy Stamps is a small, family-owned, Christian company offering exclusive images,designs and sentiments in both clear and digital stamps. They also carry a small number of exclusive die designs, some of which coordinate with their stamps. A wonderful Bible Journaling line of stamps is also available.

 

Today I've used  Lilacs-for-Cocoa  to make a Mother's Day card.

 Cocoa appears on a lot of the Sweet n Sassy stamps.  I am totally jealous that Cocoa found some lilacs in which to hide.  For the second year in a row, I have no blooms on my lilac bush.

 

There were 4 different embossing folders used on this card.

I love embossing and have quite a growing collection of folders.

If you enjoy embossing, heat or dry, please join us at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge for this fun challenge.   My wonderful teamies all have creations of their own to show you.  There are lilacs in every color on display.

And, please don't forget to stop by Sweet n Sassy Stamps to check  out more of the great items available.

 

Challenges I am entering: 

Aud Sentiments Challenge #178 - Use a stamp for the sentiment

Patties Creations Challenge #133 - Shades of purple in your image

Bastel-traum Challenge #52 - Mother's Day 

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - All Creatures Great and Small (the sentiment stamp is CTMH)

Crafting from the Heart Challenge #156 - Always Anything Goes ; just for fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #338 with HoneyBee Stamps

This week Tuesday Throwdown is challenging you to 

Use Something Clear.

Sponsoring this challenge is Honeybee Stamps. 

 

You'll find a nice assortment of stamps, dies, embellishments, tools and supplies in their shop.  And, the Honeybee Stamps Blog offers wonderful tips and ideas.

 I've used clear buttons, 5 clear diamond shaped crystal dew drops from the Honey Bee Stamps shop, and a piece of clear acetate behind the windows of the truck, a Honey Bee stamp from the Little Pickup Stamp Set.

(sentiment is computer generated)

The fun thing about this Little Pickup Stamp Set is the variety of items you can stamp into the bed of the truck, making the set very versatile.  I stamped the truck on red cs and then fussy cut it.  To fill the truck with flowers, I drew a light line on white cs where I planned to place the truck.  Then I stamped the flowers and colored them, before adding the truck.

"Clearly" the fun part of this challenge, for me,
 will be finding the diamond crystal I dropped on the carpet.

Hope you are able to find something clear and enter this week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge.
For more ideas, take a look at the wonderful projects my Tuesday Throwdown teammates have made.

Challenges I am entering: 

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - For Moms or Special Females  (From the Kids)
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #154 - Always Anything Goes 
Always Fun Challenges #1 - Anything Goes
Love to Craft Challenge #9 - Anything Goes
A Perfect Time to Craft April Challenge - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #41 - Anything Goes

 

Joyful Stars Close To My Heart April Blog Hop

Welcome to the April

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.

 

My blog hop contribution this month is a single layer, long card with coordinating envelope using the Hello Lovely Paper.
I can't decide if I want to buy more of this pretty paper
 before it is retired at the end of the month. 

Card measures 8 x 3.5

My inspiration for this card and envelope was a card entered in a challenge for which I design.  It was created by Esther Asbury and can be found on her blog here.  
Thank you, Esther, for sharing.

My mother and I share a cup of tea every Sunday afternoon, 
so the February SOTM set was an obvious choice for her Mother's Day card.  
The layered flower and pussy willows are cuts on the CTMH Flower Market Cricut Cartridge.  I fussy cut and paper pieced the tea cup.

For the envelope, I used stamps that came with the Artistry cartridge, another pussy willow branch, and the word "Mother", also a cricut cut found on the Flower Market Cartridge.
I used the clear shimmer brush to add some interest to the flower and pussy willows. 
Hope you can see it.

Now, since this is a blog hop, you might have arrived here from Marie Flayer's blog.

Your next stop is  Tracey Pierce'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. 

This card is my entry in the following challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #345 - Flowers 
The House That Stamps Built DCC45 - Add a die cut (stitched circle)
Just Add Ink Challenge #354 - Photo Inspiration (tea cup & flowers)


Stamping Sensations Challenge - Anything Goes
Come and Get It Challenge - In the Garden
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #145 - stamped image and sentiment
heARTful Stamping Challenge - Anything Goes

 

 

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:

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #490 

 

Come and Get It Challenge - Spring Time 

Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #232 - Mother's Day/Female

My Time to Craft Challenge #342 - Woodland Animals or Easter

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #152 - Always Anything Goes

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - Spring into Spring

Ooh-la-la Creations Challenge #225 - Layer It Up

 Stop back tomorrow to see a card with lots of 

sparkle. 

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:

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge # 489-

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

 

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:

Mojo Monday Sketch Contest # 487 -  

Wow Embossing Powder March Challenge -  Spring  (flowers for spring, teapot is embossed in white)

Paper Creator Challenge #57 - All About Mum

Ooh La La Creations Challenge #223 - Embossing 

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.

 

 

Mother Owl's Rockin' for W2CB#29

Four pieces of Pie for five People... is an inspirational message about motherhood and this month's challenge theme at

 Words 2 Craft By Challenge.  

I didn't get a chance to post this Mother's Day card earlier.

 (I was making cards for Send a Smile 4 Kids faster than I could post them.) 

So, I'll take this opportunity to post it now and enter their challenge.

The digital owl stamp is from TLC Creations and sentiment stamps are CTMH.

I am also entering... 
Sasayaki Glitter May Challenge - Mother's Day 
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #251 - Feminine
Robyn's Fetish Challenge #317 - Pastel Colors
Love to Scrap Challenge #78 - Anything Goes
Critter & Creatures Linky Party # 4 - AG with a critter or creature as the focal point
Craft Your Passion Challenge #313 - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart Challenge #113 - Anything Goes

Mother's Day with Leftovers

Last week I cut these velum butterflies (using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge) to use on  a Mother's Day Card for Mojo Monday.   Then I decided black butterflies with velum overlays would be more striking on that card, and set the velum butterflies aside.

Those leftover butterflies, now embossed, became delicate additions to this card.  I added a few skittles from Double Click; used a gorgeous die cut from Our Daily Bread Designs; and a sentiment from Newton's Nook.

****

Speaking of leftovers, our family's annual Mother's Day luncheon was yesterday.  Guess I overdid it.  The fact that 4 cancelled at the last minute didn't help. My frig is so packed with leftovers!  I'll be distributing some to my neighbor, although Paul was hoping I'd have a three layer chocolate cake to share.

And then I had one uninvited guest of the wrong gender...

 

We don't usually include canines.  And I almost freaked when he jumped up on my new white sofa!

****

Back to the card...

I am entering it in these challenges:

Crafty Calendar May Challenge - Things with Wings 

Brown Sugar Challenge #197 - Mother's Day

DL.Art Thursday Challenge #179 - Mother's Day 

613 Avenue Create Challenge #175 - Anything Goes (option- use a die to frame/showcase your sentiment.) 

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #126 - Only a sentiment/no image

Come and Get It Challenge #117 - Card for a woman 

Pile It On Challenge #107 - Garden Creatures 

Stamping Sensations Challenge - May Anything Goes 

Hope everyone enjoys Mother's Day 

and a week of sunshine!

 

Red Hat Bird

Today I am using a Bugaboo Image Flower Bird colored with pencils, a CTMH sentiment stamp, 2 cricut cuts from the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge, 2 different embossing folders, distressing, a ribbon and handmade bow, and a tiny red feather for embellishment.  I am a Red Hatter and this will be a perfect card for a birthday gal in our flock and would work equally as well as a Mother's Day card.  

After all...

All Mother's are Special!

 

I like having multi purpose cards in my drawer.  Then when I need a card, I can quickly add the appropriate sentiment and send it off.  I could see using this for a birthday, Mother's Day, thank you, encouragement, even as a note card.

Challenges I am entering:  

DLArt Thankful Thursday Challenge #179 - Mother's

 

Sassy Studio Designs Challenge #332 - Mother's Day

 

Seize the Birthday Challenge - Coloring

 

Through the Purple Haze Challenge #101 - Anything Goes 

Back to my cleaning.

Less is More Challenge + CTMH Card Class 5/3/16

Yesterday I posted a Mojo Monday Mother's Day card for my BFF's mother.  Today I'm sharing a Less is More Mother's Day card for my BFF.  I used the same DP for both, only opposite sides.  I love double sided dp. 

 

card front

 

(Inside of card, with lots of room for a little note.)

Stamps are SU and CTMH.  Die cuts are from Our Daily Bread. 

Challenges:
Less is More Lucky Dip Challenge Week 274 - Use patterned paper in a CAS way.  
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #110 - Always Anything Goes
Craft Your Challenge Challenge #310 - Always Anything Goes
Crafty Boots Challenge - Monochrome 
Eureka Stamps Challenge - Feminine Cards/Mother's Day 
Through the Craft Room Door Challenge May 3-9 - Anything Goes
Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #55 - Mamma Mia 
 

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

This afternoon, at Joyce's CTMH card class, we spent the better part of a half hour drooling over the new products in the Close to My Heart Seasonal Expressions Catalog 

and the beautiful paper pack 

that is a special just for May, National Scrapbooking Month.

Then, using the May Stamp of the Month,

 we made these 4 fun cards...

 

Mojo Monday Sketch Contest # 446

This card will be headed to my BFF's mother in sunny Arizona.  We haven't seen much sun in Pennsylvania lately and this week's forecast doesn't call for much either.  Normally, I'd just hunker down and make more cards.  But my annual Mother's Day Luncheon is on Saturday, so I'll be cooking and cleaning most of the week anyway.  Hopefully, there will be one day when it's not raining so DH and I can spread the remainder of the mulch currently in the driveway.

I'm assuming you stopped by to see my Mojo Monday card and not for a weather forecast.  

The stamp is from Newton's Nook.  

The embossing folder was a freebie from a magazine. 
The butterflies cricut cuts are from the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge.   Here is a closeup of the butterflies.

I used black cs with a velum overlay.

Challenges:

Mojo Monday Sketch Contest #446

 

Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #55 - Mamma Mia 

Pile It On Challenge #107 - Garden Creatures 

Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #136 - Mother's Day

Jade's Sparkling Butterflies Challenge #18 - Anything Goes/ Add a Sentiment 

OK.  That's enough of that.   Places to go (The SPCA to pick up Mom's new kitty.)  Wash to sort.  Cards to mail.  Craft table (aka dining room table) to clear off.  Cleaning to start........

Judy,

If you see this, inquiring minds would like to know how you are doing and where you are.

Hope everything went well and your recovery is quick. 

 

Fairy Kitty

This Mother's Day Gift Tag features a delightful digi from

 A Day for Daisies called Fairy Kitty 

and is my entry for their current challenge,

 Anything But A Card.

My mother, whose name happens to be Kitty (short for Catherine), has decided she needs to get a cat, preferably one who likes to catch mice.  This tag will be purr-fect for her. 

Additional challenges I am entering:

Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #249 - Freestyle 

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #128 - Anything Goes/ Fairyland 

Crafting in a Beautiful Mess Challenge #2 - Anything Goes

Craft for the Craic April Challenge - Anything But a Card 
Crafty Catz Challenge #322 - Fairies or something enchanting
Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Day Friday Challenge #136 - Mother's Day 
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #139 - Things with Wings + ribbon or trim
As You Like It Challenge - Favorite Animal & Why (Cats have always been my favorite.  They are much less trouble than a dog, very affectionate, soft and cuddly.)
Aud Sentiments Challenge # 154- Animal + A Sentiment 
DLArt Thankful Thursday Challenge #179 - Mother's Day
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #69 - Anything Goes
Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge - Anything Goes
Mod Squad Challenge - Mother's Day
The Paper Shelter Challenge #246 - Pearls
The Crafty Addicts Challenge #14 - Anything Goes/ Use Ribbon
Digi Choosday Challenge Week 17 - Things with Wings
Show Us Your Pussies Challenge # 5 - Furrything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #291 with Newton's Nook 4/26

Anything Goes for this week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge. 

That means my teamies and I will be leaving lots of love on lots of blogs, including yours, if you enter.  

How about a little inspiration? 

 

With Mother's Day just 2 weeks away, I thought I'd make a Mother's Day card using the Love Grows stamp set by 

our wonderful sponsor, Newton's Nook Designs.

 

It's such a fun set that I also made this card....

 and then this card....

I hope you'll enjoy all the wonderful cards featuring Newton's Nook Designs made by Team B for this week's  Tuesday Throwdown Challenge.  When you get a moment, be sure to take a look at the wonderful stamps and coordinating dies at the Newton's Nook Designs Shop and stop by their blog for some great ideas and the Inky Paws Challenge. 

Speaking of challenges, I'll be entering the first card above in the following challenges: 

Dare2bArtsy Challenge - Polka Dots 

Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #185 - Anything Goes 

Robyn's Fetish Challenge #313 - Anything Goes

Creative Craft Cottage Challenge #62 - Feminine 

Paper Creator Crafts Challenge #46 - Polka Dots or Gingham

Fantasy Stampers Challenge - Monochrome

Docerela Creations Challenge - Mother 

Just Add Ink Challenge #308 - Just add "M" (A Monochrome Mother's Day Card) 

Crafty Boots Challenge - Monochrome

Thanks for visiting.

Don't forget to come play in the  Anything Goes Tuesday Throwdown Challenge.

Words for Mom

My yellow tulips are blooming.  Those bulbs are over 30 years old, but they come up every year just in time for Mother's Day.  I didn't even see buds on them earlier this week.  The buds are very small, hiding at the base of the plant.  The flower opens first, very close to the ground among the leaves.  Then the stem grows last, after the tulip opens.  Eventually the flower will stand about 8 inches tall. 

Today I have a Mother's Day card to share.    It features a digi image from Digi Stamps 4 Joy.  Now that I think about it, this sentiment could be used for just about any occasion.  I added just few touches of color to the image, gems, ribbon with bow, punched border and some butterfly stickers.  

Challenges:

Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge #127 - Anything Goes with twist: for a lady/girl

Creative Corner Challenge - Words   

The Stamping Boutique Challenge - Mother's Day

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #190 - Photo Inspiration (I went with the mom theme)
 

Crafting for all Seasons Challenge #124 - Tic Tac Toe (diagonally from lower left to upper right: girlie, digi image, flowers)

 
Digi Stamps 4 Joy April Challenge #123 -  Anything Goes with a twist: add butterflies