Send a Smile 4 Kids March 2020 Challenge

There is a new challenge starting today at Send a Smile 4 Kids!

The March theme, and one of my favorites, is  

Cards 4 Boys or Anything Goes 4 Kids .

I have two very similar cards to share with you.  These cards use stamps and die cuts from My Favorite Things.

The first one went to my grandson.

 

If you are interested in making and donating cards to SAS4K, you can find all the information you need right here.

Challenges: 
Do AL (1) Kreative Challenge #39 -  Male Birthday
Die Cut Divas Challenge - AG with die cuts or embossing folder
Cardz 4 Guys Challenge #239 - Ink and/or paint (I used ink to stamp the sentiment.)
Arty Divas Challenge #16 - AG
Crafty Creations March Challenge #407 - AG
Southern Girls Challenge - AG
QKR Stampede Challenge #388 - AG
Joy of Sets March Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Birthday, Masculine, Paper Piecing
 
Crafter's Castle Challenge #27 - AG
Gem of a Challenge wk 5 - AG

Turning 6

It is hard to believe that my sweet great granddaughter is turning 6 next week.  But she is.  There's no stopping it.  

Little ones grow up way too fast!

Every year I have been using digital images from Beccy's Quilted Numbers Digital Set for Laila's birthday card.

Here's her card for 2020.

Challenges:

Beccy's Place February Challenge - AG with a Beccy's Place image 

The Paper Girls Challenge #193 - Birthdays 

Digi Choosday Challenge Wk 6 - AG

Arty Divas Challenge #15 - AG 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Use 2 or more patterned papers 

Little Red Wagon Challenge #536 - Wild One 

 Happy Birthday, Laila!

 

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that my great granddaughter,

Lahna, will be one in a few days.

Here's the birthday card I'm sending her:

 

 The papers are from a new paper pack from The Paper Boutique called Wild and Wonderful.  

The animals in the pack are adorable.

I found a diagram of a card base in the shape of a number '1', which I followed.  Before cutting the indented area on the right, I die cut the word 'one' along the edge.  I traced the card base shape onto patterned paper and then cut within the line 1/8" all around.  I stamped a small banner across the upper corner before it was embossed and then attached to the base.  The koala was a circular embellishment that came with the paper.  I fussy cut and then popped it onto the base.  The die cut 'Happy Birthday' was added next.  The flowers around the koala received a bit of shine with a Wink of Stella brush.  And finally, I added liquid glass to the koala's nose and eyes, the dot over the 'i' in Birthday, and the center of three of the flowers. 

Here's a recent picture of my little cutie.

Challenges:

Double Trouble Challenge #46 - Something, Anything, Everything; Something new (paper pack); also entering  partner challenge ...

2 Crafty Critter Crazies January Challenge - AG with a critter

Creations in Pink Challenge #17 - AG

Make My Monday Challenge 112a - Female Birthday

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Something new (Wild and Wonderful Paper Pack)

 

Another teenager in the family

My grandson, Matthew, turned 13 yesterday.

Right now I have 4 grandsons in their teens.

Having a conversation with any of them is like pulling teeth.

I did get a smile when Matt opened his card.

Challenges:

Through the Craft Room Door Last Challenge of 2019 - AG

Crafty Hazelnut's December Patterned Paper Challenge - AG

Scribbles Design Challenge #83 - For the Boys 

Gem of a Challenge Week 24 - AG

The Paper Shelters 9th Birthday Blog Hop - Birthdays/Celebrations 

 

Double Trouble Challenge #41

This birthday card is on its way to my great nephew.   In the past, his parents always took him to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida for his birthday.  This year they moved there!

And even though this is not a Halloween card, I have used the required Halloween colors, red, yellow, brown, for the current Double Trouble Challenge.  And by using the balloons, which fly, Twisted Sister should be happy, too.  

Double Trouble Challenge has partnered with the  

Crafting Happiness challenges for the next two weeks, so I'll be entering their Challenge #19 - Halloween Colors, too.

Thanks for visiting!

Dazzling at 90

This is a very special card for a lovely woman 

and one of my Red Hat Delightful Dazzling Dames.

She always has the most marvelous twinkle in her eyes,

and I wanted her card to sparkle, too!

Challenges:

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #440 - Pile It On

Through the Craft Room Door Week of September 10th - AG 

Pearly Sparkles Challenge #44 - Add a Ribbon or Bow 

Craft-Dee Bowz September Challenge - AG 

Make My Monday Challenge #104 - Use Shapes 

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #240 - Add pearls or gems

Crafting Happiness Challenge #13 - Birthday

Dragonfly Dreams Challenge - Happy Birthday

Elmo for a Special 2 year old

Making this card took up the majority of an afternoon.  I saw a similar card on Pinterest, but had to do a lot of improvising.

It is for my BFF's grandson, so he's a special little guy.

 I hope he likes it.

Challenges:

Tales from the Craft Room Challenge #8 - For the Kids 

Make My Monday Challenge #104 - Use shapes on your card 

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #198 - Emboss It 

Ellibells's Crafty Wednesday Challenge - Something beginning with B :  Big Bird

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #598 - AG 

HAPPY 100

It's not often I get to make a 

birthday card for someone turning 

100!

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday Challenge #173 - Birthday/ optional: square card

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #246 - Birthday

As You Like It Challenge - Favorite Way to Add Text (I'm loving all the new word dies! No ink to smear! And you can adjust the position if you use a liquid glue.)

Allsorts Challenge #534/5 - Feminine

 

Turning 5 Birthday Card

It's hard to believe that my great-granddaughter, Laila, will be turning 5 in another week!
I always use a digital number from the Quilted Numbers set created by Beccy Muir to make Laila's cards.  

You can view last year's card here or click the Laila Label on my right side bar.

Challenges:

Beccy's Place February Challenge - Use an image from Beccy's Place 

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #99 - AG

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #568 - AG

Seize the Birthday Challenge #158 - AG optional Black & White 

Southern Girls Challenge - Animal Antics 

Here's a recent picture of our little monkey: 

 

Celebrating "7" with Mickey

Last year I made my great nephew a Lego card. for his 6th birthday.  But, for his 7th I thought I'd make a Mickey Mouse card since he celebrates his birthday in Florida with Mickey Mouse. His parents have taken him every year since he was two. 

Lucky kid, huh?

Hope he likes the card.

It's a gatefold shutter card.

Challenges:

Cards in Envy Challenge - It's All About the Numbers

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #423 - Embossing

2 Sisters on a Blog Challenge #23 - Use a number on your card

I was in a new scrapbooking store the other day, Petticoat Parlor in Mt. Dora, Florida, and came across a fun sheet of Disney/Mickey Mouse paper just in time to make another Mickey fan this birthday card.

This card style is called a fold back front.

Challenges:

Die Cutting Divas Challenge #423 - Birthday

CCC Challenge #99 - Happy Birthday

Fab n Funky Challenge #423- For a Child

Double Trouble Challenge #13

Some Thing, Any Thing and Every Thing is the theme of this week's theme at the Double Trouble Challenge.

Thing 1 says this week's challenge is a Free For All.

Thing 2 wants to see a number.

And Thing 3 would like to see your card in one of the challenges listed on the blog.

It just so happens we have a 100th Birthday Celebration to attend next Sunday.  Here is the card I've made for Super Grammy as she is affectionately called by her grandchildren.

I really had a free for all with this card.  Hope I didn't over do it with lots of layers, a skirt fold, punched borders, die cuts, cricut cut numbers, two CTMH stamps, a few star gems, and a bow.

All that wouldn't fit on an A2 card.  This is an A6.

Challenges:

Double Trouble Challenge #13 - Something, Anything & Everything 

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Pumpkin Spice (I've used the color and am enjoying a Pumpkin Spice cappuccino as I am typing this.) 

Seize the Birthday Challenge - Birthday with optional foliage (There's a bit in the dp.)

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge #206 - Feminine 

 

 

Birthday Card for 1 year old

This card was designed with my BFF's grandson in mind.  

He loves Sesame Street.

 I used a Sesame Street coloring page for the image which pops up when the card is opened.  I also fussy cut a second head and attached with a spring so it wobbles.

The sentiment stamps are from CTMH. 

Challenges: 

Sweet Stampers Challenge #24 - Bright Colors 

Sheepski Designs Challenge #18 - For Kidz 

Pause, Dream, Enjoy September Card Challenge - Any theme

Always Happy Birthday September Challenge - Birthday 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Pop It Up 

Crafty Creations Challenge #374 - Anything Goes

 And usually I make an extra card from the leftovers so I'm not storing little scraps......

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy 4th Birthday, Laila

My great-granddaughter is 4 today!

When she was 1, I used a numbered digi from Beccy's Place for her card and again for her 2nd and 3rd birthdays. 

Here is Laila's card using the 4th digi in Beccy's number series.

front

inside

 The die cut is from Die-Versions and the stamped sentiment is from Stampendous.

Challenges:

Sasayaki Glitter February Challenge - For a Loved One (My great-granddaughter) 

QKR Stampede Challenge #283 - Anything Goes 

Polkadoodles Crafting Challenge Week 7 - Anything Goes 

Crafting With Friends Challenge #61 - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #76 - Anything Goes 

Beccy's Place February Challenge - Anything with a Becci's Image Goes w/ optional Sketch

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #191 - Anything Goes  

Always Fun Challenges #46 -  Zoo Animals

 Here are a few more cards I made to use up this sheet of patterned paper and add to the SAS4K box.

I haven't shared a picture of Laila with you lately.  

Here's the birthday girl! 

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Birthday, Matt!

Today our grandson, Matthew, turns eleven.  

I am sure he will be fascinated by this neverending card.

 The shapes are all CTMH cricut cuts; stamps are also CTMH; 

and paper is Graphic 45.

Challenges:  

Mix It Up Challenge #8 - Anything Goes + Fancy Folds

Connie Can Crop Challenge #65 - I'm So Fancy

Inspire.Create.Challenge #6 - Fancy Folds 

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of Dec 5th to 11th - Anything Goes 

 

Lego Card

This was definitely the most tedious card I've ever made.  It's been on my work table for a few days in a semi-finished state.  With my great nephew's birthday rapidly approaching, it was a Must Do on yesterday's To Do list.

Challenges:

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - I See Spots

Try It On Tuesday Challenge - Circles 

Create and Makes Challenge 15 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 

That's it for today.  

I have to go see a lady about some cookies!!!! 

Joyful Stars CTMH July Blog Hop

Welcome to the July

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.

It's plenty hot and humid here in Pennsylvania, but nothing compared to the temps in Yuma, Arizona, where my BFF lives.  This card is for her.

I've used Prickly Pear paper on the top and for the 3 cacti.  The bottom strip of paper is from Let's Party.  The banner is from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge; the letters are from the Flower Market Cartridge; and the "COOL" is part of the "COOLIN OFF" sentiment, also on the Flower Market Cartridge.  

This month I have a second card to share.

I used the same Prickly Pear paper and the Flower Market Cartridge to make this fancy fold card for my BFF's daughter's birthday.  

From the outside, it's kind of a locking gatefold . 

 

 Inside, two little tabs hold a removable sentiment card.

You can decorate the front and put your sentiment on the back.

Now, since this is a circular blog hop, you might have arrived here from Michelle Loncar's blog.

Your next stop is  Tracey Pierce's blog.   

  But, 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. 

Challenges I am entering: 
Southern Girls Challenge #163 - Ribbon or Twine
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #358 - Stamping No Digis 
Fussy and Fancy Challenge #191 - Celebration 
Crafting with Friends Challenge #47 - Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge #258 - Anything Goes 
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Challenge Week 26- Anything Goes 
heARTful Stamping Challenge - Happy Birthday + a stamp
Scor-Pal More Than One Score Challenge #39 - Die Cuts ( the Happy Birthday is a Die-versions cut):
The cards base of this card is 5.5x12, scored at 2", 4", 8", and 10".
 

(Not everything on the second card is from CTMH.  If you have any questions about items I have used but haven't mentioned, please leave them in a comment, and I'll try to answer them.
I got the idea for this card style, called a Fold a long Card, from a Tip of the Day in the weekly Scrapbook Expo newsletter, but had to do a lot of improvising since I don't have a Sizzix or the fold a long die. )

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #346 with My Grafiico

Everyone at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge is on a Sugar High this week using some scrumptious images from our sponsor,

 My Grafico.

I chose to use a wonderfully yummy looking cupcake image for my DT card.   It is a graphic from the Tea Time Set by Lemon Elf Studio at My Grafico.  There are also tea pots, tea cups, tea bags, and teaspoons included in the set of 15 images.

This angle shows how shiny the cricut cuts, the sprinkles and the cherry are with a coat of CTMH liquid glass. 

  We invite all of you to show us your cards and projects for this week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Theme, Sugar High.

Challenges: 

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday Challenge Week 23 - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door June 6-13 - Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #162 - Anything Goes 

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - Anything Goes 

Use Your Stuff Challenge #266 - Patterned Papers 

Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Birthdays 

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Anything Goes 4 Kids

She's 3 + SU Card Class 2/14/17

It's so hard to believe that 

my great granddaughter will soon be...

 This darling number digi is from Beccy's Place.

Each year I play in the

November Month of Holiday Cards Challenge

at Beccy's Place finishing my Christmas cards and hoping to win one of the free digi prizes at the same time.

And every year, since our little Laila was born, I select a new number to make Laila's birthday card.  You can see her 1st birthday card here and her 2nd card is here.  

(The quilted numbered digis can be purchased as a set.  I love Becci's digis. 

And now she has clear stamps, too!  You go, girl!  Keep 'em coming!)

I am submitting this card to the following Challenges:

Beccy's Place February Challenge - Anything Goes with a BP image 

Ooh-la-la Challenge #222 - Die Cuts (These dies are from ODBD.) 

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #182 - Add Some Texture 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenger - Favorite Tool   (My cuttlebug! Great for embossing and die cutting, too.) 

QKR Stampede Challenge #230 - Anything Goes or Embossing 

Just Add Ink Challenge - Choose 2 (I chose hearts and flowers) 

Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Favorite Combo (embossing + patterned paper) 

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #38 - Anything Goes 

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of Feb 14th - Anything Goes

I haven't posted a picture of Laila lately, have I?nd

Here's one of us working on a project at her day care's Grandparents Day Open House.

 

Before I close this post, I'd like to show you the cards I made this morning at a Stampin' Up class taught by Jan Hoyt.

We used the Misti stamp positioner on this last card.  I had never used one before.  I liked it.  But... you have to be careful not to bump your paper if you are restamping or it gets a bit fuzzy like my right border.  (Not to worry!  I did some fiddling when I got home and it's all better now!)

 

 Lunchtime!

Anyone for a tuna salad sandwich? 

You're HOW Old?

Grandchildren grow up way too fast!  

It's a shame they don't grow as slowly as my laptop is functioning today!

This card is for my oldest grandson, 

who will soon be celebrating his 17th birthday. 

The digi image and sentiment are from Beccy's Place.

Challenges:

Beccy's Place February Challenge - Anything Goes using a Beccy's Place image 

Aud Sentiments Challenge #172 - Masculine Project + a sentiment 

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #227 - Make Your Mark 

Little Red Wagon Challenge #379 - How Tweet It Is 

Cardz 4 Guys Challenge #155 - Use something beginning with the letter "c" (Cool Chick on a Circle) 

 

Happy Birthday, NiMo!

Today my grandson celebrates his 12th birthday. 

This is the card I made for him.

card front

inside of card

 Nick will have no problem with celebrating with cake.  

He basically eats anything that isn't moving!

Now that I think of it, I should have used a zebra design on the crazy bird.  Nick loves the Little Debbie's Zebra Cakes.  If you are familiar with the hit song Cake on the Beach, we took a box down to the shore this past summer so we could get a picture of Nick and his brother eating 'cake on the beach'.  

Note to self: Remember that for next year's card!

This card is a combination of so many items: die cuts, embossing, cricut cut numbers, 3 brands of stamps, the reflective side of a recycled student driver sign, a piece of wrapping paper for the bg matching what I used for his gift, baker's twine, stick on embellishments, a pair of skittles, fussy cutting, and coloring.

Challenges I am entering today include:

Artistic Inspirations Challenge # 171 - Anything Goes

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Anything Goes 4 Kids 

HeARTful Stamping Challenge - Something cute

Come and Get It Challenge - No Designer Paper (I used gift wrap!) 

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Spread Your Wings 

Ooh La La Challenge #220 - For a Man or Boy 

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - For the Men in your Life 

Get Creative Challenge #54 - Anything Goes 

Crafting from the Heart Challenge #144 - Always Anything Goes 

QKR Stampede Challenge #227 - Anything Goes or One for the Kids 

Before I go, the dryer buzzing reminds me of a recent senior moment my DH and I experienced.  On Sunday afternoon we kept hearing this strange noise, similar to the emergency noise we sometimes get on our TV back home.  But it wasn't the TV here.  All afternoon we kept hearing it and asking each other what that noise was.  Hours later we discovered it was our phone with an emergency tornado alert for our area.  Thank heavens we just got a bunch of rain and strong winds.  Some people in Georgia weren't as fortunate.  

Thoughts and prayers go out to them.