Meowy Mousemas

For some reason I thought today was the end of the month, so I rushed to photograph my card for the Monthly Progressive Challenge at Imaging That! Digis by Kris.  

I decided to use the pre-colored digi; however, I always lighten pre-colored images just a tad before printing so I can enhance them with Copics. This time . . . well, let's just say that I lightened it a bit too much, so I had to color all of the image.  But since I really liked the colors of the original, I stayed as true to it as I could. 

I sponged the scalloped edges with Memento White so it would look "frosty."  And what do you do with the twine ends when you forget to wrap them around the DP before gluing the DP down?  Well, tie them into a neat little knot and hope no one notices.  I actually like the look, so I may do this again . . . intentionally. 

I also used a bit of the "fluff" on the hat brims and tassels. 

I used another one of the sentiments from the set on the inside.  But, since I thought today was the last day to enter the challenge, I didn't photograph the inside in my rush.

Stop by the Progressive Challenge at Image That! Digis by Kris to see what others have created and if you join this month, then you'll get next month's image/set free.  There's still time, since today is only the 30th and there's 31 days in July {smile}

Side note of news:  My card from last month's challenge using Poolside Penguins

is displayed at the Imagine That! Digi Stamp store.  You can check it out by clicking here.

Other products used to create this card:  

Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio, Small Scalloped Octagons, Small Octagons

American Crafts HollyDay Paper Pad and Hip Hip Hooray Paper Pad

Twine from Dollar Bin at Target

Winter Friends

It's Christmas in July at From the Heart Stamps. Their Monthly Progressive Challenge Digi is called "Winter Friends."  This set is just too darn cute.  Love it !

I added a few embossed clouds to the "sky" using white embossing powder.  And sprinkled some fluff on the ear muffs (I'm not sure what it's called since I found it in a sale bin at Walmart and it didn't have any information on it, but this is what I use it for).  I'm not sure if either come through on the pictures.  The white candy dot is a homemade melted pony bead that has sparkles in it also.  I made a Bluebird because we just had a family of bluebirds outside our window~the little ones fledged last week.

I'm entering this card in the July Stamp of the Month Club at From the Heart Stamps.

Snowflake die from Whimsy Stamps; Paper from American Crafts Hollyday Pad and border punch from EKSuccess.

Masculine Happy Birthday

I'm in desperate need of male birthday cards.  I am SO good at creating frilly birthday cards for my girlfriends, but when it comes to cards for the guys . . . well, I struggle.

If you also struggle with cards for those men in your life, then struggle no more. Doodle Pantry has many wonderful digital sets that make cardmaking for our male friends so much easier.

Now I'm not implying that a card with a fish on it is ONLY for a guy (I used to fish a lot when I was younger), but it's better than a card with lots of flowers and bows, pinks and purples . . . right?

Hubby and I ate in a restaurant recently that had Large Mouth Bass mounted all over the walls, so when I saw this digi, that was the look I wanted.  I got so excited with seeing the front of the card come together exactly as I envisioned it, that I forgot to finish the inside.  So, no pics for now, but I'll carry the wood digi paper to the inside and die-cut a piece of ivory cardstock so I can write a note.

Here's what I used to create this card:

Doodle Pantry Grunge Wood Paper Digi then embossed it using Paper Studio's Woodgrain Embossing Folder (the embossing may be hard to see in the photo, but in real life it makes the digital image pop even more)

Doodle Pantry Bass Fish Color Plus Set (sentiment is also from this set)

Dienamics Designer Labels 4 Stax

Stampin' Up! Extra Large Oval Punch

Memento Bamboo Leaves

   

Christmas Card Challenges #35: Anything Goes

Welcome to another week and that means another challenge at 

Christmas Card Challenges. 

This is an easy one this week, since the Theme is: 

Anything Goes ~ as long as it's a Christmas card.

I used all Stampin' Up! products on this card. Stamps include: Hardwood (inked in Crumb Cake) and Christmas Blessings (inked in Mossy Meadow & Blackberry Bliss inks). Mossy Meadow ribbon and enhancing the poinsettia with gold embossing powder finishes the card.

Please stop by the Christmas Card Challenges Blog to see what the other Design Team members have created for you this week ~ such inspiration. Then grab your cardmaking supplies and join along.

Thinking of You

I've been absent for a few days . . . ok, over 10 days . . . but I have a great excuse.  We're going to be closing on a house soon and the seller has given us permission to clean out and paint.  The house is FULL, I mean FULL of "stuff" ~ but that was our agreement, let us have access to the house before closing and we'll clean it for you so you won't have to.  Not sure I got the good end of that deal, since we've been busy every day for over a week and I feel like we haven't even made a dent.

Onto my card for today . . . I wanted something serene and simple. Simple is especially good right now.  And, Doodle Pantry's pre-colored images are as simple as you can get. 

I used an image and sentiment from Cattail Pond Color Plus.  I highlighted the image a bit with Copics.  Also did a bit of fussy cutting. Nothing super fancy; just a quick, simple card to send to that special someone.

I kept the inside rather simple as well by just adding rust and white cardstock.

Stop by Doodle Pantry Store to see the Cattail Pond set or any of the other beautiful sets.

Christmas Card Challenges #33: Color Challenge

Welcome to another Sunday. This week we have a Color Challenge at 

Christmas Card Challenges.

I had fun creating this card and it didn't take long . . . love that part.  In case you want to join along, here's the steps:

1)  I punched the ornament shape (Stampin' Up! punch) out of cardstock.

2)  I used the negative piece to use as a stencil and sponged (just dabbed with a sponge) the red (Memento Lady Bug Ink). I tried to get some areas darker than others and left a bit of white showing for the "shine."

3)  Used a silver glitter pen to draw the hanging "silver thread."

4)  Tied a bow out of heavy silver thread and attached with glue.

5)  Cut a red and silver mat to go behind the white.

6)  Punched a white and silver evergreen branch border (Martha Stewart punch). I offset the silver piece just slightly over the white. I think it looks better in person than in the photo.

That's it . . . no dimensionals, nothing raised (other than the bow, which you could probably draw as well). So this should be an easy card to mail at regular prices.

I didn't put a sentiment on the front. Still not sure if I will, but I like it better inside. However, that part isn't done yet, so you only get to see the front. You're on your own for the inside {smile}.

Here's the Color Challenge Palette.   Great colors to work with, so I hope you join our challenge, or at least get inspired to make a couple Christmas cards.  

Only 20 more weeks until the end of November and those cards should be in the mail. You better get busy.

I'm linking up to the following challenges:

> Speedy Fox and Friends (Marks Finest Papers, a Heinrich Company) Challenge #220-Red

> Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #185: Glam It Up (silver, glitter pen, silver bow)

Christmas Tags

I thought I'd pop in with a mid-week post for Christmas Card Challenges. Can you guess what the theme is this week?

The theme is "Thinking Tags."  You can make a Christmas tag or put a tag on a card. Since I can always use more gift tags . . . that's what I decided to make.

Stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other DT members created. Everyone can always use a few more gift tags ~ or cards.

And More Flowers

I'll have several Flower cards to share with you over the next several days.  They are so easy to color; or, you can use the pre-colored image from Doodle Pantry like I did with these beautiful Tulips. I just love the bright, cheery colors of this card.

The wonderful thing about digital images . . . you can re-size them to ANY size you need/want. It takes card making to a whole new "easy" level. 

I continued the sketch to the inside and added a small Tulip to the corner.  Although I made this an Anniversary card, it could easily be a Get Well, Thinking of You, Birthday, Thank You . . . well, you get the point. Flower cards are so versatile for just about any occasion.

The sketch is from Digi Sketch Challenge. Their Challenge also includes a Theme, so you can do the Sketch, the Theme or Both. I chose both (the Theme is "In the Garden").  Doodle Pantry is the Sponsor of this Challenge.  You have TWO weeks to play along in the Digi Sketch Challenge AND if you enter their Challenge using only the Sketch, you can also link up to the Monthly Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge (theme this month is "Make It Christmas" OR "Make A Splash") using any image . . . it doesn't have to be a Doodle Pantry image. 

I used the following items:

  >Tulip and Pink DP from Doodle Pantry Tulip Wreath

  >Green DP from Doodle Pantry Cute Cake

  >Sentiment from Doodle Pantry Forget Me Nots

  >Extra Large Oval Punch & 1-1/4" Round Punch from Stampin' Up!

  >Cardstock and Ribbon from Stash

    

Sketch from Digi Sketch Challenges

I Love Flowers

One of my favorite images to work with are flowers. They can be used for any occasion, which is why I think I like them so much . . . and maybe the fact that since I'm allergic to just about all "live" flowers, this is the one way I can enjoy them.

This image, Flower Teacup, is from Bugaboo Stamps.

I colored the image and added shadows using Copics. A little bit of Glossy Accents adds some shine to the teacup.

I love finishing the inside of a card.  Maybe one day I'll even add a "bit of something" to the envelope also. 

I'm linking up to Bugaboo's Catch the Bug Challenge~First Saturday of the Month: Anything Goes (entry #17)

New Doodle Pantry Products for July

Happy July 4th.

I know I'm a day early; but I'm saying it today because I'm going to take tomorrow, July 4th, off.  Yes, I'm going to enjoy a barbecue, music and fun with friends celebrating our Nation's Freedom and remembering those that fought to give us our continued Freedom and Independence.

But today, I'm focusing on Crafting.  I think you're going to love the new products this month from Doodle Pantry.  I used a new set called Carousel Seahorse. This set is so bright an cheerful.  Love it!

Yes, I used the pre-colored image and DSP . . . again!! But it is SO easy to whip up a card with pre-colored images & papers, and they look absolutely wonderful . . . so, why not?

I placed 4 Seahorses side by side in varying sizes.  The reason? Well, Papa, Mama, child and baby (get it?). I have a family friend who is expecting her 2nd child and I thought this would make a cute card to send when that special occasion arrives.  I added the "baby" Seahorse to the inside also.

The sentiment is my own and computer-generated.  I swirled the "Congratulations" banner to look like, well, a "banner."  The Blue, Green and Purple DSP are from the Carousel Seahorse set.

This month the Doodle Pantry July Products are small in number, mainly because Laurie is in the process of moving to a new home (I'll be doing likewise in a couple months, so I completely understand).  Click here to see the new Products for July.  And, check out the Doodle Pantry Blog later today for the monthly challenge.  I don't want to give it away, but I know you'll want to play along with us.

Not only is there a terrific sale going on at the Doodle Pantry Store right now (until July 8), but the Happy Trails Camper digital set is FREE with ANY Doodle Pantry purchase (now until July 24).  It's the perfect time to get those sets you've been wanting . . . you know which ones I'm talking about {smile}.