Christmas Card Challenges #17

Before I begin, I want to say a huge welcome to Carmen (check out her blog here, she is such a dear) and Erin for following my blog.  I couldn't find Erin's blog, but I'll be looking for it.

It's another easy one this week, since we have one more Anything Goes over at Christmas Card Challenges.

I recently bought a Distress Tool and I thought I would try it out on this card.  As is the norm for me ~ lately ~ when I went to use it, I couldn't find it.  So, I had to distress the papers the old fashioned way with sandpaper.  And of course, right after I finished sanding away, I saw the distress tool on my work table. in plain sight ~ how does that happen?

The sentiments are from Holly Juniper - front and Holiday Greetings-inside (both from Doodle Pantry).  The poinsettia flower is a die cut by Cuttlebug. I added a few yellow stamen pearls to the center rather than the paper one that comes with the die cut.  The decorative mat for the front sentiment is a die cut by Whimsy Stamps.  The stick pin is handmade and I added a bit of red and green burlap strings under the flower.

Stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other Design Team Members created this week.  We'd love for you to join along. Before you know it, Christmas will be here and you'll have wished you had a few more cards made.

The Christmas Card Challenges Design Team:

Alanna    Carol    Donna     Gail    Heather     Jessica     JoAnn     Lisa

Justine     Margo     Marsha     Monica     Shirley Anne     Tenia


Click on the pictures below to go to the Doodle Pantry store for these two items

  

I'm entering this card in the Whimsy Inspirations Challenge: #81-Use a Die Cut

Imagine That! Monthly Progressive Challenge

I had to take a bit of a hiatus from the Monthly Progressive Challenge at Imagine That! digis by Kris due to our move, husband's unexpected surgery and other issues. But I'm back . . . and a what a great time to re-enter the challenge because Kris offered the colored digis for free !

I love the bright pinks, greens and blues in the peacock.  And I just happened to have cardstock in those same colors that accent the card.  I also snagged the beautiful DSP for free from Kris.  I used the Flourish Pink DSP, although I lightened it a bit.  And I used Peacock Spread from the Pretty Peacocks digital set (see below).

There are still a few days remaining to play along in the monthly challenge. Check out Kris' blog (click on the name or image below) to find out how you can get this month's image (flowers and peacocks) for free. Then create your card/project and you'll get another set for free to use next month . . . and so on and so on.

BTW, I also used the beautiful, bright pink flowers on another project that I'll share on Monday.

Imagine That! digis by Kris

It's Cupcake Time

Have you ever needed double-sided cardstock for a project, but couldn't find the right pattern or color for your project?

That's what's SO great about Doodle Pantry digital sets. Not only do you receive beautiful images (color and B&W) and sentiments, but you also get several coordinating papers ~ both patterns and solids.

I wanted to make a cupcake holder that I saw . . . somewhere~on some blog or on YouTube. But I didn't have the "right" double-sided cardstock.  Enter the Yummy Cupcake Digital Set by Doodle Pantry.

I created my double sided cardstock by printing a full page of one digital paper pattern, flipping the cardstock over and printing a coordinating digital paper on the other side.  There are lots of possibilities with this set.

After die-cutting the pieces (sorry, the die cut is no longer available), I ran the solid brown through an embossing folder to create the "lines" in a cupcake wrapper.  Then glued the DSP "top" to the "bottom," added a bit of ruffled ribbon and pearls and placed a ribbon through punched holes in the top to hold it all together.

I printed 2 pre-colored cupcake images; cut one out completely and cut just the "frosting" out of the second to pop it up.  The sentiment is from the set also (punched with a tag punch), matted in brown and placed on the DSP that I used on the inside of the cupcake holder (the reverse side of the tag has the little sprinkles).

There are so many possibilities using digital images. Hop on over to the Doodle Pantry store for your next digital set or check out the Doodle Pantry blog to see wonderful inspirations from the DT.

I'm entering the following challenges:

• Whimsy Inspiration -#81 Use A Die Cut (ends 4/13)
• Wonderful Wednesdays - (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps) -  Always Anything Goes
• Digi Sketch Challenge - Sketch* and/or Anything Goes (I chose "Anything Goes") - WINNER
• Get Creative Challenges #11 - Die Cut (ends 4/5)

Christmas Card Challenges # 16

Anything Goes this week at Christmas Card Challenges . . . as long as it's a Christmas card.

I thought I would change it up this week and make a fancy fold card.

The snowman came from a sheet of rub-ons that I bought umpteen years ago. I placed him on white cardstock, then fussy cut around the image.  The sentiment is computer generated and matted to green and red die cut scalloped ovals.  The DSP was in my "leftover" folder.

Hop on over to the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other Designers created this week. 

Crafty Creations Challenges #285

We have a great challenge for you at Crafty Creations. It'll run for two weeks, ending March 30.  Yes, a great challenge with a wonderful theme:

Chevrons or Stripes

And, if you look closely at my card, it has neither. Mmm hmm.  I completely messed up the themes and so there are no chevrons or stripes on my card.  

But, Beccy's Place is our sponsor and she sent me this absolutely beautiful digi to work with (Petite Fleur Set~click here). I fell in love with it ~ so I:  

~ heat embossed the background paper and sponged on color; 

~ fussy cut the flowers and leaves;  

~ inked and colored all the pieces (there were many layers); 

~ carefully added dimension to the flowers and leaves; 

~ then strategically placed foam tape and glue for additional dimension to the entire image.

And, I was pretty happy with this card . . . until I realized there were no Chevrons or Stripes on it anywhere. So, I'm sorry, my Crafty Creations DT buddies, but this card will have to do.  In fact, I'm not even going to write anymore . . . just enjoy the pictures. I've listed the items I used on this card at the bottom.

And you may want to stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see what my Design Teamies created ~ actually using chevrons and/or stripes.  LOL

White, teal and plum cardstock

Something Lacy stamp~Stampin' Up!

Desert Sand, Teal Zeal, Sweat Plum, New Sprout & Bamboo Leaves~Memento Dye Ink

White Stampin' Emboss Powder~Stampin' Up!

Studio G Glitter Glue

Fantastix Bullet & Brush Tip ~Tsukineko

Heat Gun

Dimensional Tape

Main Focal Digital Image ~ Beccy's Place

Note: I computer-generated the sentiment, but the set comes with many to choose from.

Christmas Card Challenges # 15

I'm a bit behind today. I got called into work at 6:30 a.m., just got home and realized I forgot to do my post today for this week's challenge.  So, short post, but I hope you'll want to join along when you see what the DT created (click here).

Christmas Card Challenges #15

Theme: Inspiration Challenge

Blue & Silver Ornaments

I actually picked up on the stars in the photo (see below) ~ which is why you don't see any ornaments on my card . . . we all dance to the beat of a different drummer LOL

I hope you join along. I love to see what my crafting friends create !

Crafty Creations Challenges

Do you need a quick card but you're stumped on where to begin?  Well, that's where "sketches" come in . . . they jump start your cardmaking by giving you a card layout.

The current challenge at Crafty Creations Challenges is a sketch challenge.

And I may be a little partial to this particular sketch since I'm the one who designed and created the sketch.  And here's my card ~

We're sponsored by Oak Pond and I used one of their images. I digitally colored the butterfly, printed it, then went over it with a clear glitter pen to add some sparkle.

Stop by the blog to see what the other DT members created, then grab your craft supplies and join along (click here). We love to see what you create ~ and especially your take on the sketch.

Christmas Card Challenges # 14

The challenge theme this week at Christmas Card Challenges is:

Sentiments Only

(no images)

This was a challenge for me since I'm not really a CAS/sentiment only type of person ~ especially when it comes to Christmas cards.  But looking through my stamps ~ digital and rubber ~ I realized that I had several wonderful sentiments that definitely could take center stage on a card.

Sarting with a cream 5" square cardstock base, I covered the front with gold-ish vellum; then die cut  2 nesting Fleur de Lis Squares (Spellbinders) ~ one out of shimmer green and one out of shimmer red.

The sentiment ~ from Doodle Pantry's Christ Your Treasure set ~ was printed on cream cardstock and distressed using Tsukineko Brilliance Rocket Red Gold ink.

I added a gold organza bow and a decorative brad to finish off the card.  The inside, the photo still happens to be in my camera-sorry , mirrors the front with a solid green mat, red large Fleur de Lis Square and larger cream distressed solid piece to write a personal note.

Stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to join us this week with your Sentiment Only cards. 

Note:  Our weekly challenges now begin at 10:00 a.m. MST every Sunday.

You can check out what the other DT members created by clicking on their name below.

Alanna    Carol    Donna     Gail    Heather-you're here     Jessica     JoAnn     Lisa

Justine     Margo    Marsha     Monica     Shirley Anne     Tenia

Click on the picture below to check out the Christ Your Treasure set at Doodle Pantry

Today is . . .

Today is . . . are you ready for it?   Well, today is . . . 

Sock Monkey Day

Yes, it's Sock Monkey Day.  I'm not sure who makes these things up, but I saw it on the Create with TLC website yesterday (click here). Check out Paulette's blog/store. She offers beautiful sentiments for free as well as sentiments and graphics for sale in her store (very reasonable prices).

So onto the reason for today's post ~ Sock Monkey Day !  Doodle Pantry has a 

Funky Sock Monkey

digital set that just screams "Use me today!"  Well, use me anyday . . . but especially today !

I got the idea for the framed monkeys from Ann, a fellow Doodle Pantry Design Team member (here).  Her monkey frames are different than mine, but it set the inspiration wheels in motion ~ that and the fact that I didn't have a movie reel die cut {smile}

I used 4 sock monkey pre-colored images for the window openings and two digital designer papers from the set. 

I bought the Small Flower Box die (Poppy Stamps) a while ago but it's my first time using it.  I cut two, using a full one for the bottom and half of one for the top of the window.  Cutting the window wasn't difficult, just don't look too close at my cuts (I used my 1" square punch to punch out the window openings).  And since it's Winter, I decided to go with evergreen sprigs instead of flowers in my flower box. 

{ OK, we have flowers blooming here in Florida, but I thought I would do sprigs for my northern friends who won't be seeing flowers for quite some time. }

The sentiments are computer generated and split between the front and inside of the card.

So, Happy Sock Monkey Day.   And if you feel like creating . . . There's still time to join in on the Doodle Pantry Ants in My Pantry Digital Challenge (click here). Any digital image, from any company is acceptable.

Check out Funky Sock Monkey by clicking on the image below. And, if you purchase this set, $1.00 of every sale will be donated to Operation Write Home.

Doodle Pantry Monthly Challenge~March

There are a few changes at Doodle Pantry starting today.  The Monthly Ants In My Pantry Digital Challenge will once again begin on the 1st of the month. The theme every month will be "Anything Goes~Digital" and will run through the 25th of each month. You can use any company's digital image . . . but it must be a digital image (not stamped).  The winner will be announced on the 26th.

One other change: Laurie, the creator/designer, is taking a much needed hiatus from creating new digital sets. There may still be one from time-to-time, but the huge monthly releases won't happen for a while.  However, that just means we get to use the incredibly wonderful "older" sets . . . like this one ~ Spring Violets.

I printed the Spring Violets digital image onto vellum.  This was placed in a circle-punched opening using dimensional tape.  I added a yellow seam ribbon bow and a sentiment that I found in my stash that I stamped and inked who-knows-how-long-ago.

I die cut a Memory Box butterfly out of white cardstock, then added color using Copics. I sprayed Goosebumps Shimmer Texture Spray all over the butterfly.  First time using this spray and it's okay in person, but doesn't shimmer as much as I had hoped it would.

And the last change is a sad one ~ we're saying "Farewell" to several Design Team Members.  So, I made this card for all my DP teamies ~ those leaving and those staying ~  that I've had the pleasure to work with this past year.  My life truly is blessed because of you.  I look forward to many more wonderful memories.

Spring Violets is a FREE with Purchase Digital Set. Click on the picture below for more information.

Then check out the new AIMPDC that begins at noon EST March 1. I can't wait to see what you create.

Click here for more information on the monthly challenge.

Christmas Card Challenges # 13

This week Christmas Card Challenges has a Color Challenge for you:

Winter Hues

I double cut the ornament (Snowflake Ornament by Memory Box) and inlaid a cream shimmer cardstock. I also used embossing glitter for the stamped sentiment-Joy, Peace & Love (Holiday Notables 2 by Whimsy Stamps). Difficult to see in the picture, but it's very easy to read and looks quite nice in person. First time I've used it. Perhaps it would look better on thick-lined sentiment.

And here are the Winter Hues colors for this week's challenge:

Stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the Design Team created this week. We'd love for you to join along . . . you have no idea how much you inspire us, so please share your creations with us by linking up to the challenge this week.

Alanna    Carol    Donna     Gail    Heather-you're here     Jessica     JoAnn     Lisa

Marsha     Monica     Shirley Anne     Tenia