Christmas Card Challenges #19

I have a quick post today, mainly because I forgot to write it last night.  We have a new challenge at Christmas Card Challenges and it's a Photo Challenge.  I hope you play along ... you know you're going to need Holiday cards sooner than you think.  Why not get started now?

I took the photo literal and turned the front of my card into a "present."  Very easy and so fun to do.  I popped up the "package" with foam.

Stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other Designers created this week.  Then, get crafty and get your Holiday cards started.

Doodle Pantry AIMPDC #6

Hop on over to Doodle Pantry for the monthly Ants In My Pantry Digital Challenge (it opens noon EST).  Any digital image is accepted; although we love it when you use a Doodle Pantry image (click here to see all the sets you can purchase, or pick up a few freebies to use).  Anyone, from anywhere, can win.

I used Bird Bath Joy-color Plus for the pre-colored digital image and sentiment on the front and Gift Monkey for the sentiment on the inside. The DSP are also from Bird Bath Joy-color Plus.

Note: You may be wondering why there's no "white piece for writing" on this card.  My cardmaking friends send each other cards with our message written on an unattached insert.  This way the card receiver can re-use the card.  Since we don't do big, fancy gifts, our card becomes our "gift."

I was inspired to create this card by QKR Stampede. Their challenge this week is Bath Time. And this little birdie is definitely "taking a bath."

  

  

Crafty Creations #286

Happy April 1st. This will be my first post of the day, although it actually is the second one I've written. The other post will appear at noon Eastern Time.

The theme for Challenge #286 at Crafty Creations is:

Anything Goes

(no foolin')

We're sponsored by Sans Designs and I used one of her images, but digitally colored it. I love this background.  I'm glad I saved the colored version; I think it'll be one that will get used more than once.

Be sure to stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see what the other DT members created.  We sure hope you link up (the challenge ends Monday, April 13 at midnight).  It's an easy one ~ Anything Goes ~ so we hope to see many of you playing along with us.

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

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

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 # 12

It's an "Anything Goes" theme this week at Christmas Card Challenges. I hope you join along, since this is a great way to get those Christmas Cards done all year without feeling the rush in November.

I found this stamp in a dollar bin at a local Flea Market.  It's "Holiday Botanical" by Stampington & Co. I inked it up using Baked Brown Sugar (Stampin' Up!) and colored it with Copics.

I included a bit of green organza ribbon and bow along with a few red roses that I inked with Memento Rhubarb Stalk.  The burgundy background (I know it looks red in the picture, but it's actually a deep burgundy) I embossed using Holly by Paper Studio.

Stop by Christmas Card Challenges to see what the other DT members created this week. I can't wait to see your Christmas creations, so I hope you join along with us.

Christmas Card Challenges #4

This week the challenge at Christmas Card Challenges is ~ 

Anything Goes

I made these little boxes as my "card" so I could include a few treats for some good friends; Christmas Cards don't have to be flat, right?  

Please join us this week with your own creations (here) and or just stop by to see what inspirations the other DT members have for you.

Christmas Card Challenges #5

Our Challenge to you this week at Christmas Card Challenges is a Color Challenge ~ Winter Wool

These were such soft colors to play with. I had made a card a while ago using similar colors at a friends house, although that card was not a Christmas Card.  So, I CASE'd (Copy & Share Everything) Gerri Kowalski's card (shown at the end of this post) to create my Christmas Card version.

Double off-set stamping, heat embossing and a bit of sponging helped to create the focal point of this card.

Not my typical Christmas card colors, but I love the elegance and softness of this card. I might use these colors more often.

Stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other DT members created. We all love it when you stop by and let us know what you think.

Alanna  Carol  Donna  Gail  Jessica  JoAnn  Lisa

Margo  Marsha  Monica  Shirley Anne  Tenia

The card below is the card I made at Gerri Kowalski's house a couple years ago. I've been wanting to CASE it and finally had the chance to do so. Thanks for the inspiration Gerri.

Products used: Watercolor Winter Stamp set and Embossing Folder by Stampin' Up!

Thinking of You

First, I'd like to send out a big hello to Frances, Theresa and Christine . . . my newest blog followers.  Welcome !

Now onto today's info . . . do you like a sale?  How about a 40% off sale?  Well,  . . .

It's Doodle Pantry's BIG END of the year 2014 SALE!!!

Since the last week of the year is always so busy, Doodle Pantry decided to have an end of the year sale a little bit earlier . . . from now

Until DECEMBER 19 ONLY!!!

40% OFF YOUR Entire CART (EXCLUDing GIFT CERTIFICATES)*

*Minimum $2.50 must be in your cart before coupon can apply.

COUPON CODE:   END2014SALE

Now would be a great time to stock up on all those Doodle Pantry digital images and sentiments and papers you've been drooling over ~ especially if you're a follower living in the European Union since Doodle Pantry will no longer be able to sell digital items to you after Jan 1, 2015 due to the new EU VAT laws. 

The Snow Crocus is a new set just released this month. It works for so many different occasions.

I used the pre-colored image in lilac (you have several to choose from in this set). It's gorgeous !  I paired it with shimmer lime green and shimmer lilac cardstock.  I used the Darice "Crackle" Embossing Folder and added a bit of white satin ribbon.  I cheated and didn't even do a bit of coloring on this digi; I loved the way it came out and didn't want to mess with it.

The sentiment is also from the Snow Crocus set.  I guess I'm tired of making Christmas cards and decided that a nice 'Thinking of You' card was in order.

This is just one of the many sets you could chose from (did I mention there was a sale?  Oh how I love sales LOL). Click here for more information on this terrific sale and to begin shopping. 

And if you buy ANY Doodle Pantry item, you'll get Milk & Cookies for FREE . . . a sale AND a freebie ~ now you're talking my language {smile}

Crafty Creations: Something to "Die" For

We have a new challenge at 

Crafty Creations ~ Something to "Die" For.  

No, we're not being morbid . . . we want to see your beautiful creations using Dies !  

We're sponsored by Robyn's Fetish.  I had a beautiful snowman digi image from Robyn's Fetish that I was in the process of coloring . . . and then coffee decided it wanted to play along and help color the digi.  I know "drinks and crafting don't mix" but I needed my coffee and I had to craft. 

 Needless to say, I ran out of time to print and color another one, so I'm sharing a "back-up" card. I used several dies and this card was somewhat quick and easy to put together ~ I'd already glittered the sentiment die-cut piece.

Note:  I'll try to do another card with the snowman before this challenge is over.  Robyn's Fetish has beautiful images; check it out here.

The large snowflake is a Whimsy Stamps die and the smaller snowflakes are from a Martha Stewart punch. The die I used for the sentiment is from Stampin' Up! and the sentiment is ??? . . . well, it's wood mount but there's no name on the stamp/wood. I've had it for years and still love it.

Stop by the Crafty Creations blog to see what the other DT members created for your inspiration. Then dig through your Dies, find one you haven't used in awhile and create !

Christmas Cactus

Are your Christmas cards all done and mailed? If not, perhaps this card will inspire you to get them finished. I used paper, a sentiment and a pre-colored digi  from the Christmas Cactus set by Doodle Pantry. I lightened the image and it printed a beautiful bright purple-pink-ish color. I added a bit of Copics to the image just to make it a bit more full-color (sometimes when I lighten a digi, they tend to "fade" out a bit; so using my Copic pens fills in the gaps).

I love this flower set. Several colors to choose from or use the black & white line art to color your own.

I carried the sketch to the inside and left plenty of room to write a short note. 

A bit of green organza ribbon and bow and some matching sequins (thank you Betty . . . they went perfect with the colors in this card) complete the card.

If your cards are all done for this year, then why not get started on a few cards for next year? If you're like me, your "Christmas cardmaking supplies" are probably still out {smile}

Stop by the Doodle Pantry store to see all the wonderful Digital Stamp sets (click on any picture below).  If you create a card (or craft item) using any digital image (not just a DP digi), you can enter it in the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge #53~click here. Two lucky winners will each receive a coupon to the Doodle Pantry store.

A freebie with any purchase (until Dec 24)

Christmas Card Challenges #50

The Challenge theme this week at Christmas Card Challenges is:

Faith Based

This is one of my favorite digital images. I just love coloring it (yes, it's b&w line art that I actually colored myself using Copics).

Please stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other DT members created this week.