Friendships . . .

I printed this Doodle Pantry digital image a month or so ago ~ and it never got used.  I'm in the process of re-organizing (aka cleaning) my Craft Room/Office and found it in a pile of ... well ... "stuff."  I'm sure you have a pile or two like that also, right?

I felt crafty tonight and decided to finally turn this beautiful digi into a card.  And, everything just fell into place:

~ The sentiment has the word "heart" in it 

~ I found a sheet of light yellow DSP with hearts in my paper stash

~ I found a heart in my charm stash so I put together a pin and used the heart 

~ Even my bow cooperated this evening; first attempt

And Tuesday Morning Sketches gave me the inspiration with their sketch this week.

Life is good !

I love the sentiment ~ and the heart DSP ~ and the heart charm.  Things don't normally go this smoothly for me (i.e., card completed and photographed in less than 1 hour)

And here's the Tuesday Morning sketch I used~see, it has a heart. My card was just "meant to be" LOL

Digital Image and Sentiment from Doodle Pantry's English Bluebells Set.

Doodle Pantry ~ New Releases

Doodle Pantry has several new sets available today.  I'm featuring Dahlia (flower) and Stand in Faith (sentiment).

I hand colored the flower rather than using one of the pre-colored images.  Although the pre-colored flowers are beautiful also.  I just like yellow lately {smile}.

I love the new Stand in Faith sentiment set. And this sentiment just seemed to go beautifully with the image.

Stop by the Doodle Pantry store. There's a special sale going on that you won't want to miss.  And then stop by the Doodle Pantry blog to see what the other DT members have created.  And the monthly Ants in My Pants Digital Challenge is still going on ~ the theme is Anything Goes as long as you use a Digital Image (you don't have to use a Doodle Pantry image, but we love it when you do).

Crafty Creations Challenges #289

A fun challenge and a great sponsor.  What could be better?  How about a short post . . . so you can get to crafting and link up with us over at Crafty Creations Challenges.

Theme: Color Challenge

Kraft, Pink, Brown, Green, White

Sponsor:  A Creative Need

Check out Deena's shop (click here) 

or her blog (click here)

I used one of Deena's beautiful digital stamps ~ Pear Tree Blossom

I added very subtle pink to the flowers, mainly because Pear Tree Blossoms are white.  I printed the digi onto watercolor paper using my Laser Printer (first time trying this and I loved the way it worked).

I watercolored the image using my new Derwent Inktense pencils.  And, because I forgot this was a Color Challenge, my first flower was yellow (I'll post that card later in the month LOL).

The sentiment is from TLC Creations (click here).

Be sure to stop by the Crafty Creations Challenges blog to see what the other DT members created and to leave us some Comment love.  We love to hear from you and hope we inspire you to Create !

Note: I'm sorry for the quality of the picture. My camera and computer have been on the fritz lately and this was the best shot I could get.

Crafty Creations Challenges # 288

We have a Photo Inspiration for the next two weeks at Crafty Creations Challenges.  Our Sponsor is Stitchy Bear Stamps and I got to pick an image to work with.  I couldn't resist "Drivers Ed" ~ isn't she just adorable?

I used Copics to color the image ~ I'm really trying to learn "shading & highlighting." It does help to have the correct pens (like an 000, 01, 03, 05, etc). I'm slowly adding to my Copic collection, so maybe I'll enjoy coloring more down the road.  My coloring is far from perfect but then we all have to start somewhere {smile}

I colored a few white flowers with a re-inker spritzer and added a handmade crystal bead spray ~ afterall, this woman just looks like she needed a little bling.

I carried the sketch to the inside and I've cut a white circle to go in the pale blue scallop. I'm just not sure if I want a sentiment on the front or on the inside . . . or even what that sentiment will be . . . so I thought I'd wait to glue it down until I decide.  I think this image requires a sassy sentiment, don't you?

You have two weeks to join along so get out your crafting supplies and show us your creations. Any crafty item can be entered (not just cards).  We love to see what you create.

Stop by Crafty Creations Challenges to see what the other DT members created for your inspiration.

The Photo Inspiration:

Think colors, dandelions, circle cards, scallops, layers of squares or rectangles, wish... Surprise us!

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 #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

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.

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.

Doodle Pantry New Products

I want to give a big welcome to Karyn and Kate ~ my newest blog followers.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Even though I'm a member of the Doodle Pantry DT, I wasn't "scheduled" to create a card for today's new product release. But when I saw the Renewed Faith Sentiments set . . . I knew I had to create a card using one of the scripture sentiments.

I won't go into details, but I shared with Laurie, the creator of Doodle Pantry, why this particular verse/sentiment meant so much to me and why I wanted to join the other DT group today.  God always knows what we need and when we need it.

I had the butterfly stick pin on my desk; I don't remember why or when I made it. But, it was destined to be a part of this card.  And I didn't have any Coral flowers, so I sponged a few pink ones. A bit of ribbon and spirals complete the decorative aspect of the card.

The gorgeous DSP is also a part of this set and I actually had ink (Memento Morocco) and cardstock (Stampin' Up! Calypso Coral)  that matched it perfectly. The sentiment and matching mat were cut using Spellbinders' Decorative Labels Eight.

I don't know if it's because of who I made this card for, or the verse/sentiment, or because it came together just as I had envisioned . . . but this will always be one of my top 10 favorite cards.

Please stop by the Doodle Pantry store to see the other new products being released today. All the new products are on sale-25% off.  And, don't forget to check out the new Freebie section (click here).

And, while you're at it,  

The theme this month is Candy with an option to use Ribbon.  Click here to get all the details and to enter your project (you don't have to use a Doodle Pantry image to enter the challenge).

Funky Sock Monkey, released today, is being added to the OWH category. This means that $1.00 from each set sold is donated to OWH. There are currently 9 sets in this group. 

Check them all out by clicking here.

Entering this card in the following Challenges:
  >  Die-Cut Divas: Words, Quotes & Sentiments

  >  ABC Challenge - ‘D is for Diecuts’
  >  Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Must Be Square or Rectangular #73 Anything Goes with a twist: use a Die
  > Going Grey With Scrap-Creations - Bingo (I used Flowers, Die-cuts & Digi) 

  >  Papertake Weekly -  Bingo (I used a diagonal: Ribbon, Free Space & Blooms)