Special birthday

A friend asked me to make a card her her sister's 90th birthday - seems like I have done several of these lately.  Must be something about my own age...!!!  I used a stamp that has been collecting dust (not sure it has seen ink before) and I think it will soon be a favorite - I like the black and white look and it lends itself to that.  It is by Fiskars. Watercolor pencils with an aquapen added a bit of color.  The floral embossing is a new (prize) folder by WeR Memory Keepers.  I used some scraps for the stamped panel and the bg as well as the punched butterflies.  A bit of glitter adds sparkle.  The sentiment is by my computer.  What is my favorite tool?  It is certainly my die cut machine - for dies and embossing - I make very few cards without one or the other!
Sketch:   Your Next Stamp
Flowers:   Crafting When we Can
                  Allsorts
                  Morgans Artworld
                  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 
Butterflies:   Pink Gem
Favorite tool:   Simon Says Stamp Monday
Favorite stamp:   Penny Black at Allsorts
Fancy:   Fussy and Fancy
Any:    Lemon Shortbread
             Digital Delights 
Scraps:    Hiding in my Craftroom 

For Barb

This is for a friend who fell and broke a hip bone - fortunately, not at the joint.  This image from QKR should bring a smile!
Sketch:   Sketch Saturday
Flowers:   Crafting When we Can
Cute:    Simon says stamp Wednesday
Any:   Jo's Scrapshack

DTGD - Cathy's challenge

You may know that I do not do many CAS cards, but this did seem to work for me.  The sentiment is by Cuttlebug, and the butterflies by CC Designs.  I cut them from some scraps of "splattered" cs.  This was posted in my SCS gallery on 8-8.
Things with wings:   Crafting When we Can
CAS:    Stamplorations

 

QKR Design team #198 - Christmas in July

It is time to  start thinking about Christmas, though it is hard to do when it is 110 every day!  I know, for those of you in the southern hemisphere that is usual for the holidays!  I selected the digital image "shepherd" and Merry Christmas to go with it- from the selection at QKR.  You may submit up to 3 entries by 3 p.m. July 7. 
Last week the theme at QKR Stampede was paper piecing, and I decided to go that route again.  I pieced the head piece and also the robe.  In retrospect I wish I had found a better piece of DP for the robe - it needs a bit more color.  (If you have not done paper piecing, my advice to you is to select a fairly light colored DP so it is easy to see the lines to cut.)  I also used favorite style - lots of light colored embossing.  I used a shimmery champagne colored cs (Recollections) for embossing and stamping, as well as for the card base.  I do not yet have a "star" embossing folder, so I substituted the snowflakes.  I used a gold pen to color the rays of one, and topped it with a
punched from gold glitter cs, though it does not really show on the screen.  I also used a bit of cord with a metallic thread for the head dress.
If I decide to mass produce this card for Christmas I may just leave the image uncolored.  My preference is to  use the same image for all of our cards.
CHALLENGES ENTERED: 
Sketch:  Your Next Stamp
Warm Clothing:   Christmas at Sweet Stampin
Christmas:  Christmas Card Challenges
Christmas with sentiment:  Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
Star:  The Glory of Christmas
Holiday:   Hiding in my Craftroom
Occasion:  Crafting When we Can
Embossing:   Dragonfly Journeys
Any:   Crafty Sentiments
            Craft Your Passion 
            Jo's scrapshack   
            Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
            Love to Scrap
            Word Art Wednesday

Summer birthday

Fussy cut image (precolored)  - Imagine That Digis by Kris; bird die cut by Cheery Lynn; Argyle embossing folder by Cuttlebug;  twine; unknown sentiment; DP - Beau Papier.
CHALLENGES: 
Sketch - Crafting when we can -(not entered - 5 challenge limit)

Summer colors:   Cheery Lynn
                              Dream Valley  (10 challenge limit)

Colors (shades of teal, orange):   DRS
 Tic tac toe (center column - sentiment, DP, twine) :   Imagine That Digistamps
Pattern Paper :  Simon Says Stampblog.Monday
Create a scene:   Littlec Claires
Celebration:    Stamplorations
Twine:   Digichoosday
Any:  Die-cut-divas

Sending Sunshine

 I used my brand new prize from DRS - the sentiment and two branches.  Thanks to Robin, DT member at DRS, for her card inspiring me to combine the two branches in this manner.  I combined chalk pencils (branches, bird house) and metallic gel pens (leaves, trim) -for me, this is a favorite coloring style.
The oval die cuts are Spellbinders, and Tiny Flowers die cuts  are by Cheery Lynn.  The DP is cut from a framed piece that was probably designed to use for scrapbooks or perhaps for letter writing.  This sentiment makes me think of the oldie "You are my sunshine...".
Sketch/colors:         Your Next Stamp
Favorite coloring:    Incy Wincy
Die cuts:                  DRS Designs
                                 Creative Card Crew
Song:                       Crafting When we Can 
Nature:                     Cheery Lynn
Pastels:                    Addicted-to-Stamps
Spring:                      Deep Ocean
                                  Patties Creations
                                  Imagine That

For my sister

The "sister" and floral embossing folder is by Tattered Lace; hearts by Darice.  The embossed cs is shimmery silver by Recollection.  I added a small strip of Washi tape, and highlighted the main panel with light teal chalk.  My favorite embossing is dry embossing - I have a lot of folders so I can achieve variety!  I like the dimension and ease of use - a stroll through my gallery will support this claim!
Sketch:           Sketch Saturday
Washi tape:    Crafting when we can
Favorite embossing:    As You Like It

Happy 25th to Joe and Kathy

Members of our RV park often come to me for special cards, and here is another.  Joe and Kathy will celebrate a 25th anniversary,  Their friends wrote a verse, including a reference to fireworks after 25 years.  I knew I had this fireworks DP in my stash, so I built the card around it. The image is from my digi file.  The flourish is Die-namics. The letters and numbers are from various die sets.  I used Paper Studio glitter cs for the dies and the scalloped circle.  The card is 5.25 x7.25 - to fit a silver envelope I happen to have in the motor home!
Sketch:        http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/
Bling:          http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
"b"-birds:  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 
Die cuts:     http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com/
Lift it up:    http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Not ordinary paper - glitter cs; silver shimmer cs(card base):         
                     http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

BD in purple

I am still trying to catch up here after a few days of unreliable wi fi connections.  When I get behind I have been known to lose track of what I am doing LOL!!!
New Verve stamps - my Mojo prize last month.  Thank you!   On the other hand, the DP is some I have been hoarding for a long time!  The bg is embossed with the Cuttlebug Happy Birthday folder.
Sketch:   http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/
Raised - the birthday tag is on pop dots:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
               http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-07-24T02:00:00-04:00&max-results=7
New stamp:  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/2015/07/challenge-164-in-with-new-week-2.html

shades of purple and more

Image:  YNS Just Sitting here;  Embossing - Cuttlebug border, LifeStyle crafts- Woven; Nesties oval die cuts; Cheery Lynn flying hummingbird, Blessings;  Washi tape; glitter (on bird, leaf); shimmery cs
Sketch and most colors:  http://yournextstamp.com/blog/
Movement (flying hummingbird):  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/2015/05/challenge-160-cards-with-movement.html
Purple:  http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/2015/05/challenge-83-surprise-colour-challenge.html
Bling:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Bling (5 ch. max):  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/

Silver anniversary

This is a card for a silver anniversary - I had intended to add the "25" but I decided that would be too much - unless I decide to replace the hearts.  What do you think?  I have a lot of "stuff", but not many numbers!  The mats are a dark grey cs, and the embossed pieces are Recollections shimmer silver - it is a very light silver dolor, but looks great with dry embossing.  I heated the ribbon to make it frizzy - I need to learn to control that better, as it got a little overdone!  Hearts, Congratulatins, and Victoria by Cuttlebug;  butterflies by Darice.
Sketch:    http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
For a couple:  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/challenge-93-for-couple.html
Anniversary:        http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/
Monochromatic:   http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ 
Any, w/ ribbon:     http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Sentiment:             http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Wings:            http://www.fashionablestampingchallenges.com/

Easel card - my first

I have seen many examples of easel cards - including the beautiful example on Beccy's Blog (see link below).  My desk is littered with discarded attempts, and I finally settled for a fairly simple version.  I need to have better ideas for the inside.  My goal is to make one for each of the grandchildren - who are growing up and ready to establish homes of their own - and will hopefully use these as a part of their Christmas decor.
The first photo is the closed card - a Santa Rosa image stamped in Memento black on SU confetti (?) - an ivory cs but that does not really show here.  Inside I used "Joy" by Art Impressions, with a CB embossed frame.  I added cream colored gems and  scattered ivory stars at the bottom - the gems provide an anchor for the open easel.      

Christmas:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/
                 http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Any: http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/
        http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Neutrals:  http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/
Inspired by a song:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Holiday Joy:   http://papersweeties.com/category/blog/
Black & White:  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/

                                                 

 

Christmas:  

I'm a Little Teapot

I do not often use greens, but there wI a learning to like them! These pieces are glittery and sparkly, and I added some green jewels. .   I saw the challenge to use a song for inspiration - when I saw this image I could not get the kid's song (I'm a Little Teapot, Short and Stout") out of my head!  50 years ago, when our kids were little, they had a record with this and similar songs - no videos back then LOL!
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Song:  http://thesquirrelandthefox.blogspot.com/
Glitter:  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Bling:  http://stampedblessings.com/
Bright colors:  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/

Sparkly star and die cuts

Stamps by Stampendous; Nesties ovals and scalloped rectangles, star punch, glitter, ribbon.
Sketch:  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/
Monochromatic:  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Two different die cuts:  http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.uk/

With a Song

The song "With a Song in my Heart", though I do not know the lyrics, seems appropriate for an anniversary, and for this song bird.  I used a Wedding EF by Sizzix, and Paper Studio DP.  The brads are metal, and there is metallic ric rac.
Sketch & Bingo (metal, EF, dies, ric rac):  http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.com/
Swirls (On EF and image):  http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
Song:  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/

3x3 in B&W #3 - with a bit of red

See previous posts for additional information.  I added a bit of color (Recollection tape) and some crystals.
A splash of red:  http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
Sketch:  http://graphicatsketchs.blogspot.com/
Birthstone (mine is diamond, so these are definitely fake - but shiny!): http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/

2nd Funky valentine

This is very similar to the previous valentine - for grandson #2.  I hope they are not too frilly!
Image - Penny Black, colored with chalk pencils and edged with chalk.  I used the actual piece of chalk to edge the cs, after having sponged lightly - I wanted a darker edge.  I filled the corner with stickers - did not want flowers on this one.  Sentiment by JustRite; tape by Basic Grey.
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
Chalk:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/
Love:  http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
For a guy:  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/
celebrate valentine's day:  http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2013/02/challenge-51-lets-celebrate.html#comment-form

Too young to be old

If you look at my other cards, you will notice that I enjoy using pattern paper and making humorous cards - this combines both.  The image is from Gina K - I cut the sentiment using the lower portion of the Nestie.  I punched two small holes a bit away from the image layer, and threaded the ribbon through them to make a bow.  The pink at the bottom is from a Martha Stewart punch, and the DP is K and Company - called Jubilee Pink Postage.
Sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
Favorites (DP, humor, Nesties):  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/
Funny birthday card:  http://www.pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/01/pile-it-on-2-happy-funny-birthday.html
Tic-tac-toe (pink, free, puinch):  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/week-long-bugaboo-birthday-bash.html
Dies & punches:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/

Burgundy and Orange

I had decided not to do this color challenge, but then was re-inspired when I took another look at some of the work by DT members.  To all of you who are on design teams, and provide so much inspiration as well as encouraging comments - a BIG THANK YOU!  If you look at my galleries, you will realize that I use a lot of pattern paper - and this from my very old stash, is a favorite collection - though I forget the origin.  I also used other favorites - dies (Spellbinders) and rhinestones.  Other items:  Whiff of Joy sentiment, Martha Stewart punch, AMuse burgundy (named Currant) cs, glitter, and flowers from a dollar store stem.
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Embrace the old:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/
Colors:  http://sketchycolors.blogspot.com/
Glitter:  http://stampedblessings.com/
Hearts:  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
Favorite things:  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/these-are-few-of-my-favourite-things.html