Ashley's Graduation

This is for a niece who will graduate next week - I go online to find HS and/or college logos to use, and I think these worked pretty well together.  (The HS is in Fort Collins CO).  I like the lovely background that results from dry embossing (Cuttlebug Congratulations) shimmery cardstock.  I have a small piece of DP with diplomas and mortar boards - I added some chalk to blend in.  The ribbon is two kinds - dark green and metallic edged gold.  I needed some bits at the top right - I used some sparkly gems - I do have trouble getting them to work with this embossing!
Sketch:   http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Chalk:    http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:     http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Graduation:   http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
Background (See note above):   http://drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/%E2%97%8B%20Challenges
Any:        http://craftyribbonschallenge.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/

Easter Blessings

Supplies:  Easter lily digital image by Aurora wings, colored with chalk pencils; DP and Cs from my stash; Blessings die by Cheery Lynn; sheer ribbon; dotted washi tape; half pearls, butterfly charm
Sketch:    http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Easter:     http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
Feminine: http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Spring:     http://livelaughstamp.blogspot.com/search/label/Monday%20Morning%20Challenge
Things that fly:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Ribbon, pearl, charm:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:   http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com.au/
Green in image (leaves):   http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:         http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

HB, Peggy

This is for a friend who has difficulty seeing.  I hope the texture and big letters will enable her to see this.  I also used a very large font for the inside greeting.
Supplies:  circle dies;  Cuttlebug Olivia letters; Embossalicious HB embossing folder; chalk, flowers from my never ending Petaloo collection; half pearls; black grosgrain ribbon.
Sketch:   http://yournextstamp.com/blog/category/challenge/
Monochromatic:      http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/
Black and white with ribbon:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Circles:   http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
Tic Tac Toe (middle row - dry emboss, ribbon, pearls):   http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.ca/
Any:      http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/

A tractor for Lloyd

I have recently neglected the Tuesday Teapot challenges at Splitcoaststampers  - I seem to run out of week before I run out of cards to make!  We are to follow a suggested theme story, then, if we wish, send the card to a recipient - usually one in need of cheer.  Lloyd had been married for 65 years when his wife passed away - he is understandably lonely and could use some cards.  He enjoys tractors and used to have a large garden.  This image was in my WishRAK stash (SplitCoaststampers) so came in handy.  The sentiment is Verve, and other items are from my stash - including a Washi strip along the right edge.
Teapot Tuesday:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/teapot-tuesdays-f260/mmtpt337-~january-13-2015~-tonights-success-factor-depends-tractor-t595663.html
Sketch:   http://yournextstamp.com/blog/
Black and white, including a die cut (tag):    http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/
Monochromatic:    http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
Sentiment and ribbon:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Simple:   http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:       http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/

Sunshine and flowers

Paulette at Create with TLC shares so many great digis - mostly sayings.  I think this one is a great one for encouragement.  I used some DP that was a gift, and cut flowers from the DP as well a some glitter papers.
Sketch #2:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Encouragement: http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Digi: http://createwithtlc-createwithtlc.blogspot.com/p/show-it-off-sunday.html
Sunny yellow, with ribbon: http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/

Ethan's Graduation

This will be the third graduation among our grandkids.  I used the photo and logo from the college web site - and the colors are blue and gold.  I liked the sketch I selected - to fit in the various elements.  I did the sentiment on the computer - a variation of one I have seen before.  For stripes - the bg is the embossed Distressed Stripes (Cuttleabug) - as well as the stripes in the logo.  I had to alter the placement of the tiny circles - to cover a label that was part of the logo.  A fortuitous find in my stash - ribbon  in the right colors!  The finished card is 4.5x6.25.
Sketch:  http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Stripes:  http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/
Embossing, texture:  http://www.theartisticstampercreativeteam.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/april-challenge-embossing-and-texture.html
Beginnings:  http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Masculine:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
Ribbon:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/

Black, white and purple for Easter

This represents one of my favorite styles - using primarily a white embossed bg with dark (usually black) conrast - here I added some shades of purple.  In completing the Verve sketch I was rather stumped as to how to complete the long strip behind the circle - then I remembered the Paper Inspirations stamp I use frequently - for sympathy and for Easter.  I am quite happy with the result.  I used black ink - stamped lightly for a subtle effect.  The Easter stamp has not name.  I added a touch of lace and a Petaloo flower. as well as Nesties die cuts.

Sketch:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
Black, white, a color: http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
            http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/
Easter:  http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/
               http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/ 
               http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
               http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/
Flowers:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/

Traditional Vintage Christmas

Today I am back to Christmas cards! 
There is SO much to do - and now we are adding phone shopping to the list - apparently the battery has died as it will not keep a charge.  This is not the time to be without a phone - we only have one!
Back to the card - this is the Stampendous set used for most cards this year.  The DP is from the Paper Studio pad called Faith, and the faux stitched ribbon is by Ribbon Boutique.  I used chalk pencils for coloring, and distressed the edges.
Sketch:  http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/
Stitching:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Shabby chic: http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.com/

Teacher Thanks

CAS is always a stretch for me, but I try!  This has another feature I do not do well.  I wanted to use the apples from a piece of DP -  I did cut them and "hung" the apples on a twine branch.  There is a tiny bird resting on the branch - possibly waiting for a chance to take a bite of the apple.  (I just got a few of these birds in the mail today, from a friend at Wish RAK, on Splitcoaststampers.  Thank you, Jen.)  The tag and sentiment are Just Rite Fancy Tags, and are popped up on pop dots.  The bg is embossed with a Sizzix Tim Holtz EF - a tree trunk.  This would be a thank you for a teacher.
Sketch:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/
With wings:  http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/
Kraft, with text:  http://www.cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/
Ribbon (twine) and school:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
School:
CAS:  http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/2013/09/challenge-136-clean-and-simple.html
Back to school:  http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.co.uk/

Broken nose

Yes, that is a bit of a real bandage.  We just heard that our granddaughter's bad luck has continued.  She injured her shoulder twice during volley ball season.  She just made HS varsity basketball (as a sophomore) - and was accidentally hit on the face during a game - resulting in a broken nose.  We are waiting to hear if she needs surgery.  I just got this image from iclassygirl (my winnings) - I did not expect to need it this soon.  I colored with Prismas.  I used some Recollections papers, a Martha Stewart punch, a couple of ribbon scraps, glitter,  a rhinestone bauble - and, of course, a bit of a bandage.  (Read my next post for more...)
BTW, I used her school colors.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Ribbon:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
Two ribbons:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Across the miles (they live 750 miles away):  http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/fbc-124-across-miles.html

Thankful, in pink

Recently I seem to been making many more pink cards than I usually do.
SU set - Happy Harmony;  Nesties circles; Recollections DP, gold & black cord, gold colored brad., CB border folder - Just My Type.

I was inspired by the colors, the flowers, and floral stripes:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
The sketch:  http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/