Hello, Art and Mary

I am sending this to friends who recently moved to a retirement community in another city.  We often had coffee together at church, so I thought this was appropriate to send as a "miss you" card.  The images are from a freebie set from Verve.  Most of the coloring is with regular markers - a change for me as I usually use Prismas or gel pens.  The die cut is part of a flourish by Die-namics.  I snipped bits to use as "steam" from the cups.  The words are the top layer of a napkin.  I did not do anything but attach it with glue.
Sketch:  Tuesday Morning Sketches
"B"- brown, brew:   Allsorts
Inspiration:   Cupcake Inspirations
Not square:   Addicted-to-Stamps 
Coffee:     Verve Stamps blogspot
Any:    Crafty Friends

Leah's Birthday

These birthdays come so fast!  I hope I am not late with this card for our granddaughter.  She will soon graduate from college, but since she is so fond of her cats I could not resist this Dearie Dolls image.  I used the overall look of the photo at Cupcake Inspirations to inspire.  The coloring is with Prisma crayons and metallic gel pens.  DP is by Lily of the Valley, and the card is completed with cord and Washi tape as well as a QKR Stampede sentiment.
Sketch:   Sketch Saturday
Inspiration:   Cupcake Inspirations
Any:    Show us your Pussies
 

Birthday blessings

Our Daily Bread image - colored with water color pencils - I outlined with the pencils. then used an aqua pen to spread the color.  The image is cut with a circle die and backed with a doily.   Blessings die by Cheery Lynn; pale yellow gems and ribbon.  This red and yellow has become a favorite color combo.
Sketch:    Our Daily Bread
Use doily:   Cheery Lynn
At least two dies:    Allsorts
Primary colors:  Inkspirational
Use pencils:   Stamplorations
Any:    Die cuttin Divas 
             Word Art Wednesday

SCS Dare to Get Dirty - jbgreendawn - birthday

This is another entry in the Splitcoaststampers Dare to Get Dirty challenge.  I think I am going to get to complete all 40!  This challenge is by Stacy, jbgreendawn - originally posted in SCS Aug. 6.   Flowers are by All Night Media, and the sentiment by Inkadinkado - it looks like flowers ere picked during a walk in the garden: 
 Sketch:  Watercooler
Garden:    Fussy and Fancy
Flowers:    Crafters Cafe
Inspiration:   Cupcake Inspirations
                        Pinspirational 
Colors (pink, green, blue, cream)  Your Next Stamp

For JoAnn

This is a card I did not want to make.  We have known JoAnn for over 50 years, though distance has separated us for several years.  She was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago, and now her condition is worsening.  Please keep JoAnn, her husband and family in your thoughts and prayers.
Update:  We just learned of her passing on June 16.
Stamps by Verve, SU turquoise ink; DP by DCWV (garden Party) - in one of my favorite color combos.  I placed the DP under the solid turquoise frame.  The DP was a left over piece from another project - just barely the right size.
Sketch:   Mojo Monday
Inspiration (colors):   Cupcake Inspirations
"I" for important (friendship):   ABC-challenge
Scraps:   Jo's Scrapshack
Birds:   Dies R Us
Flowers:    Addicted-to-Stamps

Leaping ladies

I think this Art Impressions (pre-colored)  pop-up set, Enjoy the Ride, works well for challenges that include "leaping" - it is leap year, after all.  I just have no idea why they are running, leaping and jumping - just havin' fun!  (Actually, though, most folks of this generation probably ache too much to leap very high!!!)  The three gals and the purse are popped up on pop dots.  The sketch also gave me a chance to use some underutilized Washi tape!

CHALLENGES ENTERED: 
Sketch:                     Sweet Sketch Wednesday2
Shake, rattle, roll:    Art Impressions Stamps
Birthday:                  Di's digi Designs
Hop, skip, jump:      DRS Designs      
"Pop":                       Inkspirational Challenges
Girly:                         Fresh Brewed Designs
Color (blue, green):  Cupcake Inspirations
Any:                          One Crazy Stamper
                                  Craft Your Passion 
                                  The Paper Nest Dolls

Springtime

Pre colored digi by Beccy; misc. blue, green and white cs;  sheer ).white ribbon; Embosalicious embossing folder (sponged with green ink).
CHALLENGES ENTERED: 
Sketch:       Paper Play Sketches
Colors:       Cupcake Inspirations
Birthday:    Allsorts Challenge
                   Di's Digi Designs Challenge

A tailored look

The stripe is from a sticker sheet - I have had a set for quite a while but have not used them much - and I discovered how difficult it is to adhere this large piece - it is definitely sticky and hard to adjust once it adheres!  Other supplies - Swiss dots embossing folder;  washi tape strip, gold sticker strip; Sizzix HB die; Cuttlebug asterisk dies.
Sketch:                        http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Inspiration (stripes):   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Not ordinary paper:    http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
 Birthday:                   http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 
Any:                           http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/

29th birthday

Sentiment- Art Impressions; Coloring - Prismas; brad; DP by Teresa Collins; Washi tape; distressing; chalking
Sketch:  http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Color:   http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/
Color inspiration   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Touch of vintage:   http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

Masculine / RV

We anticipate that, after 50+ years of rving, this will be our last summer.  That means that it is time to use up some of the rv items I have been hoarding!  This image and DP came from friends at WishRAK on SplitcoastStampers. The brad is SU.  A creative opportunity arose when it came to the metallic strip.  You may have heard me mention that I pared down the supplies I brought along this summer.  Apparently my stash of metallic papers and scraps did not make the cut!  I had to open a new can of International Coffee so I could use the metallic seal.  Since it is so thin, I should have used an extra shim to do the die cut - so I decided to use it as an embossed piece rather than struggle to get the pieces out of the Cuttlebug die!
Sketch:          http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Inspiration (black, white, metallic ):  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Masculine:    http://memascrafts.blogspot.com/
                      http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/
Colored image:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Summer:       http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/
Bling:            http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/

Ice cream for two

Image - High Hopes - Ice Cream for two, colored with chalk pencils; Misc. papers; SU Circle of Friendship; acrylic arrow by Basic Grey; black sticker strip; washi tape.
Sketch:    http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Color inspiration (Peach):   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Colored image :                     http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
Not square:     http://polkadoodle.blogspot.ca/2015/04/week-17-anything-but-square.html
Sweet treat:     http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Any:                http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-05-04T06:00:00-04:00&max-results=7          
             http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
             http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/challenge-9.html

Lots of green

I thought I should say in the title that this is green!  It certainly does not look green on my screen.  The base is what I would call kelly green, and the bg of the white swirls is kind of a dusky green.  That piece, by the way, is preprinted - another item from the Kamdam Lovely in Lace set.  (It was a huge set and there will be a lot of it - kind of nice for fairly quick cards.)  I fussy cut (well, sort of) along the right edge so IRL there is a bit of texture there.  The Scripture is a freebie from Word Art, cut with Labels4. The gems are pale green Rain drops (top left).
Sketch, with die cut:  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Green:   http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
Monochromatic green with die cut:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Inspiration - Swirly pattern = sparkles):  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/2015/03/300th-challenge-celebration-sparkle.html
Any:     http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
             http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
             http://ema-ginationstation.blogspot.com/2015/03/ag-no-23.html
             http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/

Springtime birthday

I usually color the watering can a silver or grey - I kind of like the yellow!  The image (Our Daily Bread) is colored with a variety of inks, pens and pencils, to get the desired colors - which do not display well on the screen.  The flowers that look shades of lilac are really shades of pink.   Blessings die is by Cheery Lynn.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Pastels (blue, pink, yellow):http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Colored image: http://www.fashionablestampingchallenges.com/?p=9345
Sentiment:    http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
Layers:        http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.ca/
Spring:        http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/
Inspiration (many pink flowers):  http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/
Inspiration with yellow/green and blue:  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Doily, with Cheery Lynn die:   http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/

Get Well

Supplies:  Scripture - Word Art, Jan. 15, 2014; misc cs and papers; Washi tape, Petaloo flowers and half pearls
Sketch:  http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk/
Get well (verse inside - May you be on the road to a speedy recovery):  http://bastel-traum.blogspot.ca/
Inspiration (multi colored dots):   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Sticky embellishments:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/
          http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
          http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Flowers and Hearts

Supplies:  ODB - Happy Birthday set; Cheery Lynn - Blessings and dragonfly dies;  Spellbinder - heart; Gingham and pink cs - AMuse; chalk pencils and gel pens.  Technique:  sanding (embossed heart); use of circle die to cut rounded edge of main panel.  This card is being sent to SplitcoastStampers Teapot Tuesday challenge recipient - she has a discouraging medical prognosis and is in need of cheer. love and blessings. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/teapot-tuesdays-f260/mmtpt338~-january-20-2015~-joys-nature-can-calm-weary-soul-t595917.html
Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Inspiration - pink and red from photo:  http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Inspiration - heart; chocolate and pink inspired the pink and brown flowers:  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Bingo - middle row - flowers, free, 2 or more layers:  http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.com/
Spring:   http://throughthepurplehazechallenges.blogspot.com/
Cheer - see description:  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Love/hearts:  http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/
Image that is colored:  http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/
Add a heart:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/

Any:    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2015/01/dlart-january-linky-challenge.html

Another blue Christmas

We have had a fun couple of days visiting with our oldest grandson, his new wife, and his younger brother.  It is the first time they have visited us in our AZ home.  Now back to crafting!  I really simplified this layout - added LifeStyle crafts die cuts for the corner pieces, and some ivory half pearls in the corners.  I need a different embossing folder for Christmas - here are the snowflakes again!
Sketch:  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Non traditional Christmas colors:  http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.throughthepurplehazechallenges.blogspot.com/
Inspiration (blue, cream):  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/Freestyle:  http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/
Any:  http://treasuredtimesrubberstampschallenges.blogspot.com/
         http://craftcreatoins.blogspot.com/p/new-challenge.html
         http://avenue613.blogspot.com/

Leaves and pumpkin?

I got in a hurry - no time to do another - just not real happy with my result here.  I wanted to do a card with leaves and pumpkins - the leaves are here, and the color is pumpkin - now when I look at the DP in the upper square, I always think of slices of pumpkin pie.  Yumm...  I think it is just a pattern but I can imagine, can't I?
Here is a tip I often use - I save a dull blade for my cutter, and use it to create a subtly distressed edge.

3 or more papers (bg, square, and paper used for punched circles and for sentiment layer):  http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/
Sketch, with a twist of leaves and pumpkins:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Inspiration:  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
                   http://pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.ca/

butterfly

This butterfly die cut came in a kit - with some of these papers.  I used a punch for the white strip, and the gold diagonal is the negative from a sheet of narrow gold stickers.  The circles are from Spellbinders. I added a sentiment after I put the image in my folder. The stickers, ribbon and gems have been in my stash for a long time, and the butterfly and papers are new.
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Color inspiration:  http://joannamunster.com/2014/08/15/ibsic-85/  
Butterfly, with gold metallic stripes and shiny gems:  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Inspiration:  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/ 

Easter White

This is probably not the best choice for a white on white - but once I started, I was resolved to finish!  The image is from my stash - colored with Spica pens and watercolor pencils.  The cross is brown - the color here does not look true.  I used a variety of Spellbinder dies, some lace, ad CB Swiss Dots.  I cut the edges of the main bg layer with a dull cutting blade - it gives a modified torn paper look, and adds dimension, IMO.
Sketch:  http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Texture:  http://creativecornerchallenges.blogspot.de/
White on white:  http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.co.uk/
       http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/
Spring:  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/ 
Inspiration:  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Easter:  http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/

Aged birthday card

Seems like I always need masculine cards!  This sentiment from TLC seemed just right for a distressed card.  I sponged with Tim Holtz Tattered Rose Distress ink.  Once again I ran the birthday folder through twice - hard to see here, but the "seam" does not show.  However, I really wish the manufacturers (artists???) would listen and create a landscape birthday folder!

Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Birthday:  http://sunflowerfielddesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunflowerfield%20Designs%20Monthly%20Challenge
Any sentiment:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Colors (expresso, chartreuse, cream):  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Ribbon:  http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/