Congrats on earning your PHD, Melissa

Our great niece just earned a PHD - what an achievement!
I had a piece of black cs that I had previously used for an oval cutout.  It was just the right size and shape, so I used it as a frame for the starry patterned paper.  The sentiment is a strip of patterned paper, and the gold stars are acrylic.
Sketch:   Catch the Bug
 Shoot for the stars:   Cut it up
Palette:   House that stamps built

Christmas 2019

I am trying to complete a few more Christmas cards, even as it is time to get them in the mail!  OK, next year I really will start earlier!  Once again I am taking advantage of a colored image by Beccy.  The sentiment is from her same Nativity collection.  The oval die cuts are with Spellbinders.
Sketch:   Try Stampin on Tuesday
 Christmas:   Beccy's Challenges
                       Cuttlebugmania
                       Cut it up Challenge 
Stars:   Simon Says Stamp Monday:  
Any      Scrapyland
              Craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.

Ready for spring

First of all, thoughts and prayers to all who have been experiencing such bad weather and natural disasters, as well as to the families of victims of attacks.  We used to live in Omaha so those images of flooding are especially troubling to us.
This pre-colored image from Beccy's place is a favorite even though I am not a cyclist.  She looks like she is  ready for spring, having so much fun, and is carrying her basket of goodies home from the market, perhaps.  It also gave me an excuse to use a bit of Washi tape that I have had for some time.  I also used favorite oval dies from Spellbinders and two patterned papers.
Food (in basket):  Beccy's Challenges
For the ladies:  Dies r us 
                           Crafty friends
Hello, spring:    Cut it Up
 Patterned papers:  Your Next Stamp  
                                                                        Favorite image/die  Allsorts 
:                                                                       Any:   Jo's Scrapshack

Inside card

Feb 15 challenge at the Crafter's Cafe

Lil patch of CaftyFriends

The current challenge at the Crafter's Cafe is to use embossing and/or fancy folds - take your pick!  I chose to emboss the background - this time, I embossed both the pink mat and the white layer using a Quick Cutz Vine folder.  The image is the Old Roses Frame  from our sponsor Morgan's Art World.  If you look at the other DT designs you will notice that I flipped the image - I think it works either way!  You will also notice that I am still struggling with coloring due to macular degeneration,  I used Twinkling H2O's for a shiny finish. This is inspired by the song "Red Roses for a Blue Lady".   I hope we see you at the challenge!
 All things bright and beautiful:  Stamping Sensations
 Anything but a Square:  Addicted-to-stamps-
Typography:   Smon Says Stamp Monday
Love Song:   Cut it up 
Any:  Lil Patch of crafty friends
           Angies
            Crafters Castle
             Corrosive Challenges  

For Art and Mary

This is for friends who are experiencing health issuesl
Image - TLC pre colored freebie;  papers - Lily of the Valley; Recolllections watercolor; die cut by Cheery Lynn.
New - scored card base (a friend got a new box full at a yard sale and gave it to me).  I seldom make 8.5 x 5.5 cards, but this included 100 envelopes so I may as well use them!
New:  the TLC image has been in my file but this is my first time to use it.
Resolutions: 1) - to do a better job of remembering friends and church members in need of a lift;     2) -to stop hoarding my supplies (e.g. - the papers here) - with my advancing macular degeneration I may as well use them as I probably do  not have years and years of card making left.    3)  get back to regular card making.
Sketch:   Feeling-Sketchy
New:   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
            Die-cut-divas    
Resolution:   Cut it Up
Any - with vendor die cut:    Scrapy land
                                                Dies r Us: 
Any:  Word Art Wednesday

Christmas 2018, "D"

When I selected this paper (from a Recollections Watercolor pad)  I could see a glow at the top that reminded me of the angels on high - now that I have the card here, it is no longer very visible.  Oh, well,,,
 QKR image, computer sentiment; bit of gold ribbon and gold paper; Spellbinder dies.  The verse around the image is Luke 2:4-5...Joseph went up from Galilee to the city of David... with Mary who was with child.
Sketch:    Tuesday Morning Sketches
"D" - die cuts, dark blue:  Beccy's Challenges:   
 Any:   Scrapyland
CAS   Cut it up
Any:    Word Art Wednesday
             Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
            

Upcycled birthday card

Recently I have tried to do more upcycling than previously.  I have reached the point where I really must do something about that stack of cards I intend to use some day...!!!  I also need to use my stash of supplies, stamps, etc - if I make 500 cards a month I might make a dent! (Just kidding, of course!  These days, I am lucky to get a dozen or so a month.)   Here I have used a lovely image from a card - one of the few I have suitable for a guy!  I added the stamped sentiment, and used Spellbinders Labels 1 dies for the image, and sticker strips for the edging.
Sketch:  Inspire Create
Upcycle:  Shopping our Stash
Birthday card:   Cutitup
CAS:   a2z scrapbooking 
Dies:   Crafty Sentiments.
Any:   Lemon shortbread 

Silhouette Christmas 2018

I tried something new for this card - I used gold sticker strips to add a border to the card.  The left side features rick rac and a couple of gold strips. The silhouette image is a Stampendous stamp and the die cuts are Spellbinders.
Sketch/colors:  Your Next Stamp
Christmas:   Cutitup challenge
                      Dreamvalleychallenges
                      fussyandfancy
"B" = Bethlehem border:  Pennyblackatallsorts 
silhouette, with die cuts:   Die-cut-divas
New to me technique - sticker border :  Pileitonchallenge
 
                       
 

Center step card - Unicorns - DT card for Crafter's Cafe

The new challenge at the Crafter's Cafe is to create a gatefold or step card.  I have shown two views of my center step card. You have two weeks to enter the challenge.   I enjoy cards with different folds, but I seldom make them.  For me, one of the challenges is to figure out what to use on each of the sections.  This time I used some papers from a Debbie Mumm collection -  including the word Dream, which I cut out from one of the papers.  The die cuts are a part of a Couture die, and I added a bit of Washi tape to the section above the image.  Oh, yes - the image is Lets be Unicorns by Scrap N; Dipity, one of the sponsors of our challenge.
Critter (& die cut):    Cut it up
Pattern paper:   Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper
Colors:   House that Stamps Built
Any:     Simon Says Stamp Wednesday

Gatefold engagement card for grandson

 I don't make many cards with multiple folds  -  but our grandson's engagement is an event worth commemorating with a special card.  I used Spellbinder's Labels 4 die to cut the image and to create a window for it. I used my ScorPal to create the folds.   My "surprise" includes images of a firefighter and nurse (Dearie Dolls pre-colored) which I cut out and placed on the inner panels.  Our grandson is a hot shot firefighter - in Alaska this summer.  His fiancee is a travel nurse.  Both really enjoy the outdoors - fishing is a high priority - and I had enough of this paper for the front of the card.
The photos do not show this, but the base is double sided cs - I cut the mat and the letters from the side which also forms the back of the card.
I most likely will not make many of these cards - for me, very time consuming!  I realize the delicate image does not quite go with the outdoorsy DP - but I wanted to incorporate the heart theme as well as references to the interests of the couple.

CHALLENGES ENTERED:

Trio (3 visible Labels 4; 3 words):  Simon Says Stamp Monday

More than one score, with a surprise:   Scor-Pal

Gate fold card:   Art Impressions

Things that make me happy (family):   Cut it Up

Anything but square:   Delicious Doodles

Hand made bow:    Craft-dee Bowz  

Pattern Paper:    Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper.

Hero (hot shot firefighter, nurse):  Cardz4guyz

Any:  Digichoosday 

Have a Blessed Easter

 

I am a bit late with the greeting - just not time to add to the blog!  We are having a good day - hubby's pain has eased a bit over the past couple of weeks and he is feeling more like getting out a little.  We attended the youth breakfast at church before services.  Otherwise it is a quiet day.  It is good to share with you the joy of the resurrection. 
Image and sentiment by QKR Stampede; Cuttlebug border die.
Sketch:    Your Next Stamp
Easter:     Cut it Up
                 Aud Sentiments
                 Deep Ocean
                 Die Cuttin Divas
Die Cuts (10 Ch Max):    Southern Girls
Any:    Simon Says Stamp Wednesday  
            Die-cut- Divas

Sympathy remembering Wendy

Sadly, I need another sympathy card.  My sister's step daughter passed away yesterday.
This uses a stamp by SU and I can't think of the name.  I used watercolor pencils and an aqua pen for the soft look.    The die cut (Spellbinder) sentiment is from my stash,  and the embossed butterflies are a Darice folder. The gold  ribbon is new.
I am also trying to reach a goal of 300 cards for the year - I should be on track!
Sketch:   VLV Sketches
Tic Tac Toe (middle row):   House that Stamps Built 
Something new:    Penny Black at Allsorts
                                Die-cut-divas
Layer it up:  Tuesday Throwdown 
Embossing, die cut:  Cuttlebug Mania
Goal:   Cut it Up
Blue:   Simon Says Stamp Monday

Christmas - 12-11-17

When I bought this die I thought I had a great item for this year's Christmas cards, but I find it difficult to find a design that works well.  But I do keep trying!  It does not seem to show in the photo but there is shiny gold paper behind the star at the top of the stable.  I used a snow flake embossing folder, and the distressed stripes as well.  There is a bit of DP, some burlap looking ribbon, a glittery star, and an unnamed sentiment stamp.
Sketch:   VLV Sketches
Christmas:   Pink Gem Challenge 
                      Christmas Blog
                      Simon Says Stamp Monday  
                      Christmas cards all Year Round
Snowflakes:    Allsorts
                        Mod Squad
Christmas Carol (O Holy Night)    Cut it Up
Red and white with a pop of green:   Dar and Diane

Monochrome Thanks for fall

Paper from DCWV fall stack; Cuttlebug Thanks die; Close to my Heart Stamp, VersaMagic Gingerbread ink; gold cord.  The background has no stamping - the design is all part of the DP.
Sketch:  Tuesday Morning Sketches
Signs of the Seasons:   Heart 2 Heart
Fall:   House that Stamps Built
           Dies r us 
Thank you:   Cut it up Challenges
                       Cuttlebug Mania
Thankful:   Die-cut-Divas
                    Creative With Stamps (10 ch max) 

Sympathy - in memory of Laverne

We just heard that our friend Laverne has lost her struggle with cancer.  She has lived a long, full life and we are thankful to know she will spend eternity with her Lord.  Nevertheless, it is difficult for her husband.  Laverne regularly attended a Bible class, and often played the piano for services - so the items on the card reflect her life.  The image is from Sweet 'n Sassy, and the papers are from my stash. The circle dies are by Spellbinder,
Sketch:   Stella Says Sketch
Music:    Cut it Up 
"B" - (Bible):      Allsorts
Any:  Crafty Friends

For Will

Our family birthdays come in bunches and I need to work on the January ones!  Will was an avid hunter but is no longer able to get out for that - hope he enjoys this "foresty" card.  I  used a brand new die (PoppyStamps)- it is a prize I won a couple of years ago and have never found time to use.  I found some old bits and pieces of woodsy DP for a backing, a double strip of plaid Washi tape,  and roughed up some of the edges.  My sentiment verse is on the inside - I usually print these verses from my fairly large computer file.
Sketch:     Mojo Monday
Out with old, in with new:   Cut it Up
"New":     Crafty Sentiment
                   Crafty gals corner
                  Allsorts 
Out with old, in with new        Simon Says Wednesday
Any:     Dies R Us
              Polkadoodle

Blessings Thank you

I need several thank you cards for members of a church group.  This Cheery Lynn Blessings die cut is great for cards such as this.  The Asterisk are from Cuttlebug dies that were among the first dies I ever purchased.  I used miscellaneous papers and a shiny gem to complete the card.  Inside reads "Thank you for the blessing you are to others."
I think my favorite embellishment is the one I am using, but I am very partial to die cuts and gems! : Creative Knockouts
Sketch:   Share Joy
Thank you:    C.R.A.F.T.
                        DLArt
Die Cuts:         Cut it Up
Any:  Cheery Lynn

Spinner

Front of card

Inside view

Open view

I recently made some purchases - the items have pretty much been gathering dust until I figure out a way to use them.  Can any one relate?  I bought some ready made card bases for what I think is called a tri fold spinner card.  I also bought (from the Create and Craft TV show) a very large kit of Kanban items.  They are all nice but the items often do not fit a layout or color scheme I planned to use.  So when I saw the challenge at Our Daily Bread I thought this is the time to see what I can do.  I would really appreciate any hints, suggestions or examples you might have.  For me, the most difficult aspect is to deal with the circle that is pre-cut - or, more accurately, half cut.  It seems that one must leave the scallop portion as a white bg
Here, I used a piece of eggplant shimmery cs (dry embossed with Textiles) cut to fit the front - using a circle die for the opening.  Then I stamped the ODB sentiment, and layered it on a slightly larger piece of eggplant.  I added a strip from the Kanban kit, and a Cheery Lynn die cut bird.  INSIDE:  I used a ready made floral section (Kanban) for the right side - again, with a piece of eggplant cs for the mat.  Another Kanban piece covers the inside of the pre-cut circle, and pieces from a Joanna Sheen die complete the inside design.  I left a bit at the bottom for a hand written message and/or signature.
CHALLENGES:  
Pop it up or dimension:   Our Daily Bread
3D:  Cut it up
Die cut:   Die-cut-divas.
                 Polkadoodle.
Purple:    Cheery Lynn (week 2)
Any:   Great Impressions
           

Blessings for a friend

Thanks to the DT at Mojo, especially Julee, for the inspiration.
Recipe:  Butterfly embossing folder by Darice, Blessings die by Cheery Lynn, and a "friend" sticker; layers of shimmery silver cs.
Sketch:    Mojo Monday
 
Any Sketch:   Cut It Up
Friendship:    Creative Knockouts
Layers:    Cheery Lynn
Butterflies:    Crafty Catz
Opposites (black and white):   Ikes World

Cut flowers

Light, dark purple cs; swirl stamp by Fancy Pants; Blessings die by Cheery Lynn; 3 part flower by Spellbinders; leafy die by LifeStyle; pale green drops; loose glitter on yellow flower..
CHALLENGES:  
Sketch: feeling-sketchy
Hand made flowers:  Cheery Lynn Designs (week 2)
Spring Flowers:  Cut it up challenges  
Birthday:    Penny Black At allsorts
Colors:      Your Next Stamp
Any:      Lost Coast Portal