St. Patrick's Day DT card for QKR Stampede #286 - ATG

Mood board - Sum More Fun (VO Stamps)

 It is time for St. Patrick's Day cards - a great choice for entries in the Anything Goes weekly challenge at QKR Stampede.  You may enter as many as 3 times before Thursday afternoon.  There are 2 winners - one for QKR/Eireka images, and one for any product.  We hope you will join us.
I have used Eureka images (a sister company to QKR), some DP from my stash, ribbon, and Washi tape.  The shamrocks are colored with Prisma pencils, and ages. added a bit of watercolor to highlight both images. I used circle dies for the shamrock image.
Sketch:   Feeling-Sketchy
Use green:    Createful Heart
                      Patties
                      Star Stampz 
Going Green:   Dragonfly Journeys
Monochromatic green:  Hiding in my Craft room  
                                         Die-cut-divas  
Inspiration (greens):   VO Stamps Blogspot
Any:   A2Z Scrapbooking
            A Bit More Time 
            Lemon Shortbread
            Morgans Artworld
            Corrosive Challenges
            Jo's Scrapshack 
            Aud Sentiments

Eureka Stamps DT card for challenge #198 - "Here comes the Bride:

This is a timely challenge as many of you will have weddings to attend in the next few weeks.  I chose this verse and Blessings sentiment - both are digital versions - for the challenge this week at Eureka Stamps . You may enter up to three times before 3pm EDT on Sunday, June 26.  There are 2 digis for the winner - 3 if you win using an image by Eureka.
 Using white embossed layers with a contrasting color has become a favorite style of mine.  I used Swiss Dots and Textile by Cuttlebug.  The circle die is from Spellbinders.  I added ribbon and a bow using a shiny sheer ribbon from the Dollar Tree.
CHALLENGES:  
Sketch:    Live and love Crafts
Wedding:    Cuttlebug Mania
                     Mod Squad
                     The Stamping Boutique 
Love:     Pink Gem Challenge
Die cut:     Chocolate Coffee Cards
Dots:   Crafty Catz
Any:   Classic Design Team 

Eureka Stamps DT entry - Challenge #197 - For a Guy

I appreciate being able to do a card for any guy, since my father passed away many years ago.  Actually, I think I will send this to my brother whose birthday is this week.  This is challenge #197 at Eureka Stamps.  You may enter  up to 3 times by 3 pm EDT, Sunday, June 19.  If your entry is randomly selected you will win 2 digi images - if you use an image by Eureka you win an extra digi!
Here I used the image "frog on side" and the digital sentiment is also by Eureka.  The coloring is with  Prismas.  I used a couple of scraps of DP from my stash.  The edges of the white cs are sponged with Marigold ink, and I distressed all the paper edges.  The mats are a dark olive green.  I added 3 sequins - part of a prize from Craftin Desert Divas.  I put some tiny gems in the centers.  A twine bow completes the card.
For a guy:  Cardz4guyz
                    Craftin Desert Divas
                    Dragonfly Journeys
                    Stamping With Dragon
                    Polkadoodle  
                    Jo's Scrapshack
                    Love to Scrap
                    Aloha Friday
                    Patties Creations
                     Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
Animal Magic:   Crafty Catz  
Critter:      Live Laugh Stamp
                   Sirstampalot 
Add a sentiment:   Digi Choosday
                                 The Paper Shelter 
Shabby:    Creative Corner
3 or more layers:  Sweet Stampin
Any:    Classic Design Team
             Crafting-with-friends
             Crafty Sentiments
             Inspiration Destination
             Lemon Shortbread 
             Through the Craft Room Door
Sketch (rotated) :  Sweet Sketch Wednesday
 

DT card for Eureka Stamps challenge #196 - "wings"

I really like this penguin trying to stay cool.  When I chose the image, I certainly did not realize that the outside temperature here in Arizona would be a record breaking 115 - the earliest date recorded for that high a temperature!
Before submitting this card to a couple of challenges, I felt I had to verify some facts.  To find out if penguins have feathers and if they qualify as winged creatures, check out this website:  Penguin.net.nz/faq/ .  Among other things you will learn is that penguins do in fact have knees, feathers and wings!
Challenge #196 at Eureka Stamps is "things with wings".  You have until 3pm EDT Sunday to enter as many as 3 times.  You may win some of the Eureka images.
Recipe:  Image, Penguin on Ice; sentiment - Cool birthday - Eureka;  stickles (on the ice); shimmery silver cs by Recollections;  Cuttlebug embossing folder - Diamonds; shiny black gems;  misc DP and dark grey cs;   inspiration - "March of the Penguins"

CHALLENGES:  
Sketch:     Verve sketches #1
Embossing:   Cuttlebug Mania
Weather:    Pink Gem
Feathers:    City Crafter
Gems:     Crafty Sentiments
Feathered Friends:  Deep Ocean
Inspiration movie:   Ike's World
Summer:    Digi Choosday
Masculine:    Polkadoodle
Any:    2crafty girls
             A Bit More Time to Craft
             Crafty-Girls-Creations
             Classic Design Team 
             Inspiration Destination
             Pinspirational
             

DT card for Eureka # 194 - Pretty in Pink

This week the challenge at Eureka Stamps is to use pink. You have until 6pm EDT on Sunday, May 29 to post up to 3 entries, and you have a chance to win digis - more if you use a stamp from Eureka.  I selected this cutie - Shy Girl.  I also chose the sentiment from the Eureka digi selection.  Our church pre-school partners with members as prayer partners, and this would be a good card to use for a prayer partner.
I used a subtle pattern of DP to paper piece the dress, but colored the sleeves.  As I was working on the fussy cutting, I realized the pink DP gave a reddish pink highlight to the hair, so went for a trendy hair do.  The mat for the image is from a Spellbinders Labels die. I used a light dusting of glitter on the outer borders, but of course there are a few sprinkles here and there on the rest of the card.  Little girls love glitter!  I also added a "JOY" brad.
Please stop by the Eureka blog to check out the other fabulous DT inspiration cards, and join us this week -  Eureka Stamps Blogspot.
CHALLENGES:   
Sketch:  Cheerful Sketches
Pink:   Stamps and Stencils
             City Crafter
             Lets Create
Girly:   Chocolate Coffee Cards.
Unusual Hair:   Julia Spiri
Happy  Anything + pink:  In The Pink
Texture (brad, piecing):   Incy Wincy
Feminine:   Hiding in my Craftroom
Monochromatic:   Crafty Creations  
Any, with a die:   Happy Little Stampers
Glitter:   Lawnscaping
                Sparkle n Sprinkle
Any:    A bit more time to craft 
             Craft Your Passion 
             Cre8tive Hands friends
             Cards Galore
             Crafty Catz  
             Digistamps4joy
             DLArt
             Classic Design Team  
             Our-Crafty-Corner
             Through the Craft Room Door
               
             
              

DT card for Eureka Challenge #193 - Quilting or Sewing

When I saw the theme for this week's challenge (Eureka Stamps) I knew I wanted to use a quilting theme, and will probably save this for my sister.  She is an excellent quilter, and owns several specialized sewing machines to work with.  The image is Eureka Heart on a Pendant digi #904, and the sentiment digi 24702.  I thought paper piecing would work well with this image.  However, because of the patterns included on the heart, I had to use solid colored paper.  I am very happy with the result - a dark vanilla and light purple combination.  I used a metallic gel pen for the stripes, and to color the tiny flowers.  I also colored the bow with the sparkly metallic pen.  This was also a great opportunity to use my new Darice Button embossing folder.  A strip of embossed faux stitching (Cuttlebug), some washi tape, and  Prima flower complete the card.  ETA:  I should have mentioned I cut out the heart and bow before adhering the pieced sections.
CHALLENGES:
Sketch:    Viva la Verve #1
Embossing:   Crafting for all Seasons
                       Ikes World
Sentiment:    Aud Sentiments
Empathy:    Path of Positivity
Stripes:   Crafty Gals Corner
Color:    Outlawz Tuesday-Color
Layers:   Scrapbook Stamp Society  
Girlie:  Aloha Friday
 Inspiration (heart; tiny flowers):  Give a crafter a cookie
Not square:  Digi Choosday
DT member:     Classic Design Team
Any:  Cre8tive Hands Friends
           Craft Your Passion
           Crafting With an Attitude 
           Cute as a Button
           Digi Stamps4joy 
           DLArt 
           Lemon Shortbread 
           Inspiration Destination
           Paper Nest Dolls
           Not Just Cards 
            
          

Eureka Stamps Challenge #192 - April Showers bring May flowers

Tulips are a favorite of mine - such a lovely result of April showers - just not so much here in Arizona.  For this challenge I used the stamp "tulips" and the Blessings sentiment - both available as digis at the Eureka site.  The background is light purple, though on my screen it looks blue!  I added ribbon and some tiny punched butterflies, which I covered in sparkly purple glitter mixed with gold..  Please join us with your floral entries.  You can win 2 digis of your choice - 3 if your entry uses an image from Eureka.
CHALLENGES: 
Sketch:     Sweet Sketch Wednesday2
Inspiration:   Dar and Diane
Spring colors:   Little Claires
Glitter:  Sparkle n Sprinkle
Die cuts and flowers:  Inky Impressions 
Flowers:    Deep Ocean
Any:    Creative Fingers
             2 Crafty Girls 
             Crafting in a beautiful mess
             Creative Card Crew
             Doodle Pantry
             Not Just Cards       
             The Paper Nest Dolls        
             Through the Craft Room Door

For any mom - Eureka challenge #191

My mom has been gone for several years, so I made a card for any mom.
 This week the challenge at Eureka Stamps, #191, (Eureka Stamps Blogspot) is to create a feminine or Mother's Day card.  You have until Sunday, May 8, at 3pm EDT to enter.  You may enter up to 3 times, and you can win 2 Eureka digi images - three, if you use an image from Eureka. Please join us! I used a pretty image called "Mixed Bouquet", and a sentiment that says "It's a special day".  You can find both of these digis and many more, both rubber stamps and digis, at the Eureka site.
I used this sentiment so it could be for any woman on Mother's Day.  I chose soft pastels - the green and white is one of my favorite combos.  The delicate butterfly is by Cheery Lynn, and I added some frilly ribbon.
Sketch:    House that Stamps Built
Mother's Day:   DLart 
                            Jo's Scrapshack
                            Mod Squad 
                            Cheery Lynn 
                            The Stamping Boutique
May Flowers:     Aloha Friday Challenges 
Butterflies:          Cuttlebug Mania       
Wings:                  Digichoosday
Dots/Stripes:        Deep Ocean 
Pastels:                 Di's digi designs
Layers:                 Creative Knockouts
Fave color combo:   Pink Gem
Book (Secret Garden    C.R.A.F.T.
Any:      A Beautiful Mess
              Addicted to Stamps
              Cre8tivehandsfriends
              Creative Fingers 
              Inspiration Destination
              Lemon Shortbread 
              Not Just Cards
              Simon Wednesday
              WordArt 
              Crafty Gals Corner

              

Baby Card - Design Team card for Eureka Stamps challenge 187

I thought it would be a good idea to have a generic card in my stash - hence the "neutral" yellow tones!  This adorable Baby Zebra and the sentiment with the great font are from the digis available at Eureka Stamps - they also come in the more traditional rubber stamps.  This week the challenge is to create a baby card.  The challenge is open through Sunday, and you may enter a maximum of 3 times.  The papers, button and Washi tape are from my stash.  The image is colored with a dark grey Prisma.
I used the sketch from Paper Craft Crew, but I am entering too many challenges to participate in theirs.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Make your mark (color):  Addicted to Stamps
Button:                                The Paper Shelter  
Pastel:                                  Fussy and Fancy 
Yellow:                                 Fresh Brewed Designs
Baby:                                    Crazy Challenge
                                              Crafting-with-dragonflies
Any:                                      Crafting in a Beautiful Mess   
                                              Crafting-with-friends                 
                                              Crazy4challenges 
                                              Creative Moments  
                                              Little Claires Designs 
                                              Crafty Sentiments
                                              Crafty Gals Corner
                                              Artistic Inspirations
                                              Lemon Shortbread
                                              The House that stamps built 
                                              Inspiration Destination 
                                              Simon Says Stampblog Wednesday  
                                              DLArt

Easter Blessings - to friends

We will send cards to a few friends from church - those who have been ill.  This features digis from Eureka stamps, colored with chalk pencils,  I added branches from Cheery Lynn dies, and Making Memories flowers.
Sketch #2:           VLV Sketches
Easter:                 AAA cards
                             Crafting-with-Dragonflies
                             Crafters Cafe  
                              Crafty Enjoyments
Color:                  Cupcake Inspirations
B = Blessings:     DRS Designs 
For a friend:       Suzypantssmarty   
Any:                     Cheery Lynn Designs
                              Creativec Craft Cottage 

Eureka challenge #183 - paper piecing

The challenge this week at Eureka stamps is paper piecing.  This is a fun way to add texture and a bit of dimension.  It is also a great way to create a different look for items of clothing as well as other images.  I have learned that it is important to choose patterns carefully - I find that dainty patterns work best for me.  I used two different patterned papers - for the dresses, the ribbons in the hats, and the backgrounds. I used markers to add a touch of color to the flowers on the hats. I used a darker golden yellow for the mats, and a sheer gold ribbon to add a final touch - along with the shiny gems.  Here is another tip if this is a new technique for you - color the rest of the image (the part next to the pieced layer) before adhering the DP in order to achieve a well blended edge.  (I'll bet you can figure out how I know that!)  I recently read a tip to use Stickles around the edge of the main image - I tried it here, though you cannot really see it well on the screen.  It does a lot to highlight the image.  I lightly sponged the image and sentiment, and distressed the edge of the circle to give a bit of a distressed look.
The new Eureka image I used is Best Friends, and the new sentiment is also from Eureka.  It is a font I really like.
Sketch:                Share Joy Challenge
Spring (I used colors and the pretty dresses to represent spring):
                             Digitally Sweet 
                             Fresh Brewed Designs
                             Crafty Sentiments Designs
 Bingo:     Row 1 - sentiment, flowers on hat, gems:
                             The Paper Shelter  
Bingo - Row 2 -  distressing, new image, texture, ribbon: 
                             Fussy and Fancy
Touchy, feely:      Simon Says Stamp Wedneday
Ladies:                 Digi Choosday
Child:                   Fan- tastic Tuesday
Sparkle:               Crafting for all Seasons
Layers:                 Frilly and Funkie 
                              Craftin Desert Divas     
Any:                      Lemon Shortbread
                              Jo's Scrapshack 

Eureka Challenge #182 - CAS

Here is my design team card for Eureka Stamps challenge #182, which is open through Sunday, March 6.
I will be the first to admit that CAS cards are not my first choice - I really like CAS cards done by others, but struggle with my own - I tend to want to fill up all that space, or add embellishments.  However, this cute Digi by Eureka Stamps - Cool Cat with Shades - worked well for me.  I edged the image layer with a bit of ColorBox Marigold ink.  (Tip - I did not tear the edges of that layer.  I did use my trimmer with a very dull blade I keep for that purpose - it is dull enough to give what I call a controlled ragged edge!)  The ink was applied directly from the mini ink pad, to add a hint of color and some dimension.  Another tip - the sentiment is also a digi by Eureka.  I printed it separately, hand cut it in a bubble shape, and photo copied it unto the cool cat image.  This process left a look of an edge around the sentiment - which I enhanced a bit using a grey chalk pencil.  It looks like a layer but is not.  I used a metallic pen to draw the line to "attach" the bubble, and also to add some specks to the background.  The cat was colored by mixing orange and beige chalk pencils. Thanks for looking.
CAS #182:  Eureka Stamps
CHALLENGES ENTERED:         
Animal:      Mod Squad Challenge
                    The Paper Shelter
                    Wags n Whiskers
                    Fan-tastic Tuesday
Cats:           Show us your Pussies 
CAS:           Clean and Simple on Sunday
Cute:           Aud Sentiments Challengeblog
Any:            Crafting-with-Friends
                     Crafty Gals Corner
                     Creative Fingers Challenge
                     Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
                      Our Crafty Corner
                     Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday     

Eureka Challenge #180

I am quite excited about this post.  It marks my debut as a design team member for Eureka stamps.  In fact, it marks my debut as a design team member - period.  I am happy and excited as well as a bit nervous.  Thank you, Karal, for selecting me and showing this confidence.  I hope I will not let you down.  Please visit the Eureka blog to see what the other talented designers have created for you.
Now, on to today's Eureka Stamps Challenge - Fur and Feather.  I selected  these digis:  Rainy Day Duck and Under the Weather.  The duck is colored with Prismacolor pencils.  The mat cs is a dark teal.  To create the background I inked the D'Vine Swirl (Cuttlebug) embossing folder with a dark teal marker, then embossed. The light blue panel is from SugarTree; the strips are formed with a double row of Washi tape.  I used a flower and a shiny gem from my collection.
This will be a good card to add to my stash - handy to have available.

CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:            Cheerful Sketches Challenge
Digital image: Digital Delights by Louby Loo
Any:                2 Crafty Girls Challenges
                        Crafting-with-Friends
                        DL. ART
                        Doodle Pantry
                        Inspiration Destination
                        The Sisters of Craft

Humor for a friend

Digi image by Dearie Dolls (Pre-colored); Lily of the Valley DPl cuttlebug hearts, Life Style Crafts embossing folder (bg mat) Spellbinder ovals and circles; glitter.  I try to use up glitter, ribbon, paper - but it will take a long time to use it up!
Sketch:          Verve Sketches
Use up stuff:   Eureka
Girly:              Fan Tastic Tuesday
Glitter:            Sparkle n Sprinkle
"D" - Dearie Doll:  Pile it on challenge
Diagonal tic tac toe - hearts, pink, embossing:    Share Joy 

Larry and Smoky - for Leah

I took this photo while at their home for Christmas - had I thought about using it on a card I would have taken more care with the photography.  Oh, well.  Our granddaughter's birthday is soon- she misses her cats (a lot) while away at college - so it occurred to me to send a reminder!  She is just starting a NEW semester as well as a NEW year of her life.  The photo is new, as is the DP (Lily of the Valley).  I used a button die, tied with cord; washi tape; Martha Stewart punch; misc. cs.
Sketch:                Share Joy
Warm and cozy:  Fattastic Tuesday 
You Crack me up: Dragonfly Journeys
 Kitty:                   Show us your pussiecat          
New:                    Crafty Calendar
                             Eureka Stamps
                             Cuttlebug Mania 
Any:                     Not just Cards

Swing away

I do not really make New Year's resolutions, but I do try to keep some goals in mind.  One is to make better use of already stamped or printed images, and another to use some of th.e items I tend to avoid in favor of easier to use or handier ones.  Any one else have that happen?   Case in point - the Spellbinder Majestic Elements ovals - I like them a lot but just find the layering a bit of a challenge
Image - Dearie Dolls (pre-collored); E mbossalicious birthday folder;  ribbon, white and purple cs.:
Sketch        Stella Says Sketch
Dies:           The Paper Shelter
Birthday:    Eureka stamps
Any:           Craft your Passion challenges
                   Sisters of Craft
White; splash of color:   Incy Wincy Designs

Can't stand the heat...

New to me:  I have had this pre-colored digi and sentiment (from Beccy's Place) in my files for a while, but I think this is the first I have used it.  Thank you , Beccy.  New: Dp from One Birdie Lane pad by Lily of the Valley.  Stash:  washi tape, Petaloo flowers, birthday folder (Cuttlebug), cs.
Sketch:      Mojo Monday   
Birthday:   Eureka Stamps 
                   Dragonfly Journeys
New:          Fab'n'funky 
                   Dis digi designs
                   Simon says stamp - Monday
                   Die-cut-divas  
                   Dies R us
Any:          Beccys Place 
                   Craft your passion

More Humor

This image is from an AI pop-up set - I used a single image, and enhanced some of the colors with my markers.  The verse inside is a humorous birthday verse  The DP is from a new Lily of the Valley pad, and the red is from a new pack of red papers.
Sketch/color:   YNS challenges
Birthday:          Eureka
New:                  Simon Wednesday Challenge     
                           Amusing challenges
                           Allsorts

Christmas 2015 #34

 

Here is another card using a piece of recycled cards - the sentiment portion at the top.  (Several years ago friends of ours routinely used a piece of the card we had sent to them the previous year - I am far from that organized!!!)  I think the image is from SU - it is the end of a WishRAK Christmas stash.  The DO is Paper Studio, and the embossed portions are also scraps.  I used a bit of silver and blue ribbon to divide the two bg sections.  The die cuts are Spellbinder ovals.
Sketch:                              http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:                        http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/ 
                                           http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Traditional Christmas:    http://polkadoodle.blogspot.ca/2015/12/week-49-polkadoodles-crafting-challenge.html
Blue & white:                    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-12-10T21:00:00-08:00&max-results=1&start=1&by-date=false
Let it Snow:                       http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/ 

Christmas 2015 #33

Here is another card using some bits from saved Christmas cards - the velvety solid panel and the gold and cranberry scroll piece.  I need to work on clearing out that stash!  The stamp is Posh Impressions; a Recollection punched snowflake;  bg DP is from the Faith stack by Paper Studio; embossed snowflakes (Cuttlebug), and cranberry DP from a Recollection pack.
Sketch:           http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:     http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/
                        http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
                        http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2015/11/dlart-thankful-thursday-challenge-169.html 
                         http://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/
Snow:              http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/
 Any:               http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-anything-goes.html
Colors - cranberry, gold, black/white:   http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/