Birthday, masculine

I left my stamp at the house for the summer - I think this is Hampton Art, colored with Prismas.  I always think of Tuscany when I see this sunny scene - I beleve the movie title is "Under the Tuscan Sun".  I used the distressed stripes EF to resemble the soil, and used a piece of the same to frame the image.  I added the Sizzix sentiment and a LifeStyle shape behind the Basic Grey chipboard button.
Sketch:   http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Movie:    http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Frame:    http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Any:       http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/

Peach and dark burgundy

I am not sure if the bg id dark burgundy, plum, or aubergine - whatever, I like the combination with peach.  The image is from my never ending stash, and the DP is Making Memories, I believe.  The edging is the negative of a Cuttlebug border die.  This will be used as a sympathy card.
Sketch:         http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Not square:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/ 
Ribbon:        http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/ 
Any:              http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
                

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

Easter Blessings #2

I needed another card to send to church members (shut ins, primarily), and this was fairly quick to complete, thanks to the Verve coordinated solid (2 greens) and gingham.  I sanded the embossed piece (Victoria by Cuttlebug).  The image is unmarked; colored with markers.  Blessings is by Cheery Lynn, and the circle dies are Spellbinders.  The Easter message is printed inside.
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Easter:  http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/
               http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/
               http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/
               http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Any:      http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/
              http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
Not a square:    http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/

Lady bug and dragonflies

Image- Just Sitting Here by Your Next Stamp - Cheery Lynn dragonflies added - one of them is positioned due to an embellishment opportunity aka boo boo! Coloring is with markers.   The sentiment is by Verve - inside it continues .. a very happy birthday.  The base is a brick embossed piece (Tim Holtz/Sizzix) which I sponged with purple and sepia ink - trying to achieve a bit of the Tim Holtz look.  The strip is woodgrain, also Tim Holtz.  Mats are Kraft cs, and the purple strip is Washi tape.
Sketch:  http://yournextstamp.com/blog/
Colors, with Kraft cs:   http://www.thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/
Tim Holtz style:  http://www.vintagejourney.com/search?updated-max=2015-03-13T00:00:00Z&max-results=7
 Happy Birthday:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Die cut:   http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com.au/
Sentiment:  http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
Spring:     http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Kraft:       http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:        http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/

Sympathy #3

This is another card to send to our friend Don.  His wife died on Sunday, after a struggle with cancer.  Several months ago they moved to be closer to family.  They were members of our Wednesday Bible class, so I will take this to be signed.
Supplies:  the image is from a website full of freebies - called Antique Images (thank you!); sentiment from Verve; DCWV and misc dp and cs' Petaloo flowers. 
DT Nina (Tuesday morning sketches) provided inspiration!
Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Any:      http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/

Birthday humor

Verse - Inkadinkado; checks and solid cs by AMuse; "trees" by We R Memory Keepers; black gems. Greens:  dark green cs mats; olive green checks, lime green tree.
Sketch / humor:   http://digisketchchallenge.blogspot.com/
Birthday:     http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:   http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com.au/
Green:        http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/
                   http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
                   http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2015/03/pile-it-on-59-green.html
                   http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
3 shades of green:   http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
Any:           http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/

Spring purple

The bird and "lace" are pieces from my Lovely in Lace kit; Paper Pizzazz DP; $ sentiment stamp; sheer ribbon.   FYI - I felt the bird needed some contrast, so I traced around the original die cut, then just cut about 1/8 inch larger. 
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Purple:   http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Wings:   http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Frilly:    http://www.dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com/
Ribbon:  http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
Any: http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
         http://thepapernestdollschallenge.blogspot.com/
         http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Romantic elements

Typically - I stored my Valentine papers so well that I did not run across them until February 17!  I decided to use bits of this dp with red and scrolly looking hearts - though most is covered  up.  The embossing is Victoria (Cuttlebug).  Other items:  Image by Our Daily Brad, colored with metallic pens and Brilliance inks (Using an aqua pen); Spellbinders Majestic Elements ovals; flowers, half pearls, and bits of lace.
Sketch:     http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Butterfly:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Flowers, lace and pearls:  http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/
Inspiration: http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Use red and white:   http://www.blogquickquotes.com/
Black and white with red:  http://www.fashionablestampingchallenges.com/
For someone you love (this will go to our daughter):   http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
Lace:  http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
Any (no digi):  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Any:   http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/
          

For a guy

This will be a thinking of you - I will add the sentiment when I need to send it.
Image - A Day for Daisies; Washi tape, DP by My Minds Eye; acrylic button by Basic Grey; Prismas, ribbon
Sketch:    http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Die cut (Nesties circles):     http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Colors (browns and teals):  http://liastampz.blogspot.com/
Masculine:   http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.com/
Any:      http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/
             http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/
             http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
             http://www.scribbleandscrapcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

Young at heart

We are rvers (at this point, summers only) - and we can relate to this!  Once again I am using one of the elements from the Art Impressions Pop ups sets - they have stamps with these images but these are pre-printed, pre colored punch outs - complete with sentiments and accessories. 
New:  AI Pop ups, ; SteamPunk embossing (Darice)
Other:  Jewel (shimmery) blue cs; Washi tape; pop dots
Sketch:  http://yournextstamp.com/blog/category/challenge/
Texture:  http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/
inspiration:  color and circles:  http://giveacrafteracookie.blogspot.ca/
No pattern paper:   http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/ 
Freestyle:   http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/#
Any (no digi):  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Any:                 http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/

What's Up?

Image- AI Gossip;  unknown heart DP; pink lace, half pearls, Petaloo flower, silver sticker strip, sparkly gel pens, Prismas

Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Pearls and lace:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Hearts (on DP):  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Lots of embellishments:  http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://ema-ginationstation.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-01-22T00:00:00-06:00&max-results=1
           http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/

Shades of purple and peach

New:  Darice butterfly embossing folder; gel pens
From my stash:  ODB stamp, Prismas, cs, Cuttlebug border die, Spellbinder circles, ribbon, gems
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Colors:   http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Bow:    http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
Spring flowers:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
New:    http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/
             http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
             http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
             http://livelaughstamp.blogspot.com/2014/12/monday-morning-challenge-no-2.html
Any:     http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2015/01/dlart-january-linky-challenge.html
             http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Kevin

This card is a thank you for the technology instructor at our local library.  I have taken many classes and also received answers to a number of questions - all at no charge to library patrons.  We are enclosing a small gift card for him.
I do not do well with CAS, but I saw the following CAS challenges and decided to try.  (The black mat is only for  contrast for the photo.)  I left the cream base totally plain - gasp!!!  The image is from my file - unfortunately I neglected to add much of a label, but I think it might be clip art.  The Cuttlebug sentiment, chalking and twine complete the look.  The chalk, twine and the die have been in my supplies for a long time.
Sketch:  http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/challenge-52-sketch-and-happy-2nd.html
Thanks:  http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.ca/
               http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
              http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
              http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
             http://cardsbydorothy.blogspot.com/2014/11/thank-you-kevin.html
Any:   http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Fall colors:  http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-challenge-1-fall-colors.html
CAS with twine:   http://cleanandsimpleonsunday.blogspot.com/

Giving Thanks 2014

Yes, we should give thanks at all times, but it is good to have the annual Thanksgiving Day reminder.  This will go to the 97 year old shut in (from our church) whom we occasionally visit.  He is so sharp - and fun to visit.  I am thinking the wheat will count as food...!  The verse is from Word Art - if you are not familiar with the blog, check out the weekly freebies!  The sentiment is JustRite, and the papers are DCWV.
Sketch (with food):  http://digisketchchallenge.blogspot.com/
Uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://thepapernestdollschallenge.blogspot.com/
        http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
Thankful:  http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/2014/10/fussy-and-fancy-challenge-126-thankful.html
Autumn inspiration:  http://www.peachykeenstamps.com/forums/topic/peachy-keen-challenge-14-14-photo-inspiration-thankful-theme/

Distressed birthday!

There are several family birthdays coming in the next few weeks, and I need to build up my stash.  I really like this cs - it has texture and sparkle - as well as giving me a sense of  old fashioned (vintage) wallpaper.  This is one of many sheets of cs that was in a box sent to me by my sister - given to her by an acquaintance. I added some gems to the strip, and used ribbon that has a bit of shine to it as well.  I distressed the edges.
Sketch:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
Technique (distressing):  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Distress, vintage, layers:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Distress:   http://www.joanstouch.com/
Distress:  http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

Masculine

I had a masculine card in mind - this turned out a bit more "blah" than anticipated - I used various parts of one sheet from my right now favorite stack - a DCWV Heirloom pack.  I am on a mission to use some pieces that I tend to skip over.  I used the Cuttlebug Asterisk die for the trim.
Sketch #5:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Layers:  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
             http://thesweetpeastampers.blogspot.co.uk/
Best friend = smiles and happiness:    http://asonginyourart.blogspot.com/
Any:    http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
            http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
         
 

Fluffles 'n Flowers

It seems there are not as many Fluffles images out there any more, but this is still a favorite of mine - such a cute face!  It is a shape that works well with this Labels die - and a few flowers in the bg work as well.  The embossing folder is Victoria by Cuttlebug.  I added a bow and some gold sticker accents. The stamp, die, ribbon and sticker are all from deep in my stash - and that embossing folder had been in hiding for a while until recently!
Sketch #4:   http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Flowers:  http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/
Pet:  http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/2014/08/fussy-and-fancy-challenge-121-pets-or.html
Animal:  http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
Stash (see above):  http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/
Use a stamp:  http://www.frosteddesigns.blogspot.ca/

Cream and teal

This is crea (not white) with teal - I used a Sizzix leafy embossing folder for the mail layer,  The image is SU.  I did emboss the strips with some faux stitching.
Sketch:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Birthday:  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
                 http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/

Peace Within

This is a wonderful set for sympathy cards.  Just about everything is from my stash.  The solid cs and Dp is double sided from a pad I bought many years ago, and hoard!  The ribbon, embossing folder and image have also been around a while.  I used "chestnut" ink - looks great with the green.
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any: http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
Stitching - in the ribbon:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/