Easel #5

This is another in a series of easel cards I am making for family - similar, but not identical.  Hard to see but I used the shimmery aubergine cs for the base and mat glittered the snowflake embossing and punches that are the "stops" for the open easel.  There are bits of white lace for the tabs at the left of the image - looks like they are not visible here (See sketch).   Stamp by Stampendous.
Sketch: http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
                http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/
Celebration:  http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Sing it to me:   (We Three Kings):  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
         http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/ 

 I chose this as my favorite for 2014 - it is really hard to select one, but I made several of the easel cards for family - now I have their reactions and the cards were a hit!  Actually, I think they are a bit impressed that their old grandma can come up with such a thing! LOL!  I did admit that I had a lot of help on line...!!!   Challenge here:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/\   
     
Favorite:  http://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Non traditional colors:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/

Easel #3

This is an easel card - at the very bottom inside are punched, glittery snowflakes - a double row that provides a bit of a "shelf" to hold the open card.  I am pretty new at easel cards so I keep experimenting.  Each grandchild will get one - I am hoping they will keep them to use as decorations.  A side note - our 24 year  old grandson just told me that he has a stack of previous cards from us - he knows how to make Grandma feel good!
Stamp - Stampabilites; Scroll - DieNamics; Metallic gold mesh; Snowflake embossing and punches; glitter, Paper Studio DP
About my favorite color - it seems to be whatever I am using.  Black and cream has become a favorite card making combination.
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Song (the words - a shining star):  http://asonginyourart.blogspot.com/
Fav color:  http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/
Snow:  http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
Let it snow:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
"Chunky" snow (embossed and punched):  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/
Non traditional colors:   http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
                   http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Back to School with an apple

Wouldn't you know!  I decided to use some stamps I had not yet brought in to the house fro the motor home, and just at that moment a monsoon wind (called haboob) came up - I decided it would be prudent to stay in and use supplies I had!  This die is from Cuttlebug - a bit labor intensive, but with a cute result from all the pieces.  The embossing folders ( a tree trunk and leaves) are both Sizzix.  I used pop dots behind the circle.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Layers:   http://thesweetpeastampers.blogspot.co.uk/
Embossing:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Texture:  http://wedodoobadoo.blogspot.co.uk/
Back to school:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
                         http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
                       http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
                        /http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/

Get well

I thought this would work for a get well card - this hedgie is just restin' and relaxin to recuperate!  The leafy bower is from a Cheery Lynn die, and I used Spellbinders labels to cut the main layers.
Sketch:  http://adieforasketch.blogspot.ca/
Stripes: http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/

glittery flowers

If you have visited my blog in the past you will most likely realize that this is "our of the box" for me - I am pretty much "put an image over some dp or some embossed layers" kind of person - so the following inspiration challenge worked, I would say.  I am still a bit limited, with many of my supplies not in the RV for summer- as a result, thee are kind of funky flowers - big blossoms on tiny stems!  I used more glitter cs for the die cut hello.  Oh yes, the flower stems are die cuts - I used a stem on the Cuttlebug Olivia alpha set - used about 3 cuts for each stem.  You can't tell here, but the rectangles on the DP are also glittery.  The flowers are Petaloo, I think.
Inspiration:  http://thecuttingedgechallenge.blogspot.com/
Sparkle:  http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Thinking of you:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Two or more die cuts:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/

Clouds and grass

I needed a quick masculine card - backed the image with "sky" and added some cloud and branch dies.
Sketch, with die cuts:  http://adieforasketch.blogspot.ca/
Birthday:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://ttcrd.blogspot.com/
Two or more dies:  http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/

blue stencilling

For some reason, when I use different shades of blue, the results are disappointing to me - as in this card.  I should have used a different color for the stenciled bg.  I did use a favorite ODB set, however.  For a stencil, I used something that has been in my supply  drawer for a long time.  A local store (now closed) was generous with make and takes, and I learned a lot from the owner - named Dorothy!  She cut A2 sized "stencils" from some type of light plastic sheets - I purchased a set of about 6 designs.  When I "discovered" pattern paper, and then embossing folders, I kind of forgot about useing these stencils - but I certainly like the effect, if not the color!  I sponged with chalk - trying to go lighter toward the center.
Use a stencil:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challengehttp://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch:  http://deconstructingjen.com/category/the-deconstructed-sketch/
Birthday:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Stencil:  http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/new-month-new-challenge.html

White on white

I really like white on white with a touch of color, and sometimes the inspiration is better than others - not so sure about this one.  I do have a layer of pattern paper under the embossed layer - kind of a shiny brocade.  I just received a huge gift of supplies, and several sheets of butterflies (from Anna's kits) were included.  They are punchouts, and I will be using them from time to time - I thought they went with the embossed leaves.
Sketch:  http://www.ipalamountain.com/2014/06/sketchbook-saturday-challenge-25/
White on white, colored image:   http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
                                                  http://cutedaisymay.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/

Showing love in green

It seems I do not use a lot of green - but it goes well with this Irish blessing (Verve), and it also looks like spring!
Sentiment - Recollection;  DP - DCWV;  Washi tape, Nesties.

Sketch -  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/sketch-challenge-79.html
Green -  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/

Any -   http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Love - http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
     

Love is...

I saw this sketch at Mojo Monday and knew what I wanted to do, but I am not sure the result is all that I had hoped.  I did incorporate a lot of "my" usual style - layering, embossing, die cuts.  The birds are from Cheery Lynn (Tiny Things with Wings) and the flourish (which I cut in sections) from Joanna Sheen.  They are cut from shimmery cs.  The bg is vellum , and the Love panel from Paper Studio.  The verse is computer generated.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
LOVE - L-love; o- ornate; v - vellum; e-emboss:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Love:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 
           http://sugarcreekhollow.blogspot.com/
Romance:   http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/
Flourish, + Cheery Lynn die:  http://cheerylynndesignschallenge.blogspot.com/
Personal style:  http://digidarlas.blogspot.com/
DP:  http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.co.uk/

Valentine for Joe

(I am not sure why this seems so out of focus - sorry about that!).  I will be sending this to an older member of our congregation - we do not know him well, but I do not think he has much family.  He is very hard of hearing, and has signs of beginning dementia.  Joe is on the list to visit (visitation team) and I thought he might enjoy a Valentine - but I wanted to avoid frilly or cute.  This is a verse from Word Art (thank you for your great selection of freebies.)  that mentions heart and love - appropriate for a Valentine.  The striped cs is from AMuse; the embossing is a LifeStyle Crafts folder and the hearts are from a Cuttlebug die that was one of my first acquisitions many years ago.
Sketch:  http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
Twine:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Uplifting/encouraging: http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Use red:   http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.com/
Valentine/love:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
                           http://open-mindedcraftingfun.blogspot.ca/
                            http://notrealstamps.blogspot.co.uk/
                           http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
                            http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

Guest at High Hopes

This is a fun announcement to make - this is my card made for my spot as a guest designer here:  http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/  The image is Aunt Marge's Garden, by High Hopes.  It is a larger image, so the card is 4.75x6.5.  I added a strip of vellum embossed with LOVE (Cuttlebug).  Coloring is with Prismas, and the hat is paper pieced - a delicate flowery pattern.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Embossing::  http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/
Love:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
Flowers:  http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.com/
Any:   http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/

Happy Anniversary, DH

It is a while until our anniversary - maybe I will give it to him for Valentine's Day.  Unfortunately, we are getting pretty close to resembling this image - or maybe we are there LOL!!!  As I am looking at it - it is hard to tell that I used various shades of purple for the coloring.  The side strip is the Cuttlebug embossed hearts, and the heart behind the sentiment is a Spellbinder.  I colored with Prismas and gel pens, and added some shiny gems and cord.
Sketch:  http://digisketchchallenge.blogspot.com/
Monochrome:  http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/
Monochrome: http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
Humorous (though that may depend on your viewpoint!!):  http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/
                             http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Heart:   http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/Any:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/

100x100 Girlie celebration

This is such a cute High Hopes stamp - Gertie, Millie and Hattie.  It is hard to choose a favorite, but this is certainly right up at the top!  I colored with Prismas.
 For all the "use something new" challenges - I have put myself on a spending diet (see Splitcoaststampers 100 cards in 100 days - without buying! challenge).  This uses my most recent additions - sentiment from American Crafts, Washi Tape (Belle Blvd) and DP (Paper Wishes). 
Favorite:  /http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/
Celebrate:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
Wish:  http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.com/
New:   http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/
           http://acreativeromance.blogspot.co.uk/
           http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday, Will

Our brother-in-law will be 87 next week.  He volunteers for meals at the Senior Center, and enjoys wearing unusual hats to entertain the guests.  I thought this fit - it is an image that has been in my stash for a long time (WishRAK at Splitcoaststampers) - it could be AI.  Nesties, DP, washi tape, twine, a border punch and my new American Crafts library stamp complete the supplies used.
Sketch:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/stella-says-sketch-last-challenge-of.html
Spots:  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
Celebrate:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
Celebrate:  http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/
birthday:  http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/p/challenge-rules.html

Daffodils of Spring

Daffodils, yellow, and butterflies - sure signs of spring!  This precolored digi is from Beccy's Place.  I cannot believe how long it took me to find a piece of DP to go with my colors - I have stacks and stacks - nothing worked, but I finally found a scrap that satisfied me.  I used a Sizzix EF for the bg.
Sentiment & butterfly:  http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Spring, with a digi:  http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/
More spring:    http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
May flowers:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/april-challenge.html

White on white

I am still learning about my new printer.  Until now the scans have worked pretty well, but I think it does not like the all white!  I hope you can somewhat see this.  I used a Martha Stewart edge punch for the two sides. The next layer is embossed leaves, and the mat behind the image is Linear -both by Sizzix.  The image is Paper Inspirations, and it is a Verve sentiment.
Sketch:  http://www.charismacardz.blogspot.com/
White on white:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/