Poinsettia

Wow, Friday again!!  How does it keep coming so fast?  Anyway, it's time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: Anything Goes.  We know you enjoy those, so come on and play along.  This week we don't have a sponsor, but the winner will get to be a guest designer with us in the future.  Here is my card for the week:

 I stamped the flower directly on top of the music and then colored in the leaves and ivy.  Then I stamped it again twice onto red card stock and cut them out and layered them on top of the main image for a little bit of texture and dimension.  You can see it a bit in the photo below.

Challenges:

Viva La Verve May week 2--sketch

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #178--Christmas in your country (we have lots of poinsettias and one of my favorite things about Christmas is the music)

Christmas Card Challenge #26--anything goes

Lacy Sunshine--Dies and/or punches

One Stitch At a Time #214--anything goes

Through the Purple Haze #43--Button it up!

C.R.A.F.T. #261--paper piecing

Completely Christmas #13--anything goes

Desert Island Crafts challenge #77--use at least three of the following (I used #1, 3, 4, 7)

1.  music

2. tools

3. red--more than any other color

4.die cuts/punches

5. recycle

6. washi

7. paper piecing

8. 5 or more buttons

9. use an online tutorial and include a link

10. color on kraft

Supplies:

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs poinsettia stamp, Hero Arts background music

Punches: Fiskars Apron border punch

Purple Christmas

Hello!  Here we are and it's Friday once again.  Time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: Anything Goes.  It sure doesn't get any easier than that!  This week our sponsor is the lovely Emma Canning with her Flat Friends images.  They are all so cute.  I chose to use this little sweetie--All Lit Up.

 I decided to use a lavender and gray color scheme.  Someone that entered out challenge last week used it and I thought it was so gorgeous, I just had to give it a try.  Here's a close up of the image.

Now it's your turn.  We love to have you play along.

Challenges:

Flat Friends #20--dies and/or punches

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #177--Festive Flowers and/or Foliage

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown--C.A.R.D. (color something, add ribbon/rhinestones, and deboss)

Treasured Times #18--anything goes

Sentimental Sundays--Funky Flowers

The Squirrel & The Fox--Let's hear it for the girls

Love to Scrap #30--anything goes

Craft Hoarders Anonymous #8--metal or glass

Sweet Stamps #170--anything goes

Christmas Challenges with Sketches #124--sketch

Crafter's Cafe #64--girly

Crafty Creations--Flowers, die cut, ribbon and something purple

Paper Pretties #311--flowers

The Stamping Chef #30--anything goes

Divas by Design--anything goes

The Paper Shelter #159--Charming (use a charm)

DRS Designs #123--Feelin' Punchy (use punches)

Time Out Challenge--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the purples)

Supplies:

Stamps: Emma Canning "All Lit Up" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment

Dies/punches/embossing folder: spellbinders ovals and scalloped ovals, large dies; Verve "Charming Ovals" dies; Fiskars flower punch; cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder ( I used the debossed side)

Time . . .

I have to say, I LOVE how this card turned out!  It is a bit different for me: masculine, a bit vintage-y and a bit of collage style.  But it came out awesome, I think!  Check out those faux washi tape pieces; the blue one has little white polka dots--so cute!

Challenges:

V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #23--distress

Sarah Hurley Challenge--anything goes

Viva La Verve May week 1--sketch

May Verve Challenge--Font Focus

The Paper Nest Dolls #10--anything goes

Through the Purple Haze #41--anything goes with the option of making it masculine

Word Art Wednesday #132--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Crafter's Cafe #63--use a timepiece

Sister Act Card Challenge #57--anything goes

Supplies:

Stamps: Sarah Hurley "Ledger" stamp and "Embellishments" washi tape; PTI "Hands of Time"; Verve "Borderline" chevron arrows

Dies/embossing folders: spellbinders "On the Edge" notebook die; Darice clock embossing folder

A Gift For You

Well, it's Friday again!  Can you believe it?  That means it's time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: Anything Goes!  Yep, we're taking it easy on you again this week. : )  Our sponsor is QKR Stampede and the winner will get to pick out some of their super cute images.

Here is my card using "Reindeer Gift".  He's pretty cute, huh?

I did some reverse paper piecing on this one.  Reverse because using digital images are still so much effort for me and I never think about what I want to do with them until I'm already doing it.  So, in order to actually paper piece this, I would have had to go back to my computer and print out another image, and it really wouldn't have been such a big deal, really, but you know . . .  So, instead I used my craft knife to (very carefully)cut inside the package lines and removed it.  Then I adhered the piece of the dotted paper to the backside of my image and voila!  Reverse paper piecing.  I'm all about making things more difficult than they really need to be. : )
Now, hop on over to the CSAYL blog and see the full details and all the other projects from the DT.  Then, get inky and play along.

Challenges:
ART Impressions #135--cute as a button
Lacy Sunshine Challenge #33--anything goes
One Stitch At a Time #212--use a digi
Cutie Pie Challenge #69--bring on the bling
Craft Hoarders #7--ribbon, lace and twine, oh my! (use ribbon, lace or twine from your stash)
Sweet Stamps Challenge #169--polka dots
Christmas Challenge with Sketches #123--sketch
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #92--anything goes
C.R.A.F.T. #259--Christmas
Crafty Ribbons #89--anything goes

Supplies:
Stamps: QKR Stampede "Reindeer Gift" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment
Papers: DCWV Christmas pack
Dies: spellbinders A2 matting basics; PTI "Frosty Flakes" snowflake

Merry Christmas

Well, here we are mid way through May, so I'm bringing you a bit of mid-month inspiration for Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  Remember, it's anything goes as long as it is Christmas related.  So simple, and such a great way to get a jump on your Christmas card stash.

Challenges:
Sister Act Card Challenges #56--anything goes
Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge #28--flowers
Christmas Card Challenge #24--embossing (I have dry embossing AND heat embossing on my sentiment)
Sugar Pea Designs Challenge #3--sketch

Paper Pretties #310--embellish
The Stamping Chef #29--anything goes
Fab 'n Funky #216--photo inspiration (I went with the color scheme)

Love To Scrap Challenge #29--Bingo (I used the column: sentiment, brads, twine, purple, embossing)

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Merry and Bright"
Dies/punches/embossing folder: Spellbinders "Layered Poinsettias"; Fiskars "Upper Crest" border punch; Cuttlebug "Snowflake" embossing folder

Package Delivery

Hello, once again!  It's Friday and that means time for another challenge from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.  And it's one we know you all love: Anything Goes.  Our sponsor this week is new to us: Anne's Digital.  I was given this sweet image to work with: "Delivering Parcels" and here is my card:

 As I was running a bit behind, my plan was to create a quick and easy card, so what did I decide to do?  Paper piece my image!  Yep, not at all quick or easy.  But I really like how it turned out.  I took a close up of the image so you could see the piecing a bit better.  I colored all the white trim with a clear glitter pen.

Now it's time to hop on over to the CSAYL blog and check out what is going on over there.

Challenges:
Sparkles Christmas Challenge #40--Baby it's cold outside: use a hat, scarf or mittens (I have a hat and mittens)
Crafts Galore--Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #175--something that begins with "B" (I have a bow and some beads on my little headpin)
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #27--anything goes
One Stitch At A Time ##211--ribbon or lace
Mojo Monday #344--sketch

Loves Rubber Stamps #102--anything goes
Holly Jolly--traditional Christmas Colors
Fab 'n' Funky #215--Pretty Hair (I took that to mean your image had to have hair--hope mine fits)
Completely Christmas #10--anything goes

Supplies:
Stamps: Anne's Digital "Delivering Parcels" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment and "Merry & Bright" snowflakes on script paper; Clear Dollar Stamps "Elegant Flourishes" on script paper
Dies: spellbinders "Scalloped Tags" and "Layered Poinsettias"
Papers: American Crafts "Kringle & Company"; recycled Encyclopedia paper

Blooms and Butterflies

I go back and forth between absolutely loving this card and thinking it needs something more.  How can I think both?  I was able to use up two items from my "bits and pieces" stash: the leaves and the bit of purple ribbon.  I almost added three items when I punched out butterflies that I didn't end up using, but I think I pawned them off on my 5-year-old for a card she is making for Father's Day.  Only 5 year olds think snowflakes and butterflies are good for a Father's Day Card. : )  So cute!

I don't have any green or purple patterned paper, so I made my own using PTI's "Guide Lines 2" and a French Script stamp; and I used an embossing folder on my metal (tape) butterflies for a bit more of the feel of a real metal embellishment.

Challenges:
One Crazy Stamper--anything goes plus an embellishment
One Sweet Challenge--Flowers
Stamping with the Dragon--flowers
Verve May Diva Dare--Petals and wings
Wags n' Whiskers #128--ribbons and bling
Eureka Stamps #88--Mother's Day Flowers
{Pin}spirational Challenges #106--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the Mother theme, the script in the background and the locket--I pulled out some jewelry supplies to create the beaded pins)

Our Daily Bread Designs #201--Wing It!
Sweet Stamps Challenge--For Mom
Scrap Creations--Mother's Day or girl
Tuesday Throwdown #194--special lady
Cuttin' and Stampin' #18--Traditional Mother's Day
Crafting By Designs--"M" is for Mom
Crafter's Cafe #62--Mom or special lady
The Stamping Chef #28--anything goes
My Favorite Things #175--sketch

Delightful Challenges--Flower Power
Milk Coffee Challenges--Mother's Day/special lady
DRS Designs #121--purple and green

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Guide Lines 2", and "Turning a New Leaf"; Verve "Joyful Blooms" and "Happy Thoughts"; Hero Arts French Script stamp
Dies and punches: PTI "Turning a New Leaf"; Spellbinders ovals, large and scalloped ovals, large, A2 Filigree Delight; Martha Stewart Butterfly punch; Cuttlebug Damask embossing folder (used on the butterflies)

She is called Blessed

This is my Mother's Day card for my mother.  I loved the look of the embossed metal butterfly I made for my mother-in-law (you can see it here) that I had to do it again.  I just love the look; they really look like a real metal embellishment.

Challenges:
{pin}spirational Challenge #105--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the flower cluster and the color pink)

Sweet Stamps Blog Challenge #167--inspiration photo (also inspired by the flower cluster and the color pink)

Die Cuttin' Divas #163--Make it Girly
Paper Pretties Challenge #308--Mother's Day/ Spring
Charisma Challenges #10--Mother's Day
Crafty Musketeers #13--anything but a square
Raisin Boat #20--Moms and Dads
Brown Sugar #92--patterned paper
Word Art Wednesday--anything goes with an uplifting sentiment
The Squirrel and The Fox #69--Mother's Day


Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Proverbs 31:28" plain jane
Dies: spellbinders Butterfly Corners, classic ovals, large and scalloped ovals, large
Papers: MME

Christmas Elf

Are you ready for another Christmas Challenge?  Good, because over at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long we have one and it's easy: anything goes.  Can't beat that!  This week our sponsor is Eureka Stamps and the prize will be the winner's choice of some of their adorable images.  I got to work with this little cutie: Christmas Ornament Elf.  Isn't he cute?

I realized as I was making this card that 3 out of my last 4 Christmas cards have had pink and light blue in them along with an untraditional green--lime.  Hmmm . . . just an interesting fact.  Anyway, hop on over to the CSAYL blog to get all the details and to see what the rest of the DT whipped up.

Challenges:
Christmas Card Challenge #22--anything {Christmas} goes
The Paper Nest Dolls #9--anything goes
Christmas Challenge with Sketches #121--sketch (they ask not to post it on individual blogs)
Fab n' Funky Challenges #214--Christmas
The Paper Shelter #156--use ribbon
Southern Girls--dots and spots
Sparkles Christmas Challenge #40--Baby It's cold outside: use a hat, scarf, and/or gloves (I've got a hat)
Christmas Cards All Year 'Round--use something associated with Santa (I have an Elf with a Santa hat and one of the papers has "ho, ho, ho")
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge--anything goes as long as it is covered with patterned paper

Supplies:
Stamps: Eureka Stamps "Christmas Ornament Elf" digi
Dies/punches: spellbinders A2 Matting Basics 1; Martha Stewart border punch
Papers: DCWV Christmas Pack

Special Mother

One of the benefits of being married is that you get a second "mom" (at least if your mother-in-law is super like mine is!)  That means making two Mother's Day cards.  This one is for my Mother-in-law.  Don't you love that metal butterfly?  Here's a secret: it is metal tape (a gift from my dad who uses it for chimney liner installations--great huh?) adhered to both sides of a piece of scrap card stock.  I applied it to both sides because I was going to have the left hand flap open up, but decided against it in the end.  Anyway, it makes a nice think piece that embosses so awesomely and looks just like a metal embellishment.  Love this stuff.  I have a huge roll, it will last forever!

Challenges:
Raisin Boat #22--Moms & Dads
Milk Coffee Challenges--use those bright colors
Sister Act Card Challenges #54--anything goes
Brown Sugar Challenges #91--anything goes
Viva La Verve April week 4 sketch

Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge #25--wings
Cuttin' And Stampin' #17--Mother's Day with NO flowers
Word Art Wednesday #130--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Paper Pretties #308--Mother's Day/Spring
The Stamping Chef #27--anything goes
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Delightful Challenges--add dimension
C.R.A.F.T. #257--make your own embellishment
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes as long as it is covered in patterned paper

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet n' Sassy "Special"
Dies: Spellbinders "Butterfly Corner"
Papers: MME Collectable "Unforgettable"

Christmas Cupcake

Happy May first!  Since it is the beginning of a new month, it means it is time for another challenge from Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  Remember, it is an anything goes (as long as it is Christmas related), month-long challenge.  As always, our sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps and the winner will receive 7 images of their choice.  It doesn't get any easier or better than that!  Here is my card for some inspiration:

I decided to use a vellum snowflake die cut as I didn't want to cover up any of the image.  It gives a bit of subtle dimension.

As is my new beginning of the month tradition, I have included a picture of my "bits and pieces" stash.  I think I did a terrible job this month on using it up.  Actually, I think I added to it this month instead of taking away.  I can only think of one thing that I used and must have added 3 or 4 things.  I'll have to do better next month.

 And here is the picture from last month for comparison:

Now, it's time to hop on over to the CHNCC2 blog to see the rest of the projects from the DT.  Thanks for stopping by.

Challenges:

Viva La Verve April week 3 sketch

Little Miss Muffet #84--anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #54--anything goes
Crafty Catz #228--anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #174--festive food or drink
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown--shop you stash: use glitter (glitter paper and glitter pen on the cupcake liner)
Christmas Card Challenge #22--anything goes
One Stitch at a Time #210--anything goes
Twisted Tuesday #75--black and white plus one other color

Supplies:
Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Christmas Cupcake Candy Canes" digi; Verve "Ornamental Christmas" sentiment
Dies: Papertrey Ink "Frosty Flakes" die
Paper: The Robin's Nest " Canada Stripe"