Anniversary

Happy September!  Boy, time sure flies when you're having fun, doesn't it!?  The start of a new month brings a new challenge from the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog: Anything Goes!  We have three fabulous sponsors:

Sparkle N Sprinkle

Prize: $15 gift certificate

Dr. Digi's House of Stamps

Prize: 2 images of choice

Leslie Turner

Prize: Goody bag of craft supplies

I created this card for my brother and sister-in-law for their anniversary:

I started by die cutting the stitched rectangle and then stamping it with the Damask motif (I've had this stamp set for probably 8 years and it's still one of my favorites).  I die cut the tag and to help it stand out, I added a frosted piece of paper (I think it came as a protective layer in some product or other, but it worked perfectly for this purpose) between it and the background layer.  Added the stamps roses and the bow to finish everything off.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Sweet Life" roses, leaves and flourish, "Mat Stack 3" sentiment, and "Damask Designs"
Dies: PTI "Sweet Life" and "Tag Sale #4"; MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle
Inks: PTI  Lemon Zest, Berry Sorbet and New Leaf
PTI "Pure Black" card stock

Challenges:
PTI--Ten Minute Warmup  (I used this color scheme and added color on the roses for a pop!)

Sweet Stampin'--swirls (the flourish stamped on the black tag)
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes
Crafty Creations #349--anything goes

Ornament

Welcome to September!!  How did that happen already??  Less than 4 months 'til Christmas; are you ready?  One great way to get ready is to play along in our newest monthly challenge from Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  It's anything goes as long as it's Christmas related.  Here is my card for your inspiration:

One of the challenges from Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-Faire last weekend was to use paper to create an embellishment.  So, I took on the challenge and used paper strips to create my bow.  Fun and cute!  I had this tag pre-made with strips of paper from a Christmas pack I was working to use up.  It was the perfect resting place for this adorable snowman.  I hope you will play along with us this month; I can't wait to see what you create.

Supplies:
Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Snowman Ornament 1" digi; PTI "Sparkle & Shine: Holiday" sentiments, "Damask Designs" pattern down the left side
Dies: PTI "Fancy Flakes"; MFT "Blueprints 25" stitched banner; Spellbinders "Scalloped Tags"
Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder

Challenges:
PTI--paper embellishment
Christmas at Sweet Stampin'--anything goes
Creative Sketchy Girls #14--ribbon, rope, lace or pearls (I used three little baby pearls on my sentiment strip)
Crop Stop--anything goes (spellbinders tag die)
Aurora Wings #55--the elements (I used water=snow & snowflakes)
Open Minded Fun #17--airy in August (I used snowy weather)
The Holly and Ivy Christmas challenge #13--anything goes
Little Miss Muffet #170--anything goes
Cardz TV #10--anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #348--use something old (the strips of paper on my tag are at least 6 years old and I've had the snowflake embossing folder for years and years)
Hiding In My Craft Room #315--any holiday
Die Cuttin' Divas--sequins, gems, or pearls
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes
Merry Christmas Challenge #32--anything goes
Tuesday Morning Sketches #418--sketch

Life is Sweet

Last weekend was Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-Faire, which I had to miss due to a funeral out of state.  But, I tried to play along with a couple of the challenges, and this card is one of my creations:

This one is for the 4th Anniversary Tradition: Linen (create a project featuring a frame backed with stamped linen).  When I was a teenager, I did a lot of cross-stitch and was aided in my addiction by my grandmother.  When she died 10 years ago, I got a LOT of cross-stitch products from her stash.  So, this linen was in the stash, and I was actually able to find it!  I was impressed how nicely the stamps actually stamped on the linen.  I might have to give this one a try another time.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI "Life Is Sweet"
Dies:  Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"; PTI border die

Challenges:
Papertrey Ink--linen challenge
Mod Squad--for a friend
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes
Crafty Creations #349--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Give a Crafter a Cookie #76--inspiration photo

Alphabet Challenge--L for lovely lace

Dreams

Good morning!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built!  This week we have a sketch challenge for you:

(But remember that ALL of our challenges this month are open for the entire month, so you still have time to enter any of this month's challenges.  We would love for you to play along.)  Here is my interpretation of the sketch:

This card is so full of texture, both visual and tactile, and it was really fun to create!  I stayed pretty true to the sketch, except I added the little striped panel down the left hand side, because it looked so empty over there, and no matter how hard I tried to line everything up perfectly straight, it looked like my main panel was adhered crooked.  I think it was because of the embossed lines in the background that aren't exactly straight and it just threw everything off, but by adding the little strip of paper, it looked much better.  And the fun thing about that strip is that it really should have been trash: it is the perforated section at the top of a 6X6 paper pack that has the hole in it for hanging the pack at the store and really it should be thrown away.  But I liked the pattern on it so much that I've been saving it and by cutting it off just before the hole, it was the perfect length for my layout.  So, it's the ultimate scrap salvage!!
  Here's the quick version of how I made the card.  I started by die cutting the red panel and stamping it with the Metro background stamp.  I die cut the blue layer and then cut it in half to make it a bit wider; adhered to the back of the red, you would never know it wasn't solid.  I die cut the white circle and stamped the plane image as well as several clouds, then matted it with some torn mulberry paper.  The sentiment panel is also matted with the same navy mulberry paper.  I embossed the background (after die cutting it with the stitched rectangle) and swiped a light gray ink pad over it to bring out the texture.  And finished everything off with gray enamel dots, gray baker's twine and the scrap of striped paper.  I have a lot of masculine birthdays coming up so this will work perfectly for any number of them.  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Bi-plan Silhouette", "Dreams Take Flight", "Clouds" and "Metro Map"
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 25" stitched rectangle, "Blueprints 12" stitched circle, and "Labels STAX"; Spellbinders "A2 Matting Basics A" rectangle
Darice Woodgrain embossing folder

Challenges:
Love To Craft Challenge Blog--anything goes
Fussy and Fancy #179--things with wings
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #295--anything goes with snippets
Southern Girls--retro challenge: smash your stash (I have had the mulberry paper for probably 12+years)
Cardz TV #10--anything goes
Come And Get It--2 or more different embellishments (I used enamel dots and twine)
{Pin}spirational #198-- inspiration photo (I was inspired by the red, the vintage feel and those red and white stripes!)

Golfing Buddies

Good morning, everyone!  It's time for another challenge from Di's Digi Stamps.

This week we have  a fun one for you: Bright Colors.  And here is my card with LOTS of bright colors:

 Isn't this little teddy super cute!??  I chose this sketch partly because the triangle element looks a lot like the flag that would be in a golf course hole.  So, I added a little tiny strip of dark brown card stock to be the pole.  This will be perfect for any number of male birthdays I have coming up.  And did you  notice the cute little lady bug that had jumped up on his tee?  Here's a close up of the image so you can see it better:

I sure hope Ted doesn't hit him instead of the ball!  So, come along and get inky with us; this is a fun and easy one for sure!

Supplies:
Stamps: Di's Digi Designs "Ted In the Rough" digi; Verve "Be Blessed" sentiment
Dies: Spellbinders "Labels One"; MFT "Blueprints 25" sentiment banner; Paper Smooches "Cute Clouds"

Challenges:
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes
Crafty Gals #137--punches and/or dies
Penny's #343--anything goes
The Paper Shelter #306--pearls, gems and/or enamel dots
Die Cuttin' Divas #331--birthday celebration
Incy Wincy--go wild (bears are wild animals)
A Bit More Time To Craft #30--anything goes
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2--sketch

Crafty Creations #348--anything goes
Cutie Pie #114--Boys will be boys
The Paper Nest dolls #7--anything goes
Scrapper's Delights #69--anything goes
Divas That Cut--anything goes

At the Beach

Hello, everyone!  Today begins a new challenge on The House That Stamps Built blog.  It's a fan favorite: Anything Goes!!  Here is my card for your inspiration:

When I was thinking about what I wanted to make, I was pretty sure I was going to make a Christmas card as I always need more of those.  But, as you can see, I most definitely did not end up with a Christmas card!  : )  Don't ask me what happened, 'cause I just don't know.   This may be THE only actual one-layer card that I have ever made.  First, I used a rectangle die to cut a rectangle out of a piece of copy paper to use as a frame for my little scene.  Then I used a torn post-it note to use as a mask for the sand.  then I used the other half of it to mask the sand and sponge in my clouds using a scalloped oval die cut as a mask.  When I removed all the different masks, it looked a bit strange and I realized, I had forgotten to mask the horizon line for the water!  My sky went all the way down to the sand!  So, I quickly (and carefully) lined up all the masks and sponged on the water.  Much better.  I stamped the palm trees in black ink and then used a sharpie to color them in to make a solid image (it is only an outline stamp).  It looked a little plain, so I used the same sharpie and a ruler to draw the frame around the scene and then stamped the sentiment using some selective inking.  I think it will make a perfect masculine birthday card.  I hope you will get a chance to play along with us this week; I can't wait to see what you create.

Supplies:

Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Birthday" and "Large Palm Trees"

Dies: Spellbinders "A2 Matting Basics A" rectangle for frame masking

Challenges:

Less Is More #342--perfect holiday

Cardz TV #9--anything goes

Stamplorations Summer CAS challenge--anything CAS

Southern Girls #166--add some stamping

MFT Camp Create--Magnificent Masking

Just a note

Happy Friday!!  It's time for another challenge from Jo's Scrap Shack.  As always, we are now an Anything Goes challenge and our sponsor for the week is Digital Delights by Louby Loo. 

As always, it is an anything goes challenge, BUT this week we have an optional twist if you want to challenge yourself a little bit.  The twist is to use this sketch:

The design team was given this adorable (and sweet) little bee image to work with:

This image would be absolutely perfect for a school related card: teacher thank you, happy first day of school, or just a little thinking of you at school.  But, I am a homeschool mom, so I don't need any of those type of cards.  So, I thought it would also make the perfect "just a note" card as the bee is holding a pencil; maybe he just finished writing a little note.  For the flowers, I stamped them on the same paper as the background of the card and then added shading  with a Spectrum Noir marker.  For the largest flower, I stamped it twice, cut out just the center of one and adhered it to the center of the other with a bit of cardboard to give some dimension.  Then I stamped the leaf image twice, leaving one whole (the long one rising out of the top of the large flower) and cut the second one apart to add around the other flowers.  To finish everything off, I added liquid pearls to the stamens of the flowers and colored the bees wings with wink of stella for a nice sparkly finish.  It can see all the fabulous sparkle in the photo below: 

I forgot to take a picture of it, but inside, I stamped the sentiment "Feel Better Soon" so the completely sentiment reads "A note to say . . . feel better soon."

I hope you will get a chance to play along with us this week, and I would LOVE for you to tackle our sketch!

What do you need to do to enter?

Challenge Rules

1. Please post a direct link to your blog post that includes your challenge entry project, using the linky tool on Jo's blog. 

2. Be sure to include a link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering your project into

3. THREE entries per person are allowed for each challenge and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. For all entries -NO BACK LINKS ACCEPTED- 

The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date and the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge prizes

5. You may link up to other challenges but be sure to link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering 

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

WILL NOT be eligible for the top 3, any sponsor wins or any random wins by Jo

All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.

You have until August 24th by 6:00PM (eastern, USA) time to link up.

All winners will be announced during the week of August 27th.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create.

Supplies:
Stamps: Digital Delights by Louby Loo "Pencil Bee" digi; Verve "Take Note" sentiment and "Joyful Blooms"
Dies: Spellbinders "Labels One"; MFT "Blueprints 12" rounded rectangle and stitched rectangle

Challenges:
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes
Crafty Creations #348--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #296--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--add a sentiment
Penny's Challenge #342--anything goes
The Paper Shelter #305--punches and dies
Fab n' Funky Challenges #361--anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown #256--anything goes
Sweet Stampin'--flowers
Little Miss Muffet #409--anything goes
Divas That Cut--anything goes

Beautiful

Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week we have an inspiration photo for you:

Isn't that a fun color combo?!  If I made Halloween cards, I definitely would have made one of those as the colors would be perfect.  But, I don't, but that deep purple, orange and black still grabbed me, so this is what I came up with:

I really wanted to create a wreath look, so I stamped the flowers and leaves and cut them out and started layering them on the side of the circle (which was in my bits and pieces stash already).  Then I realized that the stem from the "Flower Power Separates" set would make a passable twig wreath.  Fun, huh?!  The black square behind the circle is actually cut apart and spread out to fit the circle as it was too small and the next size up was way too big for my card.  And if I hadn't told you, you would never have known.  It is a bit hard to tell, but the card base and the strip that lies underneath the sentiment panel are actually a nice deep purple.  Ooo . . . I just love how this turned out.  The colors on the flowers are just so vibrant and really pop out at you!  To finish everything off, I added liquid pearls to the center of the flowers and then added a couple in groups inside the "wreath" to add a bit more interest.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions: Flower Power Separates "Small Daisy, solid", "Leaf Outline, small", "Stem Outline", "Flower Cluster solid", "Birthday" and "Beautiful" from the "Hello" cling set
Dies: Spellbinders "Fleur Di Lis Squares" and "Classic Circles, large"; MFT "Blueprints 13" rounded rectangle; Sizzix flower embossing folder

Challenges:
Fashionable Stamping #126--use your inks how ever you like (I stamped with die ink, and swiped it across the edges of the embossed panel, and I colored with my alcohol ink markers)
Sweet Stampin'--flowers
Hiding In My Craft Room #313--super scraps (the circle was in my bits and pieces stash and all of the flowers and leaves were stamped and cut out of scrap pieces of white card stock)
Southern Girls #166--add some stamping
Cute Card Thursday #490--embossing
As You Like It--your favorite embellishments and why  (pearls are one of my favorites [it's so hard to choose just one!] and I used liquid pearls for my flowers--pearls are so elegant, but they can be used for just that 'little bit of dressing up' and something simple as well)
Pink Gem Challenge #200--birthdays
Crafting By Designs--anything goes

Christmas Wishes

Welcome!!  It's time for our mid-month inspiration post from Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  Remember we are a month-long, Anything (Christmas-related) Goes challenge.  So you still have a couple weeks to play along with us and work on that Christmas card stash!  Here is my card for your inspiration:

I decided to go CAS with this one and I really love how it turned out!  I die cut a medallion out of the white panel, layered it with the die cut banner and sentiment and added a few sequins.  Easy Peasy!  I hope you will play along with us this month!  Can't wait to see what you create.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Verve "Ornamental Christmas"
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 25" banner; Spellbinders "Medallion Seven"

Challenges:
Sweet Stampers #10--CAS
Crazy 4 Challenges #398--monochromatic
Hiding In My Craft Room #313--super scraps (the patterned paper down the side is a scrap)
Cardz TV #8--anything goes
CAS(E) This #234--sketch

C.R.A.F.T. #428--anything goes
Merry Christmas #25--anything goes
Mod Squad--black and white + one (I have used black and white and red)
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps wonderful Wednesday--anything goes
The Holly and Ivy #12--anything goes
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #294--anything goes with snippets
Stamplorations Theme and Sketch--summer challenge: stamping + anything goes

Stamplorations CAS card challenge--summer challenge anything CAS goes

ABC Christmas--P, Q, R: people, quick or red (I used quick and red)
Sparkles #79--a festive sentiment
Christmas at Sweet Stampin'--anything goes

Get Well

Happy Saturday!  It's time for a new challenge from Di's Digi Stamps.  This one is a fun one: Flower Fancy--just add some flowers.  Easy right?

And here is my card for your inspiration:

Aren't these little mice just so sweet!!??  One of our family members just had some fairy major surgery so I made this little get well card for her.  It was my first time coloring a background and I think I like it, but boy it's a lot of color for me!  The ribbon and lace were both recycled from a card someone had sent me a couple year ago and worked perfectly!  The yellow flower paper has been in my stash forever and it was nice to finally be able to use some of it.
  I hope you will be able to play along with us this challenge; I can't wait to see what you create!

Supplies:
Stamps: Di's Digi Stamps "Hey, ho, hey, ho Mice" digi; Sweet n' Sassy Stamps get well sentiment set that seems to be retired
Dies: Spellbinders "A2 Matting Basics A" and "Classic Circles, large"; MFT "Fancy Corners"

Challenges:
Cards Galore--anything goes
Pattie's Creations #137--anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Dies R' Us #78--summertime fun
Crop Stop Challenge--anything goes
Sheep Ski #5--flower power
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #294--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Crafty Creations #347--anything goes
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes and I used the sketch

A Bit More Time To Craft #49--anything goes
Creative Fingers #135--anything goes
The Paper Shelter #304--blooming days
Penny's Challenge #341--anything goes
C.R.A.F.T. #428--anything goes
Cardz TV #8--anything goes

Get well wishes

Happy Wednesday!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week we have a tic-tac-toe challenge for you:

The best thing about tic-tac-toe challenges is that there are so many options, and you can basically create your own challenge.  I have to admit that I was a little challenged with this one, though.  It took a bit of figuring, but I finally decided to use the bottom row.  Plus, I used butterflies and off the edge.  And here is my card:

 You can see right away my bright colors!  And my fun fold is a Z-box fold that I made using this tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers.  I tweaked it a little so my connecting piece was in the middle instead of the bottom.  And did you notice how perfectly the chevrons line up between the left and right panels?  It took a little bit of figuring out, but it really gives the illusion that it opens like a regular A2 card . . . until it doesn't. : ) Don't you love that glittery butterfly?!  After coloring it and fussy cutting it out, I added some glue and SU! Dazzling Diamonds fine glitter.  LOVE that stuff; it's so pretty!

 It opens out really fun.  The way I made it doesn't leave room for much writing inside, but it did leave a perfect spot for a small sentiment.

 Here is is all the way open. 

 And you can see my sentiment.  It's a bit hard to read, so, it says "Hope you're better soon!  Now, this is where the whole card almost fell apart.  I thought I had a get well sentiment, so I just made my card with the fun fold and the bright colors and then went looking for that get well sentiment only to find I didn't actually have one!!  Oh, boy, now what?  Then I came across one that is designed to go with a cat theme: "Feline Better".  Now, it reads: "Hope you're feline better soon" and that 'feline' just didn't go with my card theme at all.  But the way the words are placed, I was able to do some creative masking and selective stamping and no one (except all of you!) will ever know.  I really like altering my sentiment stamps like this; it really stretches the usage you can get out of just one stamp.  Hop on over to The House blog for the full details as we are trying something a bit different this month, which means more chances to win!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Feline Better" and "Butterfly, lg"
Dies: Spellbinders "Fleur Di Lis Squares"

Challenges:
Creative Craft Cottage #93--butterflies
Tuesday Throwdown #353--interactive (a fun fold)
Incy Wincy--no words (none on the front of the card)
Come And Get It--time to die (use die cuts)
Stamplorations Summer Theme and Sketch--anything goes with stamping

Crazy 4 Challenges--bright and cheerful
Cardz TV #7--anything goes
Alphabet--K is for Kinetic
Creative Fingers #135--anything goes
Scor-Pal #40--3D cards
Pattie's Creations #137--anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Crafting with an Attitude--anything goes
Love To Craft Challenge #13--anything goes
Cheerful Sketches--sketch

Crafter's Cafe # 178--more than 1 fold
A Bit More Time To Craft #49--anything goes

Special Sister

Happy Friday!!  It's time for another challenge from Jo's Scrap Shack.  As always, we are now an Anything Goes challenge and our sponsor for the week is the Oddball Art Company.  

I was given this sweet image to work with:

It came with a birthday sentiment that I had all intentions of using, but when it came down to it, I didn't have a place for it.  August 6th is National Sister Day, so I decided to turn my card into one for my sister.  We were never very close growing up as she is 6 years younger than I am.  That means, she was only 13 when I got married and left home.  Plus, I spent two years at college 14 hours away, so she was 11 at the most when I was still living at home.  But a year and a half ago, she and her husband moved to the town my husband and I live in, and we have become quite close, both physically and relationally.  They live one mile down the road from us, now!  Anyway, I think this girl looks like she is leaning out the window to send a special hello, don't you?  Thanks for stopping by!

What do you need to do to enter?

Challenge Rules

1. Please post a direct link to your blog post that includes your challenge entry project, using the linky tool on Jo's blog. 

2. Be sure to include a link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering your project into

3. THREE entries per person are allowed for each challenge and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. For all entries -NO BACK LINKS ACCEPTED- 

The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date and the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge prizes

5. You may link up to other challenges but be sure to link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering 

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

WILL NOT be eligible for the top 3, any sponsor wins or any random wins by Jo

All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.

You have until Aug. 10th by 6:00PM (eastern, USA) time to link up.

All winners will be announced during the week of Aug. 13th.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Oddball Art Co. "Lizzy Love IMG287" digi; Sweet n' Sassy Stamps "Special"

Dies: Impression Obsession window die; Fun Stampers Journey "Daisy Blooms"; Verve "Sprightly Sprigs"; 2 Martha Stewart butterfly punches

Stencil: MFT "Small Brick Wall"

Challenges:

Kraftin' Kimmies Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes

Crafty Creations #347--anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #294--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Penny's Challenge #340--anything goes

SheepSki Designs #5--flower power

Divas That Cut--anything goes

Crafting with An Attitude--anything goes

Cutie Pie--here come the girls

Craft D Bow-Z--anything goes with handmade bow

Cut It Up #127--friendship (my card is an ode to becoming friends with my sister)

Sweet Stampin'--sympathy or thinking of you

Come And Get It--just add flowers

Tuesday Morning Sketches #414--sketch

Quick birthday

Last week, my family and I were at Word Of Life The Pines campground in Schroon Lake, NY.  I realized at the last minute that my brother-in-law's birthday was two days after we would get home and I would not have time to make a card and get it sent on time, so I took a few basic supplies with me to the campground and whipped up this card between making supper and playing in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.  It actually came together quite quickly, and maybe that's because I had and idea in mind and only brought a very few supplies.  Even though it was quick, I think it turned out really cute!  I mean, can you resist those sweet puppy eyes?

Supplies:
Stamps: Your Next Stamp "Word Critters Collection--Cats and Dogs"
Dies: NONE!!

Challenges:
YNS #69--sketch

Creative Fingers--anything goes
Cardz TV #7--anything goes
Cards Galore--anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Creative with Stamps #17--boys to men

Stinkin' Inkers--guy talk
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Penny's #339--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #294--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Far and Away

Happy Wednesday and happy August!  It's time for a new challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week is a Designer's Choice challenge and Cheri has challenged us to "stamp our favorite movie"!  Wow, was this a hard one!  First, I had a hard time thinking of my favorite movie; I have so many.  Then, I was trying to think which stamps I had that would fit different movies that I like and I was drawing some pretty big blanks.  I've always been a Tom Cruise fan so I started thinking of different movies he's been in and then remembered my favorite movie from high school "Far and Away" with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.  It's a story about two Irish immigrants to America in the early 1900's and their struggle to survive.  Classic story of how they don't realize they love each other until it's almost too late.  And I remembered that at the very end of the movie, they're going out west to buy a plot of land and they come across the very one they had been dreaming about earlier.  And it even has a river running through it, and that, folks, is how my card fits the theme of stamping my favorite movie.  It was long and round about, but it works!  Here's my card:

I "water colored" my card with my SU! blender pen and some SU! dye inks and added a few highlights on the water with a white gel pen.  Over all, it has a very soft look, specially when paired with the kraft card stock and this beautiful paper.  It is going to make a perfect anniversary card.
I hope you will play along with us this week.  It IS a challenging one, but if you think about it long enough, like I did, I know you will be able to come up with something.  Make sure you hop over to The House blog to see what movies the rest of the team picked.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Footbridge" and "Love Stencil" I only used the 'love' part
Dies: Verve "Scalloped Trim Trio" heart border die; MFT "Mini Tickets"

Challenges:
Sketch Saturday #474--pick your sketch (I used #259; the bottom left)

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps #392--water
Sheep Ski Designs #5--flower power
Dies R Us #78--summertime fun
Divas That Cut--anything goes
Through The Purple Haze #130--anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Cards Galore--anything goes
Come And Get It--just add flowers
Southern Girls--flower power

Kidz Rule

Here it is August and it's time for another challenge from Love To Scrap Challenge Blog.  This month the challenge is: Kidz Rule--make a card or project for a kid.

We have three fabulous sponsors for this challenge:

Star Stampz

Bugaboo Stamps

Pickled Potpourri

I was given an adorable set of images and sentiments from Pickled Potpourri and I just had to use ALL of them!!  Actually, there were a few more sentiments in the set, but I didn't use them.  So, I decided to create a little set of cards that can be sent to kids for various reasons.  Here is a picture of the entire set:

 I used the same layout for each card and used scraps of paper for the patterns down the left hand side.  They needed something to add a little bit of pizzazz, so I use a spectrum noir marker I used in the image and colored a strip of white cardstock to insert between the paper and the image panel.  By using the spectrum noir marker, I was able to match the strip perfectly to the colored image.  So, here is a close up of each card:

 We have an orange striped cat, so I colored this one up to match him.  I added a small clear rhinestone to the center of the pinwheel.

 With, the flower, this image seemed a little more girly to me, so I used pink tones and patterned paper and added a clear rhinestone to the center of the flower.

 And the cute little penguin.  At first I had him floating in the air as if he were being pulled up by the kite, but since the other images all needed to be grounded (at least in my opinion) I decided to ground this guy as well, and I think I like it better this way.

 Like the penguin, I first had the bear floating off in the air, but grounded him, as well, to go with the other cards.  I added glossy accents to the balloon for a little fun touch.

And last, but not least, the cute little monkey!  Monkeys are my middle daughter's favorite, so this one will probably be going to her at some point.
Aren't these all sooooo cute!!  And they were really quick and easy, too.  I hope you will get a chance to play along with us this month.  I can't wait to see your kid projects!

Supplies:
Stamps: Pickled Potpourri "Fluffy Friends" digi images and sentiments

Challenges:
Crafty Gals #133--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes
C.R.A.F.T. #426--summer
Southern Girls #165--flower power (the dog card)
Come And Get It--just add flowers (the dog card)
Brown Sugar #261--anything goes
Cardz TV #7--anything goes
Hiding In My Craft Room #311--freestyle