Masculine Birthday

I need to add some masculine cards to my stash.  This image by Rubber Cafe is one I like a lot.  The sentiment is the library stamp from 7Gypsies.  Dp is Paper Pizazz, and the twine from PizzazzAplenty.  I used a button die - I struggle to find "embellishments" for the guys!\
Sketch:  http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
Colors (my eye had trouble seeing some of them so I hope I found the right ones):  http://critterchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Any but Christmas:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/

Christmas#8

Are you tired of my Christmas cards yet?  I do have trouble making all of mine - and usually end up sending several "store bought" cards - I prefer using the same image so I do not have to remember for next year!  Since I am making them anyway, it is a good way to meet some of the challenges - though I like some results much better than others.  BTW, this is the last "big" silhouette for me!   The DP I am using is from a stack called Faith by Paper Studio - much of it can be used for other subjects as well.  The downside is that there is no blue.  If you are wondering about counting the cards - there are a few others in my SCS gallery!
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
The star in the night sky:  http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
Die cuts:  http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/

CAS Sympathy

I hope you can see this.  I usually run from CAS designs, but when I saw the photo challenge here:
  http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2012/11/dlart-thankful-thursday-challenge_15.html ,  I was immediately inspired to use this embossed piece.  Because it is large, there is not much space for anything else on an A2 card.  I used my sister in law's folder, and added a sentiment from Paper Inspirations.  The Nestie is Labels4, and I added sheer white ribbon I get at Dollar Tree.  It does not show up well, but the main panel and tag are pale lavender, and the mat is purple.

Golfer's birthday

I have a lot of friends who golf, and many of them will appreciate the rest of the sentiment,,,"when the score gets too high, stop counting!"
The sentiment is computer generated.  I used the CB Birthday folder, and a Martha Stewart leafy border punch.
This "ugly sweater" challenge is to use ugly DP at the bottom of our stack.  Well, this green dp has been lingering for a while.  The pattern sort of looks like a green peacock - though obviously I have only used portions of it here.  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
The sketch:  http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/2012/11/paper-players-challenge-123-jaydees.html

Shabby Birthday Card

I have seen so many vintage cards that I admire so much.  This started out to be vintage, but I think the result is more shabby chic.  If you have any special techniques for vintage cards, feel free to include a link.  This clock is from a set called Nostalgique, by EK Success - a set I have had a long time but rarely use.  The sentiment is Whiff of Joy.  I have no books I want to cut up, so I used a book review pamphlet.  The Argyle embossing is on DCWV metallic cs, and the die cuts are Nesties and Lavalier Circle from Memory Box.  I am not sure what to call the small strip - it is from a box of scraps I acquired at a store closing.  It is almost like a thin hand made paper with embedded bits of fiber, and provided a perfect embellishment for this card.
The sketch:  http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.com/
Neutrals, with twine and a sentiment, inspired by a photo:  http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/

Bright birthday

Inside, the verse reads:  "Happy birthday to the fitness queen from the workout wonder!"  I think it goes with the image, right???  It is an image I have had in my WishRAK stash.  I colored with prismas.  DP is DCWV, and the sentiment is Whiff of Joy.
The sketch:  http://ibsichallenge.com/
The colors:http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge

Two sympathy cards

This is another image I got at creatwithtlc.com   I think it works well for CAS cards - which I rarely do as they are pretty much out of my comfort zone.  For the first one, I used a dark grey backing and corner punch - but do not like it as well.
The second is my re-do for this challenge:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
I used a dark teal and shades of grey for the two colors.  Ribbon, rhinestones, and glitter on the flowers are the three embellishments - and this time I did limit myself to one layer!  I used a pastel chalk pencil for coloring, and an embossed frame from Cuttlebug.

Old Age

I recently discovered a source of digital images I know I will use often.  This blog is not meant to promote any product, but I hope no one minds if I let you know about this source.  I got this image via the blog createwithtlc.com; it is called Learning from Old Age.  I know that my friends will enjoy the humor.
I used shades of lavender and grey; flowers from Petaloo, and vintage lace that came in a box at an estate sale. The DP is Paper Pizazz. The image printed this way, with the lavender strip and shaded image.
The sketch:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

High Hopes ~ Guest designer

I was honored to be selected guest designer for the High Hopes challenge this week.  My supply of High Hopes stamps is limited, so I wanted to use this verse.  I see the reproduction did not come out very well.
Since the verse says there is an angel by your side, I added the angel image (an older SU stamp) at the back.  I placed it in the center for viewing when the card holder is removed.  In retrospect, I should have placed it more to the side.
 I made the card holder with my own pattern.  I cut the card stock (double sided cs from Costco) 1/4 inch larger than needed, and twice as long as the gift card, with a bit extra at the top.  I folded the piece lengthwise, leaving the extra quarter inch as shown above.  I trimmed the extra quarter inch off the "back" of the holder, then folded the excess from the front and glued.  Careful not to glue the top!!!  I added the strip of lace - I had a piece the exact length I needed in my scraps.
The sentiment panel is lightly sponged, with half pearls added.  This is made as a card, with a verse on the inside as well.  I will probably make some more of these - including some to hold (folded) checks for the grandkids.  Or maybe we should decide on gift cards this year???
Here is the High Hopes challenge site, including this week's challenge to make a gift box or card holder.  what great ideas you will find.
http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/

Peacock colors

I wanted to use my JustRite "Smile" stamps - only to discover that the wooden stamper has gone AWOL, along with my favorite sentiment from the set.  I experimented with using an acrylic block - the result is that only the outer rim of the border made an impression, but I think I managed to make it work.  I used Spica pens to color the border, and added some sparkly jewels to add to the jewel tone/peacock look.
The DP is K&Company, and I have dark blue bg cs.
Sketch:  http://willowsketchiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Peacock/jewel colors:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/
Any, with an encouraging sentiment:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Happy 75th

This is such a fun image by Gina K.  Accessories:   pink ribbon, Petaloo flowers with added crystals, CB happy birthday embossing folder and Olivia numbers, Nesties ovals, Prismas for coloring, DCWV dp
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Pink, aqua and brown:  http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Numbers:  http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Christmas #6

I have seen so many gorgeous sponged and chalked back grounds, especially the sky, so I have tried one.  I used SU Brilliant Blue and Night of Navy chalk.  I outlined the star (SU Bitty Bolds) with a gold Spica pen. The sentiment is Studio G.
I was inspired by one of the examples here, and I used the sketch:  http://annabellestamps.blogspot.com/
A challenge for Clean & Simple:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
And for anything:  http://stamp-n-doodle.blogspot.co.uk/
Use chalk:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/

Christmas #5

I discovered I have very little in traditional red and green for Christmas, as I have been using burgundy and gold tones.  I am not sure this plaid fits, but it will do!  The image is from an unmarked cube.  I added green with a Spica pen, and some glitter.  The embossing folder is CB;s snowflakes.
Sketch:   http://skippingstonesdesign.com/
Traditional Christmas (red and green):  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
                                                     http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
                                                     http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Ribbon and pearls (white pearls did not look right, so I used pale green pearl like rhinestones!!):                                 http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/

Christmas #4

DP is from The Paper Studio ("Faith" collection); image is my unknown unmounted rubber stamp.  The ribbon and half pearls are Pizzazz Aplenty.  I still have lots of Christmas cards to make!
Using Kraft cs (embossed with CB Snowflakes): http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/2012/11/make-it-monday-with-kraft-outlet.html
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/http

Christmas

http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge

I was hoping I could do the 20 card challenge from Card a Day on Splitcoaststampers, but lots of events have taken my time.  I will start over in a few days!  This dp is the same Faith collection (Paper Studio) I have been using.
Challenge for a holiday card:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
I used this sketch as a base, but after a couple of interruptions I forgot just how I intended to complete it - I think I stayed true enough to the sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/

Tasty Grapes

The Sweet Stop sketch challenge has a twist - show a tasty treat.  I have several cake stamps, but in the process of moving things around between the RV and the house, one of my boxes seems to have taken a hike.  However, I find a bunch of grapes a most delectable treat!  I sponged the image with chalk, and should have left well enough alone.  I used a garnet Spica pen to color the grapes - not a good idea.  The Spica ink was a bit too dark, and covered the lines marking the individual grapes.  IRL they do not look too bad, but on the picture it looks more like a blob.  They are nice and sparkly! 
The image is SU Provencal - another favorite set I seldom have occasion to use.  The sentiment is from a set by Recollections.  The DP is by K&Company, and the flower Petaloo.  The pink layer is from the Textile embossing folder (CB).
The Craft Your Passion challenge is to use scraps.  I could pretty well include all of my cards.  Specifically, all layers of the small squares and the sentiment are from my "little scraps" stash. 
Sketch, with the tasty twist:  http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
Use scraps:   http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Glittery Get Well

May you have a HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!  Most of you are gathered with family and friends, and enjoying a festive meal.  We had family gatherings a few days ago, and decided to have our own Thanksgiving today - united in spirit with our scattered family members and friends.  We had a very meaningful Thanksgiving worship service at our church last evening, and DH is helping a lot with today's meal.  We really like the leftovers, so that is not a problem for us.  Bring on the turkey sandwiches and then turkey soup!!!
I am so far behind in card making so maybe will get caught up a bit!  I need to replenish my stash, so this get well card was needed.  IRL the sentiment is really much more visible.
I have a glittery frame and swirl.  The die cut is from Spellbinders.  DP and CS by Recollections, and the sentiment an unmounted unnamed one I have had a long time.
Sketch: http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Use glitter:  http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/
A get well card:   http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

Give Thanks v.2

This card is a look at the past.  The stamp set is an older one from SCS.  I do not own it, but was the recipient of several of the images - it is a great set.  I also went back to coloring with Brilliance inks and an aqua brush - seems like I do not use them much any more, but I like the look of the silver or platinum for the bucket. The red of the apples may not be exactly what we think of as a fall color, but to me apples are fall!  When we lived in Nebraska we would look forward to the appearance of apples (from Nebraska City) each autumn.
The cs is from AMuse, and the half pearls and twine are Pizzazz Aplenty.
I started with the sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
There are several challenges still out there using a Thanksgiving theme and/or colors:
      http://amusestudiochallengeblog.blogspot.com/
      http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/
      http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
      http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Give thanks

This adorable birdie looks like he is singing out his thanks!  All stamps are Unity, and the Ribbon is Martha Stewart.
Sketch #2:  http://chickchallengeswithippity.blogspot.com/
Be thankful:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Give thanks:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/ 
Thanks:   http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Christmas 20 in 20 days #2

I used a Just Rite sentiment as well as the tag dies (2 of them) from the Every Day Tag Making Kit.  It is backed with the CB Snowflake dry embossing.  I added a bit of blue and silver embossing, and some glitter on the tag.
Christmas, using a Just Rite stamp and dies:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/

Christmas

The card a day blog group (SCS) has a challenge to do 20 Christmas cards in 20 days (if I recall correctly) - I need that!  Here is #1 for that mini challenge.  This is the stamp I will use for most of our cards, and I have forgotten where I got this unmounted stamp.  For some reason, it is very difficult to get a solid image.  I added reinker to the Memento pad.  I have decided some of this will have to look like shading or light reflection on the silhouette!
The DP is from a stack called Faith, by the Paper Studio.
Sketch:  http://willowsketchiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/
Favorite Christmas stamp (well, it is my fave this year!):  http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Fall Thanks

This looked much better in my mind than as a finished card.  Oh well...   I used bits of DaisyD dp that I have had for several years - I like it a lot but it always looks like fall, and I do not make many fall cards. The rick rack is true vintage - I got it at a yard sale and the package is marked $.25!  The flower is by Petaloo.  I embossed the gold cs with a fall leaf folder by Sizzix.
Favorite things - I have so many.  Here they are represented by the dry embossing (I doubt I could create many cards without the Cuttlebug and now the Vagabond!!); fall colors, patterned paper, and being thankful:  http://dutchdare-cardchallenges.blogspot.com/
The sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Giving thanks:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Fall colors (espresso, cajun, mustard - my substitutes):  http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com/

Birthday candle

I like having a few extra cards in my stash, so I try to make them somewhat universal.  The label on this stamp (I have had for a LONG time) says Oogaloo.  Anyone heard of it?  The DP is from an older DCWV Summer Stack.  The sentiment oval is popped up.
Stripes:  http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.com/
Sketch:  http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/
Candles:  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/

White for Christmas

It is time to get more serious about completing Christmas cards!  I like this CB embossing frame, but seldom think to use it.  I do not have any fancy ovals, so the scalloped one had to do.  The sentiment is computer generated.  (What looks like a smudge is really a sheer ribbon and bow.)
White card:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch (rotated)   http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/

Red & Green Christmas

I have been using a lot of not quite traditional red and green, so enjoyed this challenge.  I am still trying to get caught up from our trip!
This image is from a cube called Glad Tidings (no company named); the sentiment is computer generated.  I used the snowflake EF with glitter added, and a bit of left over ribbon.  The trees are colored with a Fiskars metallic gel pen.
Sketch:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Red and green:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2012/11/this-weeks-challenge_8.html
Holiday:  http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2012/10/dlart-thankful-thursday-challenge_25.html
Trees:  http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Angel by your side

It feels good to be back in the swing of things!
Hubby and I just returned from a wonderful two week cruise.  We were able to drive to LA (San Pedro port) and take the Golden Princess which does a 14 day round trip to Hawaii.  We had fun ports, fun days at sea, and a lot of relaxation and of course pampering.
 Now it is time to replenish my stash, and work on Christmas cards.
I used new prizes - the High Hopes sentiment, and the currant cs from AMuse.  The angel is SU, cord and rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.  I used the Snowflake EF, and a button to complete the look.
Sketch:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/stella-says-sketch-challenge-123.html
Snowflake and a button (with the High Hopes sentiment):  http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/
Snowflakes:  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
Snowflakes:  http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.com/