An old Hippy

Another of my humorous cards - not sure where she comes from (the image is a gift from an exchange).  She does appear to be hippy in more than one way!  My really likes this series that I have made for her.

The sketch:  http://tsgclearstamps.blogspot.com/

paper Piecing

I think Maude needs more coffee!!  I used the same plaid DP for her robe and the bg piece.
  The embossing folder is You, by Cuttlebug.
Paper piecing:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/

Soaking in a tub

This is another in my series of humorous cards.  I used the Textile EF (Cuttlebug) on silver metallic CS - it reminds me of old fashioned wall and ceiling decor.  The DP is also DCWV.  I experimented with the bubbles.  Years ago I tried my hand at t-shirt painting - seemingly just before that craft was no longer in style.  I still have lots of the little paint bottles - some have dried up, but surprisingly, some are still ok.  I dabbed the white paint on all the bubbles, then drizzled glitter.  I am happy with how I was able to make use of an otherwise unusable product.  The bathing beauty is colored with chalk pencils and metallic gel pens.  The two die cuts are from Cheery Lynn "Tiny things with Wings", also cut from silver cs.
Sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
Silver, with Cheery Lynn dies:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
"Just Because": http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Two dies:  http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/

Love BIrds anniversary

This is a fun image (by Pollyraft) for a whimsical anniversary card.  I selected the Basic Grey bg paper ("Jade") as it reminds me of an outdoor scene.  The hearts are Spellbinder dies, and the ribbon is woven through pieces of a Martha Stewart border punch.  Flowers are Petaloo.  I have had this scrap of BG DP for about 3 years.  I printed and colored the image a long time ago.  The rust colored mat is a pretty new purchase - first time use for this color.
Sketch - see above for "stash":  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Weaving:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.co.uk/
Flowers, with BG dp:  http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/

Gorgeous

I think this image works well with this fruity bg paper by DCWV.  The little branches are by Cheery Lynn, and the oval die by Spellbinders.
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Fruit:  http://acreativeneed.wordpress.com/
Fruit:  http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
Summer food and drink:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

Anniversary in teal and ivory

I always need several anniversary cards at this time of year.  This image from Kitchen Sink works well - at least I think it is not too fussy.  The DP is a piece from my stash, and I used a bit of it for the butterfly - which is mounted on a solid teal base - IRL a bit of it shows to help highlight the dainty creature.  As for the ribbon - I layered teal satin over sheer pale teal.  I tried tying the bow with the two still layered, but they seemed to have a mind of their own and separated as I made the bow - but I decided that looked fine and was much less work!  Not sure why I even attempted this as I am rather ribbon/bow challenged.
Sketch:  http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/
Polka dots:  http://annabellestamps.blogspot.com/search/label/Challenges 
Ink - really the focal point:  http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.co.uk/

Christmas in July

I left nearly all of my Christmas stamps and supplies at our home in an effort to cut back on what I packed in the motor home for this summer.  I do have this Christmas tree embossing folder, and my 7Gypsies stamp that includes the word JOY - tied with a bit of Martha Stewart cord. I know the tree is very hard to see - there is glitter added for the baubles.   Branches from the Cheery Lynn Wreath die are in the corners - also with glitter added.  This die is from Joan's Gardens store - I am so happy to have found it.
Christmas, with red and green, and tree and branches from nature:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/07/this-weeks-challenge_18.html
Christmas in July:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

Sympathy - in neutrals

Thanks to Inkspirational Challenge for an idea to use this
sentiment.  The bg cs has a bit of texture and  very subtle design - I did use the Victoria embossing folder to add more dimension - all that does not show too well on the screen.  I used the same cs for the butterfly, and lightly sponged the edges with chocolate chalk.  The image is sponged with a mixture of colors (chalk) to match the bg.  I added ribbon and Zingz tear drops from Fiskars.  The mat is a blue grey cs.  This is a color combination I will use again.  The Word Art challenge is for any inspirational verse, with a suggestion of a theme of joy - though this is a sympathy card, we are reminded of the joy of eternal life we anticipate.
Inspiration:  http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/
Sympathy:   http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Sentiment: http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
Chalk:   http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/

CAS Summer on the beach

Clean and Simple is not easy for me, but I think this vintage look image from my Wish RAK stash - origin unknown - works well.  She is colored with Prismas - including subtle coloring of the beach, water and sky.  The mat is a blue grey cs.
Inspiration, CAS:  http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Any birthday:  http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.ca/
Vintage:  http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/frilly-funky-challenge-summertime.html
Sea:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Beach: http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.com/2013/07/challenge-43-lifes-beach-and-new-dt.html

Sunny summer holiday

I have spent a lot of my stamping time this summer filling orders from friends/customers.  In fact, this is for an order that I have had to set aside, and it is time to get to work.  A friend, close to 90, still travels from place to place according to the season -though no longer in her RV.  She does spend several months each year at an RV resort near Kino Bay, Mexico - with her boy friend!  I have some humorous "inside" verses she likes, and she requested that I make several cards for her girl friends - I think this is a perfect image - they will have a giggle from it.  The image is in my stash of items from friends at Wish RAK (SCS) so I do not know the name.  I used Prismas in colors to match the DCWV Summer DP, and the backing is a deep burgundy.  There is glitter on the hats and glasses (as well as on me), and a sparkly center for each flower.  I used my Cuttlebug to cut the rectangle scalloped die,  My computer has been cropping (on its own) the top - there is also a half sun tucked in the corner - it is from the CB Olivia die set.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/
Summer:  http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
Fun in the sun:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Sparkle:  http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/:  

Maude in green

Usually I am fairly happy with the results of my card  -  but this is one of the times I am not so pleased.  I tried a "legal sized" card to fit this image by Art Impressions.  Next time I will just try something a bit larger than A2.
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Green:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday in Ivory and green

One of my all time favorite color combos is ivory with...  Here I selected green.  (I hope it looks more ivory and green on your screen than on mine!)   I used the Cuttlebug border die and Victoria EF.  The butterfly is Ronna Farrer, and the ink is also green.
Sketch:  http://designed2delight.com/blog/
Ivory and another color:  http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Green:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

Gambol Quail

I enjoy this stamp - there is another card here using it-we used to have these quail in our back yard, in AZ. To our regret, they did not return last year.  I used embossing folders and a scallop punch for the background.
Sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
Wings:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Embossing:  http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/
Outdoors:   http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/

RV'n

These colors do not look right on the screen - sorry!  These adorable papers were sent by a friend, and they are mounted on Kraft cs.  The die cut buttons and tiny medallion punches are also Kraft. 
The camper is colored with water color pencils.
Sketch:  http://fetch-a-sketch.blogspot.com/
Kraft - with pretty papers:  http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/
Masculine - Bingo (diagonal - punch/die cut, image, twine) :   http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/

AP congrats, granddaughter

We have 6 grandchildren and are so proud of all of them (I think that is the grandparents' job, right?)  This is for our youngest, a sophomore, who just heard she earned credit on her AP calculus exam.  Some of you may recall - she is the one who had a broken nose last winter - in a basketball game.
This digi sentiment is from The Alley Way - just right for here.  Other items:  CB "You" folder, Nesties, a scrap of kitty ribbon, for a cat lover; paper clips.
Sketch (embellishment on opposite side):  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
Favorites - so many - dry embossing, die cuts, granddaughter:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Inspiration - color, and the pattern reminds me of the pattern on the inspiration piece:  http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/
Paper Clips:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/
Encouragement - I know this is probably a bit of a stretch, but this and the inside verse are strong support for hard work :  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Granddaughter's Anniversary

A friend chose this image for an anniversary card -  an idea I had not thought of, but it is certainly appropriate.  The digital image is an adorable one from the Alley Way.  The "sun"  is one of the extras with the Cuttlebug Olivia Alpha set - extras I tend to forget.  The stamp is Just Rite, and the tape is Martha Stewart.
Since this is an anniversary card, I made it more masculine looking  http://herecometheboysblogchallenge.blogspot.com/
Inspiration:  http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.com/search/label/BE%20inspired%20Challenge
Two words:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/challenge-85-two-words.html

No stamping - in teal

You can see I had these papers out - teal is a favorite of mine! 
Products:  Cuttlebug Greetings die set;  Nesties ovals, Spellbinders slider, Cuttlebug Asterisk cut from Basic Grey Jade cs; Cheery Lynn wreath border die - from Joan's Gardens; Basic Grey square bling.
Sketch:  http://adieforasketch.blogspot.de/
No stamped image, with Basic Grey products:  http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/
Plain bg, double oval, sentiment, Joan's Garden product:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/07/this-weeks-challenge.html

A doily for a birthday card

The doily is the bg for the JustRite Birthday Celebrations circular border and sentiment.  Other items:  Basic Grey paper ribbon, Cheery Lynn butterfly, Petaloo flowers, Cheery Lynn leaf border, blue grey crystals.  To create the correct color, I used an aqua pen and metallic teal reinker to color the smaller flowers.  The larger one has a sparkly finish.  The circles are cut with Nesties.
Sketch (summery colors):  http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/
Layers:  http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Use a doily, with Just Rite stamps:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/

This is the day

This is always a favorite verse, reminding us to be thankful for everything from day to day, and to rejoice in all that the Lord has done for us.  The challenge is to create our own background - I hope this SU embossing folder is suitable.  It i easy to see the dry embossing is one of my favorite backgrounds.  I stamped these images and left the stamps in our home for the summer - I forget where it is from. 
Sketch:  http://annabellestamps.blogspot.com/
Created bag, with uplifting sentiment:  http://twistoffaithcards.blogspot.com.au/
Any, with praise:  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Bright Get well

This is a set I really like, and seldom use.  This time, I used Versamark and chalk for the back ground,  The colors and patterns made by the embossing were inspired by the challenge below.  The die cut and floral bg are included in the Cuttlebug set.  I added some orange rain drops for the corners - looks like the computer cut off a bit of the top.
Inspiration:  http://justinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Bright colors:  http://houseofgilli.blogspot.com/
multi-word sentiment:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday to some one who loves to grill.

This stampin Fella image fits our son-in-law to a "t" - except, I must admit, the physique!  His birthday is today, and he loved the card.  The coloring is with Prismas, and the "pinwheel" cut with a CB die - for me, this works as an alternative to flowers on a masculine card.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Red, white, blue: http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/
And:  http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/

Simple sympathy card

Summer Time - masculine

Most of the Penny Black I have are pretty girlie looking - this should work for a guy card.  I colored with Chalk pencils - adding a bit of shimmer to the lady bug with a metallic pen.  The DP is all from scrap pieces.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
H for Hedgehog:  http://hobbycutzchallenges.blogspot.com/
Loving summer:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/
Masculine, with PB image:  http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/

Happy 4th

I think this is Maude - she is decked out in her blue and red two piecer ready to celebrate on the 4th - though she seems concerned about something!
Sketch:   http://ynschallenges.blogspot.ca/
Stars (on some red squares) and stripes:  http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
All red, white and blue challenges:
http://www.vostamps.blogspot.com/
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/
http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
http://blog.ribboncarousel.com/

House Mouse Anniversary Card

For me, creating anniversary cards is a challenge - not too frilly, not too manly!  These house mice sharing a cheesy heart works!  At least, I think that is a piece of cheddar.  The sentiment is Just Rite - the ends are clipped with edging scissors.  The hearts are from a Cuttlebug Die - I think I need something smaller.  The pink and brown papers ( a favorite combo) have been in my stash a LONG time!
Sketch: http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
House Mouse, with food:  http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/
Any:   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/

Sympathy, purple and white

If you look through my blog, you will see that this style is one of my favorites, although I seldom seem to stamp with colored ink - though I have a good collection of inks!  This uses a Whiff of Joy sentiment and I think the border is Verve, cut and embossed with Nesties dies.  The punch is EK Success, and the vellum dove is from a Cheery Lynn set purchased at Joan's Gardens.  The bg is CB Swiss Dots.  Embossing and die cuts were done on my Cuttlebug.
Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Condolence:  http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/
Purple:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
"D" for Dorothy, dots, and die cuts:   http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/

Black and white sympathy

Unfortunately, I frequently need sympathy cards, for myself and for customers.
Right now we are asking for prayers for friends and their family - their son-in-law, Glen (in his 50's), fell down a long cement staircase.  He is in a coma, and the family has been called home as the prognosis is not good.
This is a digital image from TLC Creations.  It is a lovely image, and great to use with the shading and background.  The white layer is CB Victoria.  I clipped the corners to follow the sketch.  A layered Nestie, Martha Stewart punched border, and ribbon complete the card - easy, and in my estimation, elegant.
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
Condolence:  http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
Any, with a bird:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Wings:  http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Digi:   http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

Summertime Blossoms

For some reason these blossoms (SU Petal Prints) are much less subtle IRL than on the screen - sorry they are so pale.  The sentiment is Recollections.  I used an EK Success punch, and included the punched flowers.  The edges are done with an edging scissors.
Sketch:  http://ynschallenges.blogspot.ca/
"B" (blossoms):  http://drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/challenge-76-letter-b.html
Summer blooms:  http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/http:
Flowers:  http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/
Summertime (garden flowers):  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/

Power Napper

This is another Art Impressions girl friend - the Power Napper.  My friends love this series!  I colored with Prismas, and used a shiny metallic gel pen for her shoes. 
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
 3 papers, 2 embellishments (flower, Basic Grey paper tape), 1 image:  http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
Colors (raspberry, pink, lilac):  http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/
Stripes:  http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Congratulations on your new home

This cute (freebie) digi from The Alley Way is great for a housewarming card.  I used the Mojo Monday sketch for today - they are celebrating 300 sketches and have lot of prizes this week.  I colored with Prismas and used some scraps for the rest.  The vellum butterfly has glitter to show it off a bit more.  The  cb bg (snowflakes, but I think of them as starbursts!) and Martha Stewart punch are available at Joan's Gardens.

Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Vellum, butterfly, polka dots:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/06/this-weeks-challenge_27.html
Color inspiration:  http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/BE%20inspired%20Challenge