Red, white, blue birthday

A simple birthday card, using an old (1993) SU stamp - I have no idea which set.  The DP came from my scrap folder, and I added Cheery Lynn flowers and white rain drops.  Classy Cards sells some Cheery Lynn flowers, but I don;t think these are in their store.  They do sell several lovely sets of rain drops - I only have a few with me this summer and I do not recall which set these clear ones come from
Sketch 216:   http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Red, white, blue:  http://classycardsnsuch.blogspot.com/2015/05/ccns-challenge-86-red-white-and-blue.html
Flower Power:      http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/\
Texture (die cuts)  http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
           http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/ag-no-35.html 
           http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ 
    
Dies:  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/

Wings in red, white and blue

I left many of my supplies at our home while we are spending the summer in the motor home - therefore I will have to improvise more than usual to meet some challenges!  I used a scrap of patriotic DP for a background.  The white strip is dry embossed, and I cut narrow strips of Washi tape - with edging scossors - for the strips at the bottom right.  The Our Daily Bread image is colored with chalk pencils.  this ODB image is available at Classy Cards = part of the Faith set.  I used part of a sentiment which is separated - not sure of the origin.
Sketch:    http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
"fluttering":   http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Red, white and blue:   http://classycardsnsuch.blogspot.com/2015/05/ccns-challenge-86-red-white-and-blue.html
Blue with some green:   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Any:     http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/

Card for DH

(More info in a few minutes)!  This is for DH, and I had to take it off the screen for a bit while he was around!  Our 58th anniversary is Monday.  After so many years we do not always do something special, but I thought he ought to have a card this year LOL!!!  The image is from Beccy's Place, and most of the DP is from a DCWV pad that I have had for years.    I added some gold sticker strips and Cheery Lynn branches.  The coloring is with pastel chalk pencils - a favorite for subtle coloring.
It seems good to be posting again after several days of travel, attending the HS graduation for a granddaughter (last one in HS!), and then entertaining our daughter and family who came to spend time at our RV park.  There were 9 in our group - not staying at our RV, but gathering here for meals.  How fun to get together before the 3 grandkids scatter - to KY, CO, and WA.
Sketch:     http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Any, with Cheery Lynn branch die cuts:  http:///cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
For the boy(s):  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
All creatures:    http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/
Critters:  http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com/ 
 Layers:   http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Any:        http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/may-challenge.html
                http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/ag-no-35.html
                http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ 
            

Adrienne's graduation

This is for our granddaughter whose hs graduation is next week end.  She is graduating from Falcon HS, and will be attending the Air Force Academy - home of the Falcons!  Can I say we are proud of her?  (You may have already seen references to this!)  I found this paper at a local store in Colorado Springs. and I found the AF logo on line.  I used the CB Congratulations embossing folder, though there is not much visible.  The mats are dark green and blue.  The sentiment is from a library stamp by 7gypsies.
Sketch:   http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Graduation:   http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
Sentiment:     http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/    
Layers:   http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
Any:        http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.com/
                http://thepapernestdollschallenge.blogspot.com/
                http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2015/05/dlart-may-linky-challenge.html
               

Wedding - JJ and Annie

                                                                      

 First of all, my apologies for the terrible image - I need to work on my blogging skills - and also figure out how to arrange my photos.  It worked yesterday and not today!

Front of card:  shimmery cs; Cuttlebug border die; Sizzix embossing folder; sheer ribbon, SU Wedding Elegance sentiment; half pearls

Inside: (This is a tip.) I try to incorporate something from the invitation on my cards.  This time I used an actual part of the card - they had an overlay of vellum with initials (in light purple) and a swirl accented with a gem.  I took the entire overlay, trimmed on three sides, and used the folded piece on the inside of the card.  I printed the verse on a piece of the same shimmery cs, adhered inside the folded vellum.  I adhered this to the inside of the card with double stick tape.

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

Wedding:      http://everybody-art-challenge.blogspot.com/

Embossing:   http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/

                      http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 

                       http://www.vssweetideas.blogspot.com/

Ribbon:         http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/

Sentiment:     http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/

Tip (not theme)      http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/

Pearls and swirls:   http://cardmaniachallenges.blogspot.com/

Any:              http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.com/     

                      http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

                      http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

                      http://thepapernestdollschallenge.blogspot.com/

                      http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2015/05/dlart-may-linky-challenge.html

Bon Voyage, Leah

 This is for our granddaughter who will be leaving soon to spend a few weeks in Spain, with a college group.  I needed a quick card - chose to use the colors of the Spanish flag together with the travel stamp - an old one by Santa Rosa.  (Are they still in business?)  I know the Eiffel Tower is out of place, but it will make her smile LOL!!!
Sketch (rotated):   http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
 Around the world :  http://thecraftingcafe.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:     http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/month-long-anything-goes-in-may.html

Ashley's Graduation

This is for a niece who will graduate next week - I go online to find HS and/or college logos to use, and I think these worked pretty well together.  (The HS is in Fort Collins CO).  I like the lovely background that results from dry embossing (Cuttlebug Congratulations) shimmery cardstock.  I have a small piece of DP with diplomas and mortar boards - I added some chalk to blend in.  The ribbon is two kinds - dark green and metallic edged gold.  I needed some bits at the top right - I used some sparkly gems - I do have trouble getting them to work with this embossing!
Sketch:   http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Chalk:    http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:     http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Graduation:   http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
Background (See note above):   http://drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/%E2%97%8B%20Challenges
Any:        http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/

Don's 98th

This is for a member of our church - we visit him from time to time, and will stop in later this week to help him celebrate his 98th birthday.  His goal has been to reach 100, but on our last visit he acknowledged that may not be realistic - his health was obviously declining.
supplies:  Kraft cs; DCWV Heirloom DP; Word Art verse; washi tape; die cut letters and numbers; Basic Grey acrylic arrow.
Sketch:   http://yournextstamp.com/blog/
Sentiment:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
More than 2 dies:    http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Die cuts:     http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Any:         http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
                 http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/challenge-9.html

Bring on the cake

This is part of one of Art Impressions birthday pop-up sets.  This time, I only used one of the pre-colored die cuts from the sheet - as well as the sentiment.  It is popped up on a Spellbinder Majestic Elements circles.  I sprinkled glitter around the edges, and a bit on the cake - with a few stray sprinklings elsewhere!
Sketch (reversed):  http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com/
A lovely lady:        http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-05-08T05:00:00-04:00&max-results=10
Girly:     http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com/

For Victoria, with an envelope

.

I rarely make square cards because of the extra postage.  However, this will be hand delivered - so bumpy embellishments and square shape will work.  My teen aged granddaughter asked me to make a card for her friend - in pink, with a kitty and glitter.  The image is from http://sliekje.blogspot.com/.  Angelique periodically adds images, mostly cats - all are freebies.  Thank you for your generosity and keep on drawing!  I colored with Prismas and metallic gel pens.  The animal DP is from a pad I found at Big Lots - the checked section is the reverse of the double sided paper.  The polka dots is a sheet I have had for a long time.  No pattern for the envelope - I decided to wing it, but using a pattern would have been easier I am sure.  There is glitter on the flowers and her name - which is easier to see IRL.  There are 3 deep pink rain drops at the top right and narrow gold metallic sticker strips to set off the various papers.
Sketch:    http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Animal:   http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/
Pink:        http://inthepinkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
For a girl: http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/2015/05/come-join-our-for-mom-or-girly.html
Embellishments (rain drops):  http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
Color image:  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
Stamping (HB sentiment):    http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
 Pattern Paper:   http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.co.uk/
Duo - black & white:   http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/

Masculine birthday - lighthouse

The SU lighthouse (Coast to Coast) is combined with the Our Daily Bread birthday sentiment.  I used 4 of their color challenge colors - pale and dark orange, and pale and dark teal.  I was a little concerned about these choices, but I am very happy with the result.  The image is unadorned, stamped in black, but with dark orange jewels added, as well as some grey and white twine, that looked a bit nautical to me.
Sketch:  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Colors:   http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/
 Any:      http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/

Silver anniversary

This is a card for a silver anniversary - I had intended to add the "25" but I decided that would be too much - unless I decide to replace the hearts.  What do you think?  I have a lot of "stuff", but not many numbers!  The mats are a dark grey cs, and the embossed pieces are Recollections shimmer silver - it is a very light silver dolor, but looks great with dry embossing.  I heated the ribbon to make it frizzy - I need to learn to control that better, as it got a little overdone!  Hearts, Congratulatins, and Victoria by Cuttlebug;  butterflies by Darice.
Sketch:    http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
For a couple:  http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/challenge-93-for-couple.html
Anniversary:        http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/
Monochromatic:   http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ 
Any, w/ ribbon:     http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Sentiment:             http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Wings:            http://www.fashionablestampingchallenges.com/

For a mother

Image - SU ( a yard sale find and no further info);  colored with Twinkling H2O and gel pens; shiny Emerald metallic CS (Classy cards 'n Such; emerald DP and dots by DCWV; floral and leafy die cuts by Cheery Lynn, leafy embossing folder by Sizzix, washi tape, lace, sticker sentiment.  (That is a strip of lace at the top.)
Sketch (reversed):  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Feminine:    http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/
Mother's Day:   http://classycardsnsuch.blogspot.com/2015/05/ccns-challenge-83-mothers-day.html
                     http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party     
Layers:        http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
Stamping:   http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk
Die cuts:       www.hidinginmycraftroom.co
Lace:           http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/

Ice cream for two

Image - High Hopes - Ice Cream for two, colored with chalk pencils; Misc. papers; SU Circle of Friendship; acrylic arrow by Basic Grey; black sticker strip; washi tape.
Sketch:    http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Color inspiration (Peach):   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Colored image :                     http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
Not square:     http://polkadoodle.blogspot.ca/2015/04/week-17-anything-but-square.html
Sweet treat:     http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Any:                http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-05-04T06:00:00-04:00&max-results=7          
             http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
             http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/challenge-9.html

Walt is 80

It seems like I am making more and more cards for the "80 plus" crowd - could be my age group?!?!?  (Be sure to note - I have a few years to go, but not many LOL!)  This is for a  friend who is very active in our church - including serving as a lead singer on a weekly basis.  Unfortunately most of the musical images are hidden, but there are enough there to create an impression.  I used die cuts for the letters and numbers, and the Scripture is from Word Art, in January.  The embossing is from the  Embossalicious HB folder, and the pieces of DP are from my scrap folder.
Sketch:         http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Not square:  http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/
Die cuts:       http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/
Sentiment:   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Uplifting:     http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Digital:         http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2015/05/himcr02nsd-let-get-digital.html 
Duob- black & white:   http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/

Announcing spring

This birdie seems to be announcing the arrival of spring - to me, the season begins a new year of blessings!
Pale sage cs by SU (I forget the name); bg DP in a pale gold by Making Memories; unknown scraps; image by Unity; sentiment from Verve Faith Medley; tiny flowers by Cheery Lynn.  I do not sew, and my hand drawn faux stitches often do not work well, so I used a metallic gold strip for the faux stitches.  I used some of the "negative" dots from that sticker sheet to scatter around, and for the flower centers.  Disclaimer - what appears yellow here is really more pale gold.
Sketch:     http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Color:       http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/
Stitching:  http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Spring:      http://www.frosteddesigns.blogspot.ca/

Metal:        http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Beginning: http://www.addalittledazzle.com/
Wings:       http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 

Eat ice cream

This is a bit outside the box for me, but I am pretty satisfied with the result.  I need cards suitable for a guy - think this could work.  As you can see, there is not much to it!  The DP has been in my stash a very long time.  The stamp is Inkadinkado, and the panel is raised a bit - partly do deal with the bumpy twine.
Sketch:        http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Polka dots:  http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
                    http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com/
Words:        http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:  http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/  (5 challenge max)

Lots of pink

The DP is DCWV; flowers from Petaloo with gems in the center; a strip of metallic mesh with a wider metallic border; chalk pencils and metallic gel pens; birthday embossing; pink cs.
Sketch:    http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Pink and fussy:  http://inthepinkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
May flowers:     http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/2015/04/challenge-158-april-showers-bring-may_30.html

Metal:                http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Girly:                 http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.ca/
Make your mark:   http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/

Psalm 118:24

The sentiment is from Our Daily Bread.  I used one of the dies from Spellbinders Majestic Elements, paired with a regular oval.  The floral panel die is by Tattered Lace, with some gold glitter added.  The ribbon is edged in metallic gold, and the last strip is narrow rick-rack. The soft blue bg is embossed with Swiss dots.
Sketch (twist - no DP):   http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2015/04/27/i-heart-card-sketches-with-a-twist-107/
Scripture:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Quote (product theme):   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/ 
Bling:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
CAS:   http://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/
Stamping:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:    http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Any, with glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com/

Spring showers and flowers

We are in Arizona and could really use some showers!  I know it is much worse in other parts of the country - I hope there is some relief soon.  Our weather map showed the possibility of showers - but they often do not materialize.
Okay - on to this card.  I really like the window box die and flowers (Cheery Lynn), but I struggle to know what to put behind the window!   This is an image by Beccy - I had to remodel the window (removed a bar at the top) to not obstruct her face LOL!  I found this DP in a much used pad by Prima.  I changed the sketch a bit so the design in the corner would not be covered completely.  There are gems on some of the flowers, and also black gems in the corners.  The Mom sticker is by Hot off the Press.  I used chalk pencils to color the image.  I hope you can see she is holding and umbrella (ok, could be a parasol!) to ward off the showers.
Sketch:    http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/
Colors (gold, shades of lavender, pale peach):  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Any Beccy;s image:    http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/
Showers and flowers:  http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/
Spring:  http://www.frosteddesigns.blogspot.ca/
Any:      http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
              http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
               http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.com/
              http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/

HB in neutrals

Image by the Rubber Cafe; Sentiment from a 7Gypsies library stamp; unknown DP; DieNamics banner die; unknown ribbon; Sepia ink for edging; SU chocolate CS.
Sketch:        http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Puppy dog: http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Neutral colors:   http://drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/%E2%97%8B%20Challenges
Any:             http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com.au/
                     http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
                     http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
                     http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.com/             
 Any, with stamp and die cut:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/