For Saidey, Barb's prayer partner

At our church, members are encouraged to partner with students at our pre-school.  A friend asked me to make valentines for her partners.  I am kind of out of the habit of making valentines for pre-school age, so I had to dig deep in my RAK file to find this image. I googled and found lots of plain hearts, so printed this large one for the bg, and I printed the sentiment.  I am (not so) patiently waiting for an order of new goodies.  In the meantime, the pink papers are from a newly acquired stash of  not so interesting packs of cardstock!
Sketch # 317:   Sketch Saturday
New:                Flonzcraft
Any:                 Aud Sentiments
                         Lemon Shortbread
                  

Monochromatic sympathy

Blessings by CheeryLynn, Spellbinder butterfly, Darice butterfly folder, Recollections shimmery silver cs, grey and white cs.  Sent to Hohensee family June 17
Sketch:     Feeling-Sketchy
Neutrals:   Classy cards n such
Any:          Cheery Lynn Designs

Another vintage birthday

Here is another Dearie Doll vintage gal for one of my vintage friends!!!
Image - pre-colored Dearie Doll, NEW dp from Lily of the Valley; embossed layer (HB folder) with ink sponging and distressed edges to add to the vintage look; purple rhinestones, Spellbinder oval dies, and a technique I have only tried once or twice, so it is pretty new to me - crinkling the sheer ribbon with the heat gun.
Sketch:       House that stamps built
New:          Whoopsi Daisymay
                     Die-cut-divas
Any:             Sisters of Craft
                      Our-crafty-corner
                       Scrappers-Delights
TIc tac toe - diagonal:      Incy Wincy designs

A kitty for a Valentine

Sizzix Embossing folder (bottom half, so the hearts would be on top) 0 highlighted with yellow chalk;  NEW dp by Lily of the Valley; "hi" by Cuttlebug (Olivia alpha set); Spellbinder ovals; chalk pencils; Spellbinder Labels 5 die; unknown image.
Sketch:             Sketch Saturday
Lovey-dovey:   Great Impressions
Kitty:                 Dragonfly Journeys
                           Show us your pussies
Color challenge #63:  Inkspirational Challenges
Love:                  Simon says stamp Monday
New:                   Die-cut-divas
Any:                    Love to Scrap 

2016 Valentine

I will be making just a few Valentines - our kids and grandkids are grown, but I think they will still appreciate being remembered,  If I have time, I will also make some for Thinking of You cards.
Spellbinder dies for hearts, circles and swirls;   SU Bloomin heart, Petaloo glittery flower, Sizzix embossing folder.  (The hearts are in the middle of this folder, so I embossed half of the panel each time to get the hearts at the top and the bottom.)  I used a marker to highlight the embossing on the two hearts - I colored while the cs was still in the die.
Sketch:       VLV sketches 
Pink:           Pink gem challenge   
Pink - #75   Inkspirational challenges
Valentine:   Allsorts
                     Hiding in my Craftroom
Love:           Cut it up challenges   
Die cuts:      The Stamping Boutique
 Any:            Crafty Friends

Hearts for LaVerne

This is for encouragement of my friend.  I used a fairly new Unity stamp, and my newest papers - DP by Lily of the Valley, and red cs from a packet of reds I recently purchased.  The border is from a Spellbinder Banner set that is new to me.  I added twine, and colored with chalk pencils and shiny metallic for the flowers.  I embossed the edge of the red mat (Labels).
Sketch:           Share Joy
Pink and red:  The Unity Stamp co.
Embossed:      Creative Knockouts
New:                Dream Valley Challenges
Any:                Crafty Friends
                          Crafty-Girls

Humor for a friend

Digi image by Dearie Dolls (Pre-colored); Lily of the Valley DPl cuttlebug hearts, Life Style Crafts embossing folder (bg mat) Spellbinder ovals and circles; glitter.  I try to use up glitter, ribbon, paper - but it will take a long time to use it up!
Sketch:          Verve Sketches
Use up stuff:   Eureka
Girly:              Fan Tastic Tuesday
Glitter:            Sparkle n Sprinkle
"D" - Dearie Doll:  Pile it on challenge
Diagonal tic tac toe - hearts, pink, embossing:    Share Joy 

Paper Piecing

Paper pieced - top, shorts, hat; Stamp - Art impressions;  NEW - DP by Lily of the Valley, red cs;  OLD - Martha  Stewart border punch,  embossalicious birthday folder, Washi tape, Nesties circle
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:          Tuesday Morning Sketches
"D" (drink): Pile it on  
Piecing:         Art Impressions
TicTacToe (diagonal - embossing, red, die cut):  Incy Wincy
Girly:             FanTastic Tuesday
Inspired by color, pattern:   Pinspirational Challenges
New/old:        The Sisterhood of Crafters
Use DP:          Caftyhazelnuts Patterned Paper
Any:               Not just cards
                        Craft Your Passion 

Happy 29th???

Image (Workout gals) and sentiment by Art Impressions; washi tape; embossalicious embossing folder, misc. DP for paper piecing; chalk pencils for colored balls..
Sketch:                 Sketch Saturday
Paper piecing:      Art Impressions stamps
Tic tac toe (middle row):   Incy Wincy Designs
O is for Old:         Snarky Stampers
 Embossing:           Hiding in my craft room
 Make your mark: Addicted to stamps
Any:                        Craft your Passion

For Sue

This week the SplitCoastStampers Teapot Tuesday challenge card goes to Sue.   She is facing a long recovery.  Many of us are making cards featuring dogs, and I decided to add some hearts with Valentine's day fast approaching.  I just realized these challenges have been happening every Tuesday for 7 1/2 years - and I have been hanging around since the beginning, though I have been MIA too often in recent months.
Stamps by Rubber Cafe (dog ) and StudioG (Sentiment;flowers); Paper Studio DP; Cuttlebug hearts; Spellbinder oval dies.
Sketch:          Your Next Stamp 
Get well:         Suzy Bee       
"d" for dog:    Pile it on Challenge
Best friend:    Simon Says Stamp - Monday
 Any:               Wags n Whiskers

Snow, snow, go away

In the past we have had plenty of experience with snow,  However, we are now located in AZ and perfectly content to see the weather reports of snow elsewhere!  That being said, I think these gals are prepared for anything with both furry boots and umbrellas!  I got a new set of Art Impressions pop-ups, as well as new blue cs to use for the background.  The snowflakes are punched, but all the other pieces come from the AI set.  The inside verse is for a birthday.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:                      Jo's scrapshack      
D is for dear friend: Pile it on Challenge
Feminine birthday:  Pink Gem Challenge
Bunting:                    Little Claires Designs  
Best friend:               Simon says stamp Monday Challenge
Winter:                      Art Impressions stamps
Snowflakes:               Di's Digi Designs challenge
Any:                           Sisters of Craft

A sad new day

 I have been neglecting the SplitCoastStampers Teapot Tuesday challenges recently, but the story last week encouraged me to be involved more regularly. Sue from Kansas recently lost her husband of over 40 years,  They were rvers, and since we were also rvers, I feel a connection, and wanted to send a card to let her know people are thinking of her.  (See the challenge here:  MMTPT390).
New: Sue is beginning a new phase of her life; a new technique - cutting and sponging the flowers in this image from A day for Daisies;  words:  Word Art digis; DP by Theresa Collins;  (faux) stitching - border embossing folders by Cuttlebug; ribbon; dark teal and shimmery silver cs by Recollections; glitter on centers of flowers.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:                Sweet Sketch Wednesday2
Stitching:            A day for Daisies
Monochrome:    Julia Spiri Challenge 
Blues:                  The Paper Shelter
Glitter:                Creative Craft Cottage
                             Sparkle n Sprinkle
New:                    Cuttlebug Mania
                             Inky Impressions
Words:                 Crafty Catz  
Digis:                    Doodle Pantry
Any:                     Lemon Shortbread
                              Word Art Wednesday

Larry and Smoky - for Leah

I took this photo while at their home for Christmas - had I thought about using it on a card I would have taken more care with the photography.  Oh, well.  Our granddaughter's birthday is soon- she misses her cats (a lot) while away at college - so it occurred to me to send a reminder!  She is just starting a NEW semester as well as a NEW year of her life.  The photo is new, as is the DP (Lily of the Valley).  I used a button die, tied with cord; washi tape; Martha Stewart punch; misc. cs.
Sketch:                Share Joy
Warm and cozy:  Fattastic Tuesday 
You Crack me up: Dragonfly Journeys
 Kitty:                   Show us your pussiecat          
New:                    Crafty Calendar
                             Eureka Stamps
                             Cuttlebug Mania 
Any:                     Not just Cards

A new trio of birds

Images:  A Day for Daisies (new to me) ; unknown sentiment; new DP from a pad by Lily of the Valley; Washi tape strip; Spellbinder circle dies;  base layer is embossed with Paper Studio's bird folder.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:       Sketch Saturday
New:            Di's Digis Designs
                      Crafty Friends
                      Love to Scrap
                      Cuttlebug Mania
Any:             A Day for Daisies
                      Lemon Shortbread
                      Lilpatchofcraftyfriends

Not a morning person

Image - Art Impressions; Sentiment - Bugaboo; ovals-Spellbinder Majestic Elements; New pattern paper - Lily of the Valley;  ribbon - Ribbon Boutique; gems - Hampton Art; Petaloo flowers .  The dp is new and everything else is from my stash.  This card will go to a friend - she likes her coffee in the morning!
Sketch:       Stella says Sketch
Flowers:     Crafty Catz  
New:           Dies R Us
Bright:        Classy Cards
Colors:       Share Joy
Any:            DLArt
                    Creative Knockouts

Old papers, New die; HB, Janet

I have had these papers (DP by DCWV) as well as the ribbon, Washi tape, and gold sticker strip for a long time.  The Labels2  die (small one) is not new, but the labels5 die has been in its package, unused, for a little bit.  The ODB sentiment from Music Speaks is my newest stamp set.  This card will be sent to a friend from church - who is in the choir.   What is the weather like?  Well, in our part of AZ right now it i bright and sunny but cool - most trees still have their leaves, but many look a bit sparse, like the ones on the DP.  And when I go out, I hear the birds singing.
Sketch:            Share Joy
Old & new:     Our Daily Bread
New:                DiesRUs
Colors:             Whimsie Doodles
Weather:          DRS Designs
Any:                 Creative Knockouts

Swing away

I do not really make New Year's resolutions, but I do try to keep some goals in mind.  One is to make better use of already stamped or printed images, and another to use some of th.e items I tend to avoid in favor of easier to use or handier ones.  Any one else have that happen?   Case in point - the Spellbinder Majestic Elements ovals - I like them a lot but just find the layering a bit of a challenge
Image - Dearie Dolls (pre-collored); E mbossalicious birthday folder;  ribbon, white and purple cs.:
Sketch        Stella Says Sketch
Dies:           The Paper Shelter
Birthday:    Eureka stamps
Any:           Craft your Passion challenges
                   Sisters of Craft
White; splash of color:   Incy Wincy Designs

Can't stand the heat...

New to me:  I have had this pre-colored digi and sentiment (from Beccy's Place) in my files for a while, but I think this is the first I have used it.  Thank you , Beccy.  New: Dp from One Birdie Lane pad by Lily of the Valley.  Stash:  washi tape, Petaloo flowers, birthday folder (Cuttlebug), cs.
Sketch:      Mojo Monday   
Birthday:   Eureka Stamps 
                   Dragonfly Journeys
New:          Fab'n'funky 
                   Dis digi designs
                   Simon says stamp - Monday
                   Die-cut-divas  
                   Dies R us
Any:          Beccys Place 
                   Craft your passion

Sympathy for Murrrel

This is for a friend whose husband passed away recently.  The butterflies are from two Soellbinder dies.  I used embossing folders by Darice (butterflies) and Cuttlebug (Victoria); some light gold ribbon and gems, and the Cuttlebug sentiment die.  I hope I have the right colors for the color challenge.
Sketch:      Inspired by Stamping
Colors:      Whimsie Doodles
Any:           Craft Your Passion
                   PolkaDoodles 

Snowy, white, mountain scene

If you live in the mountains you can relate to this!  It was lovely to see these snowy scenes as we drove to Colorado for Christmas.  We have had a lot of rain in AZ recently - we are very thankful that rain does not need to be shoveled, though we are concerned for those who have had way too much rain.
Image -new from  Our Daily Bread; Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossed in winter white cs; small panel and Cheery Lynn branch dies  cut from white on white cs; scalloped rectangles by Spellbinders
Sketch:                          Sketch Saturday
Winter:                          LawnScaping
White:                            Cheery Lynn 
Let it snow:                    Craftin Desert Divas 


 

More Humor

This image is from an AI pop-up set - I used a single image, and enhanced some of the colors with my markers.  The verse inside is a humorous birthday verse  The DP is from a new Lily of the Valley pad, and the red is from a new pack of red papers.
Sketch/color:   YNS challenges
Birthday:          Eureka
New:                  Simon Wednesday Challenge     
                           Amusing challenges
                           Allsorts

How old is old?

This is the same sketch as the last card, but a totally different theme!.  I have a lot of friends who really like the humorous cards, so I need to make several.  This uses a Dearie Doll image (http://freedeariedollsdigistamps.blogspot.com/), and sentiment from Ginger's House http://gingershouse.blogspot.com/) - how true that is! Thanks to both artists for your generosity in giving us freebies!  I have had both in my collection for a while, but I think it is the first time I have used them.  The DP comes from a new Lily of the Valley pad that I just received as a prize.  The washi tape, creamy yellow and red cs, and Cuttlebug swirls EF have been around for a while!  I added glitter to make a sparkly duckie.
Sketch:      Mojo Monday
Birthday:   Dragonfly Journeys
New:          Allsorts
                    Crafty Friends        
                    Di's Digi Designs
 Any:           Glitter n Sparkle
                    L'l Patch of Crafty Friends
                    Sparkle N Sprinkle  
                    The Stamping Boutique

Thinking of Walt and Max

Friends from church are both experiencing health issues, so this will be sent to cheer them.  The  sentiment from Word Art is a new one for me to use, though it was on the site several months ago (I have a "stash" in my files, and not enough time to use all of them. Thank you for the great verses.)
All the other papers are from my "pieces" files.  I used a Martha Stewart punch for the scalloped strip, and Nesties for the circles.  The flowers are Petaloo.  I added a scrap of gold sticker, and yellow twine.
Sketch:     Mojo Monday
New:         Double Click Skittles
                   Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge
New/Old:  Our Daily Bread Shining the Light
Any:          The House that Stamps Built
                   Inspiration Destination
                   Word Art Wednesday
                   C.R.A.F.T. challenge 
Bingo ( punch, flowers, twine, blue, yellow):  Scribbles Designs Challenge

Lovely as a Tree Thank you

This is an oldie but goodie - SU's Lovely as a Tree - one of my favorites for a masculine or all purpose card.  I used up a bit of DP, and embossed the bg with Vines by LifeStyle Crafts.
Sketch:     Stella Says Sketch
Any:          Lemon Shortbread challenge
                  Crafty Creations challenges 
                  Inspiration Destination challenge blog
                  Through the Craft Room Door
Any 2015 challenge - #199:   DRS Designs
                  

Thank you

I have another thank you note using the ODB Music Speaks image - colored with metallic markers.  The dp - One Birdie Lane by Lily of the Valley; Paper Studio bird embossing folder.
Sketch:         Stella Says Sketch
Any ODB:    Our Daily Bread Shining the Light Challenge
Any 2015 challenge - many layers:   drs designs
 Any:             Cute Card Thursday
                      The HouseThat Stamps Built
                       Love to Scrap
                       Tuesday Morning Sketches
                        The Paper Shelter

HB, Will

The background is Distressed Stripes by Cuttlebug; DP is Paper Pizazz; image - embossing Arts.
Cheery Lynn die cut branches; Nestabilities circles.
Sketch:        Viva la Verve Sketches
 Celebrate:  The Paper Girls Challenge
Any:             Cheery Lynn Designs
                     Through the Craft Room Door
                      Crafty Creations Challenges
                      Inspiration Destination Challenge

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We had such a great trip to visit with family - daughter, son, spouses and grandkids -and were so fortunate to have clear roads to Colorado and back to AZ.  We have been so blessed in 2015 and look forward to a good 2016.  My wish for all of you is that you also will be blessed in many ways.  For those who have been facing difficulties, may God give you the strength to handle them.  We are thankful for His faithfulness.
This is one of several cards I will be making to use with thank you notes.  I am thankful for the prizes that make this possible - Music Speaks stamps by Our Daily Bread, and a Lily of the Valley paper pad (DP) - thanks, Anne. .  I used peach and rust for backing.  The bird embossing folder is by the Paper Studio. Gold glitter is the finishing touch.
Sketch:   Sketch Saturday
Any:        DL.ART
                The Paper Shelter 
                Sparkle N Sprinkle   
                Amusing Challenges
                 Love to Scrap
                 Our Daily Bread Shining the Light Challenge
                 Li'l Patch of Crafty Friends