Housewarming for John & Rita

This is for friends who recently moved to a new home.  A move like that for a couple who are in their (very young) 80's - this is an event worthy of a celebration!  I wanted to use this image (The Alley Way - digi) but I changed it a bit to fit our southwestern locale.  This is my version of paper piecing.  I cut the branches, trunk, house and roof separately.  The trunk is embossed with an EF called linear (LifeStyle) - the triangle bits look a little like the trunk of a palm tree - with chalk.  I slit the branches to look a bit like a palm tree - colored the base image as well.  I embossed the house with "Woven" (LifeStyle), then chalked it to look like stucco.  I colored the roof with a Prisma - then decided it needed to be shiny, so I used a TwinklingH20 over that.  (Usually my computer ink runs when I use anything with water - maybe I sealed it with the Prismas!)  The windows are colored with a metallic gold.  The papers are Paper Studio; Blessings is Cheery Lynn, and there are a couple of gold sticker strips.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Celebration:  http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/
Inspiration (The touch of red):  http://beinspiredchallenge.blogspot.com/
Chalk:  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/ 
Cute:  http://www.dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com/
Any, with embossing:  http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://treasuredtimesrubberstampschallenges.blogspot.com/
          http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2014/12/dlart-december-linky-challenge.html

Pastel cupcake

Ske

Interpreting an inspiration challenge is not always easy for me.  The Alley way challenge offered several choices - even harder to decide!  I was looking for some DP that I had in mind, when I noticed this piece - by the Paper Studio  It was part of a sort of grab bag - lots of paper, and this is the first I used these cupcakes!  It fits the color part of the inspiration, and I was inspired to use this sketch for the circles as well.  The Alley Way image is colored with Prismas - some Stickles added to the icing and to the pink flower.
Sketch:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Inspiration:  http://beinspiredchallenge.blogspot.com/
Circles:   http://stampandcreateblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Challenge
Birthday: http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=3542740&group=0&frame_type=b&frame=1&click=0&user=0http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=3542740&group=0&frame_type=b&frame=1&click=0&user=0

MMTPT298 for Lesley

I think this is a bright, springy card to show support for a friend of a teapotter (at SplitcoastStampers) who is undergoing tough times with cancer - the latest is that her blood count was too low for a scheduled treatment.  I am sure Lesley would appreciate prayers.  For more details:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/teapot-tuesdays-f260/mmtpt298~april-15-2014~peace-love-lava-lamps-t586525.html
I could not think of anything for the lava lamps or the 60's, so I opted for a supportive theme - this sentiment is a part of my Wish RAK stash, and the Hello is from The Alley Way.   The starry pattern is the best I could do for the red polka dot inspiration photo!
Sketch:  http://unscriptedsketches.com/
Inspiration:  http://beinspiredchallenge.blogspot.com/
Spring flowers:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Spring:  http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.com/
Feminine:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/

Black & white and a bit of red

Lots of cuttlebug here - the CG Snowflake folder and a Lifestyle ef as well.  The Thanks is a die cut from the Olivia Alphabet die set (Cuttlebug).  I did not have the pattern shown in the Alley Way inspiration photo, so I inked up the embossing folder with black ink, and added a bit of herringbone Washi tape.  The swirl punch is from EK success and the DP is DCWV.  Oh yes, I used a digi from the Alley way, but cut the trees apart to give them a different position.  The red (hearts and dots) has been glittered - but the glitter is also on a few other spots!
Sketch and thanks:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/little-claire-monthly-challenge-41.html
Bingo (glitter, red, ribbon):  http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
Inspiration, with TAW digi):  http://beinspiredchallenge.blogspot.com/
Use of Cuttlebug with red:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Black ("b" color):  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Dots:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.com/
          http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/

Happy Birthday, Marilyn

Each year, her husband asks me to make a card for my friend.  She is also a loyal customer, and has told me how much she likes this image.  (Thanks, the Alley Way!)  They are full time RVers- I think it is the homespun look that she likes.  It is colored with Prismas, and the sentiment is computer generated. The die cut strip  and tiny flowers are from Cuttlebug borders.  The cloud is Cheery Lynn.
I used the colors and stripes from the inspiration:  http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.com/search/label/BE%20inspired%20Challenge
The sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.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

Oranges

Sorry for this photo - I use a scanner and today it would not cooperate.  I am amazed at the different results - I am sure I am using the same procedure!  Technology is definitely not my forte!
I used this digi from The Alley Way Stamps - colored with an orange Spica pen and Prismas..  I used lots of items from my stash - this DP was a part of one of the first Stacks I purchased.  The glittery buttons (American Crafts) have also been around a long time.  The twine is AMuse - I like this or a more masculine look.  I used the Argyle EF and Recollection tape to give the impression of walkways. 
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
Buttons: http://critterchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Buttons from my stash:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.ca/2013/04/its-time-to-button-up.html
Any:  http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/
Inspiration - oranges  (tiles, dots):  http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.com/search/label/BE%20inspired%20Challenge

Birthday Cupcake

Both the image and sentiment are from The Alley Way (colored with prismas, and Enamel Accent for the frosting)- thank you for the freebies!  DP is from a Recollections pad, and I added a bit of vintage lace. Circle/scallops by Cuttlebug.
Sketch:  http://hobbycutzchallenges.blogspot.com/
Inspiration (pink, polka dots, lace, cake):  http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.com/search/label/BE%20inspired%20Challenge
Scallops:  http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://lacysunshinechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:   http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/

Spring Birthday

I have been having major computer and internet woes - again!  So it is good I could get on here for a little while at least, and get this added.  I used a free digi image and sentiment from The Alley Way.  The DP is DCWV, and flowers by Petaloo.  I colored with a combination of Prismas and gel pens, with glitter added to the frosting.  The sketch is Sweet Sketch Wed, but though I finished the card, I could not get on to upload on time!
Digital image:  http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
Spring colors:  http://thesweetpeastampers.blogspot.co.uk/
Birthday, with ribbon:  http://theprettylittleribbonshop.blogspot.com/
Inspiration, with green and white, and TAWS freebie:   http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.com/search/label/BE%20inspired%20Challenge
Any:  http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.com/