Christmas 2013

I am still hoping some one will suggest how to do the faces of the shepherds!
Supplies:  Stampendous stamps, Studio G sentiment, Faith papers by Paper Studio, $1 star punch, Cuttlebug frame EF, Cheery Lynn branch die - purchased at Joan's Gardens.
The challenge at Joan's Gardens is to include paper piecing.  She has a link to a video on piecing a die.  I did not have a suitable die, but tried to replicate the technique with this stamp.  You may not be able to see it, but the palm branches are two layers  - for a bit  of the second color and also more dimension. 
I did the same with the shepherd's crook.  For the tree, I cut a lighter green piece - sort of cutting outside the lines.  Then I stamped on a darker green, cutting inside the lines.  This gives a sense of a few lighter fronds - our palm trees have different shades of green.  I also pieced the shepherds robes - and decided to make it look light the one on the left is facing the other way.  For the MFP challenge I used a second stamp to do the sheep on the left - the Stampendous clear stamp set has 3 images and a sentiment.  I used 2 of the images.
CHALLENGES:
Sketch: http://seizethesketch.blogspot.com/
Recipe (1 die (branch), 2 images (see above), 3 colors (red, green, beige):
Recipe (piecing, red and green, item from her store): http://www.atjoansgardens.com/search?updated-max=2013-10-02T10:00:00-04:00

Sarah's Wedding

We have a wedding in the family in a few days.  Traditionally, I try to incorporate aspects of the invitation as I make the card.  This was more challenging, as Sarah is a bit untraditional!  The lace, brown ribbon, initials, and textured look of the bg as well as the colors are similar to the invitation.  I am not sure how it looks on your screen - mine does not really show the dark cream look of the bk.  I used the LifeStyle weaving EF for that.  Ironically, the G is for both last names!  The sentiment is Great Impressions.    The image came from a Wish RAK member so I do not know the source.  I selected it because she was such an accomplished horsewoman in her teens.  The card is 5x7.
Wedding:  http://acreativeneed.wordpress.com/
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/
New beginnings:  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
Embossing:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Starting with "G":  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

After Valentine's Day Hearts

I ran out of time before I ran out of heart/Valentine challenges.  I think this shows the love, with hearts and the sweet Your Next Stamp image, yet can be used as a non-valentine greeting.  The DP at the top is K&Company, and the piece at the bottom is My Mind's Eye.  Sentiment is a dollar stamp.  I added pearls, scallops and a ribbon.
Sketch:   http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
Hearts:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
          http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Love:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
Red:  http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.com/

Pieced chair

I am not sure the paper piecing shows - I did the chair back and foot rest in a subtle blue, light brown and white print - maybe it was too subtle! Supplies:  Art Impressions image, chel pencils, tear drop gems, ribbon, DP, brown, white, blue cs.
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Paper piecing:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/02/speedy-fox-and-friends-challenge-145.html
Gents and Gems:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/

Glittery White for Christmas

I discovered more names on my Christmas card list!  This was fairly quick, and still meets some challenges, I think.  I added glitter to the snowflake bg, and used shimmery white cs for that layer.  The stars are punched from shimmery off white cs with a Recollections punch.
For this ODB challenge:  N= New punch, Nativity;  O= old lace (that was a hard one);  E= embossing;  L= lace, layers.
NOEL -  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch:  http://thecraftsmeowshop.blogspot.com.au/
White:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Sparkle and shine (more IRL than you can see here!):  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/2012/12/challenge-18-sparkle-and-shine.html
Snow: http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
      http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/ 

Autumn Thank You

I need a couple of thank you cards.  I failed to make note of this image - it has been in my "colored stash" for a while.  The floral dp is from a Daisy D pack -  I have had this for a while, and kind of forget to use it during the fall season!  I added a bit of ribbon and some crystals.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.co.uk/
Leaves:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.co.uk/ 
Fall colors:  /http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/

Embossed wedding

Yeah!  I was able to use the new embossing set I recently acquired.  It is Wedding Set 2 by Sizzix.  It has the A2 bg folder that I used (although I hid the second heart) and 4 smaller ones - this says Together Forever.  I used Labels 4 and a butterfly by Spellbinders.
Recipe:  1 ribbon, 2 embossing folders, and 3 dies:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
(Thanks to their designers - I was quite influenced by some of their examples.)

YSN Beaver Bob

This is from one of my SCS albums.
I have recently acquired several new goodies and have been anxious to use them. 
The image, Beaver Bob, by Your Next Stamp, is part of the prize I was lucky enough to win as part of the Dirty Girl challenges a few weeks ago. I colored him with Prismas.  For some reasons, that image makes me think FALL!   The sentiment is by fancy Pants.  I just bought a set of fall embossing folders by Sizzix.
Challenges:
Anything goes - YNSC16
The sketch, with a fall twist: http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
A favorite technique - dry embossing sponged with chalk: http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
I used ribbon and bg DP that I have had for several years:  http://useittuesday.blogspot.com/
Dry embossing: http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Cheery greetings

These are fun colors for a cheery card.  The image is Penny Black, and I have had the papers (DCWV, I think) for a long time.  I added the ribbon and charm (from Pizzazz Aplenty)  to the sketch.
The sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
Using dots:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
The colors:  http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/
Adding a charm:  http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Sunny day bar-b-q

I seem to need a lot of masculine cards.  I used some b&w dp sent by a cyber friend at WishRAK, backed by yellow cs from my stash.  The Fella image (stamping Bella), yellow tag and sunny die (CB Olivia set) have been in my stash for more than a couple of years.  The punch is Martha Steward trellis.  I colored the image with chalk pencils, and added a strip of black ribbon.  (The image and tag are also from WishRAK)
A masculine card:   
http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2012/07/speedy-fox-and-friends-challenge-116.html
Sun:  http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch, and items from my stash (image, tag, sun die):  http://www.sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/

Circles in blues and greens

This turtle is so cute - can anyone identify him?  Colored with Prismas; computer sentiment added.  The sparkly green flower is by Petaloo,  Michael's rhinestonesl DCWV DP.   Green and blue:   http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-07-10T00:58:00-04:00&max-results=3     Sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/

 

 

Western Father's Day

This western image is an older set from Mark's Finest Papers. The sentiment is really old and has no label.  I used my brand new Vagabond die cut machine to emboss - I am afraid my cuttlebug is dying from overuse!  I have lots to learn, but I really liked the results of the Vagabond in some limited tries.  And I got a good deal at Joann's, so I am pretty satisfied.  This is the CB Argyle folder.  I completed the card with a brad and shiny brown twine.
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/challenge-54-dad-daddy-papa.html  (Dad, Father)
http://www.marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/  (Father's Day)
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges  (Father's Day)
http://skippingstonesdesign.com/  (sketch)
http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.com/   (for the boys)

For a baby

When I saw the color challenge of pink, green and blue I immediately thought of a baby card, but it turned out to be more challenging than I expected - mainly because i have little in the way of baby images.  I was also trying to keep it for either a boy or girl.  The image, label and green mat were all acquired through Wish RAK at SplitCoastStampers.  DP is from a Debbie Mumm stack.  I used a blue watercolor pencil and aqua brush, then added the drops from Robyn's Nest.
Any:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
Pink, green, blue:  http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
I no lolnger have any kids to craft with, so I created a card for a kid:  http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2012/05/nsd-4-kids-craft.html
"3" - squares:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
Layout:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/

A tribute to past generations

There are several challenges asking us to recognize important women in our lives.  I admit, this does not represent any one I know (though there is some resemblance to a couple of aunts who passed on long ago).  So it is a tribute to those many women who bring humor and friendship to our lives.
The image is paper pieced and colored with Prismas.  The DP is from a Recollections pad.  I did the sentiment on the computer. BG is the Cuttlebug happy birthday folder.

The sketch:  http://www.thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/
I used the color (blue) and swirly look as inspiration:  http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/
This calls for rain or shine - I think these gals are taking advantage of the sunshine:  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/
For a special lady (see above):  http://www.dutchdare-cardchallenges.blogspot.com/
"Blue":  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday Grandson

Here is one more addition to my inventory.  Cards for young boys are not easy for me.  I thought these colors were right for the subject.  The image is a gift from someone in WishRAK over at SCS, and I do not know the name.  I used an old set to create Grandson - they are the letters that link together like Legos, but I cannot recall what they are called - this is another senior moment LOL!  The yellow cs is from A Muse and the rest is from my stash. 
The sketch is here:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
This is a birthday card with a sentiment:  http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/
I used a faux stitching EF from Just my Type (CB), and I used RED in honor of Anne Harmon, who is featured here:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/