Phindy's Place Sale

Who doesn't love a sale?  If you would like to stock up on images from Phindy's Place now is the time to do it because Phindy's Place is having an END OF SUMMER SALE  - "Buy Three - Get Another for FREE!".

The sale starts today and runs until September 14th.  Click here to get your discount code.

Christmas in Summer

It is time for a new challenge at Phindy's Place Challenge and we want you to make a Christmas card.  I love that I can get a head start on my holiday cards and I think I now have six made - only thirty-five or so to go.

I am always trying to come up with embellishments for Christmas cards that aren't too dimensional because I can't afford to mail that number of cards in boxes.  I made the ornaments very simply by punching circles, running them through my Cuttlebug in a swirly embossing folder and then adding a handcut top, some gold cord bows and gold floss hanging thread.  I rubbed some gold paste on the raised parts of the embossing to make it stand out.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

One Stitch at a Time - Say it with shapes
The Crazy Challenge - Never too early for Christmas cards
The Creative Cottage - Christmas

Image:  All Wrapped Up (Phindy's Place)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Green and Burgundy (Recollections), Gold (DCWV)
Papers:  Sandylion Sticker Designs
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor & Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Card Candy (Craftwork Cards), Circle Punches (EK Paper Shapers), Label 1 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Chalk (Mungyo), Gold Floss & Cord (My Stash), Swiss Dots & Swirls Embossing Folders (Cuttlebug), Gold Paste (Jacquard)

Going Dutch

The challenge today at Delightful Challenges is to get girly with lace and pearls.  I intended to try to make this little cutie all in blue and white because I often think of the Delft blue china when I think of Holland.  But in the process of doing a bit of research I discovered that orange is big in the Netherlands even though it isn't a colour in their flag - it is the colour of the royal family.  So that is why my card is blue and orange.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:


Stampin for the Weekend - Anything Goes
Paper Cutz - Anything Goes
Stamp Something - Use a digi

Image: Holland Mieke (Digital Delights by Louby Loo)
Card Stock: Bazzill
Papers: Orange Burst (Sandylion Sticker Designs), Blue Floral (Basic Grey)
Colouring Medium: Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor and Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine) & Copic Marker E00
Tools & Embellishments: Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Chalk Mungyo), Lace (My Stash), Ribbon (Fabricland), Lace Corner Punch and Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Petite Oval and Petite Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Last Card for Isabella

Sadly, today is the last challenge for Isabella's Sketchbook Challenge Blog.  Isabella has some family health issues that have prevented her from drawing lately.  As her family is and should be her first priority, she has decided to suspend the design team after this challenge and shut down the challenge blog.  She will however, be keeping her store open so I hope you will support her by picking up some of her wonderful images and using them in other challenges.

I feel honoured to have been selected by Isabella to be on this design team and thank her from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to expand my creativity.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Isabella and her family.

I also feel honoured to have been in the company of the talented ladies who served with me on the design team and thank them for all they have given to me over the past few months.  We have become online friends and will stay such, I am sure.

Our last challenge to you is to create a card with flowers you have made yourself.  They can be punched, fabric, crochet, or whatever you can dream up.  You must use one of Isabella's images on your project but there are so many to choose from in her store that you shouldn't have any trouble finding something suitable.  Just because this is the last challenge, please don't let that stop you from showing us your creativity.  You stand a chance to win two images of your choice from Isabella's store.  Don't forget to check the work of the other team members and be prepared to be inspired in a big way.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

A Pocket Full of Posies - Winged Things (must include flowers)
Craft Your Day Away - With Wings
Stampin for the Weekend - Anything Goes
Paper Cutz - Anything Goes
Res Q Challenge - Do something that makes you happy (I love to crochet)
Charisma Cardz - Die Cuts
Stampin B's Design Team - Die Cut, Circle & Flower
Creatalicious - Vintage

Image:  Fresh Flowers (Isabella's Sketchbook)
Card Stock:  Pink & Green (Recollections), Dark Rose (Bazzill), Cream for Card Blank ( Local Printer)
Paper:  Anna Griffen
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Pearl Stickers (Recollections), Pearl Brad (Gartner), Lace (Bridal Supply Store), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Chalk (Mungyo), #3 Crochet Thread (J. P. Coats), Flourishes .svg file cut with Cricut, Petite Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Giddyup & DT News

Today is a very exciting day for me.  I am showing you my first card as a member of the Design Team for Phindy's Place. I have been a  Phindy Phan since I first joined Paper Craft Planet in January and Phindy invited me to join her group.  It was there I got my first introduction to stamping, specifically using digital stamps.  I also met the most wonderful group of ladies and we chat like sisters every day.

This week the challenge at Phindy's Place Challenge Blog is to make a card for a baby or small child.  I wasn't in the mood to make a baby card this week and when I saw this image, I thought it would give me a chance to work in colour - lots of colour as you can see.  You must use a Phindy image on your project but she has some fabulous images in her store so pop over an pick one up so you can play with us.  There are lots of opportunities to win - a prize is given each week for a random winner and one card is chosen as top pick with a chance to be Guest Designer.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Stamps R Us - All Male Theme
Crafty Cardmakers  - Birthday Card
Digi Doodles Shops Best  - Anything Goes

Image:  Giddy-Up (Phindy's Place)
Sentiment:  My design
Card Stock:  Orange (Bazzill). Black (Recollections)
Papers:  Multi-coloured Diamond and Gold Diamond (Recollections), Turquoise (Sandylion Sticker Designs), Orange Dot (My Stash)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor & Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Circle Punches (EK Paper Shapers), Lasso Cord (My Kitchen), Border Print (Microsoft Clip Art), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger), Chalk (Mungyo), Card Candy (Craftwork Cards)

When I Grow Up

What do I want to be when I grow up?  I can think of many things but since I am already old, it is too late to make many of them happen :)  This cute little guy wants to be a fireman.  The challenge this week at Delightful Challenges is to make a Back to School card or other papercraft project using primary colours - red, green, yellow and blue.

You don't have to use a Digital Delights image on your project but if you do (and you really should because there are so many fabulous images in the store), you will get 2 entries in the draw for the wonderful prize provided by our sponsor this week -Simon Says Stamp.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Kah-Wink-E-Dink  - Back to School
Ooh La La Creations - Spots and Dots
Alys Sunday Challenge - Get Dotty
Bugaboo Stamps - Back to School
Stampin for the Weekend - Back to School
I Did It Creations - Anything Goes

Image:  Fireman Peyton (Digital Delights)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Recollections
Papers: Yellow (Provo Craft), Graph Paper (We R Memory Keepers), Spots (Sprouting Seeds Studio)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor and Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools and Embellishments: Card Candy (Craftworks Cards), Ceramic Button (My Stash), Cord (Elmers), School Elements (Sprouting Seeds Studio)

Christmas Bird

The challenge this week at Isabella's Sketchbook is to make a card with something hidden.  I struggled with this because I had all sorts of ideas but for the longest time nothing wanted to stay hidden - things kept popping open.  Finally I decided to hide a message behind the image and once I figured out how to hide it and allow it to be pulled out but not let it fall out I was a happy camper.

You must use an image from Isabella on your card and you have the chance to win 2 digis of your choice from  her store.  Check out the work of the other design team members to see the fun ways that they have hidden something.

I am going enter this card in the following challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday - Buttons & Bows
Crafty Catz - Animals
I Did It Creations - Anything Goes
Bee Crafty - Ribbons & Bows

Image:  Festive Bird (Isabella's Sketchbook)
Card Stock:  Recollections
Papers:  Striped (Bo Bunny), Swirl (Provo Craft)
Colouring Medium:  (Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor and Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Corner Rounder Punch (Marvy Uchida), Chalk (Mungyo), Fancy Tags (Spellbinders), Pearl Stickers (Dollarama), Button (My Stash - shank removed), Ribbon (Fabricland), Paint to change the button from white to pale green to match the pearls (Americana)

Flower Basket

We have a colour challenge for you this week at Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges.  It is still summer here so we want you to make a card or other paper project with sunny yellow and white or cream.  You must use a digital image on your project and while you don't have to use one of Daisy's wonderful images, you will get two entries in the challenge if you do.

This fabulous basket of flowers comes with the sentiment but even on its own I think this is such a versatile image because you could use it for a birthday card, sympathy card, get well card or even a card for a friend.

It is hard to see in the photo but I have glittered the distressed edges with Stickles and sprayed Glimmer Mist on the flowers. it doesn't hurt to add even more sparkle to all this sunshine:)

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Mark's Finest Papers - Think Flowers
Little Red Wagon - Summer Theme
Tuesday Taggers - Sunshine
Pocketfull of Posies  - All that Glitters (must include flowers)
Character Cafe - Bright and Sparkly

Image & Sentiment:  Just for You  (Daisy Doodles)
Card Stock:  White for Card Blank (Staples)
Papers:  Yellow (Provo Craft), Gingham (Recollections), Daisy (My Stash)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor & Koh-I-Noor) woth OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Stardust Stickles (Ranger), Pearls (Recollections), Chalk (Mungyo), Flowers (Bridal Supply Store), Branch Punch (Martha Stewart), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels)

On the Move

This week the challenge at Delightful Challenges is to make any papercrafting project with dots and stripes and featuring an animal or insect.  While you are not required to use a Digital Delights image on your project you will have two entries if you do.  All entries must follow the theme of the challenge to be considered.

Digital Delights is hosting digi day today at SNR so check out the details. There is a freebie available at the store for your use in the digi day challenge so hop over and pick it up.  You have one week to make a card for the digi day challenge.  While you are at the store, check out the summer sale going on - 50% off some of the favourite images.  What a deal!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Kah-Wink-E-Dink - Digital Stamp
Ooh-la-la Creations - Spots and Dots
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays  - Anything Goes with Sentiment
Mark's Finest Papers - Make Your Own Embellies

Image: Moving House Myrtle (Digital Delights by Louby Loo)
Sentiment: My design - computer generated
Card Stock: Blue (Recollections), Orange & Green (Bazzill)
Papers: Stripe (Provo Craft), Dotted (Recollections), Embossed (Curry's Art Store), Orange Distressed (DCWV)
Colouring Medium: Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor & Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments: Chalk (Mungyo), Card Candy (Craftwork Cards), Brads (Making Memories), Flower Punch (EK Paper Shapers), Labels 1 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Use Those Scraps

I don't know about you but my stash of bits and pieces of paper and card stock seems to be multiplying in the cupboard.  Fortunately the challenge this week at Isabella's Challenge is to use nothing but stuff that you have in your scraps.  Except for the card blank, nothing can be any larger than 3"x3" or the equivalent in sq. inches, which is nine (9).  Any embellishments must also be in your stash and you can't go out and buy anything new.  Don't forget, you need to have an image from Isabella's Sketchbook on your project.  Oh, and by the way you will want to check out the work of the other members of the Design Team and be prepared to be inspired.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers - Punches
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Things with Wings
Cute Card Thursday - Whateva

Image:  Hummingbirds (Isabella's Sketchbook)
Card Stock:  Green (Bazzill), Pink (Provo Craft), Burgandy (Recollections)
Papers:  Burgandy Floral (Provo Craft), Pink (Memories Forever)
Colouring Medium: Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor and Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Pearl Pins (Maya Road)  Silk Flowers (My Stash since 1982), Frond Punch and Fan Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Ribbon (Fabricland), Chalk (Mungyo)

Backpack Gift Card

My granddaughter will be four on Wednesday and her Great Grandmother asked us to pick up a gift for her.  She heads off to Junior Kindergarten in September so I thought a new backpack would be a perfect gift for Nana to give her.  The problem is that she is so tiny that the backpack will have to be fitted to her so I made this card with a pocket inside for some money and Mommy can take her to get just the right backpack.

I opened the image up in Word, scaled it to the size I wanted, duplicated it, flipped and rotated the second image and then aligned and nudged it up to the first image until I had a fold-over card shape.  I printed it three times, first on colouring card stock, then on purple and pink card stock (the favourite colours).  From there it was just a case of cutting, colouring the flowers and paper piecing.  Then I made a little pocket inside for the money.  Once it was all done, it looked really cute but the darn thing would not stand up so I made a little piece to to bridge the front to the back at the bottom inside.  I glued it down at one end and attached it with a tiny piece of Velcro at the other end.  Now it stands and she can get it open to get that money out.  We have her brainwashed to think that money has to go into her piggy bank so I hope we can convince her that this time she can spend it.

Image:  Backpack (Create with TLC)
Card Stock:  Pink and Purple (Recollections)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Button (Dollar Giant)

Daisies

This week, I really wanted to do something ultra clean and simple for Daisy Doodles and this is the result.  The cutting took a bit of time and I tried to limit the embellishments - just a bit of glitter in the centre of each flower and the ribbon.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - White and Bright
Colour Create - Hot Pink, Warm Orange and Saffron

Image:  Flower 13 (Daisy Doodles)
Sentiment:  Daisies (Create with TLC)
Paper:  All (Provo Craft)
Card Stock:  Staples
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor and koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Stardust Stickles (Ranger), Ribbon (Michaels)

Freebie Friday & Something New at Digital Delights

It is Friday and once again, Digital Delights by Louby Loo has a freebie for you, so hop over to the store and pick it up while it is still available.  You will love it because it is a companion piece to the cute school bus from last week that can now be purchased from the store.

Also, there is a new DVD section at the store with 3 DVDs available for purchase.  Each DVD is chock full with a number of retired images.  You can check all the details here.

Guest Designer - Woo-hoo

Today is an exciting day for me.  I have been chosen to be the first Guest Designer at Phindy's Place and today I get to show you my card.   I have had my eye on this image for ages and when I was told that the challenge would be Birthdays, I knew that this would be perfect because it is called Woo-hoo and just screams celebration.

You must use a Phindy image on your challenge entry but that shouldn't be a problem because there are so many wonderful images in Phindy's store that would be perfect for a birthday card.  Why don't you pop over and pick one up, if you don't already have one.  There is a prize for the random winner each week as well as a prize for the top pick and that top pick will be in the running for another Guest Designer spot.  How fun is that!  Don't forget to check out the work of Phindy's design team and prepare to be inspired.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Ooh-la-la Creations - Birthdays
Party Time Tuesdays - Summer Birthday Card
Your Next Stamp - Birthdays
Cute Card Thursday  - Whateva

Image:  Woo-hoo (Phindy's Place)
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Recollections
Papers: Stripes & Circles (Sandylion Sticker Designs), Pinata (Basic Grey)
Colouring Medium: Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor & Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Chalk (Mungyo), Buttons (My Stash), Cord (Elmers), Asterisks (Cuttlebug), Shaplie (Penny Duncan Creations) cut using Make the Cut software and Cricut

Clean and Simple for Phindy

I am entering this card in the challenge this week at Phindy's Place, which calls for a clean and simple card.  I needed that today since the weather is doing a tap dance on my head.  It is so hot and humid here and just as I went to go for my daily walk, it rained buckets.  Oh well,  perhaps that rain will cool things down a tad.

Image:  Proud Momma (Phindy's Place)
Sentiment:  Create with TLC
Card Stock:  Staples
Papers:  Multi-coloured Stripe (Provo Craft), Blue Stripe and Spotted (My Scrap Stash)
Colouring Medium:  (Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor and Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Lace Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Chalk (Mungyo), Sheer Ribbon (Michaels)

The Way to a Man's Heart

The challenge this week at Isabella's Sketchbook is an easy one, buttons and bows.  You can add one of each or a bunch of each but remember that your project must have an Isabella image.  If you don't have one or would like a new one, drop in to her store and get something so you can participate in this challenge.  Make sure you check all the fabulous work done by the rest of the design team.  You will be truly inspired.

I decided I would use one of each, especially after I found this fabulous checked button at my local fabric store.  It was a bit expensive but I used my member's card and got a bit of a discount because I just could not resist it.

If this little cutie had blond hair, it would be my granddaughter.  She loves to help bake and cook and is often grabbing her stool so she can be part of the action.  My daughter always liked to help me so it doesn't surprise me to see my granddaughter following in her footsteps.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

2 Sisters Challenge - Punches
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Punch or Cut Me
Cute Card Thursday - Texting Crazy
Dutch Dare - Anything Goes

Image:  Mom's Helper (Isabella's Sketchbook)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:  Cream (Neenah), Teal (My Stash), Red (Recollections)
Paper:  The Thrift Shop: Needs Paint (October Afternoon)
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor and Koh-I-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Heart Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Ribbon (Fabricland), Chalk (Mungyo), Lace (My Stash), Cord (Elmers)

Western Blog Hop & Challenge

Yee-haw, we are going back to the old west this week at Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges and having a western themed blog hop and challenge.

The blog hop started at Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges and if you came here from visiting Lawren (a.k.a. Pearl Hart, one of the only female stagecoach robbers in the American west), then you on the right track.  Your goal is to pick up a letter at each stop on the way, unscramble them to make a two-word phrase and when you get to the final stop, which is back at the challenge blog, you will get your final instructions.

The blog hop runs until August 15th so you have plenty of time to participate and be in the running for the wonderful prize for this blog hop, which is the new Freddy Goes West mega set from Daisy Doodles Store.

At the same time we are having a challenge.  We want you to make a card and one other item with a western theme and enter it at Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges between now and August 15th for a chance to win a $5 gift certificate to the Daisy Doodles store.  As you can see, I have made an invitation to go with my card.

Next you want to mosey on down to see Monika (a.k.a. Poker Alice, the best known female poker player in the old west) and collect another letter.  Before, you go, make sure you leave a comment so we know you were here.  If you haven't figured it out yet, the letter you need to collect from my blog is D.

I am going to enter the card in the following challenges:

Mami Doodles - Anything Goes.
Paperplay Challenges - Anything Goes
Stamp-n-Doodle - Anything Goes
Stampin B's Design Team - Birthday
Oh La La Creations - Birthday
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Anything Goes
Ellephantastic Cards n Crafts -Distressing

Card
Images:  Freddy, Cactus, Horseshoe, Mine (Daisy Doodles)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:   Recollections
Papers:  Plaid (Doodlebug Designs), Metallic (Curry's Art Store), Wood (Daisy Doodles) 
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor & Koh-i-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Chalk (Mungyo), Vintage Photo Distressing Ink (Ranger)

Invitation
Images:  Hoss (Daisy Doodles)
Text:  Computer Generated
Card Stock:   Recollections
Colouring Medium:  Pencil Crayons (Prismacolor & Koh-i-Noor) with OMS (Taltine)
Tools & Embellishments:  Chalk (Mungyo), Vintage Photo Distressing Ink (Ranger)