New Year's Eve 2013

It is the last day of the year. I remember when I was younger, the years seemed so long, and now they seem so short. I plan on having a quiet New Years Eve, spending it with family and probably just watching movies. We wanted to go snow boarding on the 2nd, but appears there is not enough snow up at Mount Lemmon, so I guess that will not be happening this year.  Oh, well, I guess I will just have to play in my playroom.

I wanted to share with you my very first card I made using my new Chromatix markers I received for Christmas.
So far I really like them, so I guess you will be seeing more cards in 2014 using these babies.

This is a fun image I purchased from Bugaboo stamps. The sentiment is from Created with TLC, and I think works great together. I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!


A New year with old friends
I would like to enter my New Years card into the following challenges:


Hand over the Chocolate

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Saturday. Jumping in for a quick post to display my card I finished last night. I want to enter another card into the Fussy and Fancy Challenge blog where the theme has been chocolate.

One of my girlfriends gave me this great die cut from Sizzix called Flagpole w/Lantern & Sign, so I wanted to try it out. I remembered I had this sentiment, "Hand over the Chocolate.." so I thought I would come up with a card using these items.

Very simple, but I like it! I think I will put a Valentine sentiment inside and use it for one of my Valentine cards.

There are a few other "Anything Goes" challenges going on so I think I will also enter a few of them as well:

Well that is it for now. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.




Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge #9 Vintage Glitter

What a busy week! I hope everyone had a Wonderful Holiday with family and Friends. It is Saturday and that means another challenge over at Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenges.  This week the theme is Vintage Glitter.

Our sponsor this week is Lacy Sunshine. She has some wonderful vintage style stamps, so pop on over and take a look.
The image I chose to work with this week was Winter Lizabeth.

Here is what I did:

  • Image is on a tag and tag matted onto Green Glitter paper which has been cut using Spellbinders - Majestic Elements Die cuts
  • Ribbon, feather and gems from my stash
  • Colored image using Artist Loft Pencils and Gamsol blending solution
  • Added sentiment: Santa Baby
Santa Baby
Hopefully you are inspired to participate this week. I hope to see what you come up with.

I would like to enter this tag into the following challenges:

Thanks Santa!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. I snuck away for a few minutes to enter a few card challenges. I have neglected my blog over the last few days, so I just wanted to pop in for a minute. Santa was very good to me this year...I guess I was on the nice list. I can't wait to play with all my new toys.
My craft room AKA spare bedroom is still occupied with company, so it will be another day until I can get in there. But this card will do to thank Santa for all my wonderful gifts.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

The night before Christmas...


Here is a little poem that was shared with me by my card making group.

Twas the night before Christmas,
I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa has brought just
for me.
Could it be cardstock, or stamp sets,
or lace?
Or a Big Shot, I said,
with a smile on my face
And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa!" I said.
"You know...good little girls
should be in their beds." 
"I know I should Santa,
And now I've been caught.
But I was just so excited
To see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look
In this room where you work."
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim
As he put it in gear,
"You've got enough crap,
I'll see you next year!"


Wishing you and yours a Very Happy Holiday!

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:




Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge #8 - White Christmas

Happy Saturday! It is time for another challenge over at Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenges. Only 4 more days until Christmas, so a White Christmas theme seems appropriate.

Our sponsor this week is Lacy Sunshine. By now you should all be familiar with her work. If not, stop by her blog and take a look around. I am sure you will love what you find.

I have to admit, every time I made a card for this challenge, I ended up posting it to my blog early, so I had to make another card. Well, I am happy with how my Winter Wonderland turned out. Hopefully it will give you some inspiration to play along.
Winter Wonderland
Here is what I used:

  • White Card stock for base of card
  • Printed holiday paper from American Crafts
  • Doily cut out using Tim Holtz Die cuts
  • Snow Flakes and Red Gem by Recollecitons
  • Snow with Liquid Applique
  • Colored with Artist Loft Pencils and Gamsol Blending Solution
Now let's see what you can create for a White Christmas
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:


Valentine's Day in December

T.G.I.F. Hellooooooooooooo. Well the title of my blog post may be strange, but I figured if we can have Christmas in July, why can't we have Valentine's Day in December? I know we are all in the Christmas Mode, but Valentine's Day will come up fast and I don't want to be making last minute cards, so I decided to try and start early. Perhaps that can be one of my New Year's resolutions...We'll see how that goes as the year progresses.

I recently came across Bugaboo digi stamps. They are so fun. I especially love Stella. She has a warped sense of humor, and I love it. Just my style. So when I find a digi artist that I love, of course I want more stamps. I try to find challenges they are sponsoring and Bugaboo lists them all. Makes it easy for me, so thanks!

Here is my first Valentine's Day card.


I just love this sentiment. She just says it how it is. And of course I love to match the inside of my cards to the outside. I have a matching envie as well, but didn't post that. You'll just have to use your imagination.

Lots of the Christmas paper and embellishments are going on sale now so I am stocking up for next year, but I am also picking up some Valentine items as well. So I am getting ready. Don't be surprised if you start to see my Valentine Day cards popping up.



I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:




A Girl Can never have too many shoes..Right?

Happy Thursday. It has been so nice to be able to use some of my rubber stamps again...finally. I have been so busy with DT cards, that my rubber stamps have been on the side lines gathering dust. Well I am ahead of schedule on my DT cards, so I can play a little.

This is a fun rubber stamp that I have used in the past for my sister's birthday...Yes, she is a Diva, so it is easy to poke fun of her.  I saw this sketch over at C.R.A.F.T Challenge and decided to work with it.

Here is what I did:

  • Rubber stamp from Stamps Happen, Inc
  • Colored image using Recollections Creative Markers
  • Paper is from We R Memory Keepers - Girls Night Out
  • Dot paper from stash
  • Pink from stash, grunged up with sand paper
I know the sketch has a sentiment, but I did not want to cover up my shoes (LOL). 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Jingle Bell Rock

Can you believe that Christmas is exactly a week away. My Christmas cards are mailed, most of my shopping is completed, but I still have some baking to do. There are a few challenges that I try to enter every month, and this is one of them. I just love Kenny K's images. They are so fun. I only have a few of them, so I either need to win some or buy some.

This was a freebie given out a few months ago and I had not had a chance to put a card together with him. I originally thought I would make it into a birthday card, but then I had the idea of Jingle Bell Rock..and I think it works. What do you think?

Here is the sketch I used:

And here is what I did:

  • The sketch from Sweet Sketch
  • Checkered paper and Rock sentiment is from DCWV - Teenage Dream Stack
  • Musical paper and Jingle bell is from my stash 
  • Gems are from recollections
  • Black card stock for base
  • Colored image with Artist's Loft pencils and Gamsol blending solution



I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

I Love Chocolate

Happy Tuesday! Well I don't typically post twice in one day, but I just finished this card I have been working on so I wanted to share. I won this digi stamp from Fresh Brewed Designs and when I saw the current challenge they are hosting, I knew exactly what I would do.

I have this great rubber stamp that I have used for many occasions. It is a friendship stamp, but can work for birthday's or any type of celebration.

The challenge is over at Fussy and Fancy and the theme is CHOCOLATE. I have recently become acquainted with Fresh Brewed Designs and just love their stamps, so much that I applied to be on their Design Team. I am currently on 3 teams and am looking to take on 2 more. I have one in the works, that I hope to announce early next year and this one. I had applied to be on Kenny K's team, but was not chosen. A little disappointed, but that is OK. There are so many talented card makers out there, so I completely understand. I really like his images as well, so I am sure I will be playing along to perfect my card making talent and hopefully try again in the future.

Here is a closer look at the digi image from FBD and my rubber stamp sentiment is from Stampendous. I used paper from my stash and made flowers using my new Die-namics die cut that I purchased from MFT stamps.

It is a tri-fold card and definitely fits the CHOCOLATE theme. What do you think?

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Ends Jan 10 - Fussy and Fancy Friday - #104 Chocolate
Freshly Brewed - Blog Candy Challenge   (Here is the Candy)
Ends Dec 23 - Make it Monday -  #171 Anything Goes
Ends Dec 31 - Crafty Sentiments - Birthdays
Ends Jan 7 - Divas by Design - Anything Goes
Ends Jan 7 Digi Stamps for Joy - #82 Anything Goes
Ends Dec 24 - Emergency Crafters - Anything but Christmas

Bit by the Bug Tuesday: Winter Bug

It's Tuesday, do you know what that means? It is time to introduce you to another Bit By the Bug freebie over at Creative Bug on the Loose.

This week we have Winter Bug

Winter Bug is a very versatile Bug and can be used not only for the holidays, but birthdays as well. This is one you are not going to want to miss.  

My niece just had a birthday, so when I saw this image, I knew I wanted to do a birthday theme. It worked perfectly since she is holding a present. But there are many occasions to give presents, aren't there? So you can see, the possibilities are endless. What do you see when you look at Winter Bug? 



Here is what I did:

I used white card stock for the base of my card and matted it with a birthday printed paper. I embossed an olive green card stock by Kraft-Core (Nostalgic Collection) with my Cuttlebug numbers embossing folder. I colored the CB image with Artist's Loft pencils and gamsol blending solution. The image was cut out using Sizzix Framelits - Oval Collection. I brushed the scalloped edges with Tim Holtz Distressing Ink - broken china. 
Finally I finished off the card with a sentiment from the Stampin UP Collection called Riveting which I cut out using Spellbinders Nestabilities - Lacey Circles. I finished off my project by creating a matching envelop using my Stampin Up envelope Maker.

Now, in order to take advantage of this week's free digi stamp, Winter Bug, you have to head over to Creative Bug on the Loose and follow the instructions on how to grab it. While you are over there, don't forget to check out all the great digi's available in the store for purchase.

So, what are you waiting for. Head over to Creative Bug on the Loose NOW!

I've caught the bug,
have you?












I Would like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Stick it Down - Sneak Preview

Happy Monday! Well it is the start of another week and the team from Stick it Down is just so anxious to get started in January. We all are just like a bunch of little kids waiting for Christmas to arrive.

Since January is still 2 weeks away, we decided we wanted to give you a little sneak preview. Some of the design teams have put together a project for a little pre-inspiration. I wanted to share with you one of my favorite rubber stamps. I believe I got this from a garage sale. I have used it for Christmas Cards in past as well as Congratulatory cards for new babies. It is just so perfect and precious.

Here is the sketch we had to work from:

And here is what I did:

  • White card stock for base of card
  • Black and white paper from my stash
  • Star Punch
  • Angel stamp is from Inkadinkado
  • Sentiment stamp is from Just Rite - Christmas Trimmings

All Wrapped up
The sentiment worked just perfectly, since the baby is all wrapped up. What a perfect gift!

I hope that we have given you some inspiration to check back with us in January. As a reminder, this will be a multi-challenge blog with a new challenge posted each Tuesday. 

1st Tuesday: Single page layouts based on the sketch
2nd Tuesday: Card based on the sketch
3rd Tuesday: Single page layouts based on the sketch
4th Tuesday: Double page layout based on the sketch
5th Tuesday: Anything Goes

Have a great week!

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

December 14 is Monkey Day

If you have been following Creative Bug on the Loose, you will see that Lisa from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles has been keeping us informed of all the Celebrations taking place around the world. Well, apparently today is Monkey Day. What?*! Well, I love Monkeys, so of course I had to investigate this further.

It is said that this holiday was started in 2000 by art student, Casey Sorrow, over at Michigan State University. It became popular when he and a fellow student Eric Millikin began to use Monkey Day in their Artwork and Fetus-X comic strips. It is now celebrated in countries like the U.S., Canada, Germany and the U.K.

The day is described by Hallmark as the "one day when monkey business is actually encouraged." Some of the activities encouraged are going on shopping sprees, eating Ben & Jerry's  Chunky Monkey ice cream and spending the day at the zoo.

Well, in honor of Monkey Day, I have created a special card. If you recall, CBD has sock monkey digitals, so of course I had to use one of those.

Lets Monkey Around


This would be a great Valentine's Day card! If you would like to see my other cards featuring the Sock Monkeys here are the links:  Monkey Jumpin on the Bed and Manfred the Circus Monkey.

So enjoy your Monkey Day!

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Ends Dec 17 - Try Stampin On Tuesday - #146 Sketch

Stitched with Love

T.G.I.F. I am so  happy, I have finished all of my D.T. cards for the month of December. Now I can play a little. I have been doing so many cards with digi stamps, my regular rubber stamps are beginning to feel neglected. I have this stamp set from TPC studio called Vintage Threads. It is one of my favorite, yet I do not use it nearly as often as I would like to. My mother was a seamstress when I was growing up, which meant that I learned to sew at an early age. I use to make my clothes in Junior and high school and continued on even after I graduated college. When my son was born, I made his christening outfit, and still have it to this day. I don't do hardly any sewing these days, but this stamp set brings back lots of memories.

When I saw challenge # 87 over at {PIN}spirational, I knew I had to join. So just a quick post, for a quick challenge entry. This challenge ends on Dec 16 - so I am glad I saw it.


Stitched with Love
Inspiration Photo

Bit by the Bug Beginnings Another Bug is Born


Guess what? It is that time again so head on over to Creative Bug on the Loose because a new Bug has been born. Come and check out the newest Creative Bug digital image:

North Pole Ambassador
Northpole Ambassador is a a friendly little snowman waiting to greet you at the North Pole. This image is so fun and perfect to add to your CBD collection. It can be used for a variety of layouts, you just need to let your imagination go to work. Here is what I came up with. Yes, I know, another black and white card. But a girl loves what a girl loves!



Here is what I did:

I used white card stock for the base of my card and matted it with polka dotted paper. Matted that with the white embossed frame. Matted my snowman image with black card stock and secured with 4 black brads.
Cut out snow flakes from glitter paper using a small punch and borrowed die cuts from girlfriend (not sure what brand). colored image with Artist Loft's pencils and Gamsol blending solution. Dotted every...and I mean every...snowflake dot from Creative Bug Digital image with dimensional magic and added my Merry Christmas message.

Here is a closer look at the card so you can see all the dots with dimensional magic. It was well worth it!






Now, how would you like the opportunity to win a copy of this new release?


Creative Bug on the Loose is having a draw to win a copy of North Pole Ambassador. To find out what you need to do, make sure you head over to the blog and follow the directions that have been laid out.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Head over to Creative Bug on the Loose NOW!



I've caught the bug,
have you?


I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:








Christmas & Snowflakes

Happy Wednesday! Wow. I can't believe it is mid week already. I did some Christmas Shopping last night and just have a couple more things to pick up then I can get my box in the mail to my family in California. In between the shopping, I had a chance to finish up this card I started a couple of days ago. I had a minor mishap when working on this card.  When I opened my jar of gamsol to begin my blending, I spilled some solution on the card. I thought for sure it was ruined. I decided to go to bed and deal with it in the morning. When I woke up this morning, it was like the spill never happened. It dried up perfectly. I was so happy, I thought for sure I was going to have to start from scratch!

Heather over at Lacy Sunshine is being very generous this month. Typically you need to participate in her last challenge to get a freebie for next challenge, but she is offering this cutie up to everyone this month. Pop over to her blog to see what you need to do to get this cutie.  Additionally, if you use "Flurry" in her current challenge, she will give you another freebie called "Willow" and you also get to be put in her drawing for a $30 image voucher.

I am going to a holiday party this Saturday with the group that I make cards with. We are having a secret gift exchange, so I plan on giving this card along with the gift. Hopefully it will be a hit.


Here is what I did:

  • Used turquoise blue for my card base and cut the corners with my fancy scissors
  • Matted image on blue card stock and matted that onto glitter card stock
  • embellished hair with baby white pearls and drops with rhinestones from recollections
  • used drops of dimensional magic to bring out drops on image
  • Punched out snowflakes with silver glitter paper
  • added silver snowflake and silver brads
  • Sentiment is from Just Rite Cling Stamps - Christmas Trimmings
  • colored image using Artist Loft pencils and gamsol blending solution


This card was suppose to be for a future challenge on one of the DT I am on, but I want to make sure I get my freebie. Oh well, guess I will just have to make another card.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:


Santa on Vacation

I have been seeing these Bugaboo digi's all over these card challenges, and I finally had to check them out myself. There are some really fun images and right now they are having their annual 50% off Christmas sale going on. I picked up a few stamps and this was one of them:

Inner Tubing Santa

I have a feeling I will be spending (literally) some more time over at that shop. It looks like they also have a reward program, where you earn 1 point for every $1 spent. Then after 60 points you can redeem for stamps. They also have a "Freebie" Friday, so you know where I will be on Fridays. So much to offer, it feels like Christmas. But wait, there is more, I popped over to their challenge blog, Catch the Bug, and they have a list of Challenge Blogs that they are currently sponsoring, so this is another way to pick up some of these fabulous images.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:




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Challeng Winners - February & March 2023

   Hello everyone. As you may have noticed, I have been MIA for the last couple of months. Life has been very busy and it has been difficult...