SOS #271 - Apple for Teacher

I was lucky to be able to make a couple of cards today.  The second one is for the latest challenge from Shopping Our Stash featuring fruits or vegetables.  In my stash, I have zero veggies (and I know they're good for you).  I did have a cute Stamps of Life set called "apple2stamp" and the coordinating die.  It also has punny apple sentiments that are so cute!

I layered all scrap DSP from my scrap basket on a kraft card base.  I then added a burlap doily and popped up the apple die cut after heat embossing the sentiment and inking the edges with Distress.  Pretty simple card!

Thanks for visiting today!

O Christmas Tree

Happy Friday!  Today's card is for the latest CASology challenge and CAS(e) this Sketch:

Another Christmas card done...happy dance! 

This card used three different stamp sets so I could create the Charlie Brown tree.  I first stamped the tree stand (masking off the tree part), then lined up the little bough, curving the stamp a bit.  I added the little ornament that I colored with Copics and shined up with Glossy Accents.   Snoopy and the sentiment were stamped next in black ink.  Lastly, I added a little scrap banner so the images wouldn't float into space :).

I love that little tree!  A quick story ~ On the corner of the block where I used to live there was this scraggly evergreen tree that seemed to stay at about 2 feet tall for years.  Every Christmas, in the middle of my Christmas decorating frenzy, I would sneak down to the tree after dark and hang one red ball.  When I moved, I passed the tradition on to my favorite neighbors.  They send me a pic every year.  Gotta love Christmas!

Here's the stuff I used:
     Cardstock - Neenah Solar White
     DSP - scrap basket
     Stamps - Concord & 9th's O Christmas Tree; Stamp of Approval's Candy Cane Collection, and
          Stampabilities' Snoopy Collection (retired)
     Inks - Memento Bamboo Leaves, Rich Cocoa, and Tuxedo Black
     Other - MFT Stitched Rectangle, Copics, and Glossy Accents

Thanks so much for stopping by ~ have a terrific weekend!

Masculine Thanksgiving

Hi there!  I made a card this morning following the latest sketch challenge from The Paper Players:

I was trying for a masculine Thanksgiving card with different coloring than I usually use.  I'm not sure it screams "guy card" but I liked the color combo.  Plus I actually used up some more washi tape...yay for me!

Here's the stuff I used ~
     Cardstock:  Strathmore Bristol
     DSP:  Lawn Fawn's Perfectly Plaid (Fall)
     Stamp(s):  Concord & 9th's Lace Leaf stamp set
     Inks:  Evergreen Bough (Distress) and Warm Cocoa (Gina K.)
     Other:  The Paper Studio Copper Foil Washi Tape and Sheer Shimmer Mist (MFT)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

I Miss Your Face

I miss my awesome grandson, so it must be time to send a card!  I also wanted to play along with this week's The Card Concept Challenge #58:

I came up with this card, inspired by the bright colors and round shapes:

Sorry for the lighting on the pic ~ it's very overcast here today:-(.  I started with a black card base, heat embossing clear stripes on the front.  Honest...they are there!  I cut a smaller panel of white, using a stitch die (MFT) to add a border down the left.  I've wanted to use this sentiment from Gina K. for a long time - I just love the phrase.  Then, it was time for the smiley faces.  I don't know about you, but I have a bunch of stickers, mostly for kids, that I just don't use very often anymore.  I found these bright, epoxy smiley faces in my drawer with the absolute perfect colors.  I HAD to use them!

I love sending him cards and I know he'll pull the smiley faces off before he even opens it!  Thanks for stopping today.  I hope you have a wonderful fall weekend! 

Christmas Angel

Happy Friday!  This morning I put together a Christmas card to play along with Shopping Our Stash's Fairies and Angels Challenge (SOS#270) and CASology's #216 Challenge for the week - Cue Card = Frame.

First I embossed the Neenah Solar White card base with a Sizzix "Frame" embossing folder.  The angel was then stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with Ranger Super Fine Gold Detail embossing powder.  I added the sentiment from Hero Arts (also embossed).  I didn't have any gold sequins, so I used gold chunky glitter (Recollections) and just glued on a few for interest.  Thank goodness for tweezers is all I can say!

Thanks for stopping by today ~ Have a pawsome weekend!

The Paper Players #313: CAS Taste of Fall

Happy Monday!  The latest challenge from The Paper Players is to create a CAS card featuring a Fall treat.

I could have been healthy here but if I'm totally honest, one of my favorite Fall treats is candy corn.  Yep, I hear that they are low in fat too!  LOL!

The candy corn stamps and sentiment are from The Stamps of Life.  The background polka dot border is a Savvy Stamps fave.  I used all Memento ink:  Tangelo, Dandelion, and Tuxedo Black.

Obviously I can't wait to shop for Halloween candy!  Thanks so much for stopping by ~ have a great week and Happy Fall! 

Cards in Envy: Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

Happy Monday and welcome to another fun challenge from Cards in Envy!  Our new theme is "Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall."  I was on a long drive last Friday and was absolutely loving the beautiful scenery with all the leaves changing colors.  Although I'll miss Summer, I am definitely looking forward to cooler nights, pumpkin spice lattes, and cozy sweaters!

We would like you to create a fall-themed card, thin enough to fit in an envy, that welcomes in the season.  This challenge will close on October 2nd.  The team and I can't wait to see what you come up with over the next two weeks!  Thanks for being a CIE fan and we'll see you in the gallery!

Best Witches!

Hi there!  I made another Halloween card to play along with CAS(e) this Sketch this week:

There's a lot of glittery heat embossing on this one.  The witch stamp and flourish are from Impress, as is the sentiment.  The harlequin border is actually washi tape from an old Halloween set in my stash.  I'm patting myself on the back right now because I used some washi tape rather than "save" it...I know you know what I mean!

Thanks for visiting! 

Spooktacular!

Happy Football Sunday!  I'm playing along with Freshly Made Sketches #254 today with another Halloween card.

This was another great sketch to use up those scraps!  The spooktacular ghost stamp, die and sentiment are from Avery Elle.  I used a "snowy" background stamp in Apple Mint ink for the splattery background and a few sequins from Taylored Expressions' Halloween Mix.

Thanks for stopping by ~ I hope you're having a terrific weekend!

Shopping Our Stash #269: Cut and Paste

No stamps!!  That's what Shopping Our Stash is looking for this week in their latest challenge.  So...no stamp was used but, believe me, I did want to reach for a couple!

First, I layered some Halloween DSP from DCWV on a violet cardstock base.  The focal point is actually 3 different die cuts.  The ghosts (Sizzix/Tim Holtz) were inked a bit on the edges with Hickory Smoke Distress Ink and I added some black cardstock behind the eyes and mouth.  I could have inlaid but was feeling l-a-z-y!  I added the stitched violet strip behind the Stitched Halloween Circle die cut (Memory Box) and then backed it with silver net ribbon.  Finally, I weaved the ghosts into the circle, added foam tape and popped it up on the DSP.  I finished it off with teeny tiny holographic stars from Pretty Pink Posh.  Those are some scary ghosts!

Thanks for visiting!  This was a fun and challenging challenge :)

CASology #215: Bark

Hi there!  Today I put together a couple of cards.  The first one was for the latest CASology Cue Card:

You'd think I would have gone with the dog bark but, unfortunately, I found myself in need of another sympathy card. 

I think the bark of birch trees is so beautiful.  I used my birch tree stencil for the focal point, cut it down and popped it up on ivory cardstock.  I added a simple sympathy sentiment (Avery Elle) and then stared at the card for what seemed like an hour.  I walked away and came back.  I kept thinking it needs more which is always my challenge with CAS cards...knowing when to stop!  Anyway, I decided to leave well enough alone.  I was going for a "peaceful" look and hopefully it will be received that way.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Words 2 Craft By #33: Every Child Deserves a Champion

Welcome back, W2CB friends!  September brings another challenge that can be interpreted in many different ways.  This month, our quote is:

"Every child deserves a champion -  an adult who will never
give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and
insists that they become the best that they can possibly be."

Rita F. Pierson, Educator

Yes, they do!  I personally think the best champions a child can have are his/her parents.  Of course, there are others...teachers, extended family, pastors, coaches, etc.  See the possibilities for this challenge?

For my I-Teamer project, I created a bunch of Lunch Box Notes using scraps, many different stamp sets, and various dies.  The backs of the notes are blank for extra handwritten love.  I'm going to send these to my son and daughter-in-law so they can stick them in my awesome grandson's lunchbox for a little surprise.

We hope you'll play along with us this month and look forward to seeing your "champions!"  Click HERE to check out the W2CB Blog and challenge details.  Thanks for stopping by today :-) 

Merry Wreath

Happy Football Day!  Before our big game today, I put together a card for the latest CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge:

And here's the card (surprise...it's not a Halloween one :)

First I gold heat embossed the Wonderful Wreath from Catherine Pooler.  Then I sponged on 3 different colors of Distress Inks: Cracked Pistachio, Mowed Lawn, and Lucky Clover.  I only had smooth sponge daubers in my stash so I cut a corner off of a kitchen sponge.  I'll never miss it!  I added the Merry Script die cut from Memory Box in gold metallic cardstock over the top with Stick-It.  Finally, a few red Pico Embellisher berries and clear rhinestones colored with a red Copic. 

Thanks for stopping by ~ I'm off to cheer on my team!  Go Seahawks!

Best of the Bunch

Hi there!  I actually think I've made the deadline for Die Cuttin' Divas September Sketch challenge:

I played with paper scraps for this one.  I had some fall color snippets from an oldie but goodie Graphic 45 paper pad.  The apple die cut and sentiment are from The Stamps of Life.

Oh my gosh...I wished I had noticed that wild twine tail floppin' over the picture :(.  Oh well, the sun's gone behind the clouds so I think a retake of the pic would actually be worse!  Thanks for visiting!  I hope you're having a super weekend!

Rainbow Hearts

Happy Friday!  I'm glad The Card Concept is back after a well deserved  break.  The latest challenge is:

For my card, I was inspired by the rainbow and the rectangular shape of the photo.  Here's what I came up with:

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a great weekend...let the football games begin!

The Paper Players Challenge #311

Hello again!  One more card for today to link up to the latest challenge from The Paper Players:

Oh, I do love all things Halloween so I had to go there with a new die (to me) from Impression Obsession!  It cuts the six circles and inlaid images in one pass and I simply added American Crafts glitter paper scraps behind each one.  The black glitter layer was mounted with a stitched silver glitter frame for even more spooky sparkle.  Thanks so much for stopping by ~ I hope you have a great weekend! 

Moo-velous!

Hi there!  I needed another birthday card, so I used the latest sketch from Freshly Made Sketches as a jumping off point for my second card today:

Then I shopped my stash for farm animals so I could also play along with Shopping Our Stash's latest challenge (#268) too! 

Here's the stuff I used:

     Cardstock - Bazzill Coconut, Bazzill Licorice

     DSP - The Stamps of Life

     Stamps - Great Impressions

     Dies - My Favorite Things

     Other - Zigs, Judikins white embossing powder

I'll also be linking up to the Live Love Cards September Challenge - Cute Creatures.  Nothing cuter than a big ol' cow holding a balloon!  Thanks for stopping by!

CASology - Beach

Hi friends!  This week CASology's cue card is Beach:

I couldn't be more thrilled!  Although I love Fall, I live at the beach and thoroughly enjoyed one last chance to make a "beachy" card.

I think this shell frame stamp from Impression Obsession is so gorgeous.  It was stamped with Hero Arts Ombre ink (pool to navy) and then I added the sentiment from Inkadinkado.  It's an overcast day here so the Wink of Stella I added to some of the shells is MIA in the pic :(  The sequins are from Pretty Pink Posh. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy one of the last few weekends of the summer!

Cards in Envy: For the Kids

Welcome back for another Cards in Envy Challenge!  Our latest theme is "For the Kids."  Any card created for a child is welcome - birthday, encouragement, congrats, etc.  Just make sure it's flat enough to fit in an envy for mailing.

My DT card today is for my grandson who is crazy about dinosaurs.  Dinosaur toys, pajamas, books, movies...you name it, he's all in!

The dino was stamped and paper pieced.  The stamp set, dies and DSP are all from The Stamps of Life.  The inside sentiment is "Rawr is I Love You in Dinosaur!" 

We hope you'll join in the fun and play along!  The challenge will close on Sunday, September 18th.  Thanks for stopping by!