Busy Summer!

I can't believe I haven't posted in 3 weeks!!!  Summer is always busy, and this year is no different.  Paper crafting shop hop, dog park outings, backyard cookouts, a great professional golf tournament with family members, celebrating 28 years of marriage.  So much goodness!!  Back to a more predictable schedule and more crafting!!  Back at it, starting with a Paper Craft Crew Challenge sketch challenge:  

Super old SU paper, Taylored Expressions Simple Strips sentiment, and Memory Box Peonies die cut.  Simple, but I love the sketch!

Send a Smile 4 Kids

I am so excited to announce that I have joined the Design Team for Send a Smile 4 Kids!  Send a Smile 4 Kids is a group of paper crafters dedicated to providing handmade cards for patients (birth -18 years) in children’s hospitals. Check out their blog for more details on how to Send a Smile 4 Kids, and link up your Love or Valentine card!

My submission:

I used Stampin Up From the Heart paper and jewels, and added a Simon Says sentiment.  Come play along with us!

You're The Best

Been really missing baseball and sports in general.  Especially the kids.  

I used an old SU! baseball stamp, a Paper Pumpkin sentiment, and some old Karen Foster paper.  Sharing with The Male Room's Sport challenge and the Inspired By Summer sketch challenge.  What else represents summer sports more than baseball :(.

Jingle Belles Red Challenge

I'm slowly getting back into the crafting groove, but my photography skills have not improved :(.  The Jingle Belles Have a Red challenge this time around. 

Loved playing with the different patterns and textures.  The Divine Swirls embossing folder makes the die cuts look "quilted".  While I like the tiny polka dots paper, the pieces are so small that the polka dots look too big!  The labels are adapted from Spellbinders and the sentiments from SU!.  The other sentiment is Clearly Defined. 

Christmas in July

Christmas Crafts All Year Round has an anything but a card challenge.  I already posted my hand sanitizer packaging.  Here is my lip balm packaging:

I used the largest dies from a few Spellbinder nesties, and layered the SU patterned paper cut with the next smallest die.  I scored off a one inch section to create the base, topped with old Sizzix holly leaf die cuts, tiny bells, and silver beads.  I closed the top with adhesive, but I think I will make some with a tied ribbon. 

Be sure to check out the Out of This World challenge over at Word 2 Craft By!!!

More Swirly Bird

Here is another card using the Swirly Bird set from SU! 

I am sharing this with The Color Throwdown in response to this prompt:

 Still a few days left to play along with the Words 2 Craft By Let's Party Challenge!!

Words 2 Craft By #40 - Mickey Mouse!

This month's challenge at Words 2 Craft By:

Arithmetic is being able to count to twenty without taking off your shoes.  -  Mickey Mouse

Well, maybe not Mickey, but Minnie for sure!!

I have wanted these Swirly Bird Thinlets since I first saw them!!  So many ways to use them, but I think this is one of my favorites!!  I-Teamer Annie, from Pawsitive Thoughts by Annie has been a fabulous part of W2CB for the past 3 years.  Unfortunately for us, (and happily for some lucky rescue puppies) she has decided to spend more time on her puppy passion.  Thank you, Annie, for everything, and all the best to you on your next adventure!  An fortunately for us, Kristina from Kristina's Art Corner has graciously agreed to join the I-Team!  Come along with us at Words 2 Craft By thorough May 3, 2017!

Another Swirly Birds Card

I am quite enjoying my new stamp/die set from SU!

I bought a fun paper pad from Michael's called Paint Chips.  I always struggle with finding different shades of the same color, and this pad of paper solves that problem completely!  Sharing this with House of Cards April Feather and/or Color challenge. 

A Different Easter Card

I made a few of these using the Swirly Bird Thinlets. 

Wile it isn't a traditional Easter card, the shape reminds me of the flames on Pentecost.  Sharing this with CAS-ual Fridays Rainbows challenge. 

Thanks!

Whenever I need a little extra inspiration, I turn to Operation Write Home sketches.  This is sketch #91.

The Can You CASE It color inspiration was perfect for the SU! Retro Fresh paper that I have been hoarding.

Come play along with us at Words 2 Craft By for our Mardi Gras challenge!!!

Playing Around...

Lately, I have seen a few cards using the Spirelli (sp?) technique.  Freshly Made Sketches provided the perfect challenge to try it out!!

 My version:

My Mind's Eye Now and Then patterned paper, very old SU! sentiment.  Spellbinder's scalloped die cut with Coats and Clark Lemon Twist embroidery thread. 

Color Throwdown #349

This week's challenge at the Color Throwdown looks like this:

One of my favorite color combos - teal and orange!  Here 's mine:

Still working on thank you cards for my friend.  SU! orange Retro Fresh patterned papers, chipboard embellishment, Offray ribbon with a textured orange accent,Recollections kraft paper.  Spellbinders die cuts.  Come check out the chocolate themed challenge at Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com! 

The Card Concept #35 - Frilly and Fabulous

If you follow my blog, you know that I am a pretty CAS  When I saw the name of The Card Concept challenge, I cringed.  Frilly?  Me?!? 

Here is their inspiration image:

 I took a deep breath, poked around my craft room a bit, and came up with this:

Unfortunately, I needed a sympathy card today.  Dear friends lost their nephew at 29.  Ryan will live on in their hearts and memories, and in others as an organ donor.  I included the butterflies in honor of Ryan's gift of life to others. 

Spellbinders die cuts, DCWV Winter in the Woods paper, Darice Wood Grain embossing folder, SU! So Sorry sentiment in silver on grey oval.  Plenty of time to join in on the Words2ScrapBy May Challenge - Say Cheese!

Always Playing With Paper Challenge #26

Always Playing with Paper has a multifaceted  challenge - use the sketch, use the colors, or use both. 

 

 Here is my response:

Unity Stamps Ellie's Wish image and sentiment, SU Retro Fresh paper and washi tape.   Come play along with us at Words 2 Scrap By - our March challenge is In like a lion, out like a lamb!

Fusion Challenge: Orange, Teal, and Brown

I love love LOVE the combination of orange, teal, and brown.  The current challenge at Fusion Card Challenge is to use those colors, and use their sketch.  Challenge accepted!!!  I made some cards with this color combo a while back, and was happy to revisit the great SU! washi tape and paper set.

Brown paper base has a herringbone texture.  Tangerine paper and ink.  Stash sentiment.  Retro Fresh washi tape.  Super CAS, but I like it!!

SOS #178: Thankful

This week's theme is Thankful. With the US Thanksgiving right around the corner, we are challenged to make a Thank You or grateful project, or make something based on the Thanksgiving theme.

Another embossed paper and Inka Gold card.  A few people have asked me to post more information about the technique.  Check out the Poly Clay Play blog HERE.  A tiny bit goes a long way.  If you choose to buy, the smallest sizes will be plenty for paper projects, and the towers are the least expensive way to go.  Not affiliated in any way, just enabling!!  The sentiment is heat embossed in copper.  Ribbon and paper are from SU!

OWH VCMP CHallenge - Winter 2 ways

JoAnn has a great challenge - 2 cards!  One for Christmas, one for winter. 

Here are mine:

I struggled with these, but I am pleased with my results.  Stash brads for the toppers, sequin and satin ribbons for the vertical elements.  Star paper embossed with Sizzix embossing folder, DCWV Winter Magic striped paper.

Thanks, JoAnn!  Great thought starter!

OWH VCMP TGIF!

I was out of town visiting family this weekend, so I didn't get to play along in real time.  I hope that I can catch up!  Michelle over at Caffiene & Stamps challenged us to make a Thank You Card.

Embossed with Sizzix stars embossing folder, DCWV paper, SU! sentiment heat embossed, twill tape layered with ribbon.  Thanks, Michelle!!!

OWH Sunday Sketch Challenge #222

This week's sketch challenge over at Operation Write Home and my response:

 

SU! designer paper, My Favorite Things Dream Big sentiment, Cuttlebug embossing folder.   A little plain for my taste, but I still like the end result.  BTW - I won the paper during a bloghop from Seongsook,  and the sentiment was from an OWH blogger candy prize!!!  I have been blessed so much by the OWH community, and in so many ways.  I receive much more than I could ever give back....

Our Daily Bread Designs November Challenge - Love Cards

Operation Write Home holiday deadlines are about 2 months in advance.  For example, they need Valentine cards no later than December 31.  Our Daily Bread Designs is challenging card makers to create love and Valentine cards even earlier!

Here is mine:

I embossed the white with a Sizzix texture plate, and layered it on a rich red card base (the card stock is red on one side, and white on the other, eliminating the need for a liner).  Stash organza ribbon and bling, die cuts from Sizzix and Spellbinder, SU! sentiment, patterned papers from Bazzill.  The largest red circle has a great pebble texture.