Christy's Zaney Creations

Dutch Dare #150-Photo Inspiration

2012-02-02T08:45:00.000-06:00

Are you ready for some photo inspiration this week at Dutch Dare Card Challenges? The possibilities are endless for your projects using this fabulous photo from Simply Hue. As soon as I saw it I went for the middle square as I knew I had some paper similar to those polka dots in my stash, now the task was to find it-lol!!!

We have a brand new sponsor this week In 2 Stamps and we super excited!

Here is a little bit about them:

In2stamps is a Belgian rubber stamp company owned by Wendy and started back in late 2009.

We gladly invite you to discover our complete range at the In2stamps online store http://www.in2stamps.com

We ship to crafters all over the world and you can check our store locator to see if there's a retail store near you selling our stamps.

And if you are looking for inspirational ideas, then our inspirational blog http://in2stamps.blogspot.com/ is the place to be.

They have kindly donated a 10,00 euro voucher for one lucky participant.

Now I have quickly fallen in love with CAS cards and so once I had my inspiration from photo above and found my scrap of paper, I hopped over to Clean & Simple Stamping to follow the sketch. My flower images are from the Unity September KOM, which I have stamped in CTMH Juniper ink and then punched with my Stampin' Up scalloped square. The sentiment is also from CTMH.

Now come on over an join us this week, the team has made some AMAZING projects that you will want to check out HERE.

New Release +Winter Wonderland Challenge at Jellypark

2012-01-27T11:17:00.000-06:00

Don't you think penguins are adorable? This little guy is no exception and is one of the "New Releases" this week at Jellypark. I got some new papers in the mail and couldn't wait to use on my project, these are from MME 6 x6 stack called "Blink of an Eye" which I picked up at 2 Peas in a Bucket. I started with a sketch from My Time Made Easy and inked all my papers with CTMH Desert Sand pad. I colored my lil' guy with my Copics and then paper pieced his hat, adding brads to the little pom-poms. I outlined everything using my black spica pen and finished it off with a couple buttons with ribbon.

Now not only is it "New Release Day" but it's challenge day to at JellyPark, this week's challenge is called "Winter Wonderland"- so show us those projects featuring snow/snowflakes! They are actually predicting a little dusting her in KCMO, which the kiddos will love as we haven't had hardly any snow this year!

Come over an join the fun and check out the team's projects for the new releases HERE and challenge HERE. Don't forget that Jellypark Juniors is now open for all those little crafters, we would love to see their projects and leave some love for our future stars! To pick up any of new images (or older ones) Stop by th Jellypark store.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

My Time Made Easy- sketch

BINGO over at Craft Your Passion this week!

2012-01-23T09:33:00.000-06:00

That's right it's time for a fun little crafting color BINGO this week at Craft Your Passion and this is was a little harder than I thought it would be! I decided to go with pink/red/brown line and came up with fun birthday card! The image I used is from one of our fabulous sponsors this week, Limited Runs and the set is called "Big Birthday Set-lit." I started with a sketch from Eat Sleep Stamp and grabbed papers from

Echo Park 6x6 stack -A Walk in the Park.

Come join us this week as we have a super cute guest designer that I get the pleasure of being with everyday! Yes that's right my lil' Lucas has been crafting with me again and created this wonderful card for this week's challenge as well. I invite you to visit his blog Freckles 'n Fun and leave him a little love, he loves to get comments on his projects and grins from ear to ear!

Jellypark: Something In My Pocket

2012-01-13T10:21:00.000-06:00

It's finally Friday and I am ready for a great day full of scrappin' and girl time with my friends tomorrow! We have a packed weekend again with a basketball game for Lucas and my oldest Micah is traveling to another math team competition and had to catch bus at 4:30 am. Crossing my fingers for him to have a great competition, last one he was the top Sophomore out of entire competition (as well as top participant from his school) and brought home 4 medals+ plaque+ lettered! This momma is so proud!!!

Well enough of that how about ending the week with a challenge? Today is challenge day at Jellypark and our theme is "something in my pocket" and it's new release day as well! I never make many masculine projects, so I wanted to make this bookmark card for my stash. The image I used is called "space rocket" and is colored with copics. I found this fun piece of patterned paper and inked the edges with CTMH Cocoa ink. I decided to create a moon so I cut a circle on my Cricut and then embossed with tiny bubbles, flipped in over and inked. The rocket image is mounted on cardstock and I cut a slit in front of my card to secure the bookmark. Inside I stamped "I think the world of you" which is from Stampendous Changito in space stamp set.

Come on over and check out what new images Claire has created HERE and see what

the rest of team has done this week HERE.

Wedded Bliss Club

2012-01-09T16:00:00.000-06:00

Jellypark is sponsoring the challenge this week at My Mum's Craft Shop, the theme is "NEW." Well what couldn't be more new than a marriage, so I created this card using "cute wedding couple bride & groom" from the Jellypark store. I had so much fun creating this card, I have used some new Nesties to frame the image. The roses were created using my Die-Namics Mini Rose die, then I added a little glue to then and dipped in some glitter. I added some hearts on background using one on my embossing folders and cut the heart for sentiment on my Cricut. The sentiment is from Congrats set from Stampin' Up.

Don't forget to join the "old year/new year challenge going on right now at Jellypark Challenges for a chance to win more FREE images. You can see all the details HERE!

Kaboodle Doodles #101-Fireworks + Sketch

2012-01-09T06:00:00.001-06:00

If you are looking for Craft Your Passion,

Lollipop Crafts, or The Crazy Challenge please scroll down.

This is an exciting week for me as it was my turn to design a sketch for Sunday Sketch & Stamp, this is only the 2nd time I have created my own sketch. I hope you like it ans will come and play along with us and check out what the rest of the Sunday Sketch team has created HERE.

So I took this opportunity to kill 2 bids with one stone and combine my sketch with the challenge this week at Kaboodle Doodles. Our challenge this week is "Fireworks" and we have the wonderful Meljen's Designs as our sponsor this week. The prize this week is 4 images from Meljen's, so make sure to play along for a chance to win!

I chose to use this adorable penguin image called "Party Penguin"- I love the sparklers in his hand and fun banner! What a great image for a birthday or any occasion you are celebrating. The papers are reversible and from TPC Studio "Party Hearty Candy Buttons" line. I have colored him using copics and then layered him up several times. I have framed him using my Nesties, then added a little bling and sentiment from CTMH.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Meljen's- stars (star on pennant, hope it counts)

The Crazy Challenge # 101-Pearls and/or Lace

2012-01-09T05:00:00.001-06:00

This week at The Crazy Challenge it's all about "pearls and/or lace" and who does that better than our sponsor, Sassy Studio Designs. I have created a wedding card for the challenge using this embossing folder that has been in my stash FOREVER and never has been used. I added a little CTMH grey flannel ink to folder prior to running through my Cuttlebug to make words stand out a little better. The image is called

"Bella Bride" and she's all ready to walk down that aisle to say her "I Do." I have added some flowers to her dress by using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge cut at 1/2" and then added tiny pearls to centers. I then popped the image up a bit and added a little piece of ribbon. (The picture does not do this card justice, it's much prettier in person.)

Come join us this week and don't forget about our DT call going on, you can see all the deets HERE.

Craft Your Passion #92+ Lollipop Crafts #62

2012-01-09T00:01:00.010-06:00

If you are looking for Sunday Sketch & Stamp, Kaboodle Doodles or
The Crazy Challenge please scroll up.

I did a little shopping recently thanks to a gift certificate I received (thanks Tracey) and normally I go for Copics, but this time I went for some new 6 x 6 paper packs. Guess what? My package of goodies arrived from 2 Peas in a Bucket just in time for some weekend crafting. This was my 1st order from them, but certainly won't be last- shipping was super fast!

These gorgeous papers are from My Mind's Eye Love Me 6 x 6 stack, it comes with 24 sheets of double-sided papers. This was perfect for the challenge this week at Lollipop Crafts, which is

"anything goes with a twist to use something NEW- that can be a new embellishment, stamp, craft supply, technique, etc on your card/project.

Come check out the DT projects this week, as we are all back after a short break from the

holiday and we are feeling refreshed and ready to bring you some wonderful inspiration!

Also over at Craft Your Passion this week the challenge is "Mythical Creatures" and we are over the moon excited to have not one but 2 sponsors this week! That's means double the chance to win an AMAZING prize from either A Day For Daisies or Pizzazaplenty. I have used this sweet image called "tucking in my bugs" from A Day For Daisies. I have colored the image using Copics and then added some glitter to her wings and hair. The sentiment is computer generated.

The design team has made some absolutely fantastic projects this week, so make sure to go check them out and leave a little love!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Seems A Little Sketchy-sketch

Craft Your Passion #91

2012-01-03T21:47:00.001-06:00

Do you ever see an image and it just speaks to you? That's exactly what happened when I saw this

"polar bear" image from Delicious Doodles of a mother and her baby cub all snuggled up. I decided that I loved the look of the pencil drawing so all I did was add a little pink to that sweet baby's cheek. I made this card for the challenge this week at Craft Your Passion, the theme is "anything goes+ distressing." I added my distressing by adding a little CTMH Cocoa ink to edges of my image, papers, and doily. The sentiment is computer generated and then punched using my Stampin' Up punches. Make sure to come join us this week, as we have 3 wonderful sponsors not to mention a DT Call.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Anything Goes-blue+1 other color
Bearly Mine- anything goes
Crazy Amigo Challenge- winter
Digital Tuesday- winter wonderland

Happy New Year + Thank You Card

2012-01-03T11:55:00.000-06:00

Hope everyone's 2012 is off to a great start already, our starting off a little bumpy with a sick kiddo. My lil' Lucas started puking a little after midnight and continued until almost 7 am on Sunday. Finally got him down to sleep and he was out until about 1:30 pm, one more round and then things finally settled down, he went to bed early on Sunday and slept until after 10 am on Monday. Of course he work up and was raring to go, so we headed out to watch to movies to see "Chipwrecked" before having to head back to school today. So finally I think things are settled down, what a way to start the New Year right?

Well this allowed me lots of time to color and I have a stack of images ready to assemble, so be ready for some new projects soon! I invite you all to come join us this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp, we have a wonderful sketch from our fearless leader Maggie. I decided to work with this super cute lil' man from Jellypark called "boy with sign." I added the sentiment from a Stampin" Up set, I love the versatility of this lil' guy! Make sure to check out Jellypark's new challenge this week HERE too!

I am entering this card in following challenges:

Sunday Sketch & Stamp- sketch

My Wish For You......

2011-12-30T09:39:00.004-06:00

It's hard to believe that we will be embarking on a new year in just a couple days, I look back and think where did 2011 go? However I am excited to see what 2012 has in store! With that being said what could be better than starting off the New Year with a new design team, that's right I have been invited to join the Jellypark team! Claire draws some of the sweetest images and I have several already colored and ready to be made into cards, that I cannot wait to share with you all!

Our challenges will be on Fridays and today's challenge is:

"Old Year/New Year- use items from both your old stash and new to you."

Well for my lovely creation I used this adorable image called "angel fairy nativity" along with

Authentique Journey papers (thanks Arielle), which are both new to me. For my old, I dug deep in my stash to find this silver ribbon as I am entering this in a challenge using blue/silver/white. I inked my patterned papers using CTMH Crystal Blue ink and the sentiment is computer generated! Come visit us at the

Jellypark Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the team had created.

Did you know that Jellypark happens to be sponsoring Kaboodle Doodles this week? There is still time to enter the "angels or fairies" challenge for a chance to win some goodies from Claire. Pssst....there are not many entries so chances of winning are good, what are you waiting for?

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Card Cupids-New Year

4 Crafty Chicks- new

C.R.A.F.T.-New Year

Colour Create- blue/silver/white

Crafty Purple Frog-Christmas/New Year

Crafty Ribbons-sketch

Craft Us Crazy-new

Crafting For All Seasons- fairies

Flutterby Wednesdays- anything goes using something with wings
Hanna & Friends-New Year

Paper Pretties-New Year

Paper Shelter-tied bow
Rainbow Lady's-your choice

7 Kids College Fund- hopes/dreams for New Year

Whimsical Wednesdays-New Year

Aud's Sentiments-anything goes

Digi Doodle Shop-anything goes

My Mum's Craft Shop- anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters- anything goes

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-06:00

While surfing this morning, I found this great new site called Digi My World. They have some adorable images, including a sweet Baby New Year image that is a FREEBIE that I plan to use as soon as I get it downloaded. They also have weekly blog candy and you can find all the deets HERE. Go check them out, you won't be disappointed!

Holiday Havoc Blog Hop

2011-12-17T00:01:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Craft Your Passion Challenges "Holiday Havoc 2011" Blog Hop!!

We are very excited about holidays and wanted to add to the chaos and havoc.

What better way to do that, than to have a BLOG HOP!!!

If you have hopped over from Amy's Blog, then you are in the right place. If you just happened to stop by and would like to join our hop from the beginning, please go to Craft Your Passion Challenges and follow along for a chance to win some AMAZING blog candy along the way and PRIZES at the end.

All Craft Your Passion DT members are going to be playing along in the hop with some very special guest designers.

Each designer along the way is featuring a project that showcases a digital image from at least one of our amazing Blog Hop Sponsors.

What’s more exciting is you can participate too by creating a project and linking it up over at Craft Your Passion Challenges for a chance to win one of several prizes.

But, there’s a twist. Be sure to visit all the stops and leave a comment (we will be checking). Once you have finished the hop, we would like you to create a HOLIDAY project using at least one digital stamp and enter it with our Linky tool.

While you are hopping, be sure to check out the blog candy the designer's have to offer you. You don't want to miss out on any of it!

I have create a gift card holder using my CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. I have distressed the our side of my holder and then printed my image on a tag. The image I have used is called "feed the birds" from Stretch N' Bubbles and is colored with copics. Sentiment is courtesy of those cute $1 Studio G stamps you find at Michael's.

This sweet little image is from Bugaboo and is called
"Christmas Mouse Mistletoe" which I colored with Copics. I decided to let image be the star, so I went with a clean & simple design.

Now what hop isn't complete with a little candy! One randomly selected person will be receiving a little package of goodies from me, so make sure to leave me a little love! Since it's Christmas you package will be a SURPRISE, how cool is that!

Next stop by Joanna's blog, to see what she has in store for you today.

Remember, once you have hopped to all the stops and left your comments (we will be checking), it's your turn to show us your "Holiday Havoc" project.

Make sure to include a digital stamp somewhere on your project, and link up your project over at Craft Your Passion Challenges by Midnight CST December 23 to be eligible for the prizes. Winners will be announced on our Monday, December 26th Challenge post.

Thrifty Christmas Blog Hop

2011-12-09T00:04:00.003-06:00

Welcome to The Stamping Boutique’s
"Thrifty Christmas-Making Handmade Gifts" Blog Hop!!

We are very excited about the holidays and know for many money is tight this year, but that doesn’t mean you cannot give great gifts! Our Elves, oh I mean design team have been busy in their workshops coming up with some fabulous projects to help you with those last minute gift ideas. What better way to show you than to have a
BLOG HOP!!!

You won’t want to miss this hop and because we know you are all busy getting all the preparations done for the holidays, this hop will run all weekend. The hop starts today, Friday
December 9th @ 12:01 am (CST) and runs until Sunday December 11th @ 11:59 pm (CST).

I am your 1st stop on the hop so you are in the right place. Make sure and follow along for a chance to win some AMAZING blog candy along the way and PRIZES at the end.

For my "Thrifty Christmas Project" I have created and altered canvas, using scrapbook papers. All my papers are from CTMH Mistletoe collection. I started with a blank white canvas that I picked up at Michael's with a coupon of course. I grabbed a layout from my CTMH idea books and then altered the dimensions to fit my canvas. Next I printed these wonderful "holly berry" images on my cardstock, paper pieced them, and fussy cut them out. I added a little pop to edges by adding some ink to edges of leaves in New England Ivy and a lil' black spica pen to edges of berries.

Next I have created a couple easy, fun projects to give to those special teachers, neighbors, or office friends. In front are some mint patties that I have dolled up. I used the image called "candy land winter candy" which I have printed a little bigger, colored them with Copics, and then fussy cut them out. I mounted them on scalloped circles before attaching to my candies.

In the back is a hot cocoa holder, which I found on You Tube.

Here are directions to create:

1. Start with a 4 x 11 piece of cardstock

2. Score at 4 3/4 and 10

3. Cut a piece of coordinating card stock (or pp) to 3 3/4 x 4 1/2, I then cut a piece of
pp to 3 5/8 x 4 3/8. For t he flap, I cut a piece of card stock in CTMH juniper to 3/4 x 3 3/4 and then my pp to 5/8 x 3 5/8.

4. Grab you cocoa packet and lay inside, punch two holes using your Crop-a-dile or hole punch. Add you ribbon and any other embellies + your image/sentiment! I used the newest image from the store called "snowman-bring it on."

I invite you to continue hopping and hope you enjoyed my projects and got a couple ideas to help you with your last minute holiday gifts. Remember each designer along the way is featuring a project that showcases a digital image from The Stamping Boutique store. Be sure to visit all the design’s blogs and leave a comment (we will be checking). Each designer will be giving away (1) FREE image from our store to one random commenter.

Once you have finished the hop, make sure to leave a comment on The Stamping Boutique Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate for our store. Remember to be eligible for all prizes, YOU MUST COMMENT ON EACH STOP ALONG THE WAY!

Next stop by Jen's blog, to see what FABULOUS project she has in store for you today.

Lollipop Crafts Spotlight : Meljen's Designs

2011-12-08T11:29:00.000-06:00

It's spotlight time at Lollipop Crafts and this week we are sponsored by one of my faves, Meljen's Designs. Our challenge this week is a color challenge- dark red, chocolate, and cream. So I grabbed this adorable "Gruffy Little Gnome" for my project and colored him up with Copics. I fussy cut him out and popped him up on this Santa list embossed using QuicKutz folder. I inked the edges with a little Colorbox Chestnut Roan and then added my sentiment using some letter stamps from my stash. Come over an join the

challenge #60, we would love to see your projects!

Here is a little about Meljen's Designs:

Meljen's Designs is a lovely stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical digital images inspired by her kids and family. The Meljen's Designs store officially launched on April 1 and is steadily growing! Meljen's Designs has new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Monday and a Guest Designer each month at the Meljen's Designs Blog. Please visit the Meljen's Designs line of stamps at the WHIMSY STAMPS STORE to browse and enjoy Melissa's wonderful images!

Craft Your Passion #87

2011-12-07T16:37:00.000-06:00

Are you ready for another challenge from Craft Your Passion? This week is an easy one, it's

"anything goes + add glitter" and we have 2 sponsors- Pattie's Creations and The Pixie Cottage. The design team is using images from both sponsors, my image is called "Pattie Boop & Allie Waiting for Santa" courtesy of Pattie's Creations. I have added sparkly fluff to the window seal and Santa hats. Come over and see what the DT has created, we would love to see your projects!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Pattie's Creations- Christmas

Kabbodle Doodles #96- Christmas Colors

2011-12-07T09:18:00.000-06:00

Wow what a week already, but it's Wednesday so that means we are half way to the weekend again! My post is delayed as I have been having MAJOR computer issues, but appears to be running as of right now! Can you believe we are just a short time away from Christmas? If you are like me you are hustling around trying to get everything done, but I love seeing all those wonderful Christmas colors. Well that just so happens to be the challenge this week at Kaboodle Doodles. We are sponsored this week by

The Cat's Meow and I got this wonderful set called "Vintage Ornaments"- I wanted them to be the focus on my card so I went with a very clean and simple design. I used cardstocks & inks from CTMH in Vineyard Berry and New England Ivy, I think I will do this design again using cream cardstock for a more vintage feel!

Come join the challenge up for grabs is 1 clear stamp set from The Cat's Meow and while you are there leave the DT gals a little love on their projects!

The Holiday Season is upon us!

2011-11-28T20:01:00.002-06:00

It's hard to believe the last weekend of November has passed and December is just around the corner! I have been super busy creating gifts for the upcoming holidays and crafts for my son's Winter party, needless to say the paper has been flying and my crafting area looks like a bomb went off! LOL!!!

Monday brings challenge day over at Kaboodle Doodles where our theme this week is

"bundle up for winter" and we are sponsored by Stamp 'n Doodle. Make sure to come over and check out what the rest of team has been up too!

Now this week at Lollipop Crafts is all about "B is for...." so the skies the limit on what you can create. We are sponsored this week by Karber Stamps and I have used this adorable image called "Christmas Millie."

Make sure to check out what the rest of the LC team has done and come back on Thursday as we spotlight our fabulous sponsor!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Karber Challenge- anything goes

"Tis the Season" is our theme this week over at Craft Your Passion Challenge and we are sponsored by Simply Betty Stamps, since I just joined the CYP team I didn't get to work with a SBS image. However you must go check out their store because they have some FANTASTIC images perfect for your holiday projects! I have created this CAS card using the sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping and Unity stamps.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Get Hippity with Ippity- embossing

Last but certainly not least you must stop over by The Crazy Challenge and join this week's challenge. It's all about "snowflakes and/or stars" and we are sponsored by Ellephantastic. I chose to work with

"sketchy snowman" and added this fun sentiment. I wanted to make it look like he was catching snowflakes in his mitten. Come over and see what the rest of team has created, you won't be disappointed!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Ellephantastic- weather related

Sunday Sketch & Stamp #83

2011-11-27T12:04:00.000-06:00

It's our fearless leader Maggie's turn to host the challenge this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp

and she has come up with a great sketch that I decided to use for a layout. I dove into my CTMH papers in Holiday Red, Topiary, and White Daisy. That fun pennants and letters are from the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge. I chose tradition as we will be starting a new one this year- I picked up Elf on a Shelf this weekend while shopping and he will be making his arrival for my Lucas this week. I am going to wrap it up like it came from Santa just like in the movie that was on this weekend, we watched it last night and he loved it!

Make sure to play along this week as we have a new sponsor, Crimson Cloud and the winner will receive 3 die-cut packs of your choice. Here is a little about Crimson Cloud: Crimson Cloud is a mother/daughter venture - a way to indulge our joint passion of cardmaking and crafting. We only sell products that we have tried, tested and love using. We have developed our own exclusive range of dies cuts, digital stamps, svg files and "Make Your Own Card" kits which reflect our styles of card making - and hopefully yours too!

A Piece of Pie

2011-11-23T10:44:00.005-06:00

With Thanksgiving tomorrow I know many of you are counting your blessings and so am I. There is something that has been near and dear to my heart for many years and that is our soldiers who are serving our country. When I saw this image from Meljen's called "pink ribbon teddy" the ideas started running through my head on how to use this cutie. I found this sentiment in my stamps and immediately knew I was pairing these to together, the sentiment is from Stampin' Up's Service & Sacrifice set.

Now the challenge this week at Cooking It Up With Katie is "a piece of the pie"- no we don't mean projects using pies so what is that you may ask? Our recipe is as follows: "Use a punch, add some ink, and finish with some embossing." I used my Nesties for my punch to feature sentiment, inked all my edges, and used my Cuttlebug hearts embossing folder on my yellow paper. Come one over and our challenge HERE for your chance to win the prize from our sponsor Meljen's Designs.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Meljen's- fall
Crafty Purple Frog- orange
Forever Friends-something old, something new (old embossing folder, new image)
Rainbow Lady's-Thanksgiving
Sassy Studios- thank you card
Shelly's Images- anything goes
Southern Girls- bingo (ribbon, gems, die cuts)

Craft Your Passion #85- Inspiration

2011-11-21T16:04:00.000-06:00

If you are looking for Lollipop Crafts or Kaboodle Doodles post, please scroll down.

Mondays have become just a little bit busier for me as I have been asked to join the

Craft Your Passion design team! I am super excited to join this wonderful group and have dove in to the challenges immediately.

Our challenge this week was to use the above photo as our inspiration whether it be the colors, pumpkins, leaves, etc.- the possibilities are endless! We are sponsored by Doodle Pantry and one lucky person will win a $10 voucher to their store.

This card had been sitting on my craft desk just waiting for something, so when I saw this sentiment I knew it was a perfect match! I have embossed the orange using my Cuttlebug embossing folder, then I punched circles using scraps and inked edges. This has become one of my face a card designs to use up all those tiny scraps you save. The sentiment is from "Falling Ants Set" and a lil' ribbon to tie it all together!

Come on over and play along with us this week and check out the rest of team's projects and welcome Doreen & Cathy who are joining the team also!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Lollipop Crafts #58-Anything Goes

2011-11-21T11:49:00.013-06:00

If you are looking for Kaboodle Doodles post, please scroll down!

I have been so excited to share this creation with you all, so I am glad the Lollipop Crafts #58-Anything Goes challenge is finally here! I cannot take credit for this idea, it came from Mandy Leahy of

My Passion for Scrapbooking and you can see her tree HERE.

I have been asked numerous times "Is that paper?" YES IT IS!!! This is completely made out of CTMH paper using the new CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. I started with a styrofoam cone and created all my flowers and then attached them using pearlilized pins from Joann's. There are 300 flowers total including pink roses in garland and star topper. This took me approximately 15-16 hours to create, but I love the final result and call me crazy but I'm thinking about making another one.

If you would like to pick up this cartridge, contact my CTMH Rep & friend Sue Masoner-contact info HERE!

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Bunny Zoe Crafts- Anything Christmas w/ pearls (pearl pins in centers of all my flowers)
Hooked on Crafts- die cut or punches
Make it Monday- anything goes
Paper Creations Ink- Christmas
Pollycraft- Christmas Fun
Stamps R Us- Bling it on (blingy brad in topper)
Unstampabelles-trees+ bonus die/punches
Whoopsi Daisy-anything goes at Christmas
Catered Crop- follow the recipe: die cuts, green, pearls, layers
OSAAT-anything goes
Pile It On- anything with P (pearl pins & pine)
Crafty Ribbons- anything but a card
Inspire Me Fridays-anything goes
C.R.A.F.T..- stars in your eyes

Kaboodle Doodles #94-Baby It's Cold Outside

2011-11-21T11:32:00.000-06:00

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and got all those last minute preparations done for the big Turkey day! Temperatures are cooling off every day here is MO, so the "Baby It's Cold Outside Challenge" this week at Kaboodle Doodles is perfect! This week we are once again sponsored by The Stamping Boutique and I have created this adorable door hanger using "Snowman Sign." I have used some chalkboard paper in the sign, so his works perfect as a countdown to Christmas break or many other things!

Lollipop Crafts Spotlight: Just Some Lines

2011-11-17T19:03:00.002-06:00

It's time to spotlight another wonderful sponsor over at Lollipop Crafts this week. We are so excited to be sponsored by Just Some Lines and here is a little more about them:

Just Some Lines is a relatively new digital shop where lines bring characters to life. It has approximately 200 digital stamps which were drawn by Jehanne, the owner. Jehanne is a self taught artist and a stay at home mum who enjoys drawing whimsical characters.

This week Jehanne has graciously offered a $15 gift certificate to the Just Some Lines store! Make sure you check out the challenge post to find out how you can win this great prize.

As soon as I saw this cute image called "Emo Snowflake" I was in love and knew I wanted to use her on my card. It's hard to see , but I added some sparkly fluff to pink on her hat and the snow. The snowflakes has also been highlighted with my black Spica pen and then a little glitter!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Crimbo Crackers-make it sparkle
Moving Along With the Times-let it snow
Delightful Challenges- bingo (glitter, ribbon, add dimension-snowflake is popped up)

Tag It

2011-11-16T10:02:00.002-06:00

Quick post as I am running late and heading out to help at school today, so I will be back later with all the details. It's Wednesday so that means another recipe challenge ovet Cooking It Up With Katie and this week we are sponsored by Digital Delights. Our recipe is as follows:

"Die cut a tag and make it Christmas!"

I started with the sketch over at Sketchbook Saturday, which I thought was from this week but Feline Playful has wrong sketch posted (oh well, still love the sketch). The sentiment is from our fabulous sponsor and is called "A touch of Christmas set" which I have printed on a tag I cut from the Cricut. I have added some stitching and inked the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Antique Linen. The pp is from Lost & Found Christmas 6 x 6 stack I picked up at Archiver's and the green is Olive from CTMH. The flourish from an Inkadinkado set.

Check out what the rest of team has created and hope you have a great day!

Let's Hop with The Stamping Boutique

2011-11-11T00:02:00.005-06:00

Welcome to your first stop on our "Freestyle Blog Hop" with The Stamping Boutique! We have a wonderful new design team and we thought it would be fun to show of our own style with this hop, so you will see lots of different images and projects along the way!

This hop starts today, November 11th (12:01 am CST) and will run all weekend ending on Sunday, November 13th (11:59 pm CST) to allow you plenty of time to hop. Now with any hop there has to be some prizes along the way right? Well this hop is no exception!! You will want to make sure to visit each design team member's blog and leave a comment as each one will be giving away one TSB image!

If that isn't enough to entice you to hop with us, well maybe this will- 1 random person (who comments on all DT blogs and leaves a final comment on this blog) will be selected to win the entire set of our newest line of images called the Smoochies. HOLY MOLY, now that is a great prize as there are 11 images in the line currently!!! You can see the Smoochies HERE!

I decided to create something a little different than the typical card, I made an altered frame. I have picked my wooden frame up at Walmart for $1, painted it pink, and then added a cardstock base. Next I cut lots of wonderful roses using my CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge in Baby Pink and HollyHock papers. The roses are cut at 3 & 5 inches. Finally I added this adorable
"Smoochie Blowing Kisses" image and cut her out.( I will probably do another image and use some different pink copics as this doesn't quite match the way I want it too!) A little ribbon as a final touch and I have a perfect gift for someone with a tiny dancer!

So are you ready to hop along? Well your next stop is Jessica and I hear she has been a busy lady with several projects to share!

Below is your hop order in case you get lost along the way:

Christy D- http://www.christyszaneycreations.blogspot.com/ <----You are Here
Jessica- http://canyoupixelthis.com/

Sandy- http://scribblesbysandy.blogspot.com/

Ali (Dragonlady)- http://craftydragons.blogspot.com/

Lawren- http://ahobby-holic.blogspot.com/

Rhonda- http://bluepoohbear753.blogspot.com/

Miranda- http://mirandascardcreations.blogspot.com/

Stacie- http://hestiashelper.blogspot.com/

Melissa- http://www.smudgetime.com/

April- http://allaboutthelowers.blogspot.com/

Julia- http://paperandscrapscreations.blogspot.com/

Ali (Aqualeiga)- http://aqualeigasescape.blogspot.com/

Rene'- http://www.stampinginsunnysa.blogspot.com/

Jerusha- http://ilovepapercrafting.blogspot.com/

Tracey- http://epiphanyartgallery.blogspot.com/

Arielle- http://soccermom5982.blogspot.com/

Sue- http://confessionsofapaperhoarder.blogspot.com/

TSB Challenge Blog- http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/ <---- Final Stop

Thank you in advance for hopping and Good Luck, we hope to inspire you along the way!

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Inspire Me Fridays-anything goes
CRAFT- cute
Craftty Ribbons- anything but a card
Dutch Dare Card Challenge-Dies or punches
Rainbow Lady's-pink

Fancy, Fold, & Flowers Oh My!

2011-11-09T08:11:00.006-06:00

Can you tell I am in love with the new CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge? This pillow box, doily shape, and rolled roses were all created using it. The challenge this week at Cooking It Up With Katie is

"Add some flowers, use a different fold, and make it fancy!" We are sponsored this week by Robyn's Fetish and our lucky winner of this challenge will get either 5 digital stamps or 4 digital stamps and 1 digital paper set of their choice.

Believe

2011-11-08T19:37:00.003-06:00

You know sometimes you just make a project you fall in love with, well this is one of those projects for me! I fell in love with this butterfly image from Unity stamp set "All Things Are Possible" by Tracey Malnofski. You can pick up this set from my Ippity Gal Pal Aletha HERE and check out her blog HERE. The words on my circle are also a Unity stamp and are from the October KOM. I have embossed the white background with my Sizzix texture plate from the Think Pink set.

Here is a close-up of my butterfly, which I have added lots of glitter and popped up the wing. A little pink ribbon and some bling make this special card complete!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Chick Challenges- Sketch

All Things Unity- Get buggy

4 Crafty Chicks- Die cuts
Digital Tuesday- Anything goes
Party Time Tuesday- Bling it on
Daisy Doodles- Anything goes with a digi
Forever Friends- something old (sizzix plate for embossing), something new (Unity stamps)
Forever Friends-Bling, Bling

TCC #92-Something With Wings

2011-11-07T09:51:00.001-06:00

If you are looking for Kaboodle Doodles & Lollipop Crafts post, please scroll down below.

Alright time to pull out all your fave images with wings for this week's challenge #92 at The Crazy Challenge. Fresh Brewed Designs is our great sponsor and has provided us with lovely images to work with on our projects!

I chose this adorable image called "cutie pie sitting pretty" which I have colored with copics and then added a little sparkly to her wings with glitter. Papers are from my scraps and I have embossed using Cuttlebug Textile Texture folder. The sentiment is from CTMH Butterfly Wings stamp set.

Come on over to The Crazy Challenge and play along, we have so outstanding inspiration this week by team and our guest designer Claudia.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Sweet Shop-sketch
Inspire Me Fridays-anything goes

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

2011-11-07T08:48:00.006-06:00

Fall is here and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, man this year is flying!!! My Lil' man is enjoying these nice cool days and spent the entire day playing outside yesterday, while I got a little crafting and cleaning done.

Lollipop Crafts #56 has the perfect challenge this week, we want to see those "Fall/Thanksgiving" projects. We are once again sponsored by Meljen's Designs and I have used this image called "Apple Beary Fairy." I have done something a little different with my image, printing it on kraft paper and then coloring with copics. I have to say I like the look!!! The sentiment is from Unity's "Apple Cheddar Soup" set. Make sure to come on over to Lollipop Crafts and check out what rest of team has done and we are welcoming a new guest designer this week. Ashley has created a wonderful project, check out her blog here.

Now that you have created your Fall/Thanksgiving project, head on over to Kaboodle Doodles and enter their challenge too! Kaboodle Doodles #92 is all about "Colors of Fall"- show use oranges, yellows, browns, and reds. We are sponsored this week by Robyn's Fetish and the team has created gorgeous projects!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Meljen's- brads

Stamptacular Sunday- sketch
Catered Crop- recipe: I used following items from example- Fall theme & colors, Kraft paper, Copic Markers, Meljen's Stamp. I have added brads/ribbon/SEI paper/Unity sentiment/Spica pen/Inked Edges to my card.
Creative Inspirations Paint-anything goes
Dream Valley Challenges- anything goes
OSAAT-use a digi
Sparkles Forum-Autumn
2 Sisters-ribbon
Catch the Bug-anything goes
Craft Your Days Away-Fall/Autumn
Mark's Finest Papers-Fall
Craft Your Passion- anything goes+brown
Creative Stamp Friends- orange & brown
Heart Song Inspirations- anything goes
Inspire Me Fridays-anything goes

Sunday Sketch & Stamp #80

2011-11-06T10:24:00.001-06:00

Sunday Sketch & Stamp has another wonderful challenge and this week our sketch was created by Mira. We are being sponsored this week by one of my fave stores, The Stamping Boutique and up for grabs is FREE digis. You will want to check out the TSB store as Tracey has drawn a brand new line called "Smoochies" and they are the cutest!!! Make sure to join in TSB Monthly challenge on their challenge blog for additional chances to win images and maybe a Guest Designer position!

For my card today I have once again worked with my new fave Cricut cartridge, CTMH's Art Philosophy. I have used it to create these fabulous flowers as well a scalloped frame. My white springs are actually from a snowflake and I have used CTMH papers in Lilac Mist and Indian Corn Blue. I have embossed the white with my hearts folder and the border is using a SU' border punch. The sentiment is from my Unity October KOM, which you can find HERE!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Inspire Me Fridays- anything goes

Happy Holidays

2011-11-02T21:25:00.002-05:00

A little snow is being predicted here in Missouri tonight, so far no SNOW which I am happy about! I am not ready for winter just yet, however I thought why not make a snow themed card tonight! I just got this great set from Unity called "Winter Greetings" drawn by none other than my friend, Tracey Malnofski.

I decided to start with the sketch at Eat Sleep Stamp and grabbed papers from Bo Bunny Snowfall Collection 6x6 pad. I have colored the image with copics and then added a little glitter to Mr. Snowman's hat/coat. I also added a little sparkly fluff to the snow he is standing in, everything is inked in CTMH Cocoa ink.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Eat Sleep Stamp-sketch

Here is another simple card design using Inkadinkado Winter Trails stamp set (which I have never used). I created this for the "pearls and swirls" challenge at Dutch Dare Card Challenges being sponsored by
The Stamping Boutique. I have used CTMH Indian Corn Blue ink and carsdstock and added lots of pearls to both my sentiment and flourish.

ABC...Anything But a Card

2011-11-02T09:59:00.002-05:00

I am excited to finally share with you all the fun things I made for Lucas' 1st grade Fall Party as I have been very busy over past couple weeks getting it all together. The challenge this week at Cooking It Up With Katie was perfect to showcase my items! Our challenge this week is "A+B+C= Anything But a Card" and we are sponsored by Gingerloft. You won't want to miss the amazing projects the DT gals came up with for thsi challenge.

First up are my little Frankie and Dracula treat sacks that were created using my Cricut and
CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge. I inked everything and added the mouths and stitches. These were a huge hit with the kiddos, I hid them around the classroom and they had to find my Halloween friends!

Next meet my cute new Halloween gal pal Candy Corn, LOL!!! I created this sweet thing using my Cricut and Mini Monsters cartridge. I then added her to a small plastic container, cut a hole in the front, and she was perfect for a little candy corn relay race. The kids used pancake spatuals/turners to scoop the candy corn up and run down to put in the container. This was a riot as they thought race and took off, candy corn went flying everywhere, then they caught on this was a race of skill!

Also in the photo I created some bookmarks the kids could color by stamping Halloween images and adding a little ribbon. Each of the treat sacks also had cute little kraft tags stamped with same images I used on bookmarks and Happy Halloween sentiment from Lucas on backs!

I am entering these projects in the following challenges:
Stamp Insanity-Tricked out Treats
Pixie Dust Studio- spooky

Lots of Challenge Cards

2011-11-01T22:57:00.004-05:00

So while I was watching the St. Louis Cardinals bring home the World Series trophy, I was busy creating cards for various challenges. With a busy weekend and start to this week I haven't had a chance to post them yet, so I figured I would lump them all in one post. I found a couple new simple card designs that I love, I hope to inspire you with these creations!

With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving quickly approaching, that means Christmas will be here in no time so it's time to get a jump start on all those cards/projects. I pulled out this super cute embossing folder to be focus of my car with a few added embellishments!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Colour Create- Burgandy/Gold/Green/Cream + optional dimension

Crimbo Crakers- Anything Goes as long as Christmas themed

Meljen's Designs- Christmas

I just love all the beautiful colors on the trees right now, but not sure I am ready for cooler temperatures.

I have had this wonderful stamp set for quite some time and never inked it up that I can remember, well there was no better time than present to change that!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

C.R.A.F.T.- Colour Combo

I have had a lot of fun this year creating Halloween projects, which I do not normally do. This is another great image from The Stamping Boutique called "Witches Laundry Line"- I have added some clouds to image with CTMH inks and scalloped circle. I LOVE that spider web embossing folder, which I have inked with CTMH white daisy ink before I embossed my paper.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Delightful Challenges- Black/Orange/Green/Purple

DYSU- inspiration photo/Halloween

Little Miss Muffet- clouds

Paper Play-Hallowen/Witches

Rainbow Lady's-Spooks/Witches

Is this not the funniest image? It's called "puff " and is from Stamping Dragon Designs, I added a computer generated sentiment to my Kraft card base (sorry printer pulled through a little crooked). I grabbed my "tiny bubbles" embossing folder and inked everything with CTMH Ocean ink.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

CCEE-Make a funny get well card

I did the same thing as above for this card, just changed the sentiment. I love how versatile this

image can be!!!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Art Impressions- Card for a Yong Boy

Aud Sentiments- Make Us Laugh

I usually love lots of layers, but I am quickly finding that I love the CAS style too! I started with a Kraft card base, inking the edges with CTMH white daisy ink, and dded my snowflakes. A little bling and this simple sentiment complete this CAS beauty!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Clean & Simple- sketch #163

Shelley's Images- Bingo (Kraft/Free/Bling)
Winter Wonderland- CAS (must be Christmas)
Crafty Ann's- CAS

I'm on a Roll!!!

2011-11-01T09:49:00.001-05:00

I was so excited to learn that my last card (above) that I made for my guest designer spot at 4 Crafty Chicks has been featured on The Outlawz! You can see all the details on this card HERE!

Now I get to put this cute button on my sidebar, Hooray!!

Also this super cute monster card I created for a Lollipop Crafts #52- Critter challenge using Little Miss Muffet stamps was chosen to be spotlighted over at Little Miss Muffet! How cool is that, this was my first time using one of their adorable images. You can see all the details on my card HERE!

Another super cute badge for my blog's sidebar-YIPPEE!!!

Last but certainly not least, my adorable "Lil' Vampire card" I created for Lollipop Crafts #51 Halloween challenge was selected by Meljen's Designs as one of the design teams's Top 5-WOO HOO!!! You can check out the details of my card on my blog HERE!

Look at this cutie, my sidebar is getting some new bling!!!

Unity KOM Challenge- October

2011-10-31T21:16:00.001-05:00

I am now officially a Unity addict!!! I signed up for the Kit of the Month in September and fell in love when I received my October kit which is perfect for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each month Unity has a sketch challenge on their blog, all you have to do is use ANY Unity KOM to be entered. I grabbed this cute image from the Jan. '11 KOM-To the Moon & Back, papers are from Authentique:Gathering 6x6 Bundle.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
Squiggles and Giggles- go dotty

Marvelous Monday...Check out these 3 challenges!!!

2011-10-31T05:00:00.008-05:00

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, we had a very relaxing weekend! We started things off with cheering on our St. Louis Cardinals in their World Series victory and I got lots of crafting done so I will have lots to share over next week! Saturday was a beautiful day which Lucas spent whole day playing outside on his scooter and then to a friend's house for some board game fun! Today was all the last minute Halloween preparations, including creating several party goodies/games so stayed tune as I will share those later too!

Up first today is this fun challenge at The Crazy Challenge, which is sponsored this week by JLJ Designs and we have an inspiration challenge. Check out this great photo, the possibilities are endless in your projects!

I chose to use some of the fantastic colors to inspire my project, so I grabbed some scraps on CTMH Creme Brulee, black, and this great patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket: Earth Love 6x6 deck. The image is called piggy, which I colored with copics and added a little black spica pen to eyelashes and flowers. I used the sketch at Clean & Simple and rotated it, finishing my card off is that wooden button I grabbed in $1 section at Michael's and a computer generated sentiment. Come on over and check out rest of team's creations here!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Wee Memories- Buttons, Brads, or Bows

We are "feeling sassy" this week at Kaboodle Doodles and who better to have as a sponsor than

Sassy Studios. I worked with the image called "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" so of course I did a little research using google. I think I got pretty close to how Miss Marilyn looked in the movie, I added a little sparkle to her bling & shoes with some Ranger embossing powders. I found this perfect scrap of patterned paper to compliment this image and used a computer generated sentiment again!

With it being the end of the month, that means another "Anything Goes" challenge at Lollipop Crafts. Oh I love these challenges, because you really get to see the Lollipop girls creativity as they have free reign on their projects! Also this means we have to bid farewell to out guest designer Linda, but you can still follow her on her blog here. You will not want to miss her project this week as it's another pretty one!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Purple Frog-Sparkle
For Your Inspiration-photo (I picked out that pink color)
Wags 'n Whiskers- black + pearl or ribbon
Our Craft Lounge- pink for BCA
Fairy Fun Fridays- wet embossing (hard to tell but jewelry and shoes are heat embossed)
Mark's Finest Papers- use your scraps
Just Us Girls- wild card
Sassy Studios- Sassy Girls (fave movie)

Introducing Smoochie+ DT Call

2011-10-30T00:29:00.005-05:00

When I saw this adorable image I couldn't wait to get her printed to color, her name is Smoochie and she is one of the newest images from Tracey Malnofski over at The Stamping Boutique. I was browsing facebook and saw a DT call over at My Creative Time with a deadline of tonight and decided to enter this project just under the gun!

For my project, I decided to start with the sketch this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp, however I have rotated it! Solid cardstocks are from CTMH and outdoor denim (this was textured so lighter blue was from reverse side) and chocolate. Isn't that patterned paper gorgeous? It is from Bo Bunny:Snowfall Collection and is a 6 x 6 stack I picked up at Archiver's this week! I used my scalloped circle Nesties to frame image and sentiment, image is colored with copics. I added a little glitter around edges too. Flowers were created using my Die-Namics Mini Rose Die and complimented using my EK Success punch for leaves, I dipped each one of the flowers in glitter as well.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons- Bingo (Punches or Dies/Flowers/Ribbons)
Hanna and Friends-glitter
Totally Papercrafts-glitter it
Card Makin' Mamas-die cuts
Inspire Me Fridays- anything goes
Sweet Stampin'-anything goes
Send a Smile for Kids- For the Girls

Paper Piecing @ 4Crafty Chicks

2011-10-27T08:59:00.003-05:00

Well today marks my final guest designer project at 4 Crafty Chicks, I have loved working with these wonderfully talented ladies!!! They have made me really channel my inner creativity to create projects during my guest spot. Please make sure to follow 4 Crafty Chicks and these ladies on their blogs if you are not as you will be inspired Lori, Leanne, Melissa, & Tamie.

Now I hardly ever paper pierce, when it comes to sewing on my projects its "faux" all the way! So I was kinda in a rut trying to find my mojo for this project, whatever was I going to do. Well I started doing a little blurfing on the internet and found a card to "case"- little did I know it happened to be one of Melissa's masterpieces that inspired me (thanks Melissa). You can see her card here.

So I did a little retail therapy and got this new gorgeous paper I used by Authentique, it's a 6 x6 bundle and called Gathering. This is my first time using papers from this company, but I can say I am in love!!! I used sold cardstock from CTMH in sunset and inked my edges with sorbet ink (don't have sunset pad yet). I pierced everything around the edges, my sentiment is a freebie I picked up from Sentimental Sundays called Elena's sentiments. Now I added some flowers using my fave Die-Namics Mini Rose die and the black leaves are from my EK Success border punch.

Come join the challenge this week at 4 Crafty Chicks as there is a great prize up for grabs and while your there leave some love for the girls!!!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
AI Factory-Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz-Anything Goes
Digi Doodles Shop-Anything Goes
Case Study- case card
PaperCrafting Journey- use a digi
The Outlawz POM- Anything Goes

The 3 R's- Red, Ribbon, & Row

2011-10-26T09:05:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for another great recipe from our Master chef, Katie Tate over at Cooking It Up With Katie? Well she has come up with another great one, our recipe this week is as follows:

"Create a row, add some red, and finish with some ribbon."

I used sketch #162 again over at Clean & Simple Stamping for my card design, I just love this sketch!!! My paper is from Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather 6 x6 Mini Deck. The stocking is a wood stamp from CTMH, which I stamped in tulip ink. Now I combined my row with my ribbon, creating a row of ribbons-LOL!!! The sentiment is from our spectacular sponsor, Digital Delights and you won't want to miss the chance to win a prize from them!!! Come on over and check out what rest of team has created and show us your projects here.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp- anything goes

Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Squiggles and Giggles - Christmas Cheer
Sparkles Christmas Card Challenges - Christmas Card (optional recipe)
Alota Rubber Stamps - Christmas

Unity KOM

2011-10-25T09:43:00.000-05:00

I just recently signed up for the Unity Kit of the Month and when I got October's kit I was excited to start inking it up! I chose to use sketch #162 over at Clean & Simple Stamping. I thought to make my light "magical" I would add a little bling around my light bulb image and a little gold smooch to it also.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

BeWitching Halloween

2011-10-24T00:01:00.008-05:00

If you are looking for Lollipop Crafts post, please scroll down to post below!

Halloween is just around the corner, so time is running out to get all those spooky & scary projects created by October 31st. Well we are here to help at The Crazy Challenge as this week's challenge is
"scary ladies" and we are sponsored by Sassy Studios. Along with this there is an awesome sketch for you to try!

Now while you are are finishing up those Halloween projects, come on over to Kaboodle Doodles and join the challenge. This week's theme is "Halloween or Harvest" and you won't want to miss the inspiration from the design team! We are sponsored by Just Some Lines and they have a wonderful prize up for grabs!

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Crafty Boots- Halloween
Crafty Cardmakers- cute with a dark twist
Creative Stamp Friends-Halloween
Daisy Doodles-Halloween
Hooked on Craft-Halloween
Make It Monday- anything goes
Paper Creations Ink-Halloween
Pollycraft-Spooky Goings On
There She Goes- Halloween

Lollipop Crafts #54- Show me the embellies!!!

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

What a busy weekend we had in our house! We started the weekend Saturday with my 7 yo's bowling birthday party, we had 20 kids show up so we had loads of fun not to mention a few wild bowling balls! I will share more about it in next couple days as I want to share the invitations we created using the cricut!

Saturday evening brought a trip to Creating Keepsakes Convention here in Kansas City and I was able to sneak into the canvas class being taught by Quick Quotes at the last minute. I finished off the day with some dinner and scrapping with my fabulous friends.

I thought this canvas was perfect for our challenge this week at Lollipop Crafts #54, which is to

"Embellish It-use 3 different embellishments on your projects." This week we are sponsored by

Inked Treasures and one lucky winner will win 3 images of their choice.

We created most of elements in class, however I left several items off until I picked what photos I would like to use. Now normally this project would have sat in bag unfinished, but I decided I wanted to finish it off! So I grabbed these black & white family photos taken in 2009. As you can tell we shot these are our favorite place, yes that's right the baseball field! I like the final result and think I will be making more canvas as gifts this year for Holidays!

Lollipop Crafts Spoltlight: Robyn's Fetish

2011-10-20T09:01:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for my 4 Crafty Chicks guest designer post, please scroll down below this post.

This week our spotlight is on our wonderful sponsor Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More. I worked with this cute bear all ready to go trick or treating called "bearly a pumpkin."
Don't forget about our challenge #53 this week which is "no sentiment"- that's right let your image be the star!!! Check out what the rest of the Lollipop gals have created for today's spotlight here.

Here's a little bit about our sponsor:

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More, a division of I Did It Creations, was created and is
is owned by Robyn Weinrib. Robyn offers a wonderful variety of digital stamps and digital papers, designed to meet the needs of all digital paper crafting addicts for every occasion.

PRIZE FOR WINNER: Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More is happy to offer the winner of this challenge 5 digital stamps or 4 digital stamps and 1 digital paper set of their choice. Now that's a great prize!!!

4 Crafty Chicks- Marker It Up

2011-10-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Halloween is just around the corner, so I took the opportunity to sneak in another fun card for this week's challenge at 4 Crafty Chicks. Our challenge this week is called "marker is up" and you just have to use markers on your project. I have used my Copics of course to color this image called "Autumn Frog" from The Stamping Boutique. Papers are once again from my scrap stash, yes it's never ending- lol!!! I did use my new punch from EK Success and I know it looks crooked on card but it's not, it's how it's sitting in grass (still playing with a good place to take pics). Sentiment is a small wood block Studio G, which I have stamped with CTMH pansy purple ink and punched out using my SU' punches.

NO Turkey's Around Here

2011-10-19T16:36:00.000-05:00

As soon as I saw this hilarious image, I knew I had to work with it! LOL!!! It is from Digi Doodles Shop and is called "turkey in disguise"- they are our sponsor this week at Cooking It Up With Katie. An added bonus is if you purchase this image, it comes with a set of fun sentiments that compliment the image perfectly. Our challenge is this week is:

"Use a border, add some buttons, and don't forget the bird!"

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks- Color Challenge

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's week 2 of my guest designer month at 4 Crafty Chicks and this week is a color challenge. Our challenge colors are "Old Olive, Rose Road, Baja Breeze, and Early Espresso." Well I don't have these colors from Stampin' Up, so I had to try to match my CTMH papers with a little help from a color comparison chart I found online. I have used Olive, Cranberry, Crystal Blue, Chocolate, and Colonial White- when I first saw this combo I didn't think I could make it work, but love the final result! The patterned papers are from CTMH also except the green (blue is from Miracle and red is from Mistletoe). I found this great sketch on Feline Playful site and the sentiment is a freebie I got at Sentimental Sundays. A few little pearls and ribbon to complete this card, oh and I layered up the inside too!

Happy Howloween!

2011-10-12T02:27:00.001-05:00

Well it's mid-week and I am headed out on a field trip this am with around 100 first graders, we are going to the Red Barn Farm and of course it's the one day of week they are calling for rain throughout day! I am hoping it holds off and we get a perfect fall day to enjoy the farm and then get our baseball game in tonight!

It's time for another challenge at Cooking It Up With Katie and we are sponsored this week by

The Stamping Dragon. Our recipe this week for challenge is as follows:

"Show us some coloring, add a little curling, and a circle or two."

I used a very simple design and the patterned paper is from Fancy Pants Designs Oct. 31st pack. I colored my image using copics and that super cute sentiment is from Stampendous.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

I would like to say a great big Happy Birthday to co-owner of Lollipop Crafts Kim, hope you had a FABULOUS day yesterday! I created this fun card in honor of her day using "Meljen's Party Penguin"-
this lil' cutie is colored with copics and then I added some bling!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Frankie & Dracula Treat Boxes

2011-10-11T23:30:00.003-05:00

Aren't these just about the cutest thing you have seen? These are the prototypes of the treat boxes I will be making for my 1st grade son's class. Most of pieces are cut using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. I saw a video on You Tube here where she made the Frankie's, however I have scaled mine down.

I am entering these in challenge at The Rubber Cafe, challenge is "Halloween treat bags." Sarah Hurley Challenge Blog is all about "Halloween Horrors" and I think Dracula fits that bill! Over at Southern Girls the challenge is all about " creating a project for boys/men in our lives"- what little boy wouldn't love one of these! Stamp Insanity would like to see "anything but a card" creations too!

Throwback Thursday challenges you to use your Cricut and this week's challenge is "use a font cartridge"- the new Art Philosophy also has a font on it!

Cards, Cards, & More Cards

2011-10-11T22:13:00.002-05:00

As you will see, I have been a busy little card maker this week! This past Saturday was my monthly crop and I focused on creating some cards for challenges while using some of my neglected tools/stamps and my scraps!

I decided to try this super cool sketch at Deconstructed Sketch this week, which was a challenge for sure! I paired it with colors at Color Throwdown. Stamps are from CTMH as well as pennant shape which is from the new Art Philosophy.

We always need birthday cards right? So I created this fun card using stamps from CTMH and the sketch at My Time Made Easy. I am also entering this in the "Happy Birthday" challenge at Aud's Sentiments this week.

I love the challenges at Case Study and this week's muse has created a wonderful card for inspiration. I have created a Halloween card using non-traditional colors and am in LOVE with the final result! I am also entering this in the challenge at Crafty Purple Frog, which is "lots of layers." Over at Paper Crafting Journey the challenge is to use " die cuts and/or punches."

If you love clean & simple cards, then you need to check out the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. I used this sketch for my card and turned it. This is for the challenge at Cute Card Thursday to use a cake on your project! This sentiment is from Stampin' Up and everything is inked in CTMH chocolate ink.

With these scraps from my card above, I fell in love with this color combo! This happens to be the challenge this week at CCEE Stampers and "use your fave color combo + half circle."

I just love this cute lil' guy from CTMH and thought he would make the perfect card using the sketch at

The Outlawz. Such a simple design, but once again I love the look of this card!

I just love this adorable image, perfect for all those cards for your special friends! It's a FREEBIE over at

AI Factory where the challenge is all about your your buddies/friends!

I know you all have seen this card design before, but as I said it was going to be a new "go to" for me and when I saw the challenge at Do You Stack Up I had to create this in brown!

The color challenge this week at Color Create is to use lilac, gray, and white with option of using snowflakes too. I have used "Candy Land Winter Tag" from The Stamping Boutique.

Fall/Halloween Cards

2011-10-10T08:00:00.003-05:00

Up for a fun sketch this week to get you started, well that is the challenge this week at

The Crazy Challenge. Fall/Autumn colors are an optional twist. we are happy to be sponsored by Di's Digis once again and I chose to work with this adorable "mummy bear" image. We would love to have you play along with us, the DT has some great samples at inspiration posted here!

I am also entering this card in the Charisma Cardz "orange & black" challenge this week! Over at Forever Friends the challenge is to "use a sentiment with an animal image."

It's all about "critters" this week at Lollipop Crafts and we are sponsored this week by

Little Miss Muffet Stamps. I was really excited to work with this fun image called "monster love" as this was my first from this company. I grabbed these halloween scraps and inked the edges with CTMH bamboo ink. I loved the sketch this week at The Crazy Challenge so I used it on this card as well. Come join us and check out the rest of design team's AWESOME projects here! Linda is joining us as a guest designer this week and so make sure to check out here blog here and leave her some love!

I am also entering this in the Little Miss Muffet challenge to use "animals or monsters."

Fall is in the air and the leaves are starting to turn those lovely shades of reds, yelllows, oranges and browns which provides the perfect inspiration for this week's challenge at Kaboodle Doodles. That's right "Show Us The Leaves" is the theme of challenge and we are sponsored by the wonderful

Meljen's Designs. When I saw this image called "fall wreath" I knew I wanted to work with it! I have colored it with copics and then ditressed the edges of my image and layers using my Tonic tool. This fun fall paper is from Creative Memories. Stop by here and check out the DT samples this week and play along with us this week for your chance to win 4 images from Meljen's store!

I am also entering this card in the "distressing" challenge at Digi Doodle Shop. Also the Moving Along With the Times challenge is to use "autumn leaves" and Paper Play would like to see "autumn colors."

Lollipop Spotlight: Meljen's Designs- Cute Lil' Vampire

2011-10-06T09:33:00.006-05:00

It's time to spotlight our fabulous sponsor Meljen's Designs this week at Lollipop Crafts! I have created this fun Halloween card using the adorable "Lil Vampire" image, which I have colored with copics and paired with papers from Fancy Pants Designs Oct 31st stack and CTMH papers. This card is perfect for this week's challenge #51 at Lollipop Crafts, which is to create a Halloween project. Up for grabs is a prize of 4 digis from their store. Come join us this week and share those spooky & spectacular projects!

Here's a little about Meljen's Designs:

Card recipe:

Image: Meljen's Designs Lil Vampire

Sketch: Sketch and Stash

Paper: Fancy Pants Designs Oct 31st & CTMH Mistletoe

Sentiment: Stampendous Costume Kids

Medium: Copics

Challenges:

Sketch & Stash- sketch+ option of 3 pp or 3 embellies (did both- new/papers & image, neglected-buttons)
Meljen's Designs- halloween
Crafty Ribbons-halloween projects
Delightful Challenges- make it dimensional (sentiment is popped up)

4 Crafty Chicks- Monochromatic

2011-10-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to share that I was selected as a guest designer for October at 4 Crafty Chicks, so for the next four weeks I hope to inspire you with my projects. This week's challenge is "monochromatic" and I found this great sketch at Clean & Simple Stamping. I have used the CTMH stamp set called "happiness" for the flowers, which I have stamped in black ink using second generation for bottom layers of flowers. the sentiment is also from CTMH and is from the "for every occasion set."I have added a little bling also!

This is going to be a great go to card for me and perfect for using up all those scraps! Check out the other monochromatic designs I have created. I think I am going to make these into some sets of these to give as gifts!

Fun, Fabulous, & F for Flowers

2011-10-05T09:56:00.002-05:00

Happy Hump Day, hope your week has started off with a bang! You may wonder what the title of my post is all about, well it's challenge day again at Cooking It Up With Katie and boy is this one great! First let me tell you who our brand new sponsor is this week, Pink Gem Designs and the prize is 4 digital images from the store!

Our challenge is:

Make it Fun
Make it Fabulous
And add your own "F Word!". You can choose fabric, flowers, Fall, felt, flocking, fur, folding, anything at that is an F and make sure you tell us what it is :)

Card Recipe:

Image: Love Hoot from Pink Gem Designs
Paper: patterned-Cosmo Cricket Earth Love, cardstocks- CTMH sorbet/cocoa/vanilla cream
Ink: CTMH cocoa
Medium: Copics
Punch: Stampin' Up- circle/scalloped circle, leaves- EK Success
Embellies: CTMH cocoa brads
Sentiment: CTMH A Little Buzz

Celebrate the Season

2011-10-03T23:59:00.000-05:00

I just knew I was gonna love this stamp set when I first saw it, it is from Unity and is called "Celebrate the Season" created by very good friend and owner of Te Stamping Boutique, Tracey Malnofski. I have stamped the image in black ink and colored with Copics. To add a little pop, I used gold smooch on swirls and pearls to accent the ornament hangers.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

365Cards- must use 5 layers

Crazyhazelnut's Christmas- Christmas card for a male

365 Cards

2011-10-03T22:00:00.003-05:00

Day 212 at 365 Cards is to create a background using 4 colors. I used the stamp set "Friendship Blessings" from CTMH and inks (sunflower, chocolate, autumn terracotta, & garnet) to create my background. The overall card design is from Clean & Simple Stamping Blog.

Day 209 is a fun little sketch that I was able to use scraps for once again, gosh I love to be able to use up all these little prieces of paper that I cannot seem to part with! Cardstocks are from CTMH in sorbet and cocoa.

Day 214 is all about seeing 3 little birdies on your cards, I have had this cute little stamp forever just waiting to be inked up so this was the perfect challenge! This is one of my fave card designs from Clean & Simple Stamping and will be a definite go to design for future cards. I colored the birdies using copics and then added a little sparkle on hats with some glitter.

Day 210

Blessed Beyond Measure

2011-10-03T09:20:00.001-05:00

Kaboodle Doodles this week has a great color challenge and we are sponsored this week by Stamp Insanity, the prize up for grabs is 3 images from their store. Are you ready for your challenge colors? Our challenge was to use the following colors:

"Colors - pinks, reds/maroons, purples plus neutral (grey or brown)."

Now when I first saw this I thought, how am I going to pull this off until I found this GORGEOUS piece of patterned paper in my stash from an SEI kit. I have paired it with cardstocks from CTMH in chocolate and vineyard berry, edges are inked with chocolate ink also. I used the wonderful sketch at Card Patterns this week. My created my strip down left side using my new EK Success punch and flowers are created with my ribbon rose die. Sentiment came from one of those $1 section stamps.

I am entering this card in following challenges:

Card Patterns- sketch
365 Cards-triple it sentiment (stamped it, cut it out, and inked it)

Harvest Blessings

2011-09-28T09:32:00.000-05:00

The temps are cooling down here in Kansas City, making for some nice crisp mornings/evenings and although everything is still green Fall will be here in no time. This week over at Cooking It Up With Katie the team has created some wonderful projects perfect for fall! We are sponsored this week by Digital Delights and they have some super cute images!

Our challenge this weeks is as follows:

"Use a Punch, Include a Pair (2 of the same thing or 2 ribbons, 2 flowers etc), and Make a Pocket (this can be real or faux, even on the image counts).

I started by making my card base using the pattern from CTMH Orignials book called "invitation" on

page 81. I grabbed some scraps and this fun fall paper from Cloud 9 Design paper pad. I cut my tags using my Cricut and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge. I chose to work with the "Harvest Blessings" sentiment from the fall sentiments set and distressed the edges before adding to my tags. Now the fun part- I added what looks like stitching (in CTMH chocolate ink) to my cream piece using a tracing wheel (thanks Sue for teaching us this technique)!

I am entering this in the following challenges:

It's Party Time at the Outlawz!

2011-09-27T11:44:00.000-05:00

That's right The Outlawz is having a "Big 1000 Member Bash" and you will not want to miss it!!! Check out their flyer and make sure to mark your calendars so you don't miss this party!

Rah Rah Rhonda

2011-09-26T17:06:00.000-05:00

It's Homecoming this week here in our town, so everyone is gearing up for the "Big Game" as well as parade and dance.GO TIGERS!!! When I saw this image I thought it would make the perfect card for the challenge this week at The Crazy Challenge, which is to pick 3 colors to work with so I chose our school colors black/yellow or gold/white. We are sponsored this week by Sassy Studio Designs and I have used Rah Rah Rhonda image from their store.

I am very excited to share with you that the overall layout of this card is my first sketch that I designed for the challenge this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp. We are honored to be sponsored by Kut 4 You and

one lucky winner will receive 2 chipboard albums and 5 sets of chipboard shapes. How cool is that!!!

My card is also for the challenge this week at Lollipop Crafts, where it's all about "anything goes" this week! Come check out what the entire team of Lollipop gals have created to inspire you this week!

365 Cards

2011-09-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

This past week at 365 Cards it's all about creating masculine cards, I have given it a go and although some I have used "non-traditional" male colors I think they came out pretty good!

Day 202- use the sketch to create you card with masculine style

Day 203- Back to School with a masculine style

Day 204-Outer Space with masculine style

Day 205-Summer vacation with masculine style

Day 206-Love with masculine style

Day 207- Sweet treats with a masculine style

Day 208- Funny cards with masculine style

Luigi Halloween Layout- Lollipop Crafts #49

2011-09-19T09:33:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for Kaboodle Doodles post, please scroll down.

We have a fun and easy challenge for you this week at Lollipop Crafts, the challenge is "anything but a card" and since I am trying to get back to scrapbooking my pics this was the perfect opportunity to crank out a layout. We are sponsored this week by Robyn's Fetish and it's T-team's (Tammy's team) turn to share their talents, so make sure to check out their projects when you enter the challenge this week.

Here is a little about our sponsor:

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More is proud to sponsor this challenge.

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More, a division of I Did It Creations, was created and is
is owned by Robyn Weinrib. Robyn offers a wonderful variety of digital stamps and digital papers, designed to meet the needs of all digital paper crafting addicts for every occasion.

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More is happy to offer the winner of this challenge 5 digital stamps or 4 digital stamps and 1 digital paper set of their choice.

These are pics of my little Lucas last year at his school Halloween party, he was Luigi from Super Mario Brothers and he looked so cute with those little freckles and mustache. They made ghosts from paper plates with streamers and played mummy wrap for their game.

Now now only did I create a layout, but I tried a new technique! I created this fun little flower embellie, by pulling the stitching on one to gather it into a circle. I then created a smaller one so I could have 2 layers, attached to a huger Glubber dot, and added a button to finish!

Lots of Layers-Kaboodle Doodles #85

2011-09-19T09:17:00.000-05:00

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend! I ran another 5K race on Saturday morning followed by a b-day party in afternoon and a fun night of cards/board games with some AMAZING friends. It rained most of weekend cancelling all 4 baseball games on Sunday, so we go to just relax all day!

Are you ready for another challenge this week at Kaboodle Doodles? This week is all about layers and we are sponsored by my fave store The Stamping Boutique! One lucky person will receive 3 digis of the their choice from the TSB store. I chose to work with this wonderful image called "ribbon and rose", as some may know I love to create cards for soldiers to send back home to their loved ones so this image was perfect for that however is very versatile and can be used for all the the other awareness ribbons.

I followed the sketch over at Cardabilities, my card stocks are all CTMH and are inked in chocolate. The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set that I have never used before. Come on over and join the fun and see the rest of the team's wonderful projects!

365 Cards

2011-09-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

I created this card using this wonderful image from Meljen's Designs and the sketch from

365 Cards #195. I turned the sketch on it's side and made the inside look like candy corn to match.

I am using this card as my 365 Cards #196 project for to "divide & conquer"- you must have 5 parts, so I am counting my stars/dots strips as 4 parts and my cream strip as the fifth.

Challenge #197 is all about using bead on your project at 365 Cards, so I pulled these purple colored ones to add to my card. I just love the embossing from the spider web Cuttlebug folder.

Sentiment standout is the challenge #198 at 365 Cards and so I chose to use my new fave Halloween stamp from the $1 section at Joann's. Paper is from the Oct 31 paper pad from Fancy Pants Designs.

Here is another scrap card I made for 365 Cards challenge #199,

pick a highly memorable year in your life, and use that to inspire your card. Last year was very memorable for me as I lost 50 lbs and felt like a flower blossoming into a woman that had been lost for a long time.

365 Cards challenge #200 is about digging through your junk drawer and using something from it on your card, well I have a stash of buttons in mine so that is what I used in center of bow on that big present.

365 Cards challenge #201 is "1+1=1 beautiful card,"

Pick two of your dearest friends and choose something about them to contribute to your card. It can be anything you want that makes you think of them. This lovely card design idea if from my friend Darla for a card swap and it's made with CTMH products which makes me think of my fabulous CTMH consultant and friend Sue.

Thanks Book Worm-Sunday Sketch & Stamp #73

2011-09-18T12:41:00.001-05:00

With school back in session I have decided to build my stash of cards to be ready for when one is needed for a teacher. I grabbed this adorable image from Robyn's Fetish called "book worm" which is our sponsor this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp.

We have a a wonderful sketch from Gry with lots of layers, which is exactly what I LOVE! I raided my scrap stash and found these fun school papers from DCWV. As you can see I has a little boo-boo with my red copic, but I decided it wasn't that bad. Add a little embossing with my Swiss dots folder and sentiment is from CTMH.

Come on over and check out rest of girl's creations and join in the fun!

Lollipop Crafts Spotlight

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to spotlight our wonderful sponsor this week at Lollipop Crafts!

Here's a little bit about Di's Digi Downloads:

I have been drawing since a child and studied graphics at College many years ago, I know work as a medical photographer part time but my love was always drawing. I started cardmaking about 4 years ago when I bought my daughter a cardmaking kit which we did together, but I'm afraid I got the bug! My daughter preferred scrapbooking. I then started looking online at other blogs and this then became my passion and I loved sharing my cards with like-minded people. I love stamping and loved finding images, but sometimes I could not find what I wanted so i started to draw myself.

This then has become my second addiction and I have never looked back, I love thinking of new images and it's just fabulous to see others take them and make them into beautiful work of art. Long may it continue!

I have followed the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday for my card and used papers/ribbon/brads from my stash! Don't forget our challenge #48, it's an easy one, all you have to do is use "eyelets or brads" like I did in corners of my card. Link up your projects here, there is a great prize up for grabs:

5 digi images OR 3 clear stamp images.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday- sketch

Cooking It Up With Katie/Exciting News!!!

2011-09-14T14:55:00.000-05:00

I know I shared this card yesterday (you can see all details here), but it's pulling double duty for the challenge this week at Cooking It Up With Katie. Our sponsor this week is Sassy Studios so you know a sweet prize will be up for grabs!

Our recipe for this week is as follows:

"Something girly, add some green, and finish with a group of 3."

I get to add this fun little badge to my blog as one of my cards from last week was selected as a spotlight-WOO HOO! You can check out my card here!

TSB Challenge #15- Recipe

2011-09-13T19:13:00.001-05:00

It's time for another challenge over at The Stamping Boutique and this week April has given us a recipe.

The recipe is as follows:

4~different colors

3~different embellishments

2~different DP's

1~digital image (please note I said DIGITAL image ;-) )

I started with the sketch over at Skipping Stones Designs for my card. I found this paper in my stash from EK Success called "beauty stripes" that had exactly 4 colors. I used bling, button, and ribbon on my card for my embellies. I paired my striped with this scrap of brown polka dot paper and used the

"Think Happy Thoughts Sentiment" for The Stamping Boutique store. Now when I got done I decided to create a matching layout and used "pinwheel journal."

Make sure to head over to The Stamping Boutique Challenge Blog and check out all the great things happening there, it's their 2nd Birthday and they are celebrating all month long. There is something new daily from free images to opportunities to win FREE images- DONT MISS OUT!!!

There is currently a birthday challenge going on and they will be selecting 30 winners, one for each day and you can enter as many times as you want and win multiple times!

Sunday Sketch & Stamp

2011-09-11T19:58:00.000-05:00

I picked up a couple new 6x6 paper packs at Archiver's this past week and could not wait to play with them, so what better time than with the sketch challenge this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp. We have a wonderful sketch from Donna and are sponsored this week by Stitchy Bear Stamps. I grabbed that "Happy Halloween" stamp in the $1 section at Jo Ann's and it's from Inkadinkado. The bat is from a CTMH stamp set. Come play along and check out rest of DT's spectaculat project!

Lots of cards to share

2011-09-10T22:47:00.002-05:00

What's on your playlist? That's the 365 Cards challenge #194-what is at top of your playlist. One of my faves is Pat Benatar so I grabbed that heart w/wings and paired it with this fun sentiment! I have a huge variety of music, but trying to find something to coordinate was a hard one until I found these stamps from CTMH.

365 Cards challenge #193 is all about geography- use your gave favorite vacation destination as your inspiration. I would love to go to Hawaii one day, this paper from SEI with all the big flowers makes me think of the island.

Just a simple card inspired by the a sketch/card I found over at Skipping Stones Designs, I loved the card using the peacock feather. This is for the color challenge over at 365 Cards challenge #192 also!

Another card using scraps from my stash, I just love the simple design of this one. I created this card for 365 Cards challenge #191, I normally love lots of embellies and very white space so this is "so not me!" The sentiment was a FREEBIE at Sentimental Sundays.

I am entering this card in following challenges:
Digi Makeover Challenge- pinks/greys/black/white
Crafty Boots- anything goes

Talk about a challenge, well check out 365 Cards #190- our recipe was as follows:

" 4.25 x 5.5 card, 4 stickers, 4 buttons, 1 sentiment, and 1 extra cardstock." So I created my baseball using a circle cut with the cricut, added stitching with red pen, and inked with CTMH desert sand ink. The word "slam" are stickers from my baseball collection of goodies!

FORE!!! Isn't this little Changito monkey adorable? I created this card for the challenge at Cards For Men, which is the letter "G"and what say men & G more than golf. I was once again inspired by sketch at Skipping Stones Designs. I created my golf ball using one of my Cuttlebug embossing folders and then inked the edges with CTMH chococlate ink.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Creative Stamp Friends- card for a man

Cupcake Craft challenge this week is to create a patchwork quilt on your project. I grabbed some scraps from Cosmo Cricket-Earth Love 6x6 pad to create my patchwork pattern and inked edges with CTMH chocolate ink. Lots of layers, flourishes cut using my cricut, and added my sentiment from

CTMH Thank You set.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion- flowers
Happileigh Scappin- browns/oranges/yellows

Thanks You're The Best!!

2011-09-07T02:00:00.000-05:00

It's "Hump Day" so are you ready for another challenge this week at Cooking It Up With Katie? This week we are sponsored by Gingerloft and our recipe for this week is as follows:

"Use some purple, add a sentiment, and finish with a bow."

I have created a fun new way to use all those little scraps of papers I have been saving and am so excited! I have punched the circles using a 1 inch punch and inked all the edges with CTMH pansy purple ink. I have then placed them on a 2 inch strip of cream cardstock and then mounted again. Tied up a little bow and added my sentiment from CTMH "Thank You" set. I have gone through my huge pile of scraps and punched all my little scraps so I can create these quick cards as needed!

Merry & Bright

2011-09-06T08:00:00.002-05:00

I saw the challenge over at 365 Cards and thought I would give it a whirl, it's a hard one as you must use 6 patterned papers on your project! I raided my scraps and came up with this fun way to recycle and use up all those small pieces of paper you cannot bare to part with. I had a whole collection of Basic Grey papers from the Figgy Pudding and Fruit Cake line that complimented each other perfectly! Inked the edges of everything, added a bow and sentiment from CTMH "Christmas Melodies" set! Be prepared to see this design a lot as I am in love with it!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

365 Cards- pattern frenzy (use 6 patterned papers)
Crafty Boots-anything goes
Make It Monday-anything goes

Ric Rac, fabric, or lace- Oh my!!!

2011-09-05T11:19:00.000-05:00

If you are lookinf for Lollipop Crafts or The Crazy Challenge posts, please scroll down!

It's challenge day again at Kaboodle Doodles and for this week if you are like me you will need to dig deep into your stash for this challenge! Our challenge this week is all about using "ric-rac, fabric, or lace" on your projects and we are excited to be sponsored by Robyn's Fetish. One lucky person will win 5 images from the Robyn's Fetish Designs & More Store.

We got the pleasure of working with Christmas/Winter images and I decided to work with this cute little guy called "Christmas Twee." Paper piecing was in order, so I printed my image twice (once on white, once on olive green) and started the fussy cutting! I added a little color around tree using my G99 copic, the star is colored with Smooch, and a little bling to make this tree sparkle. I chose to work with the sketch from

365 Cards (rotated is on it's side). A little ric-rac, added a little embossing, and inking my edges with CTMH olive ink to make complete!

I am entering this card in following challenges:

365 Cards- sketch

Thanks for being my friend!

2011-09-05T11:06:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for Lollipop Crafts post, please scroll down!

Happy Labor Day, hope you are having a nice holiday weekend! Ours has been filled with lots of down time so we are taking advantage by doing some yard work, a little cleaning, mom is crafting, boys are playing a little catch or hanging out with dad playing some video games! The weather is beautiful here today and has cooled off, so we plan on BBQing later and maybe a run for me!

I have lots of AMAZING friends and when I saw this image I immediately knew I wanted to make a card using it! This week at The Crazy Challenge it's all about "spots and/or stripes" so I decided to use a little twist on my card. Can you guess what it is? I wanted my focus to be on this cute image and had an "a-ha moment!" That adorable puppy has spots and sweet little kitten has stripes, so I colored with my copics and used a clean & simple design. Now you may ask where do I get this image, well it's courtesy of AI Factory who is our wonderful sponsor this week!

Don't forget about the Christmas challenge we have going on too, lots of sponsors and prizes up for grabs! To check out all the details, click here.

Lollipop Crafts #47-Get Well Beary Soon

2011-09-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Is not the most adorable image perfect for all those in our lives with the ickies? This image and sentiment are both digital image from The Stamping Boutique and can be found here. I created this card for one of my CCFA missions (Cricut Card Fairies), it will be going to a little boy that had a 4-wheeler accident. This is also for my debut at Lollipop Crafts, where the challenge this week is as follows:

"Double Team-Use 2 stamps/images (sentiments count as 1), 2 patterned/designer paper, 2 of the same embellishments (may use more than 1 type in multiples of 2) and 2 ribbons (same or differ)."

Come on over and check out the rest of the new DT ladies creations on Tammy's Team today, but be sure to also come back on 09/08 to see Alanna's team as they spotlight images from Meljen's Designs!

Think Pink

2011-09-04T11:15:00.002-05:00

Isn't Princess Jennifer Latte looking GORGEOUS and ready for a evening our to celebrate? She is a brand new image from The Stamping Boutique who happens to be sponsoring the challenge this week at

Sunday Sketch and Stamp. Our sketch this week comes from Maggie and I have rotated the sketch and been a little liberal as had to change shape to get my image to fit!

I just love this image, I have colored her pink using sparkly fluff and copics for Breast Cancer Awareness but she would work for any of the awareness ribbons! It's hard to see in pic, but I have used my special edition Sizzix plates for embossing of "encouraging phrases" on white and "ribbons" on pink! My cardstocks are from CTMH as well as that blingy brad!

Don't forget The Stamping Boutique is having a DT call and celebrating their 2nd birthday this month with lots of fun & prizes on their challenge blog. Check it out here and took pick up this image click here. They are also having a Labor Day sale where images are 35% off, but hurry it's only for this weekend!

I am entering this in following challenges:
One Stitch at a Time- use a digi
Stamptacular Sunday- anything goes
I Did It Creations- Girly Girl
Crafting When We Can-anything goes

Happy Birthday TSB!

2011-09-02T16:06:00.004-05:00

I'm so excited to share with you today that one of my most favorite companies is celebrating a birthday! That's right The Stamping Boutique is turning 2 years old this month and I am so honored to have been with Tracey Malnofski on this journey since she opened her store! If you had not had the opportunity to work with Tracey then you are missing out, but you still have a chance at TSB is having a DT call. Check out all the deets of the DT call here!

Now to start off the "Birthday Celebration" which will run for entire month of September, a challenge was issued today by myself to create a birthday project. This can be anything your little heart desires and each day of the month one person will be chosen to pick a FREE image from the store- yes you heard me right, there will be 30 winners this month!!!

I created this card for the challenge and chose to work with the image called "little girl with a balloon", which is colored with copics. I decided to follow the sketch over at Cardabilities, papers are from CTMH. I followed the tutorial over at Splitcoast Stampers to create the fun fan fold flower (say that 3 times fast, lol). This was my first attempt at this type of flower, but I know there are more in my future.

Now what are you waiting for head over and enter the challenge here with you birthday projects. You do not have to use a TSB image and you can enter as many times as you want!

I am entering this card in following challenges:

Cardabilities- sketch
Desert Island Crafters- used 5, 6, & 8
4 Crafty Chicks- celebrate
Art Impressions- lots of dots
Crafty Purple Frog-birthdays
Cute Card Thursday- punch (used border punch to create flower)
Moving Along With the Times- handmade flowers
Paper Play- make your own flowers

Back to School Bag Tag & Exciting News!

2011-09-01T17:58:00.000-05:00

It's challenge time at The Stamping Boutique and this week is all about those "back to school" projects! I decided to create a quick little tag for my 1st grade son's bag, so they knew which bus he rides. The adorable school bus image is from The Stamping Boutique and I have colored it with copics. I found a badge holder to put it in and added a key ring.

I am also entering this in the challenge over at Lollipop Crafts, which is to use something recycled!

Oh and I can finally announce that I have been asked to join the Lollipop Crafts Design Team, I am so excited and cannot wait to share my first project with you on September 5th!

Sweet Little One

2011-08-31T02:00:00.001-05:00

"Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice, That's What Little Girls Are Made Of!"

Nothing is sweeter than an adorable new baby and I have lots of people I know are having new bundles of joy in next few months, so this card will be perfect for one of them. This week at Cooking It Up With Katie we are sponsored by Meljen's Designs. I used this adorable image called "baby bottle" which I have paired with the Claire's sketch this week at Sunday Sketch & Stamp.

The challenge this week at Cooking It Up with Katie is:

"Use a sticker, some pink, and add a little bling!"

Come on over and check out what our new DT gals have created for the challenge!

Best Witches Easel Does It!

2011-08-30T14:26:00.001-05:00

Can you guess what the fun challenge is this week over at Kaboodle Doodles? It's all about "easel cards" this week and we are sponsored once again by The Crafty Pad, winner this week gets to pick 2 images from their store. I chose to create this fun easel card using the tutorial here, I have used my Nesties. The image I have used is from The Stamping Boutique and is called PJL Halloween Witch which I have colored with copics. I have used my Nestie as a stencil to add the CTMH pansy purple ink around edge of image. The sentiment is from Stampendous and is called "doodle witches."

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe Crafts- easel cards

Fun in the Sun

2011-08-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's another the challenge day at Cooking it Up With Katie this week and we are sponsored by Stampin Dragon, the winner will receive 4 images from their store. Our challenge recipe this week is

"Use something wet, a brad or two, and add a border."

I have used this summer image called Summer Fun, that is colored with copics. I added a a brad to center of the beach ball, cut image out, and added a nice sunburst border using my scalloped inverted square Nesties. I inked the edges of all my papers using CTMH cocoa and a little ribbon for finishing touch!

Now come over and join the challenge, plus meet our new DT members and be inspired!

Back to School Layout-2 Challenges

2011-08-24T08:00:00.004-05:00

I just have start by saying I am in love with the new idea book from CTMH, the cover page layout is what I based this layout on this week. This layout was created for the challenge over at The Stamping Boutique, which is "Stripes and Dots." So to create my stripes I pulled out my score pal and created the pattern on the cream cardstock. Everything is inked with CTMH desert sand ink, the title is cute using the Cricut. The fun little scalloped border is one of the Kraft Ready to Color borders that I have inked with my black ink pad (CTMH is discontinuing, so hurry fast to get those before they are gone). I have added a digital image (which I have changed to sepia using Paint.net) of my Lucas on his 1st day of school so you can see what it would look like with photo (I will print the photo and add). There is a hidden journaling spot using this cute digital recipe card image from The Stamping Boutique.

Now this layout is also for the challenge this week over at The Crazy Challenge, which just so happens to be "Back to School" also. Our sponsor this week is Hobbisimo and the TCC design team has created some fabulous projects to share with you!

I am entering this project in the following challenges:
Creative Craft Challenges- anything but a card
Going Grey with Scrap Creations- back to school
Papertake Weekly- using dies (stars/letters using cricut and shape by photo mat is from a die)
Sparkles Creations-primary+ neutral
Use it Tuesday- Back to School (patterned paper, ribbon, & recipe card are all from stash )
Tuesday Throwdown-dimension and texture (popped up items & texture using score pal & cuttlebug)

Creative Stamp Friends- school
Heart 2 Heart-back to school
Make It Monday- anything goes
Paper Playtime-anything goes
Stamps R Us- anything goes

School Days Layout

2011-08-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

School starts tomorrow here and I think I am more excited than the kids, lol! It's not that I don't love spending time with my boys, but with a 15 yo and 6 yo they spend alot of time fighting as oldest doesn't want to play with youngest and all youngest wants is to play with oldest. So needless to say I have been counting down the days for awhile, although it's bittersweet as I know in a flash school days will be over for my Micah as he is a sophomore this year and has in his mind that he wants to go to college far away from here. When I look at Lucas, I see Micah all over again and think where did the time go!

This weekend I went to a fun crop and we created a layout for the CTMH club I am in that I knew would be perfect for the challenge at Cooking it Up With Katie this week. We are sponsored by 2 fabulous sponsors this week, Robyn's Fetish and Gingerloft so make sure to play along! Our challenge recipe this week is

"Use a die cut, some ribbon, and add a banner."

I decided to play with this adorable back pack image to add to my layout. First I colored the image using a sponge dauber and CTMH ink, next I started to layer it up by starting with a uncolored image. I used the same techniques with all the pockets/straps and then cut them out and added them. I colored all the items in the top of the back pack with copics and added them layer by layer. For my banner , I used my cricut and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge for letters and cut diamonds using George cartridge which I folded over to create banner. I added my triangles to a piece of CTMH juniper ribbon and papers are from the new CTMH idea book called "Type Set."

Kaboodle Doodles- "Bag It of Tag It"

2011-08-15T09:00:00.001-05:00

Scroll down if you are looking for The Crazy Challenge post.

"Bag It of Tag It" is our theme this week at Kaboodle Doodles and we are sponsored this week by Kenny K and our winner this week will received a $10 voucher to their store. I have never worked with a Kenny K image so I was excited to finally get my hands on this adorable soccer player. Although I do not have any soccer players in my house, I thought this would be perfect to add to a birthday present or layout for a friend/family member down the line.

I started by cutting out a tag on my Cricut in CTMH desert sand cardstock and them inked edges with same color ink. I have colored my image, double layered it, and popped him up on my tag. I found this paper hiding in my stash that worked perfectly, torn my edges, and inked them also. I have left it blank so I can add a special saying or sentiment when I decide to use it!

Now to join the challenge you have to head over to Kaboodle Doodles and while there check out what rest of my fellow DT members have created!

The Crazy Challenge- Movies

2011-08-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

This week at The Crazy Challenge our challenge is all about "movies." We are sponsored by Sassy Studios who had lots of images that would work perfect for this challenge. I chose to work with "Jasmine" from one of my fave Disney movies Aladdin. I have colored her with copics and layered her several times. I left my scalloped circle blank so I can use this card as needed for a special girl that may have a birthday party soon. With Lucas starting 1st grade this week, he tends to get invited to several parties so now I have one in my stash! To check out all the challenge deets and see the rest of the DT's creations, head one over to The Crazy Challenge!

Also we are starting a monthly Christmas challenge and you can check out the details here. What a great way to get a jump start on those holiday cards/projects and have a chance to win some AWESOME prize from the many wonderful sponsors!

The Crazy Challenge- Embossing

2011-08-08T10:16:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for Kaboodle Doodles post, scroll down below to check out this week's challenge!

Batter up!!! As soon as I saw this image I was in LOVE, it reminds me so much of my boys all suited up and ready for the big game. This image is from Digi Doodle Shop which is our wonderful sponsor this week at The Crazy Challenge and it just happens this image is called "Batter Up."

Our challenge this week is all about "embossing" and I knew I wanted to use the stars embossing folder and as they say "Baseball is America's Favorite Past Time!" The blue strip is embossed with distresed stripes embossing folder. I wanted to go for a more vintage feel on this lil' ball player's uniform, so I grabbed my E31/33 copics and I wasn't satisfied with look so I grabbed a sponge dauber and inked up image using CTMH brown bag ink. I used my Nesties again to frame image and inked with brown bag ink again, I cut my colored image our and layered it on top of top note shape. To finish off my card, I had this sentiment is my stamp stash, which is stamped in CTMH moonstruck and fussy cut.

Embossing is one of my fave things to do, so come over to The Crazy Challenge and show us your embossing tricks and check out inspiration from rest of team!

Kaboodle Doodles-Primary Colors

2011-08-08T09:56:00.000-05:00

School countdown is on and if you are like me you are doing all those last minute things to get the kiddos ready. We start school on the 18th and this past weekend was "Tax Free" weekend, but I decided not to fight the masses and get in a little crafting.

This week at Kaboodle Doodles our challenge is all about "primary colors" and we have another wonderful sponsor. Meljen's Designs has provided us with images to work with and the challenge winner will receive their choice of 4 images from their store. I grabbed this adorable image called "artist mug", which I colred up with my copics. I cut the contents of the mug out and layered them up on a second copy of image and then cut out entire image again. These adorable papers are from the DCWV school stack and I used some new Nesties I got on clearance at Hobby Lobby for the red paper. For the finishing touch, I had my 6 yo Lucas write his teacher's name on mug (this is actually his Kindergarten teacher's name, but he wants to give her a card on the first day of school on his way to his new 1st grade class).

Come one over to Kaboodle Doodles and check out the rest of team's projects and share with us your projects using primary colors!

TSB Challenge #12/Cooking it up with Katie- We are back!!!

2011-08-03T15:39:00.000-05:00

After taking a little break last month, we are back over at Cooking it up with Katie with a new challenge! I am excited to announce we have a "brand new" sponsor this week, The Stamping Boutique which I happen to also design for. Up for grabs s 5 digis of winner's choice from the TSB store, how AWESOME it that!!!

Our recipe this week is:

Something Old, Something New, and One of Your Favorite Things/Techniques

I chose to go digital this week once again, so I started with a quick page from Digi Scrap Depot called Birthday Boy which you can download from here. I have added this pic of my lil' guy Lucas' from his 1st birthday, he will be 7 yo next month. I chose to color my TSB image called birthday bunny using Paint.net and then added this fun sentiment called "Birthday cake is yummy"
and you can download is from here.

Now I decided to kill to birds with one stone so to speak, as this layout is for the challenge this week over at The Stamping Boutique Challenge Blog also. The theme this week is "Happy Birthday for a young male." Come on over and join the fun and see the wonderful inspiration from the rest of design team and enter the challenge!

Kaboodle Doodles #78- In the Garden

2011-08-01T10:03:00.006-05:00

Well the weekend is over and time to start another week, so that's means a new challenge at Kaboodle Doodles. This week our challenge theme is "In the Garden" and we are sponsored by Lexi's Creations

and our prize this week is 3 digis from their store. I chose to work with this cute butterfly image, first I emboseed my cardstock before printing my image. I then cut out the image and inked with CTMH Chocolate ink pad. Patterned paper is from my mini 6x6 and cardstocks are CTMH. The sentiement was a freebie from Sentimental Sundays, which I cut out using my Nesties. Come on over and join the challenge this week and see what the rest of team has created here.

I am entering in the following challenge:
Sentimental Sundays- In the garden
Craft Your Passion- anything goes
Happileigh Scrappin'-anything goes
Incy Incy Designs-monochromatic
Make It Monday- anything goes
House of Gilli-polka dots
Woodware USA- anything goes
Catered Crop- follow recipe ( I used sentiment, ribbon, die cut shape, & border punch)

Sunday Sketch & Stamp

2011-07-31T10:03:00.001-05:00

It's another challenge day over at Sunday Sketch & Stamp and although this is not my team's week after seeing the Sam's sketch I wanted to play along. and had this image laying on my desk already colored. Don't you just love these cute little shy bears? Well you can pick this image called Bearly Early Bears up and others at Squigglefly. I used scraps again which are all from CTMH Jingle paper pack and cardstock/brads in Juniper, ink is CTMH Tulip. Surpirse sentiment is also from a CTMH stamp set. Come and play along this week here and check out rest of team's projects!

Today was a fun and exhausting day for me as I competed in a brutal 5K race called the Warrior Dash, this race is decribed as 3.1 hellish miles and not only do you run the course but there are obstacles that you have to complete along the way. The end of the race commences with you leaping over fire and then wading through a mudpit covered with barbed wire. This race was extremely hard with lots of hills and muddy trails along with temps above 100 and heat index/humidity were horrible. Heats of 500 people took off every half hour and I was in the noon event, needless to say they ended up closing down last 4 heats due to excessive weather conditions and after sending almost 60 people to hospital.

However I am so proud to say "I completed every obstacle" and although my time was not anything to brag about I am proud to say I finished and call me crazy but I would do it again. I know it would have never been possible before losing the 50 lbs I did last fall. I thought I would share a few photos, these aren't great beacause they are taken with a cell phone (I forgot the camera) but you get the idea!

I am entering this card in following challenges:

Come & Get It-anything goes

Merry & Bright Shy Bear

2011-07-19T10:52:00.003-05:00

Blogger has not been my friend recently, however I am finally able to post this card I made using another adorable Squigglefly Shy Bear called candle bear . I started my project using the Mira's sketch this week my fellow DT member at Sunday Sketch & Stamp. This week we are sponsored by Digi Doodle Shop, so make sure to join us for youe chance to win! Also this week at Kaboodle Doodles the challenge is all about "embossing" and we are sponsored by The Paper Shelter. They have some of the most adorable images, so you will want ot make sure to enter challenge!

July has got me in the mood for Christmas somewhat, so I decided to keep getting ahead for the holidays with this card. The image is colored with Copics and then I used my Nesties to frame image. My papers are once again scraps that I have paired with some inking in CTMH Ponderosa Pine and Vineyard Berry. To create my golden glow around my image, I have used CTMH Creme Brulee using my Nestie as a stencil. A few pearls in the corners to finish this one off!

Would love to also see you all this week over at The Crazy Challenge, where the theme is Christmas in July and sponsored by another of my fave places The Stamping Boutique. Now what are you waiting for, head on over and check out all my fellow DT members creations at Sunday Sketch & Stamp, Kaboodle Doodles, and The Crazy Challenge!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Paper Creations Ink-Christmas in July
Stamps+Fun=Creativity-digi stamp
The Outlawz-Christmas in July