Always Dream Big

Hello, Friends!  Today I have a card using an image from Deedee's Digis set called Darling Doggies. This set caught my eye because of the different pet personalities.  I was also drawn to this set because, as a teacher, quotes have always been important to me.  Teachers often tell students that "dreaming big" is vital for setting and reaching your goals so this particular sentiment spoke reams to me.   

And my card? The first layer is color dry-embossed and the flowers are a new punch. I layered the sentiment into the thought bubble and followed a challenge sketch from my local stamping group to come up with this finished product.  It was easy to choose the colors --brown and aqua-- because I  love this color combo.  

Check out the images and sentiments in this set.  It's sure to become a favorite!

HB, Friend!

Today's card is a Happy Birthday wish for my friend, Lis.  She won't get a card in the mail because we are elsewhere so this will be the next best thing!  HB, Lis!  She will love this part of the post the best.  I wish I could remember how I made this medallion, LOL!

Lucky Dragon

Hello, Friends. I am happy to share information with you today for the Mark's Finest Papers/Speedy TV for the Oriental Sketch Challenge #30 that you can find HERE.

My card uses a set called Lucky You and I chose the dragon image for my focal point.  It uses heat embossing, dry embossing, kraft card stock, and washi paper.

  

This week's sketch will make it easy for you to create something to share with us.

You can purchase this set at the Mark's Finest Papers, a  Heinrich Co.site

If you play along with us with five separate entries, you will have 5 chances to win a prize.

Thanks for stopping by today and we hope to see you at the Oriental Sketch Challenge  

Happy B-Day Puppy

Hello!  Today I have a card to share with you with an image from Diane's Daydream Designs.  Many of my friends are dog lovers and it will be difficult to decide who gets this cute puppy card.  

What did I do to create the card?   I was playing around with oil pastels and baby oil again to create background papers, ran the card stock through my Cuttlebug to create texture with dry embossing, and rubbed a blue distress ink pad across the raised portions.  That really makes the embossed pattern pop.   I used a new die to frame the image and punched out the hearts and comment bubble. 

The image is from a set called Snowbaby Love.  Look at all the wonderful images you can create with.  When you visit Diane's store, be sure to sign up for Diane's newsletter so you can be notified of upcoming sales and specials. 

This set has an accompanying set with some wonderful sentiments as well.  Hearts aren't just for Valentine's Day, you know!  Love knows no seasons!

A Black and White Scene

Hey, Friends!  Today I have a black and white card for you.  Today I am a blended card maker mixing a rubber stamp image with a digital one.  The background scene is a Whispers rubber stamp from Sugar Loaf Products and the digi shutter image is from Art By Mi Ran available on Etsy.  Imagine!  No embossing, no die cuts...just pop dots to raise the shutter image.  Outside my comfort zone, but I like the end result.  Very dramatic!

Join us at the {PIN}spirational Challenge this week and be inspired by our photo.  Will you be thinking of the seaside?  Travel?  New adventures?  Sun and sky?  So many options and anything goes!

Beautiful Butterfly

Hello, Friends.  I am happy to share a card I made as a member of the Mark's Finest Papers Oriental Sketch Challenge design team.  My card uses a set called Swallowtail.  It uses heat embossing, dry embossing, fussy cutting,  and die cuts. I love this color combination with the black heat embossed vellum of the butterfly image.

A weekly sketch posted each Saturday makes it easy for you to create something to share with us.  Stop in and play along with us!

You can purchase stamp sets at the Mark's Finest Papers, a  Heinrich Co.site

Thanks for stopping by today and we hope to see you at the Oriental Sketch Challenge  

My Life Is Blessed

Hello dear friends and newest followers.  A gratitude journal is an important thing to keep when life is difficult, but it is also a wonderful habit to keep when life is good.  Today I have a card to share from Deedee's Digis and the title of the set is the title of my journal entry today--My Life Is Blessed.  

When the birds are singing, the flowers are beginning to bloom,  and beauty surrounds us, it is easy to fill the journal page with positive thoughts.  God's gifts are everywhere to enjoy.  But when we receive bad news or have hard decisions to face or feel life's aches and pains, it even more important to focus on what is important and good in our lives.  I hope you will spend some time today doing as I am doing--counting your blessings and focusing on the beauty in nature around you.

I am blessed to be on the design team for Deedee's Digis, and when I saw this image, I knew it was an image I would use over and over.  The sentiments are so comforting and the color so vibrant.  Here is what I was inspired to create using a homemade designer paper, border punch, and Spellbinders dies.

Here is the set called "My Life Is Blessed" from Deedee's Digis.

I will share my hummingbird card with:

4 Crafty Chicks  No Pattern Paper

Delightful Challenges Welcome Spring

Just Be Creative Crazy  one per day

Word Art Wednesday AG uplifting

Cupcakes! Yum!

Greetings to my new followers! Hello again to my wonderful blog friends!  Today I have a card to share from A Creative Need.  Deena has some great images to share in her Etsy Shop and you will want to check them out.  The monthly challenge is beginning and she has freebies to share so you can participate.

This month we're having a color challenge and you should use blue, yellow, and pink.  Here is my card:

The logo for A Creative Need is on my right side bar so if you forget you can always click this icon.  Why not join us this month for a chance to win free images!

Wishing You Loads of Love

Hello, Friends!  I know that many of you are still having winter weather so I am sending you loads of love instead of snowballs.  This wonderful image is from Diane's Daydream Designs, and uses dry embossing, a new die, and a heart punch.  She is bundled up for cool temps and I know some of you are still bundled up as well!

I just love how the little girl is pulling a load of hearts on her journey.  Hope your journey is filled with love as well!

Check out these great sets --and more--at Diane's Daydream Designs.

I will share "Loads of Love" with these challenges:

Crafting for all Seasons  3E  No DP

WordArt Wednesdays - 5E  AG, uplifting

Show it off Saturday - 1E ATG

Anyone Still Having Winter?

Hello again!  Today I am wearing my Tuesday Throwdown DT hat to bring you information and inspiration for our new challenge.  It's a tic tac toe board to mix things up a bit for Challenge #187.  I challenged myself to use a new embossing folder from Darice and a Spellbinder Edgeability die, plus scraps in my work basket.  The image was colored with Promarkers.

I chose CAS, Digi, and Die Cuts (Spellbinders frames and rick rack Edgeabilities).  The image is from Sami Stamps, a Darice embossing folder,  and the sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers.

Here's the board so you can play along.  Why not hop on over to the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge and join in on all the fun!

Keep Calm and Carry On

Hello, Friends, and welcome, New Followers!  Are you a member of Mark's Finest Papers and Speedy TV?  It's so easy to join.  Just click on the MFP link, sign up, and you will be eligible to participate in all our wonderful challenges for fabulous prizes.

Here is the card I would like to share with you that follows Oriental Sketch Challenge #28.  The card uses the stamp set called Calm and Wisdom and you can find it HERE. 

I started with a direct to paper technique with sponged inks, then embossed with a bamboo folder and highlighted the raised parts with gold glitter glue.  The image uses a faux silk technique and paper piecing using some wonderful washi paper that was given to me by a dear friend.  I am thankful for every inch of that paper, girlfriend!

I am always happy to share information with you about Mark's Finest Papers, a Heinrich Company, and the Oriental Sketch Challenge  you can find HERE.

This week's sketch will make it easy for you to create something to share with us.

The card I would like to share with you uses the stamp set called Calm and Wisdom and you can find it HERE. 

You can also purchase other wonderful Oriental-themes stamps and more at the Mark's Finest Papers, a  Heinrich Co.site.

If you play along with us with five separate entries, you will have 5 chances to win this:

Thanks for stopping by today and we hope to see you at the Oriental Sketch Challenge  

St. Patrick's Day with O' (Add Last Name)

Hello, Friends and New Followers!  Today I have a card to share with you with an image from Diane's Daydream Designs.  The image is from a set called Irish Blessings.  I started with an oil pastel/baby oil technique base, then dry embossing, 3 dies from Spellbinders and Quickutz, Distress Inks, and a heart punch to make the shamrock.  I enjoyed making this card, and I think the pot of shamrocks image with the florist pick was just perfect for what I had in mind. 

You can find Irish-related sets--sentiments, outline sets, digital paper sets, a cute girl doing the Irish jib or "Riverdancing"--at Diane's Daydream Designs store by clicking here. 

  

Perfect images and sentiments for this mini-holiday when we're ALL Irish.  So add an 0'  to your last name and be Irish for a day!

I will enter this card in these challenges:

2 Creative Chicks Anything Goes UE

613 Avenue  AG with a twist: Irish Blessing or Quote

Artistic Inspirations - E3  AG / St. Patrick's Day / Green

Cards in Envy E3, A2 (no more than ¼" thick) Green

Crafting from the Heart  E3  AG / Use Dies

Crafty Boots  Green

Just B Creative Crazy  Linky Party UE 1/day

Lunagirl Moonbeams -  E3 Shabby Green

My Craft Creations  Always AG

The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge - AG 2E

Scribble and Scrap E3, C15  Always AG

Sister Act (Cards Only) ATG UE

Through The Craft Room Door 2E Always ATG

Word Art Wednesday  AG  uplifting

Welcome to Your New Home

Hello, Friends/Followers!  I have a card to inspire you for the {PIN}spirational Challenge this week.  It's an image from Jackie Matthews and it's available at Squigglefly.com. I used Kraft card stock, 2 designer papers from the work basket, a Prima flower, a flower punch and some bling and here it is!

So stop by and enter to win images inspired by this photo:

I will enter my card in these challenges:

2 Creative Chicks Anything Goes UE

Just B Creative Crazy  Linky Party UE 1/day

My Craft Creations Always ATG

The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge - AG 2E

Polkadoodles ATG 2E

Scribble and Scrap E3, C15 Always AG

Sister Act (Cards Only) ATG UE

Through The Craft Room Door 2E Always ATG

Through the Purple Haze E3, C10 Anything Digital

Ruff Day?

Hello again, Friends and New Followers!   What do I have for you today?  An encouragement card for a friend called "Ruff Day".  Who can resist dog images?  Nobody I know, so here's my card.  Can't decide which dog lover should receive this, but there is a perfect place to pen in their name or their dog's name above the dog house to personalize the card.  Then I can add the appropriate sentiment inside.

Wait until you see all the wonderful images, sentiments,  and papers in this set called Darling Doggies.  Yep, they are indeed darling and perfect for all dog lovers!

I will enter this Darling Doggie card in these challenges:

4 Krafty Girlz -  E3 AG

Catch The Bug 3E AG

Craftitude 3E Anything Goes or Add a Little Green

Graph'It Colour Challenge - Male Colors  AG

Just Be Creative Crazy  AG

Make It Monday  E5  AG

Paper Crafting Journey   Make it Manly/Boyish

Sister Act Challenge  AG Cards Only

The Doodle Garden E4  Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday  AG uplifting

Word Play Saturday E4 Anything

Panda

Hi, Everyone! I am wearing my MFP/OSC design team hat bringing you some inspiration for  sketch #28.  All I can say is that I must be thinking of St. Patrick's Day because this card is green, green, green! I used the Pandas stamp set, dry embossing and 3 different embossing folders.  I cut and alternated paint chip strips to give it a bamboo feel and pop dots were used to lift the layers.  You can see more of the set HERE.

And here's the sketch to follow for the challenge:

I hope you will join us and give us a chance to see your oriental-themed creativity!

I will enter my little panda in these challenges:

Craftitude 3E AG or Add a Little Green

2 Sisters 3E Black white and one other color

Di's Digis Designs 3E  Make it Green

Dream it Up  Anything Goes

Open-Minded Challenges  3E Use Something Green

Cut it Up 1E Must have Die Cuts (Spellbinders Diamonds Nestabilities) Green for St,Patrick's Day or Spring 

Get Inky! 2E Green/ St.Patty's Day

Pattie's Creations 2E Green for St.Patrick's Day

Stampin With The Dragon Let's Go GREEN

Hello, Cupcakes!

Greetings to my new followers! Hello again to my wonderful blog friends!  Today I have a card to share from A Creative Need. Deena has some great images to share in her Etsy Shop and you will want to check them out.  The monthly challenge is beginning and she has freebies to share so you can participate.

Here is the card I made from the inspirational photo.

 

Deena has provided an inspiration photo for this color challenge of blue, yellow, and pink.

The logo for A Creative Need is on my right side bar so if you forget you can always click this icon.  So hop on over and join us for this month's challenge!

I will enter this card in these challenges:

 Monthly Just B Creative ATG March 1 per day Mar7

Monthly DL ART Thankful Thursday Challenge  AG 1 per day 

 Crafting by Designs March AG 

Crafty Ribbons  AG with Ribbon 

Just Keep On Creating AG UE 

Pile it On - Sweet/Soft  Or Bold/Bright UE 

Loves Rubberstamps AG UE

My Sheri Craft Challenge 

Hiding in my craftroom Spring Colors 

Craft Your Passion Birthday 

Craftin Desert Diva Linky Party Birthday AG

DigiStamps4Joy - Birthday Sentiment 

Make It Monday AG

Melonheadz Bright Colors 

Crafty Creations Happy Birthday 

WAW AG 

Craftitude AG or Add Green 

Sister ACT Cards UE 

YNS -March Challenge Photo Inspired 

Hugs 4 U

Hello!  Welcome followers --new and old!  Today I am showcasing Diane's Daydream Designs and wearing my happy DT hat.  There are some really darling cupcake images in the set called Sweethearts 4 U  and I thought the cupcake with the Hugs 4 U sentiments would be just the thing for this card.

I was creating "out of the work basket" for this card.  The work basket is where all the scraps and embellies from previous cards live.  Do you have one?  What better way to use up scraps than by using banners.  Attaching a pearl,  adding some ribbon, a bow, the cupcake image was popped up and I called the card "finished".   Here is the set I used:

You can find more wonderful images  at Diane's Daydream Designs or you can pop over to her blog and sign up for her newsletter so you can see new releases and samples showcasing the sets or hear news of other free images, blog hops, or sales.

Is It Spring Yet?

Hello, Friends.  I am happy to share information today about the challenge at the Tuesday Throwdown this week.  Click HERE to go directly to the challenge.

This week's challenge is to make a tent topper card.  You can win images and you can enter three separate entries.

The card I have to share with you uses an image from Robyn's Fetish.  This card has it all --striped designer paper, chevron die cuts, dot embossing, a butterfly, and this really cute spring image.  I think it could be a birthday card, happy spring, get well, cheer up--almost anything card!   I know I could have added ribbon, a bow, and bling, but sometimes you just have to stop yourself!   

I hope this card has you ready for spring, and that you will join us at the Tuesday Throwdown and see what other wonderful samples our design team members have to share with you.  Thanks for stopping by.

I will link this card to the challenges below:

4 Krafty Girls Crafty Girls Challenges AG 3E 

613 Avenue Create  AG/Use Your Stash (chevron cuts) 3E

Card and Scrap Use Dies (Spellbinders) UE

Catch the Bug AG 3E

Clear It Out Theme: Birthday (all occasion card) 
Crafting By Designs  Spring is Nearly Here, Right?
Crafts Galore Encore  Use a Stamp or Digi

Come and Get it Flowers Galore 2E

Country View Paper Chase UE

Crafts 4 Eternity Texture (layers, embossing) 3E 

Crafts Galore Encore Use Stamp or Digistamp  3E 

Crafty Calendar Animal Antics 3E 

Crafty Catz Anything Goes 3E 

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper March UE

Creative Fingers AG 3E 

Digi Stamps 4 Joy Dies or Punches (chevron) 

Digitally Sweet AG UE

DL.ART March Linky UE 1/day

Doodle Garden AG 4E 

Fan-Tastic Tuesday AG4E

Just B Creative Crazy March AG Linky Party UE 1/day

Just Inspirational Challenges March AG 4E

Left of Center Die Cuts 3E 

Little Scrap Pieces Show It Off Saturday 1E
Love to Create AG

Make It Monday  AG

One Stitch at a Time AG 3E 

Open-Minded Crafting Fun Use Something Green 3E 

Party Time Tuesday AG 2E 

Pumpkin Spice Something Green UE

Robyn's Fetish AG 3E 

Seize the Birthday AG Birthday (all occasion card)

Sister Act (Cards Only) AG UE

Sunflowerfield Birthdays and/or Flowers  3E 

Sweet Stampin Cute 2E 

The Corrosive Animals 3E 

That Craft Place AG 3E 

The East Wind Blog Use Any Digi 3E 

The Paper Shelter Animals 3E 

Through the Craft-room Door AG 2E 

Totally Gorjuss Happy Birthday (all occasion card)UE

Protect Those You Honor

Hi again, Friends and New Followers!  Today I am thinking of honor and created a masculine card for you.  I'm wearing my DT hat for Mark's Finest Papers for the Oriental Sketch Challenge #26.  I pulled some beige and brown designer papers from my stash, a Cuttlebug embossing folder, some Spellbinders dies, and a stamp set called Foo Dogs that you can find HERE.   I like the masculine feel of the sentiments and the colors.

So follow the sketch below and join us.  You can submit 5 different cards for 5 chances to win MFP stamps.

I will enter this card in these challenges:

4 Krafty Girlz AG  E3

Monthly Just B Creative ATG March 1 per day

Crafty Girls AG 

 Stamped Blessings Anything Goes AG

Melonheadz For the Boys 

Cuttin & Stampin All Boy

C.R.A.F.T. Inspired by a Film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 

Make It Monday  AG

Paper Crafting Journey Make it Manly Or Boyish 

Craftitude -AG or Music 

QKR Stampede Anything but a Square

Show it off Saturday A Little Scrap Pieces 1E 

Simply Create Too Shop in your Stash 

Word Art Wednesday AG uplifting