Sister's Birthday

Today is a very special day... it's my sister's birthday and this is the card I've created specially for her. Sis loves daisies and this Flourishes image of Gerbera Daisies is a perfect match for her.

I've colored the flowers with Copics and popped up the center yellow daisy and the butterfly for dimension. When I think of my sister, I think of blues and yellows so I did the flowers this way and then found this perfect paper in my stash that matched. It's "Umbria" from 7 Gypsies. The gorgeous blue and white pattern is "Bouquet Sky" by Creative Imaginations.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Artful Inkables (AIC34) - It's all about punches and dies (and I've used plenty of them on this card)
Charisma Cardz Challenge #47 - One for the Girls (cards made for women and my sister is a special woman-for that I should get two entries!!!)

Thanks for stopping by my blog and Happy Birthday Sis!

Vintage Postage Stamp - Sugar Creek Hollow

It's another Sensational Saturday at Sugar Creek Hollow! I hope everyone in the U.S. had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Now as we turn our attention to the upcoming Christmas holiday, I've created this card with the lovely "Vintage Postage Stamp" digi image from Sugar Creek Hollow.  We have a challenge this week to create a card using faux wood.  You can enter the challenge at the Sugar Creek Hollow blog here.  Just use an SCH winter digi in your creation with wood or faux wood, post your entry at the SCH blog and the winner of the challenge will get a free digi stamp from Sugar Creek Hollow!

My card uses real cherry wood instead of faux - it comes as a 6x12-inch sheet from Creative Imaginations. It's very rich looking in real life and you can stamp on it like paper as I've done here. It makes such a statement with the Vintage Postage Stamp image which was colored in copics, and sponged with color. If you look closely at the photo above, you'll see that I added some gold to the lamp post with an art pen, some glitter as the lumination from the lamp and a bit of fresh fallen snow to the pinecone branches and the post itself. 

Soon all the lamp posts here in Michigan will look like this with the snow - it started snowing a bit today! I always love the first snow - it puts me in such Christmas spirit!  Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend and please join us in this challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow.  Thanks for stopping by!

Grateful

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the U.S.! I'm looking forward to a day of family gatherings, great food and thoughts of the so many things I'm grateful and thankful for. One thing is certain, I am truly thankful for my fellow bloggers around the world that share their incredible talent and ideas online. And I'm grateful for all those that follow me in particular and appreciate their support and comments along the way. Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - SSW77

Gosh this week is flying by! It's already Wednesday and there seems to be so much still to do before Thanksgiving tomorrow.  It's also time for another Sweet Sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday! My card this week features the whimsical Bobblehead digis "Pilgrim Boy" and "Pilgrim Girl" from Bugaboo Stamps. Aren't they the cutest images? Join us in the challenge this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and you could win a chance to get these darling digis.

Bugaboo Stamps is the sponsor this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Bugaboo Stamps are created by the talented Jodie and she is offering 7 free Bugaboo digital stamps this week to the grand prize winner of the sketch challenge! Thank you Jodie for your generous sponsorship this week!

Here's the fantastic sketch this week created by our own Arlana Patten.  This is a fun one to play with so give it a try and enter a card using this Sweet Sketch! You could easily find yourself winning the grand prize or even in the top three where you'd get to proudly post the Sweet Sketch Wednesday banner on your blog!

For my card, I colored the Pilgrim boy and girl with Copic markers and used a Prismacolor white pencil for the characters' details. I've used my favorite autumn paper from last year - Cosmo Cricket's "Nutmeg" collection. I've also used Stampin Up's Canjun Craze, Bravo Burgundy and Natural Ivory cardstock. For the embellishment I just punched a hole in a silk leaf cut from a larger bunch and then threaded by ribbon through it. I thought it was a good touch for this Fall card. 

Now check out the other creative cards that the Sweet Sketch Wednesday design team is showing today with Bugaboo Stamps (links to their blogs are on my left sidebar).  You'll be inspired for sure.  Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Merry & Bright at the Play Date Cafe

Gosh I love vacation days! I've been able to just do what I please - like playing in my craft room, catching up on projects and getting to join a few fun challenges like the Play Date Cafe.  It's been a few weeks since I've played in the Cafe and it feels good to be back at it again.

Here's the inspiration for this week's challenge PDCC56 - use Red, Olive and Turquoise colors in a card or project.  I thought these colors were a lot of fun together - "Merry & Bright" if you will!

This card went together rather quickly once the idea came to mind.  It helped to have Papertrey Ink DP on hand that comprised two of the colors in a variety of patterns.  I love mixing patterns and I'm pleased with how this turned out. 

The actual colors I've used are Stampin Up Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise and Real Red.  I've had the darndest time in photographing the red properly, including fussing with photo color editing.  You'll just have to imagine the pure red here and not the orangie color that appears (at least on my computer). 

Thanks for stopping by!

Button Eye Scarecrow - MMSC80 & DPDC2

I'm back at it again at Midnight Madness sketch challenge - finally! Between work and kid activities, there hasn't been a spare minute to play in additional challenges lately.  So since I'm on vacation tomorrow, I thought I'd steal away into the wee hours of the evening and whip up a card for the MMSC80.

Here's the sketch this week - I've chosen to follow the fancy version which has more embellishments.  I thought this was a really interesting sketch and as always at Midnight Madness, a bunch of fun too.  And I have to tell you that it feels good to get back to the MMSC - I've missed those talented ladies there and those sketches that Priscilla dreams up!

I'm also entering this into the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge 2 where you have to use something that depicts foliage, branches or leaves.  Here I've used a branch punch, some leaves are stamped on the Canjun Craze panel and the digi image is a scarecrow stuffed with straw (seems that is some kind of foliage - right?!)

I started with this adorable scarecrow digi stamp by Doodle Pantry. He seems like such a friendly chap - not scary at all if you ask me!  He's been fancied up with Copic markers and a couple buttons for eyes and cut out using Nesties Label 9 dies.

I've used Basic Grey "Pyrus" collection papers here along with SU Mustard and Cajun Craze cardstock.  A little stitching on each of the panels helps define it and adds that country feel. I've used a Martha Stewart branch punch for embellishments - thought they looked a bit like straw in the mustard color and keeping with the theme.  A few additional buttons and a bit of green ribbon and that's it - a fun fall card perfect for these few days before Thanksgiving.  Tell me what you think - won't you?

Thanks for stopping by!

Baby Jesus at Sugar Creek Hollow

Happy Saturday everyone! I've been so excited all week for this day to come when we would debut these two new digital stamps from Sugar Creek Hollow.  I think these images are breathtaking - especially the Baby Jesus which was drawn by hand by a young girl in Poland exclusively for SCH.  The scroll image was designed by our own talented Donna Moore (Sugar Creek Hollow Design Team).  Aren't they quite a combination?

I took the image and adjusted the color from grays and whites (pencil drawing) to sepia tone. I wanted an aged look for the Baby Jesus image.  The scroll already comes in a sepia antique color.

I printed the image twice, cut out just the Baby Jesus in his blankets and popped it up using dimensionals. The card base is Elegant Eggplant with a gold shimmer paper and then the DP is from Graphic45.  I used a gold leaf paint pen to edge the image panel. The eggplant poinsettias I found in my local craft store. 

I hope I created a card worthy of the beauty of this image.  This card was a labor of love.

Check out the rest of the design team blogs to see their creations using these same incredible images. You'll be so inspired by their talent.  Links to their blogs are on my left sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Happy Wednesday greetings everyone! It's time for another fantastic sketch challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  This week we're sponsored by the wonderful Sally Ann from Digi Stamp Boutique. She's offering the winner of the challenge this week 6 free digi stamps from her store! Thanks Sally Ann - your images are adorable and your prize is very generous!

 Here's the sketch this week from our talented Arlana Patten. Lots of fun layers to show off your papers with this one! I loved using the sketch this week for my card that features the "Christmas George" image from Digi Stamp Boutique.

I colored George with Copic markers and added lots of sparkle to the image with Stickles. The image includes the present, which I cut out separately and added it as the embellishment in the sketch.  The papers used here are from last year's stash of Christmas papers by American Crafts "Merrymint" collection.

We'd love to have you join in the fun this week at the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge. Just follow the link to the blog and a chance to win some wonderful images.  Along the way, hop on by the design team blogs for some creative inspiration - design team links are on my left sidebar.

Looking forward to what you create!  Thanks for stopping by!

P.S.  Take a look at the other card I posted today below - a special birthday card for my daughter.  I think you'll be delighted by what you see!

My Daughter's Birthday

I just had to share this card I made for my daughter Hilary's birthday today.  Can't believe how fast 12 years goes by - I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday!  Hilary has a passion for animals and has always been most fond of bunnies. So this digi stamp from TiddlyInks, called "Somebunny" was perfect for her card.

All the papers used here are from October Afternoon's "Thrift Shop" collection.  I thought the rabbit music sheet was a great accent. The image was colored using copics including the dotted floral pattern I added to the dress and headband to mimic the flowers in the background papers.  Distressing on the main image panel was done in "Victorian Velvet" and "Tea Dye" distress inks from Tim Holtz.

So here's to my sweet Hilary Alexandra - you've brought such joy to our lives daughter! I wish you a wonderful birthday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sugar Creek Hollow Sensational Saturday

Saturday greetings to everyone!  I myself am thrilled it's Saturday because I need the break from the hectic pace at work and most importantly because that means it's time to focus on Sugar Creek Hollow today. We'd love for you to join us in our color challenge this week. The winner will win a Sugar Creek Hollow digi stamp like the one I'm featuring here. 

This week we are challenged to use these colors in a "shabby" card. 

I thought right away of this darling snowlady digi called " Bad Hair Day". I think she's perfect for a shabby card and I just love her.  You can find her in the Sugar Creek Hollow Shoppe.

Doesn't she look pretty paper pieced in pink?! Not so shabby now.  I used SU "Bella Birds" papers because they were perfect for the color challenge and shabby looking.  A bit of distressing on the papers, some "shabby" stitching and little bit of diamond stickles to make her sparkle and we have a card that would delight anyone. 

Be sure to visit the blogs of our Design Team - you'll be inspired and awed by their creativity.  Links to their sites are on my left sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cowboy Bear From MelJen's Designs-SSW75

It's another Sweet Sketch Wednesday and we're featuring the wonderful digi stamps from MelJen's Designs this week like this Cowboy Bear that is so adorable!

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!

The grand prize winner of the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge this week will win 4 MelJen's digi stamps of your choice so you'll definitely want to join us in the fun!

I made this card for my nephew's birthday next week.  Arlana's sketch and this darling image make for a great "boy" card - don't you think? 
 
This cowboy bear was colored using Copic markers.  I added a bit of shimmer here and there with a Sakura glitter gel pen - especially on the star badge because every little Sheriff has to have a shiny badge! I've used two designer papers here - the red is Pink Paisley's "Cupid Collection" and the brown is Wild Asparagus' "Thankful Dots".  The Brocade Blue paper was embossed with a Cuttlebug stars embossing folder - I cut out the stars for the bottom embellishments from the embossed paper.  Also you can see I did some stitching on the card to better define the layers. 

I'm posting this on the MelJen's blog challenge this week - use 3 different shapes.  So here I have stars, rectangles and squares.
 
This was a great sketch to work with this week and a perfect way to show off this cute bear.  Be sure to stop by and visit the rest of the design team to see more wonderful images from MelJen's Designs - the best inspiration in town!  You'll find links to their work on my left sidebar.
 
Thanks for stopping by!

Sensational Saturday at Sugar Creek Hollow

Good day everyone! Today we have a sketch challenge and blog hop at Sugar Creek Hollow and we encourage you to join in the challenge this week using one of our new Christmas and Winter images.  Here, I've used the Cardinal digi stamp introduced last month - I love this wonderful image.  Something about Cardinals at Christmas time is so festive and I think my card captures that this week in a vintage way.

This is the sketch we're following this week - thanks to Joseline on our design team.  All you have to do to play along with us is to follow this sketch, post your card to the Sugar Creek Hollow blog, visit the design team blogs and leave a little love there by commenting. 

Also take some time to visit the Sugar Creek Hollow Shoppe.  You'll find a host of Christmas and Holiday freebies there that you can use to join the sketch challenge fun this week!

For my card, Copic markers were used to color the image in vibrant reds and warm browns.  I added a bit of glitter to the cardinal to make it stand out and some on the tree stump he's perched on. 

 I used papers from Basic Grey's "Jovial" line on this card - these papers are gorgeous and I've been itching to use them.  My ribbon is also from Sugar Creek Hollow - country crinkle ribbon in Robin's Egg (Aqua) and can be found here at the Shoppe.  A few Papertrey Ink vintage buttons with some raffia string tied on completes the card and adds to the rustic feel.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and be sure to "hop" by the other SCH design team blogs - links to their creative work can be found on my left sidebar.

Happy creating!

My First Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Welcome! I'm very excited - it's my official start with the Sweet Sketch Wednesday design team today and this is the first of two samples to show you using the wonderful sketch by Arlana Patten.  I have followed Arlana's sketches on the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog for some time and now I'm so proud to say I'm part of that team!

This week 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 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 digital paper sets of their choice.  So you'll have to play along with us this week by making a card following the above sketch and linking it to the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog. 

This image from Robyn's Fetish is called "Cabin in the Woods " and I just love it.  It reminds me of the log cabin cottage on Higgins Lake that my family visited in the summers when I was very young.  Lots of happy memories there and that's what I thought of as I used this image with the sketch this week.

Here I've used Stampin Up cardstock in Crumb Cake, Marina Mist and Wild Wasabi.  The woodgrain effect was achieved using Papertrey Ink's woodgrain embossing plate to get the "grain" and to enhance it I rubbed Soft Suede ink and then Tim Holtz' "Tea Dye" distress ink over it for the rich color.  The image was colored using Copic markers.  I colored two images and with the second one I cut out the bushes to bring them into the forefront of my image panel for more depth and dimension.  The Wasabi panel was embossed using a hounds tooth check embossing folder.  The buttons are also from Papertrey and with the raffia floss through them look really rustic and fitting with the feel of the card. 

Now on to the next sample this week using Robyn's Fetish' "Frosty da Snowman" digi stamp...

I think this snowman was supposed to be a boy but I couldn't resist treating her like a lady in colors of Kiwi and light lavender!  But can you really tell when it's bundled up in snow gear like that?!  One thing's for sure it's the cutest darn digi stamp and I had a blast paper piecing this one together!

You can see it a little better here in this photo.  The entire image is paper pieced using DP from Cosmo Cricket's Mitten Weather and Pixie-Licious mini decks.  I like how the combination of patterns works here giving the image some dimension.  I've used Nestie Lacey Circles dies here for the image panel and another button from PTI as my final touch. 

Hope you've enjoyed these samples showing off Robyn's Fetish images and the Sweet Sketch Wednesday sketch # 74.  Please join us in the challenge - you might just win one of the digi stamps I've showcased here!

Thanks for stopping by!