Happy New Year!

There are only a few hours left to enter my blogaversary candy here.  The linky will close at 11:59 PM CST tonight and I'll announce the winner tomorrow.  Good luck!

Good morning!  Happy New Year's Eve!  I can't believe we are at the last day of the year!  It's been a difficult year for me in a lot of ways.  I lost my Mom at the end of June and I miss her terribly every single day.  I had back surgery in October and I'm still trying to get back to my fully-active routine, but it's been slow going.  That said, I have had many blessings in 2013 and I am so grateful for each and every one of them.  I am very thankful for my family and friends and my wonderful blog friends, too!  Wishing you all peace, health and happiness in the new year!

Anyway, I do have a card for you today, my last one for 2013:

My card base and mats are SU Sage Shadow and the patterned papers are from the Basic Grey Serenade 6x6 pad.  The beautiful vintage frame image is from The Graphics Fairy and the sentiment over it is from Create With TLC.  I distressed the panels a little with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  I added a flourish cut with my Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die, to which I added a couple of Wild Orchid Crafts Chrysanthemums.  A triple-loop seam binding bow and a vintage charm finished my card.

Here is a close-up of the focal image:

I am entering my card in the Crafts-Too Challenge You Challenge #6 (the natural world), Twist 2 (any winged creature).

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope to be back to my normal routine after tomorrow and should be crafting and visiting again then.  I'll be by to post the winner of my blog candy tomorrow!

Have a safe and fun New Year's Eve!

Guest Designer - Crafts-Too Challenge You

Good morning!  Happy Monday!  Hope you had a good weekend and your week is off to a great start!  It was cold and rainy here all weekend, but at least we did not get any snow or ice, so I am grateful.  I am here today with some exciting news!  I recently came in Top 3 at Crafts-Too Challenge You and I was invited to be a Guest Designer for the December Challenge!  The main theme for Challenge #6  is "the natural world" and Twist 1 is: add a flower.  There is a little spotlight on my project over on the C2CU blog.  I am so honored!

Here is my project:

I went with a natural and vintage style for my card in keeping with the theme.  My card base and mats are GKD Fresh Asparagus and the patterned papers have lots of images from nature and holiday flowers.  They are from the K & Co. Elizabeth Brownd Christmas collection and the Recollections Botanica Noel paper pad.  The main image is a vintage Christmas Graphic called Pine Branch Frame from The Graphics Fairy. I stitched around all the panels and added sparkling Shabby White Fran-Tage here and there to look like snow. I added some vintage lace and some ivory seam binding that I distressed with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  A cluster of Wild Orchid Crafts Red Berries and a dimensional poinsettia sticker finished my card.

Here is a close-up of the vintage image:

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my inspiration for the new challenge at Crafts-Too Challenge You!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Sketch N Stash #127 (sketch, which I flipped one turn)
The Ribbon Girl December Challenge (Christmas)
Live & Love Crafts Challenge #18 (Star Dust)
Crafts & Me Challenge #143 (anything goes)
Charisma Cardz Challenge #47 (distressed)
A Creative Romance Challenge (sparkle at Christmas)

Here is Sketch #127:

Have a wonderful day and see you soon!

Alcohol Markers Challenge - The Outlawz

Good morning!  Happy Friday!  Hope you've had a great week and you have fun plans for the weekend!  My weekend won't be that fun, I'm sure.  I am having back surgery today, so this post is pre-scheduled, as will all of my posts be until I am able to get up and around again.  I hope it won't be long before I can at least get back on-line, but it may take me a bit to catch up and come by to visit.  Anyway, I am here to share my DT card for this week's Alcohol Markers Challenge at The Outlawz site.  As always for the last challenge of the month, the theme is "anything goes" with the option to make it a Christmas creation.  You can do whatever you'd like, but please remember your project must have coloring with Alcohol markers (any brand).

Here is my card:

My card base and mats are GKD Cranberry Tart and the patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Vintage Christmas 6x6 pad.  The precious image is Christmas Angel Daniella by Elisabeth Bell for Belles 'n Whistles.  I got her from Dies to Die For when I received a gift voucher from winning a challenge they sponsored.  I stamped her on MiC Blending Card and colored her with my Copics.  In case you are interested, this image is also available as a pre-colored card topper in a set called Christmas Angels from The Hobby House.  I added a bit of Shabby White Frantage around the image and stitched around all the panels of my sketch.  The sentiment is from Create With TLC.  A double-loop satin bow, a pearl stick pin and a bunch of beautiful Wild Orchid Crafts roses finished my Christmas card.

Here is a close-up of the colored image:

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to visit the Alcohol Markers Challenge and check out the beautiful creations from the rest of the DT!  We hope you will play along with our final challenge of October!  There are always lots of awesome prizes up for grabs when you enter the challenges at The Outlawz!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
The Hobby House Challenge #5 (roses)
Seems a Little Sketchy #50 (sketch)
The Digi Bells Guest Design Team Call (anything Christmas with Elisabeth Bell)
Crafts-Too Challenge You #4 (Theme: Christmas; Twist 2: what Christmas means to you ; to me it's the spirit of giving and the sharing of peace and love)
613 Avenue Create #42 (create your own challenge; see below)

Here is SALS #50:

Here is the 613 Avenue C CYOC grid:

Column 1: image, sentiment, patterned paper

Column 2: any sketch

Column 3: Glossy Accents, Fran-Tage

Column 4: pearls, flowers

Column 5: ribbon, stitching

Have a great weekend and I will be back as soon as I can!

Little Miss Muffet - Super Saturday

Good morning!  Happy Saturday!  Hope your weekend is off to a great start!  I haven't really started my day yet since it's very early, but it's going to be a busy day today before I leave tomorrow.  I'm popping in now with my DT card for this week's Super Saturday post on the Little Miss Muffet blog.  As always, we have a freebie, a spotlighted stamp at a reduced price and lots of inspiration from the Little Misses with both.

The freebie today is Monster Scy.  He is so cute!  Unfortunately, I didn't have time to use him this week, but I did make a card with the spotlighted stamp, Sonny Honeycloud Mistletoe.

My card base and mats are SU Riding Hood Red and the patterned papers are from the Recollections Festivus 6x6 pad.  I created a scene with Sonny Honeycloud Mistletoe from Little Miss Muffet Stamps and several background elements from the Winter Objects and Festive Elements sets by Make it Crafty. I printed the merged image on MiC Blending Card and colored the whole scene with my Copics.  I added some ice glitter to the snow and her fur trim and Glossy Accents to the holly berries.  I colored in a cloudy twilight sky with my Copics.    I finished my card with a red chevron-striped bow.

Here is a close-up of the colored image:

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to visit the Little Miss Muffet blog and check out the fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Little Misses.  Two reminders for you: you have until October 22 to enter our "it's a doodle" challenge and you can still play along with the Graffiti Party freebie challenge until October 20.  All the details are on the Little Miss Muffet and Graffiti Party blogs.

I am entering my card in the following challenge:
Crafts-Too Challenge You Challenge #4 (Theme: Christmas festivities; Twist 1: Christmas scene)

Have a wonderful day and see you soon!

Alcohol Markers Challenge - The Outlawz

Good morning!  Happy Friday!  The weekend is nearly here!  Hope you've had a good week and you have fun plans for the weekend!  I am starting to feel better, so I know the weekend will be better than during the week.  Before getting on with my day, I am here to share my DT card for this week's Alcohol Markers Challenge at The Outlawz site.  The theme for this last week of the month is the ever-popular "anything goes" with the option to make it a Christmas creation.  Don't forget, you must have coloring with alcohol markers (any brand) on your project.

Here is my card:

My card base and mats are SU Baja Breeze and the patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye All is Bright 6x6 pad.  The precious image is In The Manger from Mo's Digital Pencil.  You can find it in Mo's shop here.  I printed it on MiC Blending Card and colored it with my Copics.  I added some splashes of Shabby White Fran-Tage for some texture and sparkle.  The sentiment is from Create With TLC.  I added fancy corners cut with my Cameo using a free cut file from SVG Cuts. I embellished them with fancy pearl accents.  Some pretty lace finished the outside of my card.

Here is a close-up of the colored image:

Although I don't usually, I decorated the inside of my card, too.  Here is the inside:

I used another design from the same patterned paper pad and a sentiment frame made with my Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles dies.  The sentiment on the inside is from JustRite Stampers Christmas Nested Sentiments. I don't think these old style stamps are available anymore.

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to visit the Alcohol Markers Challenge and check out the lovely creations from the rest of the DT!  We hope you will be inspired to play along!  It is your last chance to get in on the prize offered by our September sponsor, Digistamps 4 Joy.  One randomly-chosen participant in this month's challenges will win 5 digis of their choice from the DS4J shop!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Sunday Sketch and Stamp #175 (Kim's sketch)
Twisted Tuesday Challenge #59 (Challenge: splatter; Twist: at least two words)
Charisma Cardz Challenge #38 (decorate the inside)
Crafts-Too Challenge You #3 (Theme: texture; Twist 2-add something shiny or glittery; I used Fran-Tage)

Here is the sketch:

Have a wonderful day and see you soon!

Little Miss Muffet - New Release

Good morning!  Happy Thursday!  I hope you've had a good week so far!  Mine's been super busy, but I did manage enough time in my craft room for a few DT cards for the week.  Since it's Thursday, it is time for my Little Miss Muffet DT post.  We have a new release for you this week.  There are four fun new stamps from Pollycraft for Little Miss Muffet Stamps!  They are adorable and I know you are going to love them!  Check them out in the New Releases section of the Little Miss Muffet store.

Here is my card:

My card base and mats are GKD Turquoise Sea and the patterned papers are from the Echo Park Paradise Beach 6x6 pad.  The cute new image is Sonny Honeycloud Life's A Beach from Pollycraft.  I colored her up with my Copics in fun summer colors.  The sentiment is from Create With TLC.  A bunch of colorful buttons and a chevron-striped bow finished my card.

Here is a close-up of the image:

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to visit the Little Miss Muffet Challenge Blog and check out the fabulous creations from the rest of my teammies and our wonderful Guest Designer, Kathy!  Don't forget there is still time for you to enter our Monster Ball challenge.  You have until midnight CDT on Tuesday, August 27 to enter.  All the rules and details are in the challenge post and the blog sidebar.

There are also still a few more days for our DT call!  You have until August 25 to apply.  All the details are in this post.

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Friday Sketch Challenge #50 (sketch)
Pollycraft Challenge #5 (buttons and bows)
The Cutie Pie Challenge #51 (anything goes)
One Stop Craft Challenge #239 (stripes)
Crafts-Too Challenge You #2 (summer days; Twist 2-beach colors)
Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge (colourful)
Anything Goes Challenge #99 (by the sea)

Here is FSC-50:

Have a great day!  I am going to have sporadic internet access for the next few days, but I will drop by to visit when I can.

Hot Summer Fun

Good morning!  Happy Friday!  At last, the weekend is here!  Hope you've had a good week and you have some fun plans for the weekend!  The sun is shining today, so I'm looking forward to getting out and about.  But before I do, I'm here to post my DT card for this week's Alcohol Marker Challenge at The Outlawz site.  Our theme this week is " hot summer fun".  We're thinking fun at the beach, pool, park, whatever summer fun means for you.  Please remember that you must have coloring with alcohol markers (any brand) on your project to enter.

Here is my card:

My card base and mats are SU Pool Party and the patterned papers are from the Echo Park A Perfect Summer 6x6 pad.  My fun image is Gloria from Mo's Digital Pencil.  You can find her in Mo's store here.  I printed her on MiC Blending Card and colored her with my Copics.  I added a bunch of Stickles for sparkle and Glossy Accents to her glass.  The sentiment is from Create With TLC.  I spelled out summer fun with a chipboard alpha set from the Basic Grey Fact & Fiction collection.  A pair of sparkly 3-D flip flops finished my card.

Here is a close-up of the image:

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to visit the Alcohol Marker Challenge and check out the fun summer creations from the rest of the DT!  We hope you will be inspired to play along with us!  We have a new sponsor for the month of August.  One randomly-selected participant in this month's challenges will win 3 digis of their choice from LilyPinkScraps Etsy shop, the shop of our very own DT sistah, Dawn!  Be sure to pop over there and check out Dawn's great digis!  As always, there are also lots of fantastic site-wide monthly prizes up for grabs when you enter the challenges at The Outlawz!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Sketch Saturday #269 (sketch)
Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge (summer holiday)
Mo's DP2 Challenge #196 (G is for ... Gloria, in my case)
Charisma Cardz #30 (up in the clouds; I colored in clouds)
Crafts-Too Challenge You #2 (main theme: summer days; twist #1: fun in the sun)
A Creative Romance Challenge (beach babes)

Here is SS-269:

Have a great day and see you soon!