Hearts a-Flutter

Time for a new Squigglefly Challenge and have I got a treat for you.

I don't stock a lot of pink in my stash, and I am again trying to reuse, recycle and reduce in my life, especially when it comes to crafting.
So when I saw that the Squigglefly challenge has a HEARTS theme, I decided to make a card using non-traditional colors. I found this piece of leftover patterned paper and loved the whimsical look of it. I used it as my cardbase, framing it in black. Then I added the strip of color with the punched hearts in coordinating colors and framed that in black as well.
The image is a Squigglefly digi from artist Cheryl Alger called Polly's Pink Flower, although pink is nowhere on my card today. I colored it with my Copics and framed it, punching hearts in the corners. A black ribbon bow finishes off my Clean And Simple challenge card. (Did I mention the button in the middle of her flower?)
Are you getting ready for Valentine's Day already?  Do you have hearts on your mind?  Are you sadly lacking in Heart-themed images?  Check out the Squigglefly store for some awesome digi's, and then create your own magic and enter for a chance to win free digi's at Squigglefly Challenge Blog this week!

Singing (and crafting) Those Blues

My last card for the month of January at Forever night Creepy Challenge Blog features an image from Ike at Smudgtastic, this week's sponsor.  It's called Scheherazade and the challenge is to use shades of BLUE.

Blue is one of my favorite colors to use on cards, so I decided to make another one.  This is a Sweet Pea stamped image from artist Ching Chou Kuik called INTO THE WIND.

Now you may say that my cards don't look ery "creepy" for the Creepy Challenge, I ask you:
"What is she doing sitting on the moon in the dead of night, with bats flying all around her?"  And as far as the first card, don't you find it a little creepy that your life depends on telling a story every night for 1001 nights to stay alive??
LOL, creepy enough for me!!
Check out the Forever Night Creepy Challenges Blog for more inspiration, and while you're at it, Smudgtastic has some awesome images, which you can use for this week's challenge.

365 Days of Fun!

I just finished a New Year's present for my daughter-in-law.  I started it before Christmas, but because it uses 12 layouts plus some additional embellishing, it took me longer than I thought it would.
I made her a calendar for 2013.  Each month shows off a layout.  Some layouts already have photos on them; others are open and ready for new ones.  She's a scrapbooker, too, so there might even be a page or two that she can work "from the first layer of cardstock up".  I wanted something (besides my son) to remind her of me and the fun we have together when we craft.  Here are some more pages from the calendar:

Now that it's finished, I wish I had made two of each page, so I could keep a calendar for myself!!  Oh, well, live and learn!

3-2-1 iT'S cHALLENGE tIME!!

Have you checked out the Forever Night Creepy Challenge Blog yet?  It celebrates Halloween all year long for crafters, cardmakers and artists.  And who doesn't love to play with a Halloween theme more often than once a year?!

This week's challenge has a 3-2-1 theme, meaning:
3 EMBELLISHMENTS,    2 IMAGES, and   1 SENTIMENT.
Our sponsor this week is Delicious Doodles, and I used a deliciously wicked-looking mad scientist digi image called SPARKLING CYANIDE.  Isn't he creepy?  He fits in perfectly with a creepy challenge!!

I made an easel card for this week, so I could show off both my images,
but I am getting ahead of myself.

Let me count my card down for you:

3 Embellishments include a FEATHER,
some SEQUINS
 and a BUTTON.

2 Images include Delicious Doodles Sparkling Cyanide,
as well as the lower border of mad scientist chemicals and such bubbling away,
a Queen Kat Designs stamp called Chemistry Set.
(You can see the button embellishment in this photo, too)

1 Sentiment from my computer

that I circle-punched and faux-stitched.

And there you have it, my card for the 3-2-1 Creepy Challenge on Forever Night Creepy Challenges Blog.  So, what are you brewing for the new year?  If it's crafting, go check out Delicious Doodles and while you're filling up your cart, don't forget to use your new images in the CHALLENGE this week!

Have fun, and remember to keep Halloween in your heart all year 'round!!  Like Scrooge, but not?!

Playing with Hearts

I was given someone's heart to play with, and ended up with this card.

Not my usual style, I know!! LOL  My artist friend, Jean. sent me the stamped image and dared me to create with it.  I often choose my sentiment before making my card, and when I thought of "If you never experiment with your heart, you will never bring it to life", I knew I needed to make a scientist's lab scene to use with it.
The paper is from the "Once Upon a Time" paper stack by DCWV.  After coloring the image with Copics, I "experimented" with it by twisting some wire throughout.  After I adhered it to my card base, I added some sequins and flourishes.  i finished it off with my sentiment, printing it off my computer, tearing it and inking it.
This year my goal is to stretch my creativity into places I had not explored before.  I think this heart card qualifies!  Thanks, Jean, for the inspiration!!

What I Did on My Dad's Birthday

Last Sunday would have been my dad's birthday. My dad died in 1994, my grampa in 1997.   Seems the women of the family are longer-lived than the men.  So we women went to the cemetery to pay our respects, shed a few tears and laugh over fondest memories.  The weather was perfect, not too cold, and the rain had stopped.  In fact, the ground was perfect for adding a couple flowers and butterflies near the headstones.

Afterwards, we went across the street to a little German restaurant and again shared our favorite memories as we drank a toast to both my dad and my grampa.  Here we are, the women in the family, all but my granddaughter.

My mom is seated on the left (she'll be 80 this year).  My gram is on the right--she's 102 years old.  My daughter is on the right behind Gram, and my youngest sister (in red) will be 50 this year.  Although I miss my dad still (and Grampa), I am blessed to still have my mom and gram, and I really believe that God gifted me (and my mom) with a daughter to take dad's place.

How Many Shades of Blue Are there?

You will find out when you visit the Squigglefly Challenge Blog!  Their new challenge is to use shades of blue and a Squigglefly digi image on a card or project.

Here's my card, using Lynne Stansbery's image.  It's called STRUT YOUR STUFF, and I can remember my daughter strutting her stuff in mommy's clothes and me taking loads of photos to scrapbook.  It was so much fun!  Of course, my mom took "movie pictures" (before video cameras) with 8 mm film (and no sound) of me, my sister and our cousins dressing up and strutting OUR stuff.  What little girl hasn't had her moments like this one?

I colored Lynne's image with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I have to say that while the quality of inking and blending is equal to Copics, the ink in the markers dries faster than spit!  I have not owned my SN markers for very long, but already there are several that need refilling!!

Anyway, I kept my card pretty Clean and Simple, with a bit of framing, some bling, a flower, and metal photo corners.  On the inside is where I put the sentiment that comes with the image.  It reads: "Strut Your Stuff", and she is totally living up to that sentiment!!

Now it's your turn to strut your crafting stuff at the Challenge Blog.  Hurry down that runway for a chance to win free digi's!!  And for more of Lynne's awesome images, click HERE.

I Will Always Believe in You

I made a card for my teen daughter today.  I wanted to let her know that especially now, while she's dealing with her last year of high school, that she is loved no matter what she decides to do with her life.

I used one of my newest purchases, a Queen Kat Designs stamp called SKY by artist Myka Jelina.  I colored her with Copics and then fussy-cut her out, popping her onto a piece of patterned paper and then framing her with a K&Co sticker frame.
I wanted more depth to the card, so that my daughter could keep it on her dresser to remind her that we will always believe in her.  So I made an easel card, attaching my framed image onto the bottom half of my card so that when folded up it stands, well, like an easel!
I used some Paper Factory patterned paper for the background, and embellished with metal stars.  Around the frame I placed a butterfly and a sentiment.  that's it--no glitter, no shiny (although I did emboss the image before coloring it).  I like the way it turned out, and I hope you do too!
Hope you get to carve out some crafting time in the new year!!

Steampunk Challenge on Forever Night Creepy Challenges Blog

Do you love Halloween?  Well, on Forever Night Creepy Challenges Blog, it's Halloween all year round--in crafting terms!  This week's challenge is STEAMPUNK, and a big thank you goes to Sassy Studio Designs, this week's sponsor.

I used a SSD image called Steampunk Josephine.  I just love her!  She is fun and funky and curvaceous and cute!  I am a newbie to Steampunk, but I'm slowly getting my toes wet as I step deeper into these new waters.
I colored Josephine with my Copics, then added some shimmer with Stickles and a glitter gel pen.  I distressed my background paper, and added to it with another stamped image from Queen Kat Designs, then Stickled the chains and added a medallion.
A Tim Holtz sentiment, "life is about creating yourself" is underfoot.
What's new with you in 2013?  I decided this year I would like to create a new ME (or at least improve upon her).
My first resolution is to DO or LEARN something new each month.  It could be Yoga or Beading or German, I don't know yet. LOL
My second resolution is to try and LIVE HEALTHIER.  Better food, more activity, stronger body.
My last resolution is to perform a RANDOM ACT of KINDNESS every day--giving my time, my talent, my treasure, wherever I go and whomever I may meet.
Simple plan, hope I can live up to my dreams!!  Wish me luck, I'll be keeping track of my year here, along with all my lovely crafting.
Now jump over to Forever Night Challenge Blog and check out all the inspiration offered there, and then--open up to your dark side and celebrate Halloween all year long!!  Don't forget to check out all the awesome images offered by our sponsor, Sassy Studio Designs.

Snag of the Week

I love finding deals--especially when they end up being free!  I found a pillow in the giveaway bin at school, a pillow that no one could possibly use comfortably.  But the reason for the discomfort was the reason I rescued it--it was covered with fabric-covered buttons!!
I snipped them all off, stripped off the pillow cover, and was able to save the pillow form as well.  And here is my haul!!

I can see tons of beautiful cards using these colorful embellishments, and all it took was a little time on my part, removing them from that uncomfortable pillow.  So, what is your best "snag" of the week?  Doesn't have to be free if you feel you scored!!
Whatever turns you on, keep crafting!

First Squigglefly Challenge of the New Year

The first challenge of the year has a THANK YOU theme.  Gets you started on all those Thank You cards you need to send out for those fabulous presents!  My card features a Cheryl Alger image called "Blinkie's Snowday Dreaming", and was just released by Squigglefly on January 5!!
I colored my image with Copics, tore some glitter paper for a few banks of snow, and hung a star for Blinkie to ficus on.  Some handmade white "flowersoft" adds a little dimension, even blowing across my framed snowman.  A simple Thank You sentiment finishes off my first card of the year.
So, now that the holidays are 'round the corner, what are you working on?  I had to ruthlessly clean out my craft closet, packing up two bags for trash, 1 bag for Goodwill and a nice container of goodies to swap on my Yahoo Group, Your Scrapbook Place.  And my room is still not finished!!  But I am a lot more organized now, and I can see the top of my desk!
So I am working on two 2013 calendars with a layout for each month (one for me and one for a gift).  I also have a Recipe book that I want to fill up and embellish, to give to my new daughter-in-law, with all my son's fave foods.
Well, I hope you like my card.  Check out all the new Squigglefly releases HERE!  Then go to the Squigglefly Challenge Blog and play for a chance to win free digi's.  And Happy crafting in the new year!!
p.s. (Did you know that Squigglefly has a reward program that is free to join and is a great way to earn free images?  For every $15. you spend you will earn a free image. You can use the free image immediately, or save up and go for a big splurge one day. They never expire. And!!  if you are just now finding out about the rewards program, and you've already purchased images - Squigglefly will credit you any money spent in the current month! Just click the "My Squigglefly" at the top right of the Squigglefly home page).

Got My Eye on the New Year

I've got my eye on the new year and some changes I'm making in my life.  Not big ones (baby steps), but changes for the good.
One of them directly affects my crafting--I am working very hard at becoming and remaining organized.
Which brings me to my card today showcasing a couple of Queen Kat Designs stamped images.  I stamped Eye Chart directly onto a leftover piece of patterned paper from the Once Upon a Time DCWV Stack, then used Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Glimmer Mist to distress the heck out of it.  Then I embossed Citrus stamped image.
And the fun began!  A gold frame runs across a line of the eye chart.  Some gold wire swirls across the card face, with a dark purple feather stuck in there.  Then I added a couple metal stars for that ultra-dreamy effect.
So how am I attempting to become and stay organized?
I have an organizer in which I have put due dates for the projects for the companies/groups I design for.
I have ruthlessly cleaned out my craft room, and have put things in storage containers where (hopefully) they will be returned as I complete each project.
I have made lists of the new techniques I want to try and which product I want to showcase on them.
I am letting go of some of my cards and projects and sending them off to new homes.
Like I said, small steps, but it's a start!
So, how is your new year starting out?  Whatever your plans, keep crafting!

First Forever Night Creepy Challenge of 2013

The first challenge of the New Year at Forever Night Creepy Challenge Blog has a Horror Movie theme, and I am honored to announce my new position as a Design Team member for Forever Night Creepy Challenges.  My card above uses a Queen Kat Designs stamped image from artist Che Gilson.  Can you guess the horror movie that inspired my card?
Think of her as a newlywed.  Think of her husband as a redhead.  Think BRIDE OF CHUCKY (personally I don't understand what she sees in Chucky, but there's no accounting for taste where matters of the heart are concerned).
I colored her with my trusty Copics, then cut her a frame with my Epic Six and the Scallop Ovals die from Nestabilities.  I added some fun embellishments onto patterned paper from the Seasonal Stack by DCWV.
The New Chllenge runs from January 4 until the 10th, and our first sponsor of the New Year is LIMITED RUNS.

For more information about our sponsor, as well as some awesomely dark inspiration, check out the BLOG and play for a chance to win!!