So Ready to Relax

The fast-paced adventure that was Universal Studios is over. The obligatory visit to Gatorland completed. Our drive across the state ended in a safe arrival at Siesta Key, Florida.
Now begins the second part of our vacation, a true-blue, stress-free, sun-baked moment in the sun-literally. Our luxurious condo sits on Crescent Beach, a white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. We have our own lanai, Wendy's bedroom has its own queen bed, TV and bathroom, and the kitchen features Wolf appliances.
The weather is supposed to be perfect, except for a daily chance of rain in the late afternoons, and I have three books to read. We are sooooo ready to relaxxxxx...
Check back on my blog tomorrow, as there are loads of new challenges starting up, not just new Monday challenges but new monthly challenges, and I scheduled my posts to pop up all day long in celebration of them. Meanwhile, wake me when the sun goes down...

Wish You Were Here

We decided to take a break in the middle of our last day in Orlando, so I uploaded my photos and created a virtual postcard to send to my mom, sisters and co-workers. This morning we had a thrilling ride through and around Hogsmeade and made it to Hogwarts in one piece. I would have gone on the ride over and over again, but even though it was a virtual ride, Wendy wasn't exactly comfortable on it. And I didn't spend a penny on souvenirs today, but have a $10 gift card I'm going to use on a resort towel. It is so cool looking, will have to take a photo later to show y'all.
So, tomorrow is Gatorland, my daughter's fervent dream destination, I kid you not! And after that lovely visit, on to the second half of our family vacation!!

A World of Fun

What a day! We woke early again to start our day at the Leaky Caudron restaurat for breakfast in Diagon Alley. Evidently, Universal Studios is laid out like a grocery store, in that they put the one thing you came for at the very back!! We spent a good ten minutes hurrying toward the Hogwarts Express to take us to our destination. The trip on that train was worth the long walk, though. Sitting in one of the cars we were treated to a scenic view, complete with several characters. The silhouettes of Harry & Ron & Hermione went past our closed door and we heard them talking in the aisle.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a feast for the eyes. While I saw kids in capes and wielding wands that worked interactive displays, I held off with purchasing just a couple postcards for my scrapbooks. Speaking of which, I came back to our room and played with the photos taken today and created the page above. Paper, brads and frame from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, and the seashells from Rucola Designs Summertime freebie.
Tomorrow, we head to Universal Islands of Adventure, where we start our day at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade before visiting Hogwarts and all points magical. And if you don't recognize any of these "places" then you are not a Harry Potter fan!! LOL
As much fun as today was, I forgot to pack my gym shoes and am paying the price with poor tired feet and hips that want to lock in place! I will be more than happy to relax starting Sunday evening for our second part of vacation. More to follow!!

Putting My Time to Good Use

Since we had another full day in the car before getting to Orlando, I decided to play some more in Photoshop, as I am still a novice doing the 100% digital thing. But I had some fun creating a couple scrapbook layouts.

Here's one I made of my granddaughter's Dance Recital. I figured out how to outline her in each of several different photos and pop them all onto some patterned background paper from Mischief Circus. The frame and brads are from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.
So, we arrived at our resort and spent the evening on Universal Studios City Walk. After stuffing ourselves at Bubba Gump's Seafood Restaurant, we walked it all off before calling it a night.

Tomorrow we start our day with breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron before seeing what Universal Studios has to offer. So far my only souvenirs are what I can scrapbook of our trip! (I know, I can't believe it either, but the week is young)
Btw, I am learning German, and practiced my numbers by counting the abandoned cars along the roadside (einunddreizig) and counting and naming ll my family members (zwei schwestern, null broder, eine tochter, etc).
So, we'll see what tomorrow brings. That's all for now, my crafty peeps. Have fun!

Summer Vacation - Road Trip 2015

Hello, crafty peeps! I am away from my craft room temporarily, but I feel the need, the need for blogging! LOL You should know me by now, I am a wordy chick!
Our day started at 5 pm, or O'Dark-thirty as my friend Heidi would put it. Hubby wanted to get on the road by 6 am and he was not disappointed. So we beat the morning rush on 294 and we waved goodbye to Chicago and headed for parts south.

The view out our windshield while winding our way through the Bluegrass Hills of Kentucky.

I casually remarked to hubby that it was too bad it was such a sunny day, as I couldn't get the sun out of my eyes to see ahead. I forgot that when you're traveling in the hills, you're closer to God's ear...

So, now we've stopped in Chatanooga at the halfway point of our road trip. Next stop is Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Move over, Harry Potter, we're on our way-we just can't apparate like you can, and we left our brooms at home. Save us some butter beer!

************

Really, peeps, when Harry Potter World opened up in Orlando, I really didn't think that we'd get to enjoy a visit, since our kids were grown and taking the grandkids was just too much of a strain on our bank accounts. But we are all three (hubby, Wendy & I) Potter fans, so when we cast our votes for a family vacation, I was surprised and happy to make the arrangements.

Of course, Orlando is not really a vacation it's an adventure, so half of our trip, the last half, will be spent at a resort on Siesta Key, on the gulf-side of the state, lolling in the sun and sea, and sleeping in the sand. As much as I love Harry Potter, I love relaxing with the sound of the surf and a good read so much better!!

Happy crafting, peeps!

Another Sublime Challenge at the Outlawz Greetings

The only thing more sublime than a conversation between a fairy and a ladybug is an Anything Goes challenge! That's the new challenge this week at the Outlawz Greetings. This week's sponsor is Crafty Sentiments, and this jewel of a digi image is called "JEWEL."
I still have a box of newly-rediscovered papers on my desk, and while every project created this month has used papers from that box, it still looks over-stuffed with the wages of paper sin! But I am trying, as you can see from the photo of my newest card. I used 3 patterned papers and 2 different pieces of colored cardstock.
I colored my Jewel with Copics, and embellished simply with flowers, jewels, a butterfly charm and a cardstock sentiment sticker to finish off a simply sublime card. Now if the weather here in Chicago would just make up its addle-pated mind, it would be truly sublime. May is holding onto Spring with a tenuous grasp of temperatures, see-sawing from the 40's to 70's and back again, like a test drive on a super roller coaster.
But back to the challenge! The Outlawz Greetings is a challenge group that posts new challenges weekly on Mondays, with the last Monday of each month being an Anything Goes theme. The only stipulation on any paper-crafted project is to use a greeting or sentiment on the front of your creation. Please visit us for inspiration, and leave a comment or enter the challenge to share your artwork with us.

Challenges I am Entering:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Opus Gluei - Garden Inspiration
Crafty Sentiments challenges - Anything Goes
Open-Minded Crafting - Inspired by a Song (Build Me Up, Buttercup
Hiding in My Craft Room - Any Holiday (May Day)
Brown Sugar challenges - Favorite Color Combo

Anything Goes in my Acrylic Album for Craft Your Passion

I got to play in my acrylic album again. This is my first album, second page. It's trickier than I thought as I always have to be mindful of the back side of each page I create. Today I used a large circle of cardstock and kept most of my project within the circle.
Craft Your Passion challenge blog begins a new challenge today. Their challenges are always Anything Goes. The sponsor this week is Oddball Art, and this little cutie is called Tasha. My arylic album is all about nature and its furry animals. Today I was inspired by one of my favorite books, Secret Garden. It is a very old one, and I have a first edition in print, as well as the book in my Kindle library. After coloring my image with a  mix of Copics and Spectrum Noir, I fussy-cut her and her little friend before adhering her onto my page.
Then the fun began. I used a Sharpie oil-based white paint marker to give both my page and my frame a border of tiny dots. After stamping the sentiment on a cardstock journal sticker, I used a mix of tiny white flowers along with silver shimmery enamel dots. I like the way the page turned out, especially as the album will be a present for a special friend.
Oddball Art has a bunch of cute and whimsical images. Check out the STORE and then come join us at Craft Your Passion challenge blog this week!

Other Challenges I am Entering:

2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes (no cards)

Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes (no cards, ATCs)

Die Traumfabric - Secret Garden

Oddball Art challenges - Add a Butterfly or Dragonfly

Our Creative Corner - April Showers Bring May Flowers

Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes

(Pin)spirational challenges - Inspired by Pinterest (I used a lighter blue but I love using blue, green & yellow together)

The Path of Perseverance is Worth Every Step

I was browsing my digi images (which is so much easier than sorting through my rubber stamps) and re-discovered this little cutie from Ike's Art. She's called Back to School, and I bet you think my internal calendar is way off, as kids all over are counting the days until summer break.
But this month's theme at the Path of Positivity blog is Perseverance, and Ike's image struck a chord with me. When my soon-to-graduate-college daughter was in Kindergarten, I was informed by her school that her reading skills were lagging behind.
I jumped at the chance to have her tutored, spending even more time with her and her favorite books than I ever had before. There were days when she would cry in frustration (me too) but she persevered. After just the one year, she no longer needed extra help, and by fifth grade she was reading at a high school level!
So my card, whose sentiment reads, "So many books, so little time," is in memory of her perseverance and success. I am so proud of her!
Prizes for this month are:
       *A $10 gift certificate from Ike's Art, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or                     project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.

• A $25 gift certificate from Deedee's Digis, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also  be:

• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
• One digital designer paper (made to order in a few different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

My card uses: Ike's Art image called Back to School

                        DCWV card base

                        Digital background patterned paper, shaped frame, bow, brads and flowers from                                   Decosse's Dynamite Doodles

                        miscellaneous peals, sequins, lace border and paper doily

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Crafting When We Can - One for the Kids

Cupcake Inspirations - Inspiration Photo

Sentimental Sundays - Cute or Funny sentiment (So many Books, So little Time)

Sister Act - Anything Goes 

Creative Artiste challenge - Design Seeds color board

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

...or should I say "projects." Lord knows I need another DT responsibility, but my energy needs another outlet, as I have already started my June projects!! So when I heard Ike's World Challenge blog had a DT call, I couldn't resist applying as I love, love, love her images, in all their dark and humorous takes. Let me show you some examples:

The first sampling of the loveliness you can create with Ike's Art digi images is a mixed media canvas. I love the color scheme of my canvas, the coloring of the image, called Cognitive Thoughts, and the sentiment. It is one of my fave canvases I have made and I still have it (I've given away so many and miss them dearly).My second fave project shows the way digital and physical art merges into an awesome piece of work (at least I think it's awesome)! After playing with Ike's "Magician's Hat" digi image, digi paper from Mischief Circus, frames from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, and some appropriate wording, I printed it out and popped it onto cardstock with a flourish and some flowers to "lighten" the mood. 

My next project is a card I made to showcase my sense of humor.

It is not always politically correct, but you have to admit, it is funny! Again, the card showcases how I work with color, as well as many elements on one project.
And finally, although only asked to show three faves, i had to include one more to show Ike that I can "come over to the dark side" (heavy breathing coming from inside a helmet). LOL

 I hope I have shown examples of diversity in my style, as well as skill in color combining, getting inky, and digital know-how (small but learning every day. So, my crafty peeps, wish me luck!!
And have fun!!

Perseverance Midway Challenge Reminder

Today's project reflects the theme of  Perseverance at the Path of Positivity challenge blog. I got to play with a digi image from Ike's Art and was inspired to create a mixed media canvas.

In the U.S., It took over a hundred years for the pilgrims to settle in to their new home, claim and win their independence as their own country. It took another hundred years to abolish slavery. It took another sixty year after that for women to win their right to vote. Add another 40 years for the civil rights movement to make any headway.

All this was accomplished by the perseverance of strong, focused individuals who came together when they recognized injustice in the American way of life. Perseverance is forward-thinking and forward-movement. It is planning and working toward the summit of your goals and continuing on your path despite stumbling or drifting. Perseverance is resting but not quitting. 

At this moment in time, especially in the U.S., another group is finally seeing the results of their own perseverance in their right to marry. I am, of course, talking about Gay marriages, and their legality, especially when it comes to insurance, inheritance and other civil benefits. 

I am not affected by this decision, as I am happily married to my husband Bill for almost 39 years. I am, however, an advocate of personal and civil rights. I have friends and family who are directly affected by these rights and are suffering but persevering through the process. I applaud them, I support them, and I love them.

  I love that ART is shaped and colored by our feelings, beliefs, dreams, nightmares and passions. It can pull these same feelings in those who look at an artist's creation. I had been painting n another project andabsent-mindedly dipped the brush into some of my homemade ModgePodge to seal the very porous canvas material of today's project.  The colors on my brush mixed with the Mod Podge and onto my canvas and I really like the background it provided.

I framed my Copic-colored image, called "I Do - Female," with a homemade shimmer-misted paper doily. Then I placed my sentiment, "Free to Marry" before adding the roses. I embellished with loose glitter, metallic sticker hearts and a 3D sentiment sticker.

The Path of Positivity is a challenge blog that promotes positive words and art benefiting those in all walks of life. It is "a place to come especially on those days when the woes of the world just seem too much to bear." 

The sponsors and prizes for this month's challenge are:
*A $10 gift certificate from Ike's Art, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
*A $25 gift certificate from Deedee's Digis, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
There will also  be:

*One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
*One digital designer paper (made to order in a few different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Open-Minded Crafting - Wedding or Anniversary

Alphabet challenges - G is for Glitz & Glamour

Art Impressions challenges - Lovely Ladies

Crafter's Cafe challenges - Feminine

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes #33

Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes (no cards)

Crafty Time - Anything New

Naughty or Nice challenges - Friends

Rhedds' Creative Spirit - Anything Goes

Smudgy Antics - Anything Goes (it may not be dark, but it is alternative & awesome)

USA Patriotic Colors at the Outlawz Greetings challenge today

Welcome to another challenge from the Outlawz Greetings! Today finds us creating with a Red, White AND Blue color theme. This week's sponsor is Oddball Art, and I have colored up a digi image called  "Penelope".
My card is full of different elements. I used three different patterned papers, punched the corners of my image, added jeweled flowers, and tossed in a couple feathers for fun, all within the red, white and blue color scheme.
Come join us at the Outlawz Greetings challenge this week. Follow the color theme, and make sure you have a greeting on the front of your project. See you there!
Other Challenges I am Entering:
 Simply Create Too - Favorite Color Combo (red, white & blue)
Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes
Sister Act Card challenges - Anything Goes
Stempelsonne challenges - Anything Goes
Crafter's Cafe - Feminine
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Christmas Card Stash Continues to Grow

It was one of those winters where Santa wished he were a letter carrier or a truck driver, anything but the man whose reputation and the happiness of millions of children depended on along with his crack team of reindeer. He was personally up to the job. The toys were made and being loaded with care, the list had been checked not once, not twice, but three times, thanks to that new software Mrs. Claus had insisted he install. The wonders of technology, he thought, shaking his head. Yet even technology couldn't save the disaster that threatened his livelihood.

Who would have thought his reindeer, his loyal, steadfast and dependable team, would be his downfall. And two weeks before Christmas!  Hoof and mouth disease, he snorted. More like wake-me-when-it’s-over disease, he thought.

Of course, they were getting on in years. Aren't we all, he sighed. Yet he had to admit there were signs that should have set off alarms well before the month of December.
Oh, well, no use crying over spilled milk and broken cookies. The question was, what was he going to do about transportation?

He strolled through the woods of northern Canada, where snow covered the ground and quiet reigned. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he almost walked right past the possible solution to his worst nightmare. He stopped in his tracks, staring into the liquid brown eyes of a majestic buck and his mate. They looked strong, reserved, and unafraid of a human’s abrupt appearance in his territory. But could they fly?

Welcome to another fun month of Christmas cards at the 12Months of Christmas Link-Up blog.  Their sponsor this  month is Dee Dee’s Digis and I got to play with a set called Winter Woods. The set comes with 4 outline images, 4 pre-colored images, 4 layering images, and 4 sentiments, in JPG and PNG formats. All set elements have a resolution of 300 dpi/ppi, and are easily resizable to fit your crafting needs.
I decided to play a little in my Adobe Photoshop,so almost everything within the ribbon frame on my card is digital. I colored a smaller reindeer with my Copics and slipped her behind a tree alongside the buck, using dimensional dots. The patterned paper card base and embellishments are also from my stash of crafting supplies. It's a true mix of digital meets hand-crafted!! And another Christmas card bites the dust!! LOL

The 12 Months of Christmas blog would like to see your creations using some Christmas Critters. The theme, however, is optional. All you really have to do to join in the fun is to make two Christmas cards during the month. If you do so, you will receive some yummy digital Christmas paper from Linda of Decosse's Dynamite Doodles!

Want a chance to win more? Follow the theme of Christmas Critters and type in the letters FT after your name and you'll be in a special draw for a $25 gift certificate to DeeDee's Digi Store!!

Challenges I am Entering:

Pile It On - Cute Animal

Completely Christmas - Anything Goes/optional twist Silver (in my ribbon frame and silver tree bark) 

Jingle Belles - Happy Hybrid Holidays!

As You Like It - Favorite-Land or Sea? (I like land best, as the colors created on land are infinite, the seasons change the scenery each year, and most importantly, I DON'T SWIM! lol)

Anything Goes at Your Scrapbook Place

Have you been to Your Scrapbook Place challenge blog this month? Their sponsor is Imagine That and the DT has created some inspiring art. I used a digi image called      . After coloring her with Copics, I framed her with a paper doily that I colored with homemade shimmer mists.
 I folded a large K&Co tag in half as my card base, and embellished with sparkly trim, a ribbon bow, flowers and a butterfly.
My card was super easy and quick to create. My secret is that I have most supplies within arm's length, so I can grab paper from my left, as well as my markers; embellishments are sorted and labeled in a workshop unit, the kind my hubby would use for screws, nails, washers and such; my tape gun is on a shelf above my table. I snagged a shadowbox from last summer's rummage sale and hubby put it up over my table. Now I have all my sprays, powders, specialty markers and pens, distress inks, etc., up off my table but readily accessible.
It sure sounds like I have a designer craft area, but NOTHING in my room matches. I have no budget for my crafting, so when I see a piece of furniture or storage supplies on clearance (or lying on the side of the road LOL) I decide if I can use it and it makes its home in my area. So my crafting den is organized but not pretty! And that is why you don't see photos of it!!
Back to the challenge. Your Scrapbook Place is a challenge blog for ALL crafters, not just scrapbookers. Their challenges are always Anything Goes, and run monthly. They would love to see what you have created this month, so hop on over there!!
And as always, crafters, have fun today!

Challenges I am Entering:

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes w/optional Let's Celebrate!

Stamping Sensations - May Flowers

Crafting by Design - Flowers

Definitely Naughty at Ike's World Challenges

Two of the scariest words uttered in the presence of a mom is "I'm Bored." Uh, even now those words give me shivers, and my kids are all grown up, one out the door! With those two words hanging in the air, you just know that naughtiness follows.
Welcome to the Ike's World Challenge theme, where your creation could be "Naughty or Nice." And as everyone knows, just because it's naughty doesn't necessarily mean it's not cute, especially when children are in the mix.
I used a digi image from Ike's Art called "I'm Bored." I colored my little troublemaker with Copics, digitally popped her onto the corrugated cardboard frame and then popped her onto my card base. My sentiment reflects what I said above, that two of the scariest words a mom could hear were "I'm bored" from her child.  I embellished with a few jewels, sequins and a flower.
What are you creating today? Is it naughty or nice? Come lay in the challenge at Ike's World Challenge blog!

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Ruby's Rainbow - Humor

Sisterhood of Crafters - Mother's Day

Crafty Creations - Color Palette

Get Creative - Mother's Day

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes

100% Digital Today for One Lucky Dad

One of my New Year's Resolutions, way back on January 1st, was to teach myself Adobe Photoshop. I have been hard at play, I mean work, digitally crafting with some very awesome digi images, papers and elements from some of my favorite designers.
Today I created this fun Father's Day card using images from Dee Dee's Digis set Dad's Day Off. The set comes with:
3 outline images, 17 pre-colored images, 3 white-filled layering images, and 7 sentiments, in JPG and PNG file formats.
To set the scene, I used a background from the Marta Vaneck Curiosity Cabinet set of background papers. I framed it and my sentiment with a gold frame element from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, embellishing one corner with a few musically-themed sunflowers and teal buttons from Decosse's as well.
And to bring back the reference to my resolution, my card today is 100% digital!! In finishing this project, I realize I need to invest in some elements that will bring my cards and such to a higher level, things like shadowing effects and a whole lot more embellishments!
Meanwhile, I am entering my card into DeeDee's Digis Challenge Blog. It's a progressive challenge, so as long as you create with the Digi of the Month, you will get the next month's image set FREE! And who doesn't like FREE?!

Celebrate Mom at the Outlawz Greetings challenges

Just wanted to show off the CAS card I gave my mom yesterday. I used some digi goodness from DeeDee's Digis, one of this month's sponsors at the Outlawz Greetings challenges. The set is called Blooming Blessings and comes with 4 outline images, 4 pre-colored images, 4 white-filled layering images, and 4 sentiments, in JPG and PNG formats.
 I created my square card base using an oversized patterned tag from K & Co. The images used from DeeDee's includes a colored frame and three colored bouquets. The golden yellow background paper and green brads are from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. Once I put the two forms of crafting together, I added a few jeweled butterflies, some ribbon trim with sparkle and a couple very thing gold lines and my card is complete.
Come show us what you've made this week at the Outlawz Greetings challenge, where the theme is Mother's Day and you always must have a greeting or sentiment on the front of your project.

Other Challenges I am Entering:
Lisa Somerville Blogger's Challenge - May Flowers
Crafty Catz - CAS
Digitally Sweet - April Showers Bring May Flowers
Sentimental Sundays - Happy Mother's Day (must have sentiment)
Hiding in My Craft Room - Super Scraps Saturday (everything I create uses my scraps; I haven't bought new papers in forever!!)

Crafty Sentiments Sponsors Challenge This Week

Today brings a new challenge from Craft Your Passion. This week's sponsor is Crafty Sentiments, and I got to play with this cute digi image called "Sweetheart Bunnies."
After coloring my image with Copics, my go-to coloring media, I fussy-cut it out and popped it onto an embossed card face. To make the embossing pop a bit, I inked the raised edges of my "scene." I used a paint chip from my stash of papers to frame it all, punching the top edges.
My sentiment is an Oprah Winfrey quote, which reads, "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo," and continued on the inside, "but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."
I threw on a scattering of jeweled butterflies and flowers, a fantastic find at my local Goodwill store last year.
I love this image, and hope you do too. You can find it and so many more cute images at Crafty Sentiments Shop. Whether you buy or not, the theme of this week's challenge is Anything Goes, as always, at Craft Your Passion challenge blog. Come on over and play with us!!

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenges - Embossing

Alphabet Challenge blog - F is for Friendship

Stempelsonnen challenges - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations - Photo Inspiration

Pile It On - Cute animals

An Early Mother's Day Gift

My mom taught me several things as I was growing up, but the most important thing she taught me was a love of books. There were no boundaries when it came to reading, no "you're not old enough yet's."

So to celebrate just one of the many things I love about her and am grateful to her for sharing with me, I made her a bookmark. She doesn't have a Kindle, a Nook nor does her phone allow those kind of app's. She likes hard covers and paperbacks. And since shes just as busy as I am, she needs a bookmark to keep her place in between readings.
I colored up a free digi image from Tiddly Ink called Annie, using my Copics and some Sakura diamond gel pen for a little sparkle. Then I fussy-cut her and placed her on a piece of patterned paper I found while rummaging in my re-discovered box of paper.
(Sad note, peeps: While organizing my craft room before my granddaughter's sleepover this weekend, I discovered yet another photo storage box stuffed with papers. I need serious therapy!)
Anyway, I trimmed the bookmark with thin gold stickers, added some silver outline flowers, stamped a few butterflies and popped on a vellum punched butterfly.
To give it more character, I used a Stampin Up punch to cut a rounded slit in the top of the bookmark to slip onto the top of a book's page. In the photo, it's behind that half-moon sliver. Above that, I punched a tiny hole and slipped a tassel to the top. Since it will sit between book pages, I needed to keep it clean and simple.
And the first of my handmade presents is finished. Eek, I am running out of time, too! Catch you later, crafters!

Challenges I am entering:

Crafty Catz challenges - CAS 

Simply Crafting challenges - CAS

Stempelsonne challenges - Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes

Wonderful Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Clear It Out challenges - Use your stash

Tiddly Inks challenges - So Sweet (although the image doesn't have a sweet treat, the book behind it is a Bailey Cates Magical Bakery Mystery called Bewitched, Bothered & Biscotti)

Get Creative challenges - Mother's Day

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - No Cards (bookmark) eine lesezeichen

Warm Fuzzies Coming Your Way at Your Scrapbook Place

A new month means a new challenge at Your Scrapbook place, where all challenges are Anything Goes. This month's sponsor is Imagine That, and I got to play with a digi set called Pandas. This set includes
  - 2 panda bears in color & outline JPG & PNG (+ a shadow version)
  - 2 fuzzy word art, color JPG & PNG
  - 1 bamboo word art, color & outline JPG & PNG
  - 5 digi papers, (6"x6", high quality 300 ppi)
  - 5 solid sentiments, JPG & PNG

I colored my pandas with Copics and fussy-cut them out to place on my card base. Keeping to my promise to use papers from the box on my table and my stash of embellies, I created my base with patterned paper, a die-cut frame, some ephemera from China, and a few pearls. Isn't that sentiment fun?

Who doesn't like an Anything Goes challenge? Come play at Your Scrapbook place challenge blog this month. Prizes are from Imagine That for a random winner.

And as always, crafters, have fun!

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Digi Choosday challenges - Anything Goes

Clear It Out challenges - Anything Goes-must use stash

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Cards in Envy - When Nature Calls

Marker POP challenges - Anything Goes
Mema's Crafts challenges - Anything Goes 
Muse challenge #116 - Inspiration card (I pulled the color combo of black, white, green & blue from the inspiration card)

Be Crafty & Craft - Anything Goes
Card Mania challenges - Pearls & Swirls
Craft & Smash challenges - Animals
Crafting Musketeers - Use a Die-cut 
Natalie & Amy challenges - Animals
Naughty or Nice - Friends (nice)
Imagine That! - Anything Goes w/Imagine That image

Persevere in This Month's Challenge at the Path of Positivity

I think that the quote, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" is the strongest argument that perseverance is what changes a failed attempt into success. And perseverance is the theme of this month's Path of Positivity challenge.
Personally, I persevered in my attempts to master Adobe Photoshop. Of course, I am still a virtual newbie, but I managed to make this 100% digital project using a DeeDee's Digis set called Lemonade Stand. Besides one of the several colored digis, I used both patterned papers. The sentiment comes from the fonts in Photoshop, and the brads and golden yellow background paper are from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.
The sponsors and prizes for this challenge are:
*A $10 gift certificate from Ike's Art, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.

• A $25 gift certificate from Deedee's Digis, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also  be:

• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
• One digital designer paper (made to order in a few different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge

Other Challenges I am Entering:
DeeDee's Digis challenge blog - NSD CASE-ing challenge
(cased off of Pippa's layout; I chose this to continue the "drinks" theme but with lemonade)

Come & Get It challenges - Female

 Sisters of Craft challenges - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Seeing Dots at the Outlawz Greetings Challenge This Week

Hello, lovely peeps!! Today starts a new challenge at the Outlawz Greetings, and they want to see dots in front of their eyes (I see them all the time LOL). I have used a cuter-than-cute image from bugaboo called "May Word." Bugaboo is this week's sponsor and you can find all kinds of cute at the SHOP.
Keeping my promise of using papers out of the "treasure box I recently re-discovered in the back of my craft closet, I found an embossed pice of yellow cardstock and went from there. Using contrasting colors of purple and green, I cut my Copic-colored image out and popped it ontom the yellow paper, adding paper, silk and jeweled flowers to embellish. I also found some very stiff lilac wired ribbon that I used to "hold" my large flower. I think the green card base coordinates perfectly, don't you??
This was a fun card to make, and the biggest reason I craft is to have fun. Come join the challenges at the Outlawz Greetings every Monday morning for some fun and inspiration.

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Catch the Bug challenges - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks - Anything Goes

As You Like It challenges - Favorite Embossing Technique (I love the dimension and texture I get using my embossing folders on all sorts of paper. My card started with the embossed cardstock and went from there)

Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner - Stripes or Dots

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes

Ruby's Rainbow challenges - Anything Goes

Wonderful Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
CMD Challenge blog - May
Creatilicious Challenges - Embossing (dry)
Life in Details - Flowers
Our Creative Corner - April Showers Bring May Flowers
Sugar & Betty's challenges -Anything Goes
Stamp & Create challenges - May Flowers
MarkerPOP challenges - Anything Goes

Just a Quickie

First, I haven't forgotten my lovely Blog Followers and promise to send you all the prizes promised. Life has been hectic but it's settling down a bit and I will get to you all. Please be patient.

Second, check out my newest 100% digital creation. I am learning a lot in Photoshop, but still have a lot more to learn. However, I really like this new card, using textured paper, sentiment and elements from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles and a digi image from Ike's Art.
I'm entering this in both Ike's World Challenges (no patterned paper) and Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Blog (a mini challenge for National cardmaking Day) tonight before I go beddy-bye.
Good night, crafters. Sweet dreams!

The Eyes Have It!

No matter how many books I read on my phone or Kindle, I still prefer the weight and smell of a

good book in my hands, paperback or hard cover! So today I made a bookmark using a digi from Bugaboo Stamps. This little fella is called Frog and is colored with Copics. I fussy-cut him out and made a "flap-over" bookmark out of a paint strip. I had to keep the embellishments down to a minimum in order to lie flat in a book, so I added a few sequins and hand-wrote the sentiment, " This book is absolutely Ribbit-ing."      When the bookmark is placed in my book, my frog's "bug eyes" peep out over the top of the book, like in my photo.

I'm entering him in this month's Catch the Bug's Anything Goes challenge. 

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Crazy for Challenges - related to vision or eyes

Less is More - Opposites on the color wheel (green & purple)

Ppinky Dolls Sponsor May's Freebie Progressive Challenge

Happy May Day!! With a new month comes a new challenge at the Outlawz Progressive Freebie group. This month our generous sponsor is Ppinky Dolls, and this lovely is yours if you played last week with the free digi given out to all participants. If you haven't jumped on the band wagon yet, you only need purchase this image from Ppinky Dolls Etsy Shop. It's called "Another Gift." Once you enter it into the challenge, you will receive the next month's image free. As long as you keep entering the challenges each month, you'll continue to get the each month's images FREE.  Who doesn't like free, right?
I colored my image with Copics, placing a tiny flower on her head. She sports a sprig of mistletoe on the original image. I found a negative piece of die-cut paper that I thought would be perfect for my card, and placed dotted patterned paper behind each flower cut-out to coordinate with my card base and coloring.
I embellished simply with a sentiment tag and a feather and my card is complete! Check out the Outlawz Progressive Freebie for lots of inspiration. If you like what you see, come play with us!!

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Cute Card Thursday - Use a sentiment
Crafty Gals Corner - Stripes and/or Dots
The Color Throwdown - Pink, Green & Aqua (I added yellow to the mix)
Alphabet Challenges - F is for Friendship
Brown Sugar - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft challenges - Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Choose 3 Elements of Inspiration piece (color scheme, blond girl and toy)