Patacake Pages

Somebody to Love...

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today I made a CAS card, which is a Clean And Simple card, using Queen Kat Design's Fae of Hearts stamp by Joanna Bromley. This fairy is so dainty, so sweet, that I wanted the "pinkness" to shine. I colored her with Copics, put a whsiper of Stickles on her wings and cut her out with my Labels Four Nestabilities die from Spellbinders. I framed her in black with the next size die up, and placed her on this gorgeous patterned paper I had in my stash. A few jewels for some shine, and a silk embossed butterfly to embellish and my CAS card is ready to hand to one of my friends this Valentine's Day.
To see all of Joanna Bromley's lovely stamps, click HERE. The QKD February new releases are ready for purchase, so get your fingers ready for some online shopping!

Gettin' Sketchy with Dustin Pike

2012-02-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

I haven't colored a digi image from Dustin Pike in a while, and the images are so-o-o-o cute, just too cute to ignore! So here is my newest Vaelntine's Day card. The inside sentiment reads: "Happy Valentine's Day to my Knight in Shinging Armor"
So far that makes four V-Day cards specifically targeted toward my hubby of 35 years. Think he'll get the message???

The last challenge on their blog was to follow this sketch; otherwise, anything goes!

I colored my image with my trusty Copics, pictured below:

And as I am writing this, I discovered that the challenge here is closed now. I missed my chance to win goodies, but I still had fun coloring this cutie up andf making a new card!!

Birthday Calories Don't Count

2012-02-07T07:47:00.000-08:00

At least in the crafting world!! I made a card for Squigglefly's new weekly challenge, which was to create a birthday card. SO easy, and if Gram lasts until another Christmas (she is, after all, 101 years old), my gift to her has been a set of birthday cards, in calendar order and identified on the envies, for each member of the family.

So I used Squigglefly's Birthday Cake Kaboodle by artist Diane Carubia digi image and whipped up a card on one of my busiest days at work.
Not only is it second shift, with classes in session from 5-7 pm, but I have to give an internet and real world safety presentation tonight and tomorrow night. I've got the Grade 4-6 presentation under my belt, but have yet to write out my lesson plan and choose my media for the 7th and 8th grade presentation.
A bit of Basic Grey paper for the base, some pink cardstock to frame my image and sentiment, and a pretty butterfly to embellish finishes off the card.
If you have a few moments to relax in your crafting area, grab a Squigglefly image and make a birthday card. You could win a free digi this week!
Do you Facebook or are you a member of PaperCraftPlanet? Check out Squigglefly there for a Great Valentine's Giveaway!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2012-02-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Well, the committee liked those auction banners I made last week so much that they've asked for more. Since this is for our church's Youth Group, whose activities have grown increasingly each year for the Hearts Fundraiser Dinner. So I chalk this up as my own donation to the fundrasier (besides the items I already donated for a few baskets).
Anyway, here's my second take on a woman's gift basket banner. I just have to add some lace from which to hang it on the basket and it's finished! I cut the bottom part of this 12x12 piece of patterned paper. From the leftover piece, I cut a few matching flowers, curled them and adhered them to the woman's hat and at the top of the piece. I also gave it dimension by adhering some pearls on the paper pearls of her necklace. Than I titled the banned with alpha stickers and a flower to spell out MOM, placing some lace on the right for a border.
I know I have to make a banner for a teen girl's basket, and have that one already planned in my head. I'll show it to you when I've finished it!

I Love Artist's Trading Cards!

2012-02-04T15:34:00.000-08:00

Since I was overwhelmed this Christmas with family drama and no time off from work, I didn't get a chance to make my co-workers their annual ATC Christmas cards, so I promised myself I would make some for Valentine's Day. They love these little pieces of art, so I was happy to create for them. There are about 12 people that I cherish enough to create my cards, and here ar the first few I made.

If you're not familiar with ATC's, or Artist's Trading Cards, thery are the size of baseball cards, and are miniature pieces of art, kind of like a card front measuring 2.5x3.5"
So I have five done, with ten days left before the big day. No worries, ATC cards are so easy to make!
I'm entering these ATC cards in the February challenge over at Your Scrapbook Place blog. You can play, too!

It's That Old Devil Moon...

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a card I made for Valentine's Day, using Queen Kat Designs "Fae of Hearts" stamp by Joanna Bromley. As I colored her, I realized that I had been humming the song "Old Devil Moon" from Finian's Rainbow, so I borrowed a verse from the song for my inside sentiment:

   Just when I think, I'm
   Free as a dove.
   Old devil moon,
   Deep in your eyes,
   Blinds me with love.
My first major purchase when I started working as a teen was to buy two tickets to the Arie Crown Theater in downtown Chicago for my parents to go see the live musical, Finian's Rainbow. I was so proud of myself for getting such a great present, and knew my parents would enjoy their evening.

It wasn't until years and years later that I found out their seats were so high up and so far away from the stage that the music and voices reached them about two seconds after the actors could be seen mouthing the words! So much for getting the cheap seats!!! I have it on DVD now, and still like the story line and the music. Who wouldn't like to go to "Glocca Morra" or find a pot of gold to make a wish upon?

Birthday Cupcakes Go to the Dogs!

2012-02-02T19:27:00.000-08:00

Well, to one dog, that is, and a cutie pie if I ever saw one. This little guy's name is Bailey, and he is the second in a whole new line from Hambo Stamps. Called "Bailey Cupcake", I colored him with my trusty Copics and popped him on a card front with one of the sentiments that come with the image. The inside sentiment, also from this Hambo image, says "Hope your birthday is tail-waggin' good!"
The new challenge at the Hoedown this week is to help them celebrate their first birthday by making a birthday card. You can use any Hambo image, but if you use Bailey Cupcake, you get your choice of one free digi from their store! As a player, you also get their next digi image for free, so it's a two-fer for me and everyone who has Bailey Cupcake to play with!!
So hop on over to Hambo Challenge Blog and wish them a Happy Birthday!!

It's All ABout the Birthday!

2012-02-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

I bet you all know at least one person who has a birthday for each month on the calendar. Well, I've named February as my personal Birthday card crafting month. I'll be making a birthday card a day until the 29th, which is a special birthday as it only comes around once every four years!

So for my first birthday card, I used Squigglefly's digi image Bit of a Witch by Cheryl Alger. I love so many of Cheryl's images, and you will probably see a lot of them here this month. I also like to use images that may be more geared toward a different theme or holiday than the way I use them. This witch would be perfectly content to enjoy a frightfully good halloween, but witches have birthdays too, you know. So I colored my little witch in non-Halloween colors and am sending her off to one of my high school girlfriends, whose birthday is later this month.
I colored the patterned paper in the same blue as her dress and the stamped stars that surround her with one of my trusty Copic markers. I handwrote the sentiment and framed it with a slide mount, stamping it too with stars. A couple of swirly paper clips and a bit of fiber finish off my card (well, I couldn't resist using some stickles for shimmer, but the camera didn't catch it very well).

Now, some of you know that my granddaughter visits almost every month, and she loves to craft with her grandma. When she saw me coloring, she asked for an image and to "use grandma's special markers so it would look just like Grandma's card, pleeeease"). So here is her creation as well. I made her the card base and gave her one of my paper clips. She colored the image herself (yes, I let her use my coveted Copics) and used one of my Fiskars scissors to cut out her image and put it all together. Not bad for a 4 year old!

So go and create a birthday card for someone you know. If my preschool-aged granddaughter can make one, so can you!!! Happy Crafting!

Doing My Part

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Ou rchurch's youth Group is deeply involved with Catholic Charities. One of their many ventures is helping out with gift baskets to auction off at a charity dinner. I've been asked to make a couple of banners or signs for the baskets to identify their themes.

The first one I made was for the Father's Day basket. I could have gone sports, but decided to take the Tool Time path. I used a piece of patterned paper that looked like wood grain and adhered it on some foam board. Next I stamped individual tools and pieced them together to spell out "Father's Day". I framed them on brown cardstock and arranged them on my plank. I jagged cut the edges of the paper and attached some lacing from men's boots to hang either inside the basket or out.

The Mother's Day basket was comprised of leftover Valentine patterned paper and embellishments. The 12x12 paper was actually blocks for photos, so I cut off the bottom two and added some Stickle cross stitching to make it look like it was sewn together. Various alpha stickers spells out "Happy Mom's Day". The flower is handmade by my friend Shannon. I embellished with pearls, sequins, and tied a piece of lace from which to hang my sign onto the basket.

It was fun making these signs for the auction, but now it's back to my month of birthday cards! Here i go again, running (hiding) away to my craft room. Hope your day is filled with crafting, too!

Seeing Red

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

On my newest card, that is! Squigglefly has a new challenge this week, and it is to get out those red markers, watercolors, crayons, pencils and ink. Show me the RED!!

So I hope I didn't go too much overboard on the red here, especially on the flower spray. I just loved coloring the new Squigglefly February release stamp, "Hold On To Me", by Lynne Stansbery! And after 35 years of loving the same man, I thought it would be the perfect image for his Valentine card. Of course, I have made him at least four Valentine cards so far!!! Just can't stop it LOL
Anyway, I used Copics for the coloring then attached it to some leftover DCWV patterned paper with dimensional tape for, well, DIMENSION! Flourish and leaf diecuts are behind the flowers. The largest one was made by my crafting friend Shannon, whose ETsy shop offers more of the same. The other three are leftover from a Michael's purchase when the store closed its doors (boohoo, no more shopping sprees there!).
All placed on red cardstock and my 6x6 Valentine's Day card is complete, along with the outside sentiment: "to have and to hold", and the inside sentiment: "hand in hand, forever and always".
I think hubby will get the message, don't you?
So noe it's your turn to play in the challenge! If you still don't have a Squigglefly image, grab a freebie HERE and think RED. I'd love to see what you come up with!
Happy crafting!

Super Chicken???

2012-01-29T17:37:00.000-08:00

Hambo has really outdone themselves with this cuter-than-cute digi-image, Caped Chick! He really thinks he's all that!

Hambo Challenge Blog has a new challenge this week. You can choose any card from their blog or gallery and "CASE" it -- meaning cardlift a design and make one of your own cards like it!
My easel card uses sky blue patterned paper, a few fluffy clouds, the Caped Chick digi image, paper pieced and layered with dimensional tape.
Very clean and simple.

For my inspiration to cardlift or CASE, I chose an easel card by the very talented Hey Hey Paula. She showcased Hambo digi image "Cool Dog" on her round easel card (I just rounded the corners). Her colors were in the blues, as mine are. And of course, with most easel cards, you can have fun with a one-two punch sentiment, like my play on those famous words from the old black & white Superman series (yeah, i know, you don't remember it, but I do!), "Look, up in the sky...it's a bird, it's a plane...No, it's Superman!"

There are tons of cards in their gallery to get inspiration when your muse is in hiding! I have several I want to go back to and try my own hand at their designs! And you can of course join in the Hoedown challenge for your chance to win free digi's or a blog badge. So put on your dancin' shoes and play!

Cooking Up Some Love

2012-01-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I had the biggest crush on my jr. high science teacher. I worked hard in chemistry to impress him, even to the point of memorizing the table of elements (of course, back then, there were only about a hundred). So when I saw this new February release from Squigglefly, called Mad Scientist, it brought up those feelings of first love.

So I made a card with my geeky guy mixing up a Love Potion #9, just in time for Valentine's Day.
Mad Scientist is by artist Chesney Young, and it's a digi image by Squigglefly. I love the versatility of digi's, in that you can flip the image from left to right, and make him any size you want. With the right software, you can even print him in colored ink.
I used a lot of pinks on my card, because I found this irresistable lipstick-smooched patterned paper leftover from last year. I only had a few small pieces, so framed them and my image with black cardstock on my 6x6 card base.
I printed the title "Love Potion #9" for the connection to my past, and added a simple paper flower, made by the very talented Anna.
What do you think? I found out my first crush is a principal at a school in my state. Should I send it to him with my confession???
Meanwhile, back to reality. Come play with me at the Squigglefly challenge blog, or you can check them out on Facebook and SNR Card Universe! Just remember to keep crafting!

Hambo Blog Hop

2012-01-27T06:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my little corner of crafting zen! Today Hambo Stamps is hosting a Customer Blog Hop. If you're coming from Karin's blog, you're on the right track. If not, start HERE for the full tour!
The theme of the Hop is BOOKS. Do you like to read? I love to read! I love it so much I sometimes have to read a new book twice--once to devour it,while ink runs from the corners of my mouth, and a second time to leisurely stroll through the story.

I made three cards for this themed hop, and the books that inspired them are at the bottom of this post. My first card is from a children's book. Since I tore a page from one of the many copies I have stored away, I'm sure, if you have children or godchildren, you can ID the first title immediately.
I have at least three more copies of this book. My son loved it (he's now 26), my daughter loved it (16 years old now) and I continue to read it (almost every night) to my 4 year old granddaughter.
I used Caterpillar digi-image and colored him with my trusty Copics. I tore some paper for a textured background, added a library check-out card for the "bookish" theme, and tore and cut pieces from a page in a spare book. When my granddaughter saw this card, she looked at me with love in her eyes and asked, "You made this for me?" How could I say no to that??!!

My second card gives you a little clue in the sentiment. I don't usually delve into non-fiction, but the photos in his books are some of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. Not being a scuba diver, they were my only peek into his undersea world.

I made an easel card for Hambo's Wee Henry Snorkel digi-image. Easel cards are the easiest, unusually- folded card to make. Just fold your standard half a sheet of 8.5x11" cardstock in half, then fold the top part in half again, folding toward the inside of your card. You now have an easel on which to prop up the front of your card! Easy peasy!

My third card is broader and more difficult to guess. If you haven't read the book (or seen the movie) then you'll just have to sneak a look at the end of my post for its inspiration.

I colored Balloon Girl digi-image with my Copics and set her off on her journey. I adhered her onto the background with some dimensional pop dots.
I imagine she'll be gone for almost three months (hint, hint).

And that's my library of book-inspired cards, all made with my Hambo digi images. Next on the blog hop is Laura's blog, but before you leave, did you guess them all?? Here are the books that inspired the cards. Please leave a little love before you drift off. Make sure you leave a comment on all blogs as there is blog candy involved for everyone who comments on every blog in the hop. Good luck, have fun and Happy crafting!

Here's the full hop in case you get lost:

Fantasy Bride

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

In the forest where fairies dwell, the foliage is lush and vibrant with colors. Snow may glisten at the edges of this mysterious realm, but in the heart of the forest, where the magic is strongest, you will find perpetual spring.

Here is where the lovely Elf Bride finds herself, amongst her furry friends, her Mother Nature, and her soon-to-be husband. For this fantasy, I created a card using Queen Kat Design's "Elf Bride" by Monika Ptok Byard. It's one of the January new releases here at Queen Kat Designs.
The sentiment inside reads: "Still the one I love" (title by Shania Twain), and is benchmarked for my hubby of 35 years (of course, I got married when i was thirteen...do you believe me?)
Anyway, she is a gorgeous image to color and I love her pose, as it is a great showcase for the shadows on her face.
You can get "Elf Bride" and more from Queen Kat Designs and Monika at the Shoppe. Tell them Pat sent you!

A Dill-licious Recipe for Fun

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Pickles by Lynn Stansbery

I just had to make another card for the Squigglefly Challenge Blog this week. Their challenge calls for a recipe using ribbon or twine, a brad and something shiny. My pickles are practically glowing with shimmer in their jar, while a bit of leftover white ribbon and a black heart brad decorate the card. My inside sentiment reads: "Have a dill-lightful Birthday"!
The Squigglefly digi image, called Pickles by Lynn Stansbery, is one of my newest images in my growing collection of Squigglefly images. Don't have one yet????? Click HERE to shop til you drop! And don't forget to play in thwe CHALLENGE this week!
p.s. You can also catch us on Facebook!

Recipe for Love

2012-01-23T06:34:00.000-08:00

Sweet Froggy

This cuter than cute digi image from Squigglefly inspired so many different sentiments, but I chose one from Squigglefly "Short on legs, long on love!" I made this Valentine card for the new Squigglefly challenge, which follows a "recipe". The "ingredients" are use ribbon or twine, use glitter (something sparkly) and use a brad somewhere on the card
After coloring my image, called "Sweet Froggy" by Jane Beljo, with my trusty Copics, I added my first recipe ingredient, Stickles, to make his warts shine! The second ingredient, a purple ribbon, was stapled to my image. Finally, I added two white heart brads for my third ingredient.
Inside, I added the sentiment "Happy Valentine's Day".
Now it's your turn to create a card and play in the Squigglefly Challenge. If you need a Squigglefly image, find some freebies HERE.

Other challenges I entered:
Cupcake Craftroom - Anything Goes http://cupcakecraftroom.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-2012-challenge.html

Tired of Shopping? Never!

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Badonkadonk by Chesney Young

Today I made a card with my favorite Squigglefly digi image, Badonkadonk, by artist Chesney Young. I made a Z-fold card, covered it with lipstick smooches and colored my image with my trusty Copics. I added a diecut purse with a heart-shaped brad.
She's shopping you know, and enjoying the heck out of it. She has a great attitude when it comes to a full day of shopping, which just happens to be the inside sentiment (oh, how she inspires me).
It reads: "When I get tired of shopping, I just sit down and try on some shoes." My kind of woman...

Hot for Chocolate

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Secret Admirer

Hi, crafters! I have another project using Queen Kat Design's "Secret Admirer" by Danika Lindsell. This time I decided to make a tag card with this cute, love-sick dragon.
Since the patterned paper was a sea of dots, I cut out my colored image in a circle, framed it with dark red cardstock, and added a few embellies, namely a flower, a feather and some jute lace.
I glammed up the box of chocolates a bit with a few punched and Stickled hearts.
Check out the new January releases at the Shoppe, and tell them Pat sent you!

Introducing Bailey

2012-01-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

Hambo Stamps is introducing a whole new line of digi images called the Bailey series. This cute pup is going to be so popular! Check out the challenge at the Hambo Hoedown. They ask players to use Bailey or any other Hambo digi image and make a kid's birthday card. My image is a combination of paper piecing and Copic colroing. Hambo Stamps are working together with the Send A Smile 4 Kids blog for this week's challenge.

Send A Smile 4 Kids is a charitable blog created for the purpose of collecting donated handmade cards to be distributed to children while they are in-patients at Children’s Hospitals.

So get your dancing shoes on and come play at Hambo's Challenge blog. If you don't have any Hambo images, you won't win a prize, but you can snag some FREEBIES and play with them!

Button Up Your Valentine's day!

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

The days are sure going fast. It seems like yesterday that I was franticall trying to finish off my Christmas cards and gifts. Now Valentine's Day is approaching FAST! So I wanted to offer you a fun valentine's Day card, using a Squigglefly January new release and playing in this week's Challenge. The challenge asks for BUTTONS, or to show somehow on your card how you are BUTTONING UP FOR THE COLD WEATHER.
The Squigglefly digi image is called "Tandem Ladybugs" by artist Monica Estill. I snagged the sentiment off thequotegarden.com where I almost always find fun quotes and sentiments for my cards. While the front of the card states the "I've fallen in love many times..." the inside reveals "...but always with you!" Perfect sentiment for a card for my hubby of 35 years!!! In fact, we loved each other so much, we married each other twice. But that's a story for another day.
Anyway, the Squigglefly Challenge Blog offers new challenges every Monday, so you have plenty of time to print up your Squigglelfy digi's and enter the challenge---what, you don't any images yet?! If you want a chance to win free images, you can start by clicking for some freebies HERE.
Now go play in your craft room, and Happy Crafting!

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

I do! And it's on my new card I made for the Squigglefly Challenge this week. That's right, this week's challenge is to use buttons on your project. I made a card using one of Squigglefly's January release digi-images, called Polar Bears.
I colored the image with Copics, framed it and the sentiment with black carsdstock, and set them both off with some wild patterned paper. I love this paper, but I won't do much more with it, as I have taken a vow of poverty (as far as crafting goes). So this card was made with leftovers from my stash.
Can you see my buttons? They are tiny black ones, and I used them in the centers of the small patterns on my background paper.
The sentiment was snagged off of http://www.quotegarden.com/ and printed up from Word. I think this would make a nice get well card for a guy---what do you think?
Have you participated in a Squigglefly Challenge yet? All you need is a Squigglefly image and meet the challenge guidelines found HERE. If you don't already have your own images, check out the FREEBIES.
Happy Crafting!

What Goes Up...

2012-01-15T17:27:00.000-08:00

Got a card with a little humor to it, courtesy of Hambo Stamps. Their digi-image, Balloons, which I received FREE just for playing in their weekly challenge, was the perfect sentiment for one of my fave card designs, the easel card!
The challenge was to use the digi image and circle--all sizes and colors, just a lot of circles! here is what I came up with, using my Creative memories Circle cutting system, colored cardstock and Stickles.
So come dance at the Hambo Hoedown, where every player is a winner!

Crafter's Companion Anything Goes Challenge

2012-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know about other parts of the country, but here in the midwest, especially around Chicago, Winter finally made its entrance with pizzazz. A nice accumulation of glistening snow, enough gusts to cause traffic to crawl, and a severe drop in temps has this crafty girl hiding out in her cozy, warm craft room.
Which is just as well, as I had enough time to create a project with my Crafter's Companion stamps. I used a stamp set from the "A Little Bit Sketchy Collection" called Faith by Sheena Douglas. This is one of my favorite sets, and I've used it for so many different projects.

Today I recycled a Dollar Store frame, taking out the glass and adhering some thin cork board material onto the accompanying corrugated cardboard. Next I covered the cork with patterned paper from DCWV Luxury Stack and cardstock, laying a piece of jute lace across to blend the two papers together.
I stamped the background of my cardstock with snowflake and star clusters stamps, using some Dazzle Versamark ink. A little dab of Ice Blue Stickles was added for some shine.
Next I stamped the bird on a branch and colored her with my Copics. I almost made her into a cardinal so I could use my new Spectrum Noir markers (I have the Pinks and Reds so far) but the blue jay was singing to me.
I fussy cut her out and attached her just above the jute border, again using Stickles to let her sparkle. I finished off my scene by stamping ontpo the carstock in the upper left corner with a coordinating stamp from the same set, coloring it with Copics as well. The sentiment was stamped on matching cardstock and diecut with my Epic Six and the Labels Four Nestabilities die.
The most time-consuming part of my new message board was putting the jewels and doodads onto the frame! I used up a whole bottle of Stickles, all my lovely teal-colored Skittles, the last of my snowflake punchies, my daimond dazzle super fine glitter from Stampin Up, and various sequins and jewels. But you can barely tell that the frame was black, and I think the sparkle is uplifting!
I'm entering it in Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog for their January challenge of Anything Goes. That's not all! Starting on Monday they will be giving away a stamp a week to one lucky person who comments on their blog. So hop on over and check out the inspiration offered there!

Valentine Candy by a Secret Admirer

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Do you realize Valentine's Day is only a month away?! I know, I know, wew just finished celebrating December's holidays, but still, only one month to start and finish all those Valentine cards, candy pulls, goody bags, and other expressions of love!

Secret Admirer by Danika Lindsell

Well, I just started my collection for the holiday made for sweethearts with this Ribbon Pull Candy Card. This cute QKD image by Monika Ptok Byard is called Secret Admirer, and I think it will be a big hit with my friends. I bought a package of sugarfree bubble gum packs and when each recipient pulls the ribbom up from the card, the gum comes out of its card!

I think I'll color the dragon as many colors as I have flowers & ribbon and make each one different in that little way.

So, half begun is half done (well, maybe not half, but at least I started). Secret Admirer is brand new, one of many new QKD releases this month. Get yours HERE and check out all the other new releases. And tell them Patacake sent you!!

First 2012 Squigglefly Challenge

2012-01-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

Another year of fantastic challenges from one of my fave companies, Squigglefly. The first challenge of the year is a simple Thank you card, using a Squigglefly image.

Closed Card

My card is a Z-Fold card with a slanting top. I love the versatility of this card, and it is so easy to make! Just take an 8.5x11" piece of cardstock, and instead of cutting it in half with your paper trimmer, use scissors or rip it in on a slant, so that when you make the Z-fold, the top of the card looks like it is slanting upwards. Then embellishment your inclining top with stamps, images or anything you have on hand. I took some leftover pieces of patterned paper and cut out the musical notes. That theme fits the cha-cha-ing turtle as he dances his gratitude dance!
As some of you know, I design for Squigglefly, and I have to tell you the January new releases came out on Saturday and you better break into your piggy bank! There are some awesome images.
The image I used here isn't one of the new ones, but you can still purchase this ChaCha Turtle digi image by Mark Hicks from Squigglefly HERE.

Open card

I love using digital images because of the many different ways you can use them. As you can see with the card open, I not only printed the image in two different sizes, but printed each facing opposite ways! You get the turtle facing both ways, plus the sentiment ChaChaCha.

So start you new year out by crafting a card for Squigglefly's Challenge Blog, for a chance to win this image or any of your choice! Don't have one yet? Catch a freebie HERE.

Crafters Come in all Shapes & Sizes (& Ages)

2012-01-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

Front & Back Covers

A crafter is a crafter is a crafter, no matter how old she is, nor what country she comes from, nor what skill level she has.

And to prove my point, I am showing off a Mini Album I received in a swap from a crafting partner who has not yet entered high school.

If you received this as your swap item, could you have guessed her age?

My album to her was an 8x8 shaped Multi-Media one, with the same winter theme.

When I asked her what her likes and dislikes were, she asked me to make something that would "make her heart sing".

I hope I attained my goal, and that she loves the album I made her.

Because her album pictured here is making my own heart sing. It's a song of joy and comfort and love of all things handmade.

I absolutely LOVE my new album, and will always cherish it. Thank you, Chevy Girl. You have an artist's eye, and a crafter's heart, and I'm so glad to have been partnered with you! If you ever need a recommendation to anywhere in the crafting world, just name it!

You can check out more of her work on her YouTube channel: chevygirl4001

Happy crafting, everyone!

Hiding Out

2012-01-07T05:30:00.000-08:00

Friday:
Here we are in Port Washington, Wisconsin, just the two of us girls, off on an adventure of...doing nothing! That's right, no bowling, no theater, no wine tasting, just walking around, sitting in the jacuzzi, talking over dinner...that about sums it up!

And you know what? It's enough! We checked in around 2 pm, after grabbing a sandwich at the edge of town. We decided to take walk along the lake, on the rocks, and had a blast! Some time sitting in the sun (in 45 degree temps), watching the water lap at the rocks...

Wendy even got to check off something from her bucket list. She'd never gone fishing before, and a fisherman lent her a pole (at least for the photo)!

Back at the hotel, we changed into our suits and swam in the pool, then relaxed in the hot tub. We had it all to ourselves! She even sat in the sauna for a few minutes while I stayed in the jacuzzi.

We indulged in french dip sandwiches and cheesy fries, then headed upstairs for a "spa" night. We were sooo tired, though, that we didn't stay up all night talking, just drifted comfortably off to sleep.

This morning,as I sit typing to you, she is just starting to stir in bed, a prelude to waking up. I have seen the sun rise over Lake Michigan---wow, and I thought sunsets were gorgeous! Then I went down to the fitness room and biked for 30 minutes (yay, me!)

I don't know whether I should take my shower now, or if Wendy will want to go back to the pool and hot tub, so I thought I'd dash off a few lines about our little getaway now. Driving home later this am, with a pit stop at Cracker Barrel to finish off the adventure.

What could be better than this? Let me tell you! Next Saturday, I am going to an all day crop, and I'll get to scrapbook the photos I took!! Talk about great timing! Mwahaha, January is starting out very well, if you ask me!

Elf Bride

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

QKD Elf Bride by Monika Ptok Byard

Ah, 2012. A new year, a fresh start, an opportunity to open the floodgates of inspiration, explore new techniques, and challenge my creativity.
And what better project to start with than a new release stamp from Queen Kat Designs? I made this card using a stamp called Elf Bride by Danika Lindsell. I love the detail in this stamp. She looks haunting as a bride, and I had fun coloring her.
Since crafters tend to look forward to the next holiday on the calendar, I have hearts and love on my mind, so this image I framed with a paper doily heart. Lace, stitching, pearls and a flourish finish off the card, and I hope you like it!
There are quite a few new releases this month, including Danika's Elf Bride. Check them all out HERE. And don't forget to check out the QKD BLOG and Facebook page for more inspiration

2012: My Word is OPEN

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you had to choose one word that would be your focus for the whole year, what would it be?

Me? I have named my years for the last, I don’t know, ten years. Like "2011 is the year of Organization", etc. This year I decided to pick one word that would be my focus for the year 2012. It's the word that I will live with everyday, using it to better myself, my environment and my perspective. It will empower me and guide me. It will change me, for the better, I hope.

My word is OPEN.

2012 is the year I will OPEN my mind to new ideas;

I will OPEN my heart to others;

I will OPEN my soul to my faith;

I will OPEN my creativity to my muse;

I will OPEN my door to new opportunities...

...well, you get the picture.

So today (on a small scale) I will open my blog to another New Year’s card. You’ve heard the expression, “It’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings”? Well, I took poetic license and am proclaiming Christmas to be officially over, because the fat man in red has the mike and looks like he is breaking out in song.

This image needs to be identified, as it is too cute to not know who designed it. So if anyone out there knows the company which makes it, please let me know. I inked him up at a crop a year or two ago but never found out which stamp it was and the crafter no longer comes to the crops. So I am OPEN to getting this image ID'd please!

Now I need to clear off my craft table and open my mind to the possibility, no the probability, no the fact, that I go back to work tomorrow. Sigh! And just when I was having so much fun stamping and coloring and making cards...

2012: Second Day, Second Card

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

What a nice way to start the new year---with time off to clean house, put away decorations, clean out drawers and closets (and the fridge), AND get some time in my craft room!
Although winter officially started around the 21st of December, it seems to have stalled somewhere north of Chicago...until today! Finally, the temps have dropped enough for a light snow shower to intermittently color our world, even if it never really reaches the ground and stays.

So, in celebration of the expected cold and blustery day ahead of me, I made a Winter card, one of the January cards I send out to friends who didn't receive Christmas cards from me. While organizing my meager stash of stamped images, I came across this Tilda, which I had received, oh, so long ago.
What with so many new stamp and digi releases, I have woefully neglected the stamps and images already on hand. It seems months since I colored a Tilda from Magnolia Stamps. So I sorted through my patterned paper stash for paper that would reflect my chilly environment while giving the feeling of crystal white snow floating through the air. I also used my newest Spellbinders Nestabilities die, and my Epic Six.
Next on my crafting to-do list is to plan and package some layout kits for an all day crop this month. I need to crop Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is always fun to do. Then there's my son's Army Boot Camp and M.P. School graduation and his homecoming. That will be a big one.
In fact, my crafting goals this month are to scrapbook some holidays and events, but also to organize, sort and label some very old paper photos that are stashed on shelves near my craft room ceiling. I have neglected them, too, and need to get back to family historian, as remembered by Pat!
So look not only for cards on my blog this month, but some scrapbook pages!
And now, my personal challenge to my followers. What have you neglected lately in your crafting? Is it stamps, layouts, a tool, a kit, journaling?? Whatever it is, give yourself some time to return to "the scene of your crime" and use what you have. And as always, happy crafting!

Happy Newt Year!!!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

You read it right, it's not a typo, I said "Happy NEWT Year". The inspiration (and image and sentiments) come from Hambo Stamps, and the first Hoedown challenge of the new year is to make a New Year's card using Reptile digi image (or any Hambo image) with sentiment and something NEW.
I got a goody bag of some really awesome stickers for Christmas from my son along with some other goodies, and the glass of champagne is a perfect fit with my newt's celebratory attitude. I made a side stair step card, in that half the card is flat and the other half is like a set of stairs. I attached some leftover patterned papers from My Mind's Eye Christmas Stack to a textured cardstock base after scoring and cutting the design. Next I colored my Hambo image and shined him up with a little Stickles. I used two of the three sentiments that comes with the image. Finally, I added the NEW STICKERS; one of a champagne glass, and the other in the back of presents stacked high.
Now it's time for a toast:
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
~Oprah Winfrey

And don't forget to check out the Hambo Challenge Blog for your chance to win a digi image. Every player who follows the guidelines gets a free digi for the next challenge. I like free, don't you?!! Go on now and dance!

Even Nice Girls Have a Little Naughty in Them

2011-12-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are over and the presents I received put in their places, I have a little time to play with the crafting toys that have found a home in my room. I received a wax sealing kit, which I am still deciding if I should keep or not. What can I do with it, looking with an eye toward my card making?

Meanwhile, I made this card today for those friends to whom I send New Year cards. With December being so busy, I don't send a lot of Christmas cards, but I do send new year cards to them in January. I used the Queen Kat Designs stamp called "Bodice". Would you believe that I won this as a blog prize and it was one of my very first stamps from QKD? And I couldn't imagine how I was going to use it! Now I find myself using it time and again.
Here, I have a little after-Christmas theme going on. I can't remember where I heard the sentiment, but I knew it was the perfect sentiment to go with my Christmas present corset. Inside, the card reads. "And what did you get for Christmas?"
So, whether you have been nice or naughty, what did you get for the holidays?? If you are still looking for some good rubber, QKD has an end of year sale on stamps that ends, well, today!! No coupon needed, go get yours HERE before the sale expires!!

Another Year bites the Dust...

2011-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Wanda by Suzanne Urban

...and to celebrate the coming new year, I present to you Wanda, whose love of wine leads her to believe that pigs can, indeed, fly! The Squigglefly digi image is from Suzanne Urban, and is one of my favorites. I got the idea to use her when I received a Holiday card with coupon from Vera Bradley. You know, once you go Vera, it's very hard to go back to any old purse!
Anyway, the card they sent me had a beautiful pattern (as all Vera Bradley bags do) and I couldn't just throw it away now, could I? So the pattern led me to New Year's wishes, and the theme led me to the image, and the rest is blogging history (at least in my little nanobyte on the net).
I wanted to go with minimal embellishments, so I added a gorgeous handmade flower, thanks to my crafting friend Shannon, and some faux pearls. I colored the image with a combination of Copics and my new Spectrum Noir alcohol markers (I got a set of Reds and of Pinks for Christmas). I added some shine with Stickles and Liquid Glass.
Squigglefly starts up a new round of challenges in January, and I have been blessed to have been "kept on" as a design team member. Those designing with me are posted on the right, all talented crafters! So stock up on your Squigglefly digi images (don't have any? Freebies HERE) and get ready to challenge yourself for fun and prizes.

TIME for a New Year...

2011-12-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

...and with a New Year comes new releases, new inspiration, new techniques to try, new cards to make--the list is endless! Time to make your resolutions for a new crafting year. Personally, I would like to make more time for myself, to craft, to create, to explore, to discover, to share.

Meanwhile, I do have a little time to get crafty with a new release from QKD. It's a stamp from Jeanie Dickinson called Time Piece.
I thought it worked perfectly for my New Year's card. Every year we get together for dinner and the evening with friends of ours--actually, I met my girlfriend in college, and our families have lived close by since. We've shared a lot of play dates with their son and my daughter. Anyway, we usually start the evening off with a special dinner. one year it was crab legs and lobster. Another it was a turkey and a ham. Another year we enjoyed finger foods and sweets all night long.
Back to my card, I used a leftover piece of patterned paper from My Mind's Eye Christmas Stack and used the stamp a couple times on the paper, as well as on white cardstock, which I then inked up, distressed and Stickled. Some flowers and sequins embellish one clock, while a flourish hides behind another. I used my jute lace on the bottom of the card, and let the little New Year's mouse scamper across it, on his way to climbing up the clock.
Simple, yet timely, don't you think? And here's my resolution:
A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest (from thequotegarden.com)

Going Crazy, would like some company

2011-12-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

This is the first Christmas that the stress is really getting to me. Between family drama all because of a restraining order, working until today, free time shared with 4 year old granddaughter, feeling the loss of familiy members who have gone before me, presents unwrapped and only half the decorations up, and guests for Christmas dinner, I am trying to relax with Christmas music but the owrds are not making much sense (or making the wrong sense). Has anyone heard of these songs, or is my mind rewiring the words?
Do You Hear What I Hear?
We Three Kings Disoriented Are
I Think I'll be Home for Christmas
Deck the Halls and Walls and House... and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and... Trees and.....
Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me
Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire
You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why
Silent night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,...

Just kidding, got these disturbed titles off FB.
Here's hoping everyone has a relaxing holiday, filled with love and laughter, fun and family.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!

Robin in Ivy

2011-12-23T04:30:00.001-08:00

Chicago weather is confusing enough for us humans, but when it confuses the animals, you know it's bad. We have geese flying north in November and south in February, squirrels looking for handouts at your front door when they should be snuggled somewhere in our bare trees, and skunks that go traipsing about our back yard when they should be sound asleep.

So this little robin decided to brave the Windy City winter, and is seen resting amongst the ivy. To celebrate the 23rd day of my 24 Days of Crafting Christmas The new QKD stamp set from Joanna Bromley is aptly called Robin in Ivy, and I love coloring this little guy over and over. Today I set him against a blue sky twinkling with snowflakes, and gave him more color than is normally seen in the winter. That's because I remember a poem/song from my childhood called "little Robin Red-breast" and wanted him to match the song lyrics.

To celebrate the 23rd day of my 24 Days of Crafting Christmas, I made this card to give to my mom Christmas morning. She's the only one who keeps my love of crafting in mind when buying Christmas presents! I gave her my wish list from QKD's shoppe.
I plan to ring out the old year by bringing new stamps into my craft room, and keep on crafting! Ho-ho-ho!

Faux Bottle Cap Christmas Tree

2011-12-22T08:02:00.001-08:00

I was at work this morning when a couple of Youth Group girls from the church I work at asked me for some craft ideas for a Christmas Party they were hosting at a Home for Seniors with Disabilities. They had already planned the carols they were singing and an activity, but needed a craft or two that a nine or ten year old could handle (mental age of most of the residents). Did I mention our youth group has garnered awards for their social justice and service programs?

Besides the Candy Cane Reindeer craft, I came up with ornaments made with these wonderful free digi's I got online. They are circles with images and greetings inside, and two of them were Christmas themed. I printed enough of them for each resident to color and glue onto paper doilies on which the girls had already attached ribbon hangers. But when I was playing with the right size, I printed up a bunch of circles that were too small for their needs.

So being the miser that I am (although I prefer the terms "frugal" and "upcycler"), I thought what a great size to pop into bottle caps and make a Christmas tree. Problem was, I hadn't been saving any bottle caps! Then I thought, I don't necessarily need the bottle caps, let's see what they look like by themselves.

Hmm, pretty plain, if you ask me. So I used some metallic glitter glue around each of the circle images and by golly, they look like bottle caps! I dimensionally popped them onto my green cardstock tree frame, gave my tree a leg (or limb) to stand on and adhered it to this awesome patterned paper from Me & My Big Ideas paper stack. I added some jute lace ribbon, which was recycled from packaging on a gift I received (thank you, Liz, for the chocolates and the ribbon). Of course, every tree needs a star, but my brown rose with glittered leaves looks perfect perched on top.

Here's a close up of the two images I used. I just wish I knew the designer so I could give credit where credit is due! If you happen to know the artist who made or offered these, please speak up. If I come across her work, I'll come back and ID the images.

Meanwhile, take a cocoa break and breathe deeply. relax your shoulders, stretch your neck, and be in the moment, right now, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas.

Merry Crafting!

Day 19 - Christmas Tree Ornament

2011-12-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

With my Christmas cards all postal, my creativity turns to tags and packages and ornaments for the tree. I made an ornament lsat month using Crafter's Companion Christmas Tree stamp set and, believe it or not, empty toilet paper rolls.

This time I had an extra colored image left over from a wreath I had made using the Cute Companions stamp set called Christmas Magic. So I made an ornament for my tree. I decided to try my hand at one of those handmade flowers, the ones you make out of patterned paper and a gazillion folds! Well, my Ultimate Crafter's Companion Tool made short work of scoring my paper (3"x6") at half inch intervals. I did this to two pieces of leftover Christmas paper. Then I adhered the fans into two semi-circles, and then adhered them together, holding them in place with binder clips until the glue dried.

Next I inked the edges of my "fan flower" and adhered it to a paper doily. Then I had to add some shine, so I Stickled the edges of both my flower and the doily. Last two steps were to pop on the image, which had already been Copic-colored, Stickled and framed, and to attached some gold cord from which to hang my ornament. (I also added a white ribbon with pearl embellishments to hide where the cord was tied to the ornament)

And now you see it proudly displayed on myChristmas tree! I can't wait for hubby and the kids to "discover" the new ornament! BTW, have you been over to the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog? This month their challenge is to "make it shine", whether it be cards, layouts or altered art. Just use a CC image and give it some glow and play for a chance to win an awesome prize!

Never Cut Corners!

2011-12-18T12:44:00.000-08:00

At least when it comes to this week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge! They want us to glam up our corners on our cards, with punches, dies, bling, whatever tickles your fancy!
Please excuse the quality of my photo. After filming my franddaughter at a Christmas Show they did for an Assisted Living Home, I went to take a pic of my card and found the battery dead. So I had to use my camera!
Anyway, I made my corners special by using a fantastic corner punch i inherited when i lost contact with an old cropping buddy. It makes the coolest flash lightning corners!
I colored my newest digi-image from Hambo Stamps, "Santa Monster". It comes with two sentiments. I used one on the inside of my card that reads "Season's Greetings, Earthling". I added a colored and shaped paper clip, and a border of bling, as well as a metal brad to finish off my card.
Hambo Challenge Blog offers a free digi to any challenge player, and they have the cutest images. Go play in their games!

Day 18 of Crafting Christmas - More Cards

2011-12-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

Although this month leaves me no time to scrap my photos, I can always catch a few moments to create a cards, and lord knows I have enough friends and family to whom I can send them! So I printed up one of my newest additions to my growing collection of Squigglefly digi images. This one is called "Unconventional Christmas Tree" by Mark Hicks. The elves and Santa are a really great group that shows what teamwork is all about! And the elves must work out; how else can they build a pyramid with Santa on top?!

Anyway, I printed up two images, and colored each differently. Then I made cards out of each, and will put them on my Christmas presents to my sisters this year, as I drew their names for this year's gift exchange.

The first card is an easel card, and I used Copics to put a lot of fun colors for my elf tree, with Santa shining bright as a star on the top.
The double-sided patterned paper is from the falalalala collection from Echo Park, and really says it all. I tossed on a few tiny heart jewels for the elves to hold for a little shimmer. The elves show no strain at hoding up the big guy, do they? That's job satisfaction!

I used the nontraditional colors of bright green and purple papers on my second card, while coloring Santa and the elves in Christmasy greens and red.
Every single item used to make this card was from my leftover stash of paper pieces, jewels, sentiments, etc.
A few jewels are added for simple embellishments, as well as the sticker sentiment.

I had so much fun with these cards, that I printed up more digis from Squigglefly and made a couple more cards.

Here is an image from a set of digis called Polar Pack by . It's a new release that you can get later this month at Squigglelfy. I decided to print multiples of the one image, although you get like eight different ones. I enjoyed coloring each Santa cap a different color with my Copics.
I bought the felt holly border at Michaels on clearance last year, and added some adhesive-backed parls to glitz it up.

One more image to show you, another new release called "A Christmas Classic". As soon as I saw this, I thought of an oldtime piano player by the name of Liberace, but I didn't have enough gold to glitz my card like he used to glitz his piano!

Somehow I think that this classic piano piece is more to the tune of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer rather than anything Handel composed, wouldn't you agree?

Anyway, some ink by Copic, glitz by Stickles and a couple bows bows finish off the last of my Christmas cards. Are you finished with your cards yet? If not, I hope mine inspire you to get in your crafting mode and create something marvelous and merry!!

Day 17 - A Card for my Son

2011-12-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

In the midst of all the Christmas shopping and planning and activities, etc., it's very easy to overlook my son's birthday. Especially this year, as I seem to be working more hours, falling behind by the minute, concentrating on his daughter's Christmas celebration with us, and not least, my son's Army reserves Drill this weekend.

So I find myself a card short, and had to clear off a spot on my craft table to make him a card. I used a Squigglefly digi image that has a heavy Christmas theme to it, but it doesn't necessarily have to be for Christmas. The image is called Bauble Box by Diane Carubia.
I colored it with my trusty Copics, cut out the image with my Creative memories circle sutting system, framed it with a metallic colored cardstock, and adhered it to some patterned paper from Echo Park. The paper is double-sided, so I used the other side and cut out a bar of musical notes for an easy embellished border.
I stamped my sentiment in black ink along the musical notes. Finally, I added some shimmer with Stickles on the snowflakes, and a little CTMH Liquid Glass on the image.
I know my son will like his card, but I know he will LOVE his birthday present. He really wants a Blue Ray player, so I found a good deal and got him one. As far as the movies he wants, well, there's always Christmas a week from now!!

Christmas is Coming

2011-12-16T04:30:00.000-08:00

Day 16 of my 24 Days of Crafting Christmas, so I wanted to show you another card I made for friends and family this year. I used Queen Kat Design's rubber stamp called "Robin in Ivy" by Joanna Bromley. This little bird looks ready for the holidays--sure wish I were! I have 25 people coming to my house for dinner (27 if the queen and her gram come), but the walls of my house stretch for family and friends. I need to finish off a few more projects before I can breathe, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! It helps that I love what I do, so it doesn't feel like work. I just need some time in an alternate universe, so I can craft to my heart's content, finish my projects, catch a few zzz's, and return refreshed and at the very moment that I left (alternate time works that way---cool, huh?!).
Back to reality (as I know it): I love this little robin so much, he is on quite a few of my cards this year. I framed him with diecut ever-greenery, forming a wreath around him. The diecut trees below are topped off with a little snow, and flakes are falling from the sky all around him. Don't you love that Christmas song sheet patterned paper from My Mind's Eye? I wish I had a few more stacks!!
Keep on crafting, all. If you're in need of any last minute gifts for your crafty friends, you can find some beautiful stamps over at QKD. Remember, there are only 8 more crafting days until Christmas, so lock yourself in your craft room and crank up the Chipmunks Christmas album (it's sure to keep the rest of the family out so you can work).

Day 14 of Crafting Christmas - Set a Pretty Table

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's about time to finish up those last minute gifts and start working on the house and table decorations. And guess what?! I found more uses for those pesky yet useful toilet paper rolls!

The first project is favors for each guest, and so I made Holiday Crackers. I just found a tutorial for these great holiday crackers here: http://whiffofjoy.blogspot.com/2011/12/advent-calendar-day-12.html
In addition to making table favors, you can make coordinating napkin rings as well!

The crackers require two rolls. Cut one in half and lay the pieces along the edge of wrapping paper, leaving about an inch between the longer roll and the two shorter rolls ( short long short). Using double-sided tape, roll the paper rolls in wrapping paper, seal with more tape, then twist and tie the shorter ends (I used twine). Whoops, don't forget to stuff your little treats inside before sealing (like I did the first one)!Tuck in the edges of the wrapping paper and decorate as you please. I used a colored and Stickled image from Melissa (thank you!).

For the napkin ring, I cut a toilet paper roll in half and rolled it in the same Christmas wrapping paper and embellished it with a diecut snowflake and a jewel. Done and done!

These place settings will make a lovely presentation on Chrtistmas Day when my family comes over, don't you think?

Crafting Christmas Day 13 - Putting on the Glitz

2011-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have been dying to break out my Crafter's Companion stamps and make something SHINY! That's what the CC Challenge Blog is asking for this month: a card or project that uses a Crafter's Companion Stamp and Make it Sparkle.
I had an idea to make a Christmas wreath using some CDs from my stash, but circles and I have never been too friendly. Then I saw someone use plastic lids of assorted sizes and made a wreath out of them. Well, darn if I couldn't find my inspiration again, so I just tried to piece a wreath together myself. I stamped, colored and cut out the four images from the Cute Companions Christmas Magic stamp set by Jayne Nestorenko and the CC inspirational team. I like the way they are designed, as you can use them to create ornaments, or to put together with another stamp from the set to make snow globes.
So once I used my Creative Memories circle cutter on the images, I was able to cut out three more sizes of circles for my wreath.
I cut out a chipboard circle base on which to adhere my circles. I started with the largest, all made from CTMH patterned papers (thanks, Melissa) and placed them on the base, using some dimensional tape on some but not all the circles. Once I had them all down, I started adding snowflakes and stars and bling.

Did I mention that my images ooze shimmery Stickles?! Here's a close-up of one of them.
Yes, you're right, I even Stickled some of the lines on the patterned paper circle!

Of course, having put a shine on the images, I couldn't leave my white snowflakes to be ignored, now, could I?

No, I thought you'd agree with me! So for the several snowflakes I added to my wreath (thank you, Linda) I added Diamond Stickles, jewels, and Skittles.

Here's a close-up of one of the many snowflakes I added to the wreath, highlighting the extra glitz I put on the whole project. I hope you like my recycled, upcycled paper wreath. i also hope you have time to join in the December challenge at the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog. Their prize is da' bomb!! And as always, keep on crafting!

Day 12 - Clean and Simple

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Squigglefly is posting one of the most difficult challenges for me personally: Create a CLEAN and SIMPLE card that reflects the upcoming holiday season, whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or New Year's. Let's see what CAS means to you!

Squigglefly's Holy night digi image

Now, when I scrapbook I cannot get into the "white space" technique, so this CAS technique is driving me wild. I want to add bling, to paper piece my image, to add a few more layers onto my card! My style is anything but CAS! However, I promised myself that I would never step away from a challenge, and that I would attempt more techniques and projects that I've never done before--at least once. I mean, it took me months before I would try to make an easel card, and now they are practically my favorite card to make! So saying, here's my idea of what Clean and Simple looks like in Patacake's craft room.
After printing Holy Night digi image from Squigglefly, I decided there was so much detail that I would give it a little color by using my Glimmer Mists from Tattered Angel. I used all three of the colors I had on hand: Patina, Key Lime Pie and Pink Bubblegum. I then framed the image onto black cardstock.
The cardstock that I used for the card base needed some toning down, but how to do this in a minimalistic way? I had an errant paper doily on my desk (how she got out of the drawer I don't know) so I used it to back my framed image. Still too much green, but I did like the color, so instead of starting over again with a different card base, I used some white pigment ink on the edges to distress/lighten it up just enough to satisfy my artistic eye.
Finally, I had to add one tiny jewel above the image. Now, some may say that having more than one layer, or adding the bling at the end, defeats the CAS standard, but for me, this card is so clean and simple that I want to ADD MORE to it, so I will put it in an envie and send it to a friend right this minute (well, when I'm finished typing) to keep my hands off of the "finished" project.

Crafting Christmas -- Day Ten

2011-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

We're into the home stretch, and I have yet to make a single purchase. Yikes! However, I have made some glorious projects that will be presents for good little girls and boys in my family. We're having Christmas morning at my youngest sister's house. We nibble on cookies and drink champagne as we open our stockings from Santa. Then we move onto breakfast and presents from each other.
I have to uphold the Christmas morning tradition by making and bringing a Cheese Wreath (recipe below). Picture a family-sized donut made of biscuit dough, baked like monkey bread so that there are pieces of biscuits to tear off when finished cooking. This special donut's frosting is a good portion of creamy melted cheese, topped with sprink;les of bacon (a whole pound, to be exact). Not exactly cholesterol free (or fat free or carb free or free anything!) but yummy good!

closed card

Back to the card! I made it for my youngest sister using "Anta Claus" digi image by Hambo Stamps. When I saw this image, I knew I had to print multiples of it in various sizes, and their Challenge Blog's theme this week of making a card with more than the standard fold fit right into my plan.
I made a Z-fold card with a slanted top, although for my card I filled in the back of the card. I printed and mirror image printed my digi in three sizes. I stayed with a violet and icy light teal color scheme for the wintry look, using Copics BV00, BG10, YG09, R29, C3 and 100 (black), The bright green, red and black were for the ants' bodies, boots, mittens and hats.
The ants are Santa's secret weapons, you know. How else can he get ALL those presents into his sack in time to deliver them? We all know ants are the busiest, most organized creatures on the planet (except for my boss). So when you hear the word elves, think ants!
As I created this card, that darn @#!*# song about the ants go marching kept marching through my head, so I incorporated it into the sentiment. As you open this Z-fold card, the entire sentiment reads:
"The ants go marching two by two, the little one shouts, 'Merry Christmas to you!' and they all go marching..." HA! Now you try to get it out of your head! I tell you, it's a killer!

Open card

To finish my story, I couldn't find a lone Santa Sack image or stamp to save my life (or finish my card). So I had to freehand it (gasp). So please look with kindness in your heart (or don't look) because I am NOT a sketch artist! But it finished the card, and Santa will once again have a full sack this Christmas Eve.
So worry not, children, the "elves" are on the job.
Now it's your turn to get to work at the Hoedown and make your challenge card for this week! See you with your dancin' shoes on!

Getting Ready for Christmas with Queen Kat Designs

2011-12-09T04:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, crafters, I hope you're more on schedule than I am! I have my cards finished and ready to mail out, but I still have quite a few projects to finish before the big day (did I say that there were only 15 more crafting days until Christmas???). This is the 9th day of my 24 Days of Crafting Christmas, so here's one of the cards I'm handing out this week. It uses the QKD new stamp release by Joanna Bromley called Christmas Elf. Now that's a guy who takes his work seriously, yet looks like he's having fun with it!

I colored him with Copics and added some sparkle (what's Christmas without some sparkle?) with a little Stickles applied here and there. Some felt fusion to form a border for my card, a cardstock sentiment, and a few pieces of patterned paper finish off my festive card, along with a couple of well-placed jewels.

I wonder how many ornaments this little fellow has to polish before his next coffee break?
Check out the wonderful holiday stamps available at The Shoppe, and remember to keep on crafting!

Winter Acrylic Album Sparkles on the 8th Day of Crafting Christmas

2011-12-08T04:30:00.000-08:00

I'm creating an album for a swap I'm in and had to show off the cover. It's just a sneak peek of things to come, but I think it's so pretty I just had to share. It took me forever to come up with the cover, as it was a piece of stiff brown felt that came in an album kit. Whoever heard of a brown Christmas (wait, I live in Chicago, where it's been green white, sooty grey and brown!)? So I had to cover that awful color, but what to use?

I chanced on a bottle of acrylic paint so my brown cover became white. It got even whiter with a dash of Diamond glitter from Stampin Up. Hmm, not wintry enough, so I added a few pieces of Christmas papers with a small doily behind it--ahh, that's better! A few snowflakes added to the wintry effect.
The title was inspired by the person who will receive it. And a ribbon finished it off.
Now for my quandary---what do you do with acrylic pages??! I've looked for inspiration, but nothing matches my needs. I am really clueless as to the rest of the album, and I don't have a lot of time to finish it before it needs to be mailed. So if you have any suggestions, PLEASE leave me a comment.
And as always, keep crafting!

Like Grandmother, Like Granddaughter

2011-12-07T04:30:00.000-08:00

My granddaughter loves to craft! There's not a single day when she's over that she doesn't want to "make just one card, Grandma", or color images with Grandma's markers "cause they're better" (Copics). So a few weeks ago I gave her some images to color, and she did a great job, staying in the lines, paying attention to detail. Did I mention she was four years old?

Bella's cards

Anyway, she has a pile of little goodies to give out this Christmas morning, so I cut her colored images out, framed them, and let her make her own cards to put on her packages. She adhered them onto the card fronts, added a sticker here and a bow there, wrote the person's name on each, and signed her name inside. I only helped her wrap the gifts and attach the cards to each.

I think she did an awesome job, but then again, I am prejudiced, after all. What do you think? Wouldn't you love to get a card from my little crafter?

My only problem is that I really don't want her using my Copics. Hubby says I sound like Gollum (precious...) from the Lord of the Rings trilogy when I tell her NO. But I did get Bella her own set of markers to color with, and she's realizing that artists are very protective of their supplies. Of course she can have all the paper and stickers and alphas she wants. I have enough of that stuff to last two lifetimes!

Anyway, my whole point is that you're never too young (or too old) to start creating. And I guess to never let your Copics out of your sight or some little girl is going to use them)
So happy crafting to all, and to all a good night!

Be Naughty and Save Santa the Trip

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

I got a great digi sentiment from Squigglefly that says, "Be Naughty, Save Santa the Trip". Now I had two really fantastic Squigglefly digi images that could go with that sentiment, but I couldn't decide which one to use.
So I used them BOTH!!! I made two Christmas cards to give to some special girlfriends who have been extra good this year, so they have some "room for mischief".

The first uses one of my fave images, called "Badonkadonk" by Chesney Young. I paper pieced her dress for a little flair, and colored the rest of the image with Copics. I applied some Stickles to highlight her hair, and Liquid Glass on her lips for some holiday shine. I used leftover patterned paper for the background, and added an ornament with a bow for embellishment.

This card is a 6x6, which is one of my favorite sizes of cards to make, but as the envie costs not one but TWO postage stamps to mail, I'll be handing this one to my girlfriend personally!

Next up is a card I made using the Squigglefly digi image called "Offcicial Mistletoe Tester" again by Chesney Young. I originally wanted to make an easel card, but I printed the image too large for my card, and as I wasn't at home to resize and print again, I made do with a standard fold card.
I used the "lip-smacking good" patterned paper that came in a whole stack that I snagged from a rummage sale this summer.
She looks like she's enjoying her job, doesn't she? I fussy-cut her out to fit the card front, but you don't have to. I wanted to give it some texture with some red fun flock, but upon inspection, my stash didn't have any!! Must put that down on my Christmas List!!

Both cards offer the second part of the sentiment on the insides. This one will be mailed out today, so it can get to its destination before Christmas!

Hope you like my naughty cards. I know my bff's will! So get busy, crafters! Only 18 more crafting days before Christmas!!

Puff the Magic Dragon

2011-12-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

Closed easel card

Happy Monday, crafters! I hope you all are crafting your way toward the holidays. I have my cards in the mail, a few gifts finished and many more to wrap! This is DAY 5 of my 24 Days of Crafting Christmas and I wanted to take time to relax in my craft room with a challenge card I'm submitting to Squigglefly Challenge Blog. Their challenge this week is to create a card/project based on a song. Normally, dragons and Christmas don't go well together (fire hazard, you know) but when the said dragon is enjoying a few presents crafted especially for her, AND she's safely outside, then I think they go happily together! Besides, I grew up with the song Puff the Magic Dragon, and still love it!

Open easel card

I made an easel card using Christmas Dragon digi-image by Rachel Goble. I think a lot of Squigglefly images go very well on easel cards and they are SO easy to make. Just choose the size of your card, fold it like normal, then fold it again but just the top (front) piece, so it forms a tent on top of the back (bottom) piece. Now you can adjust your Squigglefly digi image to the size that fits perfectly on your card face. I highlighted my dragon image by fussy-cutting her out and adhering her to just the edge of the bottom half of my card face, so when I open the card and "stand it up", the dragon looks as if she's sitting on top of the fence overlooking the town. I love the way you can get two different looks from one card, either by keeping it closed or propping it open.

She certainly looks festive, doesn't she? I added different colors of Stickles to her Christmas lights for added sparkle. The patterned papers are from the Me & My Big Idea Christmas paper stack from a few years ago. This card, as well as any others I make from here on out are for personally handing to recipients, not mailing, since it's so late (postal timing, not mine).

Keep crafting and take a look at the Squigglefly Blog for inspiration this holiday season, as well as a chance to win! And don't forget that it's not too late to give the gift of digis to your special crafter. No mailing times will get in your way of super fast delivery to your email address, and the prices are perfect for any budget!

Snowball Fight Inspires Day 4 of Crafting Christmas

2011-12-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
~Bill Morgan, Jr.
What a great sentiment to put on this card, don't you think? I made this card using Hambo Stamps Snowball Fight digi-image. The challenge this week at the Hoedown is to make a card using dry embossing. This is also my fourth craft project during my 24 Days of Crafting Christmas.
I took two different colors of cardstock with the same dry embossed texture and made a winter scene. The background piece has a white core, so I was able to sand the design so that the swirls look like switrling gusts of wintry wind. The other piece matched the shading of my snow, and gave even the "playing field" some dimension.
I printed the sentiment noted above on the inside of my card, and I can send it out in my January mailing, to all the friends that i need to catch up with after the holidays! I love how the kids (I do believe they are brother and sister, they just have that look, you know?) are eyeing each other, waiting for someone to throw the first snowball.
Now it's your turn to dance in the Hoedown! you can grab a FREEBIE image to use, or iuse what you have. Have fun and keep crafting!

The 24 Days of Crafting Christmas - Day Three

2011-12-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

...on the Third day of Christmas, my crafter gave to me, three notecard sets...

Well, my words aren't the same as the standard Christmas song, but I DID manage to make another set of handmade Christmas gifts. This time I was crafting for my co-workers, and I thought they could all use a set of monogrammed notecards. It's really easy to make, as all you need are: cardstock for the card bases, patterned papers for the card face (I matched the papers to the prsonalities), alpha letters (I used Baroque Alphabet stamp set by CTMH) and some ink (I used Copics). The cards are clean and simple (CAS), and look great. However, I realized that the packaging was just as important as the gifts, so I had to come up with some creative containers. I made an extra monogram for each set, so I could then place each on the package, which leads to minimal embellishing (phew!)
I made a set of ten cards for each person, and a Christmas card to go with each checks them off of my crafting to-do list for the season! Besides a few more paper crafts, I have some machine sewing to do, and I haven't brought out the Singer for almost a year, so cross your fingers that my next project will go smoothly!!

Twenty-three More Crafting Days Until Christmas

2011-12-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Have you got your cards finished and out the door? Are your presents made and wrapped and under the tree yet? If you're like me, the answer will be, "What?! Are you nuts?!"

This is the second day of my 24 Days of Crafting Christmas, and I just wanted to show you a present I made for my bff. She is the Queen of List Making, and I thought I'd gift her with more than just a card this year. I altered a notebook so she can jot down all her New Year's Resolutions in it now, and laugh over the lists next New Year's Eve!
I used Queen Kat Design's Christmas Elf by Joanna Bromley, who looks so happy at what she's doing that she inspired me to use the sentiment "Love What You Do; Do What You Love". It's a shortened version of "Love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life", but I didn't have enough room for that! LOL
I couldn't stop coloring my image, and then I couldn't choose which one to use on the cover, so I decided to go with them all! Some Stickles added shine to the ornaments and the starry backgrounds, and some skittles glitzed up the patterned paper I used to cover the notebook. I adhered a wide ribbon down the spine and cut the end in four, then braided it and attached some beads.
I already made her card, so I'm finished with one person, except for wrapping it! Only umpteen more to craft! I'm going to be busy this month, but I'm sure I'm not alone!
Hmmm, do you think Santa could use another crafter??? Free hot cocoa, lots of Christmas songs, a long layoff, and all the crafting time in the world! I'm in!!! LOL

Twenty-four Days of Crafting Christmas

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here we go, we're into the short stretch. Only 24 more crafting days before Christmas, and I'm going to start with showing how I altered a couple of Black Friday deals into gifts for my friends.

I got to Menard's in time to snag a few Jar Candles--they had Vanilla, Cinnamon Vanilla Spice and Pumpkin Spice. The jars were nice and large, and the scents not too bad (remember, a gal with allergies thinks a lot of things stink).
So I covered the jars with patterned paper, adhered a nice diecut sticker or colored image, nicely framed, then added ribbon, lace and flowers to give a Christmas look. A piece of coordinating patterned paper cut to fit the circular cover and a holiday sentiment, and I have two handmade gifts ready with cards for my Santa act!

Brrr!

2011-11-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

Winter weather is coming, at least in some parts of North America. Squigglefly Challenge Blog wants to see a card with a winter scene. Snow,Ice, Winter sporting events, show us something
that makes them shiver!

I chose to use "Family Snow Day" digi image by Cheryl Alger to highlight the weather we expect this winter in Chicago. Last year we had a blizzard, and this year super cold temps and above average snows are expected---BRRR!

Of course, if you're a snowman, you can take your family out on a walk, do some holiday shopping or go ice skating, and the wind chill wouldn't bother you.

As for me, if the temps get too low, I think I will let my fingers do the shopping online! Like some nice digi images for a few close crafting friends from Squigglefly!

Bundle up out there, check out the challenge this week, and keep crafting!

Angels We Have Seen on High

2011-11-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

Here's another project using a Crafter's Companion Stamp Set. Check out the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog today as they are featuring my project as their guest designer for November. Their challenge this minth is to make a project that celebrates a holiday, any holiday!

I am just now realizing that there isn’t a lot of time left before Christmas, thinking in crafting terms! So today I made an ornament using an image from the Flower Fairies collection of stamp sets called Christmas Tree. I love how the fairy is looking down on all the Christmas love gathered together under one roof. I have the whole family over for Christmas dinner every year, gathering around a table laden with holiday goodies. I plan on making a couple of these ornaments to hang from the suspended ceiling tiles, all around the room.

I made the ornament from…

wait for it…

toilet paper rolls!

I saw a tutorial HERE and couldn’t wait to try it with my Christmas Fairy. First I folded four rolls in half, and then I stapled them to form a circle, and added a little white paint, inside and out. After applying a second coat, and while the paint was still wet, I sprinkled Stampin Up’s Dazzling Diamonds glitter onto the ornament (you can’t see the glittery effect in the photo, but it presents well in person).

Meanwhile, I colored my fairy with Copics, adding a little Stickles and Liquid Glass for some added shine. By then the ornament was dry and I could add jewels to each rounded end, as well as a couple diecut snowflakes. I added my CC image to the front, and tied a piece of lace to the top from which to hang my ornament.

I had fun being November’s Guest Designer at Crafter’s Companion, and want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to show off my creativity on their blog. Don’t forget Crafter’s Companion when it comes to your Christmas wish list!

Serenade on the High Seas

2011-11-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

Here's another card featuring the QKD release "Owl and the Pussycat" by Shona MacDonald. This time I have the romantic couple sailing out to sea at night. I colored the image with my Copics, and used Stickles and Liquid Glass to give the water and a few other details a little glitz. I framed it on a piece of cardstock and placed it on my card with dimensional dots, after covering the bottom half of the card with some teal webbing.
The sentiment was stamped from another QKD set called Witch Sisters from Marlon T, and cut it out to give it the look of a moon with some ink distressing and Stickles.
Finally, I added some tiny seashells to the webbing, and my card is complete.
All the patterned paper and cardstock was taken from my leftover stash, which I have vowed to use up by end of year. I don't know if I can keep that promise, as I still have a full file drawer full of pieces to use! But I'm working at it. It's step number 6 in the Paperholics 12 Step program. Yes, my name is Pat and I am a paperholic!!
Meanwhile, check out the new releases QKD has released during its fifth birthday celebration, and make out your Christmas Wish List before its too late!!

Soft-ware Challenge at the Hoedown

2011-11-23T08:47:00.001-08:00

Hambo Challenge blog is asking players to put something soft on their cards, while using Computer digi-image (or any Hambo image) with which to create.
I made a card to send to a very special friend in Portland. He'll be coming home for Christmas and I hope he calls to get together with "our gang", although I know how busy the holidays can be, especially when you're visiting from out of state--family comes first!
My hard-ware is obvious, as that's the only part of the computer you can kick when it gives you trouble (kidding), and I popped a ribbon bow on my card for the soft-ware part of it. Otherwise,. it's a nice clean simple card. And the sentiment is very approprioate, as he is pastor at the Downtown Chapel there, and a computer nut to boot.
Enjoy the challenge at the Hoedown, and if you need to start your collection of Hambo images, you can get a FREEBIE to create with!

Self Portrait

2011-11-21T04:30:00.000-08:00

At least that's what hubby said when he saw this card I made using Squigglefly's Computer Trouble digi image. His exact words were, "That looks just like you when you're not happy with your laptop!" To my dismay, I secretly think he's right...sigh.

I created this card for the new challenge at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog. They ask that you use a Squigglelfy image (click for FREEBIE) and the following sketch.

I colored my image with Copics, then cut her out and popped her onto patterned paper with dimensional dots. I framed the scene onto coordinating cardstock and center it onto my card face, using the sketch provided (after heavily inking the edges of, well, everything!). All my papers were from my big file drawer o' paper stash. I don't have much time left to use it all up, but I'm trying, believe me!

I got the quote from thequotegarden.com where I find lots of great words to go with my digi's. I thought this one fit the bill, because admit it, you have all experienced the unexpected drop in speed when you need something fast. So best not let your computer know what you want, eh?!

Drop by Squigglefly so you can play in their challenge and have a chance to win a great prize. And keep on crafting!

Wee Henry, Hunter Extraordinaire

2011-11-20T10:08:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite holidays is fast approaching. Aside from the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day, I love the air of gratitude people have at this time. Before the rush of Christmas shopping really kicks in, people pause to reflect on what they already have. I try to start every day and end each one with thanks, all year round, but especially on Thanksgiving. So each year I call a select few people to thank them for being a part of my life.
This year I am thankful to Hambo Stamps. They and a few other companies got me back into making cards, which I almost abandoned in my zest for scrapbooking. Now I scrapbook when I have a large chunk of time, and I make cards when I have short moments to craft (which is far, far more often).
One of the best ways I got back into card making was to join in challenges, and the newest challenge at the Hambo Hoedown is to use Wee Henry Turkey digi image (or any other Hambo image) and make a card, incorporating a TAG on your project!
For my card, I made my own tag out of patterned paper and cardstock, adding a ribbon to the end. I colored my image with Copics and adhered it to the tag, after framing it with a diecut scallop oval. I premade journal box (thanks, Shannon) helps to frame out my sentiment, and the rest is embellishments.
Wee Henry looks like a pacifist hunter, so the sentiment inside might surpirse the recipient of the card. While the outside says "Happy Turkey Day", the inside says "I like mine with plenty of gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce!"

Birthday Blowout

2011-11-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

I hope you didn't miss the birthday celebration on Facebook this month!! So many new releases, so many giveaways, challenges, and laughs!! I won some free stamps, but with all the new releases, I am going to have to put a second mortgage on the house to pay for my Christmas Wish list!

And now, It's finally here! After all the games, prizes, giveaways, new releases--this weekend is the BIG DAY!! Queen Kat Designs celebrates FIVE YEARS!
And here's another birthday card using Lisa Cree's Eat Cake Stamp Set to show how much fun we're having at the palace! Don't miss the grand conclusion to the 19 day celebration! Get your stamps while they're still in stock and on sale!

Remember, only 36 more crafting days until Christmas!!

Happy Birthday!

2011-11-16T08:10:00.001-08:00

Squigglefly Challenge Blog has a birthday theme this month, and you can also personally wish our own Marlene a happy birthday with your project! Just use a Squigglefly image and make a birthday card. All players have a chance to win!!

I wanted to incorporate the season with the celebration, so I used Squigglefly's Angel With Candle by artist Inger Harding. I chose pale colors from my Copic collection with which to color the image, and framed her against a brighter blue patterned paper from CTMH. I used my oval cutter from Fiskars to cut out the frame for the image and the sentiment.
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARLENE! Enjoy your birthday month! And to all you crafters out there, come join the Squigglelfy fun. If you have yet to use a Squigglefly digi image, click HERE for a freebie to use in this challenge!

You've Been Framed

2011-11-14T19:50:00.001-08:00

Well, your Hambo image has been framed! That's the challenge this week at the Hambo Hoedown. Using Camera Guy (or one of their digi-images) and one of the sentiments, create a project that has a frame somewhere on your creation. I used my Creative Memories Circle Cutter to frame my image, Camera Guy digi. The first part of the sentiment reads "I need you to focus..." Inside, my card shows the other half of the sentiment "on having a great day!"
I colored my image with Copics, set it against a solid colored piece of cardstock, and framed it in black. Since I plan to send this out this month to a friend in need of a great day, I wanted to keep with a November, colored leaves theme of card.
Don't forget to stop by the Hambo Challenge Blog for some inspiration and a fun challenge!

Seize the Day (and the Cupcakes)

2011-11-11T04:30:00.000-08:00

because QKD is celebrating its 5th birthday!! Look at those cupcakes...mmm, piled high with ooey, gooey frosting, dripping down the sides, and a plump cherry on top! This scrumptious cupcake image is from the Eat Cake stamp set by Lisa Cree, and the sentiment I snagged from The Quote Garden and printed out. That glorious flower was handmade by my crafting friend Shannon.
Sigh, I really love cupcakes, especially chocolate ones, but I can no longer have them. Sugar and my body don't mix, so I can look, I can stamp, I can color, I can Stickle them, but nary a bite shall pass these lips, because I want to live!
Speaking about living, we are really living it up at the Queen's 5th Birthday Party! Lots of games and fun have been enjoyed by party-goers, sales have been taken advantage of at the Shoppe, and prizes have already been given away (I won a free stamp already)!
The designers have been super busy with new stamps to die for (oh, dear, my shopping lists has grown to enormous proportions). But there's still time to join in the fun, as Her Majesty celebrates her birthday on November 19th with this 19 day celebration.
So what are you waiting for?! Go pay your respects to the birthday girl and par-tay!!

Fall Fairy is Almost Ready to Give Way to Winter

2011-11-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

The last two days have been cold and blustery in Chicago, with leaves swirling through the air and bare branches waving as if the Blackhawks just won the Stanley Cup again. This Fall Fairy by new artist Rachel Goble is a new release this month from Squigglefly. I chose all the warm colors of Autumn for my card, but there's one thing you don't see--patterned paper! This week's Challenge at Squigglefly is to make a card using NO patterned papers...yet look how colorful my card is, just by piecing together different colors of cardstock and crimping one of the pieces. I added a few leaf brads and some diecut flourishes to my Z-card and the sentiment "Oh, how we love pumpkin sesason...Winter, Spring, Summer, Pumpkin..." which I snagged from the Quote Garden (originally from Trader Joe's).
So come play at Squigglefly for a chance to win!! All you need is a Squigglefly image and NO patterned paper. You can get a FREEBIE to play with--after all, everyone has to start somewhere!

Weekend Getaway

2011-11-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

Although a month late, hubby and I made our escape to celebrate our 35th anniversary, arriving at Port Washington, Wisconsin late Friday afternoon. We stayed at the Harborview Holiday Inn, my personal choice of hotel in Port Washington. I've been there with my mom and sisters when we go on our girls' weekends away, twice a year. The room has a Lake Michigan view from the 5th floor, luxurious bathroom, cable TV, microwave and mini fridge, and the hotel has a great pool and jacuzzi.

We walked, went bowling, visited the Vines to Cellar winery and sampled and bought for ourselves and Christmas presents. The wind was strong, the trees almost bare of foliage, and the air a bit nippy, but it was relaxing and beautiful along the shore.

It was all in all a boring but stress-free weekend, which is what we both needed! We're both ready to tackle the work week ahead of us with a fresh outlook, and can't wait to plan another getaway, maybe when it's a bit warmer and we can enjoy the walking more!
Before I forget, I want to wave hello across the lake to my friends on the east coast of Lake Michigan!!!!

QKD Challenge on Facebook

2011-11-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

Queen Kat Designs is celebrating its fifth birthday with a 19 day celebration on Facebook. They are challenging crafters each Friday during their calelbration. Their first challenge is to climb out of your comfort zone, (and in fact, get out of your craft room), by using a non -crafting item on your card-look in the kitchen, in your backyard, raid hubby's tool box!

Well, I like a fun challenge, so I went on a scavenger hunt, and came up with those white twistie-ties that you get with new small kitchen appliances (I found mine in the box holding my electric frying pan). They work just like crafter's wire, but are fatter, and so make a bolder statement. I used these as both embellishments and as a sort of stamp, applying black ink to them and pressing onto textured cardstock. I adhered this piece of cardstock onto a base of striped patterned paper, on which I used black lace to cover the bottom half. My QKD image, called " ", is colored with Copics and shimmered with black Stickles. Some ribbon and a flower adorn the card, as well as my twistie ties.

Romantic Voyage Sets Tone for QKD November New Release

2011-11-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

Owl & the Pussycat by Shona MacDonald

The Owl and The Pussycat was recently voted England's favorite children’s poem. “Nonsense is the breath of my nostrils,” Edward Lear once wrote, and his joy in absurdity reflected his whole approach to “this ludicrously whirligig life which one suffers first & laughs at afterwards.” (http://nonsenselit.wordpress.com/).
When I saw the new QKD November release stamp "Owl & the Pussycat"by Shona MacDonald, it brought me back to my childhood days of reading poetry. I was an avid reader, often hiding out on the back porch at my cousin's house because that's where he kept his Hardy Boys books. (I had already read my Nancy Drew collection twice by then.)  I loved to read almost anything, latching onto Charles Dickens as often as I read Robert Heinlein, but my favorite read has always been poetry. To give you a little ambience to my card, let me introduce you to this unlikely couple:
                                 "The owl and the pussy-cat went to sea
                                        In a beautiful pea green boat
                                 They took some honey, and plenty of money
                                        Wrapped up in a five pound note.
                                 The Owl looked up to the stars above,
                                      And sang to a small guitar,
                                 'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
                                   What a beautiful Pussy you are..."
After coloring my image with Copics too numerous to list, I glitzed it with a little Liquid Glass and some Stickles. I couldn't decided on the background paper, so I pretty much tossed all my pieces onto the card until I was happy, cutting out some details from another piece of paper like the spoon (please don't ask me why) and the clock. The image brought about childhood memories so I added the vintage baby and kept adding embellishments until it was time to go to bed.
Since I discovered that Edward Lear left an unfinished sequel to his famous poem, about the many children this odd couple had had after getting married, I thought my sentiment fit well on the card.
Queen Kat Designs has so many lovely stamps that will bring out the child in you, too. And don't forget that this month, until the 19th of november, they are having a birthday bash with fun, games, prizes and inspiration every day. You can check out all the lovely events HERE.

Tickle My Fancy at Squigglefly This Week

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Doggone Pizza Chef digi-image

Hi, crafters! I have a few wonderful, new digi images from Squigglefly, and wanted to use one at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog. So here’s my entry for the Tickle My Fancy Challenge this week. Their challenge asks for a funny image or a funny sentiment with a serious image and make them laugh.

I used Doggone Pizza Chef digi image on my card. Now, I think losing your freshly-made pizza to a hungry dog is bad enough, but when the dog complains about his “free meal”, then you gotta see the humor in the situation!

I colored the image with my trusty Copics (as always), and used a corner of a sheet of decorative computer paper as my background pattern. I then made up the words in the bubble over the dog, “I said NO MUSHROOMS! Now I’m gonna have to RUFF you up!”

A very simple, easy card, once you get past making up a silly line to go with the image! And now it’s your turn. Just use a Squigglefly image and make a funny card for your chance to win this week. If you don’t have a Squigglefly image, click HERE for freebies.

Have fun, and keep crafting! Leave some love if I made you smile!

Counting My Blessings for the Hambo Challenge

2011-11-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

SnailRake digi-image

It’s time to count your blessings, and I have so many things for which to be grateful, they’re like the leaves falling from the trees this week—so many, so different from each other, so beautiful—that I couldn’t resist making a Gratitude Box with my newest Hambo digi-image, Snail Rake.

Hambo’s challenge this week is to use this image (or any Hambo image) and a project that can be found at Splitcoast Stampers Resources page; click HERE for some inspiration.

I loved the Altered Paint Can Project, so using the empty baby formula can I had on hand (don’t ask me why, my youngest is a Junior in high school), I covered the can with leaf-printed patterned paper. I snagged a package of foam leaves and popped it onto a circular base, then cut a hole in the top.

I printed my digi-image twice, once on white cardstock and once on patterned paper, then pieced them together, using the patterned paper for the snail’s shell. I colored the rest of my image with Copics. Before adhering the Hambo image to the can, I added a strip of lace to the top, then used dimensional dots for my image.

Now I’m ready to start writing the things I am most thankful for. I figure if I only write one a day, the can should be full by November 30! Today I am thankful for the Hambo Hoedown, and Hambo Stamps' generosity in giving challenge payers a free digi every time they play!

Only 51 Crafting Days Until Christmas

2011-11-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Christmas Magic from Crafter's Companion

I almost said shopping days, but when we're crafters, sometimes we can make much better than we can ever buy! So today I made an Advent calendar for my granddaughter. She visits us every weekend, so she gets to open up several drawers in a two day period. What does that mean to me? Not too much candy, just lots of stickers and other surprises. Don't want her jumping on the walls, now, do I? LOL
I was asked to be a guest designer over at Crafter's Companion, so I wanted to showcase not only one of their marvelous stamp sets, but also one of the many projects that can be made with their Ultimate Crafter's Tool.
The Advent Calendar is a project presented on their Advanced Construction Techniques DVD, and the stamp set I used is from the Cute Companions Collection, called Christmas Magic. I used the Ultimate Tool to make all the drawers, sliders and bases for the calendar.I used buttons for the drawer pulls, sticker numbers for each drawer, and embellishments from my stash of Christmas leftovers on each of the four sides.

I topped my Advent Calendar with an easel card, which is also super easy to make with the Ultimate Tool. I chose images from “Christmas Magic” and made a snow globe. I wanted my snow globe to crown my card, so that when it is open and standing up, the snow globe is not propped up against a paper background, so I adhered just the bottom of it just below the fold line on the front of the card. Snowflakes that I punched from white cardstock adorn the patterned paper. I used one of the two sentiments that are in the set: “May the Magic of Christmas by yours”.

Crafter's Companion has a new challenge for November. It is to make a card or project that celebrates a holiday. My Advent Calendar fits right into the challenge. So hop on over to their blog and play!!

It's Time to PAR-TAY with the Queen Kat Designs Blog Hop

2011-10-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Queen Kat Designs! And to kick off the 19 day celebration, you are on your way along the Royal Court Blog Hop!! I hope all my crafting friends can visit today, leave a little love and check out what everyone else is up to on this first day of parties, prizes, inspiration and fun.
I made a special birthday easel card with QKD's Birthday Set by Lisa Cree. Easel cards are my newest fave card to make, because they are so simple to create, and they make a pretty presentation. I love that, with the card closed, you can place the first part of a two-part sentiment, and then the recipient can't read the second part until you open the card and stand it up.
I colored my images with Copics, and placed some google eyes on the birthday boy. You can't tell from the poto, but I used Liquid Glass, as well as Stickles to add some shine to the balloon and the cake. How about that cake?! The frostings are banana, strawberry and vanilla. My sugar levels are already rising, just thinking about that sweet treat!
Now you can hop on over to JAN'S BLOG for another treat. AND don't forget to attend the main event on FACEBOOK, where all the goodies will be given out! There will be Challenges with Prizes, Daily Giveaways, Contests, a Sweepstakes Giveaway and LOTS MORE!!
Come and celebrate with QKD and our fabulous artists. There's NO set time to come. It's all online! Come in your jammies, bring your hot chocolate and get ready for 19 days of fun!!
If you lose yourself in the blog, go back to the QKD Blog for the blog order and links! Have fun and happy crafting!

Breaking News

2011-10-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hambo Hoedown has another cxhallenge, another chance for you to receive a free digi image when you play! This week the challenge is to use Newscaster digi image (or any other Hambo image) and incorporate newspaper on your creation.

Growing up, my parents always gave us kids the comics to read while they went through the meatier oart of the paper. My sister and I loved to read Peanuts, so I used Peanuts patterned paper for that comic page look, and filled in some of the bubbles.

My card is an easel card. When closed, just the part you see standing up is shown. When you open it, that part rests against the sentiment on the bottom half, forming an easel out of the card.
So when my sister, whose birthday is coming up, opens the card, she gets to see the first part of the message, "This just in" and then opens the card for the rest of the message "You're having a birthday!"

I printed my image twice and used both for a little dimension. I colored him with Copics, my ink of choice these days, and cut him out, placing him on the cover just under a bubble that I placed one of the sentiments you get when you buy this terrific digi. The other sentiment was framed in black cardstock. There are two more sentiments that come with Newscaster, for a total of FOUR sentiments---great deal!! and you can find him HERE.

Have fun at the Hoedown this week!

Halloween Mojo Inspired by Queen Kat Designs

2011-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

My Halloween mojo is really cranking out some projects! Today I’m making Halloween candles for party decorations using images from Queen Kat Design's Witch Sisters stamp set by Marlon T...

Which reminds me of the time when Kitty and Batty were just learning their spells and almost set the whole town on fire. Kitty and Batty (my names for them) are stamps from the Queen Kat Designs October release stamp set called Witch Sisters by Marlon T.
Well, Kitty was reading spells out of the big book left to them by their great, great grandmother. Batty was only half listening, as she had her eye on the last chocolate chip cookie on the plate. Did I mention Batty loved chocolate chip cookies?
Suddenly, Kitty snapped the book with a bang and jumped from her perch on the arm of the couch. “Let’s try it!” she exclaimed. Batty didn’t want to appear inattentive (again) so she jumped up with her sister and agreed, to what she had no idea!
Kitty set about gathering up leaves and cinnamon and ashes from the fireplace while Batty pulled out the battered cauldron from under the stairs and took it outside. Kitty filled it with the materials she had gathered, held Batty’s hands in hers and whispered to her that it was time to close their eyes and recite the words to the spell.
Since Batty had been accused many times of not paying attention, she just closed her eyes and whispered words that she thought sounded “magical” and that rhymed rather nicely.
When a wave of heat blasted her in the face, she opened her eyes to see a jet of fire pouring out of the cauldron!
Kitty was running around the fire, exclaiming that this was NOT supposed to be so large and waving her arms about in a helpless fashion. So Batty did the only thing she could think of to help---she kicked the cauldron over and…
It started to roll down the front yard and into the street and straight down toward town (cauldrons are a bit rounded on their bottoms, you know).
Well, that shook Kitty right out of her useless circling. She hopped onto her broom and flew straight up to the sky. Meanwhile, poor Batty had gone running after the cauldron in hopes of catching it. Just before it bounced into the vicar’s fence, the cauldron caught a draft (steered along by Kitty and a helpful cloud) and veered right into the town well, where the fire was drowned in a hiss of steam and slightly orange smoke.
No one but the vicar saw the cauldron nearly miss his fence and steam up at the well, and he never alluded to it (and who would believe him?), but from that day forward he always kept an eye out for the two Witch Sisters.

Oops, I got sidetracked there, back to my Halloween candles. I stamped and colored my images onto mulberry paper (tissue paper works just as well, just has less dimension). I used both witch sisters and three different sentiments, and each candle will be either green, orange or purple. I tore my mulberry paper to fit the pillar candles I bought and then cut a piece of wax paper the size of the candle. I placed first my paper on the candle, then the wax paper over it. Holding it tightly to the candle, I used my heat gun to heat up the wax and seal the paper onto the candle. I don’t know if you can tell from the photo, but when finished, the candle looks like the paper and image are beneath the wax. To finish off the candle, I added adhesive-backed beads to the bottom. I’m making about a dozen of these to help set a festive table come the Halloween party.

The Witch Sisters stamp set by Marlon T comes with a variety various bewitching sentiments like the ones I used on today’s project. They are a great addition to all crafters who like to stamp some fun this Halloween, and can be found HERE.

Don't forget the 5th birthday celebration over at QKD on Facebook. Lots of surprises and fun for all! Click HERE to RSVP.

As Crisp October Gives Way to Bone-chilling November

2011-10-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

October Rose

We need to always keep a tiny piece of summer in our hearts. That's why I made another Addicted to Stamps card featuring October Rose by Mitzi Sato Wiuff.
I love to color this image over and over! I keep trying to darken the colors, but I still get the feeling of lightness and airiness, no matter how I color it!
Today I used some yellow rose patterned paper with bits of lace and a butterfly. I cut the image out as an oval for a more formal framed look. I used Copics: E00,04.11,71; Y00G00,02; YG67 & RV34 (her lips). And I just couldn't resist using some black Stickles around the rim of the frame, as well as distressing the edges with black ink.
I am going to keep deepening the colors until I can see a darker October Rose. I'll let you know when I succeed! Until then, keep crafting!

Two Cards, Two Challenges

2011-10-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

October Rose

I recently acquired a new image from Addicted to Stamps. It's called "October Rose" by Mitzi Sato-Wiuff and I absolutely adore it! In fact, I just printed four images and made a card with my first finished image. It's a birthday card for Susanna Boyd of Paper Craft Planet, and an entry into the Super Nova's Birthday Party Challenge that runs from October 22 through October 30 on PCP.
I colored my image with Copics, putting a tiny bit of shine with Stickles on each rose and her lips. The card was pieced together with leftover cardstock and patterned papers. I added some coordinating roses from Michael's and a couple leaves, one gold-embossed, and finished with some ribbon and a feather.

Next up is a card I made for Joan's Garden challenge. They ask that you use a DIE, a CHRISTMAS SENTIMENT, some kind of LIGHT, and the colors RED and WHITE. I found a Whiff of Joy image called "Willow with Lantern" with which to play, and believe it or not, I made MY FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD this year!!
I colored with Copics: R05,29; YG03,05 and E08,15. I added some shine with Stickles. I framed her in a diecut frame of deep red with a white background, added a cardstock sticker sentiment, and added to the whole shimmery effect with pearlized snowflakes.
I think with this card I have shaken the dust off my craft table and any remnants of Halloween cardmaking. I need to send those spooky creations to my friends before the holiday passes! I still want to make a few Thanksgiving cards, but Christmas has definitely stirred my muse.
Whatever holiday you're crafting for, have fun and don't forget to check out Joan's Garden for this week's challenge!

Gratitude is the Best Attitude

2011-10-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

Badonkadonk digi image

I got the coolest image from Squigglefly and couldn't wait to share my card with you! It's called Badonkadonk digi image and I created a thank you card to go along with this week's Squigglefly Challenge, which is to show your gratitude by making a thank you note or something that expresses your thanks.

I paper pieced this sexy mama's dress from patterned paper and colored the rest of the image with Copics. I found the sentiment on TheQuoteGarden.com.

If you have a Squigglefly image, you can play along with the challenge for prizes. If not, grab a FREEBIE and play for your chance.

Happy Crafting!

Make Halloween as Hare-raising Holiday...

2011-10-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

...with Hambo Stamps ZombieBunny digi image and a little imagination! That's what the challenge is at the Hambo Hoedown this week, so hop, stomp, or drag yourself over to the Challenge Blog and come play with your Hambo images for a chance to win!

I used my image with this week's required sketch (see below) to make one of my last Halloween cards of the season. As you can see, not only is my Hare caught up in the spirit of the holiday, but he has friends! This is the reason why I love digi images---you can print them any size, any color, and as many times as you like!
The digi comes with not one, but THREE ghoulish sentiments. Mine is on the inside of the card and reads "Hope your Holiday is Hare-raising".

If you like what you see, then you should check out the Hambo Store NOW. They're celebrating Hogtoberfest, and there is a fantastic sale going on and it won't last forever.

Enjoy your week ahead, and keep on crafting!

Hopping With Scrapbook Place

2011-10-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, crafters! I hope you're up to some fun, because this is just one stop on the Hop, the Scrapbook Place October Blog Hop, that is! If you came here from Anna's blog, you're on the right track. If not, better start over at Your Scrapping Place blog. You wouldn't want to miss all the fun, inspiration and crafting!

For my part, I have gathered together some of the projects I have made for Halloween. My newest creation is an altered soup can (photo above). It will be filled with treats for a special neighbor child when she comes trick-or-treating this year. I used my pampered chef can opener so that the pop-top lid is still closed and ready to pop. After I finish filling it with candy, I'll use my CTMH Liquid Glass to reseal the top lid and won't she be surprised when she opens the can!!

I also made a few cards, some of which are pictured. One of them uses a Hambo Stamp digi image against a sheet of patterned paper from DCWV's Once Upon a Time Paper pad.

For decorating (and munching), I made some spider candies, which are just those little round mint patties, papercrafted to look like spiders. My granddaughter got a kick out of these! I also made a couple of candles with QKD stamps and mulberry paper.

I made a few special treat holders for neighbor kids. The one in the middle is a pull-treat card. Place a full-sized candy bar into the card from the top, and when the child wants her candy, she just pulls up on the ribbon at the top and the candy bar comes up with the ribbon. Squigglefly's Nerdy Girl Devil dig-image is on the front.

Another treat bag uses Hambo's Wee Henrietta Witch, and I can fill that one up with Goldfish, as it's for a much younger neighbor child.

I made a large Treat bag (photo right) with which my granddaughter can go trick-or-treating, but her Daddy bought her a plastic Dora Halloween Bag for candy collecting, so I guess my Bag will have to hold the candy we give out at the door this year!

If I have time, I'll add the Fall-themed projects I've made this month as well. For now, I hope you've seen something that will inspire you to create. Now hop on over to Annette's blog for more crafting fun and inspiration. If you get lost, come back here and check out the full blog order below:

Linda - http://scrappingheaven.blogspot.com/

Shannon - http://shannonleffew.blogspot.com/

Anna - http://scrappenings.blogspot.com/

Pat - http://patacakespages.blogspot.com/

Annette - http://annettesfunstuff.blogspot.com/

Donna - http://nana2cede.blogspot.com/

Teresa - http://www.teresasscrappinspot.blogspot.com/

Diane - http://www.scrappindianeh.blogspot.com/

Melissa - http://www.melissa-thoughtsonpaper.blogspot.com/

ScrapbookPlace blog - http://yourscrapbookplace.blogspot.com/

Here's my favorite quote of the season:

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's Party"

Party on, crafters!!

I decided to enter my pop top "unopened" treat can in the Just Us Girls Challlenge. This week thay ask for a template or 3D project with a Halloween theme!

Forest Night in October

2011-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Isn't the month of October great? Cool days, falling leaves, crisp air, crockpot dinners. And Fridays in October are best, because I get to show off another great Queen Kat Designs card!! So Happy Friday, all!

Z-card featuring Forest Night by Terra Bidlespacher

I just can’t stop coloring this great Queen Kat Designs stamped image, called Forest Night, by Terra Bidlespacher. Today I made a Z card and decided that this fairy needed to have a mossy tinge to her skin what with living in the forest all the time.

I threw this card together using leftover bits and pieces of patterned paper and my last roses from the closing of my local Michael’s store (rest in peace, you will be missed).

If you like Forest Night as much as I do, you can get it HERE. In fact, you can find so much more than fairies and fantasy images at the STORE. My shopping list at QKD is a mile long!

Enjoy this bewitching month of crisp autumn air, falling leaves and the smell of mulled apple cider!

And in November, don't forget the 19 day celebration of QKD's 5th birthday! Click HERE to RSVP that you're attending.

Squigglefly Challenge Card

2011-10-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

Birthday Cake Kaboodle digi

This week Squigglefly has a fun challenge. It is to FACE YOUR FEAR. Lots of people are making Halloween cards with spiders, etc., but my card is a very subtle reminder that some people's fears are not taken seriously. I made a sweet birthday card, with a luscious birthday cake on the front. The sentiment reads "Everybody knows..." and on the inside "...that birthday calories don't count".
Well, that may be true for some, but with PWDs, or People With Diabetes, ALL calories count, expecially the carbs. I love dessert. I have diabetes. I have more fear of dying from some diabetes-linked illness than that of a few calories. So when I face my fear, I do so with good choices and plans for a healthy future.
So saying, I used Squigglefly's BIRTHDAY CAKE KABOODLE digi image, coloring her up with my trusty Copics. I used my Fiskars Oval cutter and cut out my image and coordinating cardstock to frame it. A 3D butterfly embellishment, some flowers and seed beads and the sentiment finishes this simple card off.
So, what do you fear? Scrap it, make a card, or just go with the Halloween theme. Whatever you do, keep crafting and have FUN! And check out the challenge at Squigglefly Challenge Blog!

What's in the Box?

2011-10-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to remind my crafting friends that Queen Kat Designs will host a 19 day long celebration for their 5th birthday! Lots of fun things are planned. Just click HERE for the event details and you can RSVP for a chance to win a prize. There's lots more, starting on November 1.

To put you in the mood for a birthday bash, here's a card I made with a QKD birthday stamp set. When my granddaughter saw the card, she asked what was in the box. I told her to use her imagination and think what nice things could be in there. She must have a GREAT imagination, because she asked me if she could open it! I told her it was just a card, but she said she thought she knew what was in it. No amount of persuasion could sway her from her anticipated contents! I love 4 year olds, but they wear me down. Does that mean I'm getting old?

Birthday Party with the Queen

2011-10-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

Queen Kat Designs, that is!! The company is coming up on her 5th birthday, and they have lots of fun and crafty plans for crafters. Check out their event on Facebook HERE. You can also catch some news on their BLOG.
In anticipation of their celebration, I made a card with the Birthday Stamp set, using the Cake image (so I was hungry, okay?!). I stamped on both white cardstock and patterned paper, then paper pieced the layers. I colored the rest of the image with my Copics, and gave the whole works a little shimmer with Stickles, Liquid Glass and SU's Dazzle Glitter.
For lots of fun and giveaways starting November 1st, go to: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=298948620132176

Wrapped Up in Fun

2011-10-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

You know why I like digi images? Because you can print them ANY size!! So, when Hambo announced their newest challenge at the Hambo Hoedown (COLOR CHALLENGE: use MUMMY and one of the sentiments this week with purple, orange, black and green for the main colors), I knew I wanted to do this in a BIG way. So I printed Mummy digi-image at 5x7.

Mummy digi-image

Instead of making a card, I wanted to give my granddaughter a homemade trick-or-treat bag. I used a plain brown gift bag whose front and back measure a little over 8x8. I covered the bag with BLACK netting, adding a swag of netting at the top with ORANGE Halloween patterned ribbon to tie it up.
I then colored my Mummy in GREENS, ORANGES and PURPLES and adhered him to the bag. I printed one of the two sentiments that come with the image onto GREEN cardstock, then added a few embellishments for a spooky scene.

So this weekend she saw the bag and couldn't wait to use it. Her Dad and she and I went to a local OctoberFest, with lots of kids' activities and games and CANDY. There were several people who stopped us to ask where they could make that great trick-or-treat bag, since one of the booths was for decorating treat bags. I told them it was handmade and they walked away disappointed (but impressed, I hope).

So when you think digi images, think BIG and you will get more out of them! Now skip on down to the Hambo Hoedown and check out the inspiration there. Hambo Stamps has a great assortment of Halloween images to play with, so don't forget to browse the shop. Happy Crafting!

A Story from the Files of the Witch Sisters (and a birthday celebration!)

2011-10-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Witch Sisters by Marlon T

I made two spinning swing cards today, using the two new October release stamps from Queen Kat Designs.
The first uses one of the Witch Sisters by Marlon T.
Kitty (my name for her) looks lovely on her broom, so I thought she would love to fly on my card.

Forest Night by Terra Bidlespacher

The second card was made using Forest Night by Terra Bidelspacher.
The full stamp is so beautiful and I promise I will make a card to show off the full image on another Friday post, but for now I decided to make a moving card. Because the window in which the image hangs is somewhat small, I had to cut the image down a bit.

The design is fairly simple, and I made a video tutorial of it. You can view it by clicking the following link (I hope):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-BUrxMFmeM

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial!

I have more projects I’ll be posting this month from both these bewitching stamp sets, so keep checking back, and don’t forget the new stamps are available for purchase now at the QKD STORE.

NOW for the birthday celebration!

QKD will celebrate their 5th birthday on November 19th. If you Facebook, I'm inviting all my crafting friends and I'd love it if you could party with me. Just click HERE for the event details and you can RSVP. Everyone who is attending gets a chance for a prize, and there's lots more where that came from!!

They will have a 19 day long celebration! Lots of fun things are planned! Sure hope you can join me and others in the celebration!

Fall is the Season of Friendship

2011-10-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Best Friends Humphrey Collection

And with the season comes great cards, like this easel card featuring an image from the Humphrey stamp set called Best Friends. I was actually cleaning my craft room (a never-ending chore) and came across the stamp set and decided that now was a good time to take a break and make a card.

I pulled out my Crafter’s Companion Ultimate Tool and cut and scored my cardstock to make an easel card with my image. I used Basic Grey patterned papers and die cuts to make a colorful Fall background in which my little girls can walk together, hand in hand, friends forever. I love how the die cut vines make it look as if they were walking in a swirling tunnel of falling leaves on a sunny Autumn day.

CC Challenge Blog is offering a fabulous prize to one random winner this month, and all you have to do is use one of their images and a theme of Friendship. I love their stamps so much, this is my second project for the challenge. I also have a wish list on their shopping site that I think will have to change into a cart list before the week is out!! Free shipping over $50 and some great sales!

Child of God

2011-10-11T03:00:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday, my granddaughter was Baptized. I am very happy, as she is 4 years old this week. My daughter is her godmother, and she is thrilled to be able to guide her in her spiritual and faith life. The celebration is at the same parish at which she attends preschool, so her class will celebrate in school as well. The service and party afterword were wonderful! Even my 100 year old Grandma was there yo celebrate with us!

I crafted a few things for the event, including the invitations on the right. I decided to make it one sheet with no folds. Directions and maps were printed on the backs of the invitations. I used one of my corner punches and matted it against black cardstock before adhering it to my cardstock base. Each invitation had some kind of embellishment, be it a cross or a flower.

I also volunteered to make the favors for each of the guests.

I had snagged some boxes at a local dollar store that were on clearance--4 packages for $1--that's 24 boxes for a buck!! I attached flowers and a religious chain onto each and filled them with chocolates. One of the perks of working at a Catholic Church is knowing a pastor who receives hundreds of religious items in the mail throughout the years. He gave me a large bag, chock full of chains and rosaries and medals, and I was able to pick out enough to attach to each box.

Since her birthday was also on Monday, the party was a combo, so I also added a few boxes of Scooby Doo stickers for the kids, but I expect all the white boxes to be taken.

So after Gram told me she was coming, she also mentioned she needed a card for her great, great, granddaughter. I promised her I would make her one, and this is what I came up with.

Of course, I had already made my Gram a birthday card for her, and so I also had to create a birthday card for us to give her as well as our own Christening card.

My weekend was super busy, with crafting and housework and guests and shopping, besides having my Bella overnight with us from Friday on!! Luckily, Monday is a school holiday, and since I work in a school...

I hope your weekend was filled with family and creativity as well!

Bewitching Card

2011-10-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

Witch on a Pumpkin by Jackie Matthews

I believe I topped last year's record for Halloween cards made in one month, but they are so much fun!! Especially when you have some great Squigglefly digi images, like the one I used called Witch on a Pumpkin by Jackie Matthews.
Over at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog their newest challenge starts today, and it asks you to use STRIPES in your project. I had this lovely sheet of paper by American Crafts that was double-sided, with fall leaves on one side and , as you can see, stripes on the other. I colored my image with Copics, cut it out and popped it onto my 6x6 card with a bit of ribbon and a sticker sentiment.
I can't wait to mail out all these colorful halloween cards I made in the last few weeks. In fact, I think I will mail this one out to one of you who leave a little love for me. Here's how to snag this card: Go to Squigglefly and check out their digital images and let me know which one you like the best. Post it in your comment and I'll do a random pick and send someone this card, which will be blank inside for your own sentiment, whether to keep or to give away. Tell me in the post who the artist of your fave image is, and I'll send some halloween embellishments along with it!!
Each week there's a new challenge at Squigglefly Challenge Blog. If you use one of their images, you could win a prize. If you don't have any Squigglefly images (yet), you can snag some FREEBIES. Have fun, and don't forget to leave some love!!

Friends Make Everything Better

2011-10-08T15:35:00.000-07:00

As these little critters will attest, doing something together makes the time go past quickly and happily. Crafter's Companion Challenge blog has a new challenge this month, and a fantastic giveaway! The theme for October is Friendship, and the prize to one lucky random winner is Six of their soon-to-be-released Humphrey the Elephant Stamp sets, with a mini-storage binder and a set of the mini panels to put them into!!!

Cute Companions Wishing Line

When I found this stamp set in my drawer, it hadn't even been placed onto EZ Mount yet, so this card is its maiden voyage, so to speak. And now that it's ink-ready, I don't think I'll let it sit idle for very long. I love the way the stamps ink up and print images, clear and sharp. This set is from the Cute Companions collection called Wishing Line by Jayne Nestorenko.
As soon as I stamped and colored the images, I knew they would work well with a step-fold card, in order to bring out all the dimension from each and every image. I used CTMH patterned papers for the backgrounds, and colored my images with Copics. I love the scene that I created with this type of card, and right now I don't plan on giving it out to anyone, but I want to keep it and display it for awhile. I don't know whether to frame it or to stand it up on a table, it looks great both ways!
Be sure to check out the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog for your chance to win the October prize. Happy Crafting!!

Once Upon a Time with the Witch Sisters

2011-10-07T03:00:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

I have Halloween on my mind today. This is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because of the fun factor. When else can you dress up (or down) and act a part, or let your goofy personality shine forth (without the help of a few glasses of wine)? So I inked up a couple of Queen Kat Designs stamps from Marlon T's set called Witch Sisters and I have a little story to tell you...

Once upon a time, there were two sisters who were much like everyone else, except they were lucky enough to be witches. Not the bad old ugly crones you see in horror movies, just two very spiritual and perceptive witches who channeled the energies of nature into spells and potions and a few nocturnal flights on their broom sticks.
Their names were Caterina and Bathilda, but most called them Kitty and Batty. Kitty flew when the moon was full, with her pet cat, Midnight, by her side. Batty liked to fly alongside her pet, Shadow, who was a black bat.
Both girls were young, pretty and had a great sense of humor. They liked to play tricks on each other, and sometimes on their neighbors, which did not make them very popular when it came time for parties. No one was likely to forget Alice’s tenth birthday party, to whom the girls were innocently invited.
Batty gave Alice a beautiful hand mirror, that unfortunately reflected the viewer's secret dissatisfaction with themselves. Alice went around all afternoon smoothing down a cowlick that was never really there, and Peter, who swipped the mirror when she wasn't looking, kept picking his nose, sure that the long booger hanging from his right nostril would come out this time.
Batty wasn’t alone in the mayhem-making. Kitty had stood behind one of the mothers in the food line, and watched as the adult took the last of the chocolate chip cookies. Kitty graciously offered a cup of punch to the poor woman, who couldn’t stop grunting and squealing like a pig until she woke the next morning.

But I lose myself in the story of the Witch Sisters, whose stamps you can purchase HERE. Now for my project...
I am hostessing a Halloween party, and I love to handmake a lot of my decorations, favors, etc. One thing I want to have on hand is a pile of containers in which guests can take home treats. Both hubby and I are diabetic, so we don't want them lingering here, calling to us suggestively in the middle of the night. So picture this box and others like it filled with a scrumptious assortment of cupcakes, cookies and sweet treats. Yum, but I think my blood sugar just went up a couple notches writing this!!
I snagged a package of these cupcake boxes on clearance last November, and colored and adhered my Witch Sisters onto the tops with a couple of the sentiments that go with the stamp set. A pretty Halloween ribbon around the box will complete the "To Go" boxes.

If you want to hear more about Batty and Kitty, I have more projects I’ll be posting this month from this bewitching stamp set, so keep checking back, and don’t forget the new set is called Witch Sisters by Marlon T, available for purchase now at the STORE. There are several new stamps this month and you can see great cards and projects using them all on the QKD Blog. Don't forget to leave some love!

P is for Pat

2011-10-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

Wee Henrietta Witch

Put on your dancin shoes, the Hambo Hoedown is Playing my song! This week's challenge is to use something on your Project (besides a HAMBO image) that starts with the first letter of your name. Since mine is Pat, I Purposely Pieced Patterned Paper (disPlaying Polka dots), Placed a Pumpkin button, Painted with PurPle (actually CoPics) as the Primary color, Plus I Prettified my card with my corner Punch for a little Pizzazz!!
I am Pleased as Punch with my card, which uses Wee Henrietta Witch digi image from Hambo Stamps.
I hadn't realized all the crafting items that start with the letter P (as well as verbs, adverbs and adjectives). Those other embellies that I used that don't start with a P include foam stars, felt fusion and my sentiment was Printed on Microsoft Word using a Poem from the Quote Garden.
This is such a fun challenge this week--you have no excuse NOT to Play! What? You don't have a Hambo image?!? Then click HERE for Freebies and have sime fun!!!
p.s. This card qualifies for so many other challenges:
Craft your Passion - Anything Goes with Ribbon
One Stitch at a Time - Digi image
My Craft Spot - Too cute to spook
ABC Challenge Blog - A is for Anything Goes

Two Cards Today

2011-10-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have two cards to show you today. The first is a Halloween card, as I am just finishing off my stack of cards needed for this holiday. The folks over at Less Is More (LIM) have challenged crafters to not only make a clean, simple card, but to use the color of the crafter's eyes as the main color on the card. You can use one more color, and as my eyes are NOT orange, you can see that they are a dark blue edging toward purple at times.
My card uses a Halloween image colored only with two Copics, YR04 & V04. The textured paper is a violet blue, which doesn'y show up very well in this photo, and I simply punched the tor right corner for an accent, diecut my image with my Epic Six using Nestabilities Labels Four, and added an orange ribbon.
This is not usually my style and i had to work at not adding embellishments and Stickles and everything but the kitchen sink onto it, but it came out how I wanted it to come out, clean and simple.
If you are finding yourself pouring on the embellishments, take time to check out Less Is More Challenge Blog to get your simplicity mojo on!
It's interesting in that ove at the Corrosive Challenge Blog, they are offering a very different challnge, yet my card fits in perfectly! Their theme this week is PURPLE PASSION, and they ask that you make a card featuring the color purple and one other color! You can see how well my card fits their challenge guidelines as well, since I used only purple and orange. For some great inspiration and challenging tasks, check them out HERE.

Onto my second card, which is a birthday card that I made for my sister. I used Magnolia's Tilda, and tried (in vain as you can see) to keep it simple as well. I used only two colors for my card, brown and teal, but couldn't stop adding color and shimmer and a flower and ink and...well, you can see for yourself!
I like both cards equally well, and am glad I can give this second card to someone I love.

Happy Birthday, Kathy!!

The Weather is Turning

2011-10-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

But it was still a perfect day to make cards--National Cardmaking Day! I got a chance (a very small allotment of time) on Saturday to play in my craft room, and wanted to show off my creations:
The first card looks toward colder days and memories of summer as the theme, and Hambo Stamps' Dragonfly digi-image was the perfect image on which to showcase it.

Dragonfly digi image

I paper-pieced the image after printing it on white once and twice on patterned paper. The design of my card is inspired by one created by Sally Astill. That's the Hambo Hoedown challenge this week, to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) a card from their gallery. Sally's card features an image on top of layers of paper that set the scene, as does mine. I added the sentiment "Always maintain a kind of summer even in the middle of winter" so that my dragonfly makes sense on a winter card.
I used Copics sparingly on the image, a border punch on the bottom of my card, and google eyes on my image (because they're fun).
Hambo Challenge Blog is saying goodbye to their former Design Team and asking their followers to welcome the new team this week. I always get great inspiration from the Bacon Bits, and welcome a new crop of crafters to inspire me further!

Join the fun at the Hambo Hoedown. If you still don't have an image from Hambo Stamps, they are offering FREEBIES with which you can play and enter challenges. Every player who follows their guidelines gets a new digi image to play with in the next challenge, so what are you waiting for?!

My second card was made at my local scrapbooking store at a free make & take to celebrate the day. Since they advertised new Memory Box stamps and papers, I was practically the first in line! Wouldn't you know it, the power went out five minutes after they opened their door. While we roamed the store to look at what's new on the shelves, the owner's hubby came in with a gnerator while they waited for ComEd to fix the outage.

I love taking classes at Craft Fancy, my lss, and seeing all the new stuff from CHA plus. The card we made was again looking forward toward the coming winter, and showcased a gorgeous diecut cardinal. The colors of the papers are in my fave color family, so we bonded very well!

Sandi and I meet up at Craft Fancy in Arlington Hts, IL

And surprise, one of my bestest crafting buds showed up, hoping she could catch me and we could talk. We get together maybe once or twice a year, but when we do, it's as if we were never apart, we just start off right where we left things! I am blessed with a few of these soul sisters in my life. She wants some help getting her own blog up and running, so we're getting together before the weather really takes a turn for the worse!

Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy doing it. Happy Crafting!

I am a Royal Stamping Maiden for Queen Kat Designs!

2011-10-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

Forest Night by Terra Bidlespacher

I have an exciting announcement to make: Starting this month, I am designing for Queen Kat Designs! I have loved the cards I see on friends' blogs that feature QKD stamps,and now I get to play and create with them myself!
My first card features "Forest Night" by Terra Bidlespacher. After coloring my image, I tore it and inked the edges with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink. Framing it with patterned paper that coordinated with the colors I used on the image, I found a distressed tag in my stash of leftover supplies and used it to create a frame, also using some pink cardstock (torn, of course) and coordinating striped patterned paper.
The stripes looked too intense, so I toned it down with some webbing, and then embellished with a felt bird, a diecut butterfly, and some rhinestones on the tag. I finished off my card by inking one edge with gold pigment ink, then rubbing in some Aztec Gold Pearl Ex pigments.

Here are the Copics I used to color my forest fairy. A motley assortment, you might say, and I would definitely agree with you! Usually I have about three to four at the most, but I tried for as much definition and depth as possible. I discovered, however, that many of my Copics are in need of refilling!

Now for my confession: I was struck with a case of doubts as I finished the card. And those doubts show up in my final photo of my project. I came down with a severe case of indecision for my first card for QKD. I kept searching my drawers and files, asking myself "Is this enough? Is this too much? What if I added this?" And as I searched, the chaos on my desk grew!

I am happy to say that my desk, although temporarily in disarray, has been put to rights again, ready for my next project!

Speaking of projects, if you like this pretty forest fairy, she can be found HERE along with so many other gorgeous and fun stamps.

QKD: www.katstamps.com

Blog: http://qkd.blogspot.com

Store: http://www.katstamps.com/store

Gallery: http://www.katstamps.com/gallery1

FB Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/queenkatdesignsstamps

Captured Fairy in a Jar

2011-09-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

I saw this idea on a friends' blog and couldn't wait to try it! It's a captured fairy in a jar, and it is earth-friendly. I say this because I had all the supplies in my craft room, so I wasted no gas. I bought the brunt of the material when my local Michael's closed, snagging gorgeous 3-dimensional flowers at a pittance (including the wonderful jars they came in like this one).
The beautiful, shy fairy that I captured is a Gina K Designs stamp set called Wishes and Dreams by Alicia K. I love her Manga fairies!! After coloring and adhering the image, I attached feather butterfly wings to her body, in place of the wings that were part of the image. Some gorgeous Recollections flowers, tiny seashells from a vacation purchase and some froofroo fibers finish off this birthday present for my granddaughter, who will be turning 4 in october and is very much into fairies.

The Month of Mmm, Candy is Almost Here

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

That's right, I am a Halloween fiend, making my goodie bags, decorations and cards a full month in advance, so I can relax and enjoy the month as it unfolds. Take today's project...

Squigglefly Pull Card

There are several young children on the block who get special treats from me instead of just a grab in the candy bowl. Using Nerdy Girl Devil digi image by Squiggelfly (isn't she too cute!), I made a PULL-CARD and stuffed it with a King-Sized KitKat chocolate bar. Their challenge this week is to use flowers on your project, which is always fun to do! My patterned paper is flower-patterned, and I cut several flower petals to frame my image.

The way a pull card works is you build a "box" from cardstock and decorate it. When it's all embellished, you punch a hole at the top of the front and back sides of the box and thread a ribbon through it.
Your ribbon should be 2-1/2 times the length of your box, because you slip a candy bar on top of the ribbon between the front and back sides and push the candy down into the box, pulling the ribbon with it.

Once the candy is all the way in the box, tie the ribbon at the top in a bow. When you want the candy, all you have to do is pull the ribbon up and the candy bar, sitting on the bottom of the ribbon, will pull up with it (see below).

Got a Squiggefly image? Go on over to the Squigglefly Challenge blog and enter to win this week! If you don't have one of their images, get a freebie HERE. As always, have fun in your crafting!!

A Handful of Hambo

2011-09-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

I got a couple of new digi images from Hambo Stamps and I just couldn't wait to pay with them. They've just closed a Design Team Call that ended last Friday. The new team will be announced on September 28th.

Banana Kid digi image from Hambo Stamps

For my first card, I used Banana Kid digi image. I made an easel card because I think it’s the best presentation when using a riddle on a card. The sentiment reads “What do you get when two bananas get together?” When the easel card is opened, the answer is “A Pair of Slippers”.

I know, it’s so corny that it’s cute!

I printed my images twice, once on mirror image so it looks like the two of them are facing each other. Digi images are great that way---any size, any perspective, anything goes!

Actually, I printed four images, so I could color and cut out just the banana body and face on each to give them added dimension. I used my trusty Copics and found some fun patterned paper in my stash, leftover from another project. I lucked out on a small but perfect piece of patterned ribbon in a coordinating print.

I have the Banana Kid and the Strawberry Kid digi images and am working my way through the Hambo “grocery aisle” to collect all the fruit and veggie kid images.

Wee Henrietta Witch by Hambo Stamps

On to my second card…I printed Wee Henrietta Witch digi-image. I love the Wee Henry and Henrietta line of images. I really liked working with this one, since I have Halloween on my mind. She looks so cute, all ready for Trick-or-Treating, pumpkin in one hand and broom in another. I had a leftover piece of DCWV patterned paper from the Once Upon a Time stack, and an embossed haunted house that was just right for this card. A piece of lace and a jet black bead on the roof of the house, and all it needed was Wee Henrietta to stand in front, welcoming all the little ghosts and goblins to her humble abode.

I colored the image with my Copics, and gave dimension to the broom stick by coloring and attaching a toothpick for the handle. I bundled some raffia together with a bit of gold wire for the broom’s business end. I printed and colored one more image of her so I could cut out and adhere her hand (with a dimensional dot) on top of the full image, making it look like she’s holding the broom.

Wee Henrietta Witch digi image

Since I have a few kids on my block, I usually give them a special treat bag for Halloween, instead of the normal hand in the candy bowl. So I used Wee Henrietta Witch digi image on a few treat bags for my neighborhood ghosts and princesses. Their parents know me (and my hobby), and the kids love the candy while the moms love the bags.

I colored my image with, you guessed it, my trusty Copics, adding some shimmer with black Stickles. Patterned paper, a few foam stars and a sticker or two (all from my leftoversa stash of Halloween papercrafts) make this project easy-peasy, although I did have to work at threading that wonderful Halloween-printed ribbon through the holes.

The fun really starts when I go to the store to buy a few special treats for my special kids!

Banana Kid digi image

I had time for one more card so I used Banana Kid digi image. I tried a blocking technique on my card, using leftover pieces of patterned paper in a black frame. (Remember, I have made reducing my stash a crafting goal this year and havbe made quite a bit of headway)

I made an apology card, because I thought the Banana Kid went perfectly with the sentiment “Sorry I slipped up” (and a little humor helps smooth the way toward forgiveness and reconciliation when friends aren't seeing eye to eye) I framed my sentiment using my Epic Six and Spellbinders Nestabilities Label Four dies. A few faux pearls and a mini rose finish off the card. Now, if you received this card from a repentant crafter, wouldn't you be of a mind to forgive and forget?

Hope you liked the card show. Remember to check out Hambo Stamps and their challenge blog for inspiration and great digi images!

From the Depths of my Heart...

2011-09-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

That is the sentiment that comes with this too-cute Hambo Stamps Pigsub digi-image!! Hambo Challenge Blog has a very worthwhile challenge this week: Make a card and send it (with a blank envelope) to Monica at:

Hambo Stamps

OWH Challenge

4907 W. Grace Street

Richmond, VA 23230-3609

for Operation Write Home. Your card has to follow the OWH guidelines, but if you play this week, you not only get a free digi sent to you to use in next week's challenge, but your card will make a soldier and his or her family very happy. Homemade cards are treasured by our servicemen and women who are deployed around the world, as they don't have access to greeting card stores. I have sent more than 120 cards overseas so far, through various agencies, including my son's unit, who has sent out three deployments in the last year.

Pigsub digi by Hambo Stamps

I made a Z-Fold card for this challenge, but turned it 180 degrees, so that the card opened up instead of out. A white oval for writing a message is on the inside of the card, behind my seapig's sub. I love the patterned paper I found in my leftovers drawer and wish I had a piece of it to ID the paper company. Since glitter is one of the no-no's for making cards for OWH, I used Liquid Glass to make a few bubbles rising from the sub, as well as put a little shine on the sub's porthole (but you can'r see it in the photo, sigh).
Have fun paying the Hambo Hoedown this week, and don't forget to leave a little love here!

"House" Everybody?

2011-09-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Fall is definitely in the air. The mornings are chillier, the days shorter and the leaves are just now starting to turn colors in my neck of the woods. I love the Fall, so it's no wonder I chose a Halloween theme for this week's Hambo Hoedown. The challenge was to use any Hambo image and something around the house that you'd normally not think of as a craft item. Peek into my windows and all you'll see is your reflection from the aluminum foil I used after I cut out the panes!

I chose to use the digi image House2 by Hambo Stamps and colored it with my trusty Copics for the holiday of costumes and candy. As an added bonus, I also printed the digi image Strawberry Kid, attached a pumpkin button for a treat bag and gave him top billing as this house's first Trick-or-Treater!
I love the fact that you can mix and match Hambo's digi images for a great looking card. Maybe in December, I'll color this same image, toss some lights on the roof and decorate it for Christmas!!
Don't have any Hambo images yet??? Click HERE for freebies! And for great inspiration and your chance at a free digi, check out Hambo Challenge Blog's newest challenge!