What's on Your Playlist?

That's what I want to know of this Fairy, whose headphones are tuned to music only she can hear.  The image, called Faerie Funk I, is from artist Deanna Davoli, and is available at Queen Kat Designs, along with a zillion other fantasy, funk, goth and even steampunk images.  My wish list over there is miles long!!
Here, my music lover has been colored with Copics.  I extended her right wing out a bit to fit into the design of my card.  I used patterned papers from Sassafras (Head Phones On) and Colorbok (Girly Girl).  The cardstock is from PaperTrey, called Hawaiian Shores.  I printed the sentiment because I really want to know:  what's on your playlist?  Turn up the volume if you want to listen to mine!
And as always, keep crafting!

April Fools' Blog Hop Will Make You ROFL

That's right, Your Scrapbook Place Challenge Blog is hosting a Blog Hop on a jokesters fave day, April 1!!  And let me tell you, the cards will definitely tickle your funny bone.  Our sponsor for the blog is Jessica aka Floppy Latte's Digital Designs, and her images are sweet.  They work so well in all kinds of cards, even ion those featured on our hop, whose theme is to make you laugh or surprise you.
I'm saving the cards I made with FLDD's images for the hop, but here are a couple cards to get your funny on.

My first card uses a Squigglefly digi image, and the talking dog is really not very grateful, don't you think??

My second card uses a Hambo Stamps digi image and its easel design is perfect for riddle and punchlines.

You'll just have to wait to see what the DT has come up with for FLDD's digi's.  And wait, there's more.  Floppy Latte's Digital Designs is offering a $10 gift coupon to her line of digi's to one random winner!!  So don't forget to come back on Sunday for some fun and funny cards and projects!!

Hearts for the Homeless Dinner

A few posts back, I showed off some of the Auction Basket banners for the Catholic Charities Hearts for the Homeless Fundraising Dinner.  I was just told that they needed five more banners, and the coordinator of the shindig absolutely loved my banners!  I got a chance to introduce myself when she came out to present information (and make a plea) for their food drive.  Here in Des Plaines, Catholic Charities can buy from the Chicago Food Bank the food that they distribute at their food pantry, at ten times the purchasing power of our own dollars.  So our Religious Education program (formerly known as CCD) is hosting an Un-Food Drive.  So far we've raised over $1200 in just four classes, which amounts to over $12,000 worth of food to distribute to those in need!! 
Anyway, the Hearts for the Homeless is a program that (duh) helps homeless individuals and families get back on their feet.  This annual event is their big fundraiser of the year, and last year I donated a couple baskets to auction off.  This year, I donated items to put into baskets, as well as these handmade banners that hopefully will catch the eye (and the wallet) of the guests.

Most of the baskets hold a night at a local (or downtown Chicago) hotel and a gift card.  My first banner is themed Romantic getaway.  I used a digi image from Squigglefly called Badonkadonk (one of my faves), by artist Chesney Young. I colored her with Copics, Stickled her lipstick and heels, and placed her on some luscious patterned paper that was leftover from a project. I popped the lettering with black dots, and added a couple of handmade flowers (thank you, Shannon) and some pearls to embellish, framing the whole thing in black and adhering it to foam board.

The second banner has a birthday theme, and I mixed and matched the letters to spell out Birthday Surprise.  I used a real birthday candle for the first "i", and added a couple "balloons" (punched circles and snips of wire wrapped around the last letter).
I'm bringing these two to work tomorrow because our Youth Director, who also co-chairs the event, is going to wrap up more baskets and can bring them along.  I should be able to finish the other three needed on Saturday, when I get to crop with my peeps!!  Can't wait, need to scrapbook so badly, but I get such short time chuinks in my craft room that cards are all I have time for!
p.s. My first banner is going into the Squigglefly challenge--this week it's Anything Goes, as long as you use a Squigglefly image.  Go check them out!!

Squigglefly Anything Goes Challenge

When was the last time you did something for the first time?  I think a person stops growing when they stop challenging themselves.  My card reflects my mood, as well as showcasing a March new release digi image from Squigglefly. 
It's another easel card.  Sorry, can't stop making them, they're so easy peasy to create!!  The image is  called Ladybug Leaf Canoe by artist Monica Estill. 
I originally wanted to create a waterfall on the inside of the card, and use a quote about "looking before you leap" but couldn't find a good quote.  So I went off in another direction, which often happens when you explore (or craft).  This ladybug seems to enjoy the ride, whether he has a destination in mind or not.
Anyway, here's your chance to challenge yourself.  Just use a Squigglefly image and create something new.  If you don't use Squigglefly, you won't be in the drawing to win, so here's where you can pick up a couple FREEBIES.
Check out the wonderful cards the design team made to inspire your creativity at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog.  And as always, keep crafting!!

Eternity

Here's a sweet card featuring a Queen Kat Designs stamp called "Unicorn" by artist Christina Lynn Myers.  Spring weather has definitely hit the Midwest and has inspired me to create with all the lush colors of the season.
I took a piece of patterned paper from CTMH, ripped it a tad, inked it up good on the edges and stamped the heck out of the background.  I used a few other stamps from QKD, like Vintage Necklace and Clock Face.
After coloring my unicorn image and placing it on my card, I added a strip of coordinating paper and some buttons to finish it off.  Hope my card inspires you to color your world!!
You can catch this stamp as well as all the new March releases HERE.  Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook. You never know what they're giving away there!!
Happy Crafting!!

Girls' Day Out Treat Cards

Here's the last of the Treat Card Boxes I am making for this weekend.  My mom and sisters and I enjoy getting together, away from families and spouses, for a few laughs, some snacks and a game of Liverpool Rummy (dead but not forgotten).

Today's card features Hambo Stamps digi image "Spring Bunnies".  The image was colored with my trusty Copics in Easter Pastel colors, which fits right into this week's challenge at the Hambo Hoedown.  I made my Treat Box Card using a tutorial found at Jinky's Crafts Blog, but changed it up a bit by replacing the Treat card with an easel card.
I know the girls are going to love the cards as well as the Aerated Chocolate Kisses in the boxes.  The project is easier than it looks, and I have decided to use the template for Make & Takes for the crop I'm going to next Saturday.  They can add their own favorite Easter candy.
So put on your dancin' shoes and swing on over to the Hoedown for your chance to win!!

Squigglefly Challenge and Blog Candy Winner

What's better than having a stash of pretty flowers with which to craft?  Having a stash of pretty flowers that you made from leftover patterned paper!! 

Squigglefly Challenge Blog has a new challenge this week.  They're asking you to make a card or project using handmade flowers.  I just started making my own flowers, and I love what I create, so this challenge was easy peasy!!

I am making several Treat Box easel cards with an Easter theme for a girls' day out this coming weekend with my mom and sisters.  This will be card #2, which will probably go to my sister Kathy, since she's always got the music on in her car!

I used Squigglefly digi image Rabbit Symphony by artist Linda Birkinshaw.   I colored the image with my trusty Copics, cut it out in an oval shape, and framed it with cardstock.  I had this cool patterned paper leftover from another project, and popped on a few jewels a clip and my handmade flowers.  For my tutorial on these easy-to-make flowers, click HERE.

I printed my sentiment, which reads: "Some Bunny Thinks You're Sweet" on my computer, then used my Epic Six and Scallop Ovals die from Nestabilities to cut out my sentiment and to frame it.  More jewels went with the sentiment, and then I used dimensional tape to adhere the sentiment to my card so that the easel part of it would stand up on its own.

Here's what my card looks like when it is open and standing up, looking pretty!

You can get this digi image, plus lots more, at the Squigglefly Store.  There are new releases every week, and there are some beautiful Spring images coming out.

Remember, if you want to win free digi's, you need to use a Squigglefly digi image on your challenge project!  Don't have one?  Click HERE for Freebies.

Now get to crafting and I'll see you at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog!!  Have fun!

I almost forgot!!!  I offered some Blog Candy, a Sweet Pea Rubber Stamp, to those who left comments on how they recycled, upcycled and otherwise are "going green" in their craft room.  I enjoyed reading all your compliments about my suggestions, but this guest had a great idea for stretching her adhesive budget. 
Melissa said:  You've been inspiring me to upcycle and recycle! On most of my cards, if I need to pop dot something, I use the outline of the pop dots (the background that's left after using the actual circle dot, it just has holes in it!) Instead of throwing it out, it's still useable.

Melissa, your Sweet Pea stamp will go postal this week, and thanks for playing!!