Scribbles Designs is Ready for the Holidays

Today I reached a milestone - I finished this year's Christmas card stash! This one and other cards I've made after December 1 are being hand-delivered. AS you may have guessed, the new challenge theme at Scribbles Designs is "Getting Ready for Christmas.
And what better way to get ready is to decorate the tree? My card features a lovely selection of Christmas balls, ready to hang. The Scribbles Designs' images I used are  #889 Mason Jar, and a Friday Freebie, Ornaments. I chose the Decosse's Dynamite Designs paper before I colored my images, so the paper set my monochromatic vision. Color-blocking seemed to fit the card nicely, with a few lines of adhesive jewels and some rub-on holiday greetings.

Create a Christmas project and link it to  the Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog for your chance to win some awesome digis! Good luck and happy crafting!

One Last Card

This month is crazy busy,  but I still wanted to let you know that the 12 Months of Christmas has one last challenge for 2019.  The guest sponsor is Scribbles Designs, and I used a digi image from the store called #0133 Melting For to create my card.
Actually, the DT has this month off, but I wanted to feature a card using our sponsor's image. My card was originally posted in January of 2017. I printed my word art image onto colored cardstock, using papers from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.
Of course, to qualify for the store gift certificate from Scribbles Designs, you will have to create a new holiday card. Just link it to the 12 Months of Christmas blog, and good luck!

Getting Ready for Christmas at Ike's World Challenge Blog

OMG I can't believe 2019 flew by so fast! Here it is, 22 days before Christmas! I may still have a ton of things to do, but one thing I have finished is making my Christmas cards for the year. I mailed some out just after Thanksgiving, and the rest are for family and friends I'll be seeing throughout the next 3 weeks. Whew!!
This month Ike's World Challenge Blog asks crafters to create something on the lines of "Getting ready for Christmas." I  like a well-decorated home for this holiday, so I created a card featuring a previous year's Christmas freebie image from Ike's Art Store, which just happens to be a lovely table decoration (it doesn't go on the dinner table since that will be over-weighted by platters of holiday fare).
Since both my image and my patterned paper are design busy, I kept embellishments at a minimum. After coloring my image with Copics, I added a little Stickles for sparkle, a few tiny jewels for same, and some faux stitching that makes a nice homey border.
How did you do on your holiday cards? Did you make your goal? Are you short a bit? I may just have an excess this year! I'll either save them for next year, or find more people to give them to. That's using some Christmas spirit, isn't it? LOL
Don't forget to link up whatever you choose to create with the main blog for your last chance to win your choice of free digis from Ike's Art (last chance in 2019, that is!). Happy Holidays to all the lovely and talented ccrafters out there!

For the Guys at Scribbles Designs

Today I created this card for the challenge at Scribbles Designs. The theme is For the Guys, and I just had to make mine humorous. I used a digi image from the Scribbles Designs Store called Snow Sign and placed it directly onto a scenic paper from the Nature of Christmas Paper Kit from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles before printing it up.

My image needed minimal coloring, but I did use Copics and gel pen on the image, sentiment and paper. I tossed a few glittery snowflakes and a row of pearls for embellishments and there you have it. Got to give it to "him" - it's a very clever way to get out of shoveling that white stuff, don't you think? LOL
You have until the 14th of the moth to link your own projects to the Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog for your chance to win free digis from the Scribbles Store. Good luck and have fun!

Thankful for Good Friends on the Path of Positivity

When my son got married, her parents and my husband and I started a friendship that, just like marriage, became stronger as time went by. We even took a cruise together before hubby became too sick to travel. He's gone now, but I'm so thankful that we have and continue to get along so well together.
I'm also thankful for being able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this month. I created this card for them using a digi image from Scribbles Designs, one of the guest sponsors for the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog. The image is called Champagne Glasses, and it's a FREEBIE! I used Copics to color the image and pulled out all the gold papers and embellishments I could find from my stash to create the rest of the card..

 I decorated both faces on the inside of the card as well as the front. I found the perfect quote (top) and an awesome poem to congratulate them. The font I used is called Violetta.

I am sure they will like the card, as Toni (the other MIL) is a frequent customer when it comes to cards. In fact, she was over the moon last Christmas when she opened her gift from me - a dozen handmade cards. 

You have until the end of the month to create and link your project to the Path of Positivity challenge blog for your chance to win the following prizes:

Challenges I am Entering:

It's a Guy Thing at Scribbles Designs

Today's DT project is inspired by the theme at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog. Crafters are asked to create something "FOR THE BOYS." I've had this piece of metal forever, it seems, and was inspired to create a sign for the backyard grill. We have a natural gas grill, so we've been known to grill throughout the winter (except when it's buried under a foot of snow). LOL

My sign is a little bit bigger than a US car license plate. I colored a cute digi image from the Scribbles Store called #920 BBQ Apron. The words are made from black glitter letters and I used Washi tape to make a border on each side. I dug deep to find some BBQ-themed buttons, using tiny gears from Tim Holtz. The rope came from my garage and adhered with a glue gun.

Whatever you are inspired to create, don't forget to link it up with Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog for your chance to win digis from the Scribbles Store.

Thankful on the Path of Positivity

When we are children, most of us take our moms for granted. She takes care of us, cleans the house, goes shopping, cooks for us - of course she does, she's MOM. As teenagers, we often pull away from our mothers; how can she possibly know the heartbreak when your boyfriend breaks up with you? Why does she have to embarrass you in front of your friends? Why can't you have the car tonight? As  young adults, we can be so busy with relationships, friends, work, and children that mom is put on the back burner, except as a babysitter. And as mom ages, we suddenly become the caregiver, the chauffeur, the banker, the emergency contact, while still juggling job, family, home and our own health.
Don't get me wrong, I love my mom and have been lucky enough to have a close relationship with her. But as the years fly past, I am constantly reminded of how much I have to thank my mom for:

  The money she saved from using coupons, keeping those small savings

until there was enough money for a movie or a trip to Kiddie Land,

   The years she chose a family vacation over having her 

1930's kitchen upgraded,

The money she would "loan" me to make ends meet 

(and I never paid back),

Her patience while teaching me to cook, to clean, to plan a party,

to take care of my first baby, to sew, to crochet, to drive,

(and a million other things)

Since my dad's death 25 years ago, I started to make sure that the people I know and love, KNOW how much they mean to me, especially my mom. As the roles are slowly reversing for us, I remind her of the things she did that I am so thankful for. I also remind myself of the patience, perseverance and positivity she had for me, and taught to me. She is my role model I strive to mimic.

Just saying the words I love  you and thank you go a long way to comforting and reminding someone how blessed you are that they are a part of your life. Frequent contact and little trips to treat her to breakfast; sending or giving homemade cards for no reason at all, except to let her know she is in your thoughts.
Spending time and talking with her is the most important way to show you love her. I like to drop off her favorite treat, a York Peppermint Patty, sometimes in between errands when my time is short. What do you do to tell your mom (or someone you love that she is appreciated?

This month, the Path of Positivity challenge blog focuses on Thankfulness. While it is an OPTIONAL twist, I always look for ways to share gratitude whenever I can. So my card is for my mom, 86 years old and still close to my heart. She is at the top of my daily list in my gratitude journal.

I used a digi image from A Day for Daisies called Mother's Day to create my card. I love the whimsical and gorgeous digis that A Day for Daisies offers. After coloring her with my Copics, I popped her onto a piece of digital paper I had printed up in my stash. I love that watercolor look, don't you?

Both my image and my sentiment are adhered with dimensional tape. I printed my sentiment using LD Handwriting font. And my embellishments are simple lines of adhesive jewels. I know she'll love it, after I write her a personal note inside. I'll give it to her the next time we're out together. Why wait until a holiday to tell someone thank you for being you?!

  

Kill Them with Kindness at Ike's World Challenge Blog

Today I have two projects to inspire you to always stretch your comfort zone. I've used the lovely digi, Spanish Dancer, from Ike's Art. It's one of my favorite images; maybe because my cousin dances and teaches Flamenco. I admire her for that.
Anyway, I was trolling YouTube videos and came across an artist who used all manner of items, food and supplies in his project, so I thought I'd have a go at it. First, I colored the top half of my image with Copics. Then I emptied my supply of flowers and chose these white ones with the colored jewel centers.
I then played with each flower like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, slowly putting them together to form my dancer's flowing skirt. I love how it came out. So I tried another medium.

This time I used red lace. This was more difficult as I had to fold it over and back for the different layers of the image's dress. It was also harder to get the lace to sit right at my dancer's waist. I love the dimension of this one more, but I'll need to iron the lace next time so it lies on the canvas more accurately.

So which one do you like better? I'm definitely revisiting this type of mixed media canvas. The challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog this month runs to the end of November, so you should have plenty of time to experiment and try new techniques or materials. Just remember, treat yourself with kindness as you stretch out of your comfort zone. Whether you succeed with your attempts, or it ends up in the trash, you are trying to grow in your art and that makes you a winner!

Don't forget you could also be a winner of free digis from Ike's Art Store, so make sure you link your project to the main blog!

It Takes Courage to Walk the Path

When was the last  time you tried something new? I mean, really stepped out of your comfort zone? It takes courage to take risks. Then again, if you never challenge yourself, you may miss the thrill, the empowerment, the satisfaction of trying something new. It could be a new crafting technique, travel, a new relationship, or going back to school.
Courage is the optional Twist at the Path of Positivity challenge blog. I created this card using an image from one of this month's guest sponsors, Beccy's Place. It's called Nell on a Bicycle. And like Nell, I've started riding my bike again around the neighborhood (minus the bare feet and pearls). It feels great - fresh air, exercise and talking with neighbors.

I also tried a new (to me) fun fold while creating my card. I cut my cardstock into a triangle and then measured out the card size, folding one point down and the other point in.

I added patterned paper to each "half". After coloring Nell with Copics (shown below), I adhered her to the top half of my card so that it would swing up easily. I also added a couple fun phrases and some adhesive-backed pearls. I wrapped a piece of cardstock around the card to keep it closed.
The sentiment inside describes Nell to a "T".

My girlfriend's birthday is coming up soon. Nell could be her twin in spirit, because that girl is Sassy, classy and still kickin' assie. She is always ready for adventure outside of her comfort zone.
The Twist this month at the Path of Positivity is for inspiration and fun. As  long as projects are encouraging, inspiring or positive, they all qualify for this month's prizes:

• A $10.00AU gift certificate to Beccy's Place for the person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
• ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.


Good luck and happy crafting!

Santa is Sensational at the 12 Months of Christmas

Christmas is getting awfully close now, crafters! Do you have enough handmade cards for this year? There's still time at the 12 Months of Christmas to create your holiday cards AND have a chance to win prizes.
This month the guest sponsor is Limited Runs, and I chose to create this spin card using a digi image called Santa Cup. I printed my image twice, coloring one cup empty and the other cup with coffee. So when the card comes out of its envelope, the recipient will see it as it is above - empty.

When the card is opened, you'll see the cup has coffee - lucky for you because it puts you back on the NICE list. As the front of the card says, "NO COFFEE = CRANKY SANTA".

After creating the spin card base, I covered it with patterned paper from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.

Have I inspired you to create a couple more holiday cards? The theme is Anything Goes, with an optional twist of "Sensational Santa". Prizes for this newest challenge at the 12 Months of Christmas are:

Be Brave on the Path of Positivity

 Thinking about my experience of caring for my husband throughout his run with ALS, I realize how many emotions and challenges I went through -  fear, strength, humility, patience, hope, faith, loss. But in the end, I discovered a reserve of Courage that helped me stay beside him until his passing away. Being a caretaker for a dying loved one is extremely heart-breaking and difficult. Because this post is for the Path of Positivity, you can click on my personal blog, "Living with ALS", for a closer look at the everyday saints who take care of their spouses, siblings, parents, children, until the very end.

You may not know that the Sunflower is the national symbol for ALS Awareness: 

"The Sunflower," (Shirley Hoffman Schmezle) explained

“stands tall and strong, ever hopeful and ever reaching higher.

Sunflowers grow in clusters and support each other

as they grow, just as family, friends and

community offer support to those who live with ALS"

  https://livingwithlougerhrigsdisease.blogspot.com/2019/06/courage-under-fire.html

My card today is for all those courageous caretakers who choose to love those with ALS until the very end, forced to watch them slowly leave their lives. I used a free digi image from Beccy's Place, one of the guest sponsors at the Path of Positivity challenge blog this month along with Scribbles Designs.

After coloring it with Copics, I framed it with a paper doily, then used a piece of leftover patterned paper that lets the colors of my image pop. I embellished simply with a sticker sentiment, a dir-cut butterfly and 2 tiny flower jewels. Inside the card, it reads: Be gentle with yourself. You're doing the best you can.

This month's optional Twist is Courage. The challenge runs until the end of the month. Crafters don't have to use the Twist, but I hope I have inspired you to create something that will help others' find their own courage. Here are the prize details:

• A $10.00AU gift certificate to Beccy's Place for the person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
• ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

Happy crafting!

Get Your Kraft On at Scribbles Designs

It's midway through the new challenge at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog, and I'm just rolling along with the optional theme of "Using Kraft Paper". Today my card uses 2 pieces of Kraft paper I found in my stash, one plain that I used for my card base, and a patterned piece that creates the scene for the images I used. They're from Scribbles Designs and called #900 Truck and #917 Coffee.

I popped a photo of me in the driver's seat of the truck, hauling my morning coffee home. When it comes to coffee, size DOES matter!! LOL Especially when I have a ton of stuff to do for the day!

I hope my card has inspired you to try out some Kraft paper. I don't use it very often, if ever. I was lucky when I found the paper in my stash! But the card turned out well, I think. You have until the 14th of the month to create and link your project with Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog for your chance to win a gift certificate to the Store. Good luck and happy crafting!

Curiouser and Curiouser at the Path of Positivity

Hello, crafters! Curious as to what I've created today? Well, funny you should ask, as Curiosity is the optional twist this month at the Path of Positivity challenge blog. When we are very young, we have an insatiable curiosity of what things are, how they work, if they taste good, how they feel, what they're for, etc. Too bad most of us grow up losing that endless curiosity.
You'll find the same attitude in pets, like puppies and kittens. Everything is new to them. There is a saying that "Curiosity killed the cat." Lucky we aren't cats, isn't it?
My card today features a Scribbles Designs digi image called Dog with Bone. Puppies are especially fearless, being more interested in satisfying their curiosity than worrying about things like effort, fear or judgment. He's just happy to have discovered a bone in his exploration, and if he hadn't found the bone, he would have been almost as happy finding something else to occupy his attention. I think I've used the perfect sentiment, printed in Nubian Shadow font and colored, as is my image, with Copics.

The challenge at the Path of Positivity blog runs through the end of the month. The twist is optional, meant to inspire you to create. Here are the prizes offered from our sponsors:

A $12 gift certificate to the Bugaboo Store to a random winner

One free image from the Scribbles Store for the post or project 

that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch 

 One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots 

for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

Challenges I am Entering:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything w/a Critter Goes
Crafty Animals - Anything w/an Animal Goes
CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything w/patterned paper Goes

Two Weddings and a Shower

Today I made a wedding card for my sister's son-in-law and his bride-to-be. The digital image is from A Day for Daisies called "I Do". After coloring the happy couple with Copics, I cut it in an oval and attached lacy trim for a border. After adhering this to my card front, there was very little room for embellishments other than a few jewels in the corners.

The family lives in Germany so I used my two semesters of German language classes (and a little help from Pinterest) for the greeting on the front of my card... 

...a "loose" translation of a quote from Maya Angelou for the upper inside

(A successful marriage requires one to fall in love many times,

always with the same person)...

...and a congratulatory wedding sentiment on the bottom inside. I think the couple will understand what I've written. Well, if not, at least they will know who it's from!

I'll post the shower and wedding card I made for one of my "all grown up" Girl Scouts at a later date. This card was needed for my trip to Germany,and the others for my return.

Challenges I am Entering:
 Classic Design Team Open Challenges - Anything DT Goes
Leann's World 101 - Anything Goes
Love to Craft - Anything Goes
Your Scrapbook Place -Anything Goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything DT Goes

Getting Kraft-y at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog

Welcome to a new challenge at Scribbles Designs! This month the theme is to us KRAFT PAPER. I'm not a fan of Kraft paper, but I dug deep in my paper stash and found a piece of Kraft paper with a wood-grain design. I felt more at ease. Besides, themes are meant to challenge a person...
Anyway, I used 2 images from the Scribbles Store. They are called F#08  Acorn (a Freebie) and F#93 Nut and Bolt (another freebie). I only used the nut, because, well, read the sentiment on  my card! LOL
This is a fun friendship card (or anniversary card) for any couple. It's for a friend who needs some cheering up. I'm seeing her this week, so I won't have to mail it. After coloring the 2 nuts, I popped them onto a piece of Kraft paper, framing them first with a black paper doily. I drew on faces myself, as well as their hands holding. And yes, the sentiment is supposed to be tilted, just like our friendship!
I embellished simply with a couple banner stickers and my card is finished. Are you inspired to create something with Kraft paper? Whether you make something with the theme or not, Scribbles Designs challenge blog would love to see your projects. Link up at the main blog for your chance to win awesome images at the Scribbles Store!

Challenges I am Entering:

Not Just Cards - Anything Goes

The Creative Crafters - Anything Goes

A Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafty Friends - Autumn Colors

Creative with Stamps - Autumn

Curious to Discover the new Challenge Theme at the Path of Positivity?

Have you ever been curious as to what your dog named you? How many floors to the top of the Empire State Building? Where the next World Cup is being hosted? When the best time to go whale watching? Sure, you can just Google these  questions, but wouldn't it be more fun to experience them?!
My dad used to tell me the beginning of a story, packed with humor, action, mystery...when I asked him to continue, he would tell me that he just read the story, and I'd never know how the story continued unless I opened the book and read it.
I've always been curious (and thanks to my dad, a good reader). Both my children have that same curiosity. What does this taste like, who invented that, where can I do this, etc. I've tried, and I think succeeded, in satisfying their curiosity whenever they can. They've traveled outside the country, overcome fears, tried sushi, Thai and other foods, And I'm sure since becoming adults, they've had many more adventures.
Curiosity is the optional Twist during this month's challenge at the Path of Positivity blog. I love making and keeping journals: self-discovery, travel, gratitude, etc. I've created a new journal, a reading journal. My pages are and will be filled with books I've read, the story line, what I liked about them, who wrote them, etc. Think of it as a collection of book reports. I've just decorated its cover and it features a digi image from Bugaboo Stamps, one of the guest designers this month. The digi is called Book Stack and can be found in the Bugaboo Store.

Of course, the Twist is just a method to inspire you. As long as your project is positive, encouraging or motivating, it will qualify for all the prizes this month:

• $12.00 gift certificate to the Bugaboo store for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants 
• ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

Just remember to link up your creation to the Path of Positivity challenge blog this month! Happy crafting!

Getting Sentimental at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog

Today's card is my DT make for Scribbles Designs. When I saw this digi image from the Scribbles Designs Store, called #146 Moon & Stars, I knew I wanted to try creating a scene like I've seen online. I took my Copics and a square of white cardstock and started coloring the night sky. When I was happy with it, I flicked white paint onto it for the smaller stars.
I wanted to make the "land" part enough of a different color but still keep the moonlight effect. Once I accomplished that, I drew in the tree silhouettes and added white gel pen for the moonlit branches. Then I could go on to making the sentiment and adding a few embossed stars and a line of pearls for embellishment. And my card is finished!
The optional theme at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog is to feature a sentiment on your card. That's easy for me, as I almost always add a sentiment or greeting to all my cards. One lucky participant in the challenge will win a gift certificate to the Scribbles Store. What a treat! I love the digis from the Scribbles Store! You will too.

Time to Relax at the Path of Positivity

When I come home from a stressful day out, the first thing I do is turn on some music. It's time to wind down, relax and end my day on a good note. Relaxation is the optional Twist this month at the Path of Positivity challenge blog. The guest sponsor is Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, whose papers are featured on my card today. After choosing a Scribbles Designs image, I used cardstock to frame "Carlos Carl" after coloring him with Copics.

Then I went through my library of digital papers, most of which have come from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. I chose the Sunburst patterned paper from A Taste of Summer paper kit, then a pink textured paper to frame the whole card. I chose 2 tiny frog stickers, a couple of black jewels and a bit of ribbon for embellishments, and printed a play on the words Buenos Noches, which in Spanish means Good Night. I wanted to give one of my friends a smile to relax her, as well the Peace & Calm CD set I bought her. She's gone from part-time to full-time work, and her days are hectic. What she needs is a smile from a friend (in my card) and a little relaxing mood music (in the CDs).

The challenge runs throughout the month. All projects that are positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way qualify for this month's prizes. The theme is just what it is - an option to inspire you. Here are the prize details:

from our guest sponsor, Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, 

 for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.

ONE digital image or sentiment (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants. 

ONE digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

Don't forget to link up your cards, layouts, mixed media or other art to the Path of Positivity challenge blog for your chance to win! Good luck and happy crafting!

Oddball Art Sponsors the 12 Months of Christmas

Hello, crafters! It's time for more inspiration for your growing Christmas card stash. My DT make for the 12 Months of Christmas uses a digi image from Oddball Art Stamps by Lizzie Love. It's called #392 Whimsical Christmas Wendy from Oddball Art Stamps by Lizzie Love, the guest sponsor for the month.
After coloring the image with Copics, I framed her with coordinating squares of Decosse's Dynamite Doodles papers from A Touch of Frost Paper Kit and  An Eclectic Christmas - Gold & Silver Paper Kit. I popped it all onto a piece of Kraft paper and started adding bling - rows of jewels, glittery snowflakes and Stickles here, there and everywhere.
The optional twist at the 12 Months of Christmas is Sparkle, Glitter & Bling. The twist is optional, so you don't need to follow the twist to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month or for a chance to win a $10.00 gift certificate to the Oddball Art Stamps Store. However, if you would  like to win the Christmas Paper Kit offered at the main blog, you need to follow the theme.
So, whether you pour on the glitter, Sparkle or Bling, or create without them, don't forget to join in the fun at the 12 Months of Christmas Blog. Challenge runs until the end of the month.

Challenges I am Entering:

Classic Design Team Open - Anything Goes

Country View - Textures 

Fabrika Fantasy - Anything Goes

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes

Sparkles Christmas Forum - It's Snow time!

New Challenge at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog

The optional theme over at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog is to "use a sentiment". My DIL is a photographer, Camille T Photography, and she took this amazing photo of her daughter (former cheerleader) accomplishing an awesome jump on the beach. It just so happens that I found the perfect sentiment in the Scribbles Designs Store. It reads:

"Funny how in Dreams 

your feet never touch the Earth"

I printed out the sentiment, cut it out and placed it on the photo. Then I used some deliciously colorful patterned paper from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles from her Bokeh Paper Kit. Want to hear a funny story about this card? I decided to make a set of four of them and bagged them for a recent craft fair. The set didn't sell, but my girlfriend, (who just happens to be the other grandmother to the girl in the photo), saw the cards and bought them! She was delighted when I told her who the girl was.

When you create this month, don't forget to link your card or project up at the Scribbles Designs main blog for your chance to win free digis from the Scribbles Designs Store. Good luck and happy crafting!

Challenges I am Entering:

CCC Digi Designs - Summer

Daisy Chain - Summer

Sognando Scrap - Travel/Holiday (to the Beach)

Treasure Island Inspiration

Today I played around with my Copics and my digital papers and created a hybrid card. I love to make these because while they look chunky they are flat when printed out for easy inexpensive mailing.
I chose to color up a Scribbles Designs' digi called Treasure Chest. I also colored one of two images from Oddball Art, the Pirate flag in the background being held up by a skeleton. After  coloring my images, I popped them onto a scenic paper I created in Photoshop called "Spooky Beach." If you like it, I have added it to the bottom of this post. If you snag it and use it, please give credit to "Patacake Designs" by Pat Martin.
I used Crazy Killer font to create my sentiment before adding it to my card. I was inspired by the book Treasure Island, which I enjoyed reading when I was younger and just this year passed it along to one of my grandkids.
Here's the paper I promised you. Have fun with it! I hope to see it out there in Blogland::

Spooky Beach Scenic Paper by Pat Martin, Patacake Designs

*****

Challenges I am Entering:

Tales from the Craft Room - Summer Fun

Cards 4 Galz - Summer Fun
 Shopping our Stash - Base it in a Book (Treasure Island)

Anything Goes at Catch the Bug

This month the challenge theme at Catch the Bug is ANYTHING GOES! I'm still working on my Christmas cards, so my project features two holiday-themed images from Bugaboo: FURBAC Front Steps & BUGCAT Christmas Topper.
To give my card dimension, I printed my image three times. After coloring my front door scene, I used dimensional tap to add two extra Copic-colored images of the cats. I also colored and cut out an extra door's ribbon.
Once the card had all its layers, I added papers to frame and embellish it. I added a few sparkly snowflakes and a row of jewels, with a sentiment sticker on the door to finish off my holiday card. I can't believe I'm so close to reaching my holiday card stash goal! A special thanks to Bugaboo Stamps for offering a Christmas in July daily challenge last week. I won some awesome digis from the store!

Challenges I am Entering:

 Catch the Bug - Anything Goes

12 Months of Christmas - Sparkle, Glitter & Bling

Crafter's Castle - AG w/optional Any Occasion (Christmas)

My Time  to Craft -  Christmas in July

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Critter Goes

Crafty Animals - Anything Animal Goes

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes

Sheepski Designs - Animal Madness

Hats Off to You at Ike's World Challenge Blog

Welcome to a new challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog. This month the optional challenge is to create a project featuring Hats. My DT make includes three images and one patterned paper from Ike's Art store!
While I did some creative computer work for this hybrid card, I also used my trusty Copics to color Mr. Poe's bust and Top Hat . He is really stylin', no lyin'! LOL
Of course, I like to use (or create) puns whenever I can, so my sentiment should make you groan a little.  Puns are under-appreciated, I think.
No matter if you are inspired by the optional theme, no matter if you create altered art, a scrapbook page or other mixed media project, just don't forget to link it up to Ike's World Challenge Blog for your chance to win images from the store.
Good luck and happy crafting!

Ike's ArtImages: Poe Bust, Top Hat & Coffee Cup 1
Ink: Copics & white gel pen
Papers: Ike's Art Poe Paper & PS Digi Dewy's For the Love of Chocolate patterned paper
Font: Verve

Challenges I am Entering:

Relaxing at the Path of Positivity

Welcome to a new challenge at the Path of Positivity blog. Although the challenges are all Anything Goes, the optional twist is RELAXATION. Create something that would encourage someone to relax.

I used papers from A Taste of Summer Paper Kit, created by Lisa Decosse of Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. 

I colored an digi image called Fab Four from Babycakes DND by Sandra Caldwell.  Do you like the Beatles' music? My hubby was a big fan. He even created a Beatles channel on Pandora. He could relax best with their music. My girlfriend loves the Beatles, too. Her birthday is next month, so besides getting a blast from the past, she will enjoy this card and not stress too much over another birthday!

There's a famous quote that says, "Music hath charms to soothe the savage soul". It's a proverb that  comes from the play The Mourning Bride, by William Congreve, an English author of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Music plays a very important part in everyone's lives. For instance, have you ever watched a scary movie and turned the sound off? Way less scary!!

Moms hum or sing lullabies to their babies, dancers move to the rhythm without thinking about it, just letting their bodies move with it. When I'm winding down, I turn on the soft acoustic sounds of a piano or guitar. When I want to get off the couch and move, it's rock or pop. As the kids always said on American Bandstand, "It's got a good beat I can dance to".

You have all of August to create something positive and link up with the Path of Positivity challenge blog for your chance to win prizes. All positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging projects qualify for this month's prizes:

• The A Taste of Summer Kit, a digital scrapbooking kit from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles, our guest sponsor for this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.

ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring based on all entries.

One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

 Good luck and happy crafting!

Challenges I am Entering:

Archi-Scraps - Music

Classic Design Team - Anything Goes

Creative with Stamps - Dad or Masculine

Pearly Sparkles - B is for..."Beatles"

The Creative Crafters - Anything Goes

Dare 2B Artsy - Anything Goes

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Today I created a card for the new challenge at Oddball Art. Their theme is "Sweet Lemon Sour", and I think this is perfect for a summer theme! I used a digi image from a stamp set called Sweet Lemon Sour, available to Premium Newsletter members at Oddball Art  Co. It's really a treat to use this digi, as  I actually won  my Premium membership during an Oddball Art contest!

I printed my juiicy lemon directly onto my background sunburst paper - four times! I colored my lemons, then cut out two of them to give it dimension on my card. I also cut out my sentiment and my framed lemon, adhering them all on top of each other with  dimensional tape.

I actually tried a "new-to-me" technique on this card - I had never used thread and needle before today! I sewed the X's (kisses) using Baker's twine. My Gram would be so proud of me, as she taught me needlepoint, crewling and crocheting when I was young. For the O's (hugs), I used puffy paint.

I don't know if the photo shows it, but I used yellow and pink Stickles for the lemon "meat" and the lips. I like to sparkle up my cards!

Although the digi stamp set comes with an  original sentiment, I thought I would put my own unique sentiment to work. I created it in Photoshop using AR Herman font in pink and yellow and framed it before adding the second layer onto my card.

So there you have it, crafters! The challenge at Oddball Art lasts through the end of the month. Good luck and happy crafting!

Challenges I  am Entering:

Oddball Art - Sweet Lemon Sour
Crafty Calendar - August
Crafty Friends - Summer  Colors
Just Us Girls - Summer
Brown Sugar - Anything Goes
Colourific Challenge Corner - Anything Goes
Sweet Stampers - Summer
Creative Crafters - Anything Goes
Worldwide Open Design Team - Anything Goes