Pave your Path with Happiness

This month's challenge at the Path of Positivity has the optional Twist of Happiness. Make someone smile or laugh; create a card to remind them they are special; send your mom a handcrafted layout of the two of you enjoying life together. In other words, make someone HAPPY!
My card asks for the best thing a person can give or receive that will spread happiness - a HUG. Of course, I had to put a Twist on my card by using a Cactus asking for a hug, but sometimes it can be difficult to hug a grumpy person. Give them two; they must need them!!
Of course, the Twist is just for fun. As long as your project is positive, encouraging or inspirational, it will qualify for prizes (see below).
I used a digi image from Limited Runs, one of the guest sponsors at the Path of Positivity this month.

The image is aptly named "Cactus" and can be found in the Flower section of the STORE.  Limited Runs is also on Facebook with a Freebie for every 50 Followers, AND also a Monthly Progressive Challenge Blog.  

Prizes this month include:

A $10 gift certificate from Limited Runs, 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 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 project!!

It's a well-documented fact that everyone needs at least five hugs a day to stay happy. So don't be surprised if, when we meet on the Path, I stop to give you a HUG. Everyone can stand to add a little happiness to their lives, and the lives of others. See you there!

Challenges I am Entering:

Make My Monday - Something Humorous

Stamps + Fun = Creativity - Washi Tape

Not Just Cards - Anything Goes

Creative Crafters - Anything Goes

Keep It Clean and Simple at Ike's World Challenge Blog

When I saw the set of Sock Puppets that Ike is offering at her STORE, I knew there had to be some good conversations between these dog Sockies. So for this month's Lean and Simple (CAS) theme at Ike's World challenge Blog, I found their perfect introduction to my blog.
I colored two of the four Sockies with my Copics, adhering them onto a bit of cardstock to frame them before popping them onto my card base. I did the same with my sentiment, and kept embellishments to 4 small black jewels. I knew my sentiment needed a CAS card for impact. Did I make you smile?
If not, I hope the Sockies did. And the best time to craft is when you're smiling. So I expect to see your projects at Ike's World Challenge Blog. Good luck and happy crafting!

Challenges I am Entering

Creative w/Stamps - Friends

Happy Craft - Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

The Creative Crafters - Anything Goes

Getting Edgy at the Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge

Good morning, crafters! I thought I would create a card that embodies my feelings about Mondays. Or rather, how I used to feel about Mondays. Nowadays, I enjoy three-day weekends, AND I publish a couple DT projects on Mondays as well. So, this card is for all your crafters out there who still have to trudge to work on Mondays.
I used a digi image called Original Morning Goddess from Rick St Dennis, who, by the way, is sponsoring this week's challenge at the Outlawz Monday Greetings this week along with Bugaboo. The new theme for the this week's challenge is to use some edging on your project (along with a greeting or sentiment). I edged my CAS card with both real and faux stitching. I am not usually a lover of white space, so this card may seem "full"  to some, but it was definitely difficult to leave my card this clean and simple. I really like the vivid contrast of black and white on my card.

Challenges I am Entering:

CAS on Sunday - Real stitching  

Come & Get It - Card for a Woman

Since I have those lovely three-day weekends, I was able to create a second inspiration card using a digital image from Bugaboo called Ava Flowers.

For this card, I used adhesive-backed pearls to edge around my card. I colored my image with Copics, and punched a pretty border on my sentiment before backing it with cardstock. Isn't Ava so pretty? I love the Duncan and Ava collection of images that Bugaboo offers.
I hope you'll have time this week to drop in and join us at the Outlawz Monday Greetings challenge for your chance to win prizes. And have an awesome Monday!!

Challenges I am Entering:
Aud Sentiments - Animals & a Sentiment
Craft Rocket challenges - Pink & Pearlie
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie - Photo Inspiration

Crafting by Design - Anything Goes

Mod Squad - April Showers Bring May Flowers

Deep Ocean Challenge blog - Flowers Everywhere

So Very Grateful

The theme for the Path of Positivity Challenge blog this month has been Gratefulness. Their sponsors are Kitten Scraps and Scribbles Designs. I had chosen this awesome image, called Maple Leaf Doodle, to write about the blessings of changing seasons and how grateful I am to live in an area that reminds me of the beauty of nature.
But today I write about faith. Those of you who have been reading my posts know that I have been in fear of losing my job of 15 years. Although my relationships with staff and teachers is comfortable, although I have skills that would best serve the program, I was positive that the powers that be would choose my co-worker over me for purely financial reasons. My faith in the church was in jeopardy.
However, last week I met with my pastor, my new boss and the business manager and was completely blindsided when they offered me a new job description that met my needs. The hours are the bare minimum needed to be benefits eligible. I wanted less work hours but the ability to carry insurance for my family, and they gave me what I prayed for!
So, today I am grateful for my job, where there are people I care for and the insurance and benefits I need to carry me through to retirement. My faith in people and life in general has been restored, and hopefully strengthened.
Meanwhile, you have until the end of the month to create a project that reflects the theme of Thankfulness. Now let's take a look at the pries offered by Kitten Scraps and Scribbles Designs:

• A prize package from Kitten Scraps for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
• A $10 gift certificate from Scribbles Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also be:

• A small selection of digital designer papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky person who leaves a comment on posts published during the challenge time frame.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge. 

An Early Mother's Day Gift

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

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

Challenges I am entering:

Crafty Catz challenges - CAS 

Simply Crafting challenges - CAS

Stempelsonne challenges - Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes

Wonderful Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Clear It Out challenges - Use your stash

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

Get Creative challenges - Mother's Day

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

Give a Cheer, School Days are Here!

I'm upping the ante when it comes to 2013 Challenges.  I'd been feeling lazy and bored lately, so I promised myself I would try to join more challenges.

I made this card with The Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Challenge in mind.  Their new weekly challenge Monday was Back to School theme.  While the outside of my card reads: "It's Time... Again?" the inside reads: "Give a Cheer, School Days are Here!"

So, what do you think--is my card for a child or for a mom? LOL  It could be both!!

After coloring my image with Copics, I cut him and a couple frames using my CM circle-cutting system to coordinate with the patterned paper I used.  Stickers created my sentiment, as well as the school bus one.  A few jewels and sequins finish off my card, and this family is ready for school!!

Holy Card, I Mean, Hole-y Bookmark

I liked paper piercing so much that I had to use it on another bookmark I made for my sisters.  This one uses the Squigglefly digi image Sassy Sally Likes Birds from artist Cheryl Alger.  I like the design of this bookmark, as it is CAS, so it fits nicely inside a book or magazine, and I can easily slip it onto the top of the page where I left off by designing it with a circular cut at the top.  It's easy peasy, it looks great, and it won't slip out of place like some loose bookmarks can.
Anyway, here is  my project for this week's Squigglefly challenge, which is to try Paper Piercing (not piecing) on your project.  You try it too, it's addicting!!!  Here I just made freehand "photo corners", and also pierced the little banner-shaped bottom edge.   The sentiments are from TLC Quik Words Rub-Ons, "Moments" collection.  They read: "Imagine the Perfect Day".
And now that I look more closely at my image here, I see that I forgot to color her shoes!!  ROTFLMAO  I will definitely fix that before I gift this bookmark out to family!!

Happy crafting, and keep cool!!