It's All about the Gingham at Ike's World Challenge Blog

Tie again for a new challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog, where the optional theme this month is Gingham! I found a sweet piece of gingham patterned paper that inspired me to create a new baby girl card. My daughter is at that age where many of her friends are getting married or having babies, so I know this card won't last long in my house.
I used New Baby digi image from Ike's Art Store, coloring it with Copics. I dug into my folder of baby stickers and found this adorable clothesline sticker that frames my image perfectly. I went over the top on the theme by adding a gingham bow to my card!
Whatever you create, be sure to link it to Ike's World Challenge Blog for your chance to win free digis from the store like the one with which I created!

Challenges I am Entering:

A Place to Start - Anything Goes

Crafty Friends - Beginning with B (Baby)

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Papers - Anything PP Goes

Creations in Pink - Anything with mostly pink Goes

Ike's World Challenge Blog Getting a Little Sketchy

It's a SKETCH challenge over at Ike's World Challenge Blog!

I'll tell you a little secret- - - I don't really like sketch challenges. So saying, I challenged myself to create a card for my DT make using the sketch offered at Ike's World Challenge blog. That is the nature of challenges, isn't it?!

I think I did fairly well following the sketch. A crafter can position the sketch anyway he or she wants, so I flipped it, also flipping my oval-shaped image. It's called New baby and I have used it several times since getting it. I've created cards and canvases with this image.
I also added some embellishments not in the sketch, but the main focal points are obvious. So now I don't "not" like sketch challenges, but I prefer ones that give a person free rein on the placement of elements on her cards.  How do you feel about sketch challenges?
My card is for my BFF, who has become a grandma for the first time. Her grandson, Brady, is the cutest, blondest baby! When I see my friend holding him, she sparkles with unconditional love for this new member of her family. Now we have one more thing in common!
Whether you like or dislike Sketch challenges, let's see what YOU come up with for this fortnight's challenge over at Ike's World Challenge blog!

Celebrate Independence at Ike's World Challenges Blog

Today I created a hybrid layout for my DT make at Ike's World Challenges Blog. Hybrid projects mix hand-crafting with digital design. I hand-colored images from Ike's Art, fussy-cut them, and added in a mix of photos to make a 21st birthday page of my daughter.I thought it was perfect for the theme of "Be Independent" as Wendy was born on the 4th of July, 1995. That's right, my baby girl is 21!!  

I tried to encompass her journey from little tyke to young woman, and I am proud that I am her mom. Happy Birthday, my love!

Here's what went into my layout:

Digital Images (colored with Copics): Ike’s Art New Baby, My Teddy, Teenager

Papers: Decosse’s Dynamite Doodles’ Glitterati Glitter Pink Paper; Pixel Scrapper Melo Vrijhof’s Painted Papers Flowers

Elements: (PixelScrappers) Sharon Grant’s It’s a Girl Thing Frame Cluster02; Pauline Thompson’s Masculine 2 Clock & Star Brad 7; Ania Archer Art of Every Day Heart Scatter; Janet Scott’s Toolbox Calendar Metal Fireworks Doodle; Elif Sahin’s Christmas Day Elements Washi Tape 1
Now it's your turn. You have another week for the Be Independent challenge over at Ike's World Challenges Blog. What are you waiting for?! LOL

For the Mom to Be

Today I wanted to show you my very first project as a DT member for Ike's World Challenges. It is a gift box that I re-purposed and recycled from a cream cheese container! Here's where I started:

I generously covered my container with homemade ModPodge and some thickly textured paper, both inside and out. I had to be careful to ensure that my lid would still open and close when dried. Trying to wait until each coat was completely dry before applying another, it took almost a week before it was ready to embellish!

First, I had to find its feet. I used water bottle caps, painting them white and adding gold glitter to each (more time spent drying). I added them and made sure the box stood stable before decorating.

Then the fun began!

I decided to use New Baby from Ike's Art. We have planned a baby shower for my daughter-in-law, scheduled for the end of June. Although their family includes five children, this one will be their first together. I wanted to make something special for the soon-to-be new mama, and my box fits the bill perfectly.
I placed my Copic-colored image onto the top of my box, framing it with a gold-rubbed paper doily. Since the challenge theme is to be inspired by song lyrics, I thought the song All I Have to Do Is Dream by the Everly Brothers.

Once the top was completed, I cut up old lace pieces I had snagged at rummage sales, strings of pearls, and creamy white roses to make the front of my box pleasing to the eye. The sides were the last to be finished.

I do so like to fling those feathers onto my projects!  Now I have just one thing more to make my beautiful box ready for the baby shower---
What am I going to put into it?!
Any ideas? Anyone? Anyone?
LOL While you're thinking about it, you can surf Ike's Store for inspiration and eye candy!! And don't forget to join in the challenge at Ike's World Challenge blog.
Other Challenges I am Entering:
Recycle, Re-Purpose & Re-Invent - Anything Goes/must recycle: from cream cheese container to gorgeous gift box

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Goes/mixed media only

Always Something Creative challenges - Anything Goes

Stampin Royalty challenges - Anything But a Card

"All I Have To Do Is Dream"
Dream, dream, dream, dream

Dream, dream, dream, dream

When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you
All I have to do is dream
Dream, dream, dream

When I feel blue in the night
And I need you to hold me tight
Whenever I want you
All I have to do is dream

I can make you mine 
Taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is 
Gee whiz
I'm dreamin' my life away

I need you so, that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you
All I have to do is dream
Dream, dream, dream, dream

I can make you mine
Taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is
Gee whiz
I'm dreamin' my life away

I need you so, that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you 
All I have to do is dream

Dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream, dream, dream
Dream.

(lyrics courtesy of AtoZLyrics.com)