Another Month, Another Birthday Card

 

I love the sentiment on this card. It's a two-part greeting. And it goes  perfectly with the image I chose. The image is from Lynn Stansberry of Squigglefly. I colored her with Copics and double-framed her. All the papers I used are leftovers from previous projects.

The inside of the card reads: "and on my birthday, you must tell me that I look marvelous!" Isn't this the perfect image?! LOL

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING:

Memes by Me

In case you didn't catch it on my Facebook page, I created a couple memes to hopefully make you laugh during the stay-at-home period:

I used a digi image from the Squigglefly Store. This one is from Marlene. The background is credited to Rush Ranch and I have a commercial license for it. It's called Good Vibes Journal Card. The font is called El Capitan. (If you noticed, I forgot to write the word "with" between woman and hand sanitizer).

This one uses a digital image from Rick St Dennis. She is part of a collection of characters called Morning Goddesses. I colored her with Copics. BTW, I wear jeans every day, just in case...

The image here is a free clipart I found through Google. I thought it went with the sentiment perfectly. Too perfectly.

I snagged the silhouette from free clipart library, and the paper and stitched frame is from Pixel Scrappers. The font is called Tall Marker.

I hope you enjoyed these memes. I'm looking for more ways to expand my artistic adventures, and since I love humor and puns, these fit me like a glove. Which reminds me, I need another box if I go out again...

Anything Goes at SBP Challenges

 Welcome to another ANYTHING GOES monthly challenge at Your Scrapbook Place (SBP) challenge blog. We had a record number of participants last month, and hope to see you all back again for this month's challenge. Our sponsor is Squigglefly Designs. We bid a very fond farewell to Squigglefly, who will be closing their doors. They have some very talented artists creating for them, and as a DT member, I was able to create with the best of them! I know they will find their market with other companies, and when they do, I'll be ready to see what new images they have in store for all of us.
Meanwhile, I got to play with an image by artist Lynne Stansbery. I like her images, but I LOVE her hands. This one is called "On Your Honor" and I decided to put a little humor into my card. That's why I made an easel birthday card--the design is so perfect for those "punch lines."

Like mine: On my honor...I promise to never reveal your age!!
Now that I see my card on the blog, I might have to revamp it a tad. I like the look of it when closed flat with the cut-out circle framing the Happy Birthday sentiment, but it doesn't look so hot open. Hmm, this may be a work in progress. Stay tuned and you may just see it reincarnated in another life!
But until then, go check out SBP Challenges and show us what you got! Random winner receives 3 Squigglefly images.

Friendships Are Golden

I'm meeting a very dear friend I met while in college. We have kept in touch through the years. Her son is one year older than my daughter. We live within twenty minutes of each other.
Lately it seems our lives have become busier, with less time to spend together. So this New Year's eve, we'll meet up, share some memories and laughs, vent our frustrations, cry on each others' shoulders, and then go to our separate homes, each knowing that no matter how much time goes by, our friendship will survive.
I made this card for my friend Janie. Although we didn't grow up together, we matured together, and this image, a Squigglefly December new release from artist James Horvath, pretty much says it all to her. Her friendship warms my heart, and I am so blessed to have it.
After coloring my image, called "Girl Scouts," with Copics, I fussy-cut the girls out and popped them onto a K&Co frame. after embellishing the front, I decided to cut around the edge of the frame, giving my card an interesting edge.
I hope everyone has a good friend in their lives.
You can find "Girl Scouts and more images from James Horvath HERE. Have fun and Happy Holidays!

A DEAR Challenge from Squigglefly

This week, Squigglefly challenges us to use a DEER on our project, or the word DEAR in our sentiment. Since I didn't have a deer image, I opted to go with the word DEAR in my sentiment.
I created an easel card using a Squigglefly digi image from one of their newest artists, Sal Schiebe. The image is called "Fairy on a Stool."

After coloring her with my Copics, I fussy-cut her and framed her with a paper doily I sprayed with homemade shimmer sprays. The patterned paper was part of a 12x12 page from which I cut out the corner "shrubbery."
My sentiment was printed in Microsoft Word, and I highlighted the word DEAR to make sure it fit in the challenge guidelines.
I love making easel cards, as they are so simple to create and have a great presentation. They are my go-to card. Using images from Squigglefly give me so much choice as the number of their artists keep growing, any style is satisfied! Check out the Squigglefly Store! And then use one of their images and the word DEAR in your sentiment or a DEER image and come play in this week's Squigglefly challenge for your chance to win!

Squigglefly Grab Bag Special

Need inspiration? Need more digis? Check out the Squigglefly store this week. Not only will you find both there, but they have a fantastic special promotion going on:

No tricks, just treats this weekend!  For every $1.00 spent in our store this weekend ( 10-18-14 through midnight central standard time 10/19/14) you will be entered into a drawing to win a  grab bag of 10 Halloween images!  Winner will be announced on the Squigglefly blog and on Facebook on Monday, October 20th.

LEAF It Up to Squigglefly to Offer a Great Challenge

The challenge theme this week is Leaves, and Squigglefly offers some great new releases this month! I got to play with Cheryl Grant's The All American digi for my card today. I colored her with Copics, then rubbed some sky blue ink into the background.
I placed a beautiful piece of leaf-decorated vellum over my white cardstock, then highlighted a die cut chipboard leaf to hang over both my image and my hand-written sentiment.
Now it's time to leaf you with this bit of advice: Use a Squigglefly image and use leaves somewhere on your project and you could win free digis!!
In the meantime, happy crafting!

Going Dotty Over at Squigglefly

Today's card features a September release from Squigglefly Designs. It's called "Hurt Bunny Sling" by artist Fawn Palmer. It is too cute!!
Squigglefly's newest challenge is to use dots on your card. I cleverly framed my Copic-colored image with dotty patterned paper and tore the bottom edge before adhering to the patterned paper background. A couple butterflies and a whimsical snail embellish my card.
Have you played in Squigglefly's challenges yet? You could win free digis every time you enter the weekly challenges when you use a Squigglefly image and follow the challenge guidelines. If you don't yet have a Squigglefly digital image to play with, check out their FREEBIES.
Meanwhile, have fun crafting!

A Passion for Purple

Squigglefly's new challenge is for projects to show off their passion for PURPLE, BLACK or ORANGE. I chose PURPLE to showcase this September new release from artist Sandra Caldwell. It's called "Bearly A Nurse" and it is so stinkin' cute.

After coloring her with Copics, I diecut black card stock to frame her and popped her onto a leftover piece of patterned paper. The sentiment is also from Squigglefly. I embellished simply with a few purple flowers and some sequins.

One of the teachers with whom I work during the school year took a bad fall and broke a few ribs. He is still in the hospital and will have to do a long round of rehab, so this card should cheer him up some.

Got some PURPLE, BLACK or ORANGE paper to create with? Use a Squigglefly digi image and link up at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog for your chance to win free digis!!

Bling'd Out Composition Book

I love it when the kids go back to school. It gives me the chance to create awesome notebooks, binder covers and composition books, like this one featuring a Squigglefly new September release! The digital image, called Dragon Tamer, is by artist Niina Niskanen. Here is a close-up of my Copic-colored image.

After covering a 50 cent composition notebook (don't you just love back to school sales?) with DCWV Once Upon a Time patterned paper, I used Frog Tape, which is like blue painters' tape, but green (duh).

I covered the bound edge with flowers, added a Smash Book element (clasp & lock) after coloring it black with a sharpie, and adhered the sentiment and pearls.

Since Squigglefly offers a new challenge this week, Add Some Bling, I Stickled my dragon tamer's wings as well as parts of the dragon and the sun-sparkled roofs of my renaissance town's buildings. Here's the back of the notebook.

How will you add some bling to your challenge for Squigglefly this week? Don't forget to use a Squigglefly image to play for free digis!! 

Whatever you do, have fun!!

Love Me Some Shimmer

There are two things I love above all else when it comes to crafting--getting the best deals and putting some shimmer on my projects. The card above satisfies my craving for both!
I made the background paper with homemade red and gold shimmer misting sprays (commercially known as glimmer mists if you buy Tattered Angels). I had made several different colors of my own sprays by draining "dried out" markers in alcohol and adding Pearl-X when I had the shade I wanted. I LOVE that I now own so many sprays in so many different colors. More are on their way--I just need to snag some more spray bottles from the Dollar Store (working at a school during the summer helped with the markers inventory).
After cutting and adhering the shimmery paper onto my card front, I colored a paper doily with my red shimmer misting spray to frame my Copic-colored Squigglefly digi image. It's called Cheerleader from artist James Horvath. As if there wasn't enough shine to my card, I added the strip of black jewels wrapping behind my sentiment (SU) and my card, my shimmery, shiny card, is complete.
I am in a back-to-school mood, and what is best about the first couple weeks of school is a holiday right off the bat - Labor Day!! Can I get three cheers for a sleep-in, time-to-craft, BBQ kind of holiday?!
Challenges entered with my card:
Outlawz Monday Greetings Card challenge - Labor Day theme

New Challenge at Squigglefly

I had a smidgen of time yesterday so I created another card using a fabulous August new-release digi image from artist James Horvath. The image is  fun and it's called Female Explorer.
I created it with this week's Squigglefly challenge theme of NO SQUARE CORNERS. My card is round the sentiment is round, and everyone knows that the world is round, so my project will fit right in!!
If you have some time to craft, try round or rounded corners and use a Squigglefly image to play in this week's challenge. What?!! Don't have any Squigglefly images. Here's a few FREEBIES that they offer at their STORE.

Time Flies When you're Crafting

Time flies when you're having fun, like water coloring or crafting or spending time with the grandkids. I've had a broke-down clock for months, and was waiting for inspiration to strike. Well, it did over the weekend, and here's my finished project.
I took off the glass cover and removed the hands and broken guts, then used a newly-released digi image from Squigglefly. It's called Angel & Birdie by the ever-talented artist Sandra Caldwell. After coloring the image with my trusty Copics, I fussy-cut my angel and adhered it to the clock face. The sentiment went on next, and then I threw on jeweled flowers. I sprayed a protective sealant on it and it's now hanging in my kitchen.
There are some awesome digital images released this month at the Squigglefly store. The challenge blog, whose challenge this week is to "round those corners," offers up plenty of inspiration to crafters, and the chance to win free digis when you link your own "rounded project using a Squigglefly image.

How Charming!

Welcome to a new challenge at Squigglefly! This week crafters are asked to use charms on your project so we can ooh and ahh and say, "Oh, how Charming!"
I got to play with a new August release from artist Tam Hess called "Sweater Cat." Now, I am not a cat person (allergies), but this cat is just too cute for words!! So I decided to use the image on a canvas.
I printed my image in several different sizes, as I wanted a mama cat and a few of her kitties to follow her. I decided to create a CAS canvas. I used handmade paper to cover the canvas, then colored my images with my trusty Copics and adhered them onto the paper. Although the cats look blue, the color is really shades of gray--my color is off on the photo.
I love watching the TV show Big Bang Theory, and if you also watch it, you'll recognize the sentiment as the beginning lyrics to a song gone viral. I finished off my canvas with some scattered sequins and my KEY ingredient, the charm. Isn't it "charming" the way mama cat makes sure her kitties are following her by luring them with the promise of a fish dinner??
Whatever your medium, Squigglefly digi images are great to use, and August offers some new winners from artists like Tam, Sandra Caldwell, James Horvath and many other talented people. Check them all out at the Squigglefly Store. You can also catch a few FREEBIES while you're there. Play in this week's challenge and you'll be in the running for free digis, too!

A Blog Hop with a Difference

I was invited to this blog hop with a difference by Lisa from the Path of Positivity. This hop gives me free rein to write and showcase any of my work, as well as answer four questions about my creativity. In turn, I have chosen three bloggers and their links who I have "tagged" to continue this blog hop with a difference. Those are below. Now for the answers to the questions:

1. What am I working on?

I just sent off a personal essay for the Path of Positivity. I love to write. I've been having a torrid love affair with the English language since the second grade, when Sister Carlene applauded my short story and told me I was destined to be a writer. On the crafty front, I design for Squigglefly Designs as well as for Lisa at the Path of Positivity, and join in challenges on a regular basis. Above is a card I created for the Digi Stamps 4 Joy Progressive Christmas Card challenge using Snowglobe by Margy from DS4J. I created an easel card after fussy-cutting the image. The faux snow on the image is homemade "SoftSnow." It's easy to make--all you need is two balls of styrofoam and rub them together, then gather it all into a container. 

I'm also into watercolors. I started with kids' water paints and cardstock, and graduated to cold pressed paper with lots of tooth and liquid water colors.  Here's one I recently painted from a photo taken while visiting Seattle, Washington. Between my photos and Pinterest, I'll run out of paints before I run out of inspiration.  

The last project to show you is a shadowbox I made of my son's wedding last July. My mom liked it so much I decided to make one for her as well, and it is sitting on my craft table until I get the time to put hers together. This is what it will look like. And let me tell you, if I had gone around the world looking for the perfect wife for my son, I couldn't have done better than the one he chose for himself!! 

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Every artist puts his or her sweat, emotions and heart into each work, whether it's a card, a layout, a canvas or journaling. I am an eclectic artist in that I am all over the place. The companies for whom I design never know if I will give them a fancy-fold card or a piece of altered art, a piece of room decor or a mini album. I like it that way--keeps them on their toes. LOL

3. Why do I do what I do?

Why do birds sing? Why do stars twinkle in the sky? I do what I love and love what I do. I feel blessed to be able to create with paper and paint and words. I was never one to look a gift in the horse's mouth (or is it a gift horse in the mouth?), so if I can do it, I will do it. End of story!

4. How do I come up with stuff?

I very rarely have a sketch or plan when I sit down to make a card. I just root around my craft room with an image I want to use and wait for the muse to attack me. And you know what? She never ever fails to do so! There is so much inspiration out there if you only keep your eyes and heart open to all the endless possibilities. Color, texture, scents, memories, music--they're all I need...that and a tall cool glass of iced tea. 

Now on to the crafters I've "tagged" that I think you might find interesting. Please check them out and leave a little love.

JOYCE GUTHRIDGE - Joyce and I are co-administrators of Your Scrapbook Place Challenge blog, and both members of SBP Yahoo Group. She crafts from sketches and templates so we are totally opposites and yet great crafting friends. Her projects always inspire me, and I know they will you, too!
VIOLET - Violet is a writer, and her blog posts shout passionately about self-respect, loving yourself and psoitivity. I enjoy her youthful and colorful discoveries, experiments and exercises she shares with her readers to help them over the hump of self-criticism, doubt and depression. 
VIRGINIA - Virginia is an avid cardmaker and talented crafter. She has a brand new blog and would love to see more crafters checking out her art and leaving some love.

That's all for now, my crafty peeps! Happy hopping!

Summer Fun with Squigglefly

Enabler Alert!!  There's a new challenge over at Squigglefly!  Use any kind of twine and a Squigglefly digi image and you could win free digi images.
I used an adorable image by new Squigglefly artist Angela Charles.  It's called Bubbles and I had fun coloring it with my Copics. I created this card using embossed cardstock, patterned paper, an image from Pinterest, Liquid Glass from CTMH and some coordinating twine tied in a bow.
I love this image, it feels like the embodiment of summer fun to me. It brings to mind water balloons, catching lightning bugs, chalk drawings on driveways, barbeques, picnics and baseball games. Ah, summer, here at last!!

Crafting Around with Squigglefly

Today's card follow's the theme for this week's Squigglefly challenge - "create a ROUND card. I created my ROUND card using a July new release by artist Sandra Caldwell.  It's called Fashion Fanny.  Isn't she adorable?!

I colored her with Copics and fussy-cut the image. I layered my ROUND card base with adhesive flourish border tape, an alcohol-ink misted paper doily, black diecut cardstock, sequins and butterflies. Then I popped Fanny into place and there she is, in all her fashionable glory!
Have you made ROUND CARDS yet? They're fun, as they make you think outside the angular box. Try it for Squigglefly's new challenge--and if you use a Squigglefly digi image, you'll be in the running for digi prizes!  Don't have any?? Click here for FREEBIES.

Getting Edgy Over at Squigglefly

What a fantastic month Squigglelfy has for you!  First, there are three new artists making their debut in July.   They are Tam Hess, Norma Burnell, and Angela Charles. Each of them have their own unique style. I got to play with a digi image called Forest Fairy from Norma Burnell.

Second, the Squigglelfy challenge this week is "Over the Edge," which means to let your image extend past the edges of your project. I made a "potted flower" from a wooden block. It started life as one of those photo holders, but I didn't like the photos I had already printed up, so I glued a beautiful cream-colored rose to the post.

I colored Forest Fairy with my trusty Copics, and popped her onto my block after painting it with acrylics. I adhered washi tape to the bottom, all around the block, so to speak. I added a few sequins for sparkle and my front was complete.

Here's another view of the block, this one from the side. I decided it needed a sentiment, and I had the perfect one in my stickers stash.  It reads: "Hold a true friend in both hands."

For more inspiration with Squigglefly's July releases, check out the challenge blog. If you really need to get your mojo on, go have a look-see at what our new DT member, Jen Leeflang, has created. Jen's blog is http://jencraftsa.blogspot.com. 

Using Up My Stash in Squigglefly's New Challenge

There's nothing better than having a stash of leftover papers, ribbons, flowers and the like. Unless you are the master hoarder of the crafting world!!! Then there's nothing better than using up your stash (or a small percentage of it) in a challenge that directs you to do just that. This week at Squigglefly Challenge blog the theme is using scraps on your project. Well, since my hubby calls my work area the original ScrapMart, this is my kind of challenge!!

I want you to "say hello to my little friend," a July new release from Squigglefly. This cutie patootie is created by Tam Hess who, along with Norma Burnell and Angela Charles, have just joined Squigglefly's creative team.
This image is called "Fred - Thinking" and is my new favorite. LOL
After I colored him with Copics (Y11,15,17;YR02& R05), I distressed the edges with Bundled Sage distress ink from Tim Holtz and popped him onto black cardstock.
I created the card front by "putting in my thumb and pulling out a plum" of patterned papers from my "misc" file folder of scraps (yes, besides my folders arranged by color, I even have a misc one).
I only needed a snip here and there and I had my scraps creatively arranged for the background. I added some plastic charms from Jollee's Boutique as well as a frog-shaped button. Oh and let's not forget the tiny musical notes coming out of that little yellow birdie's throat!
I like this technique so much that I'm going to make a bunch of card bases with my leftover scraps on which to put more colored images. I keep a box of card bases ready to use, mostly for the cards I make for Operation Write Home.
Now it's your turn--is your stash overflowing? It's time to tell it who's boss and play in the Squigglefly challenge this week. Don't forget to use a Squigglefly image for your chance to win free digis, too!!
Meanwhile, catch some inspiration from Squigglefly's newest DT member, Jan Leeflang.

Let the Sun In!

Don't you just love summer?  Especially after that freakish winter and bi-polar Spring? Squigglefly has a new challenge this week-Create a card using the shape of the sun: "add any type of embellishment that includes a sun shape on your card, this can be a die cut, a pattern on your cardstock, a button shape, an brad or eyelet, an embellishment, or part of your image."
I decided to go with a sun-shaped card. I played with two of Sandra Caldwell's images released by Squigglefly this month, Americana Beauty and Firecrackers, coloring them both with Copics. In keeping with the roundness of the sun (and my card base, I framed both images with red and blue cardstock, adding a little Stickles for shimmer and shine.
I embossed the words I love America and added a line of pearls and a couple ribbon bows for embellishments. I inked the edges of my card with coordinating ink and I have the perfect birthday card for my daughter, who turns 19 this 4th of July. Happy early bitthday, Wendy!!