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)

Spring Puts Music in My Heart

I love to listen to  music, especially when I craft. I have an old 2nd generation iPod with pver 1200 songs and jam while I ink, sing while I stamp, and croon while I color! That's why I love this gorgeous digi image from The East Wind for my DT card for Craft Your Passion challenge blog.
The East Wind is this week's guest sponsor, and my image is called Spring Melody.
Craft Your Passion offers weekly challenges that are Anything Goes, and I took the theme to heart. I used leftover patterned paper from my stash, then popped my Copic-colored image onto my card front after framing it with a die-cut paper doily. The circles of musical notes have been punched out from more leftover papers, while I printed and punched out my sentiment. A sprinkling of "negative" die-cuts from the doily embellish my card, along with a few golden yellow pearls.
Now it's time to get your Anything Goes mojo to work and come play at Craft Your Passion's challenge this week!!

Challenges I am Entering:

Sister Act challenges - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Summer Colors

CMD challenge blog - Movie/TV show inspired (Ich mag den Film Pitch Perfect und nicht kann warten um die Fortsetzung zu sehen)

Some Old-Fashioned Rock n Roll

 In this whirl-wind world of constant technological breakthroughs and never-ending improvements, there are few things that remain constant. One of them is my husband of almost 39 years, and I am so happy for that. He isn't above a little trip down memory lane, and playing a little air guitar along the way (I know, I've caught him at it).
 Today starts a new challenge at the Outlawz Greetings, and this week's sponsor is Dr Digi. I made a card for my rockin' hubby using the digi image Derek Clapton. The challenge this week is to use embossing on your project - dry, heat, whatever your pleasure. My chipboard musical notes are heat-embossed with black powder and glitter.
I also have a confession to make to you all---
I---
am---
a Paper-holic!!
I have two photo boxes on my desk that I discovered earlier this month, filled with 6x6 and 4x6 papers. Papers I had totally forgotten I had in my stash!  I am embarassed, I am mortified, but I am determined to use it up before touching all my (pre-cioussss) other papers.

So, I grabbed a handful of patterned paper strips and used them to create the background for my easel card. I was able to use some of the larger strips on the rest of my card. And now my box(es) are a little lighter and I have a lovely card to show for it.
Come play at the Outlawz Greetings challenge this week. Dr. Digi is offering 2 digi images to the winner!
 What Does It Take To Win A Prize?

1. The sentiment must appear on the front of your card or project to be eligible to win.
2. YOU DO NOT have to use an image on your card. Also, non-card entries are acceptable as long as they have sentiments that are visible on the outside. 
3. Please only one entry per week per challenge.
4. No back linking. Any projects posted on your blog/online gallery before the start date of a challenge should not be entered and will not be eligible for prizes. 
5. Please post your own creations only to the challenges.

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Challenge Up Your Life - Use Digi Stamps

Digi Galore challenges - Father's Day

My Time to Craft - Male

Bloggers' challenges - Boys of Summer

Creative Corner challenges - Just for Dad

Simply Create Too - Masculine

Stempelsonnen challenges - Anything Goes

Always Something Creative - Anything Goes

Paper Creators Crafts - Anything Goes

Words 2 Scrap By - It's a Man's World

New Challenge at SBP Challenge Blog Sponsored by DeeDee's Digis

I love an Anything Goes Challenge, and I love playing with DeeDee's Digis, which is this month's sponsor at Your Scrapbook Place challenge blog.
Since I am on a family vacation, I had scheduled this post to run while I was gone. I had created a 100% digital card to print up anytime and send to anyone. I sent it to one to my fave sisters-in-law, Treasa. She and Jill really know how to whip up some holiday deliciousness. Not to mention the fact that both if them are Vets of Dessert Storm.
While it is easy to think of the holidays as a time to entertain and eat goodness, this Memorial Day I spent with my Dad, Gram and Grampa, who are together in heaven, as well as being near each other at the cemetery. Some fresh flowers, a little conversation and some great memories were brought out, and my Memorial Day was complete. Hope yours was too!
Now, spend a little YOU time in your favorite craft area and create something for the Anything Goes challenge over at Your Scrapbook Place. And don't forget to have fun!

Challenges I am Entering:

My Time to Craft - Male

Slight Detour in Paradise

After a day in the sun and surf, Murphy's Law kicked in and hit me with a double whammy. I got sick and had to go to Immediate Care, and the heavens opened up and dropped a ton of rain on the island. This poor tourist tried to drive through the flooded street just below our window and not only got stuck, but floated into the rock wall with such force it ripped off his fender!!
I am doing better, and the rain should go away in about an hour. The sun may still shine down on our little piece of paradise today. If not, there's always tomorrow!!
Happy crafting, y'all!

Tripping Along the Path of Happiness

Today at the Path of Positivity we explore the many different meanings of Happiness. The Happiness theme can be expressed in your creative projects in any way you wish, whether cards, layouts, canvas, altered art, even your blog write-up.

One of this month's sponsors is Imagine That! digis by Kris, and I got to play with a set of images called Pretty Peacocks. This set includes: 2 peacocks, colored and outline, a flower trio, and 7 sentiments, all in both JPG and PNG format.

I played around with the 2 peacock images and 2 of the sentiments to gift my girlfriend with a reminder to be happy. She is a gorgeous and amazing woman but needs a reminder as to that fact.
I started with a wooden block and Mod Podged/painted the base on all six sides, then covered it with some handmade tissue paper.

Next I adhered patterned paper squares to my sides to frame my images and sentiments, which came next. Then the real fun began, which was to decide what embellishments went where. Instead of listing them all, I took a few photos of my paper weight from different angles.

What makes you happy? Show us what makes you happy and link up with the Path of Positivity challenge blog for your chance to win!
Sponsors and prizes are as follows:


There will also  be:

• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
• One digital designer paper (made to order in a few different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

Challenges I am Entering:

Corrosive challenges - Anything Goes

All Crafts challenges - Anything Goes/No Cards

Crafting From the Heart - Anything Goes
Marker POP challenges - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards challenges - Anything Goes
Stamps & Fun= Creativity - Decoration

Earth Laughs in Flowers

A new month brings warmer weather in my part of the world, and a new challenge at the Outlawz Progessive Freebie challenges. If you played in last month's challenge, you will receive this lovely image from Anne's Digital Art. It is called Poppies.
After coloring my flower with Copics, I sponged a little sky blue onto my background. I popped it onto some textured paper, doodling in the faux stitching on the edges, then stamping my sentiment.
I added this to my stitched card front and added a tiny butterfly charm and my card is complete. I love this time of year, when flowers are just starting to bloom and colors abound everywhere you look. And the scents are heavenly! I just wish I didn't have so many allergies. Do you suppose they have anything to do with the flowers?! LOL
Please check out all the lovely work from the DT today at the Outlawz Progressive Freebie challenge. If you missed last month's challenge, the image is available from Anne's Digital Art. You can purchase it and come play with us, and then next month's image will be free to you!!
Whatever you do, have fun doing it!!

Other Challenges I am Entering:

Simply Create Too - Keep It Simple

Stempelsonnen challenges - Stamp as he main focus

Time Out challenges - CASE-ing the card (I loved the flowers and the color combo of red, white & black, adjusting the ratio and adding a tiny bit of blue & green to mine)

Wonderful Wednesdays -  Anything Goes

{Pin}spirational challenges - Inspired by Pin (Again, the color combo of red, white & black struck a creative chord in me)