Snowflake Peace and Snowflake Merry Christmas #2...CAS(E) this Sketch #97, Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

Hello...

Just a quick post today because I *have* to run at break-neck speed to read about the epic adventure of six card-making gals who I absolutely adore and love.  This amazing group of BABES (Benevolent Association of Beloved and Esteemed Stampers) spent a glorious week together; the result of a year of planning and traveling a grand total of 20,350 miles (32,558 km) to and from Minnesota.  Crafting, companionship, shenanigans...these gals made their dream of meeting one another come true.  And I'm soooooo excited to find out all the details.  Come and join me on a visit to the blogs of the amazing and awesome Kim , Darnell,, Bev , Ardyth, Geri, Anita 

Guess I'd better share my card before I dash:

Two for today...
The first one is heading off to CAS(E) this Sketch #97

My second card is version #2 of the one in my previous post; the sentiment is embossed in a lovely sparkly bronze and that snowflake that looks kind of green is NOT! It's gold. Really!  Lighting issues, especially with daylight slipping away earlier and earlier (daylight saving for us starts Sunday...an extra hour of sleep, but it will be dark here by 4:00....). Anyway

Both are also off to Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

Now, I'm off to check out the BABES!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Snowflake Merry Christmas...Addicted to Stamps & More #119~Clean and Simple

Hello! I'm back to invite you to join in at the new Addicted to Stamps and More #119~Clean and Simple challenge.  The DT have a fabulous gallery of cards to inspire you; if you haven't been, please head over to see the dazzling delights. If you've already been, thank you immensely for coming my way.

My card definitely leans more to the "and More" part of the challenge, as the only stamping is the embossed sentiment, which I've had in my stash for a couple years and have used maybe twice! *palm smack on the forehead* All this time...and only yesterday I discover it?  Oh well, it will receive plenty of love in the days to come. My snowflakes are a combination of WPlus9, Memory Box and Poppy Stamps, die cut in foil paper.  A simple card (perhaps too simple...does it need to splatters? Maybe some embossing?  I'm only asking because I think I'll make a couple more for my mom's sale at the senior's residence. Improving the 'pretty' suggestions more than welcome!). I did a second one (too dark to photograph) using a lovely bronze embossing powder, and copper, gold and red snowflakes.  I'll share later...

I hope you'll join us in the gallery.  The winner of this challenge will receive 3 free digis from

http://www.qkrstampede.com

I'm excited to see what you'll create!

Speaking of AH-MAZING creations:  my new watermark, designed by the oh-so-talent Kylie.  More info to have her design a gorgeous watermark for you can be found here:

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Monster Mash Mania....The Male Room #21~Halloween, Wanna Sketch #21, Simon Monday Challenge~Anything Goes, Simon Wednesday Challenge~Kraft, Lawnscaping Challenge~HALLOWEEN or Color Combo

Hello - hope you're having an excellent Sunday.

"Somebody" is crushing over and smitten my her new Lawn Fawn Little Monsters stamps and Monster Mash dies. Sorry, but I can't help it. They are tooo cute! I'm using them today for Halloween cards...such spooky monsters they are. *grin*

I'm sharing them at Lawnscaping Challenge: Halloween or Colour Combo

and  Simon Says Monday Challenge: Anything Goes,

 as well as a few others, as you'll see along the way.  Ready to be scared??

Here's card #1, heading off to Wanna Sketch #21

I moved the strip behind the panel to the banner across the label...

          

My second card was inspired by Yainea's absolutely darling birthday card found here.  I cased hers, using a Halloween-theme. Gahhh...these little guys make me giggle.

 

Card #3 was modeled after this card at A Blog Named Hero (here's the link to the how-to), and it's heading off to The Male Room #21~Halloween  Flying purple monsters and googly eyes?  Yet another card for my nephew, so I'm claiming 'young guy' appeal (hopefully) on this one.

 Cards 2 and 3 are going to Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Use Kraft

One more day (give or take....) of 'whatever I want" card-making, then it's time to start my Christmas card only diet.  I  have plenty of those to make, as I want to give a whole bunch to my mom, for the Christmas Bazaar and Bake sale at the seniors' residence where she volunteers (and has been doing so for 35 years!).  Fingers crossed they'll sell and the proceeds go to my mom's volunteer group for their seniors' needs purchases.  I'm also hoping to make extras...I want everyone in that residence to have at least one Christmas card. This is my personal caring hearts card drive; just thinking about it warms my heart.  I'd best get crackin'!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Spooky Halloween Treat Envelopes...Crazy 4 Challenges #257~Halloween Treats, TPE #273~Tricks or Treats, Art with Heart Challenge October~“Tricks and Treats”

Ahhh.... a cool, rainy Saturday evening, just perfect for a cosy stay-inside home-made pizza night. A red pepper is roasting in the oven, the dough's rising on the counter, the chicken is diced, and my husband will be home in a short while to work his magic.  With all the bike races, family travels and what not, our most recent pizza expedition seems a long ago memory.  We'll watch baseball while we dine, sip on some wine...yummy!

Speaking of treats...I'm sharing a trio of little treat containers (who are sporting their mini chocolate bar stashes) over at Crazy 4 Challenges #257~Halloween Treats and The Pink Elephant #273~Trick or Treat (Treat Container)

and a new-to-me challenge, Art with Heart~October~Tricks and Treats (the DT samples are fabulous!!)

I used a mini envelope die, but kept the flap opened.  Added my stitched ghosties and "spooky" die and...done. 

Hope you had a crafting day, too!  Oh  yes, I started another project the other day, which was sparked by Susie, over at Susie Craft Happy: knitting a cowl (the link will take you to a showcase of what she's working on).  A gi-normous ball of teal wool, bought about four years ago where my husband and I traveled to Bozeman Montana (what a sweet little city!) for a bike race (surprise!), has been sitting in my much-neglected knitting stash (amongst other balls of wool, and including a 'how to knit dinosaurs book that I truly must open! Ms. T and Mr. C would get a kick out of knit dinosaurs).  After seeing Susie's cowl and scoping out the free pattern, 'twas time to bring out the needles. My knitting expertise extends to knit and purl, which is precisely what the pattern calls for - 35 stitches, one row knit, one row purl. Just me speed. I imagine it will take quite a while to get it done (especially since card-making comes first...I know my priorities), but if, by some fluke, I negotiate my way through in a reasonable time, I may aim to make one for my mom...and sister-in-law...and sister . Hmmmm....setting my sights rather high.  Anyway, off to give the dough a gentle knead...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day

Happy "Owl-oween"...Inkspiration Challenge #68, Paper Smooches Anything Goes, TIME OUT #17~Inspired by Words, ColourQ CChallenge #264

Helloooo....another two weeks have flown by, and it's time for Inspirational Challenge #68,where I know you'll find the inspiration photo to be an absolute  hoot!

Seriously, how adorable are these little crochet (I'm guessing they are...) owls, finely-feathered in circles of funky colours.  I don't crochet, but if I had the pattern for these, I'd definitely learn. Soooo cute!

This week, the DT - Marina, Nonni, Sandie, Yvonne, Shauna, Pia and Kim -  is joined by the talented Maura who, like most of us, is absolutely addicted to adores card-making. Please be sure to check out her card, as well as my teamies. I imagine you find their creations, as I did, totally  'owl-some'!

Although most of the DT have gone with the owls' theme (and you can't really get too many of these wise guys),  you could be inspired by the wool, the colours, the patterns ...anything. Of course, I *had* to go with the obvious...

Here's my first dude...

and my second...

(Did you notice something 'new' on this card, and the one below? My new watermark, made by the supremely talented Kylie, who is also the hostess of Addicted to Stamps and More, Addicted to CAS and Happy Little Stampers)!  I LOVE it! I'm still practicing how to anchor it to my cards, but this is a start! THANK YOU, Kylie!!)

and the duo...

I'm also entering them into the galleries at 

TIME OUT Challenge #17, inviting us to draw inspiration from a word or words in the phrase: "Birds of a feather flock together' (brilliant challenge!)

Paper Smooches Anything Goes

           

 

ColourQ Challenge #264  The owls' feathers resemble the layers of this awesome table-cloth (some people's imaginations blow me away!!) 

Hope this "parliament" of owls sparks your creativity and that we'll be seeing your designs in the gallery.  A top pick(s) will be selected to join us as a guest designer; I hope it's YOU!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Grateful for You; TIME OUT Challenge #16~CASE Heather Telford with Your Own Twist

Oh look...guess who's back with another 'to the wire' card to post!  A weekend away has obviously disrupted my organization.  Yeesh...but well worth it!  Before I get to the business at hand: to everyone who commented on the fairy cards I made for my niece a while back, assuring me she'd love both: you were right! Those cards where hers, hers and hers!  We gave the cuttlebug a good work out making more fairies...name the colour, and she has one! Such fun!

Yesterday, I took out my distress inks once again, gave them a scribble and a squirt on an acrylic block and smooshed some die cut leaves over top. A few tries later, I was happy (well, happy-ish....), with the results, especially since I was inspired by two designers over at TIME OUT: Challenge #16:  CASE Heather Telford with Your Own Twist. Inspiration #1, of course, was Heather's gorgeous card and Inspiration #2 was Sarah's DT  card.  Using her layout, I arrived at this...(same card, just different angles).  Seeing it again this morning, I'm rather liking it more...

Wishing everyone a fabulous Wednesday!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my die

Have a BOO-tiful Day..Tag, You're It #8, Lawnscaping Challenge: HALLOWEEN or Color Combo, AAA Cards~Halloween Cards

Hello...a CAS post this morning to get my card delivered to a gallery closing in a matter of minutes!

My weekend with my family: only fabulous!  In addition to plenty of playing and cuddling with my darling, rambunctious Ms. T and Mr. C, I also squeezed in time for a visit to the "local" distributor.  A most welcoming place it is...and oh, the enabling.

For the first time, I welcomed some Lawn Fawn stamps/dies into my collection.  I know, I know....why have I been waiting so long!! My apologies to the LF gals for being so slow on the uptake!   I've already made a couple cards using my new comers, as they are simply tooooo much fun!

My card's layout inspiration came from Tag, You're It Challenge #8

to showcase the themes from AAA Cards~Halloween

and the Lawnscaping Challenge: HALLOWEEN or Colour Combo

I"m beyond excited that I can finally join in the Lawnscaping Challenge. First time *fist pump*!

Here's my card: a tag of cutie patootie little monsters that I coloured with my Prismacolours/gamsol,  placed atop a panel embossed with googly eyes....

You'll be seeing more of this set really soon; they're delights!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Grateful For You - Guest Designing at Butterfly Challenge #17, CAS on Sunday #44: Emboss It

Hello, hello...

Back in February (doesn't that seem so long ago?), a challenge that is right up my alley appeared - The Butterfly Challenge - hostessed by the charming, creative, inviting and welcoming Mrs. A (aka Valeryanne). She started us off slowly, with butterflies and flowers, and over the course of the past few months, she's sparked us to explore the beauty of butterflies in so many different dimensions: butterflies with buttons and bows, butterflies in specific colours, butterflies with stitching, butterflies with glitter and glamour....Happy sighhhh.  Butterflies. I love love love butterflies and strolling back through Mrs. A's challenges has me swooning...I miss my butterflies!

Not too long ago, much to my absolute glee, I won one of Mrs. A's challenges and, in so doing, received a guest designer spot on the challenge beginning today:  Butterfly Challenge #17: Embossing  Your Butterfly(ies)  You can easily imagine how excited I was to bring out my beloved butterflies to play...

My card features butterflies embossed with sentiments from a fall sentiment stamp, then sponged with autumn colours; leaves with wings, flitting and fluttering... For the first time, I gave embossing paste a go, adding two butterflies from the negative die cut of my small green one.  The embossing paste...oh my! Fabulous...

How good it felt to play with butterflies once again; plans for some Christmas-themed ones are already beginning to ping. *grin*

I invite you to check out Mrs. A's wonderful challenge to see what she, and others, have designed. It may be fall, weather-wise, for many of us, but butterflies...they're all-season and timeless.  Bring out your butterflies, emboss them in some fashion, then share your pretty inspiration in the gallery! Looking forward to seeing your creativity!

I'm also entering CAS on Sunday Challenge #44: Emboss It.

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Christmas Blessings...ATSM #117~ Make Your Mark

Hello all...and time once again for another challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More #117~Make Your Mark.  The popularity of this challenge is gaining by leaps and bounds, which means we're open to an abundance of interpretations: markers, chalks, pencils, paints, etc.  You may also use something that you feel will 'make your mark' on your project. If you think your interpretation isn't obvious, please let us know.

To be honest, I had a struggle-fest with the challenge this go-round, because I was "too focused" on using certain markers (yes, my *friends*, the distress markers) and certain images. We won't talk about the number of attempts made, until I finally arrived at something I 'sort of' like (it's growing on me).  I used distress markers to colour the image, huffed and puffed to activate the inks, then stamped onto a 4 X 4 panel of water-colour paper.  I resisted the urge to colour in the image; the 'lines' of the stamp are pretty as is. My husband agreed; he called it 'rustic'...

This week's challenge is sponsored by

Prize - 3 images up to $10

http://stitchybearstamps.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index

The DT have a whole lot of  'make your mark' magic happening at Addicted to Stamps and More, with details on their personal blogs. I know they'd appreciate your visit.  Please be sure to share your creation in the gallery this week; I know I'll be inspired!

Thanks so much for stopping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Peace on Earth...Uniko Studio Challenge #14~Clean and Simple, plus Colour

Happy Monday evening...a most wonderful three day weekend coming to a close. Sighhh...

After two full days of standing in pouring rain at a couple points, bright sunshine at most points and the ever-present wind (crazy winds at some points!) officiating at bike races, spending the day at my craft corner was a treat.  The events were good fun, although one individual thought it was his role to 'edu-me-cate' me about my duties as an official at yesterday's race, and to do so in a most confrontational fashion. Yeah, okay. Guess he wasn't quite aware as to how well I can stand my ground *grin* Sometimes, being an official ain't stellar fun. Just when it reaches that point though, someone will come up unexpectedly to let us know how appreciated we are (happened several times yesterday)...and all the yuck disappears. At least for a while.

The highlight: my husband racing.  He's 'more or less' recovered from his injury a couple weeks back where he missed re-mounting his bike after a required-dismount over a barrier..bike slipped..he landed on it, with the handle-bar/brake lever jamming into his ribs. Nothing broken, but ouch, ouch, and ouch for a few days.  He rode 'smart'...and he finished. And now he's even more excited for the next race this coming weekend, in Edmonton. Woo hooo...

Anyway, I didn't accomplish much card-wise that was worthy of a photo-op, aside from the card I'm sharing today.  I made a notable attempt at reconciling with the distress inks, only to realize we still have along way to go.  till, we made a sponging step, as you'll see in the card I'm entering (yep, last minute nearly!) at Uniko Studio Challenge #14~Clean and Simple, plus colour inspiration from this amazing photo:

My card, featuring images from Peace on Earth, a truly beautiful set...

A slightly more angled pose, yet it's still a challenge to see the glitter outlining the dove, as my nod to the bridge lights...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Spooky!!...Inkspirational Challenge #67

Thanksgiving long weekend here in Canada!  We're staying home (bike races here and in Calgary) for the three day break,  saving "official" Thanksgiving celebrations with my family until early November.  Even though we're heading north on Oct. 17th, some of us are scattered about with various commitments, so things will be low key...well, as low key as it gets with spending time with my niece and nephew! Waahoooo!!. Countin' down the days...

Today, I'm delighted to welcome you to Inkspirational Challenge #67, which is...ta dahh...a colour challenge

The guidelines are easy-peasy: you may use any shade of purple (including mauves/lilacs)  with any shade of grey (including silver). Black, white or cream and realistic colours for hair, skin, or fur are also a-okay, but no other colours please.  Purple and silver/grey...a most fetching combination...

Joining the DT is our wonderful Guest Designer  Lynda . who, as you'll discover, is a crafter of many talents: crochet, cross-stitch (I do love cross-stitch...), as well as card-making, where she embraces experimenting with different styles/techniques.  I'm sure you'll agree that her purple/silver card is nothing short of delightful. Speaking of delightful...please check out my team-mates cards as well; I know that some 'bloggy love' will brighten their day immeasurably: 

Marina 

Sandie

Nonni

Shauna

Kim

Pia

Yvonne

As for my contribution...well, I'm on a Halloween-cards only diet for a bit, so I brought out some 'spooky' goodies..(be warned: these goodies will be seen a few times over the next while *grin*. Love 'em)

 One little ghostie, on a purple tag, with a purple/silver sentiment and a super cool Haunted Web Memory Box die cut....I think my niece, who's a fan of purple, will quite like this, especially since a purple Halloween pencil will be attached to it (this is one of my countdown cards for the kiddos...)

Here's the same card, posing to catch the shimmer....

Check your stash for purple/silver, then join us in the gallery.  We will be choosing  a top pick/s from this challenge and inviting one entrant to join us as a Guest Designer.  I'd love if the GD were you!!

Thanks so much for stopping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to my Canadian friends!!

Halloween Trio...The Card Concept #20~Colour Challenge, Freshly Made Sketches #157, Retrosketches #14 and #59, Simply Create, Too #72~Halloween

Boo!  I mean...hello, I'm back.

*Somebody* - not saying who - might be getting just a little bit carried away with Halloween cards. Already. In that *somebody's* defense, however, she's been asked to make said cards for her niece and nephew's day care teachers and aides, so hopefully, you'll indulge in seeing a lot of orange, black and white, along with things spooky. The cards need to be ready for traveling next weekend, so at least, on the plus side, the flurry will be rather short-lived...maybe *grin*

I initially thought I had but a few Halloween-themed products, but a quick inventory revealed, nope..have more than I reckoned AND have things that can be Halloween-renovated.  Like bows. And tickets.

I'll spare the chatter and get to the card. Be warned: photo and goofiness heavy.

They're all heading to The Card Concept #20~Colour Challenge

With this fabulous photo as inspiration, how could I not go with a Halloween card, or three? Plus, I remembered I have NBUS googly eyes! First time with using googly eyes...and they come in colours! Score!

Card 1: this freestyle collage number is also heading off to retrosketches #59

Card 2 is another freestyle collage, heading to retrosketches #14

as well as to Simply Create Too #72~ Halloween (Or Use Lots of Orange)

NOTE:  Thrilled and honoured that my card was selected as a Top 3 Favourite at Simply Create, Too (Oct. 31, 2014). THANK YOU!!

Clean and layered Card 3 is off to Freshly Made Sketches #157

I so appreciate your patience with my Halloween card diet.  Still a few couple more to come...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!