Love Hearts...Inkspirational #75~Rose Colours, TIME OUT #23~Valentine's Day, The Card Concept #27~Love, Simply Create Too #78~Valentine's Day (or Hearts), Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

Hello all!

Welcome back to Inkspirational Challenges everyone, and a rousing round of applause for all the great entries in our last challenge. Plenty of ombre-awesome in the gallery!

 Today, I'm sharing details about Inkspirational #75~

Guidelines: Use rose shades of red and /or pink. You may also use green leaf colours, black, white or cream and realistic colours for skin, fur and hair. 

Talented Jill is our Guest Designer and I'll wait while you check out her card. Scuh a gorgeous shimmery delight, isn't it! Along with her oh-so-pretty inspiration, please be sure to check out the rest of the DT, whose rose-inspired cards are guaranteed to spark your creativity:  Marina, Sandie, Shauna, Nonni, Yvonne, Pia and Kim.

My card marks the debut of some new Reverse Confetti products (swooning over these hearts - and they're just a sampling of the full stamp/die set)) and a new TH wood-grain embossing folder. The hearts were sponged/inked with my "vast" selection of three pink/red inks

Once you've checked out the Jill and the DTs cards, please be sure to add your rose-inspired card to the gallery.  One entrant will be invited as a Guest Designer for a future challenge.

My card "pinged" from the pretty image at The Card Concept #27~Love (clean and graphically layered?)

I'm also entering: TIME OUT #23 Valentine's Day with the Optional Twist of Hearts,
Simply Create Too #78~Valentine's Day/Hearts and Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes.

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

Life's a Puzzle...STAMPlorations Bi-Weekly Sketch Challenge #26 and January Challenge~Stamps and Ink

Whoa...Arms a-flapping and legs a-churning (well...sort of) as I run pell-mell into the STAMPlorations  Bi-Weekly Sketch #26 

and January Challenge: Stamps & Inks  

before the galleries closes. Actually, my 'last minuted-ness' has spilled over into everything I've done this week, from barely getting grades into the 'new' crazy-making data system, to puttering about when I should be making dinner (although my husband's been home late every evening, so 'technically' dinner is 'on time'...like at 9:30!), to nearly burning a batch of cookies (noooo...not the cookies!).

Anyway...here's my card...a first time inking of my STAMPlorations puzzle pieces. It's a really a simple black/white with a pop of red card. The inside will read, "And I'm so glad YOU are one of the piece," and then I'll give it to our librarian, a real sweetie. She's rather artsy herself: water-colour, stained glass, photography. Hopefully, she'll like this...

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

Hugs...

It's Your Special Day...CAS(E) this Sketch #107, Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes, Simon Says Monday Challenge~Up in the Clouds

Hello...

Another quick post...the gallery at CAS(E) this Sketch #107

 will be closing doors soon!  I hemmed and hawed about this sketch for the entire week, then...a ping (channeling our sweet Bev!)  happened this evening...

My card came about because I've realized I've been a bit of a *remiss* Aunty C of late, in sending "Happy Months Old" cards to my niece and nephew, on the 3rd and 12th of the month, respectively.  While I did give them Christmas cards and an Advent Calendar, no December 'special' day card "fruitified" (one of my mom's words...I love it!).  As for January...well...being with them in 'real' time was certainly added light to our otherwise sad days.  Net result though: still no card!

Time to address that little issue, and today's card is my 'return' to 'trying' to get back into my routine.  My nephew, Mr. C, is 'nearly' three...gahhhh!!  I've explained to him quite clearly that he must stop growing up so quickly!  He is, however, not three YET!  Rather, on February 12th, he'll be 35 months old, or if your prefer, 2 and 11/12's months old. Not three!  So, I've made him a Happy 35 Months Old card, with a new CB stamp/die set, that I bought especially with Mr. C in mind.

The blue 'sky' (the spots aren't meant to be rain...just spots in the patterned paper) is popped up, with the helicopter nestled inside. The clouds are actually speech bubbles with the 'speaking' part trimmed off...adapting, adapting.  Hope he likes it.  The stamp/die set has a couple more 'flying' images, so  hopefully his current helicopter/plane phase will last for a while longer (it competes with his Spiderman fascination...).

I'm also sharing over at Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes, where they're also showcasing Clearly Besotted and Lil' Inker products...

Now to create something for Ms. T...ideas percolating...

ETA;  Also sharing (thanks to sweet Anita) over at Simon Says Monday Challenge~Up in the Clouds

Just so you know: I've fallen behind in commenting of late; aiming to catch up soon! THANK YOU for visiting and commenting on my blog even when I'm a slowpoke in getting to yours. You are all so incredibly special.  And that's the truth!

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

Typewriter Hello...Addicted to Stamps and More #129~Clean and Simple, Less is More #208~Sketch 14

Hello...

I'm again thrilled to be sharing a card for Addicted to Stamps and More #129~Clean and Simple challenge.  An oldie but a goodie came out to play...

I have a fondness for old-style typewriters. Many, many, many moons ago, my second year of teaching saw me 'teaching' Typing 10 to high school students five classes a day (when you're a newcomer to the profession, you take what they give you...for a year, or two, or...several),  One class had the at-the-time uber-razzamataz electric typewriters, while the other four were standard, fling-that-carriage-at-the-bell  models.  I remember, during 'some' lessons, chanting away with "f-f-f-space-j-j-j-space". Trust me, those little sing-songs did not last long; how to feel like a 'dummy' in front of a group of high school kids. And the 'marking' of keyboard assignments: seriously boring! Whoever came up with that...sheesh!  Eventually, I taught what I was educated to teach, which was far more complex, time-consuming and energy-invested than Typing 10 - and yep, many the times I 'still' came across as a dummy in front of a class!  Ahhh...memories.

Anyway, enough of back-in-the-days chatter; time to send you off to see what my fabulous teammates have created.  I know they'd appreciate if you shared a little keyboard love with them *grin*

As a little extra enticement to play along, we're being sponsored by generous, talented and creative Shery over at

who is offering the winner a $10 gift certificate. Awesome! See...no excuses not to play!

Inspiration for my sketch came from Less is More #208, 

so I'll be heading that direction, too.

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

Floral Hello...FUSION~Two Hearts, Uniko #17~Love and Friendship

Hello...zipping in this evening with a card I made Sunday evening after we returned from visiting my mom over the weekend; a weekend that passed allllll too quickly!  Seeing mom was bonus #1; spending time with my niece and nephew: bonus #2. They are just so stinkin' cute!

Anyway, since my bed is calling me, I'll be super quick with my super card, inspired by the bouquet of wild flowers in the lovely FUSION~Two Hearts photo

A new floral stamp, some wee pink gems, a teensy butterfly and one big, bold Hello...

I'm ready for Spring!  Hope all my dear friends in the East are safe, warm and cozy; we've seen the storms and oh my!!  My thoughts and prayers are with you ; may you be "weathering' the weather well. Please keep us posted.

I'm also sharing in the gallery at Uniko #17~Love and Friendship. 

  

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

Hugs...

Oink...Retro sketches #149, Cure for the Monday Blues #40

Hello, my friends...

We arrived at my mom's about half an hour ago...sooooo wonderful to be back, to give mom real hugs!  Yayyy....! To all of you who asked me to pass your hugs to her, consider the task done. The  'glow' you see in the sky: that's her, beaming with delight and sending love back your way!

My husband has a meeting and some race organization to deal with before this weekend's biathlon competitions begin tomorrow.  The new 'used' blue Volvo didn't travel with us this time; rather, he rented a mini van to transport all the race equipment. He'll be back in a couple hours, so between now and then, mom and I have chat time, a couple episodes of the new Stacy London show to watch (I miss What Not to Wear!), and opportunity for me to write this quick post for a card I made yesterday.

New Clearly Besotted stamps are making their debut, with inspiration drawn from Retro Sketches #149

and Cure for the Monday Blues #40, where I focused on the pinks and the big circle (translated into polka dots)...

Are you ready?? 

Snork, snort, chortle...I just love that finger-print piggy (although I think I should have stamped his face higher up. Oh well, he's a cutie regardless...snort)! Yep, I used paint chip paper for the frame!

Hope this makes you smile...

This set has a bunch more adorable critters, so stay tuned...I'll be inking them up soon!

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

Love Hearts...CAS(E) this Sketch #106, Curtain Call~Soft Scarf, W&W 1st Birthday Bash~One Challenge with Shay, TPE #282~Love

Hello once again,

I whisked home from work today, intending to assemble card pieces into a finished project before daylight disappeared, BUT my well intended plans went awry! My husband is 100% to blame: we had to welcome a new family member! Yesterday we chose it; today we brought it home. As much as I'd like to say *it* was a puppy (I love puppies!), nope! And *it* wasn't a new bike for my husband (although one is on order and should be joining his 'bike stable' soon).

*It* is a new 'used' car - something we very much need, as both our vehicles are...well, elderly. Of course, buying a new car means going for a drive to check out the cool gizmos (like seat warmers!) By the time we arrived home, evening descended, and I resorted to the 'best I could' with the lighting. My photo turned out a 'wee' bit better than I figured, and since time is ticking on one challenge, I'm going for it!

Here's my card...a simple  number where I used 'small' stamps to create my 'always love,' love you always,' and 'love you' sentiments on the hearts, which were then sponged with 2-3 colors of ink.

I'm sharing the "LOVE" over at CAS(E) this Sketch #106

Curtain Call~Soft Scarf

W&W 1st Birthday Bash~One Challenge with Shay - I used one stamp set: The Big, the Bold and the Happy -

and The Pink Elephant #282~Love

Oh yes...the new used car is blue *grin*

NOTE:  Honoured and thrilled to discover that

THANK YOU!!

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

Hugs...

Hello...TIME OUT Challenge #22

Hello...

Wednesday already, and the past few days have seen me scrambling about in an effort to reorient myself to routine.  Work is its typical crazy self given the the semester-end time of year; spending time with my husband is just plain fabulous (although he's had evening meetings every night, including Sunday, after we arrived home!); and although I'm missing my mom immensely, our thrice- a-day calls - my husband has morning phone duty, I or she have the remaining two - reveal that she's holding up alright.  Tonight she babysits my nephew while Ms. T attends ballet; an evening of fun and frolic guaranteed!

My  mobile crafting unit has been reunited with my regular stuff, a re-organization has occurred (sort of) and I've managed to eke out some ideas and an actual card for a couple challenges this week. Of course, as is usual, I'm last-minute sprinting in to TIME OUT Challenge #22, where we're inspired by this welcoming room.

My card is a nod to the red hello, the pillow next to the blue one, that I've decided is 'floral' *grin*, the shape of the orange one, that bears a resemblance to a certain 'something' I haven't used for a while, the boards reinterpreted as wood panel patterned paper, and the edging of the couch that reminded me of the lovely embossing folder I received from a sweet Inkspirational teammate (thank you, Shauna!!).  No paint chips evident at all...but stay tuned. I brought home a bunch!

The NBUS embossing folder also means I'm off to our darling Darnell's NBUS challenge

where the gallery has - at this precise moment - 529 entries!! Let me rephrase that: FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY NINE!  Staggeringly impressive!

Time to get ready for work; wishing everyone a wonderful Wednesday!

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

Winter Hello...Winnie&Walter 1st Birthday Bash~Collage Challenge with Laura, W&W Join in to Win, City Crafter Challenge #244~Winter White

Hello again,

Told you I was dragging my heels with packing...wonder what else I can do to stall for time????

This time, I'm sharing a card made for Winnie And Walter's 1st Birthday Bash~Collage Challenge with Laura, who inspired us with these beautiful images...

and City Crafters' Challenge #244~Winter White, where we're invited to use mostly white, with some touches of neutrals or pastels.

Such a gorgeous room...sighh!!

 Winnie & Walter's Join in to Win is destination three.

NOTE:  So honoured and delighted to receive a Spotlight Artist Award at City Crafters' Challenge Blog. THANK  YOU!!

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

Scalloped Heart Love...MUSE #100, CFC #268~Clean and Simple, Uniko #17~Love and Friendship

Hello...

A quick post before I start packing up my stuff for the drive home...sighh. I know it's time to get back into my surroundings, work and routine, but...I'm not quite ready.  Then again, I doubt I'd ever be ready! I'll miss my mom deeply. DEEPLY!  On the plus side, we're aiming to return on Friday, so that's but 5 sleeps away.

My card today is pretty self explanatory: LOVE

• for my mom
• for my husband,
• for my family and
• for all of you, my special friends, who have blessed me with warm comments, lovely notes and especially GORGEOUS cards! My husband brought my mail collection when he arrived last night and WOW! My mom and I couldn't believe our eyes at the outpouring of compassion so many of you expressed in works of art that I will treasure forever!  THANK YOU - from my mom and from me!  Hugs and love heading your way!

Inspiration for my card comes from Michele's sweet, classy card over at MUSE #100:

The scallop heart is inlaid into the white panel, with red paint chip paper adhered to the back; the sentiment is from Winnie and Walter (smitten with their products!), The small heart and the panel itself are popped up. I am so addicted to foam adhesive...I need mega-big rolls of the stuff! 

I'm also sharing over at Crazy 4 Challenges #268~Clean and Simple and Uniko Studio Challenge #17~Love and Friendship.

Packing calls...sighh.  Dragging my heels just a little...or a lot *grin*

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

Hugs....

XOXO...Inspirational Challenges #74: Designer's Choice~Ombre

Hello, all!

Time for Inkspirational Challenge #74, chosen by our delightfully talented and creative Pia, with her Designer's Choice theme of....

Joining us with an incredibly splendid card, is a guest designer of immense talent who many of us know, admire and love...drum roll....DEEPTI!   I'll wait here while you sprint, dash, or all out run to see what she's created; dazzlement guaranteed! While you're out-and-about, head on over to see my team-mates renditions of ombre have offered to spark inspiration. *Sizzling hotness*

Marina

Yvonne

Shauna

Sandie

Nonni

Pia

Kim

My card is...well...let me explain. As some of you know, my stash is at home and I'm at my mom's (only until Sunday...very, very sad face...but coming back next weekend. Can't believe I've been here nearly a month!  Lots done; still lots to do...in time).  My husband, however, brought me my 'mobile crafting unit' which was outfitted with a wonderful set of supplies.  A couple things, however, didn't come along: coloured cardstock and, as I discovered this week, inks that weren't close enough matches for reasonable ombre blending (unreasonable blending...oh yeah. Lots of that. Ask me how I know!).  No blending tools, either. C.h.a.l.l.e.n.g.i.n.g!  The sponges I used. Ewww...

So - and I hope my team-mates don't mind - I adapted. A trip to the nearby RONA store, a gathering of paint chip paper and...ta dahhh!  Ombre accomplished!

I know...a totally die-cut card, but...well, fingers crossed that's okay. Adapting, adapting *grin*

Looking forward to see your 'ombre-awesomeness' in the Inkspirational Gallery. We'll be inviting one entrant to join us as a Guest Designer. How wonderful if it were YOU!

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

Peace Deer...Merry Monday #141~Christmas Critters, Christmas Card Challenges #6~CASE a DT Member's Card, C4C #267-Clean and Simple

Whooosh...I'm back! Just checked out some link-up closing times, so sprinting required!

Last week, I discovered a new challenge and, because it's such a warm, welcoming, inviting place to play, I'm coming back:

Christmas Card Challenges #6 inspires us to

...so I did. The card I've chosen to case is from Jessica,

who was also cased by Gail,

Here's my take...and yep, more paint chip paper seeing action (why, oh why did I not use this before. I'm smitten *grin*)

My card is also heading to the galleries at:

Merry Monday #141 {Christmas Critters}

 

Giggle-fest over this skiing bunny! He looks like I do when 

I'm on skies...frazzled!  Perhaps snowshoes would suite him better. Tee hee!

Crazy 4 Challenges #267~Clean and Simple

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

Hugs...