Collage-ish Birthday...Inkspirational Challenge #80~Photo, STAMPlorations~Anything Goes, STAMPlorations Bi-Weekly Sketch Challenge #31

Hello,

Welcome to Inspirational Challenge #80 where, for the next two weeks, we're inviting  you to draw inspiration - colours, shapes, eggs, or maybe something entirely different (*ahem*...as I did *grin*) from this photo:

Joining us is talented Guest Designer, Bozena, who has worked wonders with this photo.  My team-mates - an inspiring, talented and oh-so-sweet group of gals - also have a plenty of interpretations, that I know you'll thoroughly enjoy! Please head over to visit them and leave them some love, which I know they'll so appreciate:

Marina

Sandie

Shauna

Yvonne

Nonni

Pia 

Kim 

Honestly, this was one heckuva (can I say that work in blog-land? Guess I just did!) challenging photo for me to interpret! Very!  No eggs means heading off in an EN-TIRE-LY different direction...an attempt at 'collage'. Why that? Because that's what I see in this photo: a lovely and fetchingly arranged collection of eggs, yes! I also saw colours, splotches, splatters, different shapes/sizes, so...I headed off (as is my tendency), did my thing and here's the result...

The colours: rather obvious (the orange is drawn from the background layer of the container, which looks orange on my screen). The black butterfly was my nod to the egg on the bottom right (mottled, sort of amber), while the lighter one links to the one in the first section of the second row (yes...I was working with the details); the flowers were....um, just because. The frame (brown) and kraft base speak to the container.  Hmmm...maybe this isn't quite a 'collage', so much as an 'arrangement of images.' I need to work on adding funky backgrounds to truly attain collage-status. More practice...but it's a start!

Whatever this 'style' is, I hope you see snippets of connection.

Hope that I've offered a bit of inspiration to encourage you to look closely at the photo's details and create a card/project to share in the Ink gallery. You may be the one we choose as a future Guest Designer!

I'm sharing my card at: STAMPlorations Bi-Weekly Sketch Challenge #31. My layout may be a bit of stretch, but I tried for 'balanced' images above and below my sentiment frame so...fingers crossed! If I'm too 'out there,' I understand!

STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge

NOTE:  Honoured and delighted to be selected for a STAMPlorations Top Pick! THANK YOU!!

Creative with Monika's Birthday Linky Party. Monika works magic with her stamps, stencils, paints and inks and, with her talent as inspiration, I'm sharing my stamped and coloured card over at her site.  My category: No designer paper!

Looking forward to seeing you in the gallery over at Inkspirational Challenge #80!

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

Hugs,

More *Happy* Cards...Less Is More #218~Colour Challenge, Happy Little Stampers April Sketch Challenge, AAA Cards #36~Easter Colours

Happy Friday!

The week has gone quickly, but holy moley: glad for Friday. Added bonus: early dismissal, so I'll be (hopefully - a mega-task landed on my desk yesterday that needs to be completed. Going in early...) sashaying my way out the door by early afternoon.  No major weekend plans, aside from a day-long meeting (two hour drive away) to meet with bike-racing officials about the upcoming season. Excited! The racing begins in just over a month...and then 'that's that' with  a whole bunch of our weekends between May and November! Nothing like standing on the side of the road for hours on end, clipboard and stopwatch in hand *grin*...

Today, two cards, carrying on with the *Happy* theme...

First, for Less is More #218~Colour Challenge: Predominately Black, is a black floral embossed background, a pop of paint chip yellow and one big "happy"...

Second, for Happy Little Stampers April Sketch Challenge

, a burst of colourful explosions (Winnie and Walter everything once again). I offset the black happy die cut onto two white layers...had to see in my photo, but it's there...really!

NOTE: Thrilled and honoured to be selected one of the winners over at AAA Cards. THANK YOU!!

Sharing this over at AAA Cards #36~Easter Colours

Time to get the show rolling...wishing you all a fabulous Friday!

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

Hugs,

Happy "Flurries"....CAS(E) this Sketch #117, W&W~ Join in to Win

Hello,

I'm swooping in with a quick card for CAS(E) this Sketch #117

This is my second card, using Winnie and Walter products for everything: Katherine Cutaways, Bigger Bold Flurries and, of course, my happy word die.  *Flurries* serving double duty as flowers....YES!

Here's the first card...Yeesh, but what was I thinking! I figured the sentiment would stand out a bit more, but instead, I've created a Where's Waldo effect!  I decided (although the photo doesn't capture it well), to Glossy Accent the camo Happpy.  In real life, it's more pronounced...sort of.  "Cool," was my husband's response...how sweet is that!

I'm sharing my first card over at Winnie and Walter~Join in to Win

I'm making a valiant effort to catch up on comments; if you haven't heard from me, not to worry! I've seen your cards, gazed and admired, and will be letting you know as soon as I can!

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

Hugs,

Have A Great Bike Day...ATSM #139~CAS, Take It Make It April Challenge~Take a Technique: Colour

Hello,

Welcome to Addicted to Stamps and More #139 where my fabulous design team and I are inviting you to join us in showcasing cards that are *Clean and Simple*.  

I've deviated (briefly *grin*) from my butterflies (sort of..)and in so doing, went with something else I love: bikes. This one, from Clearly Besotted, is decked out with my neon inks...now that I have them, I need to use 'em.  A simple card in every way...

As extra enticement to play along, we're being sponsored, with a $10 gift coupon, by the ever talented, sweet and generous Shery from

After visiting my wonderfully talented team mates' creations, which are guaranteed to dazzle and delight, design a CAS card/project to share in the ATSM gallery.  I'm looking forward to being inspired by your creativity!

I'm also adding my card  to:

Take It Make It April Challenge~Colour

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

Hugs,

Daisies, Enjoy...Creative Blog Hop, STAMPlorations~Anything Goes, Crazy 4 Challenges #280~Daisy/Daisies

Hello once again.

I'm taking part in the Creative Blog Hop and have been nominated by my sweet, lovely and talented  teammate over at Addicted to Stamps and More, Anita, of Neet & Crafty. Her work is nothing short of stellar, and I'm honoured to be chosen, by her, to continue the hop.

Today's card comes to you from inspiration drawn from Crazy 4 Challenges # 280 ~ Daisy or Daisies and STAMPlorations~Anything Goes

Persimmon distress ink, in varying shades, my much-loved STAMPlorations Bloom Sketches Daisies and a sentiment from Trendy Butterflies...voila.

On to the questions: 

1. What are you working on now? 

I’m working on, and simultaneously ‘thinking about working on’ a variety of projects, ranging from design team (I’m so fortunate to be designing for Inkspirational Challenges and Addicted to Stamps and More) and guest designer cards (currently at The Pink Elephant), to challenge entries, to my monthly "Happy XX Month Old" cards for my niece and nephew, who, as many of you know, are bright lights in my life. Added to the list, as of last week, are making birthday cards for my mom's volunteer group at the seniors' residence, to give to the seniors.  Ideas are brewing for other things, as well.

2. How does your work differ from others in your genre?

Challenging question.  As a CAS crafter (eclectic-CAS), I'd say I'm not all that unique (sighhh...but striving to be). Most of my cards are pretty straightforward (and likely repetitious, although I try not to be): white card base, a stitched panel, an image or two (butterflies are my obvious obsession) and a sentiment. I've really veered away from patterned paper, preferring to use inks, and I love, love and love die cuts. Most recently, I'm smitten with word dies, especially those from Winnie and Walter, and I'm also crushing over stencils.  

3. Why do you create what you do?  

I'm addicted to making cards AND I’m a challenge-aholic. It’s just that simple. Challenges inspire me. Without a challenge or two to guide me – sketch, colour, theme - I’m helpless. Seriously. If a technique is included, I’m likely to add that as well, if I can.  I believe most of us enter challenges not only because they encourage us to stretch our styles and our stash, but more so, because of the wonderful, warm supportive community we become part of when we place our cards in Mr. Linky’s hands.  I count the friendships I’ve made through card-making some of the best treasures in my life, and I know many of you are nodding your heads in agreement.  Like-minded people coming together over a shared passion; it’s just mathematically logical that deep friendships result.  And sometimes, we receive the added bonus of meeting these people in real life.  Challenges: a creative vehicle for meeting some of the most amazing, inspiring people ever!

4. How does your creative process work? 

I’m pretty ‘haphazard’ with my approach, which leads to a very happy recycle bin, frequently rubbing its bulging tummy with glee.  My methods depend on what I’m creating, what the challenge calls for, and how I’ve been inspired, Often, what I ‘envision’ doesn’t marry with the execution.  Usually, I work ‘conceptually’ – thinking ‘this’ will work with ‘that’. So I give it a go; some are hits, others (many others) are misses.

I spend inordinate time on some of my cards, and especially the ‘projects,’ like calendars or sets of notecards. I persevere: once I start a card,  I finish it, even it evolves into different iterations from what I initially imagined. A few of those spill into another day (or two). I can’t think of a time – aside from calendars or ‘bulk creations’ (the 90+ Christmas tags I made for my sister-in-law last Christmas) – where I have more than one card going at once.  I’m focused that way; an idea is worked to fruition, or if the time becomes too zany, it’s abandoned (sometimes *grin*)

To carry the hop forward, I'm passing the torch on to the amazing, talented, beyond-compare 

Julia, from Just One More Card,  Her cards are extraordinary, her videos illuminating and entertaining, and best of all (for me, at least), we've become card-exchanging penpals!! Mark your calendars for March 13, because Julia's Creative Hop post is one you don't want to miss. She is DYNAMITE!

Thanks for wading through yet another of my epic posts; thank you for being my friends!!

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

Hugs,

The Pink Elephant Guest Designer~Pastels, STAMPlorations CASEplorations, ShowCASe Your Style Challenge #12~Sketch,The Card Concept #32~Coral, Aqua, Green, White, Seize the Birthday~Anything Goes, W&W~Join in to Win, Simon Says Wednesday~Happy Birthday

Hello,

I'm over-the-moon EXCITED to be staying on as The Pink Elephant Guest Designer for the month of April. Such an honor!

Today, I'm inviting you to join us in The Pink Elephant #293

 USE PASTELS

As appears to be my 'pattern,' I have three cards to share with you and be warned: butterflies galore (sorry...I'm obsessed *grin*)

First up, my pastel-translation of the gorgeous card created by the amazing Kimberly W over at STAMPlorations CASEplorations for April. A pink background, with some pigment ink white dots (hard to see in the photo), as a nod to Kimberly's waterdroplets, a pastel blue butterfly, a mint green body, and a couple strips of gold and silver sparkle tape, placed on cardstock, then die cut...

My recent order of Paper Smooches butterfly dies were awaiting me when we returned from Mom's on Saturday, so they're making their debut. Die cut paint chips...

My layout comes from ShowCASE Your STyle #12:

so I'll be joining the gallery there, as well as Winnie&Walter~Join in to Win.

Finally, a *clean and layered * creation, inspired by The Card Concept #32~Aqua, Coral, Green and White, using my much loved CB butterflies, some of which are also seeing ink for the first time (I know...hard to believe!).

 This one will also be joining Seize the Birthday~Anything Goes

and Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Happy Birthday

ETA: Thanks to Cornelia, I'm also joining House of Cards~April Inspiration~Add a Butterfly/Colour Inspiration

The trio...

Please head over (or if you've already been, THANK YOU for coming my way) to see the pastel delights designed by

Joni

Kadie

Nance

Sheri

Lori (on break, but she'll be back! Promise!)

I'm looking forward to seeing your PASTELS in The Pink Elephant gallery! 

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

Hugs,

Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness, STAMPlorations~Anything Goes, Uniko #19~Anything Goes, Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Happy Birthday, Simply Create Too #82~Anything Goes

Hello!

Today, I'm thrilled to be joining in - and welcoming you to - the Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness Blog Hop

master-minded by two amazing hostesses: Veronica Fletcher Zalis and Tenia Nelson.

As a long, long, long (long, long) time teacher, my life has been touched on many occasions by students with autism. They were absolute delights to teach, seeing and sharing ideas and insights from such incredibly unique perspectives. Even now, where I'm currently teaching part-time, I'm visited daily by two autistic teenage boys and, something they do or say, truly does 'light up' my day!

Veronica and Tenia have gathered a fantastic number of sponsors who are showing their support for this hop. You can see the list here.  If you would like a chance to win a prize from one of these fabulous companies, leave a comment on this blog, and any of the other blogs participating in today's hop! Winners will be chosen at random and will be announced on Monday April 6.

Here's my card:

One of my favourite images is this STAMPlorations bloom, showcased in three shades of blue Chameleon pens, and one each of yellow and orange.  Another 'my mom likes this' card *grin*

I'm also sharing at:
STAMPlorations~Anything Goes

Uniko Challenge #19~Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Happy Birthday HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY!

Simply Create Too #82~Anything Goes

Hope you'll join in with this marvelous hop...and so looking forward to your "Light It Up Blue" creativity!

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

Hugs,