Two Challenge Cards

Today I'm sharing 2 cards I made for 2 different challenges. This cute little mouse is Cocoa from Sweet'nSassy stamps, and I've made this card pink for breast cancer awareness month. I used the sketch from the Sweet Stop SSS231 challenge to put this together. I colored Cocoa with Copics, and added scraps of dsp and chocolate brown card stock. The embossing folder is from Sizzix and the ribbons were from my stash. The little star was done with a SU! punch and I added candy cane stickles to make it sparkle.

I made this one for a new-to-me challenge called Sentimental Sundays #175. Their challenge is to make a birthday card and include the following three items: a doily, pearls, and lace or ribbon. I stamped the SU! doily image with versamark on a piece of soft sky dsp, then embossed with white powder and heat set it. I followed that up with sponging soft sky ink in the center of the doily which makes it a little darker. The lace ribbon I've had in my stash for ages, while the image is a Deedee Anderson digi called "Cup of Joy." I colored the flowers with Copics, and the cup with soft sky ink and a blender pen. I added liquid pearls to the flower centers and the center ring of the cup, then fussy cut and popped it up on foam tape. I added the SU! birthday sentiment on some SU! jewel tag punches for the final touch. I think the photo will enlarge if you click on it for a better view.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I wish you a wonderful day!

Carol

Cocoa's Birthday Wishes

It's too humid and hot to do much of anything outside, so today I stayed holed up in the central air and made a few cards. This one is for the Sweet Stop SSS227 sketch challenge and this week it's an easy one I can relate to :) I colored this Sweet 'n Sassy Cocoa mouse digi image with Copics and mounted him on some SB circle dies in red & kraft card stock. I pierced holes in the scallops and dotted them with a dark blue marker and used a scrap of wild asparagus dsp for the banner, matting it with white. For the final touch, I added a little bow with some computer-printed jewel tags.
I hope you're enjoying some warm summer-like weather too before old man winter rears his ugly face again!

Thanks for checking in and make it a great day!

Carol

Still Working with my Stash

My card today is for the SSS224 Sweet Stop Sketch. This week there's a spin to use a sunflower. I'm still trying to work from my stash and this is a flower I die cut maybe a year ago at a friend's house! The cardstock is Bazzill, the dsp is from my scraps bin, the flowers were done with a Fiskars punch, and the gemstones are from Pizzazz Aplenty. The sentiment is from SU! and the brad is another old one from my scrapbooking days. 

That's it for me today, but thanks for stopping by and make it a great day!

Carol

Gingerbread Man Christmas

Here's my card for the SSS222 sketch challenge found at the Sweet Stop. As always, I flipped the sketch to accommodate the image on the dsp scrap I used. I thought the sleigh image worked nicely to add to the Christmas theme. I'm using an adorable SNSS mini set called "Gingerbread Man."  I colored the image with Copics and added some liquid applique, then popped him up on a scrap of red card stock. The little trees were done with a punch from SU! and tiny red gemstones from Pizzazz Aplenty were added for accents. The espresso ribbon is from SU! while the vanilla taffeta ribbon is from Pizzazz Aplenty. The snippet of striped dsp is from a well-loved (and hoarded) retired BG paper pad called "Figgy Pudding."

I'm also entering this into Pixie's Crafty Snippet Playground #84 since I used snippets of dsp to put this together. Honestly, with my overflowing scrap bin, I could probably enter Di's challenges on a daily basis for the next decade! LOL

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're having a great week so far!

Carol

Finds from the Scrap Bin

Lately I've been working from my scrap bin, and finding lots of pre-made/started elements that I'm trying to complete & use on cards. The pinwheel is one I might have made several years ago, and today it finally found it's way to this card done for the Sweet Stop SSS221 sketch challenge. I know the dsp is retired SU!, while the tiny red pattern paper is from a different unknown source. I used a Sizzix ef for the background along with some olive green twine. The sentiment was computer generated and done with SU! punches. That gemstone brad might be one I've had since I first started scrapbooking way back when. I wish I could use them all up, but they simply add too much bulk to a card for mailing.

Wishing you a happy Wednesday - thanks for stopping by!

Carol

Super Dad

Here's the sketch for the Sweet Stop SSS214 and I made a card for Father's day...

I used 2 SNSS digi images for this card. First I printed the Cocoa's Baseball Cap image and colored it to match the Moments dsp. Then I printed the Super Dad digi image, colored it, hand cut and popped it up on foam tape. I added a SU! punched border along with some Pizzazz Aplenty navy ribbon, and 4 sparkly brads and called this one done!

I think I may need a new camera because all my photos seem a tad out of focus regardless of what I do. I may have the settings wrong too - if anyone can give me any helpful tips, I'd appreciate it! In the meantime, if you click the photo you'll see a more focused version.

Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all a wonderful Tuesday!

Carol

Going "Buggy!"

Here's the Sweet Stop SSS211 sketch challenge for this week and there's a spin on the challenge that's "going buggy."

I've had this SNSS Bitty Bug digi image printed for months, and decided this sketch challenge was the right opportunity to actually use it to make a card. I colored it with Copics, adding white gel pen accents and some wire antennae when I fussy-cut it and popped it up on foam tape. I added a piece of white tulle underneath him, and used some Echo Park dsp scraps for the banners. I used 2 different Cuttlebug embossing folders with dots for the background and square panel. The sentiment was done with stickers.

Since I used snippets of dsp for this card, I'm also entering it into the Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground #73.

Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a wonderful Monday!

Carol

The Sweet Stop Sketch # SSS10

I played along with the Sweet Stop sketch challenge #SSS10 to make this card with a heart theme. The background was embossed with a Darice ef, and I added a red punched heart to the Unity image, piercing around the edges for a little interest. The sentiment panel is from SNSS and I added a tiny piece of narrow ribbon with some zig-zag piercing on the long edges. A couple scraps of red & black card stock to mat, and this was done!

Have a great TGIF day and thanks for stopping by!

Carol

Another Sad Day for Americans

It's another sad day for Americans after the bombings in Boston yesterday. It appears that violence and acts of terrorism are growing in frightening numbers, and it makes me incredibly sad to see innocent people injured or taken from us through these senseless, mindless acts. I can't imagine what evil lives in the minds of those responsible for committing such unthinkable acts upon humanity.

As I watched the tragedy unfold yesterday, I found myself in complete awe of so many people who rushed immediately into the bombed areas to assist the injured and help others to safety. I'm grateful and thankful that you all reacted quickly and responsibly to help the injured, without even considering your own safety. Heroes do live among us, and I'm so proud of everyone who was able to respond in such a positive way.

My thoughts and prayers are with those families and individuals affected by yesterday's tragic events. An 8-year old boy was lost and his younger sister lost one of her legs, and their mother has been injured as well. All this as they proudly watched their father/husband cross the finish line at the marathon. 

For those responsible, your fate has already been written.

********************************************************

That being said, I made a card to share with you today. I played along with the Sweet Stop SSS206 sketch challenge and made a card for my next box of OWH cards going to our "other" heroes serving overseas. In spite of the sadness, I wanted to make a card for happiness.

I used some snippets of Echo Park dsp along with a Darice stars ef to put this together. The stars were done with SU! and Punch-a-Bunch punches, and I added a happy face to the larger star. The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp "Shoot for the Stars." I added 4 different colors of twine to the tag instead of ribbon, because it makes for flatter mailing and less postage. I'm also entering this into the Pixies Crafty Snippets Playground #68 since I used  leftover snippets for all the elements on this card except for the background.

Here's the sketch...

And here is Heidi's April calendar that I'd completely forgotten to post. Sorry about that! It's been a very eventful month so far and I'm not on top of my game...

I just love those little boots under the work bench and especially that tiny windmill birdhouse! Thank you Heidi for the gift that keeps giving all year long :)

Thanks for dropping by, and I wish you all a happy day. Hold your loved ones a little closer today.

Carol

Sympathy Cards

I made this sympathy card a while ago and never posted it. Then a day ago someone wanted 2 sympathy cards, so I made a couple more following the basic design of this card. I used a SNSS clear stamp image called "the sea", embossing it with clear detail and coloring with a combination of Copics and sponging in the sky with assorted inks. The sentiment is from SU! and the twine is from Lawn Fawn.

This one is similar to the first, but it has an extra mat along with a different colored twine - also from Lawn Fawn.

This one has a story behind it. If you look closely between those two word window punches on the top, you'll see a big smudge of purple ink! AACK!! It pretty much ruined the whole card until I saw the Sweet Stop sketch SSS204, and then I thought I might be able to save it with a few tabs on the sides. I added a tiny piece of cording to one tab, along with 3 black mini brads, and a different SU! sympathy sentiment. Another card disaster saved :)

I'm also entering these into the Perfect Sentiments PSC73 challenge to create a sympathy/thinking of you card with the sentiment on the front.

Thanks for the visit - it's always great to see you here :) Now go have yourself a wonderful day :)

Carol

Easter

I combined two challenges for my card today. I used the sketch for SSS203, along with the MFP Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge #152 to make a card with either an Easter theme or bunnies. This adorable image was a freebie from MayzyArt and I thought it was so cute for spring & Easter cards! I colored it with Copics and added some spica glitter pen accents to the flower, and then used all Echo park Springtime papers to put this together. The sentiment is from SU! and I added some acrylic gemstones I've had forever, and put a dot of liquid pearls in the centers. The pink ribbon is by Offrey.

I always make a little something for my neighbor on the holidays, and this year I'm going to fix a little basket with some goodies and a potted plant for her. I found this adorable tea towel in the dollar store, and I made some Easter cut-out cookies in the shapes of bunnies, chicks and eggs that will be included in her basket. I made the treat bag topper with a top note die, a circle punch, a die cut bunny by AMuse, and a free digi sentiment from SansDesign that I d/l last year. I shaved some cardstock for the whiskers and added a mini brad along with some liquid pearls for eyes. The dsp is a scrap of glittered card stock by DCWV.

I'm entering this into the Simon Says Stamp challenge for Easter/Spring.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend! 

Carol

Spring is Here!

 The challenge at MFP Speedy Fox & Friends #151 this week is "green." I pulled out some of my green scraps of dsp, cut them in strips and made a herringbone background, cutting the design with a top note die. I used a MFP Planted with love stamp set for the image and sentiment, adding a blossom punch flower done with saffron card stock, and a SB foliage die cut. I added a kissy brad on the sentiment panel just for some "punny" fun :)

With the framework left over from cutting the top note, I made a 2nd card...

I'm entering this card into the Oozak March challenge where it's "anything goes" with a spring theme. Since I used all those leftover strips of dsp to create the herringbone background, I'm also entering this into Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground #64. The image is by Angels Landing, and the sentiment is by Inkadinkado. The bunny was colored with Copics.

Last but not least, I'm entering the following card into the Sweet Stop SSS202 sketch challenge.

I used a SNSS stamp set called Springtime Babies, and colored it with Copics. I pulled out a scrap of turquoise blue to make the scalloped mat, and used a piece of Echo Park dsp for the background. I used some matching yellow & white gingham ribbon to create the diagonal strip, the corner embellishment, and the little bow. I added a tiny red piece of bling into the center of the red flower that's from Pizzazz Aplenty which might be more visible if you click the photo to enlarge.

That's going to do it for me today, but thanks for stopping by and I wish you all a very happy first day of spring!

Carol

Warm Wishes

Today I have a card that looks almost like my view out of the window. It snowed here in PA a couple days ago and with the balmy 24 degree temperatures we have today, the snow is still on the ground. Incredibly, they're forecasting temperatures to hit 62 by mid-week!

I based this card on 3 different challenges:

 The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge SSS195

The SNSDC89 to use "all white"

The Perfect Sentiments PSC63 to use silver, white & blue

I began with all white papers, and the little touches of color were done with Copic markers. I embossed the background pieces using SU! fancy fan & CB swiss dots ef's. The embossed panels with divided with ric-rac strips done with an EK punch. The SNSS digital Rhubarb Builds a Snowman image was printed on white, and die cut using SB circles. The sentiment was computer generated, and the final touch was some silver stickles to look like snow on the ground. The silver and white snowflake brads have been in my stash forever!

Wishing you a warm day, and thanks so much for coming by!

Carol

A Trio of Challenges

Here's the CAS(E) this Sketch#11 challenge.....

and here's the masculine thank-you card I made. I used leftover pieces of turquoise, along with white, and a sentiment from SU!. I really like the clean lines of this sketch, and I'll be making more of these cards in different colors.

And this is the sketch for this week's SSS194 challenge with a spin to use a snowman image. 

Have you ever found a paper pad you just love to create with and wish you had a never-ending supply? Well that's how I feel about this Echo Park Winter Wishes paper pad. There isn't a sheet in the entire pad I don't like! I used a SNSS snowman image and sentiment for this, and added some purple cardstock, some Pizzazz Aplenty pearls, and some PTI ribbon. The paper pretty much does all the work on this card. For the most part I just added some Copic coloring to this adorable snowman image.

Last but not least, is the Perfect Sentiments Challenge PSC62, which is to create a card with an encouragement sentiment on the front, and add some ribbon as well.

I stamped the Serene Silhouettes image with Versafine Onyx Black on glossy paper, then embossed it with clear detail ep. After it dried, I sponged on some Razzleberry, Bashful Blue, and Daffodil inks with a sponge. I matted with black, and matching colors of cardstock, embossing the razzleberry panel with a square lattice ef. I don't know the origin of the sentiment - I had it stamped and punched in a pile of half-started projects, so I just layered it on some bashful blue using a SU! fancy label punch. The ribbon is bashful blue.

OK, that's going to do it for me today, but thanks so much for stopping by and make it a great Monday!

Carol

Purple & Green for SSS192

I haven't played along with the Sweet Stop sketches in forever, but this week they had a sketch that I couldn't resist playing along with, so I pulled out my favorite colors and had fun. I used the SNSS Your Friendship stamp set, embossing the flower with clear detail ep, fussy cutting it, and popping it up on dimensionals. I added assorted sized pearls to the flower centers from Pizzazz Aplenty. The lavender flowers were done with a Fiskars punch, while the tiny dark plum flowers were done with a MS Hyrdangea punch. Sentiment is by Inkadinkado, and the leaves were hand-cut and run through a paper crimper. The green border was done with an EK dotted scallop border, and I added some scoring to the dark plum panel for a little interest.

Here's wishing you a wonderful Monday, and as always - thanks for stopping by!

Carol

Sketches, Colors & Challenges

Here's my card for the Dynamic Duos #16 to use River Rock & Black, with a dessert option of using brads. I'm also using the Merry Monday #29 to make a Christmas card using their sketch. The cardstock base and dsp are River Rock, and I embossed the silver snowflake brad with black embossing powder and layered it with 2 cream-colored felt snowflakes. Sentiment is from SU! Swirled Christmas tree.

This was made for the SNSDC67 to use a digital image and 3D flowers. I also used the I Spy Sketches ISSC29 to design the card. The digi image is from OWH and I colored it with Copics. I used some navy card stock, along with dsp's from the MME Moments paper pad. I used 3 paper flowers and a brad for the 3D flower, adding some soft yellow gingham ribbon from my stash.

This card was made for the Sweet Stop SSS172 sketch with a spin to use die cuts or punches. I used a SNSS Cocoa's pumpkin image, and paper pieced with dsp from SU! (r). The border was done with a die from SNSS and the circle was done with SB dies. Sentiment is by SNSS and it's stamped on a more mustard piece of cardstock, adding 3 mini brads for an accent.

That's it for now, but thanks for stopping by!

Carol

Hello Monday

Here's my card for the SNSDC66 to use the colors of purples & greens. I used a Doodle Pantry digi image and sentiment, coloring with Copics and adding a bricked pattern panel done with an EK punch. I used green galore card stock with purple from a Paper co stack, and added a snippet of ribbon and a tiny matching brad.

Here's my CAS square card for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge CFC65. I used an image from the Cuter by the Inch stamp set, adding some Spica yellow glitter pen accents along with a square of yellow card stock and black ribbon.

Finally, here's my card for the the Sweet Stop Sketch challenge SSS171. I used a SNSS digi image along with some echo park dsp. The sentiment is from a SNSS clear stamp set and I added some stickles to Cocoa's party hat just for a little fun. Gemstones from Want2Scrap.

I'll end this post on a very sad note. Our dear neighbor passed away last night at the age of 53 after a freak accident yesterday afternoon at his home. We're all devastated, as he was the kind of neighbor everyone should be blessed to have. He was always kind, generous and so willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. We'll miss him terribly and I think we're all in a daze with the terrible news. I consider us extremely fortunate and blessed to have known him and lived next door to him for nearly 20 years.

Carol

SSS160

I made this card for the SSS160 sketch challenge found here. I used the SNSS Lotus digi image, coloring with Copics and cutting out by hand. I popped it up on some SP circle dies and added a tiny tag accent. The border was done with a SU punch and I added Kaiser lavender gemstones. The dsp I believe is by Memory Box and the cream colored cardstock was embossed using a square lattice ef. I added some Spica glittered pen accents to the flower petals here and there. You can see by the sketch below that I flipped it and turned it to make this image work.

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope everyone has a safe Memorial day.

Carol

Cupcakes Anyone?

I played along with the Sweet Stop Sketch SSS153 as they're celebrating their 3rd birthday this month. They're challenging you to use one of their previous sketches, and I chose this one - the SSS58. The cupcake image is from an unknown stamp I won recently, and all the dsp is from MME Everyday Flair. The cupcake was colored with Copics and I used baby blue and frosted stickles, along with a blue glitter pen and a red Spica glitter pen. The clip is clear plastic and from a huge set I got from QVC years ago. It says "cheers" - perfect for a birthday celebration. I added some piercing on the corners which you can see better if you click the photo to enlarge it.

I had a request to make a birthday card for a friend who likes Purple, so while I had that cupcake stamp out, I made this card for her. I used scraps of rich purple card stock along with some BoBunny Jazmyne dsp and the labels four dies. I outlined the dies with white and purple markers and did the sentiment using a grommet tag and some brads. I added lots of sparkle with glitter pens to the image and used some purple gingham ribbon from my stash.

I hope your week is off to a great start, and thank you for stopping by today!

Carol

The Sweet Stop & OWH sketches

Hello and happy Sunday to everyone. I have two cards today for two different sketch challenges. First up is the SSS151 and here is my card....

I made a spring-like card using the SNSS Your Friendship stamp set along with some soft and pretty Echo Park springtime papers. I embossed some scraps of aqua and yellow card stock, then punched some flowers using a MS set of hydrangea punches. I layered them up with some ferns and leaves and added some Viva pearl pen accents, along with a little bow.

Here is the layout for the OWH Stars and Stamps sketch#114. They're in need of some "guy" cards and you can read all about it by clicking the link above.

Here's my card for the challenge, this time using the Super Dad digi image from SNSS. I layered it with fleur de lis and postage stamp dies, and colored it with Copics. I added some diamond-plate embossing to the red panel, and added a piece of BG kraft dsp to the blue panel, adding some gold brads just to balance everything, since the focal point is slightly off-center.

That's going to do it for me today, so thanks for dropping by and enjoy your day!

Carol