October Classic Design Challenge : Happy Fall

 Hello and welcome back my crafty Friends! It's finally fall! My favorite time of the year! All the best cozies are here! Apples, Comfy Pants & Sweaters, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Pumpkin Pie, Rainy Days and Cool, Sweet Smelling, Breezes! Yes! Bring it all!

This month we are featuring images from Mirtillamente, and boy, do they have the most interesting digi images! I chose to use Spiced Pause, because well, it's fall and why not?? 

I printed out the image on Neenah Solar paper, then colored it in with a combination of Copics and Altenew alcohol markers. I cut it out from a die purchased on Amazon, but without a name. Then I stamped out a sentiment from Honey Bee Stamps "Faboolous Sentiments" stamp set. I matted the main image over Bazzil's "Rain Forrest" green cardstock, then added some foam strips on the back, and placed it over 49 & Market's Timber & Tweed "Scenic View" paper (the flannel flip side)..

If you haven't tried using digi images and stamps, please don't feel intimidated! They're some of the most fun and creative images to color in, around. Please go check out Mirtillamente's site and try one for yourself!

Thank you for joining the Classic Design Team this month for our monthly challenge. We look forward to seeing what you create each month for us! Each one is so special and inspiring to us! Keep it up! :)

September Classic Design Challenge : Alex Syberia Designs and Goha Digital Stamps

 Hello and Welcome back to another monthly Classic Design Challenge! Boy, am I excited to share the Cuuuuute image I colored in from Goha Digital Stamps!! I chose to feature Goha's Peaking Unicorn because it's so stinking cute!!

Honestly, just how cute is that?!?

I printed off my image and colored it in with a mix of Copics and Altenew alcohol markers. I cut out my main image scene with a Stitched Rectangle from MFT and stamped an old sentiment from MFT along the bottom. I chose to use a pink gingham background paper from Bo Bunny, and a solid pink cardstock from Bazzil. The decorative bottom edge is cut out by a long discontinued die from MFT that has no name, and I dressed it all up with some simple pink pearls from Honey Bee Stamps. Simple, Simple, Simple, so the main image stands out.

I love, love this image and how it all came together! Would you believe I was hesitant to color the mushrooms in? I couldn't decide if I wanted to go "Magical Woodland" and color them in pinks, purples, blues and yellows, or natural colored. I decided to go natural so that the unicorn would stand out more as an oddity in the setting.. But even then, getting the natural colors are tricky for me.. So I took a deep breath, trusted myself and the process and gave it a shot. I'm glad I did! I'm so proud of the mushrooms, their colors, and shading! Is it the best? No, but it's MY best! :) Don't doubt yourself, always push yourself to try. It's only paper! 

I can't wait to see your inspired creations this month! You always inspire me and make me push my art further and try new things, after I see all your ideas and creative inspirations! Thank you crafty Friends! See you next month!

September Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: You Are On My Mind

 Happy September everyone! We are heading into cooler weather, and I'm looking forward to all the fall activities! Bring it on!

This month the challenge photo offered so many colors to showcase and choose from. I love it when the challenge photos offer so many different ways to be inspired, don't you?

I stamped Gina K's Geranium on watercolor paper and used water colors to paint it in. I cut out my image using Papertrey Ink's "Scalloped Ovals", then added thick foam squares behind it and matted the image over Spellbinders "Infinity Punch & Pierce Plate" I used Bazzil's "Celtic Green" Swiss Dot cardstock under the Spellbinder plate background, and used some Gina K white cardstock as my base, under the green matting cardstock. And to finish my card, I added green jewels from Honey Bee Stamps, to elevate the card and offer some pizzaz.

Thank you for joining me and the Beautiful Blossoms Design Team this month. We are looking forward to seeing how you were inspired and what you've created! See you next month!

Congrats

 Hello Crafty Friends! I'm just popping in because I randomly had a few extra minutes to toss a card together! Yay me! I love it when I get to do that :)

I challenged myself to create a card, using a challenge or two to jump start my ideas, and created something that I love.

I used quite a few items and dies to create this card. I cut a lacy rectangle base in Bazzil's "Peach Cream" with Lawn Fawn's "Lacy Rectangle" die, and layered Carta Bella's "Cowgirl" design papers over that, cut out with The Greetery's  "The Frame". I placed MFT's "Congrats" die over the lower half of my top base, and die cut it out, then placed more Carta Bella's "Cowgirl" design papers under it. After that, I cut a knit heart with Concord and 9th's "Knitted with Care" die set in the same "Cowgirl" papers. Then I layered a silhouette couple using Picket Fence Studio's "A2 She Said Yes", and added some burnished gold pearls from Honey Bee Stamps "Warm Pearls" collection. To complete my card, I randomly added some sponged "Crackling Campfire" Distress Oxide ink on parts of my card, for interest.

I'm submitting this card to the following challenges :

Simon Says Stamp - Get In Shape

Addicted to CAS - Anniversary 

Shopping Our Stash - Let's Get Sketchy

AAA Birthday - Use Patterned Paper

August Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Get Well Soon

 Welcome back, Beautiful Blossom Challenge Friends! This month we have a beautiful challenge photo! I absolutely love this image! It's so pretty and inspiring!

I literally made three cards, just trying to match the beauty and those gorgeous colors. Nothing I made was good enough, I felt. They weren't as pretty as the image was inspiring me. Or so I thought. Sometimes you just get a great inspiration piece that pushes you to try harder and do better!

I stamped out my image from Flourishes "Tulips" stamp set. I cut the main image into a rectangle shape, then used an old Spellbinder border die on the bottom edge, and placed some I placed some thick foam tape under the image to lift it off the background design paper. I used an old piece of scrap design paper for my green background under the tulip image, then cut out a scalloped background edging using Spellbinders "Heartfelt Thanks and Scallops" die set. I chose a sentiment from Say it with Stamps "Get Well" set, then added some dark forest green pearls from Honey Bee Stamps "Pacific Northwest" pearl collection, for beauty and interest.

I love the colors on the flowers. I really tried to keep it light colored because the challenge photo shows light colored flowers. I also decided to feature the image vertically and cut in half using a border die for more visual interest just to see how it looked. I'm glad I tried it!

Thank you for joining me for this month's Beautiful Blossom Challenge, I really enjoy your comments and views! Have a great month and I can't wait to see your submissions for this month's challenge!!

April Classic Design Challenge : Cute Bee Digis

 Hello again crafty friends!! Are you as happy as I am that it's April?! It's time for another Classic Challenge! 

This month we are featuring the prettiest digi stamps from Cute Bee Digis. There are SO MANY cute and pretty digi designs to choose from! But I specifically chose Catherine Holding Tulips because it just looked so spring-like and had a pretty Easter outfit. Catherine looks like she just got back from her Sunday Easter service :)

I printed out the image and colored it in with Copics and cut the image out with Lawn Fawn "Small Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stackables" and then stamped my sentiment from Honey Bee Stamps "He Is Risen" stamp set. I used Mintay Papers Scalloped A2 sized card base, and cut my two design papers using MFT Double and Single Stitched dies to matt my main image. before I added my silk and velvet ribbons, I edged my main image and pink background paper with Spectrum Noir's Blush Metallic paint markers, and added some candy enamel dots.

I love how fresh and springy the card turned out. I really love coloring in digi stamps and finding new ones like the ones Cute Bee Digis offers, to my stamp catalog!! Thank you for visiting my blog and joining the Classic Design Team Monthly Challenge! I'll see you next month! :)

April Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Thinking of You

 Hello and welcome back to another wonderful Blossoms Challenge! Have you been enjoying the team's examples and monthly inspiration photos this year? I hope so, it's been truly a fun challenge every month to come up with a card to inspire you!

Speaking of, here is this month's inspiration photo.

So pretty, right?! I enjoy Daisy's and the pretty colors shown in this photo. I don't have any Daisy stamps, but I chose something as close as possible to the look of one.

I stamped out My Favorite Thing's "Flowers in Bloom" stamp and cut it out with the coordinating die, then colored it in with Copics. I cut out a white frame using Papertrey's April die and layered it over MFT's "Orange Sherbet" paper cut out using MFT's A2 Stitched Rectangular Stax Set 1. I stamped out my sentiment from Honey Bee's "Perfect Sentiments" set, then added a dark purple cardstock frame from Core'dinations ColorCore collection. Then I finished the whole look by adding some gems from Spellbinders in their "Orchid" collection.

Honestly, I was trying to find a light purple cardstock to match the flowers and the purple in the cardstock, but I honestly couldn't find anything in my stash!! I'm shocked! I honestly thought I had ALL shades of cardstock in my stash, but it looks like I don't! LOL! Oh well, It still turned out nice.

I hope this card inspired you for this month's challenge. I can't wait to see all of your creations, and until next month, keep crafting and I'll be back with another card inspiration! :)

March : You Bake Me Happy

 Happy March, Ya'll!!! Is it spring yet?! Not so much here, but it hasn't been the worst winter, so I can deal.

This month, the Classic Design Team is featuring Dr. Digi's designs again. Dr. Digi has a huge selection of great images to choose from, and at a reasonable price, too. Take a look at the store here : Dr. Digi

I chose to use Bertha's Bread Baking Bonanza image. I chose it because I struggle and look as lost as Bertha, when I make homemade bread!!

I printed off the image and coloring it in with Copics. After coloring the image in, I taped off the edges of the image and sponged Antique Linen and Weathered Wood Distress Inks around the edges. I used Taylored Expressions Easy Edgers die to cut a pinking edge on some soft brown gingham paper from Simple Stories, from their "Gingham" collection. I adhered the gingham paper to a heavy Kraft cardstock, and added a ribbon from Maya Arts to the base. After tying the ribbon on the card, I placed the image over the front of the card base, then stamped my sentiment from Honey Bee stamps, then added three pearls from Honey Bees "Warm Pearls" collection.

I really had a hard time picking an image to color in, but I love how nice Bertha turned out!

I hope you're having a great spring and enjoying the warm weather!! Or I hope it's at least headed your way, soon! :) 

February Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Love & Thanks

Happy February fellow "Bloomers"! Welcome back to another Beautiful Blossoms Design Challenge! 

Let's just jump right in, shall we? I'm so excited because this month's challenge photo because I love how cheery and spring-y it looks! I'm so ready for spring and summer to come back around again. This month's photo has purples, yellows, whites, and some blues. 

I didn't want to get too many bold colors going on, but try to create a softer approach while featuring all the colors I could, without making it color chaotic! LOL!

I chose to stamp out my image using Gina K's "Let's Celebrate" and coloring it in with Copics, then die cutting it out with the coordinating die. Then I cut out a decorative "banner" using Studio Light's "Slimline & Label" die so I can put the flower wreath image on it. Then I stamped the sentiment from Power Poppy's "Nice Things To Say" stamp set. I cut out the base of the card using Kat Scrappiness's "Mini Slimline Fancy Scalloped Die" using the 49 & Market's "Tranquility" design paper. Under the decorative middle piece, I placed popdots, to give it some lift and dimension off the design paper, and under the wreath too, to give some depth. Then I added some purple & blue colored gems from Honey Bee Stamps "Perfect Petals" gems.

I try to learn something new with each card that I make and I really love how the sentiment font seems to really go with the wreath. I learned that sometimes you can choose a different sentiment for the card you created, that often goes better than ones that usually goes with the stamp set. I also realized something else, fonts and illustrated image styles matter. Mis-matching the styles often look...odd. That is why some images and sentiments just seem to give off an odd vibe. Have you ever notice that? Am I the only one?

Oh well. Sometimes the things I figure out are only important to me. LOL!

Have a great month and I will see you back here next month for another Beautiful Blossoms Challenge photo and inspiration!

October Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Celebrate You!

 Happy October everyone! This is my favorite month of the year!! Not because it's almost Halloween, But because Autumn is really in full swing by now, everywhere! Growing up in Northern Minnesota, October was very nippy out and either crisp and sunny, or damp & rainy. I loved them both!

This  months Beautiful Blossoms Challenge photo features orange predominantly, and looks very ethereal.

I really looked at this photo and wanted to make an orange card in the worst way possible, because orange is one of my favorite colors. But, I like what looks like a "blue" secondary color in the photo, and I decided to make a card based off of that.

Now, I know you say that this card looks nothing even close to the photo, but I want to remind you that these example photos are purely inspiration to help you. It's how YOU interoperate the design image :) 

I chose to stamp out Honey Bee Stamps On The Line : Succulents onto watercolor paper and lightly watercolor them in then diecut them out. Then I found a white paper doily and a blue doily from Doodlebug Designs and put them under my sentiment from Pretty Pink Posh. I matted some blue paper from Simple Stories "Vintage Berry Fields" over Simple Stories "Warm White" Textured cardstock, using dies from Pink Fresh and My Favorite Things. Then I diecut a Gold Metallic paper from Tim Holtz with their Stitched Eyelet Lace Rectangle and placed all my previous cardstock on top of that to frame it, then the paper doilys, the sentiment and watercolored succulents, and lastly, the blue pearls scattered around the card.

I love how it turned out, though I really fought hard not to make it an orange colored card or overly complicated.

I can't wait to see all of your unique creations and how you were inspired! And until next time, Keep Creating!

September Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Birthday Greetings

 Good morning fellow crafters, I've missed you! 

Another month, another design challenge! How are you enjoying them so far? Have you been feeling the challenge? Have you enjoyed the beautiful inspiration photos? I know I have.

I definitely love the rusty red and the soft oranges, so perfect for my favorite time of the year. Such beautiful fall colors!

I chose to use Honey Bee Stamps Love is a Rose stamp set and the dies to cut it out. I colored it in with my Copic markers. Then I chose a Doodlebug Design blue doily to place under the image. I found some blue-green coordinating paper that I cut out with Pink Fresh's Slim Ornate Banner die, then rounded the corners with a corner punch. Then I placed Popdots under that, and placed it over some design paper with Pink Fresh's Fancy Rectangle Frame over Bazzil's Cornmeal cardstock, then added some yellow enamel dots.

As busy as this looks, it was pretty simple to make and layer. I just love it when a card comes together so quick, don't you?!

Thank you for your follows and kind comments, it means the world to me! Until next month, thank you for joining us at Beautiful Blossoms Challenge!

Classic Design Team Challenge: The Dancer

 Hi again, Friends! I'm back with another digital stamp challenge with the Classic Design Team!

This month, we are working with SheepSki Designs Digital Images and Art. I had many designs to choose from, but I chose a solo flamenco dancer. The silhouette and the movement just captivated me.

I printed the image out on Gina K paper (with MUCH difficulty, as it's pretty thick), in a 4x6 format.

I chose to color the dancer in pink instead of a red, to give the dancer a real feminine, soft look. My main Copic colors on the dancer were R81, R83, R85, and R89. I cut the main image out with Pinkfresh's Stitched Rectangles, then matted that over some blue 49 & Market paper, just to pop that pink a tad more. I cut a fancy border on the blue design paper with a long since retired MFT die, then matted that on top of popdots over a scalloped backing, cut from Spellbinders Heartfelt Thanks and Scallops die. I did place some white gems from Honey Bee Stamps along the decorative edge for some interest, but otherwise, wanted just the dancer to be the focus of my card.

I really love how it turned out! The pink just sings and I love the simplicity of it all! Until next month, stay Crafty!

Beautiful Blossoms Design Challenge : Congratulations

 Where has the time gone? It's May already!

I haven't been as active on here as I'd like but I had to pick up a second job and that takes most of my crafting time away, sadly.

But this month I have another Beautiful Blossoms Challenge. I love to color in flowers, so I look forward to these monthly challenges! Here is the May 2025 inspiration photo.

So pretty! So many blues, purples, mauves, and peachy-orange flowers! 

I stamped out Honey Bee Stamps "Simply Stated" stamps and colored them in with Copics. I diecut the image out with MFT Double Stitched Rectangle, and placed popdots under it so it will offer a slight 3D look because it's popped out. Then I matted the image with Bazzil's Mauve polka dot design paper diecut with MFT's Stitched Scalloped Rectangles.

I tried to add in some of the colors of the bouquet without it looking too bold with too much color. I think I hit just the right notes, and still have it look simple and uncomplicated. 

Thank you for joining us at Beautiful Blossoms Monthly Challenge! We'll see you next month!

Welcome Little One

 Hello again, Friends!

I'm back again with another challenge card, and this time I am using a new stamp & die set from Ebay, called Better Together by My Favorite Things.

I stamped out the main image of the ark and the rainbow, diecut them out and colored everything in with Copics & Touch Twin markers. The design paper is a soft neutral brown gingham from Honey Bee Stamps Gingham Galore Holiday collection, that I stitched around with my sewing machine. Then I matted the stitched DP with some Bazzil Kraft paper. I used a long since retired bookplate die to layer under my images, then started layering my diecuts over it, and adding some clouds from a retired MFT die called Cutest Clouds Ever. I placed some podots under my ark just for some depth and interest, then added my sentiment from the new stamp set, using MFT's Skinny Strips die.

Here are the Blog Challenges I am entering with this card :

Polkadoodles - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Inspired By ... Gingham 

Thank you for stopping by and I hope to see you at my next post!

Hello Friend

 Hello again and welcome back, Friends!

How is the weather where you are? It's -1 here today and definitely a snug, tucked in, and cozy day to make a card!

I chose a new stamp set I had yet to try, from China. It doesn't have a name, though I got it from Amazon. It's silicone, and I don't care for it as it makes terrible impressions and doesn't like the ink I normally use. This might be the only time I ever use this set, so..

I stamped out my background image and colored it in with Touch alcohol markers, then used MFT's Stitched Scalloped Squares dienamics to cut out the scene.
I cut another Stitched Square piece out from Echo Park's Designer Dies using Kraft cardstock, and matted that, yet again, with Gina K's white cardstock, cut with MFT's Scalloped Stitched Squares dienamics. I layered all the diecuts together to create my layered layout for the card.
Then I stamped out the chickens from the stamp set, fussy cut them out, and popped them up on popdots. After that, I stamped my sentiment from Honey Bee Stamps Farm Fresh Flowers stamp set.

I created this card with a couple challenges in mind :

Inspired By... Sketch

Polkadoodles - Friends

Hope Your Day is Sweet

 Good morning, Friends!

I have another card created from a challenge today. 

Color Throwdown : Pink, Brown & White

I chose to use Colorado Craft's Coffee House stamp and the coordinating dies, placed over a Distress Ink sponged background in Old Paper and Antique Linen.
I matted the main piece over some Kraft paper that I stitched together with Simple Stories Textured Cardstock in Mauve. Then I cut a banner using MFT's Skinny Strips die, and added my sentiment from Honey Bee Stamps "Mini Messages : Sweet" set.

I enjoyed the color challenge and I have a couple other ideas I might try with it.

But that is all I have for today. Until the next blog post, I hope you have a marvelous craft day!

Happy Birthday

 Hello and welcome back crafty Friends! I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! I don't know about you, but I look forward to my weekends of crafting :)

Today I have a card that combined a few blog challenges :

Addicted To CAS : Center Focus

Word Art Wednesday : Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Blog : Anything Goes w/ Spellbinders

A Cherry On Top : Sketch

Just Add Ink : A Touch of Bling

I didn't want to combine too many challenges together, because I wanted to keep my card as clean and simple as possible this time. I usually have clean designs, but I really wanted this card to be clean and simple so the design would speak for itself and keep the focus front and center.

I chose to use Spellbinders Scalloped Symphony Notecard die set, on Tim Holtz's Metallic Cardstock in Rose Gold. I chose a close matching pink paper cardstock from The Paper Boutique's Moon Meadows cardstock collection. I stamped my sentiment from Crafter's Companion in a set called Gemini. After stamping my sentiment and placing it in the center of my card, I added a couple of gem stickers from Honey Bee Stamps from their Log Cabin gem collection.

Again, I felt it would look better if I made it as clean and simple as possible and I'm glad I did. I generally don't work with shimmery cardstock for many reasons, but mainly because I feel it's difficult to photograph well. I had to close some blinds and shades to keep from the high reflection on this card, but the darker room, I feel dulls it out. So it's tricky if you want to take photos with it, but in real life it just sparkles in such a lovely, eye catching, way!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a happy, crafty weekend!

Sprinkled with Love

 Hello again crafty Friends! I'm back with another fun card created from two blog challenges that I found online.  The first blog is : Inspired By with their "Inspired By ... Gnomes". Though I wasn't inspired by the gnomes or the colors themselves, I was definitely inspired by the Sketch they offered. The second blog challenge I am combining with my card is : Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. This is also a new blog challenge that I found recently that I wanted to try out. This weeks challenge is : "Something New".

As you remember, this year I am challenging myself to create and participate more. And though we're only 11 days into the new year, I've found a few challenges and really enjoyed the crafting push.

I created this card using some new stamps that I bought.

I stamped my image from Kokorosa using their stamp set & dies, called "Cake Making", and a sentiment from MFT, called "Sugar Coated Sentiments", stamped on a MFT "Skinny Strips" pennant die. I cut out an oval with Spellbinders "Oval" and sponged "Old Paper" Distress Ink gently around the edges to help bring the focus on the main stamped image. Then I die cut a scalloped rectangle with a buff colored cardstock and an old piece of Cosmo Cricket "Sofie" DP, using Taylored Expressions "Petite Scalloped Mini Slim Stacklets" & Stitched Mini Slim Stacklets" dies. I added a unique Spellbinders decorative element cut from Tim Holtz's Metallic Paper collection, in Gold, and added some Nuvo Pure Sheen Sequin in "Cannoli Cream" with gem stickers from Honey Bee Stamps from their "Farm Fresh Holiday" collection.

It looks more complicated than it was to make, but I love it. It all came together so quickly! My only regret was that I didn't have any of those "springs" that you can put under images that let them move back and forth!! Next time I put an order in, I need to grab a couple of those and experiment with them!

Well, until next time Friends, stay crafty!

Happy New Year 2025!!!

 Welcome back and Happy New Year to my erratically posted, blog 😆 

You know, I could really try harder to post more often, so I will. My goal is to post 2 cards a month, this 2025 year. So lets begin. 

I decided to participate in Color Throw Down's color challenge : Black, White & Gray. 

Super simple, right? But it's actually tricky to do cards in monotones without getting bored or challenged by the lack of pizzaz or color pops. A master or intermediate card maker would enjoy this challenge and blow it away, but for little more than an amateur card maker like myself, I struggled. I ended up making two cards because I felt the first one was way too simple, so I went back to the drawing board and tried harder.

I stamped Altenew's "Enjoy Your Journey" on Neena Solar cardstock, and cut it out with MFT's Selfie Square & MFT's Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle in Black cardstock. Then I added Gem Stickers from Honey Bee Stamps from the "Farm Fresh Holiday" collection.

Then, I decided to try another card, and really challenge myself again.

I stamped out Avery Elle's "Look For Rainbows" bunny, out on Lawn Fawn's "Narwal" gray cardstock, and fussy cut it out. Then I masked off the face of the bunny, and sponged a pattern from Gina K's "Leafy" stencil, in Distress Ink "Weathered Wood", to add some texture on the umbrella. I created a background by stamping out MFT's "Scene Builder" on some more Narwal cardstock, in Memento " London Fog" ink.  After that, I used popdots placed for dimension on the back of the bunny, and placed it in the scene on my card.

Then, I diecut a pennant out for my sentiment by using MFT's "Skinny Strips" dies, and stamping out the sentiment from Penny Black's "Rain or Shine" set, in white ink from Pink Fresh, called "Calico White". To add just a touch of sparkle, I added some Gem Stickers, from Honey Bee Stamps, from their "Farm Fresh Holiday" collection.

This was quite the challenge, and one that I want to challenge myself with again, because I enjoy the effort to think outside the creative box! I still wish I could add some pink to the nose and ears, but those are the rules! 😄

Until I post again, Enjoy your crafting day!