HB, Deb

Since our daughter has declined to quit having birthdays (each one she has makes me feel older LOL!) it will be good to remember her special day.  This year it falls on Easter Sunday - a double celebration.  They are planning a visit in June so we will not be together at this time.  This is an image from Beccy's place, and the sentiment is a gift (RAK) I just received from a generous friend, Valerie.  It is from a set called the Stamps of Life.  I used some DP that was also a gift from another friend - I have had it for a couple of years and I am sure she had it much longer..  It is double sided by Craft n Crafting'.  I added a bg of a bird folder by the Paper Studio, and a tiny punched bird - headed for  home!   Shiny gems complete the card.
Sketch:   Viva la Verve #1
Any:        Crafty Sentiments
Green:    Creatalicious Challenges 
Spring:    Digitally Sweet Challenges
Wings:     Fussy and Fancy
Bird:         Avenue 613 
Paper from stash:   Clear it out Challenge
Special female:        Crafty Calendar
Any:                         Julia Spiri

Happy 50th, Hal and Cheryl

I wanted to make a special card for a special occasion, yet not too frilly - I hope I succeeded.  This 50th anniversary is even more special as the last of 7 siblings in hubby's family are celebrating aI sister-in-law passed away after their 50th.  And we will celebrate #59 in a few months.)
The image is from my stash of ready to go images - colored with shiny metallic pens.  The shiny gems in the flower centers are from my stash.   The bit of ribbon is from a gift basket we just received - full of burgundy and gold packaging - alas, all those pretty boxes and bags have print on most of the surfaces so only the gorgeous ribbon was usable as the strip behind the image. 
I dusted off a Martha Stewart punch for the border, and a fancy corner rounder as well.  I could not make it show up, but there is a gold layer between the burgundy mat and the embossed dot layer.  I also included gold strips with delicate hearts to edge the vertical strip.  More gold was used for the numbers.  (I recycled a very large advertising envelope for those gold pieces.)  The card is 5x7.
Sketch, inspiration:  https://joannamunster.com/2015/12/15/ibsic-101/
Any:                           Allsorts challenge
                                    lil patch of crafty friends
                                    The Paper Nest Doll Challenge
                                   clear it out challenge
                                   crafty friends challenge
                                    http://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/
                                    inspiration destination challenge
                                    
                                  

Christmas '15 #44

I have nearly finished my series of cards for kids and grandkids - special ones for sure. Family members save my cards and I do try to put a little more effort in them, though this year I pretty much ran out of time and they were not what I had hoped to do.  They are 5x7, to fit in the envelope and gift card from Samaritan's Purse.  I explained on a previous post that in addition to usual gifts we find a special donation to give in honor of each family member.  This year we donated for a fresh water project through Samaritan's purse.  This is a reminder of  how important it is for us to remember others,
The image is from a stash of RAK items; computer generated sentiment;  scraps of DP; snowflake embossing' glitter added to the star.
Sketch:           http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Glitter:            http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com/
Special card:   http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/
Pinch of glitter: http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Any:                http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2015/12/pile-it-on-98-anything-christmaswinter.html 
                         http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
                         http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

Sparkly Christmas 2015 #37

Image by Stampabilities; snowflakes embossing - Cuttlebiug;  "trees" - Lifestyle Crafts; Nestabilities ovals; Fiskars star punch; glitter (on stars); Celebrate It ribbon; shimmery champagne cs; green cs.
Sketch:           http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Stars:              http://classycardsnsuch.blogspot.com/2015/12/ccns-challenge-115-starry-starry-night.html
Christmas:     http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
                        http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/
                        http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Christmas (traditional):  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 
Brrr...                                http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/
Any:                                  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/ 
Any (w/ stamp, ribbon):  http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
A favorite from 2015:       http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/ 

CAS Sympathy

A member of our Bible Study group recently had a fall, striking his head, and he did not survive.  Our pastor will be leading a memorial service for the group, so I will have this card available for members to sign.  It is 4.75x6.5.  I used a Darice embossing folder, and some lace, ribbon and Petaloo flowers - all have been in my stash for a few years!  I hope I did not take too many liberties with the sketch.
Sketch:     http://scrappingeverydaymiracles.blogspot.com/
Stash:        http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
CAS:         http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/  
Words:      http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.ca/ 
Any:          http://craftytimechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 
                   http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.co.za/2015/12/challenge-119-anything-goes-twist-add-3.html    

Christmas 2015 #30

It's a good thing there are still a lot of Christmas challenges out there - I can use a few more cards and I need to get the mojo going again.
Stamp by Unity;  Paper Pizazz DP; Offray ribbon;  Cuttlebug Embossing folder;  glitter -from my very old stash - (on snowflakes - hard to see here); unknown holly stickers; unknown glittery star; gold gel pen.
Sketch:      http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Holiday:    http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/ 
Glitter:      http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Holly:        http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Christmas: http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/
                   http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/
                   http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/ 
Warm and cozy - under the tree with these warm wishes:  http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/

Christmas 2015 - #25 - glittery

One of the following challenges is for a quick card - I think that is a relative term but this was quick for me!  The bg tree is embossed with a QuickKutz folder, and snowflakes are embossed on the small panel.  Stamp by Ann-ticipation; a bit of blue for pop; snowflake punch.  I used much glitter on the snowflakes, and a bit more here and there (truth be told, on the back of the card as well!!)   I got the stamp at a yard sale, and I see the date on it is 1993 - but I think it is timeless,  As for the glitter - I bought a lot many years ago - think it must have been a lifetime supply!
Sketch:         http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Quick:          http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Glitter:         http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
                      http://12monthsofchristmaslinkup.blogspot.ca/
                      http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/
White:           http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/monthly-stamp-challenge-63-christmas-in.html
                        http://liastampz.blogspot.com/
White & 1 color:   http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Christmas:     http://www.craftindesertdivasblog.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
Religious:       http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Insp by  "star of wonder" from "We three kings of Orient are..."   
                        http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Sympathy (for a friend)

Image by Our Daily Brread; Sympathy embossing folder by Darice; embossing on narrow panel by LifeStyle Crafts; white with grey cs; white ribbon - I used lots of scrap pieces (from my stash) for the smaller layers.
Sketch (week #1):  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
White with grey:   http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Scraps:                   http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com/
Any:                       http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-11-18T06:00:00-07:00&max-results=2

Not sure about this

I am not so happy with this but will post it any way!
Tattered lace embossing (bg and sentiment); labels 6 die; oval die; washi tape
Fall colors, incl. orange:     http://dragonflyjourneys.blogspot.com/
Leaves: DP from my stash (2 years old):    http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

HB, Anna

Our granddaughter is in her third year of teaching.  She has first grade in a school located in an area where students and schools do not always have a lot of parental support.  She loves her job, and she certainly has our admiration.  These kids need good role models as well as great teachers. I have had this verse from fivehearthome in my stash and it seems perfect for her card.  The school bus DP is by Recollections.  The embossing is by Embossabilities.   The glittery stars and twine are also from my old stash.
Sketch:                 http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Embossing:          http://lawnscaping.blogspot.com/
Back to School:   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/  
                              http://pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.ca/ 
                              http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/
Office/twine:        http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

Easter Blessings

My Easter stamp is missing, but I think the Cheery Lynn Blessings die works - this card is for Easter.  The stamp is Cross and Blossoms by Paper Inspirations; I used a strip of shiny metallic gold that I have had for several years, the bg (the Lord's Prayer) is from Faith by Paper Studio; the mat is a shimmery burgundy.  I added a bit of Stickles to the blossoms - you probably can't detect it here.
Sketch:   http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Holiday, with gold item from stash:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Sparkle:   http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
Center row of Bingo (die cut, free, glitter):  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
D is for Die Cuts:  http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com.au/
Any:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
          http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.com/ 
          http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
           http://ema-ginationstation.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-10-30T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=1
           
         
         

A bit of red

FYI - the black is for contrast only on the photo - not part of the card.
sentiment - Our Daily Bread; red, white cs; gold ribbon; Spellbinder heart, Labels4; Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder; chalk for sponging; the red glitter cs for the embossed heart is from my stash.
Sketch:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Red:  http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/
         http://cardmaniachallenges.blogspot.com/
Red for heart embellishment:   http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Hearts/love:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
                      http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
                       http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/
                       http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
Inspiration:  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Embossing:  http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/
Any:              http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

These hearts are lavender!

IRL, these sparkly hearts are lavender, not blue!!!
New - the AI Pop-Up ladies and sentiment.
Stash - cs, cuttlebug heart die, embossing folders (CB and LifeStyle)
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Add a heart:  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/2015/01/challenge-152-have-heart.html
Purple:    http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.com/
Sparkle:   http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Heart:      http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/
Any:        http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

Hearts for an Anniversary

I kind of struggle to make anniversary cards - not too girlie, yet not too plain.  This is probably plenty feminine - oh, well...
Not quite new, but neglected - flourish die by  Die-namics; Wishing You stamps by Verve
Other:  Cheery Lynn butterfly die; Heart embossing by Sizzix; handmade paper with hearts; red, white cs
Sketch:    http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Add a flourish; include Cheery Lynn die:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
Anniversary:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Any Stash:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
H - heart, happy:   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Love:   http://whimsiedoodles.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Monthly%20Challenge
            http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.ca/
Bright and Beautiful:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/monthly-challenge-53-bright-beautiful.html
           

Kitty HB

New- brand new roll of ribbon; metallic gel pens
Old (all have been around for a LONG time!):   Debbie Mumm DP,  High Hopes kitty, MFP sentiment, brads, Spellbinder oval dies
Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Colors (lavender, yellow, coral, green):  http://joannamunster.com/2014/12/15/ibsic-89/
Orange (coral):  http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.com/
For a child:   http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
New:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
           http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Old/new:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Any, with High Hopes:  http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/
Any:   http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
           http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

6x6 One sheet wonder - #3

This is the third in a series for the monthly challenge at Verve.  We were given the layout to cut pieces to create 4 cards - I am really liking this technique, and will include it as one of my favorites for the year.  I did not have the best double sided pattern to use - but I fixed that (for the next one!) when I went to Michael's and snared a couple of 6x6 pads (double sided) on clearance!  See previous posts for more details.
Sketch #3:   http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Favorite in 2014:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Embossing:   http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/2014/12/embossing-for-fun.html
Any, with circle die cut:  http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Any:  http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/
          http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
          http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2014/12/dlart-december-linky-challenge.html

Happy Anniversary

We have had a great visit with family the past few days, and now I am ready to stamp again!  By the way, they all liked the easel cards you may have seen in recent posts.   This does not say Happy Anniversary, but the congratulations is for that occasion - BIL and his wife.  The DP is from a pack of double sided cs (Costco) - it is a kind of never ending supply that has been in my stash for several years!  The gems and stamp have also been around a while - the aubergine cs is pretty new.  Image - Stampendous;  Sentiment - SU; coloring with markers (lt burgundy, lt green) and gel pens.
Sketch:  http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Inspiration (dark green evergreen, aubergine bg and flowers):  http://pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.ca/
Anniversary:  http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.com/
Any (twist of love - stated in inside verse): http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/ 
My choice - markers:  http://stamplorations.blogspot.com/2014/12/december-challenge-stamps-designers-choice.html
Any - see above for stash:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

Easel #5

This is another in a series of easel cards I am making for family - similar, but not identical.  Hard to see but I used the shimmery aubergine cs for the base and mat glittered the snowflake embossing and punches that are the "stops" for the open easel.  There are bits of white lace for the tabs at the left of the image - looks like they are not visible here (See sketch).   Stamp by Stampendous.
Sketch: http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
                http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/
Celebration:  http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Sing it to me:   (We Three Kings):  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
         http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/ 

 I chose this as my favorite for 2014 - it is really hard to select one, but I made several of the easel cards for family - now I have their reactions and the cards were a hit!  Actually, I think they are a bit impressed that their old grandma can come up with such a thing! LOL!  I did admit that I had a lot of help on line...!!!   Challenge here:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/\   
     
Favorite:  http://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Non traditional colors:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/

Get Well, Pam

This is to send to Pam, a member at SplitcoastStampers.   She is recovering from surgery and in need of some cheer.  Here is the info:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/20813394-post433.html
I just used these digis (Bugaboo) so I already had some extras printed - handy to use here.  I understand Pam is a nurse, and I hope she will find this humorous - I am sure Pam is the nice nurse!  I used some black and white cs and a white Petaloo flower that have been in my stash for a long time. The bg is from a swirly embossing folder by CB. I used some little gold stickers in the corners - you might be able to see bits of them!
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Pair (the two DP panels):  http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.ca/
Girlie CB EF):  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Use a sentiment:  http://melonheadzfriends.blogspot.com/
From my stash:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any (with a glittery flower):  http://getcreativechallenges.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Kevin

This card is a thank you for the technology instructor at our local library.  I have taken many classes and also received answers to a number of questions - all at no charge to library patrons.  We are enclosing a small gift card for him.
I do not do well with CAS, but I saw the following CAS challenges and decided to try.  (The black mat is only for  contrast for the photo.)  I left the cream base totally plain - gasp!!!  The image is from my file - unfortunately I neglected to add much of a label, but I think it might be clip art.  The Cuttlebug sentiment, chalking and twine complete the look.  The chalk, twine and the die have been in my supplies for a long time.
Sketch:  http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/challenge-52-sketch-and-happy-2nd.html
Thanks:  http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.ca/
               http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
              http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
              http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
             http://cardsbydorothy.blogspot.com/2014/11/thank-you-kevin.html
Any:   http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Fall colors:  http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-challenge-1-fall-colors.html
CAS with twine:   http://cleanandsimpleonsunday.blogspot.com/