Lone flower

Yes, I know, another black and white card. I love this color combo, or lack-of-color combo. I stamped the flower and stem 3x, two in gray and one in black. Lots of texture on this card because I used two different embossing folders. Enjoy!

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Flourishes - for Timeless Tuesday Challenge #21 A Sketch
2. Heart Hugs Designs - for EIC #42 Tony Charlie's Photo Gallery - I used this image as my inspiration: Yellow Flower Photograph
3. Rosie-Dee's - for Challenge #41 Black and White
4. The Pink Elephant - for Challenge #21 Favorite Color Combo - Mine is black and white and a little bit of color
5. Daisy May Challenges - for As You Like It Challenge
   

Card Details
Paper: Recollections, The Angel Company free paper download
Stamp: Flourishes Nasturtiums set
Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folders, Nestabilities

Summertime treats

Look, no stamps of any kind! I used K & Company die cuts for this card, which made it much easier and quicker to make. I never realized how long stamping and coloring took. Oh, and my card isn't crooked! I don't know what was going on with my picture-taking skills.

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Paper Popsicles - for Card Challenge #6
2. Cupcake Craft - for Challenge #45 Summer - What says summer more than ice cream and popsicles?
   
3. One Stop Craft - for Challenge #35 Oh So Fruity (use fruity colors)
   

Card Details
Paper: DCWV
Die cuts: K & Company
Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder

Cupcake wishes

Pretty simple card, not much going on. Card just has a little window where the cupcake is and little cupcakes were stamped around the window.

This card is for a couple of challenges:

1. IC Sketches - for IC Sketches #22
2. PaperPlay Challenges - for Week 23 Sweet Treats

Card Details
Paper: DCWV, Unknown PP
Stamps: Inkadinkado, Studio G
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

Owl be Thinking of You - Kaboodle Blog Challenge #8

This is the first challenge with the new design team over at Kaboodle Blog! I'm so excited because we've be working hard to find ways to make the challenges more enjoyable for everyone. This week we have a fantastic sketch by Chris. Remember, we are a bi-monthly challenge so you have until Sunday, July 12 to enter for a chance to win a Desirable Solid digi paper pack by Saramarie. That should give you plenty of time to work with this sketch :) The winner will be picked randomly. Make sure to pop on over to the Kaboodle Blog to check out the wonderful creations by the rest of the design team!

Challenge #8 - A Sketch

This week's prize: Desirable Solid digi paper pack by Saramarie

My CardCard Details
Paper: DCWV
Image/stamp: Lily-boo's Boutique, SU!
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

JCBC Sketch #38 by Janina

Somehow Mondays come so quickly nowadays! This will be my last challenge as guest designer at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards and boy, this sketch had me spinning...it's a circle sketch by Janina! It was very fun to work with, and you must check out all the wonderful cards by the DT. Head on over and you could win a fantastic prize: an adorable Sarah Kay stamp! Now, on to the card.

This week's prizeSketch #38 by JaninaMy CardCard Details
Paper: DCWV
Image/sentiment: Lily-boo's Boutique, Heidi Grace
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, BIC Mark-It

My first blog award!

I got my first blog award from Mel at Mad 4 Creations last week! I really appreciate it, as there are tons of other wonderful blogs out there and mine doesn't compare to most of them :) Thanks so much Mel! I've made a list of just some of the friendly people and their fun blogs that I've discovered. I wanted to share the love and pass this award on to them. Visit their blog if you have the chance; I guarantee that they're worth it! This list is in no particular order :D

Loopy Lou's Loopy Thoughts (Loopy Lou)
Stuff By Sammi (Sammi)
Glitterbabe Greetings (Steph)
Mudmaven Designs (Chris)

Lindy's Slice of Life (Linda)
Handmade by Lilacanglca (Angie)
A Necessary Creativity (Deena)
Inky and Scrappy (Jaime)
Snippers & Co. (Saskia)
New England Stamper (Ali)
Holiday Floral Pieces (Dottie)
Stamprgrl's Weblog (Dalis)
Paper Hugs and Die Cut Dreams (Vickilyn)
Ann's Creative Nook (Ann)
Creating with Chrissy (Chris)

There a couple of fun "rules" (well, more like guidelines) to this award:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Piggy in Pastels

Quick post!

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Sketch and Stash - for Challenge #13 Sketch - I've used one of my (many) new digital images from Lily-boo's Boutique and I included the animal option :D
   
2. Pile it On! - for Challenge #4 Button it Up!
3. In the Cottage Studio - for Cottage Rumble #10 Pretty Pastels
4. C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - for Challenge #6 Inspiration picture - Yay for alphabet blocks. I have some in my image just like the inspiration picture :)
   
5. Cute Card Thursday - for Challenge #66 Wheely Good Fun! - It's small, but it's there! There's a toy card in the back

Card Details
Paper: Bazzill, Debbie Mumm
Image: Lily-boo's Boutique Pigs set
Techniques/Tools: BIC Mark-It

Yellow Waterlily

Yes, it is a yellow waterlily. I'm starting to get used to using my watercolor pencils! Hopefully I'll be able to do more complicated pictures soon, and maybe without a stamped image :) I discovered a new challenge blog: Polka Doodles! Seems like they have very fun challenges so I have another challenge blog to add to my already huge list.

This card is for a couple of challenges:

1. Cupcake Craft - for Challenge #45 Sketch
2. Polka Doodles - for Use either the provided sketch or not (I chose to use the Cupcake Craft sketch), landscape card, color your own stamp/image, and use only paper ribbon
   
   

Card Details
Paper: Recollections, The Angel Company free download
Stamp: Flourish Waterlily set
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder, Prismacolor watercolor pencils

I love embossing

Both kinds! Here's an example of how much I love it so much :) Simple card, not much going on. I love how the patterned paisley paper perfectly matched the embossing folder, even though you can't really see the paisley in the PP. That's okay, I know about it, and I know it matches and that makes me happy :)

This card is for a couple of challenges:

1. CPS - for CPS #121
2. Stampin' B's Design Team - for Challenge #12 Use wet and dry embossing

Card Details
Paper: DCWV cardstock and PP
Stamp: Flourishes Waterlily set
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder

Friends are flowers, nasturtiums in fact

Another card to share. I know nothing about flowers so I colored the leaves pink thinking they were flowers, lol. I should have looked it up on Google first, eh? I went with a combination of both bright colors and subtle colors. This is my first time using the Flourishes Nasturtiums stamp set I recently ordered and it was a blast. The flowers are layered and colored with Prismacolor watercolor pencils. This card turned out better than I thought it would.

This card is for Card Patterns Sketch #20.

Card Details
Paper: DCWV cardstock and PP
Stamp: Flourishes Nasturtiums set
Techniques/tools: border punch, Prismacolor watercolor pencils

Blooming planter

This card uses one of the many downloads that I've recently bought from Lily-Boo's Boutique called Gardening Ovals. I think I've purchased 10 sheets already, but they're all worth it! The image was colored with Prismacolor watercolor pencils, which I recently got on eBay for a ridiculously cheap price. I got 36 pencils for $25, which I thought was a good deal. I need to learn a lot about using watercolor pencils though. Anyone know a good site/video? Anyway, enjoy my simple card :)

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Friday Sketchers - for Challenge #57
   
2. Paper Blooms - for Be Inspired - I am constantly inspired by anything related to nature!
   
3. Charisma Cards - for Challenge #25 Any theme, any style
4. Digital Tuesday Challenge - for Challenge #12 Use Your Scraps of Paper - No new papers were harmed in the making of this card :) The image is a digital download from Lily-boo's Boutique.
   

Card Details
Paper: Bazzill, MMBI
Image: Lily-Boo's Boutique Gardening Ovals
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Prismacolor watercolor pencils

Angelique on a Cupcake

This card features a Crafty Muse download, Angelique on a cupcake, which Sammi recently passed on to me for being picked as the July guest designer. You will soon be seeing the rest of the Angelique images here on my blog! Isn't she just a sweetheart? She's fun to color and super easy to cut out. Make sure you check out the rest of her available downloads because they're all priced very reasonably! Also, don't forget to enter the challenges that are offered very Friday for a chance to win some downloads!

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Crafty Muse - for current Sketch Challenge - Thanks again Sammi for sending me this cute Angelique digi-stamp!
   
2. Pink Persimmon - for The Cupcake Challenge
   
3. All Sorts - for Challenge #6 Wings
   
4. ABC Challenge - for Two Tone Challenge - Pink and orange all over :)
   
5. Charisma Cardz - for Challenge #25 Any theme, any style
   

Card Details
Paper: Bazzill, K & Company
Stamps: Crafty Muse Angelique, Penny Black sentiment
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folders, Stickles, BIC Mark-It, Copics

Shooting Stars

I know they're no great mystery now like they were way back then when people saw things falling in the sky, but they still amaze me. My science background doesn't de-mystify them at all because hey, they're still pretty to look at!

This week's Crafty Creations Challenge theme is "Stars and Stripes." If you're thinking that you must make a patriotic card (although there's nothing wrong with that) and you have no other options, think again! You should head over to the website to see the different takes on this challenge because they are all fantastic :) For this challenge I went the simple route and created a CAS card. I'm so glad I had ribbon to match the ink! What's your take on this challenge? Head over to Crafty Creations, play along, and you could win a brand new acrylic stamp set from My Favorite Things called "Funky Flowers!"

This card is for a couple of challenges:

1. Our Creative Corner - for Stars Challenge
2. Pile it On - for Challenge #3 Purple

This week's Prize

My Card

Card Details
Paper: Core'dinations
Stamps: Verve, Inkadinkado

Summertime spent in trees

When I was a kid, I used to love climbing trees. I have fond memories of doing this with my brother during the summertime. Then as I got older, I started to get scared about falling off. Shame, it was so fun. I just recently discovered Lily-Boo's Boutique and I seriously could not help myself! I downloaded 4 sets (each set has 6 images) and they're really well priced and sooo worth it. This image is from the "Circle Girls" set. I layered the bird, her arms, and the clouds. It looks really cool in person, but the dimension doesn't show up as well in pictures!I have 3 more different sets that you'll be seeing here soon!

This card is for a few challenges. I just needed 1 more challenge for a new personal record!

1. The Fresh Batch - for Sketch Challenge #20
2. Pile it On - for Challenge #3 Purple - There isn't much, but it's there (bird and shirt)! This card is also for DT submission :)
   
3. Scrappy Frogs - for Challenge #6 Fun in the Sun
4. Papertake Weekly - for Delightful Downloads - I downloaded the image from Lily-Boo's Boutique
5. 2 Red Bananas - for Banana Split Sunday Summertime - When I reminisce about summer, I think of climbing trees during my childhood summer days.
   
6. The Cuttlebug Spot - for Challenge #36 Celebrate Summer
7. Creative Card Crew - for Challenge #16 Whatever the Weather - Sunny weather! Actually, maybe some June gloom (like here in Southern California)
8. Use Your Stash - for June 22 Challenge Use 3 different patterned papers from 3 manufacturers - I used DCWV (Citrus Stack), S.E.I., and K & Company brands!
9. The Corrosive Challenge - for Challenge #17 Let's Fold It - The fold follows the sketch! That made it easy :D

Card Details
Paper: DCWV cardstock, PP: DCWV, S.E.I and K&Company
Image: Lily-Boo's Boutique Circle Girls set
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabiltiies, embossing folder, BIC Mark-It, Copics

Swaying in the wind

I got really confused with this image and I didn't know what were the flower parts and what were leaves! I think the vibrant colors and patterned paper kind of rescued me because it detracts a little from the image. I used colored pencils to color the stamp. I love this color combo of orange and teal, don't you?

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Paper Popsicles - for Challenge #5 A Sketch
2. Penny Black Challenge - for Week #54 Embossing - I used a stamp from the Penny Black Flower Gallery acrylic set

Card Details
Paper: Bazzill, DCWV, Me and My Big Ideas
Stamp: Penny Black Flower Gallery set
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder, colored pencils

Simple blue and yellow elephant

Sometimes I never know what to put in the title for cards. Yes, "Simple blue and yellow elephant" is not the most creative, but hey, that's what describes the card! Okay, it's not excuse, I know.

I'm submitting this card to these challenges:

1. A Spoon Full of Sugar - for Challenge #56 Sketch by Michelle O.
2. Heart Hugs Designs - for EIC #41 Potato Patch - I can't believe those creations were made by stamping potatoes! These elephants were my inspiration: Elephant Onsies
3. Cute Daisy May - for All About Animals Challenge

Card Details
Paper: DCWV
Stamp: Either Inkadinkado or Heidi Grace
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder

How'd it get so "Christmassy?"

I don't know, but it does look Christmassy, doesn't it? I guess it's just the colors...I used too much burgundy and gold and not enough cream! Well, I finally gave in and bought some Cute Daisy May images. I couldn't resist this one! Plus, they're priced very reasonably and they don't take up any space...so yeah...there was no excuse not to get them :D

This card is for a few challenges:

1. IC Sketches - for ICSketches #21
2. If the Shoe Fits - for Friday Color Challenge Burgundy, Gold and Cream
3. High Hopes - for Challenge #36 Use Up Your Scraps - Not new papers were harmed in the making of this card! Even printed out the image on a scrap :D
4. Charisma Cardz - for Challenge #24 Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend - Diamonds and gold, ah, I spoiled myself.

Card Details
Paper: K & Company (I think), DCWV
Stamp: Cute Daisy May
Embellishments: diamonds (lol), Stickles
Techniques/Tools: BIC Mark-It, Copics

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards My Sketch!

Another Monday and another Just Christmas and Birthday Cards sketch to have some fun with! Guess what? This week it's MY sketch! I hope you join in on the fun because if you do, you'll be in the running to win a CUTE stamp by Stamp Oasis - Writing a letter. Plus, I'd love to see what you do with my sketch! Okay, enough dilly dally and here we go.

This card is also for the PaperPlay Challenge Week 22 - Christmas in June.

This week's prize

My Sketch

My CardCard Details
Paper: DCWV
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Embellishments: ribbons, brads, Stickles
Techniques/Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, BIC Mark-It

Remember, head on over to JCBC to play in this week's sketch and you could win a cute stamp! Thanks for playing along :D

Guest Designer at Crafy Muse!

Yay!! I'll be guest designer at Crafty Muse for the month of July! This is another great challenge blog that I'm so lucky I get to be a part of. Sammi was kind enough to send me a set of downloads of my choice to play with for the challenges! Isn't that great?! You'll be seeing them here soon :D

Okay, enough of me tooting my own horn, but I'm always thankful when I get to work with such talented people and fun images. Don't forget, there is currently a sketch challenge going on. You could win a set of not yet released download package! Come on, you know you want it, so head on over to Crafty Muse and enter your card before it's too late!