Belli Challenge #85

The CBC Challenge today is to use Butterflies or Dragonflies on your card or project. Our Belli team is being sponsored this week by QKR Stampede, which sent us some wonderful images for you to see.

Here is a turtle with a black eye, and it just made me laugh! This is one of a number of humorous images that I loved. He is painted and popped up on Nesties, and over a CB ef folder. there are butterflies trying to make him feel better....even one perched on his finger. The third butterfly is on the sentiment, because a black eye is SURE to hurt!!

I absolutely fell in love with this little stand of trees. It can be used alone, or with small images, or as part of a scene. How multipurpose it that????

When I was considering how to use it, I really felt it should be seen by itself. It's stamped in olive green on white, and i thought it made such a statement as a CAS card. I only added a looped single ribbon, and a gold butterfly charm recycled from forever ago.

I hope you like the look. I REALLY do. Please check out the rest of the DT, and be sure to see what QKR Stampede has here:http://www.qkrstampede.com/

DDC, MMTPT81, and CC....and 3fer!

Today's hostess for the Doubledog Dare Challenge is Joanne (sleepyinseattle) who DARED us to make a St. Patrick's Day card. Easy peasy!!

Inside, it says "I don't look all that Irish!"

Mothermark's Teapot Tuesday teaparty takes us to NO to the Mardi Gras, where masks are the costume of the day. I think this mask is hysterical. I hope you like it.

The Color Challenge today is a pretty weird combination ....... one I would never consider! The two plums, pale and perfect, and Soft Suede. I used one of my all-time favorite images with some markers, punches, pearls, and a shiny satin ribbon.

The designer paper is from Martha Stewart, and came in 18 by 18 sheets, which is gorgeous, but certainly a pain in the **** to cut!!

I hope you like it, and as always, thanks for you comments. Enjoy the day!!

CAS54 Spring Chick and candy holder to match!

What a day! Woke with a migraine, went into the hot tub with my caffeine (sometimes that helps), had breakfast, then groceries. Out to lunch at the new Mexican restaurant up the street (which was great!...had 2 margaritas), made my card, and now to watch the Olympics.

Quite a day already, and it's only 1:43!! My card uses a new digi stamp from TreehouseStamps that I just love. This card took 5 minutes, which is about all I had. I hope you like it, and that you will check out the Treehouse store here:

http://www.treehousestamps.com/

Have a great day!

So Holly posted the TLC260, a matchbook candy holder, and I made one to match! This tutorial is such fun and so easy!! I'll be making these for my mom and all the grands!!! I think these are so cute!!

Casing Laurie!

The FS at SCS today is HamiltonGal, Laurie. Her gallery is a lot of fun, and I found nine (!) cards I'll be casing this week.

I think these both make nice St. Patrick's Day cards to add to those I've already done. I don't send out that many, so I'm almost there.

Today, in addition to valentine's Day , is DH's birthday. We'll be busy the rest of the day, so there'll be no comments. Have no fear, I'll be looking at your posts tomorrow! Have a Happy!

You are so Dear to me! (and Faux Snakeskin info below!)

The Inspiration Challenge today took us to an interesting artwork site:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Geninne

Rather than send you there to see what inspired me, I put a picture of it beside the card I made this morning so you could compare. I made this a Spring/Summer deer, rather than winter. It will go to my uncle who lives in NH, who is VERY dear to me. He lives surrounded by lovely woods with few neighbors, and often has deer in his yard. I think he would like this. That's it. Have a great day.

Snakeskin Challenge at RES-Q

The RESQ32 Challenge is to try a new technique.......faux snakeskin. Now before you go EEEEEEEAWWWWWW!!, take a look at how this tutorial works:http://resqchallenge.blogspot.com/.

Isn't that fabulous, mostly because you KNOW we all save everything, so you surely have some of this netting stuff!!

This is my card for the challenge. Inside it says,

"He had a CAR???????"

My friends know I only make humorous St.Patrick's Day cards, so they will expect this. If you join the challenge, add RESQ32 to your keyword.

The Challenge today at SCS is to make a card that relates to one or more of the U.S. Presidents. I decided that since I am making my St. Patrick's Day cards, it would be only right to include the Presidents with Irish Roots. I was surprised by the list. Here they are:

Washington,Madison, Jackson, Polk, Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Grant, Arthur, Cleveland, Harrison, McKinley, Roosevelt, Wilson, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama.

So, in honor of all these "Sons of Erin", I dedicate this card. I love to make humorous cards for this holiday (which is sort of a silly holiday, I think), and my friends expect this sort of thing from me.

Here is the inside of the card, and this is what makes sense of the whole thing. I hope it brings a smile to your face today.

St. Patrick's Day Chicken

Today I started cards for the next holiday. I don't make or send out a lot of cards in March, but the ones I do send out are to friends who expect them. I like to make them humorous, and do something no one anticipates. I love to use animal images, and this chicken really appealed to me this morning.

I made this one for the WT challenge on SCS ... to use odd numbers of things. As you can tell, there is just one of each item... ribbon, brad, tag, image. This was fun to paint. I really love Penny Black stamps because the faces are always so cute. I hope you like this. You'll be seeing green cards for a while!!

* be sure to check out my THT036 below *

THT036 Say It With Love

Today is the day TreehouseStamps is releasing a whole group of new digi stamps. Here is one of the images from the set called "Hello Friend". I just adore this happy face!!

The background is also Treehouse DP called Flower, and it comes in a variety of colors. I hope you can see the glitter on the wings, and the sweet pink cheeks onthis high flier!! Be sure to check out the whole DT and go to the store here:

http://www.treehousestamps.com/

Happy Birthday Chase, You're ONE!!

I think the sketch challenge today at SCS makes the cutest little birthday card for a little boy! My cousin's son, Chase, is turning one year old. Doesn't time fly! Especially when you look at someone else's children!!

I figured out how to cut these sailboats with my punches to make them out-of-the-box. It's a look I really love. The dp came from Ireland, via Sabrina (cook 22), and it's just wonderful!

Have a great day today..... we are awaiting a snowstorm, schools are closed or are releasing early, and there has been a run on snow removal stuff and food. We are hunkering down. Ah well, it IS winter!

(I cut down from the top of the sail on either side. I fitted my punch around the image, and with tweezers, lifted the sail up so it wasn't punched. Clever, huh?)

DARE and CC - the CAS Way!

Tuesday is Doubledog Dare Challenge day. This week's hostess is Joan (joan ervin) who DARED us to make a get well card. 'Tis the season, I guess. If you made it this far, there's no saying a winter cold won't strike - winter is FAR from over.

We hope you will join us in this easy peasy challenge, and please add DDC to your keyword so we can enjoy it.

This is also for the CC today on SCS. The colors are Sage, Durango, and Chocolate Chip. I got to use my Outlaw dp from SU! and some vanilla, and it really was a quick CAS card. Hope you like it, and that you are having a wonderful day. Hugs to you all!

Two for Monday...and a sneak peek!

Here's a sneak peek of a new digi set called "Hello Friends" that will be available on Feb. 11th at Treehousestamps. I used this fun image for the TLC this morning at SCS for a technique by Holly McMillan. It's Frosted Windows, and involves vellum, which I don't use very often.

I added a bee hive and comb, some little tiny bees, and a prima with brad. I don't use my Nesties often enough either, so this was an event!!! Don't forget to check out Treehouse for their new arrivals!

For the CAS today, theirs was an inspiration site of old fashioned candy. For us oldsters, it wasn't old fashioned at all!! We had a penny candy store just a few houses away, and for a penny, you could get a LOT!! I loved buttons, so that's what I used here, and of course I had to use RED! This card took 5 minutes, and only one little stamp, a punch and some ribbon! Have a great day!

THS035 RED, pink, and white

And just how cute is this image??? For the Treehouse Thursday Challenge, I have used this stamp from Whiff of Joy called Angel with Heart. This image is available at TreehouseStamps.com if you would like one too.

The challenge today is to make a card using RED, white, and pink. Right up my alley, right? I painted the image in SU colors, cut out the oval with my CM cutting system, and put lace all around. Very girlie! Finished it off with punches, heart brads, and corners.

Please join us by uploading with THT035 in your keyword, and check out the rest of the DT's work!! See you next week.

Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge #21

Our inspiration today comes from this image from Better Homes and Gardens, where you can see a variety of wonderful Valentine gifts. As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat good old CANDY!! My card follows the theme of hearts, candy and my favorite color, RED. I made an easel card with a calendar, highlighting the date with the stamped heart. I think this card would be perfect for my DH whose birthday is that day!!!

I hope you like what I've done, and that you will join us in the DDIC by adding that to your keyword. Check in with the rest of the dt, and with us again in two weeks for another fun challenge!

As you can see by my card, I was happy to use the candy theme, hearts, and my favorite color.

Creative Belli Challenge #84 (and a SC below)

The theme for the Creative Belli Challenge this week is RIBBONS. There are no restrictions! We want you to use whatever you have on hand in your stash. Using what we have is so smart ... it gives us new space for MORE STUFF! LOL!

Today we are being sponsored by Sweet & Sassy Stamps. They have very recently gone digital. If you want your images quickly, easy to store, and less cash outlay, digital is the way to go. Be sure to visit them, and tell them we sent you! My card features one of their new digis called Benjamin Bunny.

http://www.sweetnsassystamps.biz/shop/

Speaking of visiting, please go to my sidebar and visit the DT to see what they have done. Join us in using ribbon on your card or project, and be sure to put CBC in your keyword. If you link your card to our Belli blog, http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/there is a $10.00 prize offered by Korin at Sweet & Sassy!!! Have fun!!

Here is a sneak peek of the new Hello Friends set by TreehouseStamps that will be available February 11th, here:
http://www.treehousestamps.com/
This set has some of the cutest images of bees, flowers, mushrooms, and a sweet sentiment.

For the SC today, I used the single bee image against a sky with clouds, and I glittered her wings with white crystal. The tiny flower is painted, and has a button and string added to the center. This sketch was great fun, and perfect for this new digi set. Watch for it!!

DDC and CC all in ONE! Plus some MMTPT79 Humor!

Good Morning, all. I got a chance to combine my challenges into one card today. The CC is to use curry, burgundy, and basic gray, a neutral, and script for dessert. Got them all in.

The Doubledog Dare Challenge (after all it IS Tuesday) is hosted this week by Julia(artystamper), who DARED us to make a flower following Mercy's tutorial here:http://lordhavemercy-mercykerin.blogspot.com/2010/01/paper-flower-tutorial.html

Please feel free to join us, and put DDC in your keyword so we can enjoy it!! The tutorial is wonderful ... I'll be doing this again, but NOT to mail. It's a little too thick, but it is gorgeous!!

**********

And now for a little humor! THe MMTPT79 Challenge today involves a little cow who wants to be a stunt cow, but his size doesn't cut it. He tried jumping over the moon and got stuck! But there is a happy ending to this story .....he has gotten some acting roles that were previously played by bigger cows trying to act younger. At the moment he has the lead in a remake of Charlotte's Web, and in some lucrative commercials for Aflac and Geico. Just proves that size CAN make a difference. he has a girlfriend who adores him, and can be seen walking the RED carpet at every opening!!! Please join us for the silly fun and put MMTPT79 in your keyword.

TLC and CAS Challenges for Monday

The Monday challenges at SCS are always fun. The CAS was a sketch involving 3 somethings, a ribbon or piece of dp and a sentiment. I thought it was time for a little RED! The TLC was to make a tote bag according to a template. I used the Spring Blessings image from THS (TreehouseStamps) of the chick, and the sentiment as well. I hope you like these little things from today. Have a good one!

Congrats Nicole, FS156!

My friend Nicole has been chosen the Featured Stamper today on SCS!! She is the sweetest person, and has a wonderful gallery! This is the card I made for her, CASING the smaller one beside it. She loves chickens and roosters, so of course there was no question as to what kind of image I would choose. I kept her Clean and Simple design, omitted the cut side, changed the image and sentiment, and added a ribbon with chickens on it. Naturally I kept the RED. Wouldn't you be shocked if I didn't????? Congratulations Nicole....an honor so deserved.

Six for the VSN

There was a VSN last night from 6 to 11 PM. I did four of these, then had to go to bed. Busy day celebrating our youngest grandson's birthday. The info for these cards is on my gallery. Suffice it to say, there were specific requirements for all of them. You can check them out if you want. There is a gizmo in my sidebar that will take you to the right place. After a quick shower, I'll be making the card for Nicole Taylor, my friend in Canada..... she is this week's Featured stamper!

Musical Milk Carton

The LSC today at SCS was a 3D project, making a milk carton. The template for making one is on SCS.

My mother is fabulously musical. She has played everything from the drums to piano and organ. She has played professionally, even as a kid. Her first job was in a store, playing new sheet music to get people to buy it!! This is the reason for the strip of Paper Patch musical Valentine paper around the center of the carton. This will be for her, filled with cherry cordial Kisses, her favorite candy (and mine)!

Of course I had to use RED paper and ribbon. The lace, daisy and heart button were added because she is still very girlie!! She will like this ... I hope you do too. Have a great day.

THT034 Flowers and Butterflies; New THS Image

Today is Treehouse Thursday!

The challenge is to make a card or project using flowers and butterflies.

The set I used is called Spring Blessings. I love these beautiful tulips...don't they just say SPRING??? I painted the flowers in shades of pink and green, of course. I topped it off with punched butterflies and the wonderful punch of leaves. The opening was cut with my CM cutting system, and I added some gold domes to the butterflies.

Please join us by adding THT034 to you keyword. Be sure to check the DT today on our blog.

The WT challenge on SCS today is to use fabric. Twill fabric tape counts, doesn't it? I used twill to tie the card, and a new digi design by THS called Little Miracle. I hope you like it!

Two for the Challenge and a Blog Award

This Blog Award was sent by Fern, my buddy from the Creative Belli challenge. She told me I had to list 10 things that Knock My Socks Off. Here they are: Hubby; friends and family; crafting; coffee; music; candy; my computer; designer paper; stamps of any kind; being chosen Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers! How's that for a list!

Since I am in need of masculine cards, that's what I did this morning. I thought the sketch was great for these. The one with the deer is pretty easy to figure out, just some layering and tearing. I happen to like the sponging effect, so I was big on that today. The cowboy deserves a little explanation. I altered the sketch a little. Instead of using a rectangle, I used an oval, moved it down, and the rope takes the place of a sentiment. I decided not to put any words on the front. Whatever I use these for, I'll write on the inside. I hope you like them. Have a great day.

Dreaming Dragon

This is for the CC again, and also for Mothermark's Teapot Tuesday challenge. This week we were to go to a teaparty at Rapunzel's castle, where she has opened a Beauty Salon. Derek, the local dragon could be a problem.

In my story, Derek is a gentle dragon, but he has been asked to keep to the front of the castle. You see, when the castle was built, there was no town. When the town came into being, it was down the road on the OTHER side, so a dragon in front is no problem. The ladies of town can come to see Rapunzel for coloring, cutting, washing and setting, and never even SEE Derek. That's all right with him, I think. He's rather a lazy and dreamy sort of guy. I think he's dreaming of lady dragons, don't you? Even his puffs of smoke look listless!!

I hear Rapunzel is becoming quite the entrepeneur! If you join the teaparty, the keyword is MMTPT78.

DDC and CC

This week I am the hostess for the Doubledog Dare Challenge. I DARED the group, and I DARE you, to make a card or a project with a frame.

As you can see, I went the card route. The image is watercolored in blush, pink, and melon, and of course celery for the leaves. There is a ribbon with a RED heart stick pin for embellishment. We would love to have you join us this week, and every week. Please put DDC in your keyword when you upload.

This is also for the Color Challenge this week at SCS. Have a great day!

RESQ30 Challenge....Get Well!

The RESQ Challenge this week is to use the Salted Background Technique. I did this once before, but had to check the resources section of SCS to remind me how to do it.

It seemed to work really well for a maritime/nautical theme, so here it is. Denise would want me to ask you to take part in this fun one .... she is on a cruise right this minute!!! Please add RESQ30 to your keyword and upload to her blog here : http://resqchallenge.blogspot.com/

This is also for the StampinB's challenge. Joanne (jojot) challenged everyone to make a card with a nautical theme.http://stampinbsdesignteam.blogspot.com/

This is going to my friend Judi's DH, Danny, who fell yesterday and broke his arm, which they can't cast until the swelling is gone. He will be uncomfortable for a number of days. I hope this will cheer him. Thanks for looking.

Monday Challenges!

Two challenges today, and I can hardly believe it. I woke up at 2 AM, and will probably go take a nap soon!! I couldn't resist the Technique challenge ... a side step card. First, I scored the wrong side! Had to do that again. It took forever because I cut everything out. I love the UDDER balloons, I just don't remember where they came from because they are only the RED rubber. The cow is not the way the stamp looks. In the rubber, she is dressed in a bikini holding a drink, no tail and no udder. I had to ink just some parts and fill in the rest. The grass gave me fits. The easy part was the punching of the sentiment and the birds. However, it's done, and I won't be making any more like this one again, you can be sure!!

The CAS today is to use DP. I had this from K & Co., used my punch from SU! which I love and just got, added a sentiment and score lines. Done. One tough, one easy. Have a nice day. G'night!

I Pass The Crown!

Today I am happy to pass the Featured Stamper crown (or in this case it should be a TIARA) to Karen Barber!!

Karen's gallery is so lovely.... she makes cards with fabulously colored and cut out flowers, and her square cards just knock me out!! On top of that, she is one of the nicest people!

Karen, I hope you like what I have done with your beautiful card called "Dance of the Butterflies". Enjoy your so deserved week of FAME!! I'll be back to case more ... I saved nine on the first half of her first page!! WOW!

I couldn't CASE just one of Karen's cards ... they are like potato chips. Once you see her gallery, making one is not enough. Here is the second card.

I kept a lot, changed a lot, and even though it looks pretty simple, it took a long time. I guess that's because of the changes I made, but also I cut my right thumb on a tin can last night. Of course, I'm right handed. Picking up those darn brads was impossible...that goodness for tweezers! Karen, I hope you like this one too!!

Alert! Alert!

Judi Rose (aka jovialjudi of SCS fame!) is offering blog candy in honor of her son's birthday. You need to go there soon, as the giveaway ends on the 29th at midnight!!

Here is Judi's blog:http://paper-rose-petals.blogspot.com/

Go and take a look at all the fabulous stuff she is willing to give away!!! Her blog is wonderful, her projects are AWESOME, and she is one of the nicest people in the world (even if she does live on the opposite coast to me!!)

You will find it so easy to comment on her uploads, and at the same time you might win this treasure trove of goodies. Tell Judi I sent you!!

RED and White Paisley

I hope you can see the Paisley background. I made this image as big as I could, because the RED and white background is what I brought to this card from the Inspiration Challenge on SCS today.

The site Stef chose was Echo Designs, and they have the most beautiful repeating patterns. I focused on a paisley tote bag, which you can see at the bottom.

I had been dying to try out my new SU! punch, but when I had it ready, I thought it looked too much like a cardinal in RED, but not really enough like the bird, if you know what I mean. I had to add the crest on top of his head to make him look better. Below is the tote bag so you can see the wonderful fabric and pattern. Thanks for looking.