Delightful Challenges

Today's challenge at Delightful Challenges, may be a toughie for many of you. I really thought that I would have a hard time with it - NO embellishments and NO DP! Uggghh! Can you believe it? Well, what you won't believe is how stinking cute this card turned out! Sometimes you really have to challenge yourself by doing things outside of your norm.

For my card, I used Rocketing Ridley (if you want him, you need to hurry and get him - he is about to retire and disappear forever! Plus he is on sale!) I also used the Come Fly with Me sentiment. I embossed dark blue Core'dinations paper with the star folder, and used bright, primary colors. I added some stickles and machine stitching to give it a little zing.

I hope you will join us this week! We always have generous sponsors with fabulous prizes!

Challenges:
One Stitch at a Time - digi
Stampin Sisters in Christ - something built with a plan
Crazy Challenge - Boys will be boys
Lexi's Creations - stitching
Stamp and Create - stitching
Stamp Something - Go digital
Stamp, Scrap, Doodle - animals

Sketch Challenge at Karen's Doodles

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I thought I would get ahead on some computer work this weekend, and my power was off all day yesterday - so, now I'm running to catch up!


We have an awesome sketch for you this week at Karen's Doodles USA. I use the Tropical Rosie set. I love being able to rearrange the elements in this set. If you want to include Herbert in the fun, then you should get the Tropical Party set.


I hope you will get a chance to play along! This is such a fun sketch, and as always, you could win some great Karen's Doodles images.

Challenges:
Artful Inkables - stitching
Peachy Keen - Summer Destinations plus buttons, brads or bling
Crazy4Challenges - buttons
Stamp, Scrap, Doodle - animals
Bunny Zoe - Summer Days
Stamp Something - Go Digital
One Stitch at a Time - Digital

Can you tell I chose the challenge at Belles N Whistles?

Ok, anyone who knows me or follows my work, knows that I love to distress everything that is not moving! So, of course, when it came time for me to choose a challenge at Belles n Whistles, I picked distressing! Yay! So get out your inks, your distressing tools or scissors - and use any type of distressing that you would like. Remember, you are playing for a BnW stamp of your choice!

I used the adorable Clowning Around from the Forever Young collection. I cut my circles (which by the way are also distressed!) using the Kreaxions Circle Cutter - my new favorite tool! That bodacious bow was made using some fantastic 1 1/2 inch wide Rose Satin from Really Reasonable Ribbons.

I hope you will get a chance to play along!

Challenges:
Crafty Creations - sketch
Crafty Pad - picture inspiration
Stamptacular Sunday - Ice Cream colors (cherry)
C.R.A.F.T. - babies and children
Artful Inkables - stitching

Sketch week at the Beary Scrap

I love the sketch this week at the Beary Scrap! Just awesome - and guess what? Our challenge until July 31st is to use this great sketch and share your project. You could win a fabulous prize package from the Beary Scrap!

For my card I used Kraftin Kimmie Angry Ballerina. I think this image is so funny! Did you notice those gorgeous roses? Those are the new mulberry roses that Kimm is carrying. You will love these! Also, you know I really am addicted to MME Laundry Line papers. I think I could use them on every card!

I hope you have a chance to play with us on this gorgeous sketch challenge!

Challenges:
Paper Sundaes - Lots of Layers
The Pixie Cottage - triple play
Charisma Cardz -pink

Multi-tasking Evening

I know I am going to have a really busy day tomorrow, so I had to finish my recipe card for a challenge at Flourishes tonight! Besides that, I actually am supposed to be making a big dish of this cherry yum-yum for a dinner tomorrow night! At least I won't have to hunt for my recipe.

Challenges:
Flourishes - Favorite Recipe
Simon Says - Fruity
Pile it On - Holiday Colors, but not holiday

Surf's Up Dude!

Alright, after putting you in the Christmas spirit for the past few days, let's snap back to reality! It's still hot, still summer, and I will be going to the beach in a couple of weeks.

We have a new challenge at Delightful Challenges - It's a beach theme using the colors in this picture for inspiration.We would love to have you play along!

Challenges:
Sketch Saturday - sketch
Stamp, Scrap, Doodle - Make a Scene
By the Cute and Girly - Warm summer days
Sir Stampalot - Lazy Hazy Days of Summer

New Challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hi! I am really excited about today's challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon, because I chose it! When I was a little girl, I had a collection of antique Ribbon Doll pictures in my room, and I thought how fun it would be to use some of these as the inspiration for today's challenge. Here you can see some examples.




My card is more modern, but with a vintage flair.


I used an image from Karen's Doodles, Beautiful Queen, and printed her twice, and colored her. Then I added my Old Gold Satin ribbon to the bottom layer and "ruched" it using Scor-tape. I added some Lemon Kaiser Craft pearls on my ruffles, to give it more interest. Then I attached my top image (with the center portion cut out) over the other layer using dimensional tape. This was such a fun card to make! I really hope you will be inspired by this challenge. You don't have to make a ribbon doll, just take some inspiration from the pictures.

Challenges:
Pile It On - Holiday colors (but not holiday)
Totally Papercrafts - Swirls and Pearls
Stamp Something - 1 DP, 1 Ribbon, 1 image

Monthly Blog Hop Really Reasonable Ribbon

It's the 13th of the month, so it is time for the Design Team from Really Reasonable Ribbon to host a blog hop. We will be highlighting different ribbons from the store - and every month, you will have the chance to win our Ribbon of the Month kit! How awesome is that? If you have been following the ribbon path to get here, you should have arrived from Kym's blog. If you just stumbled upon this hop, then you will want to go back to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Ramblings to start. Be sure to leave a little love at each team member's post to be eligible to win this month's kit.


So, I guess I am continuing with the Christmas theme on my blog! We've got to break up this heat somehow. My wreath image is a new downloadable topper from Flower Soft that coordinates with Spellbinders dies. I added bits of Christmas Green, Russet Red and Ultra Fine Sage to add dimension to the image. It's really quick and fun!

For my ribbon, I realized that this awesome Ivory Crocheted lace is perfect for weaving a thinner ribbon through it. So I can have customized crocheted ribbon in a matter of seconds. How cool is that? Plus, just pull it a little tighter like I did, and you've got instant ruffles. For my accent ribbon, I used 3/8" Red Satin Edged ribbon.

So, I guess it's time to get hopping to the next eye candy at Amber's Blog. I know she will have something fantastic to share with you.

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

OK, you caught me. It's July and it has been really hot here in North Carolina, but why don't we cool things down a bit with some wonderful Christmas inspiration from Karen's Doodles. This week the US team is challenging you to get started with your Christmas cards.

For my card, I used Bigsby Swinging Lights. I colored him with copics, and cut and colored two sets of the lights - and added Liquid Glass to make them shiny. Then, I decided it just would not look Christmasy without glitter. So, I colored my entire background with a Zig glue pen, and added Martha Stewart ultrafine glitter.

If I keep working on my Christmas cards, maybe I will have enough finished in time for Christmas!

Challenges:
Karen's Doodles - Christmas
Basic Grey - Gingham
Friday Sketchers - sketch
Creative Card Crew - diecuts
Flourishes - Christmas in July
Creative Inspirations - On the Move
Simon Says - Picture inspiration (color)
Fussy and Fancy - Christmas in July
ABC Christmas Challenge - N Noel

Donkey Smiles for Michelle

Many of you have probably seen the sad news about Michelle Oatman's accident. Many people in the card making community are coming together to show their support for Michelle. There is a "Kickin It for Michelle"card drive until July 27th at A Spoon Full of Sugar.
Here is some information from the Stampavie blog:On Wednesday evening, June 23, Michelle Oatman had an accident while tending her beloved donkeys which left her blind in her right eye. She has shared the news of her accident in her blog post here (http://donkeysmiles.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-will-be-out-for-awhile-i-have-had.html) Michelle is an amazing stamper and is eager to be able to start crafting again. But she also has a lot of healing that needs to occur and she needs our support.

There are some wonderful donkey digi images popping up in blogland. I used one designed by Tina Wenke for Stampavie. You can pick up one too, by making a paypal donation for Michelle's fund of at least $3 (more is always welcomed!) to info@stampavie.com.
Also there is a great freebie from Karen's Doodles. We would just love to flood Michelle's mailbox with thoughtful handmade cards. It is really nice to inspire someone that has inspired so many of us, with a thoughtful gesture.

Now, onto my card!


I usually have a bit of a time making aperture cards because I like to make 6 x 6 cards, and if I try to put my cardstock through my cuttlebug, it doesn't quite fit, and crunches my sides. Well, problem solved! Today, I used my new circle cutter by Kreaxions. What a great tool this is! You can adjust it to cut any size circle up to 10 inches. Here is a link to a video for it. If you order one, be sure to say that I sent you for some "extra" special attention!


I wanted to show you some of the details of my card. I of course used copics to color this sweet little donkey, but I really wanted to add some texture, so I hand-stitched with angora thread his mane and tail. I love how this turned out! Also, I made another flower with my Cuttlebug quilling dies. The leaves are ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.




Here is the inside. The sentiment stamp is from CTMH.



Challenges:
Pixie Cottage: sketch/aperture
Cuttlebug Spot - use a 2x2 embossing folder (I used the butterfly medallion)
One Stitch at a Time - lace, ribbons, bows
Practical Scrapers - digi
Stamptacular Sunday - aperture
Alota - Inside out
Crafty Angels - circles and squares
Shabby Tea Room - embossing
Think Ink - sewing
Spoon Full of Sugar - Donkey Smiles
Cuttlebug Challenge - doilies and lace
Craftilicious - cute
Stamp and Create - stitching
Bunny Zoe - Nice and Girly
Stampavie - Dotty