Fitztown Challenge #10 - Anything Goes with a Twist (Something Old/Something New)

I am so excited about the current challenge at Fitztown Challenge Blog (FCB)! The theme is anything goes with a twist and the twist is use something old and something new! I've been all about using my stash for the longest time and I love, love, love the fact that I can do so this time around! Well, I always do, but I'm usually embarrassed about it but today, no apologies needed! lol I've been so gung ho about the whole thing, I've forbidden myself to buy new things. Well, for the most part! ;)

Here's my card:

I actually made this card for my friend, Maria. It was her birthday recently and she turned 29. ;) I know her real age and I'm sure she wants me to keep it a secret! Ha! The image made me think of this! This is one of Morgan Fitzsimons' images at Fitztown. I used Fae 17 from the Fae Collection. So the image is new not only in that I've not ever used it before but it's from Morgan's latest release! How lucky could I get? I colored the image with my Copic markers. Then as I wrote earlier, everything else is from my stash. I'd hoarded those flowers for the longest time because I thought they were just too pretty and couldn't make myself use them! I finally did and I think they look great with the image! Oh, that lacey ribbon with pearls is also new. I purchased that recently from Hobby Lobby's fabric department! I thought it was way pretty and found myself thinking I just Had. To. Have. It!

I'd like to enter this card into these challenges:

Challenge #26 at Sister Act Card Challenges

Inspire Me Fridays 122 - Anything Goes at Five Simple Things

I am a follower of these blogs and I display the badges here. 

Fitztown is also giving away a gorgeous Morgan Fitzsimons' fairy image from her Fae Collection. You can read all the details here. 

So thanks for stopping by and I sure hope to see you over at FCB Challenge #10! Come have some fun and use your stash while your at it! You know you want to! ;)

DigiStamp4Joy Sunday Release

It's that time of week again! Yes! Sunday Release at DigiStamps4Joy! There's a really cute 8-piece baking set and Misteri Santa's Secret. I got to wondering why she's got to be Santa's secret? ;) lol I had a hard time deciding which image to use, I like them both so much!

Here is my card using Misteri Santa's Secret:

Here's a close up of the image:

Here's a closer look at the hand-written sentiment:

This is my second tri-shutter card and I was surprised at how much easier it is to make one than it looks! I got the instructions at Beccy's Place. I colored the image with Copic markers and used some Stickles Glitter Glues in Crystal on the "fluff" on her outfit and Baby Blue on the bow. I framed the mat with Stickles Liquid Pearls in Baby Blue. I made the mat with an HOTP Design Tool #3. The PP, card stock, rhinestones, snowflake brads and beaded snowflakes are from my stash. I hand wrote the sentiment. This is a sentiment that ALWAYS comes to mind when I see a scantily dressed woman in a Christmas themed or winter outfit! I'm thinking she MUST be freezing to death! lol 

I'd like to enter this card into these challenges:
DSC #55 - Anything Goes at Digitally 'Sweet' Challenges
Inspire Me Fridays 122 - Anything Goes at Five Simple Things
I am a follower of these blogs and I display the badges here. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Surprise Challenge

I read something on Facebook that got my attention fast and quick! Fresh Brewed Designs announced they were having a SURPRISE CHALLENGE! The announcement baffled me. What could they mean by a surprise challenge? They encouraged customers to grab a freebie off their store for this surprise challenge but there was a limited time to do so. So I jumped on over to their store and grabbed this cute freebie called Coffee Shop. It's not free anymore. The thing is... they had TWO freebies.

I thought I had to pick ONE. So I did. Today as I am reading the other entries, I discover I could have picked both! Imagine my disappointment because they are both way cute! The challenge calls for following a sketch and here is the sketch:

I think this is a cute sketch and here's my take on it:

I went a little crazy with the colors! lol I do like how it came out and truth be told, I had to tone down the picture! IRL it's not as bright but the picture was screaming HOT PINK! Sorry, didn't mean to scream at you but that's what the picture was doing! ;) All supplies used are from my stash and I colored the image with Copic markers. It cannot be seen but I colored in the doorknob with JOT Metallic Ink Permanent Marker in Gold. (Couldn't find a working link for you! :( ) I dabbed the center of the flowers with Stickles Liquid Pearls in Buttercup and added some Liquid Applique in Yellow to the cupcakes. I finished by sprinkling some Snow Crystal Glitter on the Liquid Applique before it dried. I punched out two corner punches to add to the corners of the long green and white striped paper with Fiskars Lace 3-in-One Corner Punch. I dotted the green shades with an American Crafts Galaxy Marker in White. I then used a Marvy Uchida Le Pen in Brown to hand write some "shop talk" on the blinds in the windows of the image. I thought it came out wicked cute!

Hope you've enjoyed reading all about this as much as I enjoyed writing it! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Fitztown Challenge #9-Pearls and Lace/Ribbon

Here's my card for the current Fitztown Challenge #9 - Pearls and Lace/Ribbon. I've used one of Morgan Fitzsimons images from Fitztown. 

If you are unable to find the image in the store and you're interested in it, you can email sales@Fitztown.com with a link to the image and someone can help locate the image for you. 

Here's my card:

I've used Copic markers to color the image. The flowers, lace ribbon, pearls and feathers are from my stash. The BG paper is from DCWV's Lemon Flower Stack. I dabbed Stickles in Crystal on the flowers to make them shimmer. 

I'd like to enter this project into these challenges:

PTT #139 Anything Goes at Party Time Tuesdays

TTRCD Challenge September 24 - 30 at Through the Craft Room Door

I am a follower of these blogs and I have the badges displayed here.

There's still a few days to join in on the challenge at Fitztown! We'd love to see what you can come up with!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Release! - UPDATE

Here I am back with my updated post! Here's the card I should have had ready for this morning.

All supplies used are from my stash. The mat for the image and tag is from an HOTP Design Tool #3. I edged the tag and mat with Stickles in Aqua and Crystal, respectively. I hand wrote the sentiment and the flowers are made from heart punches.

I'd like to enter this into these challenges:
Challenge #38 Anything Goes at 613 Avenue Create
Challenge #29 Anything Goes at Challenges 4 Everybody

I follow these blogs and you can see my badges here.
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Sunday Release at DigiStamps4Joy today! 

Let me tell you what's been going on with me! It's been awful! First, my meds were changed so I'd been having a time trying to get used to the side effects. Just as I thought I was turning a corner, bam! I fall out of bed and land on my bad knee! Sad thing... I was sober! lol ;) Had to have a muscle relaxer to feel better and that left me so doped and unable to do anything. Today is my first day in my "regular, normal" world. ;) So, I didn't have time to get anything done but I have my image and I had to color it to show it to you because it's just too cute of an image!

Here it is:

I colored the image with Copic markers. This is Misteri Artist. I'll be turning this image into a card and posting it later today.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Tipple Topple Teacups

Did you miss me? ;) lol

I've been laid up pretty sick for a few days this week. First, cause of side effects from a new med. Then... just as I thought I was gonna see daylight. I took a tumble out of my bed and fell straight on my bad knee. Talk about painful! So anyways... I'm a few days late with my card. :(

This is for DigiStamps4Joy current #76 Color Challenge PLUS Twist. The twist is to add ribbon or twine. Well, I struggled just to get the card done. I'm not too keen with color challenges. First, I usually get stuck on the color but this time around... I had the wrong color! Then as I struggled with the color, I realized when I was done... I forgot the twist! :(

This is the color inspiration:

Do you see purple and orange? Because I do! But when I look at my teams cards... they've used blue and orange! Ssooo... I guess in my old age I'm becoming color blind too! Ugh! 

So here's my card:

I've colored the image, Tipple Topple Teacups, with Copic markers. I decided to add Stickles to make it look prettier. We all know... Stickles makes everything prettier! I made the two flowers and added some rhinestones for some bling. The shape of the card and flower template is from an HOTP Design Tool #3. You know... at one point I thought of adding twine but decided that I'd gone so overboard with the Stickles, I wasn't sure it would look right. lol I tell you!

I'd like to enter this card into these challenges:

Challenge #54 Gems and Bling at Delicious Doodles Challenges

Challenge #54 Anything Goes at Digitally 'Sweet' Challenges

I am a follower of these blogs and I display a badge here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Fitztown Challenge #9 - Pearls and Lace/Ribbon

Time for a new challenge at Fitztown Challenge Blog! We're having our Challenge #9 - Pearls and Lace/Ribbon. How pretty does that sound!?! 

Here is my card:

This is a Morgan Fitzsimons' image from her vintage collection. All the supplies I've used are from my long-hoarded stash. 

I'm entering this project in these challenges:

Challenge #48 Anything Goes at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenges

Inspire Me Fridays #120 Anything Goes at Five Simple Things

Challenge #24 Anything Goes at Sister Act Card Challenge

I am a follower on all these challenge blogs and you can see the badges here.

I sure do hope you'll join us at Fitztown for this new challenge! Thanks for stopping by!

DigiStamps4Joy Sunday Release

Hey there Bloggers! It's Sunday and you know what that means over at DigiStamps4Joy? Yup! Sunday releases! Woohoo!

Here's mine:

This is Mila Picking Lavendar. I've colored the image with Copic markers. I used Colorbox inks on the background for the sky. I dabbed some Stickles Liquid Pearls in Baby Blue on the flowers in the image. I then glued some loose rhinestones... you read that right... LOOSE rhinestones!! I thought these were gonna make me cry! It sounded like a really good idea when I first thought of it! I also thought the rhinestones would mimic the flowers. I then dabbed some Stickles in Crystal on the purple flowers to give them some shimmer. The sentiment comes from a Raisin Boat clear stamp set called Formal Phrases. I cut the image mat and tag from an HOTP Design Tool Kit #3. 

Be sure to pop on over to the blog because this is a special release and if you head on over there, you'll find out why!

I'm entering this project in these challenges:

Challenge #48 Anything Goes at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenges

Inspire Me Fridays #120 Anything Goes at Five Simple Things

Challenge #24 Anything Goes at Sister Act Card Challenge

I am a follower on all these challenge blogs and you can see the badges here.

Thanks for stopping by!

DigiStamps4Joy Sunday Release

It's that time of week! Yes! DigiStamps4Joy Sunday Release! I've got here Einstein Wannabe and boy howdy... does he ever! ;) lol

Here is my card:

Isn't he too cute!?! lol I've colored the image with Copic markers. ALL the supplies I've used are from my stash. The sentiment is an unknown stamp. I did use a Fiskars notebook border punch on the large blue mat. The smaller notebook mat with the sentiment is a clear stamp from Raisin Boat.

I don't know about you but I just FEEL smarter looking at him! ;)

I'm entering my card into this challenge:

Challenge #160 Back to School at 2 Sisters Challenge Blog

I am a follower of this blog and have a badge displayed here.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Drenched

I'm submitting this card to the From the Heart Design Team Call. I love Faith Skrdla's images! I also just happen to play along with her progressive monthly challenge which is how I found out about the DT call. I'd love to color up some of FTH images more often for sure! :)

Here's my card:

I've used card stock, printed paper and ribbon from my stash. I colored the image with Copic markers. I added some Robin's Nest clear dew drops to mimic the falling raindrops. I dabbed some Glossy Accents on the rain drops and puddle to give it a wet appearance. That's me! All about the little details. :)

I used a We R Memory Keepers Sew Stamper Tool to create the stitched background. What a nightmare! I purchased this item about a year ago and kept forgetting I had it. The ribbon reminded me this time and I thought it would add to the background. I think it did... but it was a horror using it! The ink stays wet for quite a bit and I didn't pick up on this right away. It stained almost EVERYTHING! I didn't mean to add a ribbon to the top of the card but I had to cover these black smudges that I couldn't cover with the colored image. :( I was a little perturbed by the whole thing and NOW I see that there's a video demonstrating how to use it on You Tube. Ugh! I planned to pass the stamp to someone else who would want it but I think I'll watch the video and give this little gizmo one more try. I've often said... my momma didn't raise no quitter! ;) lol

Thanks for stopping by!

From the Heart - September Stamp of the Month

This card is for the monthly challenge at Delightful Inspiration {from the heart}. Faith Skrdla will gift you a digital image for each month you participate in the challenge. Isn't that way generous of her?!? It is a progressive challenge that started in September and at the time, the first image was free. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered this in January. In order to receive the freebie, you must make a purchase and request the freebie of the month, and as long as you continue participating in the challenge, you'll receive a free digi each month. For the month of September, the freebie image is Bobbing for Apples. 

Here is my card:

All card stock, button and twine are from my stash. The printed paper is from Daisy D's line called Feuillage, which is French for foliage. What a coincidence! I'm making a fall card! :) It's almost like I planned it that way! ;) lol By the way... I just knew that... I didn't have to look it up on Google. ;) I'm thinking the paper line is retired. I think I've had it like forever and a day! I've been sinful and I am on a mission to rid myself of my stash. I'm not allowing myself to purchase paper until I use ALL my paper... ummm... that seems like a really long time... cut it down to at least 50%... geez... ok... use a LOT of it. ;) I've colored the image with Copic markers. I hand wrote the sentiment and stamped small leaf images from a Raisin Boat clear stamp set called Formal Phrases onto a freehand cut banner. I dabbed Stickles in Star Dust on the lace of the girl's dress and in Baby Blue on the water. I covered all the apples with Glossy Accents to give them a shiny appearance. For me... it's always about the details. :)

I've written a few times before about how much I love, love, LOVE The Paper Shelter. I have oodles of their images because I just love them so much! Well, they are having a DT Call right now. I've tried talking myself out of it. I don't like rejection. However, what have I got to lose? Right? So I'm going for it! Because... in case I've not said this before... I love, love, LOVE The Paper Shelter! By the way, I have my Facebook badge on the right sidebar and my email address is listed on there! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Tom the Turtle

I found a blog with an artist who is generous with her images. I signed up and waited patiently to see what I'd receive. I was thrilled to receive an adorable, fun turtle image. 

My day started out pretty good until I had to speak with someone in customer service. People... I am of a dying breed! When I had a customer speak to me, I remembered they had a choice who they did business with and treated them with respect. Until they turned nasty, I'd give them the choice to calm down or call back. If they chose to not calm down, I'd say good bye and hang up. End of story. :-\ Anyways... that's NOT the type of customer service I received today. It was frustrating and the CSR was belittling. All because I had a few questions about my bill. I'm not ashamed to tell you... she made me cry. I didn't once speak to her in anger. I simply responded I would have to call back later and hung up. It's hard to do, sometimes, people! I'd like to react very badly, I can get so frustrated sometimes. But I did not. Instead, I spent the morning licking my wounds. Determined not to let it spoil my entire day.

In an effort to save the day, I decided to color an image and make a card. The first image I came across was my Tom the Turtle freebie from Gerda Steiner Designs. You can find other cute images here.

Here is my card:

Isn't this a cute, happy image? I made it for a special grand nephew or niece. I'm not ruining the surprise! :) It cheered me up and I forgot all about the horrible CSR. I added a fabric ribbon and button I'd been hoarding since forever! The clouds are cutout from a cloud embossing folder and I drew in the faces to smile along with cheerful Tom Turtle. :) I edged the clouds with a blue Colorbox ink pad. I colored the image with Copic markers. I mounted all of this on card stock and printed paper from my stash.

Hope this put a smile on your face! Thanks for stopping by!

Telephone Post-It Pad Holder

I made myself a little telephone Post-It pad holder for Fitztown's Challenge #8 - Anything But a Card. Here it is:

Wasn't I clever? ;) I cut a thin piece of cardboard and two strips of printed G45 paper from their Communique Collection. I glued one strip of paper on front of the cardboard and on back of the cardboard. I matted the telephone Karen Sheltrown image on a red mat bordered by a thin strip of white paper punched with a flower patterned punch. I colored the image with Copic markers. I edged the entire project with black ink. Something I realized I probably should have done BEFORE I glued the entire project together but as I pointed out earlier, my head's a little fuzzy and I wasn't thinking clearly. I glued two magnets underneath the paper on the front two panels facing each other. I used temporary double sided tape on the back of the pad to secure it to the holder.

Quick measurement run down:

Cut paper 3 1/4 inches by 8 1/2 inches

Score at 1 1/2, 1 7/8, 5 and 5 3/8 inches

You can easily use one strip of sturdy card stock paper. These are quick and you can make half a dozen in no time for gifts to co-workers, teachers, home office, etc. It took me longer because I wanted a sturdier one for my own personal use that I could use over and over again. But you can make these to gift with pretty printed card stock. You'd want to use a strong adhesive to secure the pad to the back of the holder and you can substitute Velcro dots on the inside of the front flap.

By the way, images are still being downloaded to the store so check back often. If you see an image you'd like to have, email sales@fitztown.com with the link to the image and something can get worked out for you. :)

So that's my little project for today. Don't forget to join us for our current challenge! Hence... the Post-It pad holder! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

DS4J Challenge #75 - 60s Inspiration

The current challenge at DigiStamps4Joy is a 1960s theme inspired challenge. How fun! I am WAY too young to have it come naturally so I had to research ita bit. ;) (wink, wink) lol Seriously, I was a child during the 1960s and don't remember much about the era. Kinda think it's sad I missed out on so much!

So here's my card:

I'll tell you what! I had a heap of fun researching the 1960s! It would have been the perfect time for me just because of the colors! These were so awesome! I've used here some tie-dye smiley face BG paper that I've been hoarding for quite some time because I thought it was way too 1960s! I couldn't make myself use the pretty paper. But then... I may have been way off with the era too but I got that in my head and I wasn't letting it go. I saw the colors used on the outfit on one of the images I researched and I LOVED the color combo so here it is! :) Rhinestones and card stock are from my stash and the sentiments come from two separate Raisin Boat clear stamps. I colored the image with my beloved Copic markers. The image I've used is called Twiggy and you can find her here.

I'd like to enter my cards into these challenges:
Challenge #28 - Anything Goes at Challenges 4 Everybody
#63 - Anything Goes at Addicted-to-Stamps Challenge Blog

Anything Goes Week #2 at Creative Inspirations Paint

I am a follower of these blogs and you can see the badges here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Fitztown Challenge #8 - Anything But a Card

I like making cards. I like to alter things. I have to be in the mood to alter things though. I couldn't help myself this time. I planned to alter a completely different item. I bought a picture frame and colored one of Morgan Fitzsimons' images to hang in my home. I love fall. I had colored this image with these rich fall colors I love, reds, oranges, golds and browns.

I like to write. I thought once I started a blog, I'd probably not write as often in a journal. WRONG! I know, I know... I've shown you pictures of my backside why would I not write all my deep dark secrets? Well, some stuff needs to be left to the imagination! ;)

So I do keep a journal. My friend, my enemy, my salvation, my condemnation. When I was younger, I wrote every. Single. Day. As I've gotten older, I may spend months on end writing almost every day, sometimes two or three times a day and then I may go months without lifting the journal. As it would be the day I thought of putting my frame together, I felt the need to write in my journal. This particular notebook IS a NIGHTMARE! It's 600+ pages, a 6X6 frame and about three inches deep. The 6X6 pages are a perfect fit for writing. The three inches deep... not so much. One of the reasons I do not write in it every day. I've tried being better about this because by golly... I've had this journal for a few years and I'd like to start using another one! I thought to myself... what if I made it prettier?!? Surely, that would make me want to pick it up more often. What could be prettier than one of Morgan Fitzsimons' images from Fitztown. Not anything that I can think of at the moment! :) I colored the image to reflect the colors of the journal and here it is:

All supplies are from my stash. The sentiment is from Ginger's House. Now, when I pick up my journal and reflect on what I plan to write in it... I sit and admire the cover and gather my thoughts carefully. :) I'm thinking of covering the phone books with some pretty paper and fairy images too! ;)

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Challenge #22 Anything Goes at Sister Act Card Challenges

Challenge #74 Anything Goes (must use always use an image) - Pattie's Creations Design Challenge
Anything Goes at The KraftyHands Challenge Blog

Inspire Me Fridays 118 - Anything Goes at Five Simple Things
Challenge #28 - Anything Goes at Challenges 4 Everybody

I am a follower of all three blogs and have badges displayed here.

Please join us for our current challenge, #8 - Anything But a Card. We'd love to see what you can make outside of a card base! :) Come have fun with us and maybe even win a prize!

Thanks for stopping by!

Arms Full of Love

Good morning and welcome to a little corner of my world, fellow bloggers!

I'm here to officially announce I am a DT member for DigiStamps4Joy! Yay me! lol I'm so excited about this. I've already learned to do ONE new thing... adding a REAL watermark to my cards! Boy howdy, I got close to crying a little bit but I got it done. At first, I threw up white flags all over the place insisting I could not figure it out on my own but guess what? I. Did! ALL. By Myself... with a little help from YouTube! ;)

So here is my first "official" card for DigiStamps4Joy's SUNDAY RELEASE! So sorry! Didn't mean to yell but you should know by now how excited I get about stuff like this! :) I've used an image called Arms Full of Love, hence the title of my post. Faithful readers should know by now how I like things to be CLEARLY labeled. :) I've colored the image with my beloved Copic markers. The BG paper is from It Takes Two and one I've been hoarding since about 2004-2006ish. Shameful! I know! The rhinestones and pink glittered heart are newer. These are from Hobby Lobby and Michael's, respectively. Brown card stock is from Joann's Fabrics and Crafts. Both sentiments are from a Stampabilities stamp set I purchased from Tuesday Morning. I like to spread my money all over town! ;) I made the corners with my Fiskars Lace 3-in-1 Corner Punch. 

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Challenge #22 Anything Goes at Sister Act Card Challenges
Challenge #74 Anything Goes (must use always use an image) - Pattie's Creations Design Challenge
Inspire Me Fridays 118 - Anything Goes at Five Simple Things

I am a follower of all three blogs and have badges displayed here.

Image conjured up thoughts of love, chocolate and strawberries first time I laid eyes on it. I couldn't figure out how to add strawberries to the card but red was the next best thing! :) I'm thinking if there are any pessimists out there in blogging world, they'd be thinking it's too late for Valentine's Day. Optimists would be thinking it's way too early but best to be prepared! ;) lol It's none of those really... it's always a perfect time to tell someone you love them! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!