Mid Challenge Inspiration

There is still one more week to get in on the challenge over at the Clear It Out Challenge Blog.  If you want to read all the details on the current challenge please click here.

Last weekend was my father-in-laws birthday so I made him this card.  It’s always really hard to make masculine cards but I’m happy with the way this one turned out. 

 

The image is from Digi Darla, our second sponsor for this challenge.  I added the sentiment underneath the branch and then cut the whole thing out with my Cameo Silhouette.

I used my copics to color it:

• Birds – B04/06
• Branch – E35/37
• Leaves – YG61/63

 

 

 

 

 

I used my Cameo to cut some octagons out of patterned paper and made a honeycomb pattern from them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In order to get my honeycombs evenly placed I created a template on my computer.  I printed the template on some white cardstock.  I used my sponger and added some color to the cardstock and then adhered the honeycomb pieces to the template.

 

 

 

 

 

I added some different colored eyelets and a button to the card to finish it off.

 

 

 

 

 

My Five Seconds Of Fame …

Last night, I tuned in to listen to a webcast interview hosted by a radio station in Spain. The host was interviewing someone that I had blogged about back in February.  You might remember the post .. “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger” .. about Megan who is battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I push the play button to listen and .. ummmmm .. the radio host was quoting MY blog. I had to listen to it a couple of times just to make sure, and yep, he was quoting my blog.

The interview was recorded by a friend of Megan’s and shared to youtube. When it started the host was about 3 or 4 words into one of the paragraphs I'd written and he finished out the paragraph. I knew it sounded very familiar so I came and checked the post I’d written and sure enough there were the words I had just heard quoted on the radio.  I wish I could find the whole interview online so I can hear exactly how much of my blog post he quoted ... and if he mentioned my name, haha.

It was freaky but exciting all the same.  Hope you are enjoying your weekend so far!  Happy Memorial Day to my friends in the U.S.

Clear It Out Challenge–Critters

The Clear Out Challenge has been posted and it's time to put on your crafty hat and join us for our next challenge.  The challenge this month is:

• Theme:  Critters
• Stash:  Use Earth Tones (paper, ribbons, coloring)

You have 2 weeks to play along (until June 3rd).

Our sponsors this week are:

and

 

Take a look at the card I created using items from my stash.

 

 

The image used on this card is a digi from QKR Stampede.  I just love ladybugs so I really enjoyed coloring this image for my card.

 

 

Speaking of coloring, I used the following copic markers to color my image:

• Ladybugs: R29
• Mushroom:  E37
• Grass:  YG61/63/67
• Flowers:  R22/Y15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sentiment was created by me and is available as a freebie HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, take a peek at the inside….

 

 

STASH LIST:
Cardstock:	Michael’s Recollections Stampin’ Up Copic Paper
Patterned Paper:	Michael’s Recollections Paper Pad
Image:	QKR – Watching Together
Copic Markers:	Ladybugs: R29 Mushrooms: E37 Grass:  YG61/63/67 Flowers: R22/Y15
Other:	Ribbon from Walmart

Greater Things Are Still To Be Done…

The other day I shared the story of Tim and Sharlene Bosma with you. In that post I shared about a facebook page, which now numbers more than 140,000 people, that was created when Tim was reported missing. 

A few days ago someone on that page suggested that we post where we live to show the Bosma family where the love and prayers are coming from.  As I scrolled through the more than 3,000 comments, I was amazed by just how far-reaching the impact of this horrific tragedy goes.  I copied just a small snippet of what I found:

• E. Holt; Wiarton, Ontario
• A. Whalley; Montreal Quebec
• G. Verhelst; Neerlandia, Alberta
• S. Macneill; New Brunswick Canada
• S. Hume; Harrington, PEI
• N. VanderHeide; Albany, Western Australia
• L. Green; Marystown, New Foundland
• J. van Staalduinen; Tennessee
• S. Bisschop; Lynden, Washington
• M. DeBeer; Izmir, Turkey
• C. Miller; British Virgin Islands
• M. Kraaijeveld; Rotterdam, the Netherlands
• D. Nielsen-Patton; Abilene,Texas
• H. Brown; Yarmouth Nova Scotia
• D. DeJong; South Bend, Indiana
• S. Aantjes; Kona, Hawaii
• Z. Smoker; Tokyo, Japan
• N. Berg; Colorado Springs, CO
• C. V D Beek; Reghin Romania EU
• E. Haugen; Norway (Europe)
• B. Koetsier; Edinburgh, Scotland
• D. Kranenburg; Port-au-Prince, Haiti
• J. Hodder King; Southern California
• J. Janice Barnhoorn; Jos, Nigeria
• J. McIntyre; Southport North Carolina
• M. Siebenga Hoogland; Managua, Nicaragua
• A. Vander Wier; Whitehorse, Yukon
• A. Ecclesiastes; Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• N. Decker; Grobbendonk, Belgium
• B. Vanderlaan; Weiterstadt, Germany
• E. Westerhoff; Corozal, Belize
• T. Knotts; Hattiesburg, Mississippi
• D. Jeanne; Normandy, France
• W. Holmes; Curtis, Austria
• L. Devries-Radun; Split, Croatia
• M. Cromie; Ireland

Amazing, right?!  When I see places like Turkey, Germany, Belgium, Croatia, Nicaragua, and so many others in this vast world of ours, I know that God is at work among his people.  People from all over the world have come together to support this family in love, prayers and some even financially by giving to the trust fund that was set up for Sharlene and the baby. 

Tim was found dead almost a week ago and yet people are still showing up to encourage, pray for, and love this family.  In a world where evil is so prevalent, it comforts my heart to know that there is still much good left in it.

Yes, God is definitely at work.

God Of This City! He IS at work!!

Mother’s Day – Card #2

I made a 2nd card and this is the one I decided to give to my mom.  She loved it … especially the prepaid mastercard that was tucked inside.

The image on this card can be found at Bugaboo Stamps.  I used paper from the Michael’s Recollections “Graceful” paper pad.  Love this paper pad!   The ribbon is from Walmart.

 

 

 

 

The scallop circles behind the sentiment and the lace scallop were both cut using my Silhouette Cameo.  I picked up a whole sheet of pearls and charm (see below) from the Dollar Store.  It’s a great source for embellishments – at least where I live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used my copics to color the image:

• Bonnet and dress: R81, 83, 85
• Flower Pot & Soil: E35, 37
• Flowers: Y11, 13, R20, 22, V12, 15
• Shoes: Y37 with some colorless blender added to soften it up.

 

 

 

 

Finally, here’s a peek at the inside:

 

 

Just before I wrap up I wanted to mention the challenge going on over at the Clear It Out Challenge blog.  This week’s theme is Anything Goes using 2 or more patterned papers.   We will have two winners.  One winner will receive 3 images of their choice from The Stamping Chef store. If you haven't heard of TSC, click here and check it out. You can even pick up a freebie or two to try :)  The other winner will receive 7 images ( a $21 value) from Bugaboo Stamps. Click here to go to their store and don’t forget that on Friday’s you can pick up a weekly freebie there too!

So that’s it.  I hope you will join us for this week’  I will be back on Friday to post the weekly Friday Freebie.  I hope to get some more cards made this weekend to post as well.

Mother’s Day – Card #1

I’m sorry I haven’t posted lately.  I have been sick again.  This weather, up and down likes it’s been, is making a lot of people around her sick.  Sunday we had a hail storm and a few flurries.  Keep in mind it’s May!!  Ridiculous!!!!!

Earlier in the month I created a couple of Mother’s Day cards and was waiting to post them until just before Mother’s Day but with being sick, I didn’t have the chance to do that so I’m posting them late.

The first card I created using an image from a new digi artist to me..The Stamping Chef.  The designer paper is from the Michael Recollections Collection, “Graceful”.  It’s one of my very favorite designer paper pads.  The ribbon is from Walmart.

 

 

 

 

I used my Cameo Silhouette to cut out the frame for my image as well as the banner for my sentiment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I colored my image with copic markers:

• Teapot – BG10, 15, 18
• Leaves – YG61, 63
• Flower Petals – Y11, 13
• Flower Pod – E35, 37

 

 

 

Finally, here is a peek at the inside of the card…

 

 

I’ll be posting card # 2 in a separate post.  Thanks for looking.

Bloglovin'

You may or may not know that Google Friend Connect is going to be discontinued in the near future.  For that reason I have created an account with Bloglovin' which is a similar service.  Unfortunately, I think this means that I am going to lose my follower count and will have to start from scratch.  I would be thrilled if those who are now following my blog click on the link below to follow me on Bloglovin'.  If all goes well, I hope to have a giveaway when I hit a number yet to be determined but more on that later.

So please do me a huge favor and show me some love by clicking on this link >>> Follow my blog with Bloglovin.

Thanks so very much!

Couldn’t Resist…My Favorite Thing

QKR Stampede is having a “favorite things” challenge.  This image by QKR Stampede is one of my very favorites! I just love it so much that I couldn’t resist making another card using it.  Take a look …

 

 

SUPPY LIST:
Cardstock:	Stampin’ Up Daffodil Delight Tim Holtz Idea-ology Seasonal Paper Pad
Patterned Paper:	K&Company Best Of Brenda Walton
Image:	QKR Stampede ‘One Of Those Days’
Copic Markers:	Toilet – E35 Feet – E000/E11
Other:	Michaels Recollections Brads

 

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

• QKR Stampede Challenge #36 – Favorite Things
• Jellypark Friends Friday Challenges – Make Us Laugh And Smile
• Card Crafter’s Circle – Boys To Men Masculine Card
• Paper Crafting Journey – Use A Sentiment
• Crafting By Designs – Anything Goes
• Nutcrafters – Anything Goes
• Penny’s Paper-Crafty Challenge – Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp Challenge – Anything Goes
• The Sisterhood Of Crafters – Anything Goes

Mid Challenge Inspiration–Button Up

I mentioned in my last challenge post that there were two sponsors for the Clear It Out Blog Button Up Challenge.  The image I have used in the card below is from QKR Stampede – our second sponsor.   This image looked like it might be a little challenging to work with but I loved it so much I couldn’t resist.  It took me a while but I finally found the perfect sentiment to go with it.  I am thrilled with how this card turned out and hope that it puts a smile on your face and a giggle in your heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPY LIST:
Cardstock:	Michael’s Recollections Kraft Cardstock Copic Paper
Patterned Paper:	K&Company Best Of Brenda Walton
Image:	QKR Stampede ‘One Of Those Days’
Copic Markers:	Toilet – W00 Feet – E000/E11
Other:	Buttons from Walmart Twine from Walmart

 

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

• Cards For Men - Anything Goes
• Critter Challenge #161 – Buttons
• Make It Monday - Anything Goes
• The Kraft Journal - Recycle or Re-Use (Kraft paper used)
• Mema's Crafts Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stamps Blog - Use 3 of any items (3 buttons used)
• Through The Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
• Challenges 4 Everybody – Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations Paint – Anything Goes
• Jellypark Friends Friday Challenges – Make Us Laugh And Smile

Baby #2

I made another baby card this week.  I don’t like this one as well as the one I shared the other day but thought I’d share it anyhow.   Hope you are having a great weekend.  I’m off to make some more cards.

 

 

 

 

SUPPY LIST:
Cardstock:	Michael’s Recollections Copic Paper
Patterned Paper:	K&Company Itsy Bitsy 8.5 x 8.5 Baby Girl Paper Pad
Image:	DigiDarla's Blessing Of Heaven 7
Copic Markers:	Hair – E11/E37 Skin – E000/E00/E13 Sleeper & Hair Bow - RV13 Bunny – R81/R83/R85 Cloud – W00 (hard to see in the pic but it’s there.)
Other:	Buttons from Walmart Ribbon from Walmart Scalloped die cut from Michaels

Clear It Out Challenge–Button Up

Time again for another Clear It Out Challenge.  This week’s theme is “Button Up” and the stash to be used is, of course, buttons.  

I mentioned earlier that my nephew and his girlfriend will be having a baby at the end of May.  Since we are having a baby shower this coming Sunday, I decided to kill two birds with one stone when creating my card for the shower.  I think it turned out as cute as a button … pun intended, lol.  Since we know it’s a girl, pink and white were my main colors of choice. 

The cute little baby stamp was created by Digi Darla who is one of the sponsors for this Challenge.  She’s offering 5 digital images of your choice to the winner of this challenge.  Our second sponsor is QKR Stampede who is also offering 5 free digital images of the winner’s choice.

 

 

 

I used last Friday’s featured freebie as the perfect sentiment for this card.  I colored in the little heart with some pink to make it pop.  If you look closely, you can see that I scored the white card stock behind the sentiment with my scor-pal for an added touch of texture.

 

 

 

 

 

I used my copics to color in the sweet little baby.  The following colors were used:

• Hair: E11/E37
• Skin:  E000/E00/E13
• Sleeper:  R81/R83/R85
• Bunny & Bow:  RV13
• Cloud: W00 (hard to see in this pic but it’s there.)

 

 

 

I added a pink frilly ribbon and attached a safety pin brad to it.

 

 

Pink buttons were added to all four corners of the card in keeping with this week’s theme.   Here’s a better look at the embossed lines made with the scor-pal.

 

 

To finish off the card I prettied up the inside with some matching cardstock, 3 buttons and some homemade baker’s twine tied on the button in the middle.  (Click here to see pictures of the baker’s twine that I’ve made using this tutorial.)

 

 

For more information about this challenge, please visit us on the Clear It Out Challenge Blog … and while you are there why not link up your own challenge card.

 

Clear It Out Challenge–Spring Flowers

Spring has sprung and it’s time for another Clear It Out Challenge.  This week’s theme is … you guessed it … Spring!  The stash item chosen for this challenge is flowers.  I found the cutest image for this card at Bugaboo’s store.  Bugaboo is offering up 7 free digis to the winner of this challenge.  Isn’t that awesome!

We have one more sponsor and it’s one of our CIO design team members, Karen Patterson.  She’s offering an assortment of 36 flowers in different sizes and fibers, yarn crochet thread, bakers twine and cotton fibers.  Package value is $12 to $15.

I decided to make a square card for this challenge.  I used cardstock and paper from Michael’s Recollection collection.

 

I used my copic markers to color in the little bee girl.  The ink from my printer wasn’t completely dry so it smudged a little :-(

The ribbon that is threaded through the scalloped border has printed flowers on it and I attached a fabric flower to the bottom corner of the image in keeping with this week’s theme.  There is also a flower in the image itself.   The sentiment was made by me.

 

 

Here is the inside of the card …

 

 

You can find more information about this challenge on the Clear It Out Challenge Blog.  I’d love to see you join us.

A Belated Happy Birthday

My brother’s birthday was back in the middle of March and I texted him that day to wish him a happy birthday.  Yesterday we were at my Mom’s for Easter dinner and, since I haven’t seen him in a while, I finally had the chance to give him his card.  I am really happy with the way it turned out and he loved it, too.

I went pretty basic with the paper and used solid cardstock for most of it.  It’s hard to tell here but the base layer is brown, the middle layer is green and the top layer is yellow, all cardstock from Michael’s.

 

 

The sentiment was created by me and will be the featured Friday Freebie this week so you can grab it, too.  I cut the label out with my Silhouette Cameo and sponged around the edges with my Tim Holtz sponger and some Tim Holtz China Blue ink. 

 

 

 

 

 

I cut a portion of paper from the Michael’s Recollections “Stitch In Time” paper pad for the scalloped border at the bottom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This cute little bee is a digital stamp by Trina Clark and was purchased from http://digiwebstudio.com/.  It was the perfect image for my card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I added some colored buttons along the edge of the scalloped border to finish off the front of the card.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, here is a peek at the inside…

 

Another view of the card…

 

Come back tomorrow for a look at my Clear It Out Challenge card for this week.

Liebster Award--Again

Well, I’m not sure if it’s OK to win this award more than once but I’m going to brag about it anyhow, lol.  Thanks to Cathy @ cathyshappiness.blogspot.com I was given the honor of being awarded, once again, for the Liebster Award.

About the Award

This award was designed to be a blog award in the Pay It Forward fashion.  Once you've been nominated, you award it to five blogs that you like that have fewer than 200 followers, to encourage new visitors to visit these blogs.

Rules for Acceptance

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog.  Post the award onto your blog.  Give the award to five blogger who you appreciate that have fewer than 200 followers.  leave a comment on their blog letting them know that you have given them this awesome award!

Pay it Forward

Choosing five bloggers whom I find inspiring isn't easy as I am inspired by so many!  Here are my choices and I know you will all agree with me once you visit their blogs and see just how great they all are!

Here are the one's I have chosen:

Jen Christoffersen
http://amethystsundays.blogspot.ca/

Ruby
http://handcraftedsimplybyus.blogspot.ca

Gail
http://ilikepaper01.blogspot.ca/

Melina
http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.ca/

Jeanete Cloyd
http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.ca/

All of these artists are so cool so go check them out, let them know I sent you, and become a follower!

Hippity Hoppity Easter’s On It’s Way

It’s mid-challenge inspiration day at Clear It Out Challenge Blog and this little bunny is having some fun hopping down the trail.  Thanks to Nikki at Limited Runs – one of our sponsors --  for providing this cute little fella.  Check out her blog to see some of the great images you could be winning.  Hop over to the Clear It Out Challenge Blog if you want to enter this challenge!  Just as a reminder it’s an Anything But A Rectangle – Easter theme using any stash you have on hand.  ** we understand not all crafter's celebrate Easter so please feel free to use spring colours instead **  Good luck!